Transforming Violets in May!!!

Good evening, Violets! I hope y’all are having a blessed week. I am taking a short break from my clutter clearing project and coming up for air!

First things first. I shared last month that I started a 16-week fat blasting rotation to get ready for the Road Trip. I completed the fourth week Saturday morning. Since my last check-in, I did High Step Challenge Thursday morning, Stretch Max Friday morning, and the hi-lo segment from Christi’s Cardio Collectibles DVD plus Better Burn Better Buns Saturday morning. I decided to take a break from my planned rotation this week and just enjoy a few fun workouts. I am up to my butt in clutter, and I need to focus on getting ready for my mother’s visit. I reworked a 12-week rotation that I am planning to start on Mother’s Day. That will get me through the Saturday before the Cathe Road Trip.

Along with binge eating, obesity, and debt, clutter has been a strangling stronghold in my life. I do not fully understand why I do the things I do, but I hate living like this. I have been trying to dig my way out of this pit for years. I got my vacuum cleaner out of the closet and decided that a bulldozer would be much more helpful and effective! Over the past few years, I have made several attempts to break free from this overwhelming mess and transform my home into a sanctuary for my soul. I have never had any lasting success. I have made some progress. It is very similar to my weight in that I seem to be stuck in the middle. I am not where I was, but I am not where I want to be or need to be either. I am halfway between the starting gate and the finish line. I need to keep running with perseverance and finish the race.

Michelle from the Road Trip check-in recommended a book by Peter Walsh called It’s All Too Much. He is the professional organizer on Clean Sweep (which I never get to watch because I do not have that channel). I have read everything I could get my hands on through the years. I did not like the FlyLady’s approach that everyone else seems to love. Her constant e-mails are more clutter than they are worth in my opinion. I do not need reminders to shine my sink. I need someone to inspire me, hold my hand, and coach me through the process of clearing the clutter out of my home. I went to the bookstore after work Thursday and read the introduction of this book. It clicked with me, and I knew that I had to have this book. I love his humor and his writing style. He also answers questions I have always had like exactly what documents and financial records to keep and for how long. According to the test in this book, I am a hardcore hoarder. Of course, I already knew this! Shelley would need intense therapy after a visit to my home! Oh, wait, she is coming to Texas next spring. I need to start getting ready now!

I am making progress. Rebecca came over yesterday morning and helped me haul out all the stuff I had waiting by the front door. We filled her husband’s truck and the trunk of my car! I took a box of books to Hastings and sold them for $72.00!

I treated Rebecca to breakfast at Cracker Barrel yesterday morning and finally got to enjoy one of their wild blueberry muffins that I have been craving for a month. The grits actually tasted better than the muffin! My taste buds prefer simplicity now.

I need to return to my book reading and clutter clearing. I skimmed through the section on shoes. Peter Walsh has the audacity to suggest that I reduce my shoe collection. Step away from my shoes, Mr. Clean Sweep, and nobody gets hurt! I will freely admit that I have way too many socks. I sucked a pair up in the vacuum cleaner Saturday night, and it stinketh! LOL! I think I killed my vacuum cleaner. Death by sweaty workout socks!

I hope to check-in again Thursday night before Mom and her husband arrive. I need to focus and start stuffing the rest of this clutter back into closets and drawers. There is not enough time to deal with all of it in one week. It is a journey, and this home transformation project is even more challenging for me than my body transformation journey. I am hoping to be back on track with daily check-ins next week!

Blessings,
Heather B.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1 NIV).
 
Welcome back Heather!:)

So I took spin this morning as planned. Great work out as usual! This afternoon I did 6 min abs express then did 15 chin ups and then repeated the ab work out. I had planned on doing ARX but wasn't in the mood for it so I repeated this one instead. Debbie does a nice well rounded routine in short time. I definately felt it!}( It's a keeper!:)

I had a gift certificate for $20.00 to spend at the gym so I went into their store. I made my way down the sale rack and matched myself up a cute little work out outfit. It was onsale for a total of $24.00. I paid $4.00 for it because of the gift card! Can't beat that with a stick!}( The pants are made by Everlast. I have a pair of Everlast pants that I bought at Kohls for more then the price of the pants and top combined that I just bought!:eek:

Tomorrow is yoga. Oooooohhhhhhmmmmmm! :p
 
Yoga day today! I'm thinking Yoga X. I haven't done that one in a couple of weeks. :)

I have some DOMS in my upper abs from my double ab attack y'day. I'm happy!}(

Gotta work the early shift this morning so I really need to get moving.

