Shamrock Shuffle

Tomorrow I am doing a 5K walk in Chicago. It is called the Shamrock Shuffle. They have a 8K run and a 5K walk. I am doing the walk with a girlfriend. I went and got our packets today. There are over 30,000 people signed up. Can't wait. I'll tell you all about it later.

There are possible AM showers and the high will be about 46 degrees. I'm off to plan my outfit. :-)

Incredible

Quote of the day. . .

"Mom, that was the most incredible experience of my life." Here's the story. . . ..

I had a pretty busy day today. I worked out for almost 2 hours.
I picked up my son at school, took him to voice lessons and took a walk while he was there, and then headed off to my daughter's school to pick her up. They both had great days at school. I love talkng to them in the car.

I decided that I would take them out to eat. We went to Culvers. It's a hamburger place if you don't know that. They are know for their burgers and their custard. I got a burger, but no fries and still had no soda. I only had two bites of ice cream.
After dinner it was about 6:15pm and I was getting tired and just wanted to get home. On the way home my daughter asks, "hey, Mom, can we go for a walk tonight on the trail?" I said, "how about tomorrow? Oh, wait a minute they are predicting a bad snow storm for tomorrow. Ok, we'll go tonight." My son wasn't sold on the idea because he wanted to get home to play his WII, but he said that it was ok.

My daugher, age 10, just joined a running club aferschool and is really into running now ( she is going to run cross country next year and start doing 5K's with me ), so she would run ahead of Parker and me and then head back down the trail. At one point she told me that she was going to run to a bench and would wait for me there. Parker ran ahead too. They started yelling that there were deer.
I shuffled ahead and saw my kids by the bench and the deer about 15 feet away from them. As I got closer I saw another deer running right by them.

My daughter said as she rounded the bend and saw the deer it was running right next to her about 4 feet to her right and then crossed in front of her and went into the trees where it just stood watching her once she sat on the bench. The second deer jumped over some bush and headed into the trees. I caught up to them and my daughter looked up at me and said,
"Mom, that was the most incredible experience of my life." She then walked back with me to the car as we took in birds, animal tracks in the trail, and a beautiful sunset all while my son ran ahead to the top of the hill yelling, "I'm king of the world." It doesn't get much better than that. I was very happy.

At the point of deciding whether we would go for a walk I was tired, had to go to the bathroom, and was cold. It was 50 degrees at the warmest part of the day, but at this point the sun was setting and it was only about 35 degrees. We were not prepared for a walk as far as proper jackets and such. I had worked out a lot today and was going to put the walk on hold, but with the snow coming who knows how long till we could go for a walk again. I'm so glad I did because I would have cost my daughter her most incredible experience thus far in her life.

Please take the time to be spontaneous. We all have places to be and things to do. Those things will always be there and we need to just let go sometimes. If you don't you could miss the most incredible moments of your life.

By the way I had dibs on the front bathroom when we got home and I did make it. :-) I wasn't so sure I would.

Yeah Me!!!!

I have been having some HUGE successes this week.

I have been praying and spending time with God everyday this week.
I have been out driving and been very hungry and did not stop at fast food places.
I have been writing down all my food intake.
I have worked out everyday since Sunday.
I have been drinking no soda for 11 days.
I have not had any artificial sweetners for just as long in anything I have eaten or drank.
I've been eating way more fruits and veggies.
I have gotten a lot cleaned around the house.
I have a B average in my literature class that I am doing online.
I have been more patient with my kids.
I have been a lot more happy this week.
I have watched a lot less TV this week. Exceptions: Dr. Phil and American Idol.

YEAH ME!!!! It truly only takes one decision at a time to be a successful, happy person.

Goals for today:

Spend time with God
Get to the gym today and do an hour of cardio.
Eat right.
Finish my reading for my homework.
Do laundry.
Get my kids to church and do homework while they are there.
Go to bed early.


