Snow, Kinect, Truth

Hey there!  The week is almost over!  This is what we woke up to yesterday morning.

This storm started out as rain and morphed into at least 3 inches of snow on top of ice!  Needless to say we could NOT get down our hill to go to work.  SNOW DAY!!!
I had brought some work home, so it wasn't a total waste of work hours.
Ava had her "work" too! (Her mama is a bookworm, so I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!!)

Because of the snow, we weren't able to go to the gym last night for Spin class, boo!  I had talked myself out of doing any exercise, but my wonderful husband talking me into doing the a workout on our Xbox 369 Kinect we got for Christmas.  (he knew I would feel better mentally and physically if I did something productive! Such a smart man!)

Xbox source

What is Kinect?


Magic Disguised as Technology

With Kinect for Xbox 360, you are the controller. Easy to use and instantly fun, Kinect gets your whole body in the game. Imagine controlling movies and music with the wave of a hand or the sound of your voice. With Kinect, technology evaporates, letting the natural magic in all of us shine. And the best part is Kinect works with every Xbox 360.

Motion Sensor

Kinect uses a motion sensor that tracks your entire body. So when you play, it’s not only about your hands and wrists. It’s about all of you. Arms, legs, knees, waist, hips and so on.

Skeletal Tracking

As you play, Kinect creates a digital skeleton of you based on depth data. So when you move left or right or jump around, the sensor will capture it and put you in the game.

We have a monthly membership with Gamefly. It is like Netflix for video games.  If your husband or signifcant other gets bored fast with video games, this is a great idea!!!  Clint put on his account for



to come in the mail for me.  So, I tried it out.  First, I did a fitness assessment and then you get to pick what routine, cardio, toning, etc for your custom workout.  Because it scan my skeleton, it accurately tells you how many calories you burn during the session!  I did the cardio routine, to get me booty up and moving.  Let me tell you, I was sweating after 30 minutes of "easy" cardio moves.  Ava was laughing at me in her "Jenny Jump Up" and Clint didn't hide any snickers either!  All in all, it wasn't a hard workout, but it was something.  I am going to have to try the other custom workouts it has set up for me!

Do you have a Kinect or a Wii??  Do you find it beneficial?In other news, I talked to my mom about her "worrying" about my being "too skinny."  I told her I appreciate her worry, but there is no need!  I told her I am not going down that road again because I need to be healthy for me and Ava.  She said she just worries and wants me to be healthy for me to have more grandkids(haha, I thought this was humorous).  Even though, I said I was over it, she opened up an old would the other day.  Up until yesterday's Kinect extravaganza, I had been having negative thoughts and asking myself questions like: 

Words are powerful

Oh me oh my, where has January gone??!?!?!  This month always flys by for me.  Is there a month that flys for you?
This past weekend wasa good one.  Who am I kidding, every weekend when I can spend time with Clint and Ava are great.  Because of super icy roads, I stayed home with Ava on Friday.  She was so congested Thursday night, that we "slept" in the living room, so Clint could get some rest because he was going in to work.  I use slept loosely, because she would only sleep if she was held.  She couldn't take her fooler because she was so congested she wouldn't be able to breathe.  Needless, to say about 3 hours of total sleep was had.  Friday she needed mama all day.  I got nothing accomplished, BUT i cherish the time where she NEEDS me. There will come a time when she won't need me, so I will take advantage and let her be my leech!

We opted out of the gym last night to go to the grocery store.  If I am able, I usually do little grocery shopping on my lunch, and Clint and I do big shopping together.  Who grocery shops in your house? We (well I) love going to the grocery store.  Do you like to grocery shop? 
We are making Chipotle macaroni and cheese from Cooking Light for supper tonight!  I will let you know how it turns out.

Question of the day:  Who can affect your mood?
Of course, any spat/fight with Clint leaves my mood deflated, but my mom has a way of saying things that can get to me.  I picked Ava up yesterday and I was putting her in her carseat when my mom (in a hushed tone, my daddy was the only other person there) asked if I had gotten my period back.
ME: "No ma'am, with breastfeeding it is normal to not get it back for a while or until you stop breastfeeding.(Didn't you give birth 3 times?)
MOM: Well, is "everything" ok? (everything referring to my past of eating disorder)
ME: Yes ma'am, why?
MOM: Are you sure?(looking at me like she doesn't believe me) Because you are too thin again.  I noticed yesterday at church. 
ME: Yes mom, everything is good.  I don't want to lose any more weight.
MOM: To AVA: No, your mama doesn't need to lose anymore weight.

