Ohhhhh, Heaven... It's Music Day!

SURPRISE, Surprise!!!  You just had to know that I would be featuring Los Lonely Boys... the band of 3 brothers...  today after the AMAZING private concert from KPRI that Jeff and I enjoyed on Sunday!  Their 4th album, "Rockpango" came out yesterday... but their most popular song is, "Heaven." 

Great beat, smooth song...

put this one on as you are cruising in the car...

top down or windows open...

wind blowing through your hair...

and just enjoy...

Life is here for us to enjoy...

our husbands are here for us to enjoy...

all you have to do is put yourself in the right place to enjoy it all!

Los Lonely Boys, Heaven

New assignments are posted... go check them out and make it a GREAT day!

I've hit a MILESTONE... and private concert with Los Lonely Boys... WOW!

Boy oh BOY, do I have a milestone to share with you today!  BUT FIRST... Jeff and I went out on an unexpected date last night!  Jeff won tickets to a private listener concert at Valley View Casino. 

His favorite station, KPRI, put on an AMAZINGLY DECADENT event for around 200 listeners.  We were greeted at the door with flowing champagne and wonderful appetizers.  The private room was at the corner of the hotel... up on a hill... with walls of windows that showed off the beauty of Northern San Diego... beautiful skies with remnant clouds casting delightful shadows on the hills... and the most wonderful sunset... as we were sitting 10 feet away from...

... LOS LONELY BOYS... "How Far Is Heaven?"

I didn't know a lot about this band, with the exception of this song that I love.  THEY... WERE... FANTASTIC!  Their live performance was perfection... every chord... every harmony... they were fun with the crowd and their music was GREAT!  They have a new album out and I will be buying it this week!!!

With all the weight that I've lost, our 21-year-old daughter, Jessica, and friend, Mindy, helped me get dressed for the concert.  (They decided that my first outfit was too frumpy and I needed to spice it up... be my husband's girlfriend... and all that!)  I have to admit, they spiced me up and I felt confident and sexy in this outfit... oh... and JEFF... LOVED... IT!!!  (tee, hee, hee!)

NOW... I know what you are here for... DRUM ROLL PLEASE...  In the past week, I lost 2.2 pounds... bringing my 10 week total to... 

216.6 pounds

218.8 pounds





20.4 pounds!!! 

WOOO HOOOO!  Even better... when I hit 214, I WILL NO LONGER BE OBESE...

just severely overweight (according to my Body Mass Index!) 

 Ha, ha, ha... who ever thought I would be sharing my weight with the world,

my BMI and the fact that I'm SO EXCITED for this next milestone!!!



On a friend side note... there are so many of you following along and becoming your husband's girlfriends!!!  CONGRATS to Gloria, who has just crossed over into ONE-derland (she is under 200 pounds!)  And friend Emily, who is down 16 pounds in the past 2 months... and looking GREAT, I must add!!!  Keep up the AWESOME and INSPIRING work!  And keep the comments coming... public or private emails, I LOVE to hear how you are doing!   MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!!!

Foodie Friday... Salad Bar and Chicken Breast

Yes, I know it is still Lent, but I can still share a fun and quick dish that has some chicken!  (Mom and Dad, we are having shrimp pasta for dinner tonight...)

One of my favorite meals at the moment is a HUGE salad... YEP... salad for dinner!  There are so many wonderful things that you can throw into your salad... and when I make salad for dinner, I make sure to include ingredients that I don't use for our regular side salads... ingredient to differentiate the side salad from the "this is all your getting tonight, so enjoy it" salad! :-)  I also make sure to add some kind of protein with the salad.  This salad included a baked, boneless and skinless chicken breast.  Sometimes I make it more of a Cobb salad by slicing up some ham and turkey... either way, just be sure to get the protein in there!

2 Cups Lettuce - 16 calories, .2 fat gram, 1.5 diet fiber grams - 0 points
1/2 cup Tomato - 14 calories, .1 fat gram, 1 diet fiber gram - 0 points
1/2 cup Baby Corn - 25 calories, 0 fat grams, 2 diet fiber grams - 0 points
2 Hard boiled eggs (whites only) - 32 calories, 0 fat grams, 0 diet fiber - 0 points
1 oz. grated Cheddar cheese - 114 calories, 9.4 fat grams, 0 diet fiber - 3 points
1/2 cup Cilantro - 0 calories, 0 fat grams, 0 diet fiber grams - 0 points
1/2 cup mushrooms - 22 calories, .4 fat gram, 1.7 diet fiber grams - 0 points
salad dressing - Totally up to you... from fat free to lots of calories...
1 chicken breast (no skin) - 110 calories, 2.5 fat grams, 0 diet fiber grams - 3 points

Since so many of these items came up with 0 points, I added the calories, fat and dietary fiber grams together for the lettuce, tomato, mushrooms, baby corn and eggs and with 87 calories, .3 fat grams and 4.5 dietary fiber grams, I still only came up with 1 point for all of it.

