Monday, January 30, 2012

Update Monday

This weekend my mommy and sisters came into town to go skiing at 7 Springs. I do not snow ski (do not enjoy it at all) so I only participate in the shopping day of girls weekend an skip the second day which is skiing. I loved having them here!!! I just love company!!!!

We shopped after work on Friday and then went to dinner at Houlihan's at the Galleria Mall and then went to see a movie. This is a photo of my sisters and mom before abyone else arrived at the movie...looking like we have the WHOLE place to ourselves....ha!!! We ended up seeing War Horse and it was amazing!!!!! Sooooooo good!!! I highly recommend it!!



I came home Saturday to find this.....cutest things ever, right?!?!??! I love when they snuggle each other!!




This was part one of my workout on Saturday!!!






And this was part two - yippee!!!!







And this is todays workout - part 1





And part two!!! Go me!!! Just an update with the weight loss as well - today I weighed in and lost another 2.2 this week!!! YIPPEE!!! Motivation at it's finest!!





I hope yinz all have a WONDERFUL week!!!!!!!










Thursday, January 26, 2012

Randomness

Happy Thursday yinz!!! I hope everyone is having a great week!!

Just popping into Blogger to catch up on today's reads...I have nothing to report!!

Check out these awesome pants from Etsy...I have NEVER laughed soooo hard in my life!!! I almost bought them just to prove they exist!! HILLARIOUS!!!






People just amaze me sometimes!! HA!

I weighed in this am!!! BIG MISTAKE....I am only down 1 pound since Monday and I have been working out like crazy...I know I am trying wayyyy too hard and wanting this weight to fall off faster but I swear I am killing myself with my workouts and logging every morsel I eat of my food into MyFitnessPal.com!

Anyway, no more weigh-ins daily (I will wait for a week to pass each time)....I was sooo depressed walking into work today because I thought I should be down way more....

Anyone else every get like this?!?!?!?

My whole life is all or nothing...NO MIDDLE GROUND and NO GREY!! I need to work on this desperately!!!


Needless to say - I will not be taking tonight off from the gym as I had originally planned BEFORE stepping onto the scale. Oh well, keep improving on me!!!! That's all I can do and at least I know I am now moving in the right direction even if it is not as fast as I want it to go.....


Wednesday, January 25, 2012

WWTK Wednesday

I am playing along with WWTK Wednesday!

It is being hosted by
Queso and Crazy Mama as usual and the questios are fun, fun, fun...

Stop by their blogs and play along - you might even meet a few new friends!!!


HERE ARE THE QUESTIONS..........
{1} What is your favorite room in your house and why? Bonus points for a picture.

>{2} What is your favorite time of day and why?
{3} What is your favorite genre of music (or band/singer) and why?
{4} What is your favorite "go to" snack? Is it something you keep on hand?
{5} What is your favorite form of exercise or way to keep moving?

AND HERE ARE MY ANSWERS.......

{1} What is your favorite room in your house and why? Bonus points for a picture.
This is is!!! My bedroom!! I just got this furniture and furnishings last year and I am still in love with it!!!! I found out after I bought it that it is the same comforter set as Bella's from the Twilight movies however, there is not quite the same action going on here as was on hers...as you can see...lots of sleepy babies though :-) And darn it, make sure to give me my bonus points - ha!!!!



{2} What is your favorite time of day and why?




I honestly do not think I have one. If I HAD to pick one then I would say 10PM....time to GO TO BED!!!




{3} What is your favorite genre of music (or band/singer) and why?




Kidrock, Kidrock, Kidrock! Love him!!!! He is an amazing guy, sooo sexy and sweet!!! Swear this is true - the "attitude" is just for show - really!!! I met him once and he had such an impact on me!! GREAT GUY!




As far as music, I love it all depending on my mood and what I am doing. Love hiphop for working out with cardio, alternative grunge for weight lifting, slow songs if I need a good cry, and pop in the am driving to work to have fun and not kill someone in traffic!!! HA!




{4} What is your favorite "go to" snack? Is it something you keep on hand?




Now that I am seriously working out and watching what I eat, it would be sugarfree double-bubble bubble gum and chobani yogurt (any flavor)! This is my breakfast and sometimes my snack before bed - LOVE IT!!!!!!!!




{5} What is your favorite form of exercise or way to keep moving?




I love spin class and Zumba!!! My new thing, however, is the elliptical. I hop on that if I just need to do something different and work out for an hour. Usually I can burn between 700 - 800 an hour - GREAT WORKOUT as long as I have an iPod!!!!!!!!!!!!




Can't wait to read everyone elses answers!!!













Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Someone noticed!!

I absolutely love the motivation I feel when I am working really hard and working out and someone comes up to me and says "you look like you are losing weight"...

