Wishful Wednesday

Welcome to another edition of Wishful Wednesday, brought to you by Kelsey over at The Seattle Smith's.

I wish... I had one particular talent and it would be to run gracefully.

I'm not really sure that this would be a talent, but it is the only thing that popped into my head. Have you ever seen the episode of Friends where Phoebe is running? You know, her arms & legs are all over the place? I feel like that when I run. I don't look like an antelope, but more like a rhinoceros running.

In addition to the whole awkwardness, I can't breathe. I have tried so many different methods of breathing & I can't do it. My legs aren't tired, but I feel like I can't draw a breath. Any suggestions?

If you could have a particular talent, what would you wish for?

Tuesday's Traveler

The past two weeks have been such a whirlwind of activity - off to New England, delivering facilitated sessions, back home, off to Virginia...phew - I'm tired! There are a few things I'd like to share with you today - Tuesday's Traveler. Depending on my traveling schedule, you may see this a few times.

While I was traveling, I managed to stick with my eating ("Weight Watchers Points Counting" is what it really should be called) and exercise goals. I thought today would be a good day to share them with you - they're fairly simple & work whether you're counting points or simply keeping up with good habits.

1. Check out the hotel before you book it. See if their hotel gym or pool is something that you can use. If I have options that are within $10-$15 of each other, I try to choose the hotel that has the best cardio equipment - this would probably include free weights and a bench as well. If you don't have that option, pick one that has a decent gym/pool & pack an exercise video and exercise bands for use when you don't use the gym.
2. USE the hotel gym. This sounds simple right? You wouldn't believe the number of times I've never had a problem getting on a treadmill or elliptical as no one ever is in there. When you get back to your hotel, instead of changing & watching TV, pull out your workout gear, change & head downstairs. If you're a cardio person, you can park yourself on a treadmill, watch your favorite Food Network shows (Giada, Barefoot Contessa & the Neeley's) and feel virtuous while watching them fix something super yummy. Just make sure to concentrate on your speed/incline & mix it up.
3. If you're a member of a gym where you live, see if there is one local to where you're traveling & see what their guest policy is. I'm a member of the YMCA & I'm able to head to Y's all over the country & typically work out for free. This is especially helpful if you're a cardio class fan. You may not find Cardio Sculpt with Desiree (if you're in Charlotte & looking for a hard core workout - this is your class! [Actually, anything taught by Desiree is tough]) but you're sure to find something that will get your heart rate up & moving.
4. Check out restaurant menus online. This is a great way to plan what you're going to eat. I look at calories, fat, fiber & sodium. Sodium is a big one for me due to the fact that I swell up like a sausage. Once you plan what you're going to eat, stick with it! Don't let a waiter suck you into the specials - usually loaded with sodium, butter & fat.
   
5. Just because a restaurant has a dessert menu does not mean you need to order from it. Dessert typically = high calories & high fat. No bang for your buck. However, if you need to treat yourself after a super long week & they have your absolute favorite dish, order it, but only take a few bites & then ask to have it taken away. Same thing goes for bread on the table. Have a piece & be done or ask them not to bring it.

Following these things has really helped me stay consistent in my goals. In addition, I feel better because I'm not all bloated & tired and the exercise helps my legs feel better after flying & standing so much.

Do you have any tips for me for traveling & keeping up with my goals?

Not Me! Monday

In case you haven't been introduced to Not Me Monday, here is the gist: This fun game originated with Mckmama, while LittleSack introduced it to me. you just list a lot of things you "didn't" (read: actually did) do this weekend/past week. All in the name of admitting that we all make mistakes and aren't perfect.

This is going to be more of a couple's edition, since we spent the weekend in Virginia watching IU (Indiana University Hoosiers) lose badly to Virginia. Mr. Potts definitely had a few, "Not Me!" moments.

• We didn't get up Saturday morning to begin tailgating by 11am. Not us! No way would our breakfast consist of fried chicken, macaroni & cheese and beer! No way!
  
• We didn't watch the Hoosiers hand the ball over to the other team & just watch as they ran by them. Uh uh - never happened. We definitely were not seated in a full Virginia section while sporting IU shirts. These guys across the field were quite entertaining, though.
• Mr. Potts and I did not decide 2 minutes before half-time that since IU hadn't scored & were losing 28-0, that we were going to leave the stadium & walk to a bar. Nope, no way we'd ever leave before a game was over just to have some beers!!
• We didn't then get bad directions from random people on the street who totally sent us WAY out of the way - causing us to walk for at least 30 minutes to get to a Buffalo Wild Wings. Uh uh - we would never go that far for an adult beverage.
• Mr. Potts didn't then proceed to commiserate with a fellow Hoosier about how badly they were losing. No way would we sit with people 10 years our junior & get inebriated. Uh uh.
• Mr. Potts did not walk out of said establishment & leave behind his favorite zip-up hoodie. No way would he be that out of it. He would not then proceed to pass out at the table of the restaurant we then went to with his head on his arms while everyone looked on. I did not walk him out to the van so he could lay down in the back seat. No way. Not us. We're way to grown up for that!
  

On Sunday we went with our friend for a tour of the Virginia campus. It was absolutely gorgeous - I have to say, however, that I would have loved to have spent the afternoon on our couch. Some pictures from our tour.What a gorgeous chapel on their campus!!

Looking behind us, you'll see Jefferson's Academical Village - students & professors live here!

All, in all, a great weekend!! What all did you NOT do this weekend?
If anyone has any suggestions where we can get a replacement hoodie for Mr. Potts, I'd greatly appreciate it! His was from Banana last year & was a navy material with a grey (super soft) material on the inside. He's heartbroken to have lost it.

Fabulous Friday!