I left there with my shoulders hunched.  She had brought it up again!!!  I let it go yesterday.  We were going to go to the gym first and then go to the grocery.  She rattled me so much, that I walked into the house and told Clint we would just go to the grocery because it would be late getting home if we did both.  In truth, she made me not want to go to the gym. 
(He could tell something was wrong, but I needed to process the conversation before I told him. Clint gets fired up and very protective when my mom starts this conversation with me.  My mom is overweight and is in no position to be talking to me about weight.)

I finally told him what had happened.  I decided I am going to say something to her this morning.  I now understand a mother's worry, but she NEVER brings this up over concern.  It is usually in an accusing/demeaning tone.  I am ok about it now, but she shook me to the core for a while yesterday.  I know that I am healthy and in shape.  I have a somewhat healthy relationship with food (peanut butter not included).  I don't workout excessively.  Plus, Clint agrees.  (He would tell me if anything was different.  He says what is on his mind!)
So, who affects your mood in a negative way?

Have a great Tuesday and workout!!

Hodge Podge.

Good Morning Sunshines.  Although, it is gloomy here in Nashville and supposed to snow later this afternoon, I am going to create my own sunshine!

Let's get right to business.
Tuesday night workout was B.R.U.T.A.L.  Funny thing is I did it to myself!
Cardio:
Ellip. 30 min
Weights:(using 2-5.5kg plates plus bar)
Single leg step ups-2x10/leg
Giant set-3 way chest press (wide grip, middle grip, close grip) 2x10 each
Deep Squats 2x10
Palm up bent over rows 2x10
Bulgarian split lunges 2x10/leg
Reverse grip bicep curls 2x10
Wide Squats 2x10
MMMMM GOOD!!!!!

Last night Spin class.  It has been 2 weeks since I was able to make a spin class.  Although, honestly I was VERY close to opting out and working out by myself.  I am so glad I didn't because my fave instructor was teaching!  Even though she is ALWAYS late getting started, she makes up for it in kicking tail and taking names.  Plus she has great music that you can get into and hit the right tempo with the pedal stroke.  I was sucking down some water through the entire thing!

RECIPE TIME.......
I put this in the crockpot yesterday morning and turned it on high while we went to the gym.  It is so easy, fairly healthy, and super tasty.  I kind of threw this together and was not disappointed.
Turkey Chili
~lb of ground turkey meat (browned and drained of excess fat)
2 cans chili beans (hot) undrained....can do mild if want to
1 can black beans undrained
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained (chili ready)
1 package chili seasoning
-Pour all ingredients into crockpot.  6 hours on low or 2-3 on high.  Can top with sour cream, cheese, etc)
Nutrition-(this is an approx.) (Toppings not included)
4 servings 
Cal. 406
Fat 18g
Fiber 10
Carbs 28g
Protein 34

This is definitely a hodge podge of things, but hey I am always thinking about 16 different things at once!
Our pre-marital counselor said "men's brains are like boxes.  They can only keep one open at a time. Women's brains are like spaghetti noodles. Each noodle is intertwined and is a is never ending!"  Isn't that the BEST analogy.  I am definitley full of noodles!!

I will leave you with a video of Ava.  She is a MESS.  My heart overflows!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh4Nc6NrDB4

Birth-weekend

Yesterday was my


 

BIRTHDAY!!

I thoroughly enjoyed my birth-weekend.

Friday night sushi was GREAT!! 
Saturday, we went to the gym, came home and cleaned house and played with Ava, and then Clint and I went out to dinner at Fleming's.  It is an upscale steakhouse and wine bar.  This is what we got to eat.
Baguette with sun-dried tomato butter and feta butter.
Appetizer: Lump Crab Louis Wraps
My entree: Salmon Nicoise Salad-salmon, salad, green beans, potato wedges, bread with an olive tapenade, fancy deviled eggs(didn't like these)
Clint's entree: filet mignon and Chipotle mac and cheese( we are going to recreate this at home.)
Passed on dessert, but they sent us home with 4 truffles for my birthday.