You know those rubber braclets that people wear all the time. I found one that my old church gave away. It says "Walk in the Spirit." That is referring to the Spirit of God. In the Bible in Galatians 5 it lists the fruit of the Spirit. They are:
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Goodness, Kindness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control. I am trying to live this way in every aspect of my life and my bracelet is a helpful reminder. The other bracelet I am wearing is to help me to remember not to complain. It says, "A complaint free world." You can read about it at www.acomplaintfreeworld.org

Have a great Wednesday everyone.

To a great week of training and working out.

I found a great treadmill routine I think we should all check out. If any of you try it let me know.

Do not worry. . . Be happy

To go along with my last post about making one decision at a time, towards my life of happiness and wellness, I am going to live by this verse:

Matthew 6:34 (New International Version)

Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

That must be where the saying take one day at a time, came from.

Have a great Sunday everyone!!

I just got back from church and my Sunday school teacher shared these verses with us today. He was talking about God's power. I love these verses.

I Chronicles 29:11-12 (New Living Translation)

11-Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heaven and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.

12-Riches and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and it is at your discretion that people are made great and given strength.


Thank you Lord for these verses. Please give me strength to overcome my eating issues and please give me the strength to get in shape, so that I can bring glory and honor to you in ways that I have never imagined before. Thank you for loving me and for being here for me in everyway even when I didn't realize it. Help me this week to make good decisions that are pleasing to you. In Jesus' name, Amen!!

Just some thoughts

I read a blog by my friend, Benny. He always seems to know to say and when to say it. His last two blog posts have been very thought provoking for me. His blog is at www.ironbenny.blogspot.com.

He talked about happiness and your health and how all it takes is one decision at a time and when you find health you will find happiness and when you find happiness you will find good health.

He also talked about how in life we make decisions all the time. What fuel is best for our car? What is the best food to feed our pets? We are always making the best decisions for our pets, cars, jobs, and families, but we need to start doing that for ourselves. What kind of feul are you willing to put in your body?

I have really been giving my life over to God more and more each day and these things really did hit home with me. I know with God's help, friends help, and belief in myself I can start fueling my body better and living the life I derserve.

One line that really hit home in Benny's post was this:

"Do you want to struggle for the rest of your life, or do you want wellness for the rest of your life? The choice is yours. Rich or poor, the cost is the same. Make the decision to be free from your debt in life. Relieve yourself of those pressures by making the decision for wellness. Make wellness your priority just like you've made your career and your family your priority. Do it for yourself. For your loved ones. For the world. Just do it. Make the RIGHT decision."

I have always been a person that puts others first. I have a HUGE giving heart and would do anything for anybody. I even got a pin from a cast member at Disney World because I was caught doing a good deed. My point is I've always been a giver. I have learned over the last few years to say NO more and I have decided that I need to take care of myself better. I am 34 and am sick and tired of being sick and tired. The feul that I am going to put in my body is only going to be fuel that gives me positive energy. Not only am I talking about physical food, but also what I watch on TV, who I hang around with, what kind of music I listen to etc. etc. I am starting to take an inventory or my life and with God's help make the changes that I need to.

Whether or not I do another triathlon is not the issue anymore. It's whether or not I am happy and energetic and how I use these things to better my life, my family's lives, the lives of others around me, and how I, Melissa, can change the world (I know that sounds like I am going to enter a beauty pagent now).

I want to thank Benny for posting and challenging me. Keep those posts coming, Benny. I appreciate them.

The No Soda Showdown

Yesterday my brother had an idea and asked me if I wanted to give up soda with him starting today. It's something I've been wanting to do, so I said sure. He loves Mountain Dew and I love Diet Coke. I used to love Dr. Pepper, but gave that up years ago. Whoever gives in first and drinks a soda has to buy the other person a CD. You are going down Big Brother. Hmmmm, I wonder what CD I'll get? Any suggestions. I love Christian hip/hop, dance music, and anything good to workout to. Leave a comment with any suggestions.

My brother loves Dew as you can tell. He even wrote a poem about it years ago. Here it is:

An Ode to Dew

Do I have my Dew?
I do!
Do I do my Dew?
I do!

