Rantings of a Creole Princess

80% Diet and Nutrition, 20% Exercise, 150% Mental

I was asked the other day if I juice.  I don't really.  Not like people do these days.  I make a mean green drink or smoothie from time-to-time but not more than once or twice a month.  But...I eat a LOT of fruit and veggies.  Mostly raw and I really enjoy them.  They taste really good to me.  A good cold, crisp carrot?  LOVE the crunch.  Room temperature watermelon?  Apples, pears, bananas.  Tomatoes, celery (with hummus), plums, peaches, nectarines, oranges, tangerines, zucchini, squash, corn...oh goodness...too much to keep typing about.

Not a day goes by that I don't eat fruits and veggies.  And not just a lil corner on a plate...Like all day.  I'm sitting here now and I'm about to grab a piece of fruit when I get up.  I don't have cakes and pies in the house.  No cookies.  No candy.  Not even chocolate or a Jolly Rancher.  No chips.  But...I have all the stuff necessary to make brownies, a cake, some chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin cookies or a sweet potato pie if I wanted to.  I have some kale so if I wanted some chips I could make some kale chips.  Or...if I REALLY wanted some chips (during Midol Week it is a ritual), I can go to the store and buy a small bag of chips and eat them.  

My husband would buy a big bag of something salty and crunchy if left to his own devices and will have the good sense to look sheepish when he sees I notice it.  LOL!  Since I generally control what he eats the majority of the time, no biggie.  I know he can't fall off the wagon with one big azz bag of chips and salsa.

But this isn't a regular occurrence.  

We love popcorn.  Freshly popped on top of the stove in canola oil.  A pound and a half of organic kernels cost $1.19 at Trader Joe's.  It lasts a long, long time.

Sometimes we sit here and my guy will look at me and say...I wouldn't mind something sweet and I'll ask if he wants me to whip up some brownies or some cookies.  He mulls it over for a minute or two and generally picks brownies.  About an hour later...we have brownies.  Hot and gooey with chocolate chunks and walnuts.  GO.US!

I'm careful about sauces and generally eat my own cooking 95% of the time.  

I've read that weight loss is 80% diet and nutrition, 20% exercise and 150% mental.  I agree with that and live by that.  

You can't start exercising but keep the same eating habits that helped put the weight you're trying to lose on you.  You will get frustrated by slow results and give up.  EVERY.SINGLE.TIME.  If you're cool with maintaining where you are...cool.  But if you're not...you know what you need to do so do it.

That's all I wanted to say.  Eat right.  Eat junk food sporadically.  Exercise.  Always keep what you need to make you something sweet because it will take a lot to get you to get up, mix up the ingredients and bake it.  See how that works?

Any tips on the mental part of the equation?  What do you do to make sure the mental part stays on track?

Ebola!!!!!!!!

Are you good with the infected Americans returning home to receive medical care?  Do you believe it's an American right to get to come home to be treated by American doctors?  If it was YOUR family member, would you feel the same?

Working Out at HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

These are seriously the most challenging crunches for me.

Knees up.

Toes pointed.

Fingertips on edges of ears.

Pulse for 15.

Crunch for 15 without head touching floor.

Hold for 15.

Repeat 5 times.

No rest.

3 - 5 sets depending on how long Jaru lets me be on the floor without him.

Reach through side planks?  HATE THEM HATE THEM HATE THEM!  But hell...I do them do them do them.  Often.  UGH!

Weighted lunges and squats?  When I'm doing them I constantly think:

But I do them because I am vain.

I do the majority of my workouts before I get dressed in the mornings before I brush my teeth.  I have some hot water and lemon, eat a banana and then a cup of coffee.  Then...strength stuff.  Then...I drink as much of the water in my water bottle as possible.  Complaining.  I do them in the mirror so I can see myself and make sure my form is good because if I'm not doing them right...it doesn't work.  I fight with my brain every second and tell myself, "Self...this is some bullish!"  But I keep going cuz hell...I know I have to do it.

Then...second cup of coffee, bath, etc.

Then...breakfast.

And then...it's okay to speak to me.

Barely.

I'm not on any type of schedule per se.  After years of knowing what I need to do...I just do it.  I get bored quickly so I'm always looking for something new to do and sign up for different stuff all the time just to make sure I keep it mixed up enough for my random as heck brain.

