Sharlott’s BodyBlog

I made the mistake of treating hubby to some kung pao chicken and mixed veggies with a side of wine as a little celebration for him taking the sales position.  We now have what an e-mail I received this morning describes as "Wine Flu". lol  We’ve been cutting down on our alcohol intake for fitness reasons so it doesn’t take us long to get tipsy anymore. Needless to say we’re not functioning to well today.  This doesn’t mean I won’t get my workout in. I managed to find some P90X files on the internet and was able to print out my schedule.  I really haven’t given this plan a real shot so I know I’ll have to do it over again.  I feel like I almost shouldn’t do recovery week next week because I didn’t work overly hard the last 3. 

I’m thinking about starting a fat burner again.  Just for fun really.  I’ve been off anything for a while so I think my system could use the jolt.  Last time I tried Xenadrine Extreme FX and that was such a waste of money.  I’ll have to do a little more readin up on some of the ones I"m interested in to make sure I’m spending my money wisely. 

That’s all I’ve got today, nothing too exciting happening.

Honestly I might as well just open up a 10lb bag of sugar and just open wide because it seems to be all my brain wants anyway.  Between stress and PMS I’m not sure who’s winning.  I think the stress is bringing on a severe PMS to be honest with you. 

Hubby accepted the sales position he was offered though at a lower wage then he expected.  The lower pay is definitely justified since he doesn’t know the product he’s going to be selling so he has alot of work to do. He wasn’t crazy about the idea but it’s more money then he’s getting on EI and that works for me.  But it’s a small office with great people which will make up for the lack of big money until he can prove himself.

Hubby mixed up a batch of what I’m calling "Kitchen Sink Soup" lol.  It seems to have everything but the kitchen sink.  Chicken, potatoes, tomatoes, green peppers, onions, garlic, chicken broth, all blended up into a thick goop. Yum! 

It’s almost official, my computer at home has crashed.  We have to get a friend to fix it up so we can get back to normal operation.  Normal operation being my P90X workouts. I managed to remember yesterday’s workout but I can’t for the life of me remember tonite’s……I have the memory of a hamster. 

My computer with all of my P90X stuff on it is on it’s last legs.  I’m hoping hubby managed to fix it last night because I have no idea what I’m supposed to be doing today workout wise. lol I think I was supposed to get up and do cardio this morning but there was no way to make my computer play nice last night.

New progress pics are up and I’m mostly happy.  I say mostly because I should be so much further right now but I have to stop thinking that way.  Hubby is getting an offer this morning for a sales position and I’m crossing my fingers that it’s a good one.  Maybe then the stress that is effecting my over all well being will get lost.  With Christmas 6 weeks away it’s starting to look like everyone is getting my Kaluha gingerbread cookies for gifts.  SO not a clean eating recipe but no one cares and really…..neither do I. lol

I think I’m going to learn to rant in spanish just so I can go crazy on someone over the phone and they will have no idea I’m calling them a sexist pig. lol

I work in a male dominated industry but I didn’t feel the discrimination until 2 years ago when I moved up to sales.  Yesterday I had the pleasure of speaking to one of our customers who likes to dish out said discriminaton.  I should know by now to pass him on to someone else right away and in all honesty if he was a customer that purchased alot of material from us I would grin and bare it because I know I will be putting on what we call the "hemroid charge" then I can giggle about it later with my boss about how much I ripped him off. (at the same time if he was a regular customer I wouldn’t have this problem) But no, last year this jerk bought $4800 and after yesterday I think I brought this year’s total up to $1000. Go annoy someone else for $1000. Anyway.

To make a long, ranting story short it ended with him asking to speak to "one of the guys" because we all know guys will bow down to other guys and in my office that’s how it goes.  So once again I look like the sales person who isn’t capable because I have a vagina. 

Now how does this all translate to working out you ask?  Yesterday was yoga.  I hate Tony’s yoga DVD. It’s sad but true.  An hour and 30 mins of my head touching my butt just doesn’t work for me. However I managed to get through the first 30mins.  (hey I tried) I was actually doing pretty good until it started to get monotonus and I started to pay attention to the time. Then my mind became unclear after I had spent the first 10 mins clearing it and I was angry all over again. 

Tonight I’m going out to a movie with a girlfriend. I could use a little more estrogen in my life.  It’s supposed to be back and legs tonight but that will be moved to tomorrow along with cardio X in the morning. By the way my speed bump biceps are still hurting today. LOVE IT! 

I experienced my first drop set while working my biceps last night and I think I broke them.  They feel like they’re going to pop out of my skin, though I’d rather they look it. You know the large, flat-ish speed bumps that are put in parking lots just so they can say "Look, we have speed bumps"? That’s what I’ve got. Flat-ish, speed bump biceps. Anyway, last night was another P90X workout with the uber psyco Tony Horton and I brought it.  I was feeling some frustration after seeing my account balance and receiving another bill in the mail so my body took the brunt of it all.  Though hubby did receive his first E.I. cheque I was still stressed.  The PMS doesn’t help either. Never mess with a broke, PMSing woman by the way.  Unless you have mint filled chocolate and riesling wine, I have no use for you right now. lol

Hubby is getting the color put into his tattoo today. I’m super excited. I’m sure I mentioned this before but we got similar designs, his on his chest and mine on my back.  This is his outline, as you can see the wings are more rounded to fit the chest better. I’m pretty sure his coloring will be the same as mine but you never know. Our artist will probably do some subtle differences just to keep it slightly different.

Tonight’s workout is Yoga.  I hate yoga and it’s going to be even harder with my speed bump biceps pulsating but I’ll try my best.  Stupid sun salutations……..namaste this Tony.

