Hopefully tomorrow I’ll catch up…

What have you done this week to achieve your goals?

1. Practice piano at least 1 hour a week: I’ll be getting back into the swing of this starting today. I substitute for the church organist this Sunday. They’ve thrown me a couple of loops with the choir music, but I should be fine.

2. Complete the 30 Day Shred, rotating 5lb and 3lb weights for each “circuit” with no breaks: I’ll also try to start this up today. I’ve also started walking on the treadmill with my husband at the apartment gym while he runs. It seems like it will work the best on the treadmills because it’s still dark outside, and I really shouldn’t run until my heart gets used to cardio. Walking gets me up to the cardio zone, so I’ll stick with that for now when we’re working out together.

3. Read at least one book a week: Well, I just started a second book. I think I’m not going to make this goal, but I’m going to continue reading as much as possible. =)

4. Write a blog post on each book read: Still haven’t done the first one. >_< It’s on the to-do list! I swear!

5. Focus on eating WELL, not LESS: Going better, though we have a ton of junk food leftover from last weekend’s Dungeons and Dragons session. So…this week might not be so good.

What have you done to make yourself feel fabulous?

Just getting up and working out has been a biggie. Right now just being WELL is making me feel pretty fabulous. =)

What is your go to food or activity when you’ve had a bad day?

My go-to food is usually take-out Chinese. It’s warm, it’s usually spicy, and it just feels right. If not that, then mac & cheese for sure. =)

What’s the last thing you did that you were really proud of?

Hmmm…I’d have to say I’m proud of myself for agreeing to do the organist substitute thing. It’s been a long time since I’ve provided the music for church services, and this is the largest church I’ve played for. It should be fun!

Fun Time:  What was your favorite school subject, and your least favorite? Why?

My favorite school subjects were easily Anything Lit. American Lit, Brit Lit, I loved it all. I loved (and still love) reading. My least favorite was definitely math. I could do it (went through pre-cal/trig in high school), but it just felt like a waste of time to me. The interest wasn’t there.

Positive Picture of the Week:

A while back, the Disney Movie Rewards program had Beauty and the Beast lithographs available. I redeemed points for them immediately, and I finally framed them. I’m trying to decide where they should go. I’m really excited!

So, just so we’re clear, I’ve been sick since Thursday, September 29th through Wednesday, October 5th. Felt much better yesterday, though tired. Today is an absolutely amazing feeling.

Anyways, I’d hate to skip week 3 entirely, but here goes. Please note that all goals are…yeah. I haven’t worked on any of them.

What have you done this week to help get to your goals?

Nothing. Pretty sure the lethargical “bleh” feeling I had early last week was due to my body trying (in vain) to fight off the incoming flu. I did practice about 4 hours last week, before Thursday knocked me for a loop. I did not shred at all (and gained 5 lbs BLECH – I didn’t eat that much!). I did not read much because it I couldn’t focus on the words, and I certainly didn’t write up any reviews. I didn’t really eat anything (why did I gain weight?!), so…I guess I didn’t eat well.

What have you done to make yourself feel fabulous?

Not much. I showered AND shaved today, so…I finally feel like a human being (if not fabulous). I showered several times throughout the week, but flu + naturally clutzy = DON’T SHAVE. xD

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What are your goals? Ambitions?

This is gonna sound cheesy…the goal my husband and I have is to have a house and at least one kid by then. We feel that a large part of the issues with education and disconnect in families is that no one is home with the kids. So our goal is for me to have a part-time job (will start searching again after I do the organ gig on the 16th) to build up savings, but not rely on that job for future income. We want me to be a stay-at-home mom, and I’m excited about that.

Give us a tip or a fact. About anything, what is something great you’ve heard that everyone should know?

Get a flu shot? Haha! The only year I haven’t gotten the flu was the year I got the flu shot.

Fun Question: What was your most recent dream that you can remember?

Well, I guess I could have combined these. I usually don’t dream. When I had a sleep study done, we found I apparently just stick between stage 1 and stage 2 of sleep. Not a lot of REM, not a lot of deep sleep. Lately, it’s been getting better. I’ve noticed that I have been dreaming, but I don’t remember them. Hopefully it’ll keep getting better. =)

Positive Picture:

Since I’ve been sick, I’ll go with another wedding picture. Here’s me and Texancountess.

