Mixed Bag Of Rant

I mentioned yesterday as part of my exercise resolve, that I am doing the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred to start to do some strength training and toning. I had my concerns about committing to doing something every single day for 30 days. I have a regular workout routine of about 3-5 days a week, but rarely do I get a workout in on all 7 days. So, the only time I could be assured I can get it in is…

First thing in the morning. Fuuuuuu… 

I have never been a fan of working out in the morning. It always seems like a good idea, but my resolve always dies quickly after it starts. Let’s face it. As a mom? I freaking TREASURE my sleep.

Pros:
1) If I workout in the morning I am done for the day. YAY! Glass of wine at dinner tonight!

And… that’s all I can think of for pros.

Cons:
1) I am hungry as hell when I first wake up. If I eat before I workout, I’ll get cramps. If I wait, I don’t feel right either. I can’t win!
2) 4:50a is fucking early yo. Even the dog gave me her “fuck you” look, curled up and went back to sleep.
3) I am just non-functioning in the morning until I take a shower. Trying to do something that requires coordination at 4:50am? Not a good scenario for Jo.
4) It doesn’t wake me up or fire me up at all. In fact, I’m even more tired than ever.
5) If it is an awesome workout, I will feel sore and miserable the entire rest of the day.

I’m sure I can think of more cons, but those are my top 5.

Now, before you think I’m a pouty pants, this is all based on today being my first day of getting up before humans should ever be awake. If I am going to stick to the Shred, I have to get up before work to get it done. There is really no other option and I’m not going to give up my evening runs for this (and I don’t recommend trying to do the Shred and a 10K training program back to back. My body is really, really pissed off at me today for trying that approach).

I’m sure I will tell you more about the 30 Day Shred as the month goes on, but hear me now… it is not for the weak. After the first night, my cocky mouth called it a piece of cake. On day 3? I kind of want to punch Jillian in the face. My level of sore is absolutely astronomical. Please god. Tell me this gets better! My abs and ass better be fucking ripped by the end of 30 days or I may break down and cry. To give you an idea of how hardcore this program is, my husband threw out his back doing his day 3 today. I’m sure Jillian would not be please as she preaches throughout the entire 20 minutes about how to avoid injury.

I may have to fire up the jacuzzi later tonight to soothe my aching muscles! I wonder if it even works…

I know for some, they say GOOD RIDDANCE to 2012. Even within my own family, there has been much sadness and heartache. Before I tell you how kick ass my year was, I want those who have had struggles to know that my heart is with you and I hope 2013 is a bigger and better year.

I’ll start out by saying, my 2012 wasn’t without some sadness. Most recently, I had to bid a final farewell to my fertility and had any hopes of a 2nd baby dashed away in what seems like just a moment. I shed many tears, I went through my anger over my situation and now… I simply accept it. I have never been one to dwell on my hardships and I am not about to start now!

The rest of 2012 was beyond amazing for me. Here are the highlights and my 2013 resolutions:

1. I MADE MY GOAL WEIGHT!! This… there are no words. This achievement is one that I had dreamed about for years. I have Medifast to thank for getting me there and am PROUD PROUD PROUD to say I have been in maintenance for 6 months without any significant gains. Obviously my top resolution for 2013 is to keep the weight off which as I have learned is no easy task. But to those who didn’t believe I could do it? Or thought that I would gain it all back? THIS:

2. I am a full-fledged RUNNER. I am actually really proud to say these words. Why? Because who the fuck likes to run? ME! That’s who! I never thought in a million years I would call myself a runner, but here I am, training for a 7K and a 10K this year and it isn’t torture. I love it. I love the runner’s high. I love the sense of accomplishment it gives me. I love being able to use the time to work out my stress. I love that it gives me focus. The runner’s body isn’t a bad trade off either! It wouldn’t be a new year without a resolution to keep my new body in shape and continue to push the limits on my running to be an even better, healthier me.