I do my Dew,
And Dew my do,
I cannot do
Without my Dew.

For when I Dew
I better do,
So when I must do
I do Dew too!

Without my Dew,
I cannot do,
I cannot do,
Without my Dew.

So I Dew
It’s true, It’s true!
It’s true that I will
Do my Dew!

Yes!
To my Dew,
I am true,
To my Dew,
And not a few!

Do I do a Dew?
Do I do two Dews?
Two Dews I do!
Two Dews I do!
I do two Dews
Yes, it’s true!

When I do a Dew or two,
Then I do another Dew,
Another Dew I do it’s true,
The Dews I do are not a few!

If do a Dew that’s not so new
Then do Dews on Dews on Dews,
To undo Dew that wasn’t new,
For do not do Dews that are not new!

A true Dew? Not new? Not true!
Dew not new? Do NOT Do!
Do not do a Dew not new!

Well, I did my Dew,
My Dew I did,
My Dew is empty,
My Dew is rid.

I did rid my Dew I did.
Can’t do Dew if Dew is did!
If Dew is did, no more to drink,
Then no more poem I can think.

If no more think from no more drink,
Then no more Dew to run my head,
I did the Dew, now do the bed.

Game on BIG BROTHER!!

I'm still here!!

I have had a lot going on in my life. I travelled a lot as you know. I know I promised pictures and it will happen soon.
I graduate December of 2008 and I have 4 online courses due before I can student teach in August.
I have been having some minor medical issues concerning my ankles.
I have been trying to figure out the whole triathlon thing and what part it is going to play in my life this summer.
I am still working out and still losing weight, but I have decided after much prayer and consideration that I will not be doing any triathlons this summer.
I am still going to do smaller events and will still be active and losing weight. I have just decided that I need to concentrate on my ankles and getting more fit before doing another triathlon event. It was very hard and I have had my good cry about it, but I am at peace with this decision.
I have had to realize that even if I never do another triathlon that I have done three and what an awesome accomplishment that is. I am and will always be a triathlete. I am so proud of myself for that title. However, I am not giving up on doing more. I am excited to come back in '09 and do a sprint triathlon again and an olympic distance for the first time.
That is where I am at right now. It was very hard for me to verbalize this and blog about this because I was feeling like I let myself down and others down, but now I realize that another important part of triathlon training and bettering my life is listening to my body, soul, and mind. If I don't, I will be worse off.

I want to thank those of you (and you know who you are) who have helped me with this decision and for encouraging me. I know this is the right thing to do.

Event coming up:

March 30,2008 Shamrock Shuffle-There is a 5k walk and a 10 run. I am doing the 5k
August 2008-Apple Cider Century-I will do the 25 mile loop

Main goals from now until end of June-finish 3 of my 4 online classes, workout on a regular basis, and lose 30 pounds.

Food Network Fun in the Sun

Here was my day in a nutshell.
-Went to the Tasting Event today. Started off with a show for Bobby Flay.
-Went to a book signing of his. He is really nice. Got my wine glass signed and a book.
-Walked around a little and got in line about 45 minutes early for a Rachel Ray book signing. My son Parker has a crush on her so had to meet her. She signed my wine glass and book and took several pictures.
-Went to the tasting tent and tried all kinds of wonderful food. I am very picky, but told Keith I would try anything except Octopus. Guess what? I even tried that.
-Went and got in line early to meet Anthony Bourdain. Met Anthony. He is very nice. Having a 10 month old daughter has done wonders for him.
-Went to Guy Fieri's show. He was the winner of The Next Food Network star in season 1.
-Next we saw Ming Tsai. He was our favorite demonstration. He has a show called Simply Ming. He is so funny.
-Last show for the day was Anthony Bourdain. He was so funny. It was a free for all. He just talked and people asked questions.
-Out of protest for how Emeril was last night I did not go to his show. I went to Ming instead and am so glad.
-Heading to the pool now.
-More later.

