I weighed myself before and after every workout from December 2, 2012 until March 30, 2013, and turned my findings into a pretty chart. Continue reading
On Tuesday I had the honor of volunteering at the American Red Cross of the Mohawk Valley’s Real Hero breakfast. I had actually been invited to attend this event, as a frequent donor, but instead I was able to give to others who deserved it much more than me.
The food itself was all being catered by the hotel. I had originally been designated to be helping with guest registration, however there was actually no need for me there; four volunteers was enough. However, it was a good thing I was there, as a volunteer designated to hold a flag during the parade did not show up! Before I knew it I was holding a flag to honor a humanitarian award recipient! It brought me back to my old color guard days.
After the procession, I was able to get myself a plate, head to an empty table in the back, and watch the award ceremony. There were quite a few Real Heros being honored, including a familiar face! Gary Johnson and his fiance Lauren McEntire were honored for their pet rescue mission. Gary was the performer at the bar I went to in Oswego! (Click here to read about my Oswego visit) He also runs Elevated Events, and worked the stage lights and music at the CNY Bridal Expo & Fashion Show with PipLin a few weeks back. I had not known they had this rescue, so it was very encouraging, especially how they help pit bulls from the City and Base dogs from Afghanistan.
One of the award recipients truly amazed me. I have donated 18 times, totaling over 2 gallons. This man donated 208 times! That is 26 gallons of blood. I can only hope that I can continue to donate until I reach half of that. Although he wasn’t able to come be at the ceremony, they played a video with him describing his motives and responses to the award. He was so cute and made so many jokes for a 30 second video. I wish he could have attended to receive his award.
An event isn’t complete without SWAG: stuff we all get. I am addicted to free stuff from vendor shows and career fairs. I have so many pens with logos and banners on them that I have a separate pencil pouch for them. But of course, I can’t deny myself another one. I snatched a pen off the registration desk, and got a free pack of tissues from the spot at my table. I won’t deny I almost needed to open them and use one during some of the stories. The jackpot was mini Dunkin Donuts coffee bags! There were 4 on each table, and my table had no other guests! So, I am ashamed to say. I left with more than one. They are in my freezer ready for me to get energized when needed.
May is almost over! It seems like yesterday is was raining, and last week there was snow on the ground. Well, actually, it was raining yesterday. Apparently Upstate New York is now located in the Monsoon belt similar to that of South East Asia. But at least the temperature is rising. When the sun is up, so is my mood and optimism.
No, I did not park in a lake. The lake formed around my parking spot.
I have been busy, as always, trying to balance life with working out, friends, road trips, family, food, and my pets. By the way, I have now increased my furbaby count to 6. I impulsively bought 2 fancy rats, alternative named Harold and Algernon. I thought they needed to stay together, because rats are social creatures and they get lonely. But they are bonding with each other, and not with me.
Give us names!
My cats think I am nuts, but maybe I am.
Now that it’s warm outside, I can drink more power water. I am generally too broke to afford a lot of fruit, however they are great additives to water! By chopping or mashing fruit and adding it to water, you can make your own power water without added sugar or preservatives. The best part is, you can add more water after its done, and there is still flavor! then you get a great snack when you’re done drinking it.
10 halved grapes & 4 chopped strawberries; better than soda!
Since I walk in many events, and volunteer in many places, I have acquired tee shirts supporting different organizations and causes. But most of them are Large, and therefor too large for me. Even though I don’t go to the gym to attract envious eyes (I do anyway), I don’t always want to look like a slob in an oversized tee. I am making an effort to convert most of my old tee shirts into razorback tanks. I’ll keep a few with sleeves, because maybe one day I’ll just want to wear a normal tee shirt.
I am running out of pages in my 3rd notebook. It’s crazy how much I’ve gone to the gym or worked out in the past year. I’ve only been on this fitness kick for about a year now, and I’m surprised I’ve stayed on the ball. They say it takes 21 days to develop a habit. I’m glad this is the habit I chose and not one like smoking. I’d rather add beauty, health, and confidence to my life instead of take away those things.
My core has never been a focus to me, as I’ve always been naturally skinny. But now that my arms are toned, my legs are pretty dang sexy, and I have a but for the first time in my life, I think it is time to start working on my core. This will be done through planks, pushups, and Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred.
- Skinny, sure. Fit, not exactly.
I have also added hanging activities to my regimine at the gym. Although I cannot do a pullup (save this goal for a later day), I can hold myself and raise my legs (bobth straight and bent). I can only hit 3-5 at a time, but this too will become a goal soon.
