Planning from The Planner (that's me)

So, anyone can decide they have a to-do list or that dreaded word "resolutions" but it is another thing altogether to actually accomplish said items.  The best way to do this is to figure out your plan to get you there. What are your action items that will help you achieve you goal?  Here are my thoughts on a few of my to-do's this year:

1. Crochet temair throw.  Plan: this throw is made up of about 45 motifs...if I can break it down and do 1-2 per week, then I can get this sucker laying on my bed or over my sofa by the end of summer.  Plus, once I start to see the light at the end of the tunnel, I may hunker down and do some hard core crocheting sessions to get it completed (this is how I roll so I can see this really happening).

The beach is one of my favorite places to crochet!

2 - 4. Travel overseas.  I really want to go to Paris.  However, I do not want to go knowing only my English language and saying "you're what the French call les incompetent".  Step 1.  Order French Rosetta Stone.  CHECK!  Step 2. Do it.  CHECK.  At least I am already through Unit 1!  Step 3. Save, save, save because traveling is not cheap!

5. Attaining my CrossFit goals is high on my priority list. My plan of attack is to attend 3 to 5 times a week.  Right now I can go 5 times a week but I know once my events for work begin I will do good to get in 3 times a week.  The second part of my attack is clean eating.  We are slowing incorporating paleo-type eating into our diet, which means less grains and refined sugars.  Not sure we will ever go 100% paleo but you never know what the future holds once we start seeing the benefits!

CrossFit is really agreeing with Mr. Fitness.  Hot damn!

6. As far as Jamiegurumi, my Etsy site, goes, I really really want to get this going.  Is it too much to handle right now? Maybe.  I'm going to check out a book this week at the library called Crafty Superstar. I guess that is my first step. The second step is making a decision.

I'm also working on some things around the house.  Big surprise, I know.  My main focus will be our bedroom.  Not that this goes in the bedroom, but I've been wanting to makeover this cute little footstool I bought at a thrift store when I first moved here. I think it was $6.  I finally had an epiphany tonight on what fabric I wanted to use and I already have it on hand!  Now if I can only find the darn staple gun.  Maybe, I should resolve (hate that word!) to be more organized. LOL.

I wonder what I'm gonna look like when she's finished with me?

Things to do in 2011

Okay folks!  You know how much I love resolutions! Last year I didn't like the word resolution b/c it also meant failure to me -usually.


Drum roll please!

1. Finish this. I started it last year but it's some intense crocheting people!

2. Go here.

3. Or here.

4. Or maybe here.

5. I have several goals for CrossFit.  Here they are:

Bench 145 lbs max; Squat 200 lbs max; Deadlift 300 lbs max
10 unbroken, unassisted pull-ups

Be able to do "man" push-ups

Fit into a size 8 (with consistent attendance and clean eating)

6. I've been thinking about my Etsy site.  I still would like to open the store.  It's time consuming, of course.  And there's the whole "no one will buy my stuff" part.  So, I have to really think about my goals and reasons for doing it.  So this resolution is really TBD.

7. Blog more.  I can't give myself a more quantifiable goal here. If I say blog daily, that would freak me out too much. I can't commit to doing anything daily unless it's eating, sleeping, and showering. Too much pressure!!!!!

8. And once I finish #1, I plan to start this love quilt for our bed:

Okay, I guess that's it.  Seems a bit daunting but we'll see where it goes!  What are your resolutions?  Give me your top 3!

oh baby....

I just can't stop laughing when I see this. That dad rocks! And by the way, that is the first time I have listened to that song in its entirety. Chad showed me this video a few nights ago and I woke up with this song in my head! OHHHHHH NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

So Mr. Fitness and I have been doing CrossFit for three weeks now. I can already tell a difference in my body. My massage therapist, Jenn, said she can tell my entire back and arms are getting stronger!

I'm still struggling with the met-con stuff but I just keep at it. It kills me but I know it will be over soon and I don't quit! I will finish.

This week, we had to determine our one rep max for three exercises. This is so we can do a program called 5-3-1 on strength days. It's pretty simple yet complicated at the same time and I'm not about to explain it here. So just to sum up my workouts this week:

Bench One Rep Max: 90 lbs

Squat One Rep Max: 125 lbs

Deadlift One Rep Max: 235 lbs

So for the next 4 weeks and really for the next year, my strength training will be based off of percentages of those numbers. Good thing I have Mr. Fitness and my Coach to explain all this everyday!

