Day 20 of 6 week Mini Challenge

OK, so I kind of forget I have a blog anymore. Being on the BLENDS and Torch site, I basically 'see' most of you there and so I forget about this. Mini Challenge basically going well. I've had a rough week with lots of family stressors, so of course, I've dealt with that with a few cheats. Its funny, I KNOW eating stuff won't make any of the issues go away or even better, but yet it's how I deal with it. My mom is the same way. She's been having troubles too with everything thats going on, so she said all she's been doing is eating. I feel bad for her because she and my dad worked so hard to lose that 20-30 lbs and now she's gaining it back.

My grandmother (Oma in German) has not been doing so well. She is really weak and keeps falling for unknown reasons. She was put in the hospital, had multiple tests run but nothing was really found. She is using a walker, but still her legs give out. SHe lives upstairs and my Aunt and Uncle live downstairs. My Aunt has been taking her food up to her and helping her whenever she needs something. But now, my Uncle found out he has a bladder tumor. He's in the hospital right now finding out what exactly this tumor is and what needs to be done. Now, my Aunt has to take care of him, so I'm wondering who's taking care of Oma? It's all a big mess. My cousin has MS and this is her dad with the bladder tumor. She runs the business but her dad has helped with accounts, ordering supplies, etc (they are both Master Electricians) and she says if something happens to her dad, she is basically finished because she cant do it all herself. So, now she has extra stress from worrying about her dad and this tumor and also struggling with the business. It's not good for her to have so much anxiety and stress and I'm afraid she will have an MS exaccerbation due to it all.

My mom is worried about what will happen with Oma. She said that she can't stay in Germany to help her. I think she could, but she's afraid to leave my dad alone. I could do it, but I'm not sure if FMLA would cover a relative in a foreign country. Then, theres my job, my house, and Boards that I have to take again this upcoming year. Oma told my sister-in-law that she's afraid she wont live long enough for us to get there in 3 weeks. I'm afraid this Christmas and this 2 week visit to Germany won't be a happy one as it normally is, although last year was somber also since my sister-in-law's mom had just died a few weeks before we got there.

Yeah, so there's my recent life in a nutshell. Even though there is all this 'stuff' going on, I've actually managed not to totally blow this mini challenge. Workouts have really been going nicely. My new workout partner shows up on time every morning and it's been nice to have someone try to push me to lift heavier. I can tell a difference in my arms, but still there's a layer of fat keeping the definition from popping out. I need to really concentrate more on my cardio. I've neglected it, I mean I'm doing it but not to the degree of intensity as I normally do. I bought a cheap little elliptical from WalMart the other day, so I'm also able to do and have been doing extra cardio after I get home.

Anyway, I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends.

6 week Mini Challenge -- Day 2

Well HEllo!! Yes I do still have a blog!!!! WOW!! Well, up until now, I've really been slacking off terribly!! Well, Jennifer (dreamcatcher) and I have decided to rectify that situation on both our parts. So, we have a little 6 week mini challenge going on. Why only 6 weeks? Well, because thats how long I have to get my ass in shape before heading off to Germany for 2 weeks at Christmastime!!

OK, so let me explain why I *have* to do this: we go to Germany every year. Every year I gain 5-8 lbs during that 2 week stint. I KNOW I will partake in the Christmas bakery items and chocolates...I KNOW IT and I'm not denying it. So, with that said, I *have* to be in the best possible shape before going in order for me to enjoy with the smallest amount of damage! When I get back on January 2nd, I will restart on the 3rd to finish up a challenge (or restart a real one.)

So, yesterday went great and I didn't cheat. Today went superb again, and no cheating! YES! 2 days no cheats and off to the 3rd day! I am determined to make this the best 6 weeks EVER! I have a new workout in my arsenal and a new diet created by Muscle and Fitness magazine in order to "Get Lean/Build Muscle" all in the same 10 week program. Well, in 6 weeks, I hope to see a HUGE difference. Workouts alternate weekly, one week is a get lean workout, then 2 weeks a get big....then back to a get lean, 2 weeks get big (so on and so on.) One body part per day, 30minutes of cardio 5 days a week (I'm doing 3 days of biking and 2 days HIIT treadmill.)

OK, here are my beginning stats and I'm proud to say, I have not stepped on the scale since Sunday and plan on keeping my butt off of it until next Sunday!

Stats as of 11/5/06
weight: 145
bf%: 20%
waist: 27.5
hips: 37.5
thigh: 22.75
calf: 13.75
bicep: 11.75 slightly flexed

Come on Jennifer, lets get this party started and see where it can take us. OH, did I mention that if we do, in fact cheat, the other has the right to implement a punishment only to be determined on the day of the cheat (makes it kind of scary that way!)