A Healthy Obsession

After three full weeks at the gym, I'm absolutely in love. I try to go as often as I'm able, with Mom coming down three days a week to watch the Muffins and my taking advantage of any other moments that someone may be available to watch the kids for an hour and a half or so so that I can run down and get in a good workout (hi, C!). Last week, I was able to get in there 6 days straight!

I'm alternating my workouts, doing weights and cardio one day and just cardio the next. I've transitioned from wanting to work out solely in the private women's gym to getting all sweaty and funky out with everyone else, even holding my own in the "dude area." When I'm on the treadmill, I hook into the TV, hide the timer, and catch up on the constant political coverage (oh God, Ted Kennedy's speech endorsing Obama was amazing today - I spent almost my entire hour on the treadmill grinning like a fool!). I've gone from being able to only hold out for 10 minutes on the elliptical machine to banging out an hour. I'm down 9 pounds and can visibly see and feel the changes to my body. My clothes fit more loosely, I have more energy and I'm sleeping well, too.

I'm not denying myself much in terms of food, as the objective wasn't to throw myself into a whole lifestyle change of diet and exercise. Nor was it to lose a specific amount of weight or to get down to a certain size. But, I'm finding that I'm giving more thought and being more careful and aware of what I eat because I don't want my time in the gym to be for nothing. I'm trying new recipes and finding lower fat versions of favorite treats. One recent discovery has been brownies (although I think it comes out a little more like a brownie/cake combo) made with unsweetened applesauce, reduced fat sour cream, dark brown sugar and bittersweet chocolate. I've already made two batches and J loves them, too.

I'm a very happy chick.

Adding To Mr, Franklin's Assessment...

Death and taxes may be certainties in life, but I'm adding laundry and dishes to the list as well.

Recent Goings-On

We've been battling one sickness or another over the past week in the W house. #1 tends to be the more sickly kidlet and he was hit the hardest last week with a fever that lasted a few days, some pretty good lethargy and then a good bout of diarrhea. #2, in her usual way, just had a runny nose for a couple of days. As for me, I feel as though I've been fighting with the same sore throat/sinus infection combo since the beginning of November and it's driving me a more than a little crazy. J, too, has been feeling as though he's got some low-level sickness thing going on.

Now, though, the Muffins are coming out of it and life is somewhat returning to normal. Except for the fact that I can't leave the room for more than 5 seconds without #1 pulling #2's hair. I'm almost to the point of pulling my own hair out for lack of not knowing what to do about it.

But here's what else has been going on....

Fat chick joins the gym: Yep, that's right. It sounds dreadfully like a New Year's resolution, which it totally isn't, but I did join the local Gold's Gym a couple of weeks ago. And I LOVE IT! The timing was just right. I cooked up a plan for my Mom to come down to watch the kids (the gym does have childcare, but I don't want to use it yet - if ever) on the weekdays that I go to the gym. This gives Mom a great reason to get out of the house, lets her have some solid Nana-on-Muffin time with the kids, and allows me the opportunity to get out of the house and get some exercise. I don't have any set goal in mind, other than getting into a good, healthy routine of getting out and moving at least 4 days a week. I love the variety of people that I've seen at the gym - all shapes, sizes and ages - and I love that I'm not the only one leaving red-faced and sweaty. I have to admit I'm more than a little addicted and would go every day if I could.

Would you like to come over for dinner? I've instituted traditional Sunday dinners. When I was growing up, Sunday dinners were a big deal and I want to carry that on and instill a sense of tradition for my family. I feel as though it sets a nice tone for the week ahead and it's a good opportunity to try out new recipes. I still haven't decided on this Sunday's meal, though. Any suggestions (I don't eat seafood, though)?

Fresh veggies and bread to come: We were lucky enough to get in on the local CSA this year and I'm so excited. We're going to split a family share, including bread, with Mom and my sister, M. J's a little concerned that we'll have more veggies than we'll know what to do with, but I'll be resourceful. Plus, the Muffins love veggies.

Random bits: I've succeeded. And, is anyone else tweaked out by the whole cloned meat thing? We actually don't eat a ton of meat, but I'm skeeved out by the idea of cloned meat. Especially since it doesn't have to be labeled. I know that tonight's beef stew was clone-less, but in the future I think I'll be purchasing my meat from the Co-op. Lastly, I've decided on an Elmo theme for the kids' second birthday (which, yes, is still a couple of months away but will be here before I know it). Originally, I was going to do a farm theme, but they are so in love with Elmo (#1 especially - it is so sweet to watch him try and feed hist stuffed Elmo!) that I think it makes more sense to hold off on the farm theme until next year. Now, the question is...will they be traumatized if they eat an Elmo-shaped cake?

Right On

Check out Maureen Dowd.

UGH

I don't respect Hillary.

Don't trust the tears. Apparently, though, enough people were moved but I wanted to gag. They better not call it The Comeback Kid, Part 2.

All around, it's been a cruddy day, despite the optimistic beginning. #1 has a fever and #2 threw an hour long fit tonight. I'm tired and disappointed in the election results (though very pleased with the voter turnout) and I haven't been able to sleep for the last couple of nights.

Please let sleep find me tonight.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if, in the morning, the final numbers showed an eeked-out Obama win?

Underway

I'm excited.

I'm glad the day's finally here and we'll know the results by tonight.

I was giddy as I filled in the little oval ever so carefully.

I feel as though we're a part of something big.

I feel hopeful for our country for the first time in a long time.

Is It Tuesday Yet?

Man oh man, I cannot wait for January 9th.

I love New Hampshire and feel a certain sense of pride at living in the home of the First in the Nation Primary, but this campaign has been overkill for quite a while. I'm eager to see what the final turnout is given how many people caucused in Iowa on Thursday and I'm very eager to see the final numbers (and hope my man comes out on top, of course), but I'm more eager to be left alone starting Wednesday.

Surprisingly, the phone hasn't rung much (well, it's not that surprising given that we're unlisted); the doorbell only rang once (and that wasn't until nearly 2 pm), and J told the young Hillary supporter at the door that we're both voting for the O (he only made up his mind in the last couple of days). I'm hoping tomorrow is even quieter.

The back-to-back debates on ABC have just finished and, though I've been a firm Obama supporter for a long while, it's been interesting to watch (those 'pubs got snarky!). I appreciated Charlie Gibson's moderating and enjoyed the format of the debates.

On Wednesday, though, it will once again be quiet here. We'll be left alone for another 3 years, until potential contenders begin taking the political temperature of the granite state.

Dear God, let time go slowly...starting Wednesday.