Back to Bidness

Well, I definitely enjoyed that little blog hiatus, but I suppose its time to get back to it. After all, If I have to go back to work, I might as well get back to writing too. :)

I hope you all had fantastic holidays, and are getting in to the swing of a new year.

5/365: blogging with tinni

In keeping with the blog-o-sphere’s obsession with the new year, I guess I should drop my two cents in and say that I don’t “DO” resolutions. Last year, I went so far as to call them “anti-resolutions”… I’m good with goals though… that is a good thing, I think.

I certainly don’t like the pressure of listing all I will accomplish for the year at one time, my goals and desires (not to mention interests) change with the seasons, and I don’t want to box myself in, or set myself up for disappointment should I change my mind.

However, I’ve thought of some things that I’m totally committed to doing, and other things that might be cool, if I still feel like it when the time comes. :D

in 2010, I’m committed to making these things happen…

  • I will STOP defining myself and measuring myself by the opinions of others (perhaps the greatest flaw in my character)
  • I will be a loving, attentive, and passionate wife
  • I will sing in a public and professional setting (aka, NOT bloody karaoke-though I love it)
  • I will be cast in a stage production (make me a chorus girl, I don’t care)
  • I will dig deep into my yoga practice, because it brings deep and abounding joy and peace to my life
  • I will finish a half marathon (if my plantar fasciitis will ease up, and I can run it, that would be great)
  • I will find beauty in myself, and stop being so critical when I look in the mirror
  • I will maintain my healthy weight, and continue to be active and eat right.
  • I never want my weight to TOUCH 150 again. I weigh 144 right now, and have weighed 143~145 since October. Lower would be cool though.

in 2010, I’d be stoked if these things came to pass, but I won’t get my panties in a bunch if they don’t…

  • I’d like to blog 5 times a week
  • I’d like to try a sprint distance triathlon
  • I’d like to cut back on some of the crap I still eat (I’m a sucker for wine and cookies)
  • I’d like to run a race in a place away from home
  • I’d like to see the ocean again
  • I’d like to get cast as a featured role in a stage production (I don’t mind if it’s small, but I’d love if my character had a name that I didn’t just make up… aka, villager #3)

I suppose that is it… :) You guys are awesome.

Have a happy Wednesday.

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January 5, 2010 | Kelsey | Tags: , , , | 12 Comments »

Happy Fitaversary To ME!!!

(Don’t forget to enter all 3 of my great giveaways! You could win 50 holiday cards, an 18×24 poster print, or a 16×20 rolled canvas print! Good luck!)

Wow, Wow, WOW!!!

A year ago today, I took a fitness assessment that was provided for free at my job. At that assessment, things like my weight, bmi, body composition, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, etc. were measured. While most of my numbers were “normal” I was NOT happy. I weight over 170 lbs, and was not looking cute…

(check out my health page at the top of my site, or click here to see more before photographs)

Before:

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The number that threw my jaw to the floor was my % Body Fat. I had 38.1% body fat.

The now almost famous conversation that I had in my head went something like this, “Woa. 38%. That is almost 40%… THATS ALMOST 50%!!! I’m almost HALF FAT!!!”

That night, I went to the store and bought the 30 day shred DVD… and the rest was history!

I’m proud of the accomplishments that I’ve had this year:

  • I worked out 30 days straight when I thought it’d kill me
  • I went from running 30 seconds, to running up to 5 miles
  • I graduated from the couch to 5k program
  • I’ve completed 4 5k races
  • I’ve completed 1 4 mile race
  • I’ve lost and maintained around 25 lbs to date
  • I’ve become more balanced and flexible
  • I’ve gone from a size 16 to a size 8
  • I’ve CHANGED my diet significantly, adding healthy and wholesome food to most of my meals.
  • I’ve become a moderator or a national board related to health and fitness.
  • I’ve got a blog reach of over 100 (usually quiet, but wonderful) readers who help keep me accountable.

That is a pretty damn good year, if you ask me. :)

So, to the FITAVERSARY PART…

Today, the fitness wagon came by again, one year after driving through and changing my world.

I bounded into the room, ready and excited to see my numbers…

Here are some highlights:

Last Year This Year
Weight 168 146
BMI* 28.8 25.1
Body Fat % 38.1 25.8
Overall Wellness 72/100 91/100

Check out last year’s sad diagnosis…

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Check out this year’s BEAUTY!!!!

THAT is meaningful change, people!

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I was LITERALLY glowing all day… My Jess-i-poo took some pictures of my happiness, so I could share my excitement with you fine people…

I posed with both of my reports, last year’s and today’s…

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I think this one says, “Hollerrr! I’m making myself the best me I can be and I have an abnormally huge smile!”

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I’ll close this incredible meaningful post (to me, anyway) with an excerpt from last year… the day after my 38.1% epiphany…

One of the most prevalent messages of the story [kung fu panda] was that, there is no “trick” to becoming who you are destined/meant/hoping to be… No self help book, no 30 day shred workout video, and no special website that will make that change happen. In the end, we have to decide to make that change ourselves.

Anyone who has known me for any length of time has undoubtedly heard one of the dozens of “I’mma change! I’m gonna get fit! I’m gonna finish an album! I’m gonna eat only organic! I’m gonna blog every day!” ;) But… maybe, just maybe… a day will come and those changes that I want to see in myself will be my day-to-day… moment to moment priorities.

Love you guys…

<3

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November 9, 2009 | Kelsey | Tags: , , , , , | 25 Comments »

Jumping on all kinds of wagons!

Well, friends, check me out! Two posts in 48 hours! That is what I’m talking about!

I just wanted to write a quick post about some things that I’ve been planning for myself.

