BOOBS 5K Walk/Run

So...who is doing the Boobs 5K in Chicago? I want to sign up but am torn about whether to sign up for the walk or the timed run. I am so not a runner. But I have walked several 5K's and am starting to think about whether I want to set running (at least part of) the 5K in September as a goal. Hmmm. Decisions. Any input? Is 2 months enough or should I make that my goal for next year? Keep in mind that I'm still 230-something pounds.

BYOC

1. Seeing that it’s a patriotic holiday of sorts I thought of this one: Where were you on September 11th?

Scott and I were getting ready to go to work and running a little late. The phone rang and it was our co-worker, Amy. We thought she was calling to see where we were. Scott turned ashen and said something about, "Someone hit the twin towers. Turn on the TV." We watched in real time as the second plane hit. Scott had just moved from New Jersey a year before that, and he worked in Manhattan for years. I was so scared. We barely left the house that day. We just watched CNN all day long.

2. What is your idea of fun? If given the chance to skip work/life for an entire day, what would you do? (assume you’d be by yourself)

I'd go to an amusement park and ride lots of roller coasters.

3. Suggestion from a follower. Some blog questions.

How many blogs do you follow? I'm not sure. A bunch?

Do you read them all or just your faves? I read them all. It's like painting the Golden Gate bridge. I start at the top and work my way down. When I get to the end, I start back at the beginning again.

Do you comment a little, a lot, on all? Not nearly as many as I would like, since I read from my Blackberry a lot.

Have you ever unfollowed someone because of something they said or you didn’t like their blog? One time. There was something said about how she wasn't one of those "fat cows" who started above 250 pounds. That pissed me off and I unfollowed.

Do you routinely unfollow and why? See above.

4. Repeat question. Pick one day and one healthy thing you’ll do for just that day next week.

Ummm. Well this week was a bust because I overslept on Zumba day. I can't even promise to go this week because I have an appointment on Wednesday morning. I'll try to exercise outside one day this week. It seems to be good for my soul to do that.

5. Repeat "Make someone a superstar" question. Whose blog or blog comment stuck with you this week and why?

Amy's coming out. I'm so proud of her for being true to herself.

Looks Like Yum

Breakfast today: Kashi Honey Almond Flax cereal, plain nonfat Greek yogurt, fresh raspberries. Deeeee-licious!

NSV Day

I had a couple of nice NSV's today, and while my dinner cooks (pork chops and roasted brussels sprouts - yum!) I figured I would share. :-)

I ran into someone I haven't seen in a few months today and got a, "DAMN girl! You lost some weight, huh? You look great!" That was super nice to hear.

I ran around and did some errands (haircut, drug store, library) and was planning to go to the gym. It was about 97 degrees and sunny out - very hot, but there is a really nice park with a nature walk area right near the library and as much as I usually hate to sweat and I like to be distracted by TV or music when I'm exercising, I went and walked the nature path a couple of times around. It was beautiful! There were lots of birds (including a mama duck with a bunch of babies and a huge egret with a big black snake in its mouth), TONS of dragonflies in the most amazing colors, turtles...I was alone with my thoughts for 45 minutes and enjoyed the sunshine and the warm breeze. The place was completely empty and I loved the solitude. I felt so incredibly good when I was done. The coolest part was that I wasn't thinking about how many calories I was burning or that I couldn't wait to be done - I felt the joy in moving just for the sake of moving. That probably sounds all hippie-dippyish, but it was just a really good moment.

Friday BYOC

Because I Heart Drazil!

1. This comes from my post yesterday about me bragging that I can still wear the same earrings I wore in high school….got me to wondering…how many piercings do you have? (the ones you can tell us about anyway – *wink wink)

I used to have 5 or 6 in each ear, but I let them all close except for two. I almost never wear earrings.

2. I’m asking this one because I’m getting another tattoo soon…and even have plans to get one of a lizard – my little Draz – because this blog and you all have become a major part of my life. Anywhoozle – how many tattoos do you have? If you have none and wanted to get one – what would it be?

I have two. I have a purple and green Grateful Dead bear on my left thigh. It has loads of meaning for two reasons. First, the Grateful Dead have been a huge part of my life for years and touring with them was one of the happiest times of my life. Second, my dear friend Mike who I toured with and has since passed away had a purple and green bear tattoo and I got it in memory of him. My other tattoo is on my right ankle and it's one big dragonfly and several small ones in a field of flowers. Dragonflies are just such beautiful creatures and I feel such a connection to them.

3. If you’ve ever suffered from a weight-loss plateau, what’s your best advice to get past it?

I think you just have to change something up, like eating whatever you want for one day and then switching to very low carbs for a few days and increasing exercise.

4. This is a repeat. I liked last week’s challenge for BYOC and I saw a lot of people this week follow through on the promise they made last week. You pick one thing for just one day next week that you want to do….and mentally doing it for the one day can totally jump start more successes. And I feel like I can do anything for just one day.

I will finally try Zumba next Wednesday, as long as the instructor is back at the gym.

5. Repeat *make someone a Superstar* question – what's your favorite blog or comment of the week?

My friend Sheryl, a.k.a. Bitchcakes, inspires me every single week, and I am so proud of her for everything she has accomplished. I don't know too many formerly 200-pound people who could ride a pink Hello Kitty bicycle 70 miles in a skirt and heels. Isn't she gorgeous?

New Picture

I changed my profile pic. Do you like it? It's me, right before surgery, at the hospital and trying to put on a brave face. My husband took pics before and after "happy medicine" A.K.A. Versed. I posted the happy one as my profile pic, but here's both:






Silly huh? I look back on that day as one of the best of my life, pain and all.

Processed Crap = Yuck

I lovingly packed myself food for the day. 2 hard boiled eggs for breakfast. String cheese for a snack. Leftover grilled chicken breast and salad for lunch. A peach.

And I left it sitting in the fridge and didn't realize it until I was 3/4 of the way to work. Damn.

I gave myself exactly enough time to get to work. Stopping for breakfast wasn't on the agenda so I didn't exactly have time to stop at the grocery store.

I did something I never do anymore. I am embarrassed to say...I drove through McDonald's. I figured I'd get an Egg McMuffin - not too horrible in the calorie department. Yeah. I was stressed, in a hurry (yes, I know these are all excuses), and "Old Stephanie" came out...I ordered a Sausage McMuffin. Ewww. It was so greasy and nasty. Ah well, at least I didn't get hash browns and a diet Coke too.

Lunch was a 6 inch turkey sub from Subway. Not too bad but my left arm was starting to hurt from all the salt.

After lunch I ran into the Fresh Market to get a piece of fruit for my afternoon snack. I got an individual serving of Ciao Bella blood orange sorbet. Only 110 calories, totally refreshing, mostly fruit, and I don't regret it one bit.

I was so exhausted by the time I got home that I was planning on having a Lean Cuisine. Thank goodness for my husband - he had already lit the grill and started burgers. I had a burger patty wrapped in lettuce leaves with relish, ketchup, and a slice of lowfat pepper jack cheese.

All I want tomorrow is protein and veggies and fruit. Ugh. I feel gross. I need to start keeping my keys in the fridge with my lunch bag.

Oh yeah, also I noticed I have some new followers. Welcome! I would love to follow you too, but sometimes when I click on followers, I can't see what their blog is. So if you're following me and I'm not following you, pleeeeeease leave a comment and let me know!