I completed the Boot Camp Program yesterday. I graduated with Perfect Attendance, 15 pounds lighter and I ran an 11:02 mile! I beat my first day mile by over 2 minutes! I improved on my push-ups, sit-ups and dips reps too! They gave us Boot Camp T-shirts and stickers and I got a koozie for my perfect attendance. We celebrated last night at the Dunwoody Tavern with one free drink of choice and appetizers. All in all, it was a wonderful day.... and night.
Now that I have completed my first Boot Camp and found that the results are just so positive for me, I have signed up for ANOTHER THREE MONTHS!!!! Yes, folks you read it right... I have signed up for another 12 weeks of blood, sweat, tears and torture. Call me crazy but I am determined to make a positive lifestyle change. And Boot Camp is the only way so far that has truly made a difference in me physically AND mentally... Believe me, it is NOT easy getting out of the warm bed at 4:30am every weekday morning and going to that park to exert myself for 45 minutes to an hour each day.... BUT (yes, there is a but) I can see how much better I feel, how much more energy I have, the good changes to my body, and most of all, it makes my attitude MUCH more positive! And when I feel good, Life IS Good!
So this ends my series of Boot Camp Journals... I will not keep boring every one with my daily journals. I will only write highlights as they happen on occasion in the next 12 weeks.
Hoorah.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
I Met Paula Deen Tonight!
Tonight was one of the highlights of my lifetime. I met the one lady I spend more time watching than any other on television…. Paul Deen, live and in living color. And it was Wonderful!
Here is how it all started: About two weeks ago, I was perusing through the weekly Publix advertisement flyer from the office copy of the AJC and just happened to see Paula’s picture. One of the many, many Publix stores in the Atlanta area was having a cooking class on May 29th with special guest Paula Deen. When I called about tickets, they were sold out at $150 each! And they could not even guarantee that she would actually be cooking during the class. But, they mentioned the Book Signing from 5:30 to 6:30 before the class. I was so excited! I called Hubby and made his co-worker interrupt his meeting just to tell him that I was going to meet THE Woman!
So today was the day and I got my friend, J-San to go with me. Please note that J-San is NOT from the South (Lord please forgive her) and when I told her about the Book Signing, she had the audacity to respond with, “who’s Paula Deen?” (Lord, please double forgive her). So I told her that she was now definitely going to meet her…I mean every Northerner should be graced with the presence of the Goddess of Southern Cooking, right? What an opportunity! Anyhoo, we arrived at 4:30 and the line had only 25-30 folks in it. The Publix folks were so nice and kept bringing around trays of fresh cut-up pineapple and chicken nuggets while we waited in line. It was heart-warming to see a group of ladies from an assisted living home there to meet her- they all had on matching hot pink T-shirts that stated, “The Veranda Loves Paula Deen”. I took their picture for them all together in line. So cute! And then it was our turn… I have to tell you that Paula has the biggest blue eyes and when she smiles it makes you feel so happy. I told her I was a huge fan and that Hubby was taking me to her restaurant in Savannah for our 2-year anniversary in September. I informed her that I wanted to try the Shrimp-n-Grits because even though I was from Pine Mountain, GA, I had never eaten any. She was so surprised! She was telling me about all the different ways they liked their grits with fish or roe… I then told her that we didn’t mix seafood with breakfast where I grew up. And besides, she was much closer to the coast than Pine Mountain…. We are next to Alabama and the closest thing we have is bass, bream or catfish! She just laughed and laughed at that! She and her Hubby both autographed my cookbook and were so pleasant to talk to… J-San just kept snapping pics. I finally walked away with Paula telling me that she looked forward to seeing us in September… What a great day for me!
Here is how it all started: About two weeks ago, I was perusing through the weekly Publix advertisement flyer from the office copy of the AJC and just happened to see Paula’s picture. One of the many, many Publix stores in the Atlanta area was having a cooking class on May 29th with special guest Paula Deen. When I called about tickets, they were sold out at $150 each! And they could not even guarantee that she would actually be cooking during the class. But, they mentioned the Book Signing from 5:30 to 6:30 before the class. I was so excited! I called Hubby and made his co-worker interrupt his meeting just to tell him that I was going to meet THE Woman!