Emeril not as cool as Cat!! :-(

Well, we went to Emeril's Sugar Shack event tonight. The desserts were fabulous. Keith saw that Emeril came out, so I ran over with my camera and went to get a picture with him. He took a couple pictures and then said very rudely, "Don't start mobbing me. Don't start with the pictures. Can we wait 5 minutes? Give me a break here." He talked to the people that he was with, walked to a cabana, stayed in there most of the party and then left to go to a private party. Very disappointing, but the best part of the night is that I got to meet Anthony Bourdain. He was with his wife (at least I hope it was his wife) having a private moment with friends. He was getting up to leave and I stuck out my hand to shake his and said, "Hi, I'm a big fan." He said thank you.

Keith and I started something new. When we travel without the kids we take a little stuffed animal or an action figure and take pictures of people and things with the figure or animal. I am travelling with a small smiley face figure. I said to Anthony, "If you don't mind could you take a picture with this for my kids?
Anthony: It's for your kids?
Me: Yes
Anthony: Then I'll do it.
Me: Thank you so much.
Anthony: No problem
Me: (after picture taken) Thanks again. I hope to talk to you more tomorrow at the tasting event.
Anthony: Hope to see you there.

It was wonderful. I also got to talk to Ted Allen. Here is how our conversation went:




Me: (to Keith) Keith, look that looks like so and so's friend.
Keith: go, go, go
Me: (to said person) Hi, are you from Chicago. Do you know so and so?
Mystery man: I spent some years in Chicago, but I don't know that person.
Me: Hmmmm, well you look really familiar.
Mystery man: Well maybe it's because I'm on Top Chef and Iron Chef.
Me: Oh yeah, that's probably it. What's your name?
Ted: Ted
Me: You sure you don't know so and so you from Chicago? (at this point I was just trying to save face)
Ted: No, it's been awhile since I've been there and never heard of him.
Me: I'm sorry. I knew you looked familiar though. Good night!
Ted: Don't worry about it. Good night.

Back at our table.

Me: Keith that wasn't so and so's friend. That's Ted from Top Chef and Iron Chef (he judges on the show).
Keith: I knew after you ran after him who he was, but you were already talking to him.
Me: I'm so embarassed. Why didn't you tell me? All you said was GO, GO, GO. I thought you agreed with me.
Keith: I wasn't sure who he was, but I knew he looked familiar so I told you to go, but then I figured it out.
Me: Thanks honey for letting me embarass myself.

I felt so stupid, but now I have a fun story to tell. I realized after getting back to our hotel room he looks nothing like so and so's friend.

Anyway Emeril was a HUGE let down, but I got to meet Anthony, got to meet Ted Allen sort of :-), and had great desserts. We also sat with a couple from Pennsylvania that ended up being a lot of fun.

Gotta get some sleep.

Cat Cora's Cool

We went to a book signing today and met Cat Cora. If you watch Iron Chef America she is the one and only female Iron Chef. We were first in line and she was very sweet. Parker wanted me to meet her, so we got pictures of her for him. Tonight we are off to dessert with Emeril. BAM!! To be continued.

Another fun weekend! BAM!!!

Keith won a trip for two (thats him and me) to go to the Food Network Wine and Food Festival this weekend in Miami Florida. We are leaving tomorrow (Thursday) and getting back Sunday Night.




One of the highlights for me is getting to eat dessert with Emeril. BAM!! We get to meet him and take a picture with him. It will be fun. That is on Friday Night. On Saturday we are going to a tasting village that showcases many of the chefs from Food Network. We will see Bobby Flay (a family favorite on Iron Chef), Guy Fieri, Tyler Florence, Paula Deen, Giada DeLaurentiis, Rachel Ray, Jaime Oliver, and ANTHONY BOURDAIN. He is one of my favorites and I hope I can meet him. He has a show on Travel Channel called ANTHONY BOURDAIN-NO RESERVATIONS.



