BYOC - and more t-pizzle stuff in blogland.

Not sure what to write today - I'm getting a massage afterwork, which will hopefully make me feel a little better about the Chipotle I inhaled ate for lunch today. I'm planning a relaxed evening, but a good workout for the morning. We'll see if I'll be hitting the streets or the gym - its a weather dependent decision.

1. If you could be a cartoon character – who would you be and why?
Does anyone remember the cartoon from the 90’s on MTV named “Daria”? I think I would so be Daria. Sarcastic, unathletic, and occasionally snaps. However – I also could totally be her sassy, ditzy, dramatic sister Quinn, but not quite as mean spirited.

2. Who was your teenage heart throb?
Can honestly say I didn’t have one. Did I miss out?

3. Do you believe being overweight is about a mental obstacle or do you believe it’s simply about overeating/food?
Hmmm. It’s probably a combination of both. I think if I knew the answer, it wouldn’t be such a lifelong battle for me. Everything that I read about the processed foods, the white flour and sugar, the high fructose corn syrup – I believe this stuff is not good for our bodies, although, not critical if enjoyed in moderation. But I also believe that a lot of people have gone through some painful sh*t, and instead of turning to alcohol, drugs (legal or illegal), food can fill a void like those other substances can. With that being said, it would be really hard to eat 10,000 calories of fruits and veggies, and not so hard of bread, pizza, ice cream, etc. Anytime I have a hard day, I don’t exactly (ever) say, “Pass the celery stick.”

4. What’s your all-time favorite song?
OOO! I love so many songs! I’m a music junky! Since I could never pick a favorite, a few in my top 10 are: “God Only Knows” and “Sloop John B” by the Beach Boys, “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey, “Living on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi, “I’m so lonesome I could cry” by Hank Williams, "Life by the Drop" by Steve Ray Vaugh and "Miss You" by Blink 182 and on and on and on. Sorry. Shall I list my whole Ipod or do you have better things to do?

5. Whose blog or comment spoke to you/stuck with you this week and why? This is our “you get to be famous for a moment” without having to follow all the rules of an official blog award question.
I loved Drazil’s feminine product blogs this week, because they made me laugh (it was a crabby, dreary week) and I’m typically that girl stuff like that happens to. Case in point – leaving Best Buy this morning, digging my keys out of my typically empty purse, the security guard is already staring me down and making me feel nervous – and out pops a t-pizzle and it rolls across the floor like a stolen CD. And – I don’t even have a reason to have that in my purse this week. I proceeded to pick it up, jam it in my damn purse, and continue the search for my keys (that were in my back pocket) outside. Not a super huge deal, but still embarrassing even at 27.

I also SO admired Amy W. for putting herself "out there" like she did, and she got feed back from so many people that made me feel not alone when I've had similar thoughts to hers. Also that she was brave enough to confront her feelings - when it could have been easier (i use the word loosely) to attempt to bury them.

611 calories gone in an hour of spin! Not to mention some serious sweat detox! Yeah baby!

I’ll Show You 2 Onion Rings and Question for Y’all

I’ve been silent the past few days. Very busy at work, and somebody gave their computer a virus yesterday afternoon, shutting down blogging and work-related activities. I’ve started week 5 of boot camp. One fun fact is that last Friday I committed to running up to the top of Memorial Park/Soldier’s Bluff in Red Wing, and I did! It felt great! It was tough, but I totally felt like Rocky at the top. It’s a three-mile loop from my boat to the top of the bluff and back, and it sure was FUN to run down! I’ve reached the conclusion that running is a bit easier when gravity is working with you. Now, not gonna lie, I did do a run/walk combination up the hill, as my heart rate monitor was going off the charts. I think it feels better that I said I was going to run to the top of the bluff, and despite cold weather and sleet while running up the hill, I followed through with something I said I was going to do.

Eating the past few days have been less than stellar. I haven’t hit the grocery store, so I’m running low on all the things that provide me consistency in my diet. Staples like bananas, berries, cottage cheese, string cheese, etc. I’m planning on hitting Spin class tonight because I want my 3,000 calorie burn day, and I’ll easily surpass that with an hour of spin. Its one of those days where I feel like I could go forever – I’m hoping that energy carries on until class later.

Fun stories of the day include:

Didn’t pack a lunch today so just ran to the deli counter and asked for a chicken breast and splurged and asked for a side of onion rings. The b*tch at the counter gave me: 2. .30 cents worth of onion rings. I didn’t realize this until I skipped my chicken and went right for the greasy golden rings of goodness, and couldn’t help but think, WTF? Who gets TWO onion rings? It was the universe telling me to layoff the onion rings, chubby. But dammit. And sure. Now I’m fine with the fact I got two onion rings - it would have sucked having that big calorie & fat-laden food journal entry, but seriously? I’m more just surprised by the deli woman and her stingy onion-ring distributing behaviors.

Second story is not so much of a story – but a brief poll.

1) Has anyone taken a Turbo Kick class? Thoughts/reactions?
2) Has anyone run a half-marathon? How long did it take you to train? Thoughts? What program did you use?

Much love for a happy hump day.

Question Fridays - BYOC!

Happy Friday All! So looking forward to the weekend! Even though the weather is not so good, I have a challenge for myself this weekend. We have a boat on the river that we go to every weekend in the spring/summer/fall. There is a huge bluff that has a great park and amazing views from on top of it. My goal is to wake up bright and early tomorrow morning and run/walk up this thing. Its a mile and a half up of all steep hill, and then head back down. I really think its going to be hard but I'm so psyched up for this challenge! The picture below is from up top a few weeks ago (that we drove to the top to get!)

Second portion of this blog is the BYOC - Question part from Drazil's Blog.

1. Do you have any nicknames?
My grandma has called me “Nor Nor” since I was a baby. And she is the only one allowed to do so. Recently, the nickname “Norla” emerged, which is a long story involving AAA giving me a wrong membership card. My pet name from my bf is “Pie” – which also emerged from Norla. Thank you lazy AAA data entry person.

2. What was your “last straw”? The incident/situation that made you decide to get a lap band or commit to losing weight via any plan this time?
Hmmm. I think I am just tired of failing. I really wanted to be “hot” at SOME point in my 20’s, and I became tired of inaction. Time therefore life, keeps passing and I don’t want another goal to pass me by.

3. What’s your favorite joke or funny story?
Hilarious – because my favorite joke is also Drazil’s. So, now I’m stumped for a new one. Let’s see. Well, two years ago I broke my leg doing cartwheels. The funny part is, I was doing a lot of them and finally bf said, “You better stop that or you’re going to get hurt.” I replied, “Its okay – I have health insurance now.” (As I just had gone about 6 months without it and only had it for 11 days) Sure enough, my next cartwheel was also my last and I broke my leg.

4. If you could be a TV dinner – what flavor would you be?
Ummm. Can I pick my favorite meal in front of the TV? That would be pizza, sugary soda and ice cream for dessert. Otherwise – typically not a big fan of frozen meals.

5. The question we do every week so everyone can be a little famous without having to do an official blog award….what blog or comment stuck with you or spoke to you the most this week and why?
The blog that stuck with me most this week was from Confessions of a + Sized Girl. She talked about how scary change was, and also about her self-esteem, and instantly the next day took some ownership to make a little change in her life. (Blog dates 5/2 and 5/3). I really enjoyed it and thought about it often this past week about why I want what I do and what’s kept me from getting there before. Jenny also commented to me about a lame coworker with a comment that floored me, and makes shake my head about people and judgement.

Have a super Friday! Own it, Love it, Live it!