Sunday, September 21, 2008

The Big D, Desperate Measures, Larry Boy, Et Al.

Hello there. I feel like it it has been a while since I've had any quality writing time here on this ole blog. Honestly, the Big D and all that accompanies it seem to take up quite a bit of my mental energy these days. That and the usual distractions of life tend to keep me away more than I like. However, I'm in need of a good mental purge and that requires transporting a few of the things inside this cluttered brain OUT and...well...into your cluttered brain, I guess. Sorry about that. I have a feeling it may be a long and incoherent ride, so proceed with caution.

First off, I've done the unthinkable. Those of you who know me in real life may want to brace yourself for this announcement. I wouldn't want to be held responsible for anyone getting hurt...by say...falling off your chair in shock. It really is shocking. Are you ready?? For ONE WHOLE WEEK I have abstained from any and all carbonated beverages. Except for about two ounces of Root Beer that I consumed during a weak moment at the soda fountain on Friday. But I don't even like Root Beer that much so I don't think it counts. Can you believe it? I can't, I honestly can't. It was an experiment of sorts to see how it would effect my weight loss efforts. Honestly, I'm not sure it is something I can make stick forever, and I'm pretty sure I will be having a small carbonated beverage (by the name of Coca-Cola) shortly after my weigh in on Monday, but it is good to know that I can do it and I probably will do it (abstain) a lot more in the future. But definitely not when eating pizza or popcorn. Because that is just sick and wrong.

Self control is HARD, people.

And healthy food is kinda boring.

And did I tell you I started running? I think I may have mentioned something about that in the bad attitude post. By the way, my attitude seems to be doing a little better. Anyway, back to the running. In an effort to revive my dying metabolism I have resorted to some desperate measures. Eliminating carbonated beverages definitely fits into that category. As does running. However, the running I'm actually starting to like. Oops, sorry I didn't warn you guys about that one...I'll wait while you pick yourselves up off the floor. I can't believe I really said that out loud. Yikes. I've been attempting to gradually work up to running a straight 30 minutes. This past week I got up to 4 minutes running/2 minutes walking alternating for 30 minutes. That may not be impressive to many of you, but for me that is HUGE.

You may have gathered from Nana's Birthday post that William has a slight fondness for Larry Boy these days. I can't even begin to tell you the depth of his love for Larry Boy and how cute I think it is and how I want to buy everything Larry Boy and give it to him just to see his face light up. I haven't actually done that, because 1) I try not to give my kids everything they want and 2) Larry Boy things are hard to find. I did find some printable coloring pages online and can I tell you that he has spent HOURS coloring them since then. I am not exaggerating. And the care with which he colors them? Melts my heart. It's as if he's had a coloring transformation. He has never been big on coloring. If he colored at all, he would use one color, scribble a little bit and be done. This is how he colored the Larry Boy page.


Multiple colors. In the lines. A coloring transformation, I tell you!

Hmmm. Let's see. What is there left in my brain to bore you with? Oh, yeah...piano lessons. Richie has recently started taking piano lessons. This brings great joy to my heart. Or it did until I realized it was going to take quite a bit of supervision (ie. effort) on my part as well. Oops, that was a bit too honest wasn't it? Actually, I really am happy about it, but I'm also sure there will be a special reward in heaven for Moms who patiently endure their child's piano practice. And that's all I'm going to say about that.

I'm about to wrap this up. Really. I must tell you that I was able to meet a sweet blog friend in person this past week. I attended a baby shower in her honor. She just adopted a gorgeous baby boy. It was wonderful to meet her and I only wish we could have spent more time getting to know each other. I didn't get any pictures. It seemed just a bit awkward to interrupt her shower for a bloggy photo shoot. However, you can hop over to say "hello" and see her precious new addition here. Congratulations, Kara!

Lastly, I feel like I should address the rather glaring addition to my blog. Over there to the right. Honestly, I'm not sure what to say about it except that I've heard good things about BlogHer ads, feel like they advertise tastefully, and I thought..if I can make a little extra money by simply doing something I already do...why not? Hope you all don't mind!

That is all for now. Thanks for your rapt attention...or distracted skimming...whichever one applies.