Sooooo... you can pretty much STUFF yourself with a beautiful salad and a chicken breast for 4 points (if you leave off the cheese and use a fat free salad dressing!)  I did put a bit of breading on my chicken in the photo, but usually just bake or pan saute it.  A GREAT meal that is GREAT for you!

MUSIC Day... ohhhhh, Respect, Baby!

Ohhhhhh, YEAH!  I am feeling SO STRONG after the triathlon this weekend...

I might be sick... I might be overwhelmed with life... but I... AM... STRONG! 

And...

... simply...

... there is no better song...

... for us women...

... to KNOW WE ARE STRONG...

... and confident...

... and beautiful...

... than Aretha Franklin's "Respect!" (song posted on side!)

SING IT, GIRLS!  Change that soundtrack in your head! 

YOU CAN DO IT... anything that you want... and feel GOOD doing it!

Because we owe OURSELVES... A Little Respect...

Week 9 Photos...

This process continues to astound me!  After another week of being sick and only 2 workouts and my triathlon, I still lost more weight!  I was thrilled when I stepped on the scale the morning of my triathlon and weighed 219.8... I made it to the "teens" just in time for my race... and was even more excited when I lost another pound the next day...  down 2.2 pounds this week... 18.2 pounds overall!!!


221 pounds



218.8 pounds

























Of course, I had to pose with my triathlon medal this week!  I have to make a decision about my next race... for now, it is back to the gym to keep the cardio going.  I'm starting to feel better and can't wait to get my sweat on!  Make it a GREAT day!

Pasadena Triathlon 2011!!!

WOOOOO HOOOOO! 

WHAT AN AWESOME DAY!!!  I LOVE THIS RACE!!!  I have lots of photos and stories, so let's jump right into it!  Our day started at 3AM...up... dressed... and in the car... drive from San Diego to Pasadena.  We hit some rain here and there on the way up, but thank goodness, the weather held for the race!  Jeff's frat brother, Dave, is the one that got me started with triathlons and this is the third one that we have done together.



The Triathletes... Dave and Me at 6AM...

Body marking... our race number on our arm, a "T" on our righ calf for "triathlon"
and our age on our left calf.  I just have to point out...
those are some nice looking calf muscles... and, I'm the 41... ;-)

We arrived 2 hours early... plenty of time to go through registration, get our bodies marked, set up our transition area, and, the most important pre race detail... potty break!  The transition area was all new this year and it was AWESOME!  Everyone was racked up with their competitor group... lots of room... and the flow of the transition area this year was much better!
 

Jeff and Me before the race.  Although I was sick, poor Jeff was WAAAAAY sick...
and he still drove me to the race, supported me and cheered... I love you, Sweetheart!!!

The start of the race is always an interesting time!  Competitors, supporters... race veterans and the newbies.  There is SOOO MUCH ENERGY... so many nerves... so much camaraderie, so many smiles and hugs and "wooo hoooos!"  I was standing next to a group of very energetic "tri virgins" and they had us all rolling!  They kept leading cheers... "Who here is a virgin?"  (((  lots of cheers )))  "Let's give it up for the virgins"  ((( even MORE cheers )))  Then they started asking... "How many bathrooms are out on the run course?"  When they heard the answer was, "none," they almost made me pee my pants... "No bathrooms?  Don't they know we are women... women who have had babies... and who need bathrooms around when they start running and bouncing..." and then to the single man standing in this group of ladies they said, "This is probably TMI for you... hearing about virgins and leakage..."  ha, ha, ha, ha... :-)



There I am at the start... on the left...
the funny virgins are the smiling gals to my left...

So, I was sick, but I took some Robitussion and some Tylenol and knew I had trained hard so I could push through it.  I wasn't sure how my energy would hold or my breathing (without coughing) would work, but I knew that I would better my time... by at least SOMETHING!  After all... when I weighed in before the race... I had hit my race goal... I was UNDER 220!  I had made it to the teens and was 30 pounds less than when I did this race one year ago.  I was READY!

