346 - Reboot

So it was a bad week last week.

I'm up 3 pounds. And that's going to happen at times. Especially when you're not sleeping, not exercising, not eating most days, and then eating more than you should when you DO eat, and dealing with an emotional roller coaster.

But here's the good news.

It was NOT as bad as it would have been before.

And knowing what I know about me - I got up this morning - and just REBOOTED. Already been to the gym.

Here are THIS week's Vinymation goals - and this week will be the first I've opened in three weeks! Time to get my hands on one!

1) Weight. Check.

2) Points. Stay within. Go into weekly no more than TWO days (probably Friday and Saturday as we celebrate our anniversary).

3) Exercise. Five days. One down.

Okay - we're past the hard week. Now let's have a few GREAT ones before Disneyland!

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Today

Sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday.

And I miss him - so much.

So today we will remember, honor, laugh, and cry.

Today will be about my dad.

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Insomnia

It was one of the worst parts of last year this time.

Sitting up at night. Unable to sleep. Wishing to do nothing more than turn my brain off. But also knowing that as soon as I did - my dad would be in there - and I'd be so sad my insides hurt.

And so I couldn't sleep. Sometimes until after 2am.

And so now I'm having trouble again.

I'm staying on points this week - and still going to get in 4 workouts (maybe one tomorrow, assuming I get some sleep, AND the roads are clear enough to get to the gym) - but I'm also being realistic.

This has been a REALLY hard week on me emotionally.

And somehow I'm holding it together. No candy. No cookies. Nothing UNtracked.

And for tonight. I think that's enough.

Friday, we are choosing to have dinner with my mother at a Chinese restaurant to honor my dad's favorite foods. Who knows if/what/how much of it we'll eat. I'll likely eat almost nothing the rest of the day.

Next week will be better.

And next weekend I celebrate being married for FIVE YEARS. We are leaving Elizabeth for the night with my sister in law for the first time - and just having an US night.

Talk about a pendulum swinging.

Incredible sadness this week.

Celebration next week.

And before you know it (March 24) I'll be in Disneyland.

And you WONDER why I'm not sleeping. :)

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342.7 - TWELVE

A dirty dozen. A carton of eggs. The end of everyone's favorite Sesame Street cartoon about numbers!

Yes, my friends, I'm down 12.3 pounds! (4.3 this week!)

And the illness seemed to help more than hurt. I spent about 3 days on the couch eating soup and crackers. Doing VERY little. And then Elizabeth ended up sick.

But today we're all healthy - and I've already been to the gym!

The cough is still here - which made exercise fun - but I did it!

So this week's Vinylmation goals, as we move forward?

1) Weigh. Check.

2) 4 gym workouts - one down.

3) Staying on points.

But here's the BEST part.

I'm OVER 10% of the way to making mgreene eat his words! WOOHOOO!!!! :)

See you guys soon!

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Petrie Dishes

Okay - so this is Petrie from "Land Before Time" - but who wants to look at a picture of bacteria growing?

So good news: I'm doing well in terms of eating this week. In fact - I'm not eating much at all.

Bad news: those allergies that hit on Monday - weren't allergies. I'm sick. Again. Likely a respiratory virus that the baby brought home from day care. Sheesh. They're teaching her to share - but let's not share EVERYTHING - okay? Those places are like little bundles of illness WAITING to be brought home. Sore throat - coughing up junk - headache - sweats - the whole shebang.

In any event - I'm staying home today to heal. And will update more soon.

Also - since someone asked and I forgot to say - grandma is home from the hospital and doing well.

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347.0 - Sneezy

Lots to talk about today.

First - Vinylmation - this was the first week I didn't get to open one. Not because I didn't stay on plan 5/7 days - but because I missed one out of 5 workouts. And a deal is a deal. So - new goals.

1) Weigh. Check.

2) Stay on points ALL SEVEN DAYS.

3) Four workouts this week (why only four? Keep reading).

Weight. I'm up about .9 pounds this week - which I'll admit to feeling sucky about. But then again - it's a minor setback that I can easily undo and MORE this week. Last week was rough. This week will be better.

Sneezy - I woke up with a MASSIVE allergy attack. Head pounding. The whole thing. Just hoping I'm not getting a sinus infection. But this is why only four workouts this week. If I AM getting sick - I want to give myself permission to rest. If not - then we'll hit the gym more.

