Damn You Sangria....(I'm Exhausted!)

It's been awhile!
Life gets in the way of my blogging and then well, I don't blog. Sorry about that.
In the past week, my little man Parker turned 4 (omg) and we had a great party for him Saturday! The days leading up to it were crazy. We ended up at Wegmans 5 out of the last 6 days before the party, for what I don't know but we always found things we actually needed when there. I swear Wegmans puts some subliminal messaging in that kick ass music they play to make you want to come back for anything.

I mean. It's Wegmans. Educate yo'self.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelysanders/why-wegmans-is-the-greatest-supermarket-ever

So yeah, the planning was crazy. I luckily was able to get the Westampton Emergency Services Department to stop by the party with their trucks, the gear and their fire dalmatian Jake. They rolled up at our house and Parker was beyond elated. It was the perfect start to what would be the perfect party!



I won't get into too much about the party other than we were blessed with such great family and friends who came, it ended with a Mister Softee surprise and then the supermoon. Couldn't have been better if it was all planned. Amazing weekend, so sad for it to come to an end... but looking forward to what the rest of the summer is going to bring. More family, more friends. Bring it on Summer '14! Took a lot of pics which I'm sure you already all saw on Facebook. Pictures for me are still so awkward even though I'm starting to realize that I am looking better in them...better meaning, more fit, more healthy, and just more happy...although when everyone wants to take a pic of me it's usually me feeling like this!



In any event, bringing it back to the party a little bit, I did end up drinking two large red solo cups of Senor Sangria aka the devil disguised in a bottle.



Now if you read my post a few before this you'll realize alcohol never was my friend and it reaffirmed that this morning. Even though I only had two glasses I felt horrible this afternoon and ended up taking a one hour nap!! UGH. So I decided I should just be done with it all. What's the point? I gave it one more try but really, I've done enough of that. I've lived enough. So yeah, not happy about the slight hangover from Mr. Senor BUT, I will give myself props because at 9:00 I knew I had to get my workout in since yesterday was a "rest" day. Somehow I got through it. If you want something bad enough, you make it happen. I sweated it out, kicked and punched my way through it and feel so much better!! Wasn't not going to do anything two days in a row!

Anyway, good news, I'm down 5.6 lbs in 3 weeks and 2 INCHES OFF OF MY WAIST! Yes, TWO INCHES IN THREE WEEKS! I can't believe it. I actually took a picture of my leg today too because it just looked smaller. I think I'm on point to get the results people get from the 9 week Les Mills Combat workout. An average of 15 lbs and 24 inches?! I can't even imagine that, but I'm well on my way!

So I persevered and here I am. Exhausted, on the couch. Getting ready to watch the very exciting first episode of Real Housewives of New Jersey because well, I'm from NJ and it entertains me.

That's all I have for today! Tomorrow is a new day, another day to start fresh, to make the most of the week! Live it up right. Be kind. Be happy and live with a grateful heart!



xoxo,
Court

PS: Have you followed the hubs amazing journey doing P90x3 and Shakeology? More than 31 lbs down and crazy body fat results!
Check it out: http://stevelovefitness.blogspot.com/2014/07/weigh-in-sunday-burnin-fat.html

This is what I do. This is what I love. Join me on my warrior journey!

I just ate about 10 lbs of tofu

So I have this unhealthy obsession with the tiny little triangle pieces of tofu at Whole Foods. Thank GOD whole foods is a good 20 minutes away from us otherwise I'd be ordering $10.50 salads every night. Today, I wasn't feeling myself and was craving those tiny little pieces of goodness so I subtly let the troops know and as soon as I got home from work we jumped in the car and headed over.

(Side note: I didn't even take a picture of it for this blog because I inhaled it so fast.)

But if you're familiar with the Whole Foods Salad Bar, you know what I'm talking about. That and a little cabbage crunch and it's heaven in a little cardboard container. But I seriously think I put in about 10 lbs of tofu and proceeded to each every. single. piece.

In the back of my head I was thinking, well it's a rest day, I'll just walk it off on the treadmill, no jumping around with Les Mills Combat tonight. WRONG. I misread the schedule and I have to somehow jump around and kick with what feels like a rock of tofu in my stomach doing 30 minute combat. Thank god it's only 30 minutes. If I saw a "6-0" I might've thrown in the towel. So, instead, I'm procrastinating writing this blog.