Hubby and I are back on the P90X waggon.  There has been promising news of him getting a sales position with a company in a similar industry to my job.  We won’t know for sure until Friday.  We’ve also been in contact with the unemployment office and his cheque should be through this week (cross your fingers) All of this means our moods are getting progressively possitive and we can actually stand the ridiculousness that Tony Horton puts us through.

We have started the P90X Doubles program in hopes of fast tracking our results since we’ve missed so much time. I go back to Dominican (for business and pleasure) on January 14th and I want to be ROCKIN the beach.  I have a month until the Pounds for Cancer contest with work is at a close and I really want to give it my all for the next 32 days.  Eventhough I’ve slacked for the last 2 months there is still a VERY good chance I could place.  Unfortunately and fortunately (for me) ALOT of the people in my company only made it through September.  Even with my sporadic workout hours I’ve managed to loose 1/2 an inch off my body. So what I think is minimal work could be enough for me to win something. It’s sad really. lol

Tomorrow is Rememberance Day, or Veterans Day in the U.S..  For a long time this day has been extremely unrelatable.  Seeing men and women in their 80s being honored never really hit home for me.  In the last few years however this day has become more and more relatable as more and more of our soldiers die. So even if you don’t attend a service, give a moment of silence for those we have all lost and give thanks they were born in the first place.

We’re always getting ready to live, but never living. - Ralph Waldo Emerson, writer

I stumbled across an article regarding artificial sweeteners that I wanted to pass along to everyone, especially the newbie’s.  The bottom line is, substituting real sugar for the artificial variety isn’t always the best choice. Did you know that Aspertame can effect your joints?? I’ve seen it first hand.  Trade the diet pop for some water and Crystal Lite and you’ll be a much happier, but still sweet, individual.  Take some extra time to click on the related features as well.

http://www.besthealthmag.ca/eat-well/nutrition/are-artificial-sweeteners-really-safe

Now speaking of sugar, how do you know how much is too much? Apparently the average Canadian consumes about 16 teaspoons, or more then 1/3 cup, of added sugar a day.  (in the related features of above article) Meaning the non-naturally occuring stuff.  Obviously sugar isn’t bad in moderation (forever moderation right? lol) but most times when we think we’re cutting back, we’re not.  If you’re trying to cut back, keep your eye on your little 100 calorie packs.  Sure, they’re only 100 calories but do you need one every day?  Do you really need it at all?  I for one have one week in every month where I desperately need something sweet but I’ve started freezing my yogurt.  Though fat free yogurt is another culprit for added sugar by the way.  Take a look at and tell me what you see.  Consume the full fat version, it honestly won’t kill you.  It’s not deep fried yogurt.  You’re ok.

All I’m saying is take a look at your "diet", see if there are some hidden sugary items you weren’t fully aware of. Or maybe you were aware but disregarded them because they said "100 calories".  These "diet" foods can do more harm then good my friends and if you and I want to see our svelt middles, they are best avoided.

Now, step away from your child’s/sibling’s/nephew’s/nieces/ halloween candy bag, put the mini oreos back in the cupboard, grab an apple with some PB (natural of course!), and be on your way to a less artificial you!

I love Canada.  I love Manitoba. I love my dinky little town and I even sorta love my white trash neighbors because they are a constant source of entertainment. (remind me to tell you the story of when I saw their 3 year old pooping outside. Good times)  What I don’t love is my usless government employees at the unemployment office.  Someone must have realized that it was their 15 minute donut break when they received my husband’s unemployment claim and failed to notify us that his employer filed the wrong form.  Luckily we caught everything (hopefully) in time for processing this Friday but that is completely besides the point. I understand they don’t want us to file for employment insurance but at least give us ALL of the information so we can help ourselves!  Rant complete.

Stress bites.  Stress is making me fluffy eventhough I’ve been living on homemade P90X soup for the last 2 weeks.  (it’s a money issue not a fad diet. I’m smarter then thatlol)  Since we had to deal with yesterday’s government inadequecy (I don’t care if I didn’t spell that right) my workout was postponed.  I just read on Tony Horton’s twitter account he has worked out the last 16 days in a row. 16!! For shame on me!!!  I told hubby we need to channel our frustrations into our workouts.  I’ve wasted enough time, my tattoo is generally healed so I can break a sweat without hurting anything. 

I’m pumped!! I’m in. Let’s do this.  Pour out the stress and negativity and fill myself up with happy, non-drug/alcohol induced, feelings. lol

Life has been a little stressful lately and being able to workout this week would have probably helped but the tattoo is still healing and I want to make sure it does so without too much stress.  I think I’m going to have to start back at square 1 of the P90X Doubles program.  This month I definitely did not give it my all. November 1st is the new start date and working out will come first until I complete the 90 days. 

Hubby still doesn’t have a job and we’re still waiting for his unemployement cheque to arrive while he "pounds the pavement". He has been taking some odd jobs which is helping to ease things.  I feel so helpless when it comes to his stress.  There’s nothing I can do to make him feel better. This weekend we’re going out to a Halloween function, costumes and all, so I’m hoping it will take our minds off money for a short while. 

I’m starting to feel "fluffy" but I’m sure it’s all in my head for the most part. I was just starting to get the definition in my arms I’ve been looking for, but I know in the back of my mind that a week won’t hurt. However I also know I haven’t been dedicated enough for P90X to really bring out my potential.  BRING IT! hahaha We’ve been eating alot of soups lately which is fabulous because it’s been getting chilly here.  As long as we keep the diet in check, the fluff I’m feeling should be gone in a short time.

I hope everyone is well and Happy Halloween!! Stay away from the candy bowl…..lol