I still don't like running so I still don't run.  Sometimes I'll do sprints during my walks or on the treadmill but I feel like that's not really running so I don't count it as running.  LOL!  Most of the time it's just to race Robby.  

I love hiking because it's not boring and we tend to do a quick clip pace when we hike to keep our heartrate up.  

And I weigh myself EVERY.SINGLE.DAY.  I know the size I like to be and if I tip past that...I adjust.  DAILY.

I was just talking to someone who does the majority of her workouts at home too or out at the school near her home.  She was saying that she enjoys those workouts more than group classes or going to the gym even as she knows she has to go to the gym sometimes, especially when it gets cold.

What about you?

Do you do any of your workouts at home and outside or are you a gym person mostly?

How to get rid of fruit flies!

At 13700 we eat a lot of fruit.  Since it's all organic, I buy it twice a week so that not much goes bad.  Since it's organic, however, I still run the risk of losing a couple of pieces and pretty much count out how many pieces of fruit I will need for the upcoming days when I buy fruit on Thursdays and Mondays.  I know both of us eat a banana every.single.morning so that's 14 bananas a week.  Then there are apples, pears, mangoes, peaches, nectarines, etc. that I buy too.  Generally, we probably eat 3 - 4 pieces of fruit per day each so, as you can see...that's a lot of fruit.  

From:  How many fruits and vegetables do you need?

And along with this much fruit, there are always fruit flies.

Gnarly bastids.

There are several methods of getting rid of fruit flies including slapping the smack out of them and driving yourself batty chasing them only to have them disappear goodness knows where while you've knocked down wall art and disheveled lampshades.  LOL!  The one I've settled on is the one I've always seen done.  I add some apple cider vinegar to a jar and put some Saran wrap over it.  Then...I poke some small holes in the top and sit the jar on the counter.  The fruit flies can't help themselves and are drawn to it.  They work to get in the holes and head down to the vinegar and well...NIGHT, NIGHT, GNATTER!

How do you get rid of fruit flies?  Do you add a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid to the apple cider vinegar?  How much fruit do you eat per day?  Do you buy fruit in bags?  Ever since that story about the spiders in the banana bag...I can't do it.  Me scared.  LOL!

This is Your Body Without Water

Rain Down On Me

He wouldn't let me climb a tree.

On Sunday, The Robinator and I were on a hike when it started to rain.  We'd procrastinated leaving the house all day and ended up getting a later than usual start so we were a tad bit frustrated with ourselves.  We contemplated what to do and decided to keep on since we were hiking in an area with a canopy of pretty large trees.  It was warm enough so if we did get soaked, we wouldn't be too uncomfortable and we had towels and whatnot back in the truck to dry off if need be.

So we continued on.  The sound of the rain on hitting the leaves and then sliding softly to the beyond was soothing.  I'd forgotten my earbuds so all I heard was the sounds around us, The Robinator and the occasional voice of the woman on RunKeeper chopping down our stats.

Needless to say, it was peaceful as all get out.

We continued on and got to an area that was so beautiful, you'd swear it was a glade where fairies lived.  The trees were strong and majestic, natural ferns so green and so lush.  Nothing but trees, grass, rocks, dirt, and whatever lived out there.  We reached the area by trudging up an incline and, just as the incline was about to level off...there is was.  Perfection.

I found myself wishing I'd had my real camera instead of the camera on my phone.

As we continued on, the rain stopped and, just like that, the sun broke through the clouds once again.  I looked back at my guy and I just smiled because, once again, he was right about continuing on.  

I love hiking.  I've loved it since I was a little girl hiking with my father.  Robby teases me because I always keep my eyes out for a good walking stick.  I very rarely find one, but I'm always looking for one.  

We try and go to different trails and he checks out the trails online before we head out.  We like there to be a changing topography, water, etc.  Nothing boring.  Constant change.  And we like to hit pretty remote trails where we don't run into many people because sometimes, people can change the energy of the pace.  The week prior we were hiking and came up on a guy in all black leather on a motorcycle in the woods.  Just odd as hell.  I didn't care for that.  My imagination is too active.  LOL!

Before the rain.