This just happened to me in the hall at work and I am on cloud nine!!! It is sooo nice to know that there is a difference already...look out gym, here I come!!!!!!!

This is yesterdays workout...

30 minutes on elliptical...

This was the first...I did 60 minute spin class...It was awesome!!!!!!





Then I did this last... (this was the last exercise so I was DRAGGING to finish - literally!!!)









How are your workouts going? I am particpiating in this
myfitnesspal.com workout thingy with Blessed Mama and it is really helping me stay on track!! It is sooo easy to use and I have yet to find any food that is not in their database (seriously!!!)






I am using it to log all my food and water plus exercise...sooo glad Blesssed Mama showed this site to me...if you would like to join in we would love to have you...sign up (it's free and easy) and be my fitness friend - my name is annsterw...see ya there!!!!!!!!!!!











Sunday, January 22, 2012

Workout Weekend

Happy Sunday all!
I had a very productive day and hope everyone else did as well...
Here is my workout update fr0m Saturday and Sunday...
I took Friday off from working out and went out to dinner with my friend Sherry at Mitchell's Fish Market. It was awesome - always awesome conversation plus awesome food! We got Chilean Sea Bass and it was amazing!!!!

Here is the Saturday part 1 of my elliptical workout...the machine restarted part way through :-(


This is my 30 minutes on the treadmill on Saturday...



And this is the second half of my time onm the elliptical Saturday...




This is my elliptical workout from Sunday...then I went and did 30 minutes of weights...









And finally 30 minutes n the treadmill Sunday...




I actually put out my Valentine decorations (even though I HATE Vaneltines Day - especially this year!!!)

I will post pics of my Valentines Decor later in the week....enjoy the final hours of your weekends!!!











Friday, January 20, 2012

Another One Bites the Dust....

WOW!!!!!!! I need to vent!! Remember that little update I added to yesterday's post? The one about being asked out at work? Well, that is over before it even began.

So, here it is loyal blog readers (those of you that are married to a nice guy should be really grateful right now!)...I am continuing to document the trail of losers that I affiliate myself with...

So, "M" messaged me at work...we chatted a little about life and family, etc. Then he asked if I would be interested in seeing him outside of work sometime. I said sure. He got my number and gave me his number. Then he said "Hit me up around 8PM tonight". I said you call me, I do not call guys I dont know that well.

He said okay and right then my phone rang...he said he wanted to get the number into his phone. Then I left work...went to the gym and worked out...went home...showered....and the call never came!!!

What the heck is up with that?!?!??!?!?! Men are stupid!!!! So I have been at work for over an hour....he is on the messaging system so he is here...not a word or message about why he did not call.....again....men are stupid!!!!!!!!! So, is over before it even began! I am a HUGE stickler on doing what you say and saying what you mean so at least I know that this guy has no shot at working out in the future....just a little sad......:-(

BUT.....on to happier things!!!!!! I lost another 3.6 pouinds this week!!! YIPPEE!! It is sooo awesome to see the scale plummeting after all this disciplined exercise!

I will actually take today off for exercise as I am meeting Sherry for dinner (salad) before homegroup tonight....but only today!!!

This is Thursday's workout on the elliptical (60 min).....




And then finished it off with treadmill walk/jog (30 min)...






TGIF Ya'll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Happy weekend to everyone!!!




Thursday, January 19, 2012

Random Eleven




OKAY!!! Actually I am pretty psyched to have gotten tagged by Becca from Everyday Life for this little game!!! I feel like lately I have not had anything exciting or fun on my blog so this is awesome!!! Thanks again Becca!!!! Plus, as you will all see toward the end and on your blogs, (HA) it becomes interactive too!!!!




So here go the five things I have to do to play along...




Post these rules. CHECK!!!!!!!




1. You must post 11 random things about yourself. 2. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post. 3. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer. 4. Go to their blog and tell them that you've tagged them. 5. No stuff in the tagging section about "you are tagged if you are reading this." Legitimately tag 11 people!!




So here we go..........




#1. Eleven random things about myself:
I love Kidrock and his music more than anything!!! Even his raunchy years!!


I am obsessed with dill pickles...I could eat them all day long (they are 15 calories each - that helps)


I love my job - seriously!!!


I do not drink any alcohol.


I quit smoking three years ago - best thing I ever did!!!


I have three cats - if given the opportunity it is possible for me to someday be the "crazy cat lady" with 100 cats - HA!


I just recently started mani and pedis and now I can't stop...LOVE them!


I cannot go a day without Super Bubble sugerfree gum


I love to exercise - seriously!!!


I am single and looking for a man.


I was married back in 1995 for about 6 months-not happily as you can tell by the 6 months part - HA!!!