Jeff caught me coming into the transition as I'm finishing my 5K run...
FEELING AWESOME!

The run went pretty well.  I was expecting they would have mile markers up so that we could pace ourselves, but that didn't happen.  I did the run in 37:24... almost 5 minutes faster than last year... but about 5 minutes slower than I had planned.  I'm still happy with that... I started with a steady pace and didn't stop once.  And I felt strong for the bike! 



Just getting on the bike and heading out of transition and onto the race course!

Having the computer on the bike so I could see my speed was SO COOL!  The bike course was three laps around the Rose Bowl... almost 10 miles.  The first half of the loop is a gradual uphill and the second half is a fast down.  Jeff was so proud of me because I never touched my breaks (even when I hit 27 miles per hour as I was pounding the down hill) and I was NEVER passed on the bike... I felt strong and I had a GREAT ride!

Dave coming into transition after the bike... and he is POUNDING IT! 
Dave finished 109 for the men... 119 OVERALL!!!  You'll be top 100
next year FOR SURE!!!

Final transition... from the bike to the swim... and stripping in public to my bathing suit... oddly enough, it didn't bother me this year!  I just wanted a fast transition and I couldn't WAIT to get my swim on!  I jumped in... did my streamline and my bi-lateral stroke... and funny thing, the 50m pool felt like 25m... all the swimming I've been doing made the lengths of 50 go by sooooo fast!  I got caught in a bit of traffic, but swam right around it... passed about 15 people and ended up getting the 2nd FASTEST SWIM SPLIT IN MY CATEGORY!!!  And, although Dave finished 18 minutes before me, I beat him in the pool, too!!! ;-)


MIMOSA TIME!  My favorite post race tradition! 
Along with fresh strawberries, Jeff, Dave and Anna... PERFECT!

 My overall time... 1:21:48...

I CUT MORE THAN 13 MINUTES

OFF LAST YEARS TIME of 1:35:02!!!

EVEN WITH THE FLU!

I finished 9th in my category!!!

TOP 10 IN MY GROUP!!!

The winning times in this category were the fastest in 3 years!

I finished 167 out of 352 women!

IN THE TOP 50%

Last year I finished 303 out of 385 women.

I was at 79% last year. 

BIG GIRLS CAN RACE!  I am THRILLED with my race and am back to training tomorrow for the next one!!!  WOOOO HOOOOO!  See you back here tomorrow for weekly photos!!!

RACE TIME!

Only about 14 hours until the Pasadena triathlon!  WOOO HOOOO!  I've been training for this race for so long, and working so hard... and I woke up yesterday with a HORRIBLE cold... and rain has been forecasted for the race... hummmmm... there are a few ways I can think about this situation, but here's what I've got... this just sounds like an additional CHALLENGE (and let's hope that adreneline will help some, too!)  I ran my first marathon... in the rain... with the flu... it is just time to pull on my big girl panties and GET THIS JOB DONE!!!

I'll be back to share all the details with you... oh, and if you are a praying kinds person... praying that I don't crash on my road bike would be oh so appreciated!!! ;-)  Make it a WONDERFUL weekend!!!

MUSIC for a TRIATHLON...

It is TRIATHLON WEEK!!!  3 more days until I compete in my third triathlon... the second time I have raced in the Pasadena Rose Bowl Triathlon!!!  I have been training hard... I am feeling good... and, God willing, I will be healthy, have no breakdowns and will not crash in the (possible) rain!  I finished the race in 1:35:02 last year and I am on track to BLOW THAT TIME OUT OF THE WATER (so to speak!)

I figured that I had to choose a special song to add to our music gallery this week!  A song that inspires me... that makes me smile... that has a race type title... and makes me JUMP UP AND WANT TO MOVE MY BODY!  Surprise... surprise... I'm going back to the 80's for a song by a very well known 80's artist... but a song that wasn't one of his big hits.  HOWEVER, it is PERFECT for a RACE SONG...

MC Hammer with "Do Not Pass Me By!" 

Now, I warned you that my music genres would be all over the place... and an 80's rap/gospel song couldn't be more out there... but you crank this song up and you will get SWEPT AWAY and I swear, you will start dancing in your seat... with a big 'ole smile on your face.

And I can promise you this... there will be PLENTY of men racing in the tri that won't even know what hit them when I blow by them on Saturday... because THEY are not going to pass ME by!!!  WOOT!  WOOT!  WOOT! 