But speaking of goals…. My goals for June are as followed…
- Plank 2 minutes every day, totaling 60 minutes. Hit 150 seconds plank
- Perform 15+ proper push-ups in one set
- Run outside 10+ times
- Complete 30 Day Shed
- Hike Mount Marcy (tallest mountain in NYS) [Date: June 24]
- Register for Warrior Dash [Deadline: June 26]
- Get a morning part time job so I can afford cute stuff like neon sneakers, colorful sports bras, fresh fruit, nail polish, mascara, Strong is Beautiful tank tops, dangle earrings, summer dresses, and maybe a tattoo.
There is no pattern, rhyme, or reason to most of these goals. They are simply thing I would like to accomplish this month.
I did the 2 minute plank challenge last May/June/July and saw very good core results. I have only recently began performing semi-proper pushups, without chicken wing arms. I am so self conscious of running outside, I am convinced people stare at me. Actually, I know they are, because they honk. I just don’t enjoy that. But treadmills and I have never gotten along. 30 Day shred has been all over fitblr (fitness based Tumblr accounts) lately, so I thought I would give it a shot. I’m not sure if I can do the 30 days in 30 days, but I’m going to try. I have recently decided I want to pursue the honor of calling myself a 46er, and so I have been planning more hikes. My father and I are going to hike Mt. Marcy on his birthday. I have a few friends invited too. I hope I survive, not that there are bears of anything. Ok, there are bears. I really want to do the Warrior Dash, but no one wants to do it with me. I am hoping to find someone, and register by June 26, so I get a lower rate.
I stumbled upon the Zombies, Run app on accident. I was scrolling through my dash on Tumblr and passed a post promoting it. It was clearly propaganda y a crazy zombie fiend who had found the app and fallen in love with i. their bias was evident, but they had worded it incredibly well, and pasted flashy pictures to steal my attention from the various fandoms scrolling across my dash. I had actually ignored the post a few times before curiosity took over.
I am not a fan of running. Or zombies. But for some reason the opinion of a nobody from nowhere special convinced me to pay $3 for a simulated zombie run. I have always pretended to be a runner. I tell people I like to run, even though really I don’t. My legs love it, but my lungs forget how to breathe, and my inability to push myself in anything beyond academics in school resulted in my involvement of only one season of track in school. Oops.
Birthdays have never been a big deal to. I’m always let down. But for some reason each year I hype myself up to expect something better than last year, and end up disappointed again.
Thursday
Wednesday night, before heading to the Red Cross to volunteer, my car decided it was no longer going to start. My Mighty Jack, a Christmas gift, failed to help me. So not only did I not volunteer or work out, but I was unable to buy cake mix. I had planned on baking cupcakes!
Without cupcakes, Thursday dragged along slowly. I went to sleep feeling as though it were the worst birthday. It was a bad day, period. Throw in the birthday card and I was very unsatisfied.
Friday
After working a short morning shift, I went to donate blood for my 18th time.
At the crack of dawn, just as the birds started their Saturday with the usual morning chirping, a friend and I set out on a journey to visit the beautiful North Country.
Just kidding.
Last night, I was struck with a wave of nostalgia, as Scott and I relived our childhoods and made a fort in my living room. We used my pull out couch & chair, a fitted sheet, and a blanket, as well as a shelf, and a table and tv for support. In truth, it was possibly the best fort of all time. I wish I had taken photos. We stayed up all night like children watching movies from within.
We planned on leaving by 7, to begin the north bound journey, but putting two “not-morning” people together and telling them to leave early is a terrible idea. We finally started moving around 7, and left shortly after 8. Luckily, my familiarity with the Adirondack Roads returned quickly, and I was able to speed through the winding, tree lined roads with ease. I cut estimated 3 hour 33 minute trip down to under 3 hours. I was impressed.
We took Rt. 28 until Blue Mountain Lake, and therefore missed my favorite Pig Rock, Alien Space Ship and Jesus Saves distance markers along Rt. 30. However, we were able to enjoy the rise in elevation and discussed the beautiful scenery, from the approaching mountains on the horizon to the trees and the rocks and the forest animals.
Just kidding, again. Continue reading
As a way warding stranger, I have an unlimited curiosity for road trips, traveling and visiting new places. I love to look at areas from both the tourist and local points of view.
I recently had the chance to spend the day is Oswego, NY an experience some of the historic beauty and college night life. I made the trip up on Friday, hitting the familiar comfort of wilderness shortly into my journey.
I met up with a friend, where we I checked our first attraction: Oswego 7. The local theater that only shows seven films, as described in the name. I was hoping to watch The Host, but it had already been pulled and replaced with new films!
I am so excited to see The Great Gatsby coming back to the big screen. The cast is wonderful, and the symbolism strong. This shall be a birthday gift to myself. Continue reading
