the apple

ldelray: lawl, lawl, lawl, lawl, lawl!

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:41:39 -0400

lawl, lawl, lawl, lawl, lawl!

I like to stalk celebrities on people.com and inspire myself to...

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:48:06 -0400

I like to stalk celebrities on people.com and inspire myself to try new workouts.

I know that I’ve been terrible lately, you guys, but we just finished up with the last wedding of the season and finals week and graduation are RIGHT around the corner. Time ran away from me. But now it’s time to get back into the swing of things — more insanity, more time walking around the wheat fields, and less cake and foods that resemble cake! Yesterday Chelsea and I spent some time at the REC, but I find it incredibly hard to focus in gyms. I do my 40 minutes on the elliptical and various free-weight exercises, but all of the machines and tan greek’s in million-dollar work out gear are intimidating. That, and I don’t feel comfortable doing high-knees and butt-kicks and jumping jacks and high power cardio moves in front of large crowds. I love my videos because they give me a sense of direction. I can start and stop my workouts knowing that I’ve accomplished something good.

I’ll be in touch soon. Have a lovely dead week!

First of all, I love that the Starbucks on Stadium Way is Coug’d out. This brings a smile to...

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 23:08:13 -0400

First of all, I love that the Starbucks on Stadium Way is Coug’d out. This brings a smile to my life. Contemplating breaking in and stealing this for Britton’s future man room in our some-day house. And really, I can’t believe that I’m graduating in THREE WEEKS.

I headed out of the wheatfields on Friday afternoon for one of my childhood friends’ wedding. I can quite honestly say that it was one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever been to in my life. The bride walked the aisle and lit up the room. There were smiles everywhere, you guys. But, needless to say, this threw off my fitness regime (again). Being home means scheduling catch up’s with ten different people and wedding planning and long talks with my cat. Workouts cannot take priority during these times, but healthy eating can! I skipped out on the Easter basket treats mama put together for me and opted for lean meats and soups and lots of strawberries. Also, I’ve learned that on days that I can’t make a full workout fit into my schedule that I can use an extended version of the Insanity warm-up. Just a quick way to get my heart pumping for 15-20 minutes.

Jog: 1 minute
Jumping Jacks: 1 minute
Butt Kicks: 1 minute
High Knees: 1 minute
Log Jumps: 1 minute
123 Heisman’s: 1 minute
Mummy Kicks: 1 minute

Repeat 2-3 times

I know that this is 1) blurry and 2) low contrast, but I felt like I haven’t really posted...

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:50:00 -0400

I know that this is 1) blurry and 2) low contrast, but I felt like I haven’t really posted any “progress pictures” because all of them turn out looking so nappy. I woke up this morning and I was like, hey! What’s up stomach? This has never been a big problem area for me, but when I gain that Pullman winter weight there is usually more to pinch that I’m comfortable with. Since I started these workouts/eating better I am 10% less bloated then usual and have definitely lost a little bulge from the front belt line.

Ankles are still busted — so today I did my roommates 50 minute Shakeology workout. Really good strength training, moderate cardio, amazing ab work — really hoping to feel knotted in the stomach tomorrow morning. I feel really guilty having to to take time off Insanity, but I wouldn’t want to freak my ankles out for the remainder of the two months I have left. I honestly just feel amazing to be getting in the habit of working out EVERY SINGLE DAY. I can’t say that I’ve ever felt a daily need to exercise until now. I’ve upped my water intake too! The squeezy Smartwater bottle has been amazing. I told you, I really like sucky tops.

I really wanted to post the entire video becaue it is just so...

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:14:27 -0400

I really wanted to post the entire video becaue it is just so perfect — but the bad language wouldn’t have set well with certain people (hi mom!)

This is lady mantra, you guys.

Had to take another day off of Insanity to do the 30 Day Shred — my ankles are still rather...

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 22:58:19 -0400

Had to take another day off of Insanity to do the 30 Day Shred — my ankles are still rather displeased with me. It’s still a great workout! My arms feel like jello. And more over, I’ve realized how much stronger I’ve become after two weeks of jumping around like a maniac! The first time I ~~went through~~ started the 30 Day Shred my roomate and I were panting and shaky and walked down the stairs of our complex like we were injured monkeys. I am still not at boss level with the side lunges, but I don’t take any more breaks with the shred, and I feel more powerful than I have in years.