2 Month Photos and Measurements... HOLY COW!

SERIOUSLY!!!  I had NO IDEA when I started this little experiment of mine if it would actually work. 

I hoped it would... 

I've worked hard to make sure it would...

And... it... DID!

After the first 8 weeks, I have lost 16 POUNDS!!!

From 237 to 221... and that's not all...

I have lost 12 INCHES, TOO!!!

Bust:  48.5" to 46"      LOST 2.5"

Chest:  40.75" - 39.75"     LOST 1"

Waist:  45.25" to 42.5"     LOST 2.75"

Hips:  48" to 45"     LOST 3"

Calves:  Left 16.5" to 16" and Right 17" to 16.5"     LOST .5" on each side

Upper arm:  Left 13.75" to 12.5" and Right 14" to 13"     LOST 1.75" combined

Funny thing... I put on inches in my thighs... then again...

with all the spinning and running, these legs of steel are STRONG! 

Thighs:  Left 23.75" to 25" and Right 24.75" to 26"     GAINED 1.25" on each side

Isn't that interesting... my right side is bigger straight down the board... AND I either lost or gained almost EXACTLY the same on both sides... things that make you say, "hummmmmmm..."

EVEN BETTER NEWS... my BMI (Body Mass Index)...

the chart that tells you if you are obese...

My starting BMI was 33...

... today, it is 30.8!!!

Anything over 30.0 is considered obese... when I hit 214 pounds, I will only be "overweight..." no longer obese!  And trust me... that day is not too far away!!!  WOOO HOOOOO!

The past two months have been AMAZING and I CAN'T WAIT to see what the next two months will bring!  Weight loss is just like marathoning... "slow and steady wins the race!"  8 weeks... 16 pounds... I'll TAKE IT!  Make it a FANTASTIC day!! 

We're going on a WICKED date...

6 days to go until the Pasadena Triathlon...

1 day to go until my 8 week weigh in...

... and today, Jeff and I are going on a DATE!  We have tickets to see "Wicked" at the Orange County Performing Arts Center!!!  A nice drive up the coast... quiet lunch for 2... and a show that we have been wanting to see for a long time!  I'm not going to give away any info for the BIG reveal tomorrow, but I will say that I am now down 2 SIZES... and I'm going to feel GREAT holding my husband's hand at the show... and starting to look and feel like his girlfriend!

Have a GREAT day, everyone!

Foodie... Saturday... Shrimp Quesadillas!

Ohhhhhh, one of our all time FAVORITES!  What could be better than grilled tortillas, melted cheese, sauteed onions and shrimp... ((( drool )))!!!  Let's jump right into it, shall we...?

1 serving size...

1/2 tablespoon margarine - 35 calories, 0 dietary fiber grams, 4 fat grams = 1 point
1/2 cup sweet onion - 32 calories, 1.4 dietary fiber grams, 0 fat grams = 0 points
1 medium flour tortilla - 120 calories, 1 dietary fiber gram, 3 fat grams = 2 points
7 shrimp (1/2 serving size) - 60 calories, 0 diet. fiber, 1.5 fat grams = 1 point
1/4 cup shredded colby/jack cheese - 110 calories, 0 diet. fiber, 9 fat grams = 3 points
2 tablespoons light sour cream - 35 calories, 0 diet. fiber, 2 fat grams = 1 point
2 tablespoons salsa - 10 calories, 0 diet. fiber, 0 fat grams = 0 points

Saute the onions... I add a bit of oregano, basil and garlic salt.  Just before the onions are done, throw in the shrimp to cook with the onions.  Set aside.

Take out your griddle (or large saute pan).  Place the tortilla on the griddle on medium heat... spread cheese on top of tortilla... then add the onion/shrimp mixture.  When the cheese is melted, fold the tortilla in half, remove from heat and cut in half.  Add sour cream and salsa.  YUM! 

So... what does this cost you in calories, points...?

My version - 402 calories, 2.4 dietary fiber grams, 19.5 fat grams = 9 points
Rubios shrimp quesadilla - 920 calories, 4 dietary fiber grams, 56 fat grams = 14 points (includes chips and side of guacamole)

So... my recipe will save you in calories and points because it doesn't tempt you with the chips and guac and is a smaller portion... but let me tell you, it still has ALL THE flavor.  You could make it lower fat with light margarine, low fat cheese and fat free sour cream! 