Hope everyone has a great day! The nice weather is finally here to stay I think!!!!:+
 
Hi everyone. Yesterday was an unplanned DOR. Storms for Monday night kept me awake so Tuesday morning's exercise didn't happened. Then DH called me on my way home from work and asked if I wanted to try out a new restaurant. It's called Bone Daddy's (I think). If you thought Hooter Girl outfits were skimpy, you should see these. I so wish I could look like that.

This morning was better. I got up and did PUB.


Wendy, great job on finding the outfit on sale. Our used to have clothing, but it was kind of pricy.

Heather, wow you are the declutter queen. I need to take lessons.

Here's a new picture of the girls. I caught them sleeping together, but Breeze woke up when I got out the camera.

Jean

251409222.jpg
 
Jean, LOL about the Bone Daddy outfits! My SIL and I used to joke that we were going to get jobs at Hooters girls!:p

The pic of the dogs is soooo cute! I guess your older one is taking care of the pup? How cute!!!!:)

I wasn't in the mood for yoga today. I will do it tomorrow night instead. No biggie. I did Cardio Core Express for the first time instead. I liked it! Not hard core by any means but a nice light cardio work out that really worked the core...especially the obliques!:)

I gotta run but I'll check back later to see what's goin' on!
 
Hello in Violet Land.

Yesterday didn't work out as planned. I wanted to go spin class so I packed my clothes in the car so I wouldn't have to come home first, but even that didn't work. I had to stay late at work and then traffic was super slow so I couldn't make to the club in time. So I thought I would do some kind of cardio at home, but then some relatives stopped by so that didn't work either. At least I got up this morning and did all the standing work of PLB. Was suppose to do the whole thing, but I got interrupted by phone calls so I ran out of time. Planning on weekend workouts. Tomorrow will be PUB. DD is taking me on Sunday for a mother/daughter massage so I plan to go real heavy on my weights so I will have some major doms to get massaged. Sunday will be cardio of some sort.

Heather, are you ready for your mom's visit? Whats's on everyone else's agenda?

Jean
 
Oh Jean you poor thing with all of the work out plan interruptions! That would drive me up a wall!!! YIKES!:eek:

I did Firm it Up yesterday instead of the B&G premix that was scheduled.

I have BM2 double upper body on tap for today.

I STILL haven't gotten my yoga in this week yet!:-(

Have a great weekend!
 
Happy weekend to all.

This morning I got up as planned and did PUB. Tomorrow I need to do cardio. I didn't get my cardio in this week that I should have.

Whether you're a mother, or have a mother, I hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's Day tomorrow.


Wendy, hope you get your Yoga in.

