Ill-matic

So, I knew it was coming yesterday.  And I appreciate your positive comments.  I try not to be cranky just because it's Monday.  However, this is a rough week of transition for my family and on top of that, my throat started to hurt Sunday night.  By mid-day I was feeling tired and a little loopy.  I went up to medical (I love my job!) and saw the doctor.  He said although I didn't look so good, he thought I'd live.  He gave me a Z-Pack and sent me on my way.

I stopped on the way home for my sick kit (i.e. Rx, soup, lysol, green tea, etc.)  Then I got home and crawled into bed.  This morning I had to get the kids dressed and to school and it was a challenge.  But dayquil helped!

Now, it's just me, my pup and Dr. Oz.  And hey, let me look at the bright side.  I got to see NPL on Live with Kathy and Donnie Wahlberg was on Rachael Ray. Winning!!!

I just need to get better fast.  My kids' birthday party is this weekend!!

me and my pup

please work fast!

my sick kit

Am I missing anything in my sick kit?  Any home remedies are welcome.  I'll try anything!!

Long Weekends Rock!

So, there is actually one good thing about being injured and unable to run.  I do not have to get out of bed at the crack of dawn.  This weekend I managed to stay in bed until 7:30 a.m. 3 out of 4 mornings.  (Note: 7:30 is very late for me.  My kids are up with the birds.)

I do not usually do Black Friday and this year was a definite no due to finances.  Instead I babysat for my 3 month old nephew while my sister went back to work for the first time since giving birth in August.  I know how hard that first day can be and I was honored that she asked me to watch me.  My mom actually spent the day with my kids so I had some 1-1 time with my little peanut.  Oliver and I spent most of the day snapping pictures and sending them to my sister so she knew he was in good hands.  I had a great time with him.  I did however confirm that I am done having children.  I love my kids and I love my nephew and the other babies in my life, but I have no desire to go through those early stages again.  My husband calls it the dark ages because you are mostly inside (we have winter babies) and your life revolves around the baby's needs.  It is an amazing time, but I'm done. :)

Best Black Friday Date Ever!

Saturday and Sunday the kids and I made the best of beautifully, unseasonable weather in NY.  We went for 2 hour walks (with my neighbor and her baby girl) and stopped and the park both days.  Sunday we went by the beach and my son was running sprints in the sand and jumping over sand hill hurdles.  I was definitely a little jealous that I was walking and he was running but I definitely got a workout walking quickly and pushing the stroller.

Sunday night I even cooked dinner.  My first roast beef.  Everyone said it was good and I must agree.  Don't worry though, I don't see myself turning into a chef anytime soon.  But, just humor me while I share my masterpiece.

Yep!  That's giant pieces of garlic shoved right in.   I am Italian, ya know.

Now, it's Monday again. I guess that's unavoidable.

Turkey Day Update

By now, Thanksgiving seems like it was so long ago.  It was a long weekend after we ate some turkey.  But, in the interest of sharing pictures of my little monsters, I will give you the quick photo update of our Thanksgiving.

Before everyone even woke up, I was at the gym.  I was so excited when I found out that my gym was open 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving. It was even open on Black Friday for regular hours (opening at 5 a.m.)  This is why I love my gym!!!  Say it with my CONVENIENCE! :)

As tradition in my house, we spent the morning hours watching the parade.  It seemed though, that I was more anxious to see Santa Claus then anyone else.

Notice the TV is above the picture and my son is busy playing on the computer.

And posing for me. 

That is not a dust bunny, it is my dog watching the parade,

My "little" brother and I

After the parade, everyone got dressed and moving.  My little brother, who had been staying for 2 days headed back to my Grandmas and we took the long trip to my neighbor's house to spend the holiday.  (You can't beat the travel time.)

My butterball turkey :)

Extra blurry Family holiday pic.

The star of the day.  Hubby's deep fried turkey

It was a nice day of family and friends and for that, I am thankful.  I hope you all had a great holiday.