Foodie Friday... almost...

I'm sorry to interrupt the previously scheduled program...

... Foodie Friday has been rescheduled due to the developer realizing that it is Friday...

... and it is Lent...

... and the previously scheduled recipe for Chicken Picatta just won't work today.

Sorry, everyone!  I don't have any idea how many of you out there follow Lent, but the Fridays during Lent are meat-free... seafood only.  I am cooking my famous Shrimp Quesadas tonight and will have an AWESOME and LOW FAT option for this meal for you tomorrow...

... and let me tell you, that my 8 week weigh in on Monday is already proving to be SHOCKING!!!  WOOO HOOOOO!  AND... 7 DAYS and counting until my triathlon...  WOW... what a week... ;-)

Wonderful...

I remember in our early years, Jeff and I loved to window shop... we loved walking around together... hand in hand... talking... sharing stories... enjoying the afternoon together.  And, on several occasions, we were stopped by people... total strangers... who told us that they could SEE how much we loved each other by watching us together... that we reminded them of themselves when they were younger.

Part of this process of becoming Jeff's girlfriend again is remembering and reminding each other of those early moments of our relationship.  And there is a song that brings it back... it is smooth... it is soft... and it is love put to music... Eric Clampton's "Wonderful Tonight."  It is posted over in the soundtrack on the right... go listen to the words and make it a WONDERFUL night!

Photos... after 7 weeks...

... I have had my first increase.  It was bound to happen and although I was a bit disappointed at first, I had to remind myself that this is a LONG TERM goal.  After losing 14 pounds in 6 weeks, I was bound to have a "catch up" week.  And I am totally fine with it.  I have been sick for the past 4 days and although my calorie intake has been fine, I haven't been in the gym at all.  You all have been asking what I have changed to make such a difference in my weight loss and I think I just found one of the BIG REASONS... exercise!  4 days out of the gym and mama's body ain't happy!!!

So, now I'm curious... several weeks ago I had a 1 pound weight loss and we could TOTALLY see it in the photos.  I wonder if we will be able to see a 1.6 pound gain...?


224.6 pounds



223 pounds

























Hummmm... I'm not sure... but I can tell you one thing... I look WAY better than I did 7 weeks ago!!!  So, back to bed... I HAVE to get better and back to the gym because my triathlon is LESS THAN 2 WEEKS away!  See you tomorrow for Music Day and make it a FANTASTIC day!

Foodie Friday... Pasta with Scallops, Artichoke, and Tomato... YUM!

I've made this dinner twice in the past two weeks because the family loves it so much!  So let's jump right into the heart of it...  oh, and note that this photo is of a salad size plate, not a dinner plate...

Recipe is for one serving... sooooo easy to make for the whole family!  The serving shown above is smaller than the single serving portion detailed below!  This is a very filling dinner!

14 small scallops - 150 calories, 1 fat gram, 0 dietary fiber grams = 3 points
1/2 cup grape tomatoes - 15 calories, 0 fat grams, 1 dietary fiber gram = 0 points
OPTION:  14 pieces sundried tomato - 72 calories, 1 fat gram, 3 dietary fiber grams = 1 point
1/4 cup chopped onion - 16 calories, 0 fat grams, 1 dietary fiber gram = 0 points
1/2 serving (8 pieces) artichoke heart quarters (in water) - 18 calories, 0 fat grams, 1.5 dietary fiber grams = 0 points
3/4 cup (dry) pasta - 210 calories, 1 fat gram, 2 dietary fiber grams = 4 points
1/2tbsp olive oil - 60 calories, 7 fat grams, 0 dietary fiber grams = 2 points
1 12" stalk steamed broccoli - 98 calories, 1 fat gram, 9 dietary fiber grams = 1 point

This one is SO EASY!  Cook the pasta... easy... done.  Saute the onions... then when almost done, add the scallops per package directions (it is only a few minutes).  I added a bit of Oregano, Basil and Garlic Salt to the onions/scallops.  The last minute, add the artichoke hearts and tomatoes... pretty much just to heat them up.  Steam the broccoli and this is one EASY AND AWESOME dinner the whole family will LOVE! 