Anyway, I hope everyone had a fabulous 4th of July. I stayed right on track with my diet, bringing my own food to a bbq on Saturday and making sure I got that dreaded 60 minute combat workout in before the party. I did have a half of glass of sangria at the party but that's all I needed! I even drove my family home. Can't remember the last time someone wasn't carting my ass home from a party like that. Things have changed. For the better.

Gearing up for another party on Saturday-my "baby's" 4 year old birthday. FOUR. I can't even believe it. Crazy how much time flies. Feels like four years ago when it was this day and I was a week late ready to pop and have my sweet pea already! And now here it is, FOUR years later and he's getting ready to go to pre-k in the fall. Unreal.



It's also a year that I herniated my disc so bad I was out of work, working from home for 3 months on my back on the couch.



The disc was so herniated, oozing out and pressing on the nerve I couldn't walk - every time I tried I would collapse in pain. After months of trying "conservative" methods including PT, pain meds, an inversion table, acupuncture, I opted to go under the knife and wouldn't you know it, I walked right out of the hospital. Rothman Institute was a godsend and gave me my life back. It was such a hard time in my life. I couldn't play with my son, I couldn't do normal things like getting dressed and walking downstairs, I couldn't do anything at all. Taking a shower made me want to give up on life and there were times I wondered if my life would ever be the same. I was in a dark, dark, dark, dark place. I can't emphasize dark enough.

And here I am almost a year to the day, kicking ass and taking names with Les Mills Combat. So if you have what I had, don't give up. There is a light at the end of the tunnel however dim it may be now! I remember crying practically every day from the pain and the situation and yet, still somehow I was able to work as if I was in the office (much to my mother's dismay!) But I was able to still rock it even with all the pressure of getting stuff done for the sales conference and now here I am a year later, getting ready for it now and can't wait for a much different experience this time. What a difference a year makes! I have more pics I need to track down from that unbelievable experience but I think it was on a computer that crashed...I'll have to see what I can track down.



OH and to update you on the actual weight loss/inches lost: I lost an inch and a half off of my waist so far in 2 weeks - down 5 lbs! 20 more to go! I got this!

I guess I should go throw some workout clothes and get it over with. Although once that music starts pumping and they start motivating me I know I'll put my all into it!



Until tomorrow!

xoxo,
Court

I used to be a drunken mess.

So, I used to be somewhat of a wino. I mean, recently. Like the past couple of years as I matured from PBR and .25 draft beer nights on LBI, I decided to take up something a little bit more "mature." So I started drinking pinot grigio. I love me some pinot grigio. Nothing like a chilled glass of wine with dinner. So I got used to having that pretty much on a weekly basis as I tried to decompress from the stress of work and home and everything that was going on in my life. And that was pretty much the extent of my fitness...



But let's throw it back a little to my 20's and hell, even last December. I'm a bad drinker. I'm one of those "hell, yeah it's party time let's have some drinks." And well, for me, some drinks turns into me getting pretty drunk and wanting to dance for 4 hours straight and well, acting like a moron. I've always drank to be more social to be honest. I'm not a very social, outgoing person. Just my nature. I've always been quiet and kind of shy and since I was little and even to this day people still probably think I'm a bitch. And while that's true on the home front most of the time, I'm totally not. If you actually take the time to know me and I actually let you in (oh, and if you're not a fake person I don't want to waste my time on) you have a loyal friend for life.

I've also drank to not think about what's going on in my life at the present time or what's happened to me in the past. I think for about 10 years from 21-31 I drank mainly to forget. And I'm not proud of those times as they were some tough ones for everyone in my life. I still graduated college, was successful in my career but holy hell the rest of my life was a mess, primarily on the weekends. It wasn't until recently when I began to take my health seriously after my back surgery. Well I guess not too seriously because I was still so bitter about the fact that I even had to have back surgery that I kind of indulged until December, but let's say 2014. I finally realized I had to stop using the past as justification for my actions and take back control of my life...to not let the past continue to haunt my thoughts and move forward. I tried in years of therapy and that didn't work. I think sometimes you just have to be ready to do it. No one can make you do it, you have to be ready to do it for you.

Now, side note here, Steve gave up drinking awhile ago. Like over 3 years ago. Sure, he'll have a beer every now and again, although the last time I think he drank was last May during an uncomfortable situation ha. But other than that, nothing. It's nothing like the start of our relationship where we drank bottles of wine together every weekend or went to beef and beers. Not sure what that is? You're probably not from PA! (This Jersey girl had no clue either!)