I was getting a little stressed over getting everything ready for the Holidays but Mr. Fitness helped talked me through it last night.  He is always right when it comes to this.  It's all under my control.  I do put too much pressure on myself so I decided to not pull together a few Christmas present crafts and only focus on two of them.  The terrariums will have to wait.  

I am really looking forward to seeing my family and friends in Alabama over the Holidays.   Then, when we come back to Florida we will see more friends and watch the Capital One Bowl on New Year's Day! Yah!

And speaking of New Year's Day, I'm working my list of resolutions, I mean to-do list.  Some of them will be carried over from last year (oops!) LOL but that's okay.  Again, sometimes I put too much pressure on myself and realize I need to focus on two big things versus 10 small ones.  Or, that I was not really thinking straight when I thought I wanted to pursue my MBA.  lol

Here's a few photos from our walk on the beach last weekend.  The weather was great.  Of course, we decided to go when it looked like a storm was coming but it made for some cool pics!

Mr. Hotness

Windy!

Bonk Ur Junk

Okay so I've been trying to figure out how I would post on this blog and the workout blog site with my WODs and not let this blog become completely lame and boring. So, I think I worked it out that I would post my workouts once a week in one post. That way I will have a log of my weights and times and can blog about the other stuff like decorating, crafts and island life!  My friend from high school, Jen recently lost a ton of weight and posted weekly bikini photos until she reached her goal!  I'm not that brave but I did take before photos in my bikini as Josh the Coach recommended, but those will NOT be shared. I guess this could suffice as a before photo.

I'm still crafting away on some Christmas presents. Considering its only a few weeks away you would think I would be further along but I think I work best under pressure! I see some long crafting nights in my future!

I've been seeing a lot of terrarium how-tos on all the decorating blogs I go to. On our recent trip to Michigan we went to the Botanical Gardens and was completely inspired by their Cacti Garden. I love the texture and colors of succulents and seeing how this is pretty much the only plant I manage to keep alive, I really love them! There were succulents everyone!

So, now, I've been inspired to make a few small open-air terrariums (for succulents) as Christmas presents. Here's an example from a Google image search:

I bought a new laptop and haven't uploaded camera software or any music from my old laptop yet.  I'm lazy.  So these are the only photos you get!

And finally for a bit more random Jamie, I pulled a 200 lb deadlift the other day and I'm so happy.  It's always been my favorite lift out of the three (bench and squat are the others), so I was just elated when I realized it was 200 lbs!  Now the met-con (fast cardio stuff) that I have to do sucks a$$ and I despise it but that is what helps in weight loss so it's a love-hate relationship. Really just hate-hate.

Mr. Fitness was telling me about the paleo diet. A lot of CrossFitters eat paleo. That's eating like a caveman.  No sugar, salt, grains or dairy.  Only meats, fruits, veggies and some nuts.  Also known as "oh hell no"! by me.  There is a website that does a 30 day challenge, where you eat paleo with zero cheating for 30 days.  You don't get on the scales at all during the 30 days.  I do find myself thinking about it.  Maybe in January as a kick-off to good health.  I dunno.  It's so extreme and I did the extreme diet a few months back and I don't know how long I can live without cheese.

But you can have real bacon on the paleo diet and I could still eat grapes and watermelon.  So maybe.

Speaking of the paleo diet, here's a text conversation b/n Mr. Fitness and I today:

Mr. Fitness: I felt like captain caveman at lunch. Don't be surprised if I club you over the head tonight. (after he a ate a paleo approved lunch today)

Me: lol that's hysterical and don't b surprised if I yank that club from u and bonk u in the junk! I'm a modern cave wife.

WOD 12.01.10

Well, I completed day two of CrossFit Fundamentals Training and WOD!  Apparently, I have a few bad habits that developed back in the day when I was doing powerlifting that I need to change for Crossfit lifts.  One thing that Josh, the Coach, said to me was that I was thinking too much.  So, I need to remember to only focus on one thing at a time and eventually my body will learn the move and it will be like second nature.  So much to learn!

Again, I was tired after the warm-up and Fundamentals Training.  For warm-up, we row 500 meters on a Concept 2 Rowing machine, then 8-10 reps of 4 exercises: a pull, a push, abs and air squats - THREE TIMES!  Oh my word!  Then, the workout begins.  This really takes things to the next level, mentally and physically!