After dinner, we went to Borders bookstore to let our food digest before we went to Maggie Moo's ice cream.  I got a kid cup of Better Batter Cake Carninval(cake batter ice cream, with twix, cookie dough and fudge mixed in.) Clint made his own creation of cappucino and mint ice cream with reeses cups mixed in! 
PERFECT DATE NIGHT/BIRTHDAY DINNER!!

Sunday, we went to church and then to my parent's house for lunch and extended family birthday gathering.
We had tacos (they were ok) and what I was really looking forward to....BANANA PUDDING! 
So good.  I can't even describe.  If I was stranded on an island with Clint and Ava, I would want 3 things.....banana pudding, chips/salsa, and peanut butter.  I had 2 out of 3 on Sunday and it was glorious.  I did splurge on my birth-weekend in the food department for sure!  Let's put it this way, I brought home a big bowl of pudding and ate it for a snack and supper as well as 3/4, yes 3/4's of a bag of tortilla chips and salsa and avocado dip!!  You  know what? I do not regret it! 

Yesterday, was my actual birthday, but it was a normal Monday.  Work and Clint's basketball game.  No workout, but I immediately got back to "my healthy way of eating."  I am an advocate of splurging every now and again, but wasting NO TIME getting back to healthy eating.  It is the only way to not get on a downward spiral of weight gain!

Today, I will feel a little post birthday blues though. 
Does anyone feel like that? I get that way after Christmas too.  Its all of the anticipation and then "what now?" feeling.  Although, I will feel blue, I realize that I am beyond blessed and loved!  I got more "Happy Birthday's" than I can count, I got more presents than I need or deserve and the love is just so overwhelming!

Was this birthday a success? 
YOU BETCHA!!!

Working out tonight, so I will post about my workout tomorrow. 
Are you working out today??

Let the weekend begin!

Another work week is coming to a close!  It is Friday and with that starts off my birthday WEEKEND!  I have to be honest and milk it for all its worth!  The weekend's festivities includes:
Tonight: Sushi with a couple that we are good friends with.
Saturday night:Clint is taking me out to supper and maybe something else.  My brother and his girlfriend are Ava-sitting.
Sunday: Birthday lunch at my parent's house with the extended family.  I requested tacos/salads and banana pudding! ( I can eat my weight in banana pudding!)
Monday: Actual Birthday.  I will be 29 years young! It will be a normal day.  Work, Clint's church league basketball game, but it is STILL MY BIRTHDAY!
 Let the festivities begin!!!!!  Wonder if it would be to hard to get a parade in my honor?  I kid, I kid!! 

Last night was GTL, (gym, tan, laundry.....Jersey Shore reference) ok minus the tan and laundry.
off subject....Do you watch Jersey Shores?  It is like a train wreck. We love it.  I can't help myself.  Although, if you think about it, its ri.di.cu.lous that people get paid boo-coodles to drink, go to clubs, GTL, and "smush" on a REGULAR basis.  Crazy what entertainment is these days!
OK, back to the gym.  I opted out of taking a class and decided to do my own thing!
Cardio:
Ellip: 25 min. 

Weights:
Chest press turns-
1x10, 2-15lbs DBs
2x10, 2-20lbs DBs
Hammer curls-
1x10, 15lbs DBs
1x10, 20lb DBs
1x8, 20lbs DBs, 1x2, 15lbs DBs (couldn't finish the set of 10 with the 20's, so finished with 15's)
Single leg leg extension-machine
3x10/leg 40lbs
Single arm rows
1x10, 15lb DB
2x10, 20lb DB
Squats(butt to the bench)
1x20, 2-15DBs
2x20, 2-20lb DBs
Single arm tricep overhead extension
2x10, 15lb DB
Both arm tricep overhead extension
1x10, 15lb DB
Plie squats
1x20, 2-15lb DBs
2x20, 2-20lb DBs

I felt strong and tired.  I was starving too.  I got my haircut after work yesterday and just met Ava and Clint at the gym and my last snack was at 1:30.  I was running, well lifting on fumes!!!  My body is a little tired this morning=successful gym trip.

What are your plans for the weekend??
Do you have a guilty pleasure of a tv show??

Random, but has anyone ever watched the series Prison Break???
Source

 We started watching it on Netflix last weekend and we are HOOKED!!  We haven't watched an episode in like 3 DAYS and I am phening to watch it.  Where have I been???