Happy Friday Everyone! It's here - another edition of Fabulous Friday! A highlight of all things fabulous that I've stumbled across over the course of this week (in no particular order, of course!).

Ya'll, I'm TIRED! I have been traveling for the past two weeks & while I used to consider myself a road warrior (and probably could still be considered one), I'm so super glad that I don't travel all the time for work now!

First things first on this edition of Fab Friday. Me! I'm going to toot my own horn. I've lost 10lbs!!! Whoo Hoo! I've been following Weight Watchers religiously & have done it! I still have more to lose, but I can definitely tell the difference already!!

The first blogger I'd like to highlight today is Kelsey from The Seattle Smith's. Kelsey host's Wishful Wednesday's every week & I've really enjoyed doing them. Not only does she pull together Wishful Wednesday's, but she has two super cute puppies! I also wanted to highlight Kelsey because this past Wednesday on one of her WW links, I came across the following blogger who is such an inspiration.

So, my second highlight for today is Kassandra of Not Your Typical, Average, Ordinary College Girl. Ya'll, this phenomenal girl has lost 149lbs simply by focusing on what she eats & exercise. She has completely turned her life around & I'll admit, when I opened up the newspaper article about her & read it, I cried (I'm SO emotional - I'm tearing up now thinking about it). She has taken what so many people would look at as a hopeless situation & changed it. I am so impressed by her & her determination that I knew she had to be featured today. Make sure you go tell her hello.

Seriously? Fall in New England is perfect. Last week I experienced beautiful views of the leaves changing colors and cooler weather that has me itching to put away all of my summer clothes. I even enjoyed my drive to Boston yesterday after a long day of facilitation. I saw trees with leaves like this
Fall in New England made me think of one of my new favorite fall t.v. shows - Eastwick. Has anyone been watching it? I think I'm so fond of it because of the quaint New England town it is based in. Plus, I love Rebecca Romjin & Lindsey price! If you're not already watching it, you should!

While it was chilly this week, it wasn't really all that cold & it had me thinking that a longer, sweater "coat" would be a nice addition to my closet. I like this one. And would it hurt a girl to smile in photos?

That's it for me for Fabulous Friday. We're heading to Richmond today after work to attend the IU/UVA game tomorrow. The weather is looking quite yucky & I have to admit, I'm so tired that I really wouldn't mind staying home & lounging on my couch. Hope you all will have a Fabulous Weekend!!

Wishful Wednesday

Welcome to another edition of Wishful Wednesday, brought to you by Kelsey over at The Seattle Smith's.

This week's Wishful Wednesday is, "I Wish...I could change one physical trait about myself & it would be..."

Haven't we all thought about this as women? When I was younger & before everyone seemed to become so body conscious, my answer would have been my nose. I always felt like it stood out of my face (well, duh, it does!). Since those days, however, I feel as if I've grown into my nose. Although sometimes during allergy weather, I'd like to be able to just chop it off. Mr. Potts assures me that he would still love me. Ha!

I used to think I'd like to be taller. You know, it's easier for taller women to carry a little extra weight. I mean, I look at a donut & my stomach bloats! Then, I met Mr. Potts and he is only an inch or two taller than me (which actually is pretty telling about when we met, but that's another conversation). I wouldn't wish to change my height anymore - although he is very self-confident & wouldn't care, I like leaning into his shoulder.

If I could do it, no pain involved, I'd zap these veins on my leg. They're the veins in my calves that I think are the result of years of standing on jobs (retail, food, etc) while younger. They also could be hereditary. Either way, I'd like to get rid of them. They're a pretty trivial thing, but I hate the way they look.
If you've ever had this done, any advice?

I have to note that I deliberately chose on my part not to pick any issues that things I'm personally working on. These things (slimming down, firming up, etc) are things that I can partially control & I can't wait for the day when I say, "I did it!!"

A glimpse of red

I saw these beauties last week & was able to snap a picture. I wish I could have pulled off on the side of the highway on my drive from Boston yesterday to take more pictures. The leaves here are changing & the reds and oranges and yellows are simply stunning.

I've been given a mission to bring back some leaves for my sweet niece to use for a leaf project for school. She is having such a hard time learning the simple things that most of the children in her class already know. Another instance of her MOTY (Mother Of The Year) doing her a huge disservice. My mom is working with her as much as possible & I do as well when I see her, but it just breaks my heart that she is having to work so hard when if any time had been spent on this a few years ago (when she was still with MOTY) she'd be showing flying colors.

Hope you'll have a beautiful day today. I'll be trying to comment more than last week, but it may still be less than usual due to being crazy busy & tired. Plus, I think I'm working on a chest cold. Fabulous.

Just another manic Monday

Ah Monday. I woke up this morning to a dreary, misty day. I'll be on a jet soon headed back to New England for another week. A week that will look something like this:A bit on the chilly side, no?

With the chilly weather comes the realization that I'll be eating quite a bit more Panera Bread soup this week for dinner. Should look something like this:
Monday - Low Fat Vegetarian Garden Vegetable Soup
Tuesday - Low Fat Vegetarian Black Bean Soup
Wednesday - Vegetarian Summer Corn Chowder

I am also proud to share with you all that so far in my Weight Watchers adventure, I've lost 7 pounds. This, after 3 weeks. It feels good to be able to say this and even better to have heard my mom tell me that she could see the difference. Mr. Potts is so proud of me and has told me how thrilled he is. He told me he could see the difference this is making in my self esteem.

Plus, on Saturday, I tried on my pair of James Jeans that have been too snug (fine, they wouldn't button) for too long. They fit. They fit! They're still a little tight, but they button! And I can get them up. Hello beauty, you soon will be perfect - or I'll be perfect for you again!I hope that you all had a great weekend & that your week will be filled with sunshine. And roses & rainbows & sprinkles too.