Final counts:

My recipe for whole dinner with grape tomatoes (add one point for sundried tomatoes) = 10 points

I didn't really find a restaurant comparison except Macaroni Grill... their Capellini Pomodoro Pasta ("ripe grape tomatoes, tomato sauce, fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil") - 390 calories, 14 fat grams, 7 dietary fiber grams = 8 points... add in some scallops and if you just steam them, you are looking at the points above... 3 points.  Funny thing... I have been trying to find ways to cook great meals at home for WAY LOWER POINTS than you can find in the restaurants... but it looks like I found a way to cook an AMAZING dinner, JUST LIKE THE RESTAURANTS... at home!!!

ENJOY!  And have a WONDERFUL weekend!!!

New Weekly Feature...

Several of you have asked if I would add a weekly feature to this blog about exercise.  OK... but FIRST,  a few disclosures... I am NOT a trainer and I am NOT going to be giving any training advice... except this... YOU need to check with your doctor for a check up before you start any workout routine and YOU have to pay attention to, take care of and know YOUR body! 



Weight Loss Challenge - Palomar YMCA
Spring 2009



I have been working out for different reasons/events for the past 25+ years and I have learned things that work for me. I can share with you how I started working out... workout inspiration... up to how I am training for my races now.  I can tell you that what I did in my 20's is TOTALLY different from what I am doing now that I'm 40.  I can also tell you that BIG GIRLS CAN ROCK THE BURN, and that just because you haven't exercised for awhile or think you are too "big" to exercise, there is something that will work for you!

Today, I want to share what happened to me when I walked into my gym today.  I workout at my local YMCA (and I LOVE the facility, the staff and the friends I have made there!).  I ran into my friend, Paula (she was on one of my weight loss challenge teams and has gone on to become a personal trainer... she TOTALLY rocks!)  I was showing off my new figure when someone on a weight machine nearby said, "I have seen you working out here and I can totally see the changes in your body."  (This was a total stranger.)  Then Paula's client started asking me what I was doing and I told her about this blog and the photos I take every week.  When I mentioned the name of the blog, several other ladies that were working out nearby started giggling and nodding... they loved the name and the concept of this blog.  A few feet away, another gym member told me that she had also noticed the changes I have made.  WOW... PEOPLE ARE NOTICING!  10 feet away were the treadmills and 2 more friends I have made through the weight loss challenge program (that don't know about the blog) and they both congratulated me on my progress. 

I learned a few things today...

1.  I am TOTALLY wearing this outfit for my triathlon in 2 weeks.. with that many compliments, it must look pretty good! :-)

2.  People are paying attention to my journey.  Even people that I don't know are watching my progress... THAT inspires me to work even harder!  You might not feel comfortable going into a gym because you think people will look at you and judge you (OK, maybe that is just me!)... what I never imagined is that people would be watching my success... not paying attention to "the big girl on the spin bike..." but "the big girl that is KICKING IT on the spin bike..."

3.  With all the adrenaline and pride that those compliments gave me, I have NEVER had a better run on the treadmill!!! ;-)

When you are ready to start working out, find a place that makes you feel comfortable and part of the family!  You don't just want 4 walls and some workout equipment... participate in some classes... do a few training sessions to meet some of the trainers... join in on some of the programs to meet some of your fellow gym members... be inspired and inspire others... I have NEVER loved (much less liked) a gym before and my YMCA is a big part of the reason I am doing so well today!

One last note... I need some help!  I don't know what to call this new weekly feature... unless you want something silly like "It's About the Burn," or "Sweat, Baby, Sweat" you need to send me some suggestions!!!

See you tomorrow for an AWESOME new recipe!!!

Music Day... PUMP IT!

Music is SOOOOO important to my workouts!  I used to watch TV while I was doing my cardio because it was a distraction and I could do a 30 minute treadmill workout before I even realized it... and that was the problem.  I was just going through the motions and not really focusing in on my workout... pushing myself... getting a proper "sweat on."

When I go to the gym for exercise, I am on a mission!  I am going to PUMP IT... I am going to work HARD... and I am going to sweat like you wouldn't believe!!!  We have this poster of Lance Armstrong up in our garage and I see it, staring at me, probably 20 times a day... THIS is the intensity that I put into my workouts... and I need some FANTASTIC music to get me hyped!!!

One of my current favorite songs is "Pump It" by the Black Eyed Peas.  I have seen the video, and I wasn't to keen on it, so I am just going to link the song up on the right... go listen to it... listen to that beat... and as they sing, "PUMP IT... LOUDER..." you can't help but have your heart start racing... giving everything you have to keep up with the song!

I hope you are having a FANTASTIC week so far!  Although my house is still in a mess due to Jessica moving home, things are good... and we are blessed!