Have a great FRIDAY!!!

Back to it.

Glory be.  It has been a few days since I have posted.  I wish I could say that there is a great reason for it, but honestly, I just haven't had the gusto to posto!  Every time I sit down to type one out, I get distracted. 

Random fact.....did you know it snowed in 49 states yesterday???  The only state that did NOT have snow was...Florida.  That means it snowed in even Hawaii!  Crazy!!

The snow and now ice have affected Nashville.  Monday we had a family snow day.  ANY day that I have with Clint and Ava are perfect, no matter what we do. 

Ava news:  When we stand her up she can hold on and balance.  She LOVES looking outside and just laughs and has her mouth open wide like she is surprised.

She is also sitting up all by herself too! She is looking at Clint in this picture.  I am going to have to have a chatty chat with her.  She needs to SLOW DOWN with this developmental thing!  I don't want her growing up too fast!!  Sheesh.

Mama news:  I went to my OB/GYN yesterday for my yearly checkup.  Boyo that was a BLAST!  I don't mind that checkup, especially now that I have given birth and feel NO SHAME about ANYTHING, but I mean come on, I don't look FORWARD to it!  All is good with me.  Blood pressure is excellent.  Weight is pre-pregnancy.  Everything checks out.  So far that is.  I will get the results of my pap smear in a few days.

I worked out yesterday.  I went to the gym, not really knowing what I wanted to do.  I started out on the ellip for 30 min with me Sony Ereader.  I got a good sweat on!  I decided I would do my own creative Les Mills' BodyPump.

2 minutes of squats.  Alt between 2 counts, 3 to 1 counts and lower half squats ~40lbs barbell

2 minutes deadlifts/rows.  Alt between deadlifts, then a set of 3 consecutive rows. ~20lbs barbell

2 minutes of chest press/skull crushers. ~20 barbell

2 minutes of Lunges.  Alt. between 2 counts and pulses. ~20 barbell

1 minute of bicep curls.  Alt. between full range of motion and lower half curls to upper half curls. ~20lb barbell

1 minute front shoulder press.  Alt. between 2 counts and explosive bursts. ~20lb barbell

1 minute of weighted crunches and weighted leg lifts. ~10lb plate

All in all, I was pretty shaky, shaky like in the ALLSTATE commercial.

Tonight, is spin class and I am crossing my fingers for my fave instructor.  Even if Snooty McSnooterson is teaching, I will take the class and try to come out sweating buckets.

To catch you up, Clint and I have been doing really good getting out of the supper rut and having a good compromise with "my" food and "his".
Friday night we made some "healthier" kick-a@@ turkey lasagna.
Saturday night we made Kelly's Chicken Bruschetta Bake. It was really good.  The only change we will make next time is to drain the tomatoes.  Too much mushy consistency for us.
Both dishes made GREAT leftovers!
Last night was turkey bacon, eggs and Grands biscuits.

I will keep you posted on the "new" or "healthier" versions of our mission of getting out of our upper rut.

Anything fun and exciting been going on with you??
My birthday is Monday!!! I am a HUGE birthday person.  I can usually always stretch the celebrating into a couple few days! 
 Are you big on birthdays?
Clint isn't and never has been.  We will balance each other out when Ava's birthday's start to happen.

Have a great hump day!!!

Trying to get it together.

Happy Thursday all. 

I am not feeling all that great.  Clint and I have started cold I think.  I am pretty sure we got our sickies from our beautiful Ava, who was sick last week.  She gets snotty every now and then, but she is pretty much sick free. 
I really didn't feel like going to the gym last night.  I had had a sinus headache dead center of my forehead most of the day and I am about to turn into a throat lozenger.  BUT, it was spin class with my fave instructor last night and I missed last week because Ava was under the weather, so we trudged on and went.
I don't know if you know the saying, "when we make plans, God laughs", but he was laughing at me.  I was all set on my bike waiting on class to start, when I look up and lo and behold the instructor that is just not very friendly and kind of snooty.  I can not get away from this woman.  The Monday night "Pump it up" class I went to, she was teaching and then last night.  The calendar does NOT have her teaching those classes.  So either, she is subbing a lot or the calendar is WRONG.  There is just something about her that chafes my hide.
Example: 
We are doing sprints and she says, "let's burn those calories, I know you have some to spare."  WHAT?  Listen, lady, I know you have bird legs, a fit body and fake boobs, but I wouldn't suggest pointing that out.
THEN, there is a larger woman in class and she pushes herself hard.  Well, we were about to do jumps and the instructor looks at her and says, "Now you don't have to do the jumps as fast as me."  It might just be me, but I took that as mean to point her out in front of the entire class.  She has taken enough classes that she knows how and when to push herself.  When in actuality, the women beside me are chatting away and not pushing so hard.  (The chatting during class bothered me too!!!)
Do you think I am overthinking what the instructor said?
How do you feel about Chatty Cathy's in classes?
Even though, I felt cruddy, I pushed through and had a great workout!  Success in my book!