Do you ever go hiking?  Do you ever look for trails in your area?  If you don't, I bet you'll be surprised at what you find.  I'm constantly amazed at the stuff we find in our own "backyard."  It's truly stunning.  We're planning to do a 10 mile hike this coming weekend and we're trying to plan it out so we can have a picnic too.  I'm considering taking my camera but hey...who wants to carry that for 10 miles plus food and water?  Not me that's for sure.  

What kind of workouts do you do with someone else?

Eating Makes Me Happy: You gon' die from something.

A while ago I was staying at a hotel and needed to go to Whole Foods to get food for my room.  I was going to hit up Uber but when I went downstairs I noted the hotel shuttle was there and asked the driver could he take me.  He said, of course...and I hopped in the van.

Him:  You look like one of them healthy eaters.

In a real disdainful way.

Hmmmmmmm...

I started focusing then and noted his 2 liter of soda, cooler and Big Gulp cup.  And then...I noticed HIM.  All of him.  As much as I could see.

Me:  Yeah...I am.  What about you?  

Him:  Nah...I'm good.  You gon' die from something.  Might as well be happy while you're living.

*sigh*

Turns out dude drank almost two of those 2 liter sodas a day.  He'd had his version of a healthy lunch earlier.  A chicken sandwich from McDonald's.  We started talking about quality of life.  His quality of life was all about him being happy...currently.  And being happy, for him, was tied to food.  Not good food...but food that tasted good TO HIM.  My quality of life focuses more on my body function and well...being vain as hell and well...I'm a punk when it comes to pain.  We're from two different worlds of what makes whom happy.

I get that.

The conversation continued and I asked him was he worried about getting an illness which makes it difficult for him to take care of himself.  I was like...you know  you don't just die in your sleep the majority of the time right?  You get some ish and can't walk and need to use them scooters in Walmart or an oxygen tank to keep your heart going because you're so clogged up stuff doesn't move and flow around inside right?  Who is going to take care of you?  Can your family afford a private nurse and driver to take care of you when they go to work?  Are you from a generational wealthy family?  Can you afford the type of medical care that comes with that kinda of stuff?

And he laughed it all off saying he'll deal with that when it comes.  If it comes.

Yeah...cool.

I went to Whole Foods, got my food and returned to the van.  When I got there, he wasn't there.  I looked around and he was rushing...to finish his cigarette.

Seriously.

Oh well...I guess.

Do you know anyone like this?  "You gotta die of something."

Southern Girl. City Swirl.: Heart Health

This hurt my heart when I read this.  I've come to adore me some E and B conversations so knowing this is going on is just...well...you know...*sigh*

Heart Health

I'm praying for E.  

Traveler's Constipation?

I crack myself up with what I search for.  It cracks me up even further once I realize just how common what I'm searching for obviously is.  Take, what I know know as, traveler's constipation.  I was talking to an elder the other day and he was telling me how backed up he gets traveling.  I shared that it's a problem of mine too and that I started traveling with Smooth Move and try and strategically time it so I can fix my problem when I know I'm going to be in my room in peace.  We laughed.  I mean...mine gets so bad it starts hurting and my tummy gets super dooper hard.  So I asked Mr. Google about it and dude was like...yeah...it's a big deal, it's not just you and your people.  

Traveler's Constipation

I also try and eat lots of fruit and try and stay as hydrated as possible but find that's the most difficult thing to do is stay hydrated because if I'm moving around...I might not be able to find a restroom quickly so I might decide to not drink anything until I'm stationary for a while.

Do you suffer from this too?  What do you do?  Do you notice it in your kids when you're traveling or are they exempt?

 

Allergy Attack Apps and All

My allergies have been on swole this season and I was wondering if something was wrong but I've reading that it's not just me...it's everyone.  I take the Costco brand of the Zyrtec formula daily but there are certain days one doesn't do the job.  

I downloaded WebMD's new allergy app so I know what I'm dealing with even before I open window one. 

WebMD Allergy

Do you suffer from allergies?  Have you found this season to be bad for you too this year?  What do you take?  Does the Zyrtec last 24 hours for you?  Do you open your windows or does the threat of pollen flying in keep you from it?

Amy has GOALS!

Amy started a bootcamp in Richmond, Texas after identifying that there weren't any consistent ones in her area.  Get this...she started it only two months ago and has AWESOME SIZE CLASSES now!  

And...she now has MAJOR guns!  LOL!

Let me tell yall how awesome my girly is.  Wait...I just did huh?  LOL!