Jean
 
Mercy! This has been a busy week. I finally have a moment to catch my breath and update y’all on my journey. My clutter clearing project was a huge success. I worked my butt off this week, and my hard work was rewarded. A week ago, every flat surface (including my bed) was covered with piles of stuff. When I returned home tonight, I did a double take and wondered if I was in the right place! I worked on this project all last weekend as well as every morning and every evening this week. I was overwhelmed Wednesday night, but I prayed and persevered. I am so glad! I went to the office Thursday morning for a few hours, returned home, and cleaned without ceasing from noon until well after midnight! I cleaned, scrubbed, moved furniture and piles, dusted and vacuumed every inch of this place, sorted, filed, and organized. In addition to the mountain of clutter Rebecca and I removed from my home Sunday morning, I hauled out 8 boxes and 3 large trash bags of stuff to throw away, give away, or consign. I am blown away by how much stuff I removed from this place in one week. I still have a lot of work to do, but I am fired up now and inspired to finish the job. Everything is organized. I know exactly what is in here and where it is. The remaining clutter is contained to 8 boxes stored in a nook between the dining room and kitchen. My closets are in order. My fitness closet looks amazing. I reduced my fitness shoe collection to a respectable dozen, and all my workout shoes fit in a hanging shoe organizer. No more shoe clutter on my living room floor! I have an entire closet in my living room devoted to fitness and travel. The top shelf houses my suitcases, a fan, and an umbrella. My workout clothes are all on hangers in that closet. A blue crate on the floor of the closet is the new home for weights that are not used on a regular basis, and my weighted balls and home step are stored neatly in that closet as well. My tubing and bands are on a hanger. My rebounder, club step, high step with risers, barbell, and weights are stored neatly on the right side of my workout area below my windows. The barbell and weights actually fit under the club step platform. The risers live under my high step topper. My workout area looks really nice, and I am excited about not needing to move anything before I get started every morning! All my workout DVDs are stored neatly on the top shelf of a bookcase next to my TV and DVD player. My books and Bible study materials are stored on the middle shelf and the bottom shelf of the bookcase. I put my magazines and catalogs in a basket next to the bookcase. There is a lamp on top of the bookcase and a wooden rocking chair next to it. My favorite teddy bears (that make my heart smile) have a home on top of the bookcase. I have a lovely place for prayer, pondering, Bible study, and reading! I cleared out a bunch of old magazines and catalogs. I reduced my collection of Collage Video catalogs to the few with pictures of Ya Yas. I could not believe how many years of those things I found.

I had several distractions Thursday that threatened to derail me. I finished a project at work for a client just in time to leave at noon. My vacuum cleaner started spitting out dust. A CD got stuck in my computer while I was backing up my computer. I called Best Buy, and the guy promised to fix it for free, but I did not have time to drive across town. I prayed over it and restarted my computer. Thankfully, I was able to set it free!

I am so pleased with my progress. For the first time in my life, I believe with all my heart that I can and will conquer clutter for good. My home is neat and clean, and 80 percent of the clutter has been removed from here. I still need to shred boxes of old bank statements and bills and reduce my collection of CDs and videos. I still have filing to do, and I want to organize pictures and put them in albums or scrapbooks. All my CDs are in their respective cases for a change, and they are stored in one dresser drawer. All my pictures are in a storage box, and all the albums are stored with them. There are no dirty dishes in my sink. There are no piles of laundry in my basket. I am amazed! I need to keep pressing on until it is accomplished because I do not want to have boxes in my dining room forever, but anything is better than tripping over piles of stuff! Cleaning will be faster and simpler now that I do not need to move piles first!

The bad news is that I lost some ground on the fitness front. I was wiped out after cleaning until midnight every night. I did not exercise at all this week. I am having Cathe withdrawals!

My eating has not been good either. I jumped off the clean eating boat yesterday and dove into a lake of sensual indulgence. I am having a delightful visit with my mother and her husband, but I have been doing way too much celebration eating. It started Friday morning with a trip to my favorite cafe for homemade blueberry pancakes with butter and maple syrup. These are buttermilk pancakes with fresh blueberries added to the mix. Yummy! We drove to Fredericksburg and enjoyed a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch. The deli did not have sweet tea, so I indulged in a Dr. Pepper. After 130 days of plant-based eating, I ate my first meat of the year Friday night. We went to Cotton Patch, and I had a grilled chicken sandwich on a whole wheat roll with honey mustard and fries washed down by sweet tea. This morning was a cinnamon roll with Dr. Pepper for breakfast. We went to my favorite tea and coffee shop for lunch, and I enjoyed a grilled cheese sandwich with 3 cheeses on 7-grain bread, salt and vinegar chips, and frozen lemonade. Dinner tonight was a petite Dallas filet from Texas Roadhouse, a baked potato with butter and sour cream and cheese, a yeast roll, house salad with honey mustard dressing, and more sweet tea. Did I mention the chocolate and the cheesecake? Yes, I am planning to face the music tomorrow morning and step on the scale. I feel like I have gained 10 pounds! I have a food hangover tonight. I am hoping to get back on track with clean eating tomorrow. I need to start my 12-week Cathe rotation too if I can move!

