Halftime Report: The Stats

So I don't have a calendar handy because we're on vacation in FL, but I believe we're about 1/2 way thru the Maui Challenge. My gym attendance has been awesome due mostly to the fact that I am now working entirely from home and not having to drive around anymore. Finally, I have even more hours in the day to devote work hours to personal pursuits!! So week before last I made it to the gym 5 times and last week was 4. I was quite happy with that and could really feel a difference in my muscles. I've also managed to keep the 3 pounds off that I have lost (which really means I'm about where I should be before I reached maximum density!).

That's all for now because the beach is beckoning me which means I'll have a trial run of donning a swimsuit. Wish me luck!

p.s. I'm also in a good mood after watching the Houston Rockets take the Lakers to a Game 7.

After watching the incredible athleticism of Luis Scola and Aaron Brooks, I'm almost inspired to go out and shoot some hoops. Almost...

Hang On, Little Tomato

Two weeks in and I already need a pep talk! I've given myself a new goal of losing one pound per week until Maui. So far, so good, but I'm being tempted left and right! At work this week our managers had lunch brought in (pizza, cake, etc.) two days in a row, and I walked by it salivating like a Pavlovian dog. So, whenever I get the overwhelming urge for a donut now, I think I'll watch this video instead. (Nothing like a scolding from Fozzie Bear ;-)

Oh Yes They Did!!!!

We might as well all give up the title to Maui Challenge Champion because Sean and Keenan both successfully passed their 3rd degree black belt test on May 1.  As the wife of one of these fine gentleman and the brother of the other, I must say that I am very proud of them and all the work they put into this over the last couple of months.  This is the toughest level to pass thru of all of the levels in Shorinji Kempo and they rose to the task.  They were practicing at every opportunity, studying every spare second, living and breathing Kempo to prepare.  Lucy and I will both attest to that!!  

As far as their fitness level goes, Keenan said that he has not been this fit possibly in his entire life and Sean has been tightening up his belt so much that he'll have to add another notch soon (only to the leather belt, mind you...).   But are these guys just kicking back now, content with themselves and no longer motivated?  Of course not!  The test has inspired them to work on the areas of the test that were difficult for them.  

My Bad

Editor's note: The post below titled "We Can't Legally Ask You to [Lose Weight]" belongs to Lucy. User error, sorry for the confusion! If you need some time to recover from that deception, watch this short instructional video: How To Fold a Fitted Sheet. Why didn't I have this in college?

(OK sorry to go off topic. I'll shut up now.)

" To Err is Human, To Forgive is Divine"

I'm sorry, cute monkey.  I swear I didn't mean to let you down.  

After evaluating my goals, objectives, performance over the last week, I must admit:  this was the work of an average student.  Perhaps it was the stress of living with a man consumed with his Kempo test, buying a new car, the next day buying new windows for our house, my job changing etc.  Perhaps the Maui trip just does not seem close enough yet.  Whatever the reasons, I have to admit that my dedication to the Maui Challenge was lacking in many areas.  

I didn't have any problems with the exercise portion of it.  It's amazing what an extra day at the gym per week can do for you.  I did lose one pound (I checked two days in a row so it must be true).  I was very good about cutting back on what I ate.

But damn you, Antoine deVine!!  I just could not give up the alcohol this week.  We started out with a week of beautiful weather which just cries out for a beer, doesn't it?  So Sean suggested that I not give it up all together, but just to have a small glass of beer per evening.  This was the compromise which was fine until later in the week when the stress kicked in and I felt that if the wine bottle was open, I might as well finish it. 

I am forgiving myself for the above digressions and moving on to next week.  After all, we can just do the best we can in life and alas, in the Maui Challenge as well.

Ch-Ch-Ch Changes....A report from the field

I received a report from Patty letting me know her progress on the Maui Challenge but intimidated by the world of blogging.  With her permission, I will blog on her behalf.

Patty has valiantly abstained from chardonnay for an entire week.  This far exceeds her goal which was to limit herself to just one glass of wine on weeknights.  Nice job Patty!!  In addition, she plans to give up another "ch" for this week; either chips or chocolate.  She asked for my advice on which one to give up and I told her to go for her true weakness which is of course chips. Ever the trooper, she emailed back in I think less than a second and agreed.  She promises to update us on her exercise progress as well.   

Let's hope she doesn't decide to give up CHristie!!

We Can't Legally Ask You to [Lose Weight]

So I guess it's my turn to challenge myself! You guys down yonder should understand this is particularly tough for us Portlanders right now because Burgerville just came out with their fresh strawberry milkshakes! (The humanity!) 

I'm definitely a fair weather "excerciser." In winter all I want to do is burrow under a blanket on the couch and eat comfort food. This is something I need to work on long-term, but in the meantime I look in the mirror and think "I have to get into a swimsuit in 7 weeks?! Aack!" 

Though I was able to lose the baby weight, I've been eating like it's going out of style ever since. I'm definitely "pushing maximum density" again now, so it's time to take action. 

My plan is to:

• Eat (a lot) less sugar
  
• Reduce my portion sizes
  
• Exercise every chance I get

(So basically, it's what I should be doing on a daily basis, anyway.) The usual excuse for me is "I don't have time to exercise," so I took advantage and signed up for a yoga class at work that I can take during my lunch break. Hopefully, that will help "TIIIGHTEN" things up a little ;-)

See you all on the beach!