If you're in Richmond and need a jumpstart...GO SEE AMY!!!!!!!!!!!  Tell her I sent you and you'll get 0% off and she'll give you 10 extra burpees to do!  LOL!

GOALS Bootcamp

 

Are you allergic to anything?

I love, love, LOVE hydrangeas but I'm allergic to them.  If I touch them, the spot where they touched me gets red and starts itching pretty quickly.  But I love them.  So yes, I still buy them, I just don't touch them.  LOL!  Crazy huh?

What are YOU allergic to?  Can you co-exist with it peacefully or do you have to keep it away from you?

Vitamin D

Have you had your Vitamin D levels checked recently?  I did and it wasn't good.  Being Black (our skin makes it difficult to absorb it naturally), on the East coast and having the winter from hell, deprived me big time.

So the doctor put me on a weekly dose of Vitamin D.  Yall know me, I'm not about to take anything just cuz they tell me to so I did a bit of reading up on it and baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaby...I set a Vitamin D alert on my phone so I never, ever, EVER forget to take my Vitamin D.

Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Disease in Two Big Studies

I love the sun and never shun it.  Being older I've decided I should probably take more care to keep it off my face as much as I sit in it, but even the twenty minutes a day sun they tell you should be enough, isn't enough it seems.  

How do you get YOUR Vitamin D?  Are you having problems getting it naturally?

Using My Affordable Care Act Insurance

Ever since I found out I had cancer, my insurance has been extremely high.  The highest.  I've had no choice but to pay it because well...you need insurance and I love living.  When the enrollment period started, we went online to see how much it would cost us to be insured at the same level and we were pretty shocked at the difference in price.  We QUICKLY signed up.

QUICKLY.

INSTANT.MONTHLY.SAVINGS.

I won't say there weren't some snaffoo's initially because there were.  The website kept crashing...but we kept trying.  We signed up and then didn't get our cards for a while but we had the printout that said we were insured.  When we got our cards, we needed a few questions answered and it took a while to get someone to answer them but now...we have cards in hand.

I used it for the first time yesterday.  This is the time of the year where my pollen allergies create teeny tiny bumps around my eyes and they started.  I needed the cream my dermatologist prescribes for it and, since it's been a year, I needed to make an appointment.

My copay for a specialist was $40.  My doctor accepted my insurance even though she wasn't on the list.  When I called and asked them, they said yes.

Even though they weren't on the list.

I had no problems at all.  Got my cream, blood tests, etc.

And it is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay cheaper than I'm used to paying.

#SUCCESS

Any of you use it?  How has your experience been?  Was it cheaper than what you were used to paying?

 

Obese Child Question

When a child is obese...do YOU think it should be considered a form of child abuse?

Insurance Anyone?

I was talking to a young man who was mad about having to buy healthcare insurance.  He was going IN!  Says he hasn't been to the doctor in over three years so why should he HAVE to have insurance.

I asked him if he had insurance on his car and on his cellphone.

He said it's not the same thing.

I asked what does he think will happen if he left and got into a horrible accident in his insured car and he said he's sure he'd be taken to the emergency room.

Well...who's going to pay for that if you don't have insurance?

Him:  But why does medical treatment cost so much?  It shouldn't cost that much!

Me:  But it does.  That's not going to change while you're in the hospital having major surgery.  Hopefully the doctors working on you have had the best education money can buy and they're using the best equipment money can buy and the nurses are stellar and the facility is top notch...you see where I'm going here.

Him:  But that's a bit if.  IF I get in an accident.

Me:  Or IF you get cancer.  I got cancer when I was in my early 20s.  Thank God I had insurance back then or I'd certainly be dead.  

Him:  You had cancer?

Me:  Yeah...but that's neither here nor there.  If you got in a bad accident or got cancer or something else bad, the hospital social worker person would come to your room with a stack of papers and get you and your mother to fill them out so you can get some government assistance to help pay for your hospital bills.  And you know who pays for that?  Me.  That guy over there.  Probably that woman.  Your teacher from grade school.  Your mom who has worked her entire life.  We pay for that with our taxes and honestly...we're sick of it.  So...pay your own way and then your bitching about what the government makes you do might get more than an eyeroll from us.  You probably pay more per month for your phone than you'd have to pay for insurance so I'm not even trying to hear it.  Shit.