Other chefs that I am bummed I will miss are Mario Battali (another Iron Chef favorite), Moromoti (again from Iron Chef) and anothe personal favorite of mine is Robert Irvine from Dinner Impossible. The two chefs I was dying to meet were Anthony Bourdain and Robert Irvine. Robert Irvine did not work out with our schedule and what we were able to get tickets to, so I am thankful that I get to meet at least one of the two. :-)



Sunday we are going to a cheese seminar. For those of you who do know my son Parker you know that he has loved cheese since he got his first teeth. We are going to this seminar to learn how to cook wonderful things with normal everyday cheeses. We get to taste everthing that is made.

I will be sure to blog about both my adventures when I get home. I will also be blogging on some decisions I have made about my triathlon career, but you will have to wait until I get home to find out about that.

WW Update and I'm off to . . .

WW update:
I gained back the 1.6 that I lost last week. That's ok. Hakuna Matata. That means NO WORRIES. :-)

I'm off to. . . .
Walt Disney World without the kids. WaaaaHoooo!! Hubby has a conference at the Grand Floridian, so I thougt I would be a good wife and accompany him on this trip. We are flying out tonight (first class) and won't be home till late Tuesday night. I'll blog when I get home. I'll be walking so much at WDW that I"m sure I'll lose that 1.6 and then some.

As Pooh Bear would say: Tah Tah For Now

As Buzz Lightyear would say: To Infinity and Beyond

And as I would say: I'm going to DISNEYWORLD!!! EEEEeeeeeeeeee!!!

I deserve it!!

I wrote this poem back in July of 2005. I am glad that I found it again. Enjoy!!

I Deserve it!!
by Melissa

I used to tell myself that I was not good
that losing weight, I never would.

I didn't like myself or looking in the mirror.
Being fat my whole life was a real fear.

This fear I never did anything about.
I ate when I was sad, angry, happy or just wanted to pout.

Dr Phil says, "Get real and excited about your life,"
but until I acknowleged the problem all I had was strife.

I picked up his book and started to read,
right thinking is on of his 7 keys.

First I dismissed all those people who said I'd never lose weight.
I dismissed the thoughts that being skinny was the only way to be great.

All those people over the years that said, "You have a pretty face,"
didn't realize it hurt me and set me back a pace.

You know what they mean when they say that to you,
but really you want to be beautiful all the way through.

So all my negative dialog I've thrown out the door
because I know I"m worthy and I deserve much more.

I deserve to be excited about my life.
I deserve to learn good ways of coping with strife.

I deserve to like what I see in the mirrior.
I walk out the door head held high with no fear.

I'm excited about my days!
I'm excited about getting fit!

This is a life I love
and you know what?
I DESERVE IT!!

Haiku Monday on Tuesday and my thoughts on my first Tri club event.

Last night I went to do my Haiku Monday post and couldn't because blogger wouldn't let me sign on for some reason, so here it is a day late.

I went to tri club
We spun for 90 minutes
I am sore today

Is tri club for me?
I feel inadequate
I feel too big

I talked to the girls
after my tri spinning class
they encouraged me

I will not give up
I deserve to be healthy
I am proud of me

As you can tell by my Haikus I went to my first tri club activity. It was a 90 minute spinning class. I managed to stay on that bike for the whole 90 minutes, but was sore and cried at one point because I really felt self conscience and felt like I was too much of a beginner to be in there and too big. I know that no one cared about my size in there. I know that it is just me being insecure. I know that I am making a change and that everyone is proud of me, but it is just my dumb insecurities creeping back in. I talked to the three girls that are running the club after the spinning class. One of them lost 90 pounds to be wehre she is today and one of them used to battle a weight problem. They were great. I told them that I am tired of being the biggest person in all of the classes I am taking. I'm tired of feeling like people are looking at me. They pointed out all the positive things that I am doing in my life and that I made it to class and stayed on the bike for 90 minutes. The Tri Club has 120 people that signed up and there was probably 15-20 people at the spin class, so I guess me making it to class is a big deal. They told me to quit focusing on the fact that I'm the biggest person in class. I know that I need to do that. I know that I need to not worry about what others think, but it is hard. On December 22, 2007 I vowed to myself to change and to be a better person both physically and mentally. I have lost weight every week since that date and I have been in the gym on a regular basis since then. I am spending more time with God. Everything is going great and that is why I am confused on why all these insecurities are creeping back in. I've been and will be praying more because I know that I can get through this with God's help. I know that this is just a phase and I am not going to let anyone or anything get in the way of my goals this time. Could it be that I'm scared about the changes that lie ahead. I have been this size for so long that subconsciously I don't want to change? I don't know, but with God I know that it will all work out. I truly believe that I am significant because of who I am in Christ, not by what size I am or what number is on the scale or what event I am doing, but truly significant because of who I am in Christ and what I am doing for Him. With Him as my focus I know that I can get through this. He is my rock and my foundation. He is the one that helps me through my training and my events and He is the one that will get me through this.

