Monday, June 29, 2015

Monday Mojo - Great Workout


Today's Workout:

Seated Cable Row -- 90/20, 120/20, 140/20
Chest Press with Long Bar on Incline  - 45/20, 55/20, 55/20
Bench Squats  -  B/15, B/20, B/25
High Lat Pull down With Cables -
Flat bench chest press  --  55/12, 55/15
Cardio step ups -  B/25, B/25

Excellent workout, my back is getting very strong!

Sunday, June 28, 2015

On Feeling "Unpretty" and my Most Treasured Compliment Ever

Some days I get up and feel totally unpretty.  This generally goes hand-in-hand with feeling fat or old.   Unpretty days can be hell, especially  when one will have to be in business or social situations that require confidence.  Ugh!

Trying on new clothes is particularly nightmarish on an unpretty day. I recently had this experience while trying to find a new dress to wear to the parties I had to attend this weekend.  I hated how everything looked on me.  And the dressing room was hideous --- ultra  bright lights that show every wrinkle, blemish, fat cell and stretch mark.  You try on one thing on after another and buy the one item that you hate the least.

It happened to be a particularly unpretty day when I received the best compliment of my life and it came from the only person in the world I could believe---  my three-year old granddaughter-- because she is too young for lies and false flattery!

 
 
 
She was spending the night at my house and as usual, wanted to do girly stuff such as pedicures and hair care.  She loves to brush my hair.
 
 
 
 
She was chattering away and I was only half paying attention until I heard her say, "And grandmothers are usually old, but my grandma is not old, she is pretty and looks like a princess..."

The entire world just seemed to stop while I absorbed what she said.   A million men could tell me I'm beautiful and I probably wouldn't believe any of them. But, this little girl made my day and I'll never forget it. 

 
Have a great day and remember how beautiful you are!

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Party Time --- And Feeling Great

 
 
I went to two parties today.  A graduation party in the afternoon and a Birthday party in the evening. At the Birthday party I saw someone whom I've met several times over the last few years but have not seen since Christmas. 
 
 
I noticed her a few times from across the room but got distracted every time I thought to speak with her.  Near the end of the evening the came up to me and apologized for not coming up to me sooner, but she did not know who I was!   After all my hard work, it was an awesome moment for me!
 
We talked for while about my weight loss, diet and exercise!  I did not like the dress I bought to wear to the party.  I felt FAT in it and was not feeling great about myself when I arrived at the party.  So this was just what I needed.
 
Thank you, Joanne!    
 
 
 
I used grilled & fresh veggies, gluten-free pasta and free-range chicken to make a pasta salad for the party. Everyone loved it.
 
 
Have a healthy day everyone!
 
 
 
 

Friday, June 26, 2015

Friday Work Out


Warmed up rotator cuff 15-minutes with resistance bands and W's

Overhead Press with E-Z Bar  12/20, 27/15, 27/15
TRX Squats  - B/15, B/20, B/25
1-Arm Rear Delt Cable Flies - 10/15, 10/15, 10/15
ISO Back Extensions  -  B/10, B/10, B/15
Upright Row -30/15, 40/15, 40/15
Knee-Ups  2 min, 2 min, 2 Min





Thursday, June 25, 2015

Hike at Osbornedale State Park

 
 
 
Today, "J" took a day off from work and I decided to share one of my favorite places to hike or to just sit for some quiet time.
 
 
It's largely been a dreary Spring with lots of cloudy or overcast days.  The sunshine was glorious, as was being out in nature.  Osbornedale State Park in Shelton is a great place to hike, picnic or relax if you live locally.
 
 
 
After our hike and some quiet time we headed to the Stonebridge Restaurant in Milford for a very yummy lunch.
 
 
 
 
I rarely eat in restaurants as I am committed to clean eating 99% of the time and generally only eat organic foods.  But this salad with scallops and lobster meat was quite delicious and a great break from what I usually have at home.
 
Sunshine, exercise, an old friend, good food and quiet time in nature.  In all, a great day!  Hopefully there'll be plenty more this summer.   
 

 

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Today's Work Out


On an empty stomach:

Warm up - 5 minutes

Kneeling (on bench) DB Overhead Press -  8/20, 10/20, 10/20
 1-Arm Front Cable Pull-down  (Rev grip) 30/20, 50/20, 30/20
TRX Squats - B/20. B/15, B/20
Core Plank - 30 sec, 30 sec, 30 sec
Cardio Walk 3 min x3