What have I done this week to help me achieve my goals?

Goal 1: Success! So far, anyways. Part of it is just sitting down and doing it, which can be harder than it looks.

Goal 2: Failed. I usually work out at night. This week, I’ve been out late some days and sick on others. I’m going to try again starting this evening. -_-

Goal 3: Success! I finished Harpist in the Wind yesterday evening.

Goal 4: Well…it’ll be a success as soon as I write up the post. >_<

Goal 5: I think I’ve done ok. It’s always hard when it’s “that time of the month” to not let the munchies take over your life. That I didn’t do too horribly is at least something, right?

What have I done this week to make myself feel fabulous?

I did something I should have done a long time ago, this week. I bought a hair dryer. Now, today was CRAZY, so I haven’t actually been able to use it, yet. However, I’m excited to do something with my hair other than pulling it into a ponytail.

What is my talent? What am I good at?

Procrastination! Haha! Actually, I’d have to say it’s my musical talent. I love to play, and I actually go crazy if I don’t. I play the organ, piano, and a little guitar. =)

What’s been the highlight of my week?

We went to a Celtic festival this past Saturday that was a lot of fun! Now, it was very clear that they were in the learning process. The food booths didn’t plan on there being as many people as there were. However, there were pretty things to look at, good music to listen to, and the food (once you got it) was fair food, but GOOD fair food. Hurrah!

Fun Question: What’s your guilty pleasure TV?

Oooooh, this one’s hard. I have several shows that I would count in that: Project Runway, America’s Next Top Model, and My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. They’re all silly, and I love ‘em for that. Though I guess if I had a kid that I’d get away with the last one. >.>

Positive Picture!

I’m still very much a newly-wed. So far, it’s been absolutely grand. I loved the whole thing (there was no stress!), and I loved seeing everyone who came. The pictures still make me smile. =)

Weight: 139

Hips: 39

Waist (small): 29

Waist (bellybutton): 32

Bust: 38.5

Left thigh: 19.5

Right thigh: 19

Left calf: 13.5

Right calf: 13

Left bicep: 11

Right bicep: 11

So there we go!

THE EPIC FIVE GOALS FOR THE FIRE UP FOR FALL CHALLENGE.

1. Practice piano at least 1 hour each day.

2. Complete the 30 Day Shred, rotating 5lb and 3lb weights for each “circuit” with no breaks.

3. Read at least one book a week.

4. Write a blog post on each book read.

5. Focus on eating WELL, not LESS.

WHY HAVE I CHOSEN THESE GOALS?

Well, aside from them being epic, of course. You’re going to find a bit of a theme going on with each of these goals.

1. Practice piano at least 1 hour each day.

My first goal, playing piano for an hour a day, has two main reasons. One, I’m not going to get better without practicing. Two, I get incredibly grumpy if I don’t. Music is a release for me.  Generally, if it’s a happier piece, it will rub off on me. If it’s a sturm & drang piece, well, it’s probably a good thing I’m taking my emotions out on the keyboard instead of my husband, right? Right.

Currently, I am practicing on Mondays and Wednesdays at a local church (both organ and piano) because I will be substituting for them in October. At home, I have a 61-key keyboard that I hope to replace “soon” with a full-sized keyboard. I wish there was room in the apartment for an actual piano, but there is not. Nor are there really funds for that right now.

2. Complete the 30 Day Shred, rotating 5lb and 3lb weights for each “circuit” with no breaks.

I’ve just recently completed Ripped in 30. And by “completed” I mean “my schedule went completely nuts, and I did 3 days of Week 4, so that counts.” >.> Exercising at night has two benefits for me: I sleep better, & it improves my mood. I want to keep a variety going, so today starts the 30 Day Shred. However, I feel it’s about time to up the ante and increase the weights. All exercises will be unmodified. The first round of each circuit, I will use 5 lb hand weights, and during the repetition, I will use 3 lb weights. I’m very, very good at hurting myself, so I want to do this slowly.