28 comments:

Denise said...

okay, first i too have considered adding some blogvertising! seriously why not make money for something we already do.

and i have friend who stopped drinking soda, and he lost 13lbs!!!
that is a lot of lbs. now, go out and buy some good earth sweet & spicy tea, use 5 bags to make ice tea. alana it's so yummy, and satisfies my soda craving.

i am impressed with the running 4 whole minuets! high five!!

Kate said...

Running? For four minutes straight. I would DIE! You go, girl! Very, very impressive.

Kate

Heather C said...

Joel and I did a running thing last summer... intervals, brisk walk, then run... gradually inching our way up. We never got to all out running steady (without the intervals) because he broke his toe and that was the end of it. Now he says he always hate it, and doesn't want to run. I'm much too unmotivated to go out on my own... but maybe... just maybe you'll inspire me :)

Love you!

Heather

Mrs. Gray's Class said...

Are you planning on offering lessons on self control - the longest I've been able to go without soda is 4 days and I thought the world was coming to an end. I'm so over my post, post, post, post, post baby body - I'm ready for WW!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the soda!

I know that was a tough one for ya. I pray you see the results you are wanting.

Honestly once you get past those first couple of soda free weeks...you don't really miss it.

Both in the calories, your teeth, and your wallet!

dawn said...

Kudos to you, my friend. Giving up coke is not easy and I am trying it myself. As I type this, I want one and I didn't even want one before. Ugh!

Jimmy says that the run/walk interval training is the best. Keep it up!

Colored With Memories said...

Isn't dieting frustrating! I've been so good for about 3 weeks now and am disappointed that weight isn't just falling off...you know, like it did last decade! sigh.

I love the coloring transformation.

And, welcome to BlogHer!

Michael J Joseph said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Amber said...

Ok I don't normally post on blogs of people that I just blogstalk and they don't know me in real life But I met you at Kara's shower (very briefly) and have been checking your blog (linked from Kara's)for a while now. (: So when I saw that you are trying to run - I also am desparately trying to get back on my routine- I thought that I would pass along a program that I absolutely loved when I was being healthy and all that last spring. It's called the couch to 5k program. Here is the link if you are at all interested.
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
It was nice to meet you!
Amber Wallace

Janelle said...

Publishing companies, giveaways, running, no soda, now blog ads. Who are you?

Whoever you are, I sure love you!

I'm Tara. said...

Hellloooooo...not sure if you remember me, but I used to come visit your blog every now and then. :) So, I need to say Way To GO on the working out and the Big D stuff. Sounds like you are doing great!! I'm about to start my Mini-Me Friday updates again, so I'm with ya. I love the coloring, by the way. Larry
Boy is not a bad guy to obsess about.
p.s. - I just bought a stove off of your sidebar. Thanks for the tip. KIDDING!! I don't mind at all.

BethAnne said...

Wow! Giving up Cokes is major (Even if it isnt forever). I gave them up a few years ago and have stuck to it ever since with a few exceptions (Disney has the best cokes in the history of EVER). What helped me was those little packets of flavor to add to water....makes the transition easier I think.
Good job on the exercise - wanna come over and help motivate me???
Also, tell me how you make money advertising on the blogher thing...not sure how that works and can you choose who they advertise for????? Do you still have my email?

Sarah Markley said...

yeah. i totally gave up the diet coke thing too...argh!! two weeks and counting with that. =)

Jerri Lynn @ Southern Sassyness said...

Hey there! Ah, the BIG D - yuck! I feel your pain, girlfriend! It is not ever easy, but so worth it in the end!

Did it take a long process for the blogher ads?

Sara at Miller Moments: said...

Good for you on the soda thing! (have you tried using just club soda with lemon or lime??? YUM-O!)

AND, speaking of piano lessons, I'm the idiot who promised Shira I'd give them to her myself. After all, I used to do it for a living with OTHER people's children, right? What's so tough.

Uh. yeah. right. PURE. TORTURE. I so lack patience now.

Carissa said...

good job on the running - and the drinks. i'm impressed. but then, you always impress me!