Now that I have confessed all my food sins, I am going to rest and relax. Have a blessed Sunday!

Blessings,
Heather B.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1 NIV).
 
Happy Mother's Day all. Hope everyone enjoys their day with their mother or as a mother.

This morning after church I took both dogs for a walk and then Breeze and I went for a jog. It turned into more of a walk because before we got to mile 1, there was a turtle in the middle of our parkway. This is a 4 lane road with a center median. He had already made it across 3 lanes, but with church traffic I wasn't sure if he would make the last one. And where was he going to go after he got across? I ran out and got him. I then took him to an area where he wouldn't be able to get back to the road very easliy that was filled with trees and high grass near a creek. So even though I couldn't jog much becasue I was carrying him, I still burn over 400 calories. Of course that will only make a small dent in the Mother's Brownies I have started on.

Jean
 
Good morning everyone.

Heather, sounds like you had a nice visit with your mom. And wow what a home makeover you did. I keep telling my husband and we need to pretend to move because that has always been the time we clean things out and get rid of it so we don't have to pack it. Unfortunately we have lived in the same place for 10 years so we have a lot of stuff to go through.

Wendy, how was your Mother's Day?

This morning I got up and did a circuit workout by doing the exercises from GS Legs and jumping on the TM in between each exercise and jogging for a minute.

DD and I went for our massages and facials yesterday. My massage felt good, but also hurt at the same time. I guess I should have one more often.(at least that's what I'm tellin myself) Maybe I could make that a reward as I reach my goals.

Hope everyone has a great week.

Jean
 
Good Morning.

My weekend started off lousy but ended nicely. I ended up getting sick friday evening through saturday night. I didn't work out at all since thursday. :-( I was extremely close to post-poning DS' B'day party Sunday but decided to push through it. I prepared most of the food on saturday in between laying on the couch. I felt like cr@p. x( I slept like 12 hours saturday night and when I woke up y'day morning I couldn't believe it but I was FINE!!! I was able to get up and do what I had to do w/o any problems. The party was fun. Everyone enjoyed it. DS especially!;)

I'll be back...:)
 
Cardio Sculpt Express, KM Leg Conditioning Drills and ARX are done. Now I've got running class in a few hours. Have to hit the store before that though so gotta run!

Have a great afternoon!:)
 
I am back on track, fired up, and ready to finish the race. I had a delightful visit with my mother and her husband, and it is time to focus on my fitness journey again. I faced the music yesterday morning and stepped on the scale. I shared Saturday night that I felt like I had gained 10 pounds. I was right on target. I gained exactly 10 pounds. Amazing! It takes a month of sweat and tears to shed 10 pounds, and I can eat it back on in a matter of days. Of course, I did not exercise at all last week (other than cleaning and hauling boxes up and down the stairs). I skipped a lot of meals too because I was distracted by my clutter clearing project. I was too anxious to eat. My fat cells stored every bite I ate Friday and Saturday. My clothes are way too tight. I checked my measurements and discovered that I gained 3 inches in my chest, 3 inches in my waist, 3 inches in my abdomen, and an inch in my hips.

I started my 12-week Road Trip rotation yesterday morning with my beloved Rhythmic Step. I tripped on my shoelace, fell hard on my step, and was flat on my back for 5 minutes before I could move. Thankfully, I did not injure myself other than a bruised butt. I dusted myself off and finished the workout.

Mom and her husband packed their bags last night, and I was sad knowing that they would be leaving town this morning. I went to the grocery store so I did not have to deal with that today. I was running on adrenalin last week before they arrived, and I crashed last night. I was physically and emotionally wiped out. PMS time is just around the bend too, so that is not helping.

I slept later than usual this morning and started my day with Bible study, prayer, and the Drill Max cardio leg blast premix. I started over with my Breaking Free Bible study yesterday morning. Hopefully, I will finish it this time! I downloaded all my pictures from my digital camera this morning, viewed them, and deleted the ones I did not like. I am determined to simplify my life, and I do not want to replace my paper clutter with digital clutter. The best way to deal with clutter is to not allow it into my home in the first place!

