Been round the world and back again!!!

I have returned from the BIG whirlwind trip to Greece, France (Paris) and the UK (London), with my sisters Nina and Joanna, and my daughter Sarah.  We were gone for 2 weeks and had a fabulous time!  (more about that later!).

Prior to departure - I have to admit - I did falter a bit, but in my usual fashion - can justify everything!  I started spending some of my "monthly" allowance around spring break time and then started the big push to prepare for the trip.  Since I've started my "fitness challenge" at the OMNI gym and have trimmed 15 lbs. off the bod and firmed out some areas that have previously not seen the sun in years.....I sprung for some new swim suits!  I think that purchase was justified.....what do you think?

Then, I purchased some appropriate walking/touring shoes, since my otherwise non- fashionista sister Joanna sent me an email link to an article about not wearing tennis/gym shoes in Europe (a major fashion NO), and I needed to follow that rule.  My purchase of a new suitcase for Sarah was nixed by Mike.  I wanted to replace the worn out duffle she took to China and found (what I thought) was a good deal at the AAA office.  That purchase would have come in handy when the bag started to fall apart in Greece.  We decided to drag it around and will have a major party burning it later this summer!!!

And of course, my exemption of "shopping while out the country" - well, I utilized that all over Europe!  I did buy the obligatory souvenirs - trying not to take up precious cargo space.  I bought a lovely leather bag in Greece and a pair of leather sandals (from the same leather maker).  Beautiful.  And in London, I wanted to buy a "funky" European outfit (more about that later!) - something that I'd actually wear in the States!  Believe me, the old Stacey would have gone nutso.....but the new, improved Stacey didn't!

So, I'm back.  On track.  No shopping.  Looking into my closet, I don't need to.  Even if I get to lose the extra 15 lbs. with my weight loss challenge....I'll wait.  Nothing I need right now....as far as clothing....shoes....purses.  So stores....see ya.....much later!!!

Whatcha been doing??

Hi - I'm back.  I've been working out like a fiend for the past eight weeks - some weeks not taking that coveted "day of rest/off" and doing a seven day workout week!  But tonight, it's my last night before the final weigh in the (yucky) bod pod - which measures your body fat/muscle ratio and is very persnickety from time to time.  Instead of cramming in that last workout - I'm at home on the computer because my body is rebelling against me and I've given in - to a stupid eye infection.  So, working out with my glasses is not my idea of fun and I feel icky since I didn't sleep last night - I kept scratching my eyes until I couldn't take anymore.  So, I will toast to myself tomorrow and continue the work that I've started in the gym.  Besides buying new workout stuff - I'm buying a gym membership for me and my husband!

My blog is going to be about that stupid "Battle Hymn of the Tiger mom".  As I mentioned a few blogs ago - I wouldn't make comment about the book until I actually read it.  Well, I received it from the library last week and ave been reading every night before I go to bed.  I really should have switched my reading routine, because after I would read, I wouldn't be relaxed.....but pissed off.

Amy Chau, the author, drives me insane.  Not only does she generalize the "Chinese way" in everything, she sounds like an uppity bitch, who doesn't have a warm,. compassionate bone in her body.

Now, I know plenty of Chinese parents and kids -I'm related to a lot of them!  My parents, for instance, had definite standards for what we did. And, we knew what was expected of us - and we either did it or didn't.  They mixed the Chinese way with the "western" way - because we live in the western world - not the Chinese world.

OK - enough of that.  Read the book - if you want to be angered.  I read it (most of it) but didn't finish it because it did anger me.  I figured she had her 15 minutes and I wasn't going to waste anymore of my time on her.

More later on!

Forgive me shoppers, I haven't been blogging!

It's been crazy.  Sarah was home for Spring break - kind of.....I mean she strolled in Sunday night (I think classes were done like Thursday??).  Headed to Orlando on Tuesday - back to Fort Myers on Weds., out to Ft. Lauderdale on Thursday; Fort Myers late Friday night - then, oh, back to Gainesville on Saturday.  So, I think we saw her like 36 hours?  And my only "real shopping" excursion was to Target!  Which believe me, can be quite costly, if you know what I mean! 