I’m actually pretty happy with my weight right now (137 pounds), but I’d like to lose more fat. This will hopefully help with that. I’ll be taking measurements first thing in the morning tomorrow and posting them. Each level will be 10 days long. On the first day of each level (except for today  because I forgot), I will take measurements for progress. Hopefully they’ll go down!

3. Read at least one book a week.

I’ve chosen this as a goal because I want to read more. Sometimes I get lose myself in this apartment all by myself during the day. I’d prefer that to at least be while reading a book instead of staring at the computer screen. I’m currently reading the 3rd book in Patricia McKillip’s Riddle-Master trilogy, Harpist in the Wind.

4. Write a blog post on each book read.

This goal is completely selfish. It is something I have always wanted to do. However, I’ve never actually gotten around to it. No more of that. Simple as that.

5. Focus on eating WELL, not LESS.

This one’s kinda tough for me, as I’m sure it is for many people. With my thyroid issues, it can be very difficult to lose or maintain my weight. This is annoying when you’re trying to get your body fat % down. However, my usual reaction is to exercise, exercise, exercise and then eat maybe 1200 calories a day, gross.  This leads to me being tired, grumpy, and generally fails. So while I will continue to keep track of exercise and food over at myfitnesspal.com, I’m not going to focus on staying under my calories. I’m going to eat when I feel hungry. I’m just going to make sure that it isn’t like yesterday (cake, pizza, leftover chinese…you honestly would have thought I was pregnant the way I ate yesterday).

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE THIS WEEK THAT’S MADE YOU FEEL FABULOUS?

I would get to this question right after cleaning up cat vomit. The older cat gorged herself on food and hurked it up. On our comforter that is dry clean only (we did NOT realize this when we bought it, just fyi). Lovely.

I’d have to say that getting things taken care of for the apartment have made me feel fabulous. I convinced the hubby to get some items for the apartment. The guest bathroom is now a little more put together, and we have curtains for the guest bedroom and master bedroom now. I’ve also started arranging my desk in a way that makes it feel less like I’ve just shoved everything on it (which, to be fair, I had). So that’s really helped the apartment feel more homey, which is really nice.

If only the comforter didn’t have remnants of cat vomit on it. Le sigh. She’s 16. I’ll forgive her.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL BE YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE WILL BE IN REACHING YOUR GOALS?

Easily it will be my tendency to let things slide. I’m hoping that the challenge itself will help me keep to these goals. It seems it is always harder to form good habits and break bad habits than it is to form bad habits and break good ones. Ah well. I shall fight!

WHERE IN THE WORLD DO YOU LIVE? WHAT’S AMAZING ABOUT IT?

I live in central Texas, on the outskirts of Austin. I love it because it is very close to the civilization and infrastructure that my husband wants, but it is also in a less developed area. I love seeing trees everywhere, and I especially love being able to see the stars at night.

My positive picture of the week:

Wookie and Alex

I felt it should be fitting to have the picture be of Wookie and Alex, all things considered. Wookie is the black and white cat (4 year old male), and Alex is the Russian Blue (16 year old female). The comforter is the one that keeps getting puked on. We probably have to take it in for dry-cleaning because of Alex every other month. Ah well. Cats! What can you do?

The wonderful Texan Countess has been participating in some nifty challenges. A new one is starting up on September 19th, so I thought I’d join in.

You can find the challenge (Fire Up for Fall) here.

So hey. Here goes nothing.

Here’s where we’re at!

Weight: 139.2

Bust: 38

Waist (Small): 29.5

Waist (belly button): 31

Hips: 38

Thighs (L/R): 19/18.5

Look familiar? lol.

I’m hoping they DON’T continue OT into April. Would love to be able to get in a full hour’s worth of exercise in every day. But hey, I’m maintaining and not gaining. So there we go. =)

Bust: 38

Waist (Small): 29.5

Waist (belly button): 31

Hips: 38

Thighs (L/R): 19/18.5

Meh. Maybe it’s still period bloating. Maybe it isn’t. We’ll see how it all goes. I AM enjoying the workouts, and week 3 is definitely a tough one!

Saturday is a shopping day for the wedding dress. Wish me luck!