In any event - the next two weeks are going to be hard for me - for obvious reasons. (Has it REALLY been a year? Holy cow.) But I'm still here plugging along - doing my best to make positive life changes and kick this thing in the butt.

And mgreene - don't think a .9 gain gets you off the hook - keep your checkbook where you can see it. I'm GOING to beat you at this one. :)

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Eerily Familiar

Okay - first an update. Just got back from the gym. One soaked shirt. Check. Commenting on other's blogs - you're right - I need to do more of that! I promise I will!!

Now - onto today's topic.

This week has been weird. And a little scary. Kind of like Deja Vu.

As you know, my grandmother is in the hospital. She went in on Wednesday with some congestive heart failure - which is nothing new for her - and is currently being stabilized to be sent home. On it's face - no worries.

But - going to see her was WAY harder than I thought.

Because Monday will be one year ago that my father went into the hospital with some congestive heart failure. And I walked the halls of the hospital. And eleven days later he was gone.

And as we approach that date, I find myself incredibly sensitive to anything sad or upsetting. And I found going to the hospital to see my grandmother incredibly hard.

Now there's very little chance that my grandmother is NOT going to go home. Let's be clear.

But the similarities were unmistakable.

Discussions about conditions and doctors who's names we hadn't mentioned in a year. Hearing the hacking cough of a man about my dad's age who was clearly in CHF. And remembering what he looked like in the bed before he passed.

The next two weeks are going to be rough for me, I think.

I'm already having trouble sleeping. Vivid - and sometimes upsetting - dreams.

But I'm staying on track. I'm staying on program. I'm exercising. I'm working. Most days I'm fine - but when it hits, it hits hard and unexpectedly.

And I'm processing. I'm getting through this process.

Step by step. With the help of you: my friends and family.

Now something fun: because of scheduling - Amber and I are observing Valentine's Day TODAY! We're dropping off Elizabeth at daycare - and going to see TANGLED (FINALLY!) and just to hang out together alone for a few hours. I can't wait!

One more side note: have you gone to www.charitymodelsearch.org and "favorited" Elizabeth yet? C'mon! It's FREE - it takes a second. Give her five stars for free - and help her win the title of "CUTEST KID IN AMERICA!"

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The benefits of the ellipse

Or rather of the elliptical trainer.

1) Low impact on the knees - so I can really push hard - not hurt - and really sweat a lot.

2) Easy access - there are LOTS at the gym (and we'll have our own in the new house).

3) It's softer...kinda. Here's what I mean. I was supposed to do EA Active today. But the problem is - if I'm working out at 5am and jumping and running in the living room - it'll wake Amber and Elizabeth. And that's BAD. So instead - I headed to the gym for a great elliptical workout. Soaked a shirt. :) And will likely use the gym more in the mornings. EA will be a backup for when I can't get to the gym in the mornings. At least for now. They have some REALLY good cardio stuff on there - stepping etc.

So - in any event. Yesterday was an off day. Had a LOT going on - crazy work stuff - grandma taken to the hospital - friends from out of town (Paul Barrie!) - and just a crazy day. So I moved yesterday's workout to Friday.

But I just keep plugging away making progress and heading in the right direction.

How's YOUR February shaping up?

And where IS everybody? I mean - here we are making progress - doing well - and all the commenters are GONESVILLE!

Where ARE you all? Yes - even you lurkers!

Hmm...I'll have to be controversial again. ;)

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346.1 - Progress

And here they are - some of my favorite photopass pictures from our January trip!!

From Elizabeth watching the Dapper Dans - to my mom holding on for dear life on Test Track - to one of the best pictures taken of Amber and I ever - these are really good photos!

So - last week went quite well! I stayed on plan - exercised four times (3 EA workouts and one elliptical workout) - and lost another pound!

I know - Chris wanted to see FIVE pounds this week - but 1-2 pounds per week is what is recommended for WW. I'd have rather had 2 - but I won't complain about heading in the right direction. :)

However - since this is a short month - I have to kick into high gear to hit my club 8 goal this month!

Here are the Vinylmation goals this week:

1) Weigh-in

2) Keep to my points

3) Workout FIVE times (tuesday, wednesday, thursday, saturday, sunday)

I'll post progress updates as we go.

Congratulations to you all for your 5ks this weekend! And congrats to Team Voice for raising $134 towards our charity goals!

