pixiglittrpants’s BodyBlog

I’m ba-ack!!  Did you miss me?  You didn’t even know I was gone?!  Sigh, story of my life…

So Tahoe in April is absolutely perfect!!  Where else can you go hike up a snowy mountain for five hours (impressing not only the guy, but his friends, though I feel bad because I think I held them back… I was still less pansy than one of the chicks who actually lives there, though!) at an elevation difference of 3k feet, ski down it (SO much fun), and then go to my favorite beach afterwards and lay out since it’s around 65 degrees by the lake!  Incredible, I tell ya… it’s the beach where that one bikini shot is taken, but all the mountains in the background are all snow-capped!  Friday night was mellow watching "No Country for Old Men" - pretty good, but graphic!  Saturday we biked around everywhere, had a fun picnic, went to a couple of waterfalls (I thought of you every time we went to one!), and went clubbing at the casinos at night.  Fun fun fun!  Today is the last ski day of the season so it’s supposed to be a huge party, but unfortunately because of our schedules (he has to work, I have a wedding to go later) we had to miss it.  Overall, though, it was way too short but so much fun!

Though I surpassed my biking goals for the month (I’m at 130+ miles because of yesterday’s ride!), I unfortunately am probably not going to make my running goals (I’m currently at 48 and can’t foresee myself doing 30+ in 4 days).  I’m disappointed about this, especially since I ran 70 last month, but I guess I didn’t take the vacations (with 4 substantial hikes!) and tingling/numb feelings into account.  It’s fine when I bike, but when I run and lift it’s a whole other story… very frustrating to say the least.  I saw my doc and I’m getting a CAT scan (hrm, I think that’s what he said) for it… send positive thoughts that it’s nothing too serious!  I’m tempted to go to the gym today after the wedding… we’ll see.  Missed you guys! xo

Happy Earth Day, lovers!  Let us make daisy wreaths and put them in our hair as we frolic in the fields with our hemp clothing and dreads.  Or… let us throw away that piece of litter on the street, same diff… Camping was pretty fun, though we did get in a bit of a squabble when he challenged me to go on this one dangerous (to me) section of a trail.  I’m pretty sure I punched him afterwards as I kind of teared up, but those details get a little fuzzy   I made it up to him, though!

So I decided to take a holistic approach with this nagging ache (not so much numbness anymore, but awful left back pain that I can’t even sit with proper posture) and sought acupuncture (also attributed to the fact that it’s going to take over a month to see an orthopedist or neurologist - thanks managed care! *thumbs up*)   The guy I went to actually came highly recommended not only by a couple of coworkers, but a couple gym buddies that are avid Ironman triathletes who, if telling me that eating turds would make it better, I reckon I would try it.  He did a combo of acupuncture (and that electric stuff that makes it wiggle a bit (hee, or as the beautiful Ms. X put it - the jumper cables), heat therapy, and massage therapy, plus discussed my imbalance on the left side because of all the knots and stuff up the wazoo.  He also said I look great, definitely in shape, and was surprised I wasn’t a triathlete considering my upper body build, so whether that was a ploy to sign me up for sessions or not - it worked!   After the treatment, it wasn’t exactly “OMG, it’s a Christmas miracle!” healed, but I do feel somewhat better.  I’m going to give it a few more sessions to see how I like it, but I definitely dug the massage aspect… thanks for the recommendation, lovely GJ!

Not sure what the week’s workouts will be like since I don’t want to get injured for Tahoe (he wants to go on a hike with a 2