Then, my great friend Cate arrived from Canada - ready to shop like we were so used to doing when we can get together!  (It has been a long time, since she took three very long years to go to law school.)  So, with my "monthly stipen" on $100 in hand, I hit to the malls.  After careful consideration - combing the internet for what was out there and geez, what do I need.....I settled on some great comfy Clarks shoes - from the awesome people at Clarks Shoes in Coconut Point- to take on my upcoming trip to Greece!  That and a blue and white striped shirt - because hey, that's what is cool with white pants this year, don't you know.  And, my shopping excursion is done!

I haven't missed a whole lot shopping.  Seems like those styles from high school are creeping back again.  And, not really being too fond of them back then, I'm not jumping on them now - since I'm not really the high school clothes kind of girl right now!!  (not even the mother of a high school girl anymore!)

I have been working out.  A lot.  This Fit Challenge is....well, challenging!  In that I'm trying to get my butt our of bed early (which it doesn't really like) and I have been depriving myself of all those yummies (which I don't really like!)  But, I do like working out - discovering Boot Camp, Fight Club, Zumba and other forms of physical torture that are getting this body in some sort of shape.  My core is getting stronger - even if that number on the scale isn't what I want it to be.  I'm working on it.  Like everything in my life....it's a process.  I'm learning to be accountable - in all sorts of ways - and having control.  Control of portions - money (i.e. spending) - oh, what else!  But that morning thing....oh, that's hard. 

My most important purchase has been a new sports bra.  After all, support is good from all areas, right?  I'm there for you!!

It's All About the Clothes!!

Mike and I have been working deligently over the past two weeks -hitting the OMNI Club in Fort Myers doing the "Fit Challenge".  While Mike only works out in the "Boot Camp" - I've been adventureous in the other classes other than Boot Camp - like Fight Club, Zumba and working out with my great personal trainer Wendy. (who picked me because of my grey pumps - remember??)  I have been loving it. 

And of course, you remember that the scale needle (or the digital numbers) haven't moved much of anywhere.  And that's pissed me off tremendously!  But today I have on my skinniest of jeans that I could not zip up three weeks ago - when I decided to throw myself into this challenge!  I bought these (last year!!!) after I lost my weight and before I got lazy and stopped doing anything.  My size 8 skinny CAbi jeans.  And they fit. 

So there.  Even though the scale didn't move.  The prove is always in the clothes!!!  I'm determined to continue and try another pair of jeans that were a bit snug a few weeks ago - ok - very snug.  (so much I put them in the other room for future try ons!)  I'll try those next week!!  (or the week after.....)

As I was working out the other night - doing Fight Club and working my legs, I took a look at those lovely things my sisters and I call - CHEN thighs.  Something we inherited from our dad's side of the family - and something that has always driven me crazy.  Now mind you - I can always hide my CHEN thighs in the right clothing - there are always forgiving things you can do with clothes that make even the ugliest of features look ok.  And I've perfected that to an art - a shopping art!!  But standing there doing my squats in my spandex tight workout clothes - those lovely features stick out like a sore thumb.  A very big elephant in the room, so to speak.  Well, at least to me!  You can can't hide in the workout room - or in spandex workout clothes - that's for sure.  Ugh.  So far to go.

And someday, after numerous Zumba lessons, I hope to find the "inner Latino" in me - and get those moves that my Zumba teacher Rebecca does.  The Chinese genes did not supply me with the ability to move like she does!  I really think Latinos come out of the womb moving like that - to everyone else it's a learned trait.  A few more classes and I hope to move somewhat like her.  The simple fact that when she moves up on the stage with the wind from the fan blowing through her long black hair and when she's done with class she doesn't look like a drowned rat like me.....well....I'm not sure how much hope there is for that!   But I will keep trying.

So, hopefully, I will discover more clothes that were a bit tight and aren't so much anymore.  Because, it is all about the clothes, you know.

Fit Challenge - week two

I've been obsessed by the Fit Challenge and on Monday we had our first weigh-in.  I went in before Monday night's Boot Camp - pumped and ready!  Hopped on the scale - how much did I lose?  Nothing.....Nada.....zip.  Three days of Boot Camp, one night of Fight Club and two nights of Zumba.....nothing.  Watching what I've been eating and not drinking (ok, two light beers - that I recorded in my diet).  Really????