Katie, Kristan, and Becky, Thank you so much for your encouragement last night after our spinning class. I really was ready to not come back. I'm glad that I stayed and talked to you. I know that God has brought you three into my life for a reason and that God led me to this tri club and I believe that "I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength." That includes spinning, triathlon training, and my events.

Let's see where this journey is going. Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement.

Follow you Heart in all you do!!

This was my favorite ad from the Super Bowl. Kinda Gross, but I loved it!! Let me know what you think.

Here is my other favorite:

Weight Watchers Update

I lost 1.6 pounds. That was over the last two weeks because I didn't weigh in last week.

Starting Weight: 306.2
Todays Weight: 293.6
Total Loss: 12.6

GO ME!!!!

By next week I will be in the 280's in time for my trip to Walt Disney World without kids. :-)

Hanna Montana and the Super Bowl. What a weekend.

Well, I'm off to Indiana to pick up my 8 year old niece, so she can come with me and 3 other kids to see the Hannah Montana Concert Movie in 3D tomorrow. I watch the show with my kids and tried to get concert tickets at face value and couldn't get them, so this was my answer to not being able to get the real concert tickets. I refuse to pay more than face value. Tickets for the movie were $15 and the movie is "allegedly" only out for a week. It's on a big screen and in 3D. Ohhhh can't wait to wear those glasses.

Then I get to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday.

What a weekend. I can hardly wait. :-) Does it get any better than this?

Probably won't check in here until after the weekend.

Have a great weekend.

13 Thursday

For those of you who don't know thirteen Thursday is a day where I take time out to share 13 positive things with you. It was something I did everyweek and I am going to try and do that again. Here is this week's 13 Thursday.

My theme this week is the gym and working out

1. I am thankful that I am in a place in my life where I can afford a gym membership.
2. I am thankful for friends I make at the gym. Joy, you ROCK and make me laugh everytime I see you.
3. I am thankful for the lady that Shuuush's my girlfriend and I. She is an older woman and I think it is awesome that at her age she still works out.
4. I am thankful that my gym added on a pool a few years back.
5. I am thankful for updated machines with their own TV's.
6. I am thankful for personal trainers who help me between clients because I cannot afford one right now.
7. I am thankful for my workout buddy, Cindy, who even when I don't want to go she helps get me there.
8. I am thankful that I am fortunate enough to have an IPOD that I loaded with incredible music to make my workouts more productive.
9. I am thankful that my foot injury last week ended up being nothing and that I can be back in the gym this week.
10. I am thankful for my Rockin' Chiropractor who worked on my foot to get me back in the gym.
11. I am thankful for the front desk people who know me by name and give me a smile every time I walk through that door and tell me good job on the way out.
12. I am thankful for the new tri club that my gym started.
13. I am thankful for new motivation and a desire to get to the gym and workout. I love this new journey and cannot wait to see what happens.

Have a great day and take time to think of the positive things in your life and if you are still having a bad day watch the youtube video in my last post. It never fails to make me smile. :-) Happy Thursday!!

I may have to download this song to my Ipod :-)

I hope this makes you smile today. Make surre you pause the video to the right and than play this. Enjoy!!