Here is a before photo - right after the warm-up.  A little tired and sweaty, but not too much and I'm still smiling!

  Here is the after WOD photo:

That workout was no joke:

I did 3 rounds for time of the following:  5 thrusters (which we learned how to do that day).  This move is like having a bar across your chest and then you squat and then quickly push the bar over your head! It took me 10 minutes and 22 seconds. And that was with encouragement being yelled at me from Josh the Coach and Mr. Fitness.

Like this,



And then 10 burpees after that.  Here's a burpee:



Of course, my burpees looked nothing like that. They kind of looked like a beach whale decided to spazz out on the beach and then jump and clap with his huge flippers. Oh it was horrible and my knees are all jacked up and bruised from it.

But it's fun! LOL - I think I've lost my mind.

WOD (Workout of the Day) 11.29.10

So yesterday was our first day ever in a box. A box is CrossFit lingo for a gym. It was really cool and intimidating as are most things that are new to you. And yes, it really kicked my ass. I remember doing CrossFit when I started this blog about 2 years ago and I remember it kicking my ass then too. But you know what? It's still fun and it's still worth it. I was tired and my legs were ready to give out after the Fundamentals portion of the class. And then, Josh, our CrossFit Coach, says, "OK let's start the workout!" I was thinking "WTF!?! Oh heck no!" but of course I smile (or really wince) and tell myself "Jamie, you can do this!" And guess what? I did! I almost thought I was going to throw up and pass out at the same time but I did it! Heck yes! Vance, my bro-n-law, told me there's a CrossFit saying that goes "Our warm-up is your workout!" Dude, I believe it.

I had to fill out three fitness goals I want to accomplish next year.  I could really only think of two but added losing weight for the heck of it.  Yes, I want to lose weight but it's kinda a given that will happen on this program.

1. Lose more weight :o) even though Josh said not to put this
2. Participate in first triathlon in May at Disney
3. Do one pull up. Pretty much every CrossFit workout includes pull-ups so I need to be able to do them.  Right now, I will be doing modified versions like ring rows or using bands to help me until I can do them!


So, today is recovery day. Oh boy, it has been tough. I tripped down the hallway at work every time I got out of my chair. My legs aren't cooperating! I received a text from Josh asking me how I was doing and he suggested I go for a walk to help put the blood back in my muscles so I did. It will be interesting to see how tomorrow night goes! Legs don't fail me now!

WOD 11.29.10 1/2 "Cindy"
As many rounds as possible (AMRAP) in 10 minutes of
5 ring rows
10 sit ups
15 air squats

I did 2 rounds plus 5 ring rows plus one sit up.

Hey-OOOOOOOOO!

Our box! Image via www.operatorcrossfit.com.

Oh the weather outside is....COLD...

image via polyvore

Well, it's not exactly cold now, but it will be where we're going....Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Our flight is at 6:50 in the morning so it will be a much needed coffee drinking morning.  We are visiting our friends Dan, Andrea and Jacob who moved from South Florida to Michigan over the summer.  Mr. Fitness keeps asking me why we are visiting them in the fall/winter and not the summer!  Ha!  Well, I'm thinking the same thing.  We miss our friends and it was just good timing to see them now and have Thanksgiving with them, like we did last year.

Andrea called me Sunday to tell me they will have a cold front coming through and the high will be in the low 30s and snowing!  Whoa (in my best Joey Lawrence impression).  It's 80 degrees in South Florida.  I finally bought a coat and a fleece sweater today!  Fortunately, the Treasure Coast had a cold front a few weeks back meaning it was going to be high 68 and low 48.  I realized I had zero long sleeves in my closet and bought a few for layering at Target.  I hope these things get me through!  I'm actually looking forward to the snow - it's been a while and then I'll look forward to the body scan/junk touching then 80 degree weather in South Florida on Saturday!

We have some cool things to look forward to upon arriving back home.  We are joining a real-life CrossFit gym - Operator CrossFit!  Remember, when I started this blog and I was posting WODs (Workout of the Day)?  Well, we were doing CrossFit in Birmingham just out of house and local gym but this is a brand new gym opening up and it's completely devoted to CrossFit.  They have rings and pull-up bars and huge tires to flip!  I'm nervous and excited!

Here's a video that may explain CrossFit a little more:



Here's to a happy gobble, gobble to everyone - before the hard core working out, right?!

Raising a glass to a nice, relaxing, rejuvenating Holiday.

Cheery-o,
J