3. My FAMILY. I had a few key moments this year within my little three-person family.

• The first of which happened when my husband was out of town on his man trip. I had just quit my job of 5 years, was on a week-long work hiatus between jobs and was suddenly very overwhelmed by the love I had for my son. Don’t get me wrong. I have always loved the kid. But let’s face it, being a mom is stressful and hard. I realized I had been focusing too much on the “hard” parts. The bedtime battles. The illnesses. The bad reports from school. When it was just the two of us all week, rather than complain about how much “work” he was, I enjoyed every single solitary second of it just being us. I stayed longer when putting him to bed, even if I didn’t have to. We played outside every night after school. We strengthened our bond. Yes, there are still tough times, but I now let the good override the bad. My resolution for 2013 is to continue to strengthen our bond and enjoy every moment, even the not so good ones. 
• The second moment is the renewed strength in my marriage. I had some strange moments of clarity this holiday season that forced me to look at myself differently. My outside has changed, but it took me awhile to allow myself to change and be happy on the inside, too. I didn’t even realize I was doing it, but I had been pushing my husband away for years, especially since Jackson had been born. We have been together for over a decade now, and like most couples, it was bound to reach a place where our marriage was maybe a little stagnant and boring. With this renewed sense of clarity and reason, I began to open my heart up to him again. I started focusing less on everything I thought he was doing wrong, and chose to be kinder, nicer. Thank him for all the things he is doing right. We have never been better- almost feels like the early days when we first started dating. We’re having so much fun together and I love every ounce of him and our marriage. It is a resolution in 2013 to keep our marriage fun and alive. 
• In a defining moment, my brother and his wife made me a Godmother to their son Connor. I am so honored that they chose me as I know they had a lot of choices. I know they chose me for many reasons, but topping the list was the opportunity to have a special relationship with my nephew since I wouldn’t be able to have another. It is one of my resolutions to spend more time with him in 2013. 

My sweet boy who still likes to snuggle with his mama

My awesome husband

My Godson, Connor

• I no longer feel like a total idiot. I still have a lot of learning to do before I feel like I am making a true impact within my job and my team, but that kind of stuff can take years to develop. Importantly, I feel confident and secure in my future with the company. 
• I no longer hate working downtown! Yes, there are days I get irritated with my commute and the people on the bus (especially the guy who fell asleep ON me one day. Not even kidding.) but, I’m sure no matter where I work, there will be annoyances. I have discovered some balance between taking the bus and driving. I have made friends with the workers at the Caribou Coffee in my building. I LOVE the Farmer’s Market and am longing for spring to arrive so I can wander Nicollet Mall. 
• I have made friends. This is one of the important parts of a job. Seriously. How much does it suck to go to a place day in and day out and have nobody to chat with?? Oh and I’m a first class chatterbox so this NEEDED to happen! 
• I have bit of flexibility. While I can’t do it all the time by any measure, I do have the ability to work from home. I am able to attend all of Jack’s school functions guilt free and still be able to keep up with my work. It is wonderful and I’m so grateful for the trust and opportunity. 

1st week at new job. Cubeville.

5. I renewed old friendships and began new ones. Most of my dearest friends I have had for close to 20 years. Holy shit. That’s a long time. It’s also proof that they are true friendships that have stood the test of time- including my having a baby (I’m really the only one of my friends that has a kid). I have really made it my goal to spend more time with them. My women friends are important to me! Spending time with them has made my year that much more exciting. I also met so many fantastic people through work and especially online. I feel like I have surrounded myself with positive people who lift me up and push me to the next level. People who make me look at things differently and provide me with ridiculous amounts of inspiration. Thank you friends for making my 2012 one of the best years ever! I vow to spend more time with all of you in 2013 and make a bigger and better effort to be the best friend I can be.

Me and My Ladies Celebrating NYE last night

My bestie of nearly 20 years

My friend Angie- also a friend of nearly 20 years.

My sister-in-law and friend (and concert buddy)

Sister, Sister in Law- my friends

Not sure where this cute kid’s center is but it is not at my club!

For 3 years I have avoided the child center at the gym. Many of my mom friends both on and offline have mentioned their kiddos becoming sick after spending time in the gym’s child center and it always freaked me out. I mean, he gets enough germs going to his regular daycare and now I want to shove him into more? I don’t think so. Not to mention, the poor kid is in daycare 9 hours a a day Monday through Friday. The guilt of putting him into yet another one was too much to bear.