The deadline is today and I'm certain that young man didn't sign up.  Do YOU know anyone mad about having to get insurance?  Do you agree with them?  If you don't have insurance...what's your plan in the event of an emergency?  

 

Question...

Did your parents exercise when you were growing up?  Do they now?  

Crickety

My elbow hurts and I don't know why.  It feels like tennis elbow.  That pain INSIDE the bone that you can't get to.  'Cept I haven't played tennis since this past summer.  It doesn't hurt when it's just sitting there...or when I do a curl...but it hurts when I stretch it all the way out to the side in a really good stretch.

I was talking about the pain to a friend who started telling me about the pain she feels in her knee from time-to-time.  She believes, as my Grandmother does, that the pain gets worse when rains'a'coming.

Robby's ankles crack sometimes.  It doesn't bother him...but it happens.

Another friend is having a neck thingy.

Another friend's hip hurts.  Her hip hurting started after a fall so...I guess she doesn't count here.

Do YOU have aches and pains?  Any that just popped up and you can't figure out why?   You know...old people joint issues?  LOL!

Contact Lenses and Glasses

Those of you who wear contact lenses...do you ever wear glasses?

Man Loses 220 Pounds

I've never known anyone who has gone on a diet and lost the weight they wanted to lose and then keep it off once they completed the diet.  The people I've known who struggled with their weight seem to be constantly yoyo-ing.  From the outside looking in I'll say this...diets don't work.  The people who are successful are those who made for real lifestyle changes.  The runners, the daily exercisers, the ones who completely rehauled their food intake THE RIGHT WAY.

I've never read something that made more perfect sense than what this guy says in this article:  The 7 Things I Did To Lose 220 Pounds Without Dieting

That guy laid it all out there.  He's lived it and beat it.  Dude is a rockstar.

World Cancer Day 2014 - Glad I'm a survivor!

It's World Cancer Day!  Show a survivor some love and beef up on your commitment to early detection by making sure you continue to get your yearly physical.  Early detection SAVED.MY.LIFE.

Congrats, again, to all the survivors I know and love.  We're still here.  Let's make sure we spread the word about early detection to everyone we know so we have less occurrences of people not making it.  PLEASE.

 

Mr. Shut Up And Train Day 9!

Day 9

How are you guys doing today?  Are you going to take the pic today and send it in?  

Mr. Shut Up And Train Day 5!

Day 5

How are you doing?

Shelly and I were discussing our workout styles.  I can't workout with someone yelling at me.  I don't find it helpful.  Being a former college athlete...she's used to it being motivating.  What about you?  Where do you stand on this one?

Mr. Shut Up And Train Day 4!

5,4,3,2,1 Workout from MrShutUpandTrain on Vimeo.

How are you doing? I had to have some coffee with creamer this morning. It just wasn't safe for those around me any longer without it.

Mr. Shut Up And Train Day 3!

30 Day Cardio Challenge: Fuel Fit Blazer from MrShutUpandTrain on Vimeo.

How'd you do yesterday?

Mr. Shut Up And Train 30-Day Challenge!

Mr. Shut Up And Train 30-Day Challenge

1969 and Nerd Girl are doing this so I just went to check it out too.  I can't start now because my back and I are having a disagreement currently about a pretzel move I did while looking over my shoulder at someone doing it better than me so I tried to do it MO.BETTA.

o_0

N.E.WAY...

I'm going to read up on this and see if it's something I'd like to tackle too. 

Hospitals

If you needed to go to the hospital in your area...have you identified the hospital you'd want to go to?  Or are you good with going to the closest one to you?

Me?  Holy Cross.

Putting up a GOOD fight!

I swear I think every.single.time I go to the mall on a weekend...I get sick.  I'm totally going to have to stop doing that.  

Currently I'm posted up on the sofa in fleece from head-to-toe and two blankets with a space heater not even a foot away from me and I'm freezing.

I have body aches like crazy, a headache and a tummy that just doesn't feel right.

I need to fight whatever is coming off BIG.TIME!

What do YOU do when you feel something coming?

Sleepytime

How much sleep did you get last night?

Do you have any wind down routines or do you just get in the bed and go to sleep?

I Survived The Bar Method!

GO ME! I THINK I'VE FOUND MY THING!