Basically, I’m crazy excited for this new journey my body is on. Eating better, getting moving at least once a day, drinking more water — I am more dedicated, sharper. God, thanks for giving me a healthy body in the first place. I intend to take better care of it.

blueberry-blessings: i like to sweat — no, really you...

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 02:22:41 -0400

blueberry-blessings:

i like to sweat — no, really you guys

So, I was almost through my entire second week of Insanity — but tonight my ankles started to...

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:55:17 -0400

So, I was almost through my entire second week of Insanity — but tonight my ankles started to feel like they were giving in. I still can’t find the perfect shoe for this program, and I am really not liking doing jumps on this carpet. I guess I will have to power through, but I’m not loving it even though the workout is AMAZING. I tried my Nike Free’s and wound up with some pretty awful pain running through the balls of my feet, and my running shoes absolutely screwed up my ankles. I need to do a little more research to confirm that it’s the shoes and not the carpet dealio. I got through the warm up of today’s plyometric cardio circuit and had to stop so I wouldn’t do any damage that would set me back further than one day. I think that I am going to do the 30 Day Shred workout tonight since its a little less stressful on the body.

Also, I need to figure out a workable diet plan. Being so limited on time with all of the school and work and wedding planning has not done wonders for my eating habits. I don’t eat terribly, I seriously don’t, but I don’t do a whole lot of extra moving around minus walks around campus and my Insanity workouts. Diet is what? 70% of the battle? And I really want to see some muscle building in these next few weeks. All I need is a system to keep me accountable, or a freakin’ partner to do this with. Going it alone is not always easy, despite online support. Blog friends only get you so far.

Anyways — hopefully I can figure out a way to do this program without destroying my lower body. Cross your fingers friends! I really want to get through all 60 days!

Photo

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 01:00:47 -0400

This is how red I get during workouts. I know, great face. And awkward fist. But in all of the...

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:22:20 -0400

This is how red I get during workouts. I know, great face. And awkward fist. But in all of the other pictures I took to show you how red I am, I look like an old lady. The exhausted face does not suit me well, you guys.

During my weekend at home I did not make time to stay on program. I was too busy celebrating my brothers marriage and drinking free chardonnay and eating really delish foccasia. But guys, get this. I only used one butter ball. You should be thumbs up to the screen right now because I really could have used more. INSANITY! Yeah!

So, needless to say — I dropped the ball a little bit, but it was worth it to maximize time with my families. Britton and I needed some quality time with those crazy kids. I also got to include them in my new Planet of the Apes phase. I’m really into chimpanzee’s right now. But we don’t need to expand on that right now, I’m supposed to be telling you what’s going on with my health and my workouts and all that good stuff. So, because I missed a few days I decided to start over with the first plyometric cardio circuit. I didn’t feel right going straight from lazyness to the “cardio recovery”.

I’m really hoping that this program goes well. I’ve realized I really need to start following the diet because a) I don’t have any energy without meat, which I am far too lazy to cook most of the time without a game plan and b) I have to lose this weight. I tried on a pair of shorts from last summer and went back to that dark place where everything is wrong and I will never be able to gain control. I’m ok though. I know that at the end of the day, God designs are perfect. When I lose trust in His plans, I harden my heart to beauty. This program, whether it “works” or not, whether I am capable of finishing or not, is going to teach me to be disciplined. Lezzzz do this.

these are a few of my favorite things, and american idol

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 01:58:17 -0400

these are a few of my favorite things, and american idol

Insanity: Day 3

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:26:47 -0400

One of the best parts of working out with a program is that when my time is up, I feel like jogging to Dissmores, grabbing something from Red Box and checking out the deals on seafood and produce. Unfortunately, and strangely, the weather in Pullman has been less than ideal for these sorts of things. As soon as I decide — yeah, I think I’m going to go for a run — I step outside, feel the wind push against my inner ear and decide that maybe I should re-consider for another day. Anyways, I believe the real spring is on its way to the wheat fields (fingers crossed) and that there will be plenty of time for all of these extra bursts of energy.

Insanity day three was actually really fun! The tricep moves offered the perfect “cool down” from the cardio, while still breaking my muscles into (soon to be) greater versions of themselves. Like I mentioned yesterday, the jumping might be a tiny bit of a problem for the neighbors. I was considering going downstairs and giving them some sort of warning….or speech about how important this is for my future husband — something desperate and moving. But maybe I’ll wait until the noise complaint is filed. I really haven’t decided. Such a delicate matter.