WAH

I hit the gym this morning for a good hour of cardio (arc trainer) and some push ups and stretches.  Now I am WAH.  In my office language, that means I am working at home.  In my language, it means thank God I do not need to commute in this weather on the worst travel day of the year.

my "home office"/Dining room table

Co-worker for the day

Work attire

All while hubby and little brother do another kind of work at home. 

The rain was nasty here last night and knocked down my fence which was originally mangled in Hurricane Irene.  I was hoping he could work on the Xmas lights today but I guess that will wait.

When do you usually put up your holiday decorations (if you celebrate)?  Do you ever feel like working at home is more work than working in the office?


Safe travels to anyone heading out of their town today!

Today's word: Productivity

So it's Tuesday of a three day work week.  The boss is not in but she is online and sending work.  Meanwhile I am trying to get all my work and life in order.  Starting next week, life is going to get hectic for me.  My husband's job got transferred to another location.  This means our whole routine is going to change.  We will not know all the details until he gets there but it's going to be challenging to say the very least.

After the awesome kettle bell class on Saturday, I am anxious to jump back into some group classes, however it seems that time will not permit for now.  So, it's going to be option 2.  Back to the exercise video search.  I am looking into Gaiam TV which seems to be a good option at a good price but I am still on the fence.  For the time being, instead of committing to anything, I am going to think about my 2012 goals and how I can best tackle them given my lack of time and resources (read: cash).


How do you keep motivated to stay healthy when time and money are an issue?  Ever heard of Gaiam TV?

Meet my new blog photographer. :)

Weekend Activtities

As a mom and a grown up, I look forward to the weekends for different reasons than I did when I was younger.  In my 20s and teens, weekends were for friends, relaxing and sleeping in.  Now, the weekend means that I can get things done and spend some time with my family.  There is little relaxing and no sleeping in with my early bird daughter.

This weekend was a bit different for me.  While I usually start Saturday with laundry and house cleaning, this Saturday I headed into the city for the NYC Blogger Playdate.  If you know me, you know that I have no interest in trekking into the city on a weekend unless I have a race.  Therefore I spend the first part of Saturday morning changing my mind as to whether I was go to go or not.  Well, after my husband insisted that I go, I jumped on the express bus and headed to Five Points Academy on Canal Street.  I was running late (weekend traffic is annoying) but made it just in time for the kettle bell workout.  It was a great class with a great instructor.  And the pain I am feeling in my quads and my arms tells me it was also an effective class.

November 2011 NYC Blogger Playdate @ Five Points Academy (Photo care of Keelie Sheridan)

 My Saturday playdates were: (Anonymous) Master Dater at 100 First Dates, Liz at An Interesting Year, Laura at Joyful Shimmy, Kayla at Learning to Say Yes, Keelie at Sweat Equals Success and Jocelyn at Peace Love Nutrition.  It was a pleasure meeting all of you!!


After getting our sweat on, myself and several other NYC bloggers headed over to Patois for brunch.  For $12.95, we each had our choice of great entrees (I had a steak sandwich), coffee and not one but two mimosas.  WINNING!

Post-workout nutrition is key! (Photo care of Keelie Sheridan)

I was awesome meeting such an interesting group of women who all seems to share my love of sweat.  It was especially awesome to be out for fun without kids on my hip.  Then, be it mom love or mom guilt, it was time for me to head home.  I said my good-byes and headed back to my world.

The rest of Saturday was a blur since the little had me up at 4:30 a.m. and then well, the kettle bells AND the mimosas.  Me and hubby put the kids to back early and woo hoo, we are sleeping by 9.  It was awesome.  We truly are party animals!

This morning I managed to fit in a quick, much needed manicure and then hubby and I took the kids to the park.  We have to take advantage of this beautiful weather.  Monday it could snow.  (Gotta love global warming.)

Top of the world!

Now, back to mom world.  I have laundry to catch up on.


The next NYC Blogger Playdate is December 10.