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1. Tomorrow marks the beginning of my n00b tennis lessons. That’s right, I’m taking tennis 101. The way I see it, it will be a good workout, and it would be pretty darn adorable to be able to play with my hubs. So, I’m going to give it a shot and see if I like it. :D

(tennis doesn’t look like this—>)

2. Sometime after tennis is over, I think I’m going to go ahead and get a month’s membership at the yoga hut. I visited on Labor Day and it was a wonderful (albeit 3 hour) experience, and I can’t wait to go back. IMG_3040

3. This month was “no scale September” for me, which means that I haven’t looked at the number on the scale for a whole month! I’m actually looking forward to getting up there on October 1st after a whole month of calorie tracking and being pretty active. I’ve been maintaining throughout the whole summer with only a small fluctuation following my trip to Spain.

 

4. I’m about ready to start my 30 day challenge again! (who knows, maybe it will be an annual thing) The challenge includes blogging once a day, and previously doing the 30 day shred everyday for 30 days. So, the question will be do I try to do the shred everyday except tennis lessons and make it an October challenge? Or do I make myself do the shred and tennis? Who knows. I’m still ironing out the kinks.

5. I’ve been a reading fool since graduating lately and I’m really getting back on track with my 25 books in 2009 challenge that I took on in February. I’m really enjoying the Percy Jackson series (just finished the second one), and I look forward to cracking open the new Dan Brown (don’t gag ;) ) as well as the 2nd in the Sookie Stackhouse series.

6. Running! I am still doing some soul searching about running. As you may know, I never ended up running that 10k that I was training for in July. I’m not sure if it was lack of dedication, lack of fitness, or both, but somehow, it just didn’t feel right. In other news, running is a source of relaxation and reflection for me, and running on a training plan and squeezing out miles really stresses me out. If I can go out and run 3 miles with a smile on my face vs.. going out and striving for 5 and hurting myself/getting mad/resenting my runs/stressing about numbers… maybe that should be my goal. 

That is about it for now. Gonna nod off reading some of The Titan’s Curse, and getting ready for another Monday! Leave me a comment and let me know you’ve not all abandoned me! haha. Goodnight!

September 27, 2009 | Kelsey | Tags: , , , | 4 Comments »

She’s my [beefy] cherry pie…

So, husband and I had our splurge night tonight. We ended up running to the grocery store to get something sweet, and the deal is that we can eat whatever we want…

So, I picked up one of those hostess cherry pies, you know, the little pocket pie thing… I used to eat them FOR BREAKFAST sometimes in college.

Well, I opened the package and took a bite… no big deal…

Then hubs said, “woa… have you looked at how many calories are in this thing”

to which I replied, “well, I know it is a lot, but that is what splurge night is about!” :)

I couldn’t resist the urge to check so, I looked… 480 calories for the pie. Of course, since I was already looking at the back, I started skimming the ingredients list… big mistake…

The word “beef” crossed my vision. WTF?! Turns out these pies can be made with all sorts of shortening including soybean or even “beef fat”

Surprisingly enough, I somehow convinced myself that I deserved another bite… I started chewing, and my teeth hit something hard… You know how that sometimes happens with sausage or hotdogs? It was… un real.

I looked at him and said… “I can’t eat this… I’m strong enough NOT to eat this.” and chucked it.

I can’t imagine eating one ever again….

Have any of you ever had any food freakout moments?

June 12, 2009 | Kelsey | Tags: , , | 4 Comments »

My Anti-Resolution

Welcome to the new year!!

I’ve put off writing this entry, because I did not make any resolutions this year. I made Anti-Resolutions. :)

Anti-Resolutions, as I’m defining them, are not tied to a magical date, are not fads, are not triggered by the pressures of society and popular culture, but are commitments. (Let me disclaim and say that resolutions are highly effective for some people, and I wish every resolutioner great success in achieving their goals) For me, this commitment began in November when I started (and completed) the 30 day shred. The commitments I’ve made about my 2009 experience are not restricted to the coming 12 months, but are part of a CHANGE I’m making in my life.

In light of this information, I present, my 2009 Anti-Resolutions. :D

1. I will not worry about how much I weigh.

How much I weigh is not important. Being healthy is important. I want to live a long and active life, and in order to do that, I need to be more active and eat right.

2. I will not forgo a balanced diet.

I am not 16 years old and I can not eat everything I want. I will put good food in my mouth, and I will make choices about what I eat and drink, ensuring that I enjoy the fruits of life, but take everything in moderation.

3. I will not stand still.

I will run my first 5k in 2009. I’ve started the couch to 5k program (hereafter referred to as c25k)  and am on my 2nd week. My body, endurance, and stamina are already improving! I’m excited about this one.

4. I will not be quiet.

I pay for this blog. Instead of using a blogspot blog, I have my own domain and my own hosted blog, and I will not waste my money! :) I will blog more often than I did for most of 2008. More than just blogging, I will WRITE… so often I just fill up space. While that works sometimes, I should be more confident in saying things that I believe should be said.

5. I will not waste my brainpower!

I have 2 semesters left in grad school. I’ve managed straight 4.0, and if I focus, I can finish with one. Also, I want to keep reading. I love reading, and do more than most people, but I’ve got a pretty long to-be-read list, and I want to read a minimum of 25 books in 2009.

I will have a Masters Degree in 2009!

6. I will not take my fellow humans for granted.

From my beautiful husband, to my family, to my friends old and new, I want to make sure that the people in my life (even those with whom I’m only an acquaintance) know how valuable they are to me. I don’t want to miss out on chances to tell people that they are precious, and I am glad to have them in my life.

I hope that the promises you’ve made for your life bring you more joy and contentment in 2009, and I hope that the effects of your efforts last much longer than 12 months.

Happy New Year. :D

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January 4, 2009 | Kelsey | Tags: , , , , , | 3 Comments »