Until a week ago.

One of the other daycare moms sent me a note on Facebook asking if I would be interested in bringing Jackson to the child care at the gym to play with his best bud. They were recently split up into different rooms at daycare and I know they miss playing with each other terribly, so how could I say no? I figured after 3 years, what could happen!

I’ll tell you what happened. Strep happened.

Of course I cannot 100% confirm that he picked it up from the child care center at the gym, but there have been no reports of strep at his regular daycare- they ALWAYS post these illness outbreak announcements on the door as if a warning to say, “Guess what? You’ll have to stay home with your sick kid soon!” He hasn’t been anywhere or around anyone else who has been exposed so I could only make the assumption that he got it from the gym.

Being our first time with him having strep, I can definitely say I am not a fan. Poor kiddo had a fever of 102-103, couldn’t (and didn’t want to) eat anything and he wanted to snuggle. All day. Okay, okay… I’ll confess, the snuggling part was wonderful. It is the part that all moms love. Even though he was insanely miserable, he was snuggled up on my lap in the recliner, his little arms around my neck. I felt needed. With a preschooler, I feel like I spend more time disciplining and teaching and get very little time for snuggling. I soaked up every second of it because I’m sure tonight, he will tell me he wants to sit by himself in HIS chair.

He is feeling better but he is still home today with his daddy having what is I’m sure a grand time. When I called to check in, daddy was teaching the kid how to play the Wii. Yikes. What was I thinking leaving them home together?? I’m kidding of course. My husband is wonderful with him. Frankly, as I sit here working my ass off all day, I find myself being insanely jealous of their skip day.

With that said, will I bring him back to the gym? Maybe to go swimming or when he’s old enough to play on the computers, play outside on the giant playground or use the climbing wall I’ll consider it. Or, until he’s old enough to not care or notice whether or not we spend time together. For now, it is more important for me to spend my time WITH him considering we only get a couple of hours together a night. Yes, that means I will have challenges finding the time for a workout, but that is my issue. Not my kid’s.

My goal this week is to find the time to get my workouts in despite the whole lack of hours in the day thing. What is your goal this week?

Well I’m happy to report that last night wasn’t half the trainwreck as the past couple weeks. Still, there are no Chris Daughtry and Carrie Underwoods blowing me away yet.

Here are my predictions of the next three going through to the top 12:

1. Scott MacIntyre
2. Ju’Not Joyner (he was AWESOME)
3. Felicia Barton

That number 3 spot was my tricky one though- I think Felicia is a long shot, but I really liked her voice and her look. I think competing for that spot is Jorge Nunez and Lil Rounds.

Everyone else pretty much sucked! If Nathaniel makes it through I will pretty much stop watching. They really need to get a stylist to help him out. Dude can sing for sure but his look totally is killing it for me.

In other news…
Baby: Jackson is now on yet another developmental change. The past couple nights he was been feeling around his mattress at night (he sleeps on his tummy now) as if he is swimming. WTH is he looking for?? Of course he starts screaming in a fit of who knows what. I assume he is looking for his Nuk, but perhaps he is dreaming? Stay tuned… we’ll see how many nights of sleep DH and I lose over this.

Exercise: Waiting patiently for March to be over so I can add DH onto my LifeTime Fitness membership (waiting for his Snap membership to end). When I add him on, I am also going to upgrade us to a platinum membership so I can have access to more locations closer to my office (which I think is ABSOLUTELY STUPID). I am struggling to find the motivation to drive across town during my work day to get a short workout in when there is a gym just down the road from my office (within about 5 miles). I’m not certain why LifeTime decided to do this. I think it is extremely confusing for the consumer and to be honest, I don’t think some of these “platinum” and “onyx” gyms offer any better amenities than the gold or bronze (I currently have a gold membership). Confused yet? No shit, huh? Anyway- they claim that members will have more access to tennis. Here’s a tip: NOT EVERYONE PLAYS TENNIS so why should I have to pay more to have a membership to a tennis facility when all I want to do is use the equipment or perhaps take a Group Fitness class. So annoying.