So...I've been looking for something to amp up my workouts.  I'm fit and healthy but I don't feel challenged and yall all know how I feel about running so no (it's just not for me...I'd lose too much weight and my shins hurt too bad after running). I've been doing the same thing for years and it works...but I wanted something MORE.

I met a lady who looked lean and strong like me...but she was SCULPTED and not in an icky body builder kinda way but in a feminine and strong kinda way.  I like that.  A LOT!  She said she teaches the Bar Method and I started reading up on it and decided to go give it a try today.  Well...I LURVED IT!  LURVED IT!  LURVED IT!  LURVED IT!  I think this is the exact thing I've been looking for to get out of my exercise rut!

The Robinator had mad jokes after I explained to him it's a mixture of Pilates, ballet and physical therapy.  Dude was like...now...you know you're clumsy...do they make you fill out an emergency contact card before you start?  

SIP:  *HARD.STARE*

Check it out:  The Bar Method

Have you tried anything new lately?  What?  Spill it!

Did you workout today yet?  What did you do?

What do you put in your oatmeal?

Fresh fruit?  Dried fruit?  Nuts?  Butter?  Sugar?  Milk?  Agave?  Honey?  

Zesty Red Cabbage Slaw

From: PBS Food

You Mad at Maria Kang?

Do you consider this fat shaming?

Doctor's Orders

You're sick...the doctor tells you that you have to stay in bed for 7 entire days only off your feet to go to the bathroom.

Do you think you could do it?  Have you ever been on bed rest?

Tiny Rooftop Gardening

I was in Baltimore today and looked up and saw a guy on a roof with lots of plants.

I put the long lens on my camera because honestly...I was confused.

Dude was harvesting his veggies.  

On a tiny roof.

Without rail the first.

Then...he started watering them with a hose he'd hooked onto a wire on side of his tiny roof.

I couldn't stop watching him because I was confused as to how he'd gotten out there.  SERIOUSLY.  It couldn't be through the window right?  I mean...there was no door sure...but um...his shoulders looked bigger than the window so yeah...how'd he get up there?  I didn't see a ladder or anything but his veggies were totally impressive.

I.HAD.TO.KNOW. 

And then...I looked up and he'd rehooked his hose and climbed back inside...THROUGH THE WINDOW.

I have to say...in a world where some people wouldn't eat veggies to save their life...it's refreshing to see someone go above and beyond to make sure they have fresh, organic veggies.  

I mean really.  

Eat some veggies.  NON cooked to death or fried.

It will help your quality of life...provided you don't fall off a tiny roof growing 'em.

Don't Overthink Your Diet, Just Eat More Plants: A Cardiologist Explains

Physically Fit

So...we had our annual physicals this morning and it looks like we're physically fit.  The doctor was extremely impressed with Robby and how much he's focused on being healthy.

I was a mixture of proud and side eying the situation.  LOL!

We started going together for our physicals because Robby would come home from his and I'd ask him what did the doctor say about A, B or C and he'd be like...I forgot to ask him about that and it just about drove me insane so yeah...I started scheduling them together so I could make sure to ask the questions Robby should have been asking.  I'd be all like...what about this and what about that and the doctor would ask questions and Robby would answer them.  BUT HE WOULDN'T INITIATE THE CONVERSATION!

Oh...but you'll complain to me about some weird skin tag but you won't tell the doctor about it?

I was talking to a girlfriend about that and she said her husband is the same way.  Like...it must be some macho code or something to not come across as weak or whatnot in front of the doctor.

Made me go hmmmmm...

Do you think your S/O has the same type of issue?  Does he come home from his doctor's appointments with all the bases covered?

Have you had your physical this year yet?  You good?

"I'm too old to start working out."

LIES, LIES, ALL LIES!

This was said to me recently and I chewed the head off the person.  You're never too old to start an exercise routine.  You're never too old to learn something new.  You're never too old to STOP BAD HABITS!

Now...you need to be extra careful so you don't hurt yourself but every gym I've ever been to has a trainer available to help and answer your questions.  Also...the internet is chock full of information.  Just find a trusted website and get your read on, open the front door and GET TO IT!

Start working out over 40.

Weight Report Cards

Do you think the school should send letters/reports home to parents about their child's weight or are they overstepping their boundaries?  How would you handle if you received one for your child?