#2:My answers to Becca's questions:
1. If you had only 24 hours to live, what would you do?
Skype all my family members (parents, sisters and brother, nieces and nephews)- no one lives in my state - and tell them all how much they mean to me and that, if possible, I will keep them safe from my vantage point in heaven!!! Also, tell them all to remember how short life is and make sure they do not waste one minute being unhappy or doing something that does not give them joy in some way! And then go eat a huge unhealty meal - sausage biscuits and gravy included and probably jump from a plane cause if your parachute did not open then what is the difference at that point right?!?!
2. What is one song that discribes your life?
"Never Been to Me" - Charlene
3. Are you good at making new friends?
I think so...little shy at first but not for long!
4. Where did you grow up?
Pittsburgh, PA suburbs
5. What is the silliest prank you ever played on someone?
We called my parents one night at the beach when they were staying at a hotel and told them we were security and the needed to move their car as they were parked in a handicapped spot...it was great when they actually went out to move their car - we (my sisters and brother and I) all died laughing.
6. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, which store would it be and how long would it take you to spend the $10,000?
Best Buy - not long at all...I LOVE new electronics and gadgets!!!!
7. Do you exercise regularly?
Everyday!!! Lately, at least! HA!
8. Who would you want to play you in the movie about your life?
Jennifer Aniston - why ot shoot big right?!?!? I love her!
9. Who is your celebrity crush male/female?
Kidrock - Bobbie Ritchie!!! Met him briefly, love him always, someday he will realize we are meant to be!!!! SERIOUSLY!!! :-)
10. Do you exercise?
Yes, regularly....this is a gimme after the one two above....LOL!
11. What is the weirdest thing you will ever admit to having done in the past? Stalking an ex - still embarrasing to think I acted like that at all!!! Especially now with self-confidence I would have said good riddence!!!!




#3 Now my questions for the people I tagged below to answer (if they choose to play along)


1. What states have you lived in?


2. What is your favorite "sweet treat"?


3. What would you NEVER do again if given the opportunity?


4. Do you have a pet?


5. What is your biggest pet peeve?


6. What is your nickname and why?


7. What do you love?


8. What has been your biggest joy so far in life?


9. What is your favorite after work activity?


10. What would you do if you only had 24 hours to live? (sorry Becca stealing one of yours cause I love it!)


11.Do you have any regrets in your life and what?




And finally now for #4 and #5

























There you have it!!!! Thanks again Becca - that was really fun!!!!






I look forward to seeing who else plays and I cannot wait to read your answers!!!!!








Wednesday workout

Again, nothing exciting to report...

Couple of exciting men lingering around so MAYBE sometime soon I will have something to report... SEE BELOW...

Here are my awesome new spinning shoes from my sister for Christmas.....LOVE THEM!!!!


And here is the counter after class tonight...I had to switch things up a little as the elliptical/jogging every night got old. I just dont usually like to spin during the week as the class times are late and by the time I get home to eat I am starved. I did not get home last night until 7PM and still had to eat (I was STARVING!!)







Hope everyone has a great Thursday!






Something new to report...WOO HOO!!!! I just got asked out by "M" at work!!! So excited however, I am a big work is work person and home is home person so I have to make sure this is kept between us at work!!! Still, sooooooo psyched! :-)




Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Food Choices

So lately with my new workout regimine (everyday religiously) I have been making far better food choices and dropping pounds.

I also joined in with BlessedMama on using the MyFitnessPal website and I love it!!! I am logging all exercise and food everyday and it is free and sooooooooo easy and I have YET to try to enter a food that is not in their database...LOVE IT!

I am so obsessed about what goes in my body now that I have usually a banana and greek yogurt for breakfast...soup for lunch...and then usually either tuna steak or some of these babies for dinner...Large Prawns!!! YUMMYYYYYYY!

I have been grilling them under the broiler and they are amazing and sooooo low calorie! They are tiger prawns and I get mine frozen at Costco in a huge bag....so delish!


Here is Tuesday's workout-part 1 - best calorie burn yet on the elliptical for 1 hour.....

Then my jog/walk for 1/2 hour...not so great but I was BEAT! Hopefully today I can make spin class to change things up a little...






Happy Hump Day to all!








Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Boring Workout...Misc Life

My psycho neighbor is at it again...
Seriously?!?!?!?
I am so sick of these people that sit around all day doing nothing (except sucking up disability money) and bother other people! I have TWO of them, count it TWO of them, in my condo building alone!!!!!!!!! Amazing - get a life and a job PLEASE!!!
I am convinced that God is trying to teach me patience.....WOWSA~~~Grant me serenity!!!!!!

Here is my workout from Monday night...woo hoo~~~

Same as usual...I am just proud of myself for sticking to it and going EVERYDAY!

Here is the 30 min walk/jog...


And here is the 60 minutes elliptical....little boring but I did not quit!!!!!!!!!!




Happy Tuesday all!!!!!!