If anyone who has done this before is reading this — some major questions are being raised. First of all, what shoes should I be wearing? I feel as if there is something seriously wrong with my feet after three days of this. Like they are bruised and broken and very, very upset with me. I’ve been wearing my frees, which were perfect for Zumba, but I do not believe they provide enough support for the plyometrics. Does anyone have any good shoe recommendations they could dish out? And really — let me just point out, even though I’m sure the majority of Insanit-ers (Insanitys? Insanity Freaks? What are we exactly?) do these workouts in their living rooms — carpet sucks. Carpet is not my friend during these workouts. But linoleum is my only other choice, and I am quite certain it would be louder.

Last question and final comment. I know that my form is suffering in these early stages. Does this mean that I’m not making a difference? Is it still a good workout? Are the success stories of the vastly out of shape true? Can form improve over time, if you work at it? I want to make sure that I am not the only Insanit-er who has worried about this.

Well, kids. That’s enough for the day. I’m going to try to make something to eat. And write down all of the things that I ate today. And stare at all of the cool things I bought at the craft store last weekend and decide what to make with them. Oh, and pack. On Saturdayy my brother is getting married to the lady of his dreams and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of the how sha-bang.

Signing off,

Shea

Insanity: Day 2

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 23:01:56 -0400

I am exhausted. I knew that this program was going to be killer. I got through the entire thing and noticed a few different things.

1. I am very bad at it. Everything from my coordination to the form of my jumps. It all blows. But I know that it will get better with time. I know that if I stick to it and continue to push myself and ease into the program, I’m going to get stronger and build endurance. Still. It’s no fun realizing how out of shape you really are.

2. Even though I am bad at this, it still felt like an amazing workout. My heart rate was blasting for the entity of the 40 minutes. Even during stretches. I was sweaty. I felt like a force to be reckoned with. “I will get that t-shirt,” “I will look awesome for my wedding.” Trying to think of some awesome mantras to scream at myself when I feel like I can’t do another jump. Or circuit in general.

3. My neighbors will hate me for the next 60 days. Being on the third floor is no bueno. I am pretty sure I heard a broom slam into the ceiling of the second floor apartment at least three times during my workout. I might have to find a different time to do this — maybe sometime when their lights are out. Must. Be. Devious.

4. I really need to go grocery shopping. I can see why athletic people focus so much on protein. Even this morning, after one freakin’ day of this stuff, I felt my body give me the stink eye when I could not get my hands on a mid morning snack. I don’t think that I will follow the Insanity diet perfectly, but I do plan on using variants of the meals and to pull things out of my Cooking Light book as often as possible.

5. I really need to start forcing water down my throat. How does one do this? I seriously just forget. My schedule is packed full of school, work, workout — repeat. Britton always makes fun of me because I guzzle down all of my water around midnight. End of my day — suddenly very aware of how thirsty I am. It’s a pattern. But it needs to stop. I might need to invest in a fancy water bottle. With a sucky thing. I always drink more out of sucky things.

Anyways, I did take a disgusting photo of my face after the workout. But I won’t show it to you. Not today. Maybe tomorrow. It’s good to see your effort running down your face though, that’s for sure. I’ll let you know how tomorrow goes.

i hate being poor — but maybe at the end of this hell i...

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:35:57 -0400

i hate being poor — but maybe at the end of this hell i will treat myself to some crops

INSANITY

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:07:35 -0400

INSANITY

Hi all — one might say that last year’s experiment epically failed. I mean, if we are talking about eating habits, I am not doing terribly. I don’t snack. I’m not into processed foods minus baggies of crackers on the rare occasion that I do pack a lunch for school. AND I’ve increased my intake of lean meats and veggies after a good long talk with my Mommy Kris — but exercise. Exercise is a problem for me, you guys.

Here is the problem. During the summer’s I work at Home Depot. That’s eight hours a day, forty hours a week of walking around a giant warehouse and taking odd-end lunch breaks that consist of banana’s and Fred Meyer PB&J. Oh — and tiny Tillamook cheese packets. And iced lattes. Way too many iced lattes. But the point is, I slim down in the summers with little to no effort. Come winter time, especially these days where even at work I’m confined to a desk, I really have to amp up the effort to maintain my summer body. And lets get real, I just don’t. After this New Year’s I told myself that things needed to change (again, as always) and so I started the Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred with my roommate. We got through a week and we were feeling pretty good about ourselves, but then we took a couple day of recovery and the workout’s gradually became more and more spotty. I love me some Jillian Michaels, you guys — but after a week or so of the same routine I stopped feeling sore. Even graduating to Level II (which is an ass kicker, FYI) I didn’t feel as if I was accomplishing much more than maintenance. What I need is something that is going to whoop my ass. What I need is something that is going to make me want to throw up. What I need is a workout that is going to run my heart rate up a mountain and into the arms of Zeus. And then, some late night watching a Jersey Shore marathon (oh, yes) the P90X commercial came on and I thought, this is what I’m talking about.