 **What did you do this weekend that was different from your usual routine?

Sleepless Monsters

So, I didn't get to the gym yesterday morning or this morning.  I am going to blame that solely on this little monster.

Mom, I am trying to watch tv!

Yes, the party animal was up since 4 a.m.  Usually I let her cry it out and I did.  She went back to sleep in 30 minutes.  Then I got up at 4:50 to head to the gym , got dressed and she started again.  Cue: Mom guilt.  How can I go to the gym if she is in there crying for me.  So, we laid on the couch for an hour while she pet the dog, kicked me and asked me "whatyadoing mommy?" every 30 seconds.  It was awesome quality time.

I have a lunch meeting so gym at lunch is out of the question.  I even forgot to do my push ups.  But I'll do those right here at my desk.

Last night since I didn't get to the gym, I at least tried to get my stretching in.  My son wanted to play too.

Stretching

and rolling

Then he tried to foam roll Phoebe.  

Anyway, I am going to attempt to go a video this evening once my monsters go to bed.

We're not monsters.  We're angels with horns :)

Did you workout today yet? Do you ever suffer from Mom Guilt?

Go!

Okay.  Two days in and I'm still on point.  Yea, I know two days is not that impressive, but with the amount of stress I am feeling, not emotionally eating is a huge accomplishment.  So, Go me!  I have decided to use SparkPeople for tracking.  If you are on there, find me!

Gym bound Monday morning.

I also have been gymming in the morning.  However, I am thoroughly exhausted by 6pm.  So be it though.  It's going to get cold soon (or at least it is supposed to).  I also got my haircut this weekend.  Sort of off topic, but part of the fresh start.  Long day and I just got back from parent-teach conference so I'm off to bed.  I will give you a better update tomorrow.

For now, a photo story of me and the kids giving the dog a bath over the weekend.

You tricked me. I don't like baths!

help

Mom - This is fun

 

 

Is it over yet?

I feel pretty (and I smell good too)!

On your mark, get ready....

I am coming to you from Sunday night.  This week has been a difficult one.  I am pretty much overwhelmed with most aspects of my life.  This would be manageable if only I could work through it all... while running.  As you have likely heard me whine, I am injured and have been unable to run for 9 weeks (but who's counting?)  The problem is that running is it for me.  I lift weights and I do other active things, but they all revolve around running for me.  Since I have been unable to do so, my routine has fallen apart.  I seldom go to the gym at lunch, I have barely lifted.  The only thing I have been doing is the elliptical in the morning at the gym.  But I haven't had a plan.  And which that, my eating habits have been a total mess.  Emotional eating + halloween candy = Mess!

I have promised myself a fresh start.  A plan.  And since I once read that diets that start midweek are likely to fail, I figured Monday was the best option.  So, as I write, that is less than 4 hours away.  Now what?

Well, starting with breakfast, I will be tracking my meals for a while.  I do not usually do that, but it is a good way to take accountability and get on track.  (Still deciding which tracker to use.  Any suggestions?)
Also, I am going to be limiting my alcohol to 1 day a week. 

In terms of exercise, the specifics are still up in the air.  Without a PT, I am on my own finding out the exercises/stretched I should be doing.  However, I am committing to this:

4 days a week at least 40 minutes of cardio
Stretching 5 days a week for at least 15 minutes
Pilates/Yoga at least 2 days a week (still looking for good videos for improving back pain)
At least 15 push ups every morning, 20 next week, etc.

Ok, it's in writing and you all can see it.  I may need to tweak it, but not for less activity, just in terms of what are the best things for me to do with the bulging disc/sciatica.

I will try not to bore you by tracking every day the mundane details, (I'll save that for Daily Mile) but I will keep you posted on progress.  Hopefully, I can get my physical and emotional state back to where it's supposed to be.

Any suggestions, kicks in the butt, motivational quotes are all welcome.  Help!

