Weekend!

I headed to Valdosta for the day for friend from college's wedding. This time it was only a one day round trip all alone. Heidi was dropped off at my parent's house while I went to have a much needed hair cut and then I headed out to Valdosta. John had to work and then he picked up Heidi after work. Before getting to the wedding I met up with a couple of old co-workers - Faith and Shawna. It was really nice to catch up with the two of them. Next I headed to the church for Lindsey's wedding! I think Lindsey and Justin began dating shortly before John and I got married - so they have been waiting awhile for this day to come! It was so nice to see a few of my friends. I really miss Valdosta and the days I spent there. I definitely would not mind moving there at all. I wonder if its just the memories that make me want to live there or if I would enjoy living there now as much as I did before? We still have a ton of friends, but its always the same after moving away....everyone moves on and its always different coming back and getting back into the groove. Take a look at the pictures of my sweet friends :)

Lacey and sweet little Brogen

LJ and Lovett

Lindsey and Sean

LJ

One of my favorite parts of sorority/fraternity weddings :)

Stroble!

 Sweet friends

Brooke - due with little Hayes in August

Old VSU Cheerleading buddies :)

My favorite Davis sisters!

Lindsey (due in a couple months) and Brittany

I also stopped and took a few pictures at my old college campus - it is such a beautiful place!

Let's Get Physical!

So, I made it for a third beating session with my slave driver personal trainer. Seriously, I don't know why it is so much harder when working out with a trainer. I feel like I do the same amount of work when I am alone, but geeze louise I feel like I look like I have never worked out a day in my life when I am with the trainer. I am huffing and puffing and definitely not blowing the house down because I am oxygen starved. I would post a video of these workouts, but I am not ready for you to see (a) me so incredibly out of shape or (b) the awful faces I know I have to be making. At one point I told my trainer not to be offended at my grimaces or rolling of eyes - neither were to be directed towards her. They were being directed towards me and my inner voice that keeps telling me to quit while I can still stand. In reality I do not think I was really ever actually rolling my eyes - I think I was mentally though....maybe.
This week we did not get to go into a private room where I could hide my humiliation, nope, we were right in the middle of the pack. I was using the bench as a step thing and trying to do my best to keep my butt out when lifting my leg when all I am trained to do it step up and tuck everything in {from cheerleading}. Then again - when you have a rear-end that is my size even when it is tucked it looks like its poking out :) So here I am choking on air gasping for breath in front of all these guys lifting 1,000s of pounds like they are feathers and I can barely lunge with a 5-lbs weight. Then, I thought to myself, they are not looking at me - they are too busy staring at themselves in the mirror! I guess since I was trying so hard to avoid looking at myself in the mirror I assumed everyone was doing the same.

One note - I did not feel like I was going to throw up this time - yay! Friday Holly {my gym rat partner} and I are going to attempt the TRX class. I will try and post some sort of video or picture so you can see what we are attempting :) It should be interesting.

So far no real change in the number of my weight, but I can see a difference in certain areas. I have heard it takes awhile because you build the muscle before you lose the fat - so I will keep on trucking until I am where I want to be! The eating habits are going great - still maintaining the healthful eating! I will, however, neither deny or confirm the consumption of a pan of brownies in a three day period. The said brownies might have contained peanut butter chips as well. Maybe, I would not know....or would I?

Earthquake?

No, do not be alarmed, it was not an earthquake you felt. It was me - trying to reverse crutches {a.k.a butt lifts}. First I could not even lift my butt off the ground then I was able to do it by swinging my feet ever so slightly and letting momentum help me out. The BOOM was when my fanny would hit the ground and jiggle about. Oh my - this is so embarrassing and humiliating. Humbling even. I cannot believe I have let myself get to this point. All the years I could run a 5K without even thinking of training or do sit-ups etc without getting out of breath or feeling sore for days after. UGH.
Yesterday I went to the gym and worked out with someone who could help me. Yes, I am using a personal trainer for the moment. Someone to help get me in the right direction {kick my butt} in getting my body back. This whole out of shape thing is so new to me and I now I know what its like to feel so incredibly intimated at the gym. All these in-shape muscle bound people and me - with my little spare tire around my waist trying to remain unseen.

John and I have completely overhauled our food intake. Skipping out on the frozen processed meals, fast food, and other junk. I make weekly trips to the Farmer's Market and we shop for other produce weekly as well. I have jumped back and forth trying to live this lifestyle, but its so much easier with John on board to help and for us to both be making a change for the better. The next 2 months are going to be brutal for me. Going to the gym once to twice a day in order to get back into shape and lose the fat while building muscle. I know some might look at me and not see what I see, but what I see is enough. The fat has been given and eviction notice and it has two months to find a new home.