So he's had to put up with my drunk self on occasion, ok, occasionS and deal with me being a fool, driving my drunk ass home and help me to piece together the night before. Really, there must have been some nights he's looked at me and thought, what the hell did I do? I would've.

But, luckily I've kind of stopped drinking recently, I mean like really drinking. I have had no desire to drink as I have in the past. There's too much on the line now, not to mention the last thing I want is a 5 day hangover, 5 days of missing workouts! But I'm going to try the whole moderation thing and I think it's been working out for me. Last Saturday, we had friends from CT visit and I had some Sangria. Funny thing is, I felt so crappy the next day. 2 glasses and I felt horrible. I was convinced there was gluten in it. When in doubt, blame gluten. But I think it's because I ate so clean for a week straight I shocked my body and didn't know how to process that Sangria. BUT, I was still able to kick some ass with Les Mills on Sunday so it was nothing like how it used to be, eating a bagel sandwich from Dunks. My parents and Steve used to have to do the trifecta the day after I drank: Dunks egg & cheese sandwich, eggplant sub and ice cream/chocolate. How gross.

So, I may have to try some more low-carb, less sugar drinks. Need to find what works for me. And have 1 or 2. MODERATION. I have no desire now to ever get how I used to get now that I've embarked on this healthy journey and don't want anything to jeopardize that. Plus, who really needs all of those calories? I think of my Saturday weigh-ins, having a 5 day hangover, feeling GOOD every day as I have been and I think, is it worth it? No thanks, I'd rather workout then curl up on the couch and catch up on my shows and wake up FRESH!



I'm only talking about drinking because the 4th is upon us and I know for many that means burgers and brews. And hey, I'm all for that. If you can do that in moderation, more power to you. But for me, it's kind of an all or nothing situation. Will I have a glass of something this weekend? Probably, at a bbq on Saturday. But it will be nothing like the last 4th of July when I had probably a bottle of wine all myself and then followed that up with some beer. No thank you.

So I guess the moral of the story is... if there's something about yourself you're not proud of or you want to change, you can do it. I'm 36 years old and I'm still figuring out my limits, my boundaries, who I want to be as a person and that journey will never end. As long as you keep doing things to move yourself forward, or #travelforward as we like to say at work, then that's all you can do. And good things will come out of that... They are for me and I know they will for you too....



Until next time...

xoxo,
Court

Burpees? Ain't nobody got time for that...

There's that saying...where there's a will, there's a way. At 7pm, I felt so incredibly drained I went upstairs to get changed and at 7:30 I had Steve and Parker looking for me because I never came back down. Where was I? Passed out on my bed, still in my clothes, and somehow I got under the blankets.



I don't know what happened. It's like it all just caught up to me and I was completely exhausted. I've been pretty tired lately. The days have been rough. I feel like I am juggling 30 balls in the air sometimes and it gets so overwhelming my body just shuts down. Frustrating for me because I want that energy, I want to feel good, I want to put my all in my workout. I keep thinking maybe I should get some bloodwork done to check for some kind of underlying autoimmune disease, or RA which they think I have due to this nodule that keeps popping up on my shoulder. I should probably do that huh?
Any doctors reading this blog?

Check it out-any ideas as to what this is welcome. It's painful, it hurts all the time and probably the reason why I'm so miserable and a bitch all the time. Or according to Steve I guess... The way I look at it is (and I'm trying to be more positive.) With my back going out almost a year to the day and being in pain from that to this shoulder issue immediately after that it's been 365 days of me being in some type of constant pain. You try and be f'n pleasant.



Anyway, I digress. So I got up at 7:30, got dressed, put Parker to bed and came downstairs. Looked at my Les Mills Combat schedule and almost cried. I could SWEAR today was 30 minute combat NOT high intensity shock plyo. I mean. Are you kidding me?? For 30 minutes straight I had to dig deep and jump around like a crazy person. Oh and did I mention burpees?



Apparently we had time for that. Lots and lots of time. Lots and lots of burpees. Lots and lots of lunges and squats and ski jumps. I'm dead to the world. But was it worth it? Of course it was worth it. Another workout in the books, almost 2 weeks down for Les Mills Combat and I'm feeling great (minus the whole second head on my shoulder and being tired and all. ha)

4 day weekend ahead with the fam, lots of fun stuff scheduled. Can't wait to relax, workout and eat my veggie burger on the 4th of July! Oh does anyone have any paleo alcoholic drink recipes? Clean eating libations? Let me know! :)

Til tomorrow!



xoxo,
Court