I did a little research and posted to facebook asking if anyone had any success stories they would be willing to share, and was surprised to be pointed in the direction of Insanity by the majority of my lady friends. Using your body as the ultimate workout tool sounded like something my much beloved High School fitness coach used to emphasize when he was starting with cross-fit — and so I went into research phase II. I was willing to pay the whole $120 for the DVD set direction through beachbody, but it just so happened that my roomate’s coworker was selling the set for only $75. I feel as if the price makes it a little more motivational — I must get my moneys worth as a poor college student. Not only this, but I recently dropped a good amount of money on my honeymoon and I feel as if Maui (and my fiance) deserves to see the very best version of me available.

The fit test was brutal. I don’t even know how the next few days are going to be. I am going to say a prayer tonight so that Ido notthrow up.Please, please God don’t let me barf.

I’ll let you know how tomorrow goes — and maybe steal Britton’s computer for some video blogs at some point. Wish me luck!

Admission

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:38:23 -0500

I’m sorry I’ve been so bad. Three day weekends do something to a person. Not only did I have a latte—and two cups of coffee during two consecutive days (I’m sorry!) but I baked cookies, went to Applebees (sin of all sins), and neglected food journaling for something that might, or might not, have equaled up to most of the week. Does this mean the project is an utter failure? No. Does this mean that I have weak self-control? Absolutely.

A new system of reminders and rewards is in the works. After the homework is done I will try to spend a healthy amount of time in ‘list mode’ trying to make this whole health kick work. Food doesn’t seem to be the HUGE problem in this scenario. On the whole I have been quite the wonder when it has come to portions, sugar contents, etc. A regular Jillian Michaels, even. But the exercise? Forgettaboutit. Zumba didn’t officially start until today (which, I missed due to a case of scheduling woe) and so instead of using the blank space to get a move on my strength training or refamiliarizing myself with the student REC…I watched TV. More specifically, I watched Bravo with my roommates, and while this was most certainly entertaining, I have to admit it was not the most PRODUCTIVE use of my time.

I’m determined to make this week a better one. Mark my words. Mark these thought strings. Tomorrow I’ll have a post for you (after my 9AM-8PM death sentence to campus) that will be full of health glory and some sort of tip. Or promise. Something.

For tonight? First paper of the semester. AND probably about ten cups of peach tea to help me through it.

Two sucessful days of logging every moment of food debauchery...

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 23:44:00 -0500

Two sucessful days of logging every moment of food debauchery going on in my little ole’ palace! It’s amazing how helpful looking at everything you’ve let loose down your belly can be. Every time I get tempted to nosh I remember that I’m going to have to write it down and either cut-down, or cut-off. I bought my journal from Barnes & Noble—complete with a full fledged calorie counter, exercise log and index telling you how many calories you burn with which types of fitness (including, but not limited to housework!) This teal one is only $8 on amazon.com. I highly recommend trying the journal thing for a few days, my friends. It could be the solution to a very big problem, or even just a method of realization for how much you’ve been snacking on!

Gear Up, Grocery Man

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:45:00 -0500

Back in the wheat field, and day one of consistent blogging, food journaling, zumba-sizing, REC going, whole-wheat eating goodness starts TOMORROW. January 10th, 2011. Today my roommates and I did (the majority) of our grocery shopping, which proved to be a slight battle of compromise anda little rough considering our options in grocer’s consisted of a tensely picked-over Safeway and the Super Walmart. There was no ground turkey left at the Safeway, and little to no spinach. Hear you me, Walmartis a great place for brand name bargains and discounted cleaning products, but for produce?? Come on people. I’m in the market for some redder-than-red romas, primo-crisp cucumbers and mad awesome eggplants. Wally world is full of squish, and sub-par greens. BUT when shopping on a budget, you gotta take what you can get I suppose—but be sure that for the important stuff, the stuff that accepts no compromise, you’ll find me at the co-op man-handling the good stuff.