I did a few loads of laundry and drove to the office to pick up my package from Cathe. I ordered one of her “embrace the challenge” baseball tees and the Body Blast Series. I have been wanting these DVDs for the premixes, and this was my reward for persevering with my home transformation project last week. I had an issue with my order, and Nancy took care of it promptly and professionally! The top is too tight to wear in public now, but I am hoping to look good in it by August! All things are possible!

I took a nap this afternoon and was still feeling blue. Rebecca was busy, so I decided to go to the club and do Pit Bull’s cardio boot camp class instead of jogging in the pool. I am so glad I did. She kicked my butt and kicked my blues to the curb. The new class format is very similar to Drill Max with even more functional fitness moves added to the mix.

I talked to Rebecca tonight, and I am feeling better. Before cardio boot camp, I was ready to throw in the towel and declare myself a lost cause. I am ready to take another run at this body transformation project. My eating was clean again today, and my meals and snacks are packed for tomorrow. I am taking back the stolen ground, eating for the glory of God, and exercising as an act of worship. I need to call it a day. I am tired, and it will take a week or so to get back on track with my sleep schedule.

Blessings,
Heather B.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1 NIV).
 
Heather, sounds like you had a wonderful visit. As for the gain, don't fret about it. You know how your body reacts when you change up your eating. So most of that weight will probably flush right out once you get back to you healthy eating habits.

Wendy, what's on your workout list for the day? Glad the birthday party worked out. I can't believe you had to get it all ready while being sick. Hope you are back to normal now.

This morning, I opted for Imax2. Hadn't done it in a while. I actually hadn't done any step in quite awhile. I'll have to work back up to some endurance to keep up with all the blasts. Tomorrow will be PUB again. I've got some good doms in my hamstrings today from yesterday's leg workout.

Jean
 
Heather, You are not alone. I had a horrible weekend for eating between being sick and NOT eating and then as I started to regain my appetite it was only for JUNK! Then on Mother's Day at the party I ate all of the party food which you KNOW was not part of my usual fair either! I felt awful with bloat and gas and not going to the bathroom on my usual "schedule" (sorry if TMI!). Well, I started eating clean again, drank a goodly amount of water and by Monday morning I was on my way back to normal so hang in there!

Jean, IMAX2 is the best! It's so much fun! None of the other IMAXES compare IMO. I haven't done it in ages! I haven't been doing much step myself lately.

Today was spin and chin ups. Tomorrow is the L&G Xtreme premix...I'm scared!!!!:eek: }( :eek:
 
I had to return to work today, but it was a good day. I slept like a baby last night. After my quiet time this morning, I enjoyed the Body Max 2 cardio and weights premix. I love, love, love this workout. I blessed my body with another day of clean eating. My boss was out of the office most of the day, so I had a good opportunity to get organized after being out of the office for a few days.

I am still tired. My endurance is not as good as it could be, but I am feeling better every day. I am still drinking plenty of spring water too.

I love my home! My workouts are so much more enjoyable with extra room to move freely. I think that is why I tripped during Rhythmic Step Sunday morning. I was so excited about having all this glorious space to dance around my step that I lost my footing. I relaxed and read a few chapters of a book tonight after work. I love my new reading area. My living room is so peaceful and refreshing now. I am doing a good job of maintaining the order in my home.

My meals and snacks are packed for tomorrow. I am ready to enjoy my warm bubble bath and call it a day.

Jean and Wendy, it is good to know that I am not alone!

Blessings,
Heather B.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1 NIV).
 
Good Wednesday Morning everyone.

I got up and did PUB minus the abs. I wanted to take the dogs for a walk and I wouldn't have time for abs and walk so I chose the walk. Sunshine is so funny to watch. While Breeze has her nose to the ground, Sunshine has her eyes all over the place, noticing every thing.

Well, I'm off to work now. Hope everyone has a great day.

Jean
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top