Let's keep this momentum moving forward!

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GIMME FIVE

Alrighty! I have just completed the Team Voice Virtual 5k entitled "Gimme five!" and donated FIVE TIMES FIVE dollars to Make-a-Wish for our Team!

Actually - I did more than 5k - I did 3.2 miles in 40 minutes on the elliptical - soaking my shirt and burning well over 350 calories in the process!

I'm proud of my teammates today - and proud of our supporters!

Let's capitalize on the momentum and PUSH FORWARD!

Don't put the donation off - don't say you'll remember to do it later.

Take 2 minutes - click on the donate link - and put your five bucks in.

GREAT JOB TEAM!

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Elizabeth's First Charity Event

HELLO BLOGPEOPLE!!!

Daddy said I could use his blog today to ask you all for some help on MY project. I know Daddy is doing great on his project to get healthier and raise money for Make-a-Wish - and is doing something called a five-k tomorrow. But today - I want to tell you about MY charity project.

My friends at Artis Photography took another picture of me. This one! It was in a really comfy chair. And they entered me into a contest to find the "cutest kid in America". Daddy and Mommy say I'm cutest for sure.

But I need YOUR help to win!

Click on this link here: http://www.charitymodelsearch.org/ci.php/photos/showphoto/446

Now - this contest lets you do two things:

1) You can register your e-mail address and give me up to five points for FREE! (PLEASE give me all five!)

2) If you want - you can also pay for votes - $1 per vote. All the money goes to a charity that helps give sick kids family photos! I love my photos and so I want them to have some too!

The top five point and vote getters from each region will become finalists who will be judged by photo experts!

I REALLY WANNA BE A FINALIST!

So - will you help me? Even just the five free points will help - and it'll take you like 1 or 2 minutes! Pretty please!! Cuz you all think I'm cute right?

Can't wait to see all Daddy's friends again soon!

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The Team Voice "Gimme 5!" 5k Challenge!

Okay friends - our first official TEAM VOICE VIRTUAL EVENT has been announced. And let me tell you about it - and then how YOU can participate and/or support us!

There's lots of big news coming in the next days and weeks - so I'm thrilled to tell you about this!

First of all - a quick update - so far - I'm totally on plan this week - including a great EA workout today - one scheduled Thursday, Friday, and Sunday as well. And Saturday is the Gimme 5 Challenge!

So here's the challenge - right from Chris:

“Gimme 5! 5k” That’s right, you heard me, I want a 5k and a 5 spot this coming Saturday (2/5) from all Team Voice! I’d like to see everyone do their 5k and then donate $5 to our cause. It’s just the bump we need to show we are serious about getting going as well as giving us our first virtual event of the year. Get out there on Saturday, yes…Saturday..not Sunday…not Friday… I don’t care what time of day or what time you put in, lets ALL clock in.

This Saturday I'll be committing to putting in 3.1 miles - minimum. I'm proud to announce that Team Voice is also now OFFICIALLY partnered with the Make-a-Wish foundation - and that EVERY DOLLAR we raise goes to help a seriously ill child have their wish to go to WDW. I am so stoked about this you can't even imagine! You can find a NEW donation link on the sidebar - or just click on this link:

https://secure.wish.org/ourfriends/017-000/teamvoice.htm

So - how can YOU help?

1) Just cheer on our members! If you're not able to give us 5k this Saturday - just make the rounds on the blogosphere and facebook and congratulate those who do!

2) JOIN US! If you're willing and able - GIMME 5! this Saturday. Now - let's say you're not a runner. WALK. If you're not a walker - ELLIPTICAL. BIKE. SWIM. Just go 5k this Saturday and do it for Team Voice!

3) SUPPORT US! Commit to giving me five for my 5k. Tell me that you'll click on our donate link on Saturday and donate FIVE dollars (one latte) to these kids in honor of our virtual event. This is our first virtual event of 2011 - and it's small - fun - and fast. And you can give five bucks (one subway sandwich) to Make-a-Wish and Team Voice. And when you donate - put in a comment - tell us why you're donating - and for who - give the team member an "atta boy" or "atta girl" - whatever! Just SHOW US your support for our mission!

4) DO ALL THREE ABOVE!!! I am. Yup - I'm supporting my teammates - giving 5k - and giving AT LEAST $5.

So what do you think, my friends?

Are you ready to GIMME FIVE?!

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