I am still working on my goals and getting out of my rut!  I will keep you posted on what I decide.

Here are some thoughts that I have been mulling over TO DEATH in my head.  I am trying to find balance in my eating.  I have been balls to the wall in my nutrition since I was cleared from the doc at my 6 week postpartum check up.  Now that I am at my goal weight and feeling the best I have ever felt, I am going to start incorporating a sense of balance between super healthy and letting go a little. 

Clint is very supportive and has been since I have been trying to get back in hot mama shape.  He is VERY compromising with foods I want to eat even though, I know he wants to eat REAL food now and again. ( HE TOLD ME SO!)
Our "healthy" suppers consist of:

Turkey taco salads
Chicken and baked sweet potatoes for me regular potatoes for Clint
Grilled chicken salads
Turkey whole wheat pasta
Eggs, turkey bacon, toast
Turkey chili

WE ARE STUCK IN A FOOD RUT TOO!!!
His idea of real food is:
Chicken and dumplings
Nachos
Biscuits, gravy, "real" sausage


So, this is where you come in.
How do you decide and plan suppers to find a balance of "healthy" and "real" food?
Let me have those ideas!!

Ciao, ladies!!

In a rut!

Hey y'all.  Today, is my first day back to work since last Tuesday.  I was actually getting used to being a stay at home mama.  Although, it would be nice to be with Ava every day all day, for me I have to feel like I am pulling my weight financially in Clint and my relationship.  Plus, I would feel so guilty that I would get to see her all day and Clint would be working.  At least now, we both get to come home to her and love on her to death. 

Ava news:  Right now, she is putting EVERYTHING in her mouth.  She is grabbing at our faces and gummin/slobbering all over our faces while she touches them.  WE call her Beethoven at times because she slobbers that. much!!!  I am loving this stage.  It melts my heart.  She did her first "downward dog" yesterday. Well, she doesn't know she did, but she raised her butt up and struck the pose.  Too funny!
She is loving her "cereal" and we fed her green beans for the first time Sunday.  She wasn't sure about them, but ate them anyway.  Last night, she was opening her mouth like a little bird wanting a worm for them while Clint fed them to her.  Making progress.

Mama news:  I AM IN A RUT.  Physically and Mentally.  I don't want to seem like I am bragging here....  I am really great at losing weight. I have an all or nothing personality which means usually its ALL.  I am very disciplined and focused when I am ON.  Gaining weight is not fun and is more of a mental challenge and and physical uncomfortableness, i.e. getting pregnant.  I am not so good with maintaining.  I feel like I am running in place.  I don't want to lose any more weight and no goals seem to tickle my fancy, so I am not really pushing myself at the gym.  I feel like if I continue to push myself hard each time at the gym I will continue to lose and I don't want that.  I am happy with where I am, but not happy at the same time.  I need to have a purpose. 
-I had a purpose when we were trying to get pregnant.  Gain some weight and up the body fat. DONE!
-I had a purpose when we got pregnant.  Stay as healthy as possible for me and Ava, splurge a little and enjoy the time being pregnant.  DONE.
-I had a purpose after delivery.  Get back into my pre-pregnancy clothes (in less time than I thought.) DONE
Now, no real purpose.  No productivity. 
Any thoughts, ideas! 
Because of that I decided to take the classes and see if that pushes me some.  Push me to what though is the problem. 

So as most people have made resolutions for 2011, I am running in place wondering where do I go, what do I do, what is my next purpose?!?!?

What is your purpose or focus right now?

Happy New Year

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From our family to yours!!!