I’m pretty excited because this whole project has me on an organization kick. Today my roommates and I set up a cozy little Coffee Bar/Tea Station at the rear-corner of the kitchen that has me pumped to taste test the six different kinds of tea that currently grace our itsy bitsy home. Motivation to ditch the bean because tea boxes are just so colorful and cozy looking all displayed beneath our (brand new!) espresso maker. Tonight I’m going to rummage through the ‘Cooking Light’ cookbook grandma bought me for Christmas and attempt to sculpt a meal plan for the next week. Wish me luck! I’m the all-time worst at sticking to plans unless everyone around me is following the same one—which Ray and The Corn (the roommates) are not. Probably won’t, either (sigh). When I held up a box of whole-wheat pasta today they gave me faces comparable to their ‘I smell a far’ looks and grabbed at the 99 cent alternative so fast that I barely had a chance to explain the benefits! But hey, they do a lot for me, so who am I to complain? I will most likely end up taking a second trip to the grocers for some whole-wheat tortillas, fish fillets and that ground turkey Safeway was so sadly missing from its…meat area? Butchers? Whatever it’s called!

Oh—one more request. Wish me luck with this Kashi Go-Lean cereal. I’m nervous for it. Cardboard has never been a dietel interest of mine.

See you tomorrow!

Commitment Number One

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 04:41:00 -0500

1. Replace all coffee products with tea for one month. All of the stuff in the movies about Seattle-ites being bottle fed Starbucks, waking and ending the day with a piping hot cup of brew, gathering, living and dying over the bean—its all true. At least for my mother, and most other Seattle women that I hold dear over here on the West Side. Seriously, visitors can attest, there is nearly always an eight-cup pot of brew ready in the rooster room. We start and end the day with the stuff, and while its been a great beacon of nostalgia—sort of that go-to comfort stuff that brings you back to home, it’s heavy. I love creamer, which is chalk full of calories and sugar and who-knows-whats AND during this project I need to be guzzling water like a camel (something that I’ve never been too great at). Tea will help this. And, all of those antioxidants? I could use some of those things while the wheat fields pile up with snow. Plus, I always see these pictures of women sipping from their herby mugs, with the long string curving down the side, and the cute little tags wiggling and wish that I was wrapped up in a blanket by a fire-place drinking my own cup of hot tea. There is something really comfortable about that image, don’t you think?

To motivate myself I splurged on some cozy clothes, a new set of jersey sheets and a few candles. I can’t help myself, if I’m going for an image I might as well triple commit, right? Everyone has a something that gets them off their feet—what’s your thing?

Dealing with a low day is never easy. At this moment I feel frustrated. Insignificant, overweight...

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 00:59:00 -0500

Dealing with a low day is never easy.

At this moment I feel frustrated. Insignificant, overweight and alone. I’m not really alone, not really, but sometimes being home only sounds like a good idea. I’m cursed with this ‘the grass is greener’ complex when it comes to the wheat fields versus my parents house. Both are technically ‘home’, but 90% of the time I feel exhausted with the current ‘home’ and ready for the other one—which will inevitably feel just as exhausting after the 10% is done feeling…good. It’s hard knowing that all of these grievances stem from a lack of bible. A lack of prayer time. Friendship with God. I severely dislike admitting this to myself, you guys. I hate that while I’m spitting out gripes to myself there is a louder voice that’s wagging its finger and saying something about how I know what the ‘real problem’ is, and how to fix it and how this all just needs to stop and yatta, etcetera. I feel sick with myself today, you guys and I’m in that 90% and all I really want is to get back to 10% and have some chance to start my life getting back to normal and I have to wait like, 5 more days. 5 more days of plans with people that I really don’t care to see, and of worrying about the new carpet, and sleeping in a bed that has needed a new comforter for about, what? Five years? What? Five more days of fatty food that is digging me deeper into a hole, and five more days of trying to please everyone and of red around my nose from all of this cat hair, and five more days of feeling disgusting.

I want to go to the other home. I want to be where my candles, and my space, and my two very best friends are. I miss being able to escape, you guys. Being a month away from 21 and licenseless does nothing good for your self-esteem, seriously. But in the wheat field I can bus wherever I want to go! I can walk, even. I can keep everything OCD clean and have the constant reassurance of my boyfriend twenty feet away and my roommates talking about what to make for dinner in the next room over. I know, you’re probably sick of my whining. I promise it will stop. I promise to produce something exquisite and wonderful and worthy of the project in the coming week, but first I need that giant million dollar grocery run that’s dying to happen, and a few trips to the rec. I will kick-start this thing, after this horrible day ends itself.