The Firm Challenge- Week one

As I told you all in my last post I have decided to take on the The Firm (not to be confused with the Tom Cruise movie) for the next 12 weeks and see what exactly I can do with my body when I cut back on junk food and fanny lift until I can't fanny lift no more.

This past week I was able to do five Firm workouts and two yoga workouts. I know I won't be able to keep this pace up as it takes away time from the kiddos but I'm hoping for a few more weeks of daily workouts before I take it down a notch to three or four days a week. I can really feel it in my thighs and arms already. Right now I think the changes are only noticable to me but I'm hoping it won't be too long until I'm selling tickets to the gun show.





I posted these pictures on Flickr last night and have received a lot of positive feedback with people telling me I don't need to change a thing or they would gladly give me their boobs for my abs and while appreciated, I'm just not seeing what they're seeing. Don't get me wrong, I'm okay with my shape and my weight and seeing as how I once tipped the scales at almost 180 pounds in college, I definitely feel feel healthy and fit BUT I don't think I'm doing all that I can do. If I can work out hard 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 times a week then I should. The only reason I haven't been working out hard is because I've been fine with the way I look and why just be fine if I can be more than fine, you know?

I'll be posting my progress here with weekly pictures. I really feel like that will hold me accountable (I wanted to eat nacho chips and cheese last night but I didn't because I know that in 6 days, it's picture posting time again) and perhaps I can inspire other people.

Nuts

So I was listening to Da’Dip this morning on the way to work and got inspired to write a blog post. True story. I mean, because aren’t wall just squirrels in the world trying to get a nut so wassup? Unless, of course, one has a nut allergy then all bets are off but I'm not allergic AND I have a nut-related goal, to boot!

Anyhoo, I’ve been slacking on the blog BIG TIME and now I’m slacking over on Flickr and I’m sure all of you are getting ancy, nervous, and sweaty waiting for me to update. It’s okay to admit it. That’s exactly how I get when my exes and people I don’t know but think are pretty take months to update their myspace pages. Although sometimes I’m sweaty for no reason but that’s another post all together.

I should add that I can’t take full blame for slacking on Flickr. Some of you may have noticed that the husband is all Flickr crazy and he is hogging the camera and Photoshop to do his own thing. I would be pissed but he really rocks (Dude has already been image of the day at Parent Dish) and it is cool to watch him get sucked into the online world so I can say stuff like “remember when you used to get all mad because I used to sit in front of the computer Flickring all night long? Yeah, well, looks like you can’t get mad at me now, Mr. I’ve been on Flickr for 4 hours. Suck it. How you like them apples!?!”

We have a really healthy relationship. I swear.

I have also been spending my online time over at the debate board. I don’t know what it is- perhaps it is the one poster who we all know is someone else and really doesn’t do much to hide the fact she (he?) is someone else yet still is able to get some of the most rational regulars riled up and it really is fascinating to watch- but I have a renewed interest in the board. I thought about resigning as a host when I was going through a period when I couldn’t post but I’ve put that idea on the back burner. I do miss being a smart ass and saying the things that I want to say but can’t because I’m a host but I think I’m going to work more on finding a balance between professionalism and smartassism.

Besides, I really, really do care about the breast versus bottle debate. It’s such a complex and personal issue for me seeing as how I had such a difficult time nursing Gavinator and an easy, breezy, still nursing at 26 months time with Goose. On one hand, I’m all formula is fine and don’t martyr yourself to breastfeed and on the other, I’m all come on, stick with it, everyone should breastfeed! Sometimes I catch myself being so internally judgmental when I find out someone I know is formula feeding and the board helps to keep me grounded and remind me that I have no idea what is really going on. As much as I don’t like to think about what went down with the Gavinator, I think it gives me the empathy necessary to be a good advocate.

Now, just so you don’t think I spend all my time online, I have decided to document my journey from flab to fit on this blog. I have recommitted myself to The Firm. No, not the Tom Cruise movie (although the fancy piano music in that flick would be something to jump around to) but to this The Firm. I used The Firm to get into incredible shape 5 years ago- so incredible that I went to visit my sister and all her neighbors were convinced to buy the Firm after poking at my incredibly toned buns- and after the birth of Gavinator. I haven’t been much for working out since Goose was born other than nightly walks and the exercise ball. I’m in good cardio shape and my weight is fine but I’m saggy and in desperate need of some tone. I’m not getting in younger so I’m going to do The Firm workouts 4-5 times a week, cut back on salty and sweet snacks (dear Lord be with me), and try to regain the butt I could bounce quarters off of.

If I can ever wrestle the camera and photoshop away from the husband, I’ll post my week one progress here and continue to do so for the next 12 weeks. Already my thighs and arms are feeling firmer (heheheheh, not just a clever name, I see) and at the rate I’m going, I should be able to crack nuts just by pointing my buns in their direction by Christmas. That should definitely come in handy.

Ta ta Tutu!!

The traveling tutu is going on its merry way today so my days of frolicking around town in a tutu, blue tights, a nude leotard, black ballet slippers, and pink and white striped knee high socks are over.

Sigh. I'm going to miss that tutu. Not only did it bring an excuse to have a ton of fun and act like a moron in public places, it also brought me number one in Explore on August 5th with my final tutu shot:





The Traveling Tutu group seriously needs to consider a 12 step program to wean recipients of the tutu off the tutu.

Tutu Much

Best. Picture. Ever.

I'm doing it all for the tutu

So I said I was going to get all into blogging again (although I'm not sure at this point if anyone cares) but then, I got distracted by the Traveling Tutu group over on Flickr and man alive, between trying to win the tutu, making the most of my time with the tutu, and squeezing in a trip to Carowinds, I have been left again with zero time for blogging.

It all started when Grateful Clem used his magic wand and started a competition for who would get the tutu next. Not only am I EXTREMELY competitive and willing to make a total and complete fool out of myself, I also live very close to Clem's alma mater- Clemson University- and knew I could work that to my advantage.







Sooooooo, I won the tutu and it won't be long until I must pass her on (to who I don't know). I am spending all my time working, shopping, and playing sports in the tutu to make the most of my time with it and blogging has once again taken a back seat.

Unless another sparkly, frilly, colorful something or other comes along with a chance for me to win and/or make a fool of myself in, I should be back to blogging next week.

In the meantime, you can find me here.