So today was the day and I got my friend, J-San to go with me. Please note that J-San is NOT from the South (Lord please forgive her) and when I told her about the Book Signing, she had the audacity to respond with, “who’s Paula Deen?” (Lord, please double forgive her). So I told her that she was now definitely going to meet her…I mean every Northerner should be graced with the presence of the Goddess of Southern Cooking, right? What an opportunity! Anyhoo, we arrived at 4:30 and the line had only 25-30 folks in it. The Publix folks were so nice and kept bringing around trays of fresh cut-up pineapple and chicken nuggets while we waited in line. It was heart-warming to see a group of ladies from an assisted living home there to meet her- they all had on matching hot pink T-shirts that stated, “The Veranda Loves Paula Deen”. I took their picture for them all together in line. So cute! And then it was our turn… I have to tell you that Paula has the biggest blue eyes and when she smiles it makes you feel so happy. I told her I was a huge fan and that Hubby was taking me to her restaurant in Savannah for our 2-year anniversary in September. I informed her that I wanted to try the Shrimp-n-Grits because even though I was from Pine Mountain, GA, I had never eaten any. She was so surprised! She was telling me about all the different ways they liked their grits with fish or roe… I then told her that we didn’t mix seafood with breakfast where I grew up. And besides, she was much closer to the coast than Pine Mountain…. We are next to Alabama and the closest thing we have is bass, bream or catfish! She just laughed and laughed at that! She and her Hubby both autographed my cookbook and were so pleasant to talk to… J-San just kept snapping pics. I finally walked away with Paula telling me that she looked forward to seeing us in September… What a great day for me!
The Boot Camp Journal- Day 17
Today was about 15 degrees cooler than yesterday!
And less humid…? Maybe?
Today was the obstacle like course in the ball field on the WET grass.
Running and jumping and lunging and shuffling all around cones.
And then bear walks (one hands and feet at the same time).
Crab walks were almost impossible to do!
I was huffing and puffing!
Tomorrow is the last day of Boot Camp.
Hoorah.
And less humid…? Maybe?
Today was the obstacle like course in the ball field on the WET grass.
Running and jumping and lunging and shuffling all around cones.
And then bear walks (one hands and feet at the same time).
Crab walks were almost impossible to do!
I was huffing and puffing!
Tomorrow is the last day of Boot Camp.
Hoorah.
Bad Feelings At The Pumps
So yesterday evening I met Hubby after work at the Yellow River park to do some mountain biking. I cut it too close on leaving the office and did not have time to stop and fuel up my work truck. Therefore, I had to fuel up afterwards. I stopped at the first gas station on the way home. After standing there waiting for what seemed like forever, the pump finally halts at $89.48... Did you read that? $89.48!!! I was in shock... deep down I feel so bad about spending so much of the company's money on fuel... especially during these days when I am not really THAT busy! It makes me want to call up the Big Boss and demand that we only drive in on M-W-F and work from home on T-Th! I mean that truck only holds 25 gallons and at $3.97 per gallon- it adds up! Besides, there are a LOT of things that I do in the office that really can be done from home on the computer.... I am seriously considering asking about this idea and SOON.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Law Of The Garbage Truck
A dear friend of mine who happens to be related to me sent me an email earlier this week and I wanted to share it with you. I tried to tell Hubby about it last night and my rendition just does not stand up to the actual story... Enjoy!
......................................
Law Of The Garbage Truck
One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.
So I asked, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!" This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so..... "Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't." Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it.
..................................
Is that last sentence not the greatest quote you have heard in a long time or what? If only I could remember this every time someone cuts me off or pulls out in front of me... Garbage In, Garbage Out, right?
......................................
Law Of The Garbage Truck
One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.
So I asked, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!" This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so..... "Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't." Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it.
..................................
Is that last sentence not the greatest quote you have heard in a long time or what? If only I could remember this every time someone cuts me off or pulls out in front of me... Garbage In, Garbage Out, right?
The Boot Camp Journal- Day 16
Woke up dead at 4:35am.
I was so sore all day yesterday from a combination of the 4+ mile run and the bike wreck the night before. My left butt cheek hurts the most.
Arrived at 5:20am.
Today's workout was called "Sprints".
Great.
And that is ALL we did... SPRINT!
Sprint up the hill over and over and over.
I was D-Y-I-N-G!!!!
I repeat- D-Y-I-N-G!!!!
Hoorah.
I was so sore all day yesterday from a combination of the 4+ mile run and the bike wreck the night before. My left butt cheek hurts the most.
Arrived at 5:20am.
Today's workout was called "Sprints".
Great.
And that is ALL we did... SPRINT!
Sprint up the hill over and over and over.
I was D-Y-I-N-G!!!!
I repeat- D-Y-I-N-G!!!!
Hoorah.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
The Boot Camp Journal- Day 15
Woke very groggily at 4:35am since I did not fall asleep until almost 1am!
Arrived at 5:15am.
They announced today was "the long run" and did not even stretch or do warm-ups!!
Today's workout can be summed up in one word over and over again:
RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN
RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN
RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN
RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN
RUN RUN RUN RUN
That would be running for about 4 1/2 miles!
(More like half jog/half walk for me)
Hoorah.
Arrived at 5:15am.
They announced today was "the long run" and did not even stretch or do warm-ups!!
Today's workout can be summed up in one word over and over again:
RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN
RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN
RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN
RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN
RUN RUN RUN RUN
That would be running for about 4 1/2 miles!
(More like half jog/half walk for me)
Hoorah.
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