Earlier this week I had my assessment to see where I am currently at in my fitness. The trainer did not think it was terrible. I had to explain to her that this point where I am is my lowest of lows. At our first workout session we started outside running, sprinting, jumping, living in hell, stuff like that, ya know? When it was time to go back inside I told her we needed to hang outside a little bit longer because I would rather throw up outside instead of inside. I will neither confirm nor deny the throw-up.

Since the beginning of this post {which I started about 2 weeks ago} I have had another session and it was better. During this session I had to do a lot of planks {push-up position} and I swear my I pulled an ovary out of place. Tomorrow is session number 3 and I am actually looking forward to it.

John gave me my Mother's Day present a week early because it was something I could start using right away. Yes world, I am joining the "i" world and now own an iPod nano. My playlist is amazing - all the greats from the late '90's and early '00's. Don't be jealous :) The only issue I have found is that having the dancing background I have it forces me to move to the beat of whatever music I hear....sooo....imagine going from Cyndi Lauper "True Colors" to "Flashdance".

CMK

Cindy will always be CMK to me - even if she is an old married woman :) Heidi and I went to Cindy's baby shower a couple of weeks ago and today I went to visit 3 day old baby Ryder! His middle name is John - after my sweet hubby of course - ha!

Beach Day

I took a day off from work and we all headed to Hilton Head for the day. The past few years John's uncle & aunt that live in England take a little week trip to Hilton Head. Everyone played golf while John's mom, Heidi and I stayed back. Heidi and I headed straight for the beach! We saw little crabs and Heidi had such a fun time! Our trip was loaded with fun beach toys and our chairs - and maybe a few snacks :) After being at the beach for a few hours we headed inside and took a nap. First Heidi rinsed off in the bathtub - getting all the sand off. Heidi only napped for about an hour and she then woke and we waited for the golfers to finish up so we could eat dinner! We went to the Salty Dog for dinner and then headed home! Heidi had a great time with everyone and especially loved the beach!

Heidi and her Great-Uncle Bruce

Nana

Group Pic!

Swim Time!

This weekend we made it a POOL WEEKEND! Heidi absolutely LOVES the water and to swim. She is such a little fish! Our neighborhood had a little pool opening thing and they had hamburgers and hotdogs so off we went to join in the fun! The first thing we came across was a little bounce house and Heidi just had to go in "the house".

Next we ate our picnic - we opted to sit on the pool towel in the grass because our other option was metal chairs on the asphalt. Next we went back to the house and then to the POOL!

 

Both Saturday and Sunday Heidi went to the pool and had a great time. She already has an amazing tan line - and I used SPF 100 on her! Crazy tan little girl! Heidi also has been changing her baby's diaper, taking her to "sit potty" and feeding her at meal time. Already taking such responsibility :)

Busy Weekend!

We had such a fun a busy weekend! Friday was work and then Heidi and I went shopping afterwards for a few items. Saturday was our "go-go-go" day. We, as in the entire family, woke up to go to a large community yard sale. I was pretty disappointed because we didn't buy anything. I believe we were anticipating a whole lot more than we actually saw. Sad :( We went home and John got ready for work. Heidi and I went over to the neighbor's backyard for her to play. They all ended up back at our house and the girls all ran around like crazy. After about an hour or so they left and then Heidi and I got ready for Cindy's baby shower. Cindy will be having a little boy in May. It was a Dr. Seuss themed shower and Brittany, one of the hostesses, did such an amazing job at all the small details.

I tried to capture a few photos of all the cute little things they had, but a little munchkin kept me busy :) Heidi had a great time and even helped herself to the apples that were on the table. All the sweets on the table and she chooses the fruit. What a good little girl!

I ran home with Heidi after the shower and my parents met us there. They picked up Heidi to take her to church and sit with her at our house afterward while I headed to a wedding. My friend Ashley, from high school was getting married! I had a great time! Ashley did such a wonderful job with all of her decorations and the entire wedding set up! She and Norman looked so happy :)

Ashley had a special dance planned for Norman at the end of the 1st dance - too cute!

Ashley, Rebecca, and Lauren

Mr. & Mrs. Mantho

Rebecca and her husband Thomas

Me & Rebecca

Rebecca, Lauren, and Hayley

 Sunday John had off {yay!} and we woke up and decided to head to Jacksonville and take Heidi to the zoo! It was such a last minute trip, but we had the best time! Heidi loved seeing all the animals and doing all the fun little things they had to see/do. I know we will definitely be traveling there again. It was our first trip in our new car - we loved having a van!! I know, a van, right? It was the best! Definitely cannot wait for more trips in this great car!

Heidi spotted the elephants!!

Petting the sting rays

Watching the lions "night-night"

"either you sit in it or you push it" just kidding :)

Sleepy monkeys

Feeding the giraffes

John - the bird whisperer

"touch it?"

The birds did not like me...

"Bird arm" - wanting the bird to be on her arm.

Train ride! She had talked about the "choo-choo train" all day!

Sleepy girl!