I seriously need to start saving for a house...in the country....faaaaaarrrrr away from other humans - HA!!!!!!!!!!! ASAP!

Monday, January 16, 2012

The sad, lost water bottle

I got nothing today - HA!!

It is my first day back in the office since being sick and going ot training in Tempe, AZ.

It is a sad day...

just kidding...

I am grateful and happy to have a job that I love!!!!!

I lost 1.2 pounds this week which is great since I spent the week with an unlimited buffet at training - apparently I did really well just as I thought I did...

Anyway....I will show you my workout from yesterday since that is all I have....

This was my elliptical...best calorie burn yet!!!!!!



And then a little 30 minutes walk/jog on the treadmill....



In the locker room at LA Fitness I saw this....an adandoned water bottle from my nieces alma mater in the lost/found....I think this is a crime if you go to Villanova...what a shame!!!!!!!! I would have stolen it for her (is it stealing if you take it from the lost and found or is it "finders keepers, losers weapers) if I thought for one second she would use it...there is no way she would TOUCH someone elses water bottle even if I disinfected it - HA!!!





Hope you all have an amazing Monday!!!!!!!!










Saturday, January 14, 2012

Back to the Arctic

I'mmmmmmmmmmm back!

This is a photo out of my plane window before take off from Phoenix...it was about 70 degrees and sooo pretty!!!



And this was my awesome seat on the return flight...woo hoo empty seat between me and my seat partner...awesome room to stretch out....when I got back to Pgh it was 16 degrees and snowing....ICKY!!!!



This is my Saturday morning workout...fun of the elliptical...




And they gave me this after my workout at the gym....love a free Red Bull....



Never noticed this until today but the pull tab on a Reb Bull has a bull cut out of it....soooooooooooooooo cute!



And this is the second part of my workout...little walk/jog on the treadmill....





Here one of my three loves of my life....






Will the day ever come that a nice, sweet, funny, attentive, caring guy comes around....why is that too much to ask for?!??!? Just once, I would love to be taken of by someone for a change!




I emalied Markie and it was clarified by no response that there is NOTHING there...I was fooling myself and my ego thinking he would email or call right away professing his feelings, but, that did not happen - HA!




Most of the time I enjoy being responsible, self-sufficient and on my own but WOW - then there are days that I just wish there was someone special that cared about me...hopefully....someday my prince will come...until then I will kep working on me.

Happy weekend all!




Friday, January 13, 2012

Back To Reality

Well. here it is ....

My last Day at the conference...time to return to Pittsburgh and reality...I think it is about 15 degrees at home right now...

This is my last walk down this hallway in the Tempe Mission Palms (until February)...




My last time at these elevators on the third floor...


My last predawn walk to breakfast through the courtyard...


Last time to see this amazing fireplace light in the courtyard before breakfast...


I figured I should document how amazing this whole buffet thing was....our conference and classes were held in the conmference portion of the Mission Palms hotel and it was all amazing...if y9u have a chance to use this service you should...we had not one complaint from the room to the food it was all amazing!!!!!


This the buffet each morning (hot selections...usually pancakes, biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, etc.)


And this is the bagel/croussant/muffin/d0onut station with oatmeal, etc.


Then there was the fruit station...I swear I stayed focused on this all week....I did really well with my eatiung even though there was soooooooo much not so good for you stuff...




And this is where you could get a made ot order omlet...I got this everyday also...tried to stay focused on egg white omlet with veggies....soooooo yummy!!!!



It is hard to tell from this picture but there is a man up in this tree...the palm trees need trimmed at the top at least once a year and the guys just shimmy straight up and use a machette to cut of the dead branches....amazing to watch them!!!




Maybe you can see him better in this one....




Here is everything they cut off...it is all roped off as he cuts them and they all just drop to the ground to be collected...





Another of him in the tree...




A view of the crew...


Then we had class wrapup...this is my groups data from the week....the final section of points to the right after the dotted line are our improvements we made to the process....pretty great if I must say so myself....HA!!!!!!!!!!



Then lunch buffet ....here are really pretty appetizers...I did not taste one but aren't they pretty???!??!



And dessert after lunch was this amazing ice cream wth cherries jubilee...I passed as I thought the brandy may not be a good idea - HA!!!!!!!!!! But I can tell you that vanilla icecream with raspeberries was amazing!!!!!!!!



A little out of order is this beef leg....soooooooooo yummy for lunch!!!!!





And here is the view that I am seeing right now as I wait for two hours for my flight at the Phoenix airport...fun fun fun!!!!!!!!



While it was an amazing week with lots of learning and fun....I am ready to get home and see my babies.....:-)



See you soon fur babies!!!!!!!!!










ICU Nurse it is

 Hi everyone!! I am just here checking in quickly. I almost feel bad checking in as it has been an eternity since I posted!!! UGH! Life has ...