Weeksie50 said...

I haven't drank coke since May it is hard.. but it does get easier..

I have ads on my page but no one really ever clicks on them.. I think I have made 36 cents..

Jackie said...

Congrats on giving up the soda! You can do it! :) And I am RIGHT THERE with you on running, girl. Well, maybe a little behind you since I slacked off last week and just started up again this week. But it is amazing to me how quickly our bodies can adjust to something we used to shun with a passion. So glad there are others in this with me!

Julie said...

Hi Alana! Julie from Kara's shower. It was so great to meet you in person. I've been a "blog stalker" for awhile now. Sorry, I know I should comment. I feel your pain in the quitting soda dept. I love coca cola and not sure that I could survive a single day without it. So proud of you for going a week. Great job on the running too. I think interval training (run/walk/run/walk) is much harder than just running. You're heartrate fluctuates so it's much harder. Love your blog! Keep posting.

Shelley said...

Oh my darlin', I know how hard it is to give up the coca-cola...and now, like dawn, I want one too. However I shall refrain, because this poor stomach of mine is just starting to feel a bit normal again. How many pounds do you think I lost today, since I only had 500 calories? Whatever it is I have to say, it wasn't worth it.

PS, my favorite part of this post was the tiny writing about the root beer. You crack me up my friend.

Kara said...

Hey Alana - Thanks for throwing a shout-out to me on your blog. I so loved meeting you too and feel the same way as you about wishing there was more time to chat and definitely wish we would've done pictures. What were we thinking?

Way to go on the coke thing. You are a brave girl.

Xandra@Heart-of-Service said...

The diet thing..yeah. Been there. But the running thing? You must be smoking crack. LOL! I would blow a lung if I tried to actually RUN!

I had to laugh about the piano lessons too. Nathan was just telling me this morning that he really wants to take lessons, and I think it's time to find a teacher. We can suffer through together!

Xandra

Lisanne said...

First of all, I'm *so* sorry that I'm incredibly behind on blog reading. I feel like I haven't been by here in forever! :(

Second ... holy crap, no carbonated beverages??? You go, girl! I sure couldn't do it. Carbonation is one thing that I don't think I could ever give up. Yes, I think that I'm addicted. I only drink diet pop, but I know that it's still bad for you.

Earen said...

Hello friend...so, I haven't been blogging or visiting for awhile. I hope you're doing well though! I'm SO, SO proud of you for your hard work on eating & exercise! Way to go! Keep it up!

Kelly N said...

You go girl with the running! Look at you! I will definitely have to hop over to Moddy's blog since adoption is our thing, too. Thanks for your post :)

Lynn said...

Girl, it was so fun to read what has been going on in that head of yours. I am SO jealous that you got to meet Kara and her sweet new bundle of joy. That's just awesome.

Love the coloring...Larry Boy is quite cool.

Congrats on all the new health decisions...great motivation for the rest of us. I don't drink soda (except when eating pizza or popcorn...you're right, that's just wrong), but running....I.hate.it. Way to go!

Kristen said...

catching up on blog reading...

good job on the running - WHOOT WHOOT!

giving up soda - i need your self control. i have cut myself off to two a week. the day i run errands and one day on the weekend. i only drink fountain soda so that made it easier to avoid the temptation until they put convenience store in a half a block from my house - ARGH! i am proud of you.

morgan just started piano lessons - it is painful like when they first start to read. she is definitely motivated so we hear the piano all.the.time. i am sure there will come the time when i have to force her to practice.

if you can make some $$ doing the advertising go for it.

Tiffani said...

hey sweet lady, I loved reading this...I'm so proud of your efforts because honestly there are days when all I want is something cold and carbonated (by that I mean Dr. Pepper)...so kudos to you!!

My son took piano for several months before his teacher got hitched and ditched us all *sniff* and I agree about it taking up my time too...

Oh, have you ever heard of Jeff Galloway?? I think you'd like his approach to run/walking and I love it for myself...his website is very helpful it is www.jeffgalloway.com

Keep up the good work my bloggy friend...scoring Larry Boys, abstaining from soda, and progressing with running...what an accomplishment!!