Let's Get Physical in Front of the TV

I couldn't hit the gym this morning because hubby had to go to work earlier than usual and it's illegal to leave little kids alone even to go to the gym while they are sleeping.  (Kidding!  Do not call ACS please.)  Instead I did some Mari Winsor Pilates.  I thought maybe it would be good to do some stretching for the back.  Then I threw in an ExerciseTV standing abs 10 minute workout.  I didn't end in a pool of sweat but at least it's something.  Besides sometimes it's fun to literally work out in my pajamas.  Any workout that doesn't require shoes is a good one to me.

Do to a change in hubby's schedule, I may be moving some of my morning workouts to the front of the TV.  Unfortunately, I think my workout DVR collection needs some replenishing.  I have my staples of course, Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred and Ripped in 30.  I also have some oldies, old school Taebo on VHS and of course my Mari Winsor pilates.  I even have a 4-pack of Yoga videos that I literally tried once and didn't like.

So, I need help (What's new, right?  I am a needy blogger.)  I need your suggestions on workout  DVDs worth investing in and anything on Exercise TV (for my FIOS people) you suggest.  Also, anyone want the 4-pack of yoga DVDs.  I don't know if they are any good, but if you want them, let me know.

November 4, 2012

Firstly, congrats to all the marathon finishers and PR crushers that killed it on Sunday.  You guys are all awesome.  And I want in!  I was supposed to run beside all of you but my body decided this was not my year.  I'm over it though.  Now the countdown begins.  In 361 days, I will be running 5 boroughs in one day.  Because I deferred from this year, I am guaranteed entry.  So, now I wait.  See you then finishline.

For now though, I need to find some focus.  Being injured has been painful to my body and my mind.  I am thankfully still able to work out.  I just need to be mindful of what my body should and shouldn't do right now.  Herein lies my issue.  Running is my go-to.  I just do it and right now that is one of the main things that I cannot be doing.  So, I am going to try to be nicer to the elliptical and even give the bike a shot.  I need focus though.  I need a plan.  My workouts are boring me and my food is out of control.  Halloween candy will be the death of me.

I need a plan.  More importantly I need a mom-friendly plan.

Is there an Elmo bootcamp?  That one we could do together.

Something I can honestly commit to wholeheartedly.  I would love to do a bootcamp but time and location always seem to be an issue.  (Staten Island really is the lost borough of NYC.)  Here's where you come in, help!  Any suggestions on plans, virtual trainers, programs that worked for you?

NYC Marathon Sunday

So, unless you live under a rock, you know that it's NYC Marathon Sunday. And since I live within the five boroughs, this was that story of the day (that and the Giants/Patriots games). I was supposed to run it. But my back screwed me 7 weeks ago and I have not run since. So, instead one of my BFFs slept over and I drove her to the start. Then I went into Mom mode Nd drove my son to religion class. The rest of my day has been a mix of boring mom stuff (laundry, grocery shopping, etc.) and watching the marathon on tv and checking my marathon app to see how all my friends and fav bloggers were doing. BTW- everyone did so awesome!!!

That's said. Here I am on marathon Sunday sitting in bed emptying the DVR. My legs are not sore but my heart is heavy. Today wAs supposed to be my day. However one of the best things about the marathon is that it happens every year. There's no pic yet, but 2012 I'm in!

That said, bring on the week. I'm reDy for a new start... After a good nights sleep. Until then, cheers!

I'm Still Here. Meow!

I have been gone a few days.  Since then, we've had snow in October, Halloween and a chiropractor appointment.

Momma Cat and baby Kitty. 

My son and Mike Myers

Want more candy

Scary face

Trick or treat

I have no pictures at the chiropractor's office, although it was probably funny since I had my car ears on when I was there.  Anyway, he seems optimistic, although he said that this injury needs to be "babied" which is not my strong suit.  I am waiting to confirm insurance and then I plan to let him work his magic.

Do you think I need an orthopedist right now or should I work with the chiro for a few weeks first?  I feel like they are just going to tell me what I already know and I am not at the point where I are yet considering surgery.  Thoughts?