But, the proof is in the clothes (of course.)  My clothes that fit tightly here and there - don't so much today.  And that food baby growing in my belly - not there anymore - it's starting to go away.  The need for those control top undies, not so much these days. 

It really pissed me off that the scale numbers didn't move.  Really.  So, I pushed myself hard in Monday's Boot Camp.  Determination!!

I worked out with Wendi, the personal trainer tonight, who said she requested me to work out because on the day we came in to meet the trainers, I had some great pumps on.  Yes!  A fashion diva - she recognized me!!   I told her I loved extenuating my height by wearing pumps - and starring people down or in the eyes.  We had a great workout - aiming at twice a week.

Now that winter is gone from Southwest Florida - I'd love to buy some new spring items.  I'll be packing away those few warm items I have - won't be needing them for a while!  But, as I pull out the "summer wardrobe" - I will probably feel like "oh, that's new!" for now - so that will probably hold me for a while.  Hopefully.

And my friend, Cate, is coming from Canada in the next week.  We haven't seen each other in years and we always shop together - since we have the same taste in clothes!  We are planning a day at Coconut Point - just wondering how that will go.  (I do have my "reserve" to use - from January and February and March!!!
Keep you posted!

In the meantime, I think the only thing I really need are some good sports bras.......for the "girls"!

See you in the gym!!! 

My new obsession is working out!

I haven't had the urge to shop - staying away from the temptation does help a lot!  I have been very busy at my new commitment of "The Fit Challenge" at the OMNI Club in Fort Myers.  Mike and are on the "celebrity team" - they couldn't find any celebrities, so they asked us!!  Ha!  We are into day three - the first two days I did the "Boot Camp" - which used to scare the heck out of me - but I love it!  It's an intense 30 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of specific target areas (shoulders, arms, legs.....you get it).  The trainer tells you what levels to be in and counts you down in intervals.  It was a great workout - fast, intense, effective.  Loved it. 

Tonight I did the Zumba class - it was also great.  I've taken Zumba elsewhere - and it was also a great fast, intense workout.  The electricity went out twice and we kept moving until it came back on!  Another great workout (and I burned more calories than I took in!)

Tomorrow - I'm hitting the bag!  Going to try the Fight Club - like the training for the UFC fighters.  I'm excited to "picture someone's face on the bag" - who should that be???  Haven't figured that out yet!  (but I have an idea!!!)

So, other than really needing some new workout things - I'm not obsessing about buying anything.  If I don't see it - I don't need it.  Or I don't want it?  Hmmmm.......

Carry on......

  

Each day we learn something new!

I met with some awesome people the other night – we were gathering to celebrate the birthday of a dear friend who turned 48 (it’s her year – the Rabbit!).  She just found out that she has breast cancer and is facing a battle ahead of her.  In a whirlwind week, she discovered that she went too long between checkups – she’s been so busy at work in her PR firm here in Fort Myers.  So, her 6-month follow up checkup turned into 18 months – and now she’s rearranging her schedule for trips to see her team of doctors at Moffit and her upcoming surgery schedule.  I truly love this woman – we have been friends and PR colleagues for over 20 years – through new jobs, new husbands, pregnancies, births, toddlers, children, teenagers, deaths of friends and family – the whole gamut.  Through it all, we try and get together every few months for lunch, drinks and of course, coordinating our jobs together via sponsorships, participating in all events that we are working on! 

When we all gathered to celebrate her birthday and tell her how much we support her – I looked at all the people in the restaurant – people that I’ve known and worked with for so many years – people who I’ve shared so much with over the years.  We talked about things we were working towards – a cruise to Alaska with our spouses, weekends with our friends, just enjoying life here and there.  We talked about how we work and save to someday enjoy the fruits of our labor.  While we sip our wine and eat our fabulous Norman Love chocolate cake, we resolve to “not worry about the crazy things” and focus on what’s really important.  Our family, our health and being happy.  Funny, my father always said, "As long as I have my health, my family and (of course) food - I'm happy."  IAgain I say - my father was such a wise man. 

I resolve to not to be “reckless” – with money, my health, my family and friends!  There's just too much as stake and so much to lose!  Hugs for everyone.