The Robinator's Gluten-free Weight Loss

The Robinator works out no less than 5 times a week.  He's lost a lot of weight and pretty much kept it all off for a minute.  He had about 20 pounds (give or take) left to go that he was trying to get rid of and simply couldn't without starving himself and well...dude ain't about that starvation life.

He's currently in the best shape of his life and pretty much at his college athlete weight.  In the past year he's finally lost the weight he's been trying to lose all this time.  

The other day he was musing out loud that he's finally where he's always wanted to be but that he hasn't done much different.  He was seriously puzzled and then I shared with him something that HAS changed that he hasn't really done much TO change.

Him:  What?

Me:  You've gone gluten-free by proxy.

Him:  I'm not gluten-free.

Me:  Yup...you kinda are.  You eat what I cook and I pretty much only cook what I can eat.  When you have business lunches and dinners, sure...you eat what you want but that's not all that often where it's considered the norm.  So...basically...you're pretty much gluten-free.

And he was all hemming and hawing.

Later that week he finally admitted that it could be the reason he's finally gotten over that plateau.  Says it probably changed his body chemistry up and restarted his metabolism in a healthy way.

I pretty much *YAWNED* in his direction because I already KNEW that's what went down but he didn't want to admit I was correct.

Why?  Cuz that's marriage for ya.  LOL!

Thoughts?

 

Weight Loss

When you're focused on losing weight...do you take pictures to document?  Do you measure yourself?  Or...do you just rely on the scale?

The Secrets of Thin People

I stumbled across this article:  The secrets of thin people

# 4 stopped me.

4. Thin people have thin parents.
And genes are only partially responsible.

 

What say YOU?

Dear Women:

Do you pay attention to and police what your S/O eats or do you let him eat whatever he wants to eat and not say a word?

15 Minute Crossfit Workout

Swimming

Have you been swimming this summer yet?  Where do you go?  Do you have a pool?

Grody to the Max! - Flip Flops

How Your Flip Flops Are Killing Your Feet

 

Sit ups and Crunches

Increasingly I'm reading that sit ups and crunches don't work as well as we think they do.  I do crunches all the time and well...I guess I don't agree with them.  Sure planks burn more and the modified types of planks make you want to give up on life...but I honestly feel like I get a lot out of my crunches.

What about you?  Do you do sit ups and crunches?  (I stopped doing full sit ups forever ago because of my back.)  Do you believe you benefit from doing them?  In your opinion...what works best on YOUR abs?

Grocery List

nuts / seeds

olive oil

avocados

green tea

whole grains

How many of these things do you have in your kitchen right now?  How many of them do you eat weekly?  

Get Rid of Belly Fat

How to Treat Burn Blisters

A few weeks ago I was broiling something in the oven.  The skillet I'd used to sear it was on TOP of the stove.  I was cleaning the kitchen as I cooked and reached for the skillet to clean it.  The handle was near the back of the stove and the heat from the broiler made it HOT.AS.HELL.

I burned 4 fingers and yall...it hurt.

I immediately ran cold water over it until it was bearable and The Robinator gave me some Advil and put Neosporin on it.  It hurt for days after with two blisters.  I kept putting Neosporin on them daily and I let the blisters do their thing.  Basically, the liquid you see inside of the blisters is the body's own medicine that helps to heal the skin under the blister.  Before long, the blister turned white and got flat and now I'm just waiting for the skin that was around the blister to dry up and come off.  This way...I don't have scaring.

I was telling a friend about it and she asked me why didn't I put butter on it and I told her because that's not how you should treat a burn.  She shared that's how she always treats it and how her mother treated them as well.  I said okay.

How do YOU treat burns and blisters?

Splenda. NO.

Splenda goes from 'safe' to 'caution' after leukemia found in mice

Arcadia Mobile Market - Things that make me HAPPY!!!!!!!!!

I had a meeting in DC last week at the Dean Wood Community Center & Library.  While in wait mode, I took a walk around the facility.  To say I was impressed with it is the least I could say because the place truly blew me away.  

I kept asking questions because I couldn't believe it was free to the public with minimal fees for use of services like the fitness center and the pool.  There was a full blown senior center with a VERY active senior population, meeting rooms, quiet rooms, computer room, etc.

And it was all free.  

I walked outside and walked around a bit stopping in my tracks when I saw this: