Living Well

It's the last day of 2011.  Oh what a year it has been!  No recap yet though.  My Blogiversary is on January 9.  I plan on doing a three day recap leading up to that date.  I know you just peed your pants with anticipation.

Wednesday night we had a fun adult's night out for Mediterranean food and copious amounts of wine.

Thursday evening we took the kids to Holiday in the Park at Six Flags.  The weather was great, but it was very crowded.  We only rode a couple of rides, but it was still fun.

Okay, so right before the marathon Randee went to a new chiropractor.  She is more than just a chiropractor, she is all about total body wellness and living well.

One of the big parts of her practice is food allergy testing.  It cost a butt ton of money, but it shows you all foods that your body is allergic or sensitive to.  The theory is that years ago people ate with the seasons.  Whatever was currently growing in the garden is what you ate, thus you were rotating your foods.  Nowadays people eat the same foods, over and over again, causing them to develop allergies to those foods.

I have been gluten free for 1.5 years.  I was having stomach pains and have a daughter with Celiac Disease.  I did it as a 30 day trial, and felt so much better I never went back.  Therefore, I really believe that diet changes can make you feel so much better!

Randee got her test results several weeks ago.

Randee was not real happy with her results. So she wadded up the paper and threw it in the trash.

I found this fascinating, so about a month ago I went in for my first visit.  I had the allergy and hormone blood work done.  I got my results yesterday.  Here is my list of foods I'm allergic to:

• Almond
• Banana
• Pinto Beans
• Swiss Cheese
• Corn
• Egg White
• Egg Yolk
• Gluten
• Cow's Milk
• Peanut
• Safflower
• Sesame
• Soybean
• Tomato
• Black Walnut
• Wheat
• Red Bean
• Blackberry
• Brazil Nut
• Blue Cheese
• Cherry
• Chestnut
• Duck
• Kiwi
• Goat's Milk
• Millet
• Oyster
• Parsley
• Red Pepper
• Peppermint
• Walleye Pike
• Radish
• Turnip
• Whey
• White Bean

Quite the list don't you think?

The doctor gives you a 90 day "elimination diet."  Basically, for 90 days you remove foods that are bad for you and those that you are allergic or sensitive to.  You also drink detoxification shakes twice per day.  You eat on a four day rotation plan.  This means that you don't eat the same foods except every fourth day.  This is supposed to mimic the eating by the seasons diet.  By eating on the four day rotation plan you keep your body from developing sensitivities to foods.  

After 90 days, we will reintroduce the foods I showed an allergy to one at at time.  If I tolerate the food, it can then be added back into my diet.

I think I am going to give this diet a try.  I ran two freaking marathons in two months.  I trained for what seemed like forever.  If I can do that, I can alter my diet for 90 days.  It won't be easy, but neither is running a marathon.  It will take sacrifice (like more cooking & taking away my favorite foods like cheese and hummus!), but so does training for a marathon.  You are supposed to eliminate all alcohol  and caffeine for 90 days.  I'm not allergic to either.  I'll drink them in moderation.  I have too many social events coming up to agree to totally do away with both!  

The hardest parts of this diet will be...

Dairy free means no CHEESE!

Corn free means no tortilla chips!

Nut free eliminates a lot of the gluten free products I currently eat, like bread and crackers!

Sesame free seemed like no big deal till I realized that meant no HUMMUS!  

January 2nd is THE DAY.  I'm starting 90 days of P90X and 90 days of the Elimination Diet.  For those people I interact with on a daily basis, you might prepare yourself for at least a week or two of uber bitch.  By week three I should be back to my normal mildly bitchy self.  Who knows, maybe by 90 days I'll be a new woman and eliminate my bitchiness too!

Anyone ever done a diet like this?  Anyone done 90 days of P90X?

Also, what are your New Years Eve plans?  We're headed over to Randee's house for fun times.  If I have any blog appropriate pictures I'll post them tomorrow! :)

Happy New Year's Eve!

Not even Hal can make me do it.

This morning we did not ONE, but TWO of Jillian Michael's 'Let me kill you' workouts.  It was Level 1 and 2 from the "30 Day Shred."

I was very serious and working hard.

These two did nothing.  Well, that's a lie.  They bitched.

In my mind I looked just as sexy and graceful as Jillian and her perfect body sidekicks.  Surprisingly this photo proves otherwise.

Randee was off work today, so we got to go for coffee after our ass whippin'.  Great way to start the day!

Look what I got for Christmas...

An autographed copy of Hal Higdon's Marathon Training Guide.  Alecia got it for me.  Apparently she thinks that this personalized message will make me run a marathon in 2012.  So far it is not working!

However we are gearing up to totally get kick butt bodies by doing P90X.  Julie put this message on facebook today

Ladies looks like we are about to have some fun! Looking at the P90X schedule for the next 3 weeks is as follows:

Monday: Chest, Back, & Abs
Tuesday: Phyometrics (AKA HARD CARDIO)
Wednesday: Shoulders, Arms, & Abs 
Thursday: Yoga (90 min) 
Friday: Legs, Back, & Abs
Saturday: Kempo X (AKA We might need a pogo stick and a chin up bar) 
Sunday: Rest or do the X stretch

Mercy me.  This is going to hurt worse than the marathon!  I haven't decided yet, but maybe we will do some before and after pictures.  You always see those when people are doing P90X.  I guess we could do weekly updates.  Julie?  Randee?  Will y'all participate?

Alrighty, it's a girls sleepover at my house tonight.  I need to pour myself some wine and mentally prepare for all the giggling that is about to take place.

Happy Tuesday!

Have you met my new fat rolls?

I've started naming my new fat rolls.  There's Nancy and Debbie and Pat.  It seems like a new one arrives every day.  They have about worn out their welcome, and it's time for their departure.

I guess Randee has a few unwanted guests as well.  She sent me a text telling me she had ordered two new videos this morning.

Apparently Bob's Total Body Transformation will either make us look good or kill us.

And of course she had to order more Jillian.  Randee loves Jillian so much she wants to have her babies.  It's sick really.

We are also supposed to start 90 days of P90X on January 2nd.  The hard part at this point is getting motivated and back in the routine.  It is super easy to become LAZY!  I plan to get naked and look in the mirror today.  I'll say a proper good bye to Nancy, Debbie and Pat.  I'll remind myself that none of my clothes are fitting.  I'll promise my body there are no marathons in 2012.  It should be a grand time.

We had a very nice and relaxing Christmas.  We have been eating and present opening since Thursday.  I have no idea how my children will fit all their new loot into their rooms.  Right now it's all still in the living room and they are playing together.  It's quite lovely really.  Later this afternoon the tree comes down, the toys get put away and reality returns!  For now, we sip coffee and play.

I hope you and your family had a very Merry Christmas, filled with family, laughter and making memories.  Oh yes and good wine!  I feel very blessed to say mine was filled to the brim with all of these. 

Our Christmas festivities....

Not sure this tasty gift from my son is gonna help with getting rid of those fat rolls!

Love this awesome wine glass Alessandra gave me.

Look at that chair under Trent...there are two dogs and lots of tissue paper down there.  Those pajama pants got quite the excited response.

Drinkin' some tasty champagne at mom & dad's house.  Cheers!

Trent was lovin' his Uncle Brad and Aunt Alecia.

Mamma got herself a brand new Moving Comfort sports bra.  Fancy.

Alecia at Tin Can Treader was lookin' mighty cute on Christmas Eve.  It was kinda weird she brought her bedroom toys out to show the family.

I bet my granny is more stylin' then your granny!

I wish I could say I won big during the traditional family poker game...but I was the first one out.

Twas the night before Christmas...

Wake up sleepy heads....it's Christmas morning!

Trent was lovin' his laptop Santa left him.

Santa hooked Audrie up with lots of duct tape for her crafting pleasures!

We may never have to actually talk to each other again.  With each family member having their own laptop we will just IM if we have something to say.

Doug and I looking all cute in our Christmas PJ's....did you notice my sock monkey slippers?

Another family gathering...more cousins and more presents!

My mom hooked me up with this awesome ornament.

The video is my adorable niece and nephew signing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" with Trent and Audrie.  It was for my stylin' grandma...who happens to have an iPhone and facebook account!

It has taken me about three hours to finally finish this post.  It's now time to feed Nancy, Debbie and Pat.  Eating healthy starts tomorrow...after I go to the grocery store!

What was your favorite memory from your holiday festivities?

2012 Races

I have been fighting a sinus infection since last Friday.  Enough already!  Today I got all excited because I found some old antibiotics in the cabinet.  Hopefully, they will make me better and not kill me.  They are not expired and I did read about them and learn they are for upper respirator infection and pneumonia.  Dr. Angie thought that sounded just like what I needed.  Why yes, I should have just gone to the doctor but....

Yesterday my daughter had a mean stomach bug.  We went to her pediatrician in the morning to learn it was just a virus and to let it run its course.  By 5pm she had vomited a zillion times and was screaming in pain from the cramps.  The doctor suggested I take her to Urgent Care.  So off we went.  They gave her a small pill that dissolved under her tongue.  Within ten minutes she was a new person.  Cramps stopped.  She was able to hold down a sip of liquid for the first time all day.  We got to go home.  She is fine this morning.  Now why in the hell can't they give you those meds at the doctors office?  The doctor at Urgent Care was FANTASTIC.  He checked on Audrie multiple times and was very personable. He gave me a prescription of the meds to keep on hand.  He called it the miracle drug, originally used for chemotherapy patients.  It's good stuff!

Okay, yesterday Doug was having me check my calendar for dates he might have to travel.  He kept asking me about races I had planned.  Then I realized...I have no 2012 races actually planned!  Today I have been trying to decide what I want to do.  Below are a few I'm considering.  I haven't hit "register" for anything yet.

Talia is wanting to do this race on February 11, because of the great swag.  It's a bit pricy for a 5k, but you do get a jacket!

My brother has started running and wanted to do a 10K together.  The Cowtown 10K on February 25, is my choice.  I did great on this course last year, but I was 15 seconds over my goal.  I need a rematch!

My parents are doing this race on March 3.  I will do this at whatever pace they are going.  However, dad if you are reading this...I think at least a slow jog is in order!

I'm only going to do one half marathon in 2012.  I'm thinking about the Big D on April 15.  I don't know much about it, so any input would be great!

For fun's sake, I think I have to do the Warrior Dash on April 22.  The most important decision will be what to wear!  I really want to do a costume this year.  I'm seriously considering my actual wedding dress.  It's already ruined with champagne all down the front!

My other decision to make is a race where I volunteer.  I really want to work an aid station.  I think I need to give back!  Especially after those nice people helped me out in the freezing rain at the White Rock Marathon.  I'm looking for suggestions here.  I also hope the entire gang will join me to volunteer.  We can make it fun.  I would also like to drag my kids out.

Other ideas are:

•  The Mom's Run - On Mother's Day weekend.  It will be three years in a row for Trent and me.
• I would like to do a Marathon Relay 

Do you have your 2012 planned out?  How early do you register for races?

2012 Goals

I have been thinking about my goals for 2012.  I was quite successful in 2011.  Why was this?  I gave myself attainable goals.  I set goals that I had a strong desire to accomplish.  I held myself accountable.  I involved others. 

I actually had not looked at my list since January 2011.  I was kinda shocked to see I accomplished almost everything.  I hope I will have the same results in 2012.

So without further ado, my 2012 goals.

1.  Focus on speed training and meet the following race distance PR's:

• 5K goal = 28 minutes
• 10K goal = 59 minutes
• 13.1 goal = 2:10

And is it too much to ask to have nothing but attractive race photos in 2012?

2.  Be able to do 20 "real" pushups at one time.

Less hands on hips and more push up photos in 2012!

3.  Begin a regular yoga practice (at least 1-2 times per week).

Hopefully 2012 will be full of pictures of us in all kinds of pretzel positions.

4.  Excel at my new position.  Success will be determined by meeting goals set in business plan.

It's hard to read, but that says:  Success - Find the biggest ass and kiss it

5.  Implement a budget and plan for being able to build a new house by 2014.

I can finally build my dream house.  (This is a house in Park City, Utah we passed this summer.  Quite...interesting...don't you think?)

So there you have it.  What do you think?  Are they realistic?  Too easy? 

2011 Resolutions...How did I do?

I found my 2011 New Years Resolutions.  Let's see how I did!

1. Run a half marathon in under 2:20.

Well I did this in March at the Rock 'n' Roll Dallas Half.  My time was 2:16.  

It's hard to have so many attractive race photos to choose from.

2. Finish the Chicago Marathon.

I did do this, and LOVED every minute of it.  I was slower than your granny, but my goal was to finish and finish I did!

This was a goal that took many months of sacrifice and dedication to accomplish.  Very rewarding.

3. Find my passion for teaching again or find a position in education that I love.

Well, I did not necessarily find my passion for teaching, but I did find a position I love.  It still involves education in the area of yearbooks.  I'm going to consider this a success!

4. Work on home improvements as the budget allows & put together a list of long term goals for the house.

Umm, I didn't do so well in this category.  However, I did replace the shower heads and the hail storm got us a new roof.  I guess that's a start in the right direction!

My 'I just used this tool that I have no idea what it's called, but I replaced the shower heads and they work' photo.

 
5. Get myself a sporty mom mobile that I love & look cute driving!

I did get a new car, that is great for my new job.  I'm pretty sure I look cute driving it.  Not super sporty, but definitely a step up from the minivan! 

This car and me spend a lot of quality time together these days!

6. 156 times!

I'll have to check with the hubby on this one.  I'm sure he will say I failed.

Some things I just can't get into on this here blog! :)

 I guess now it's time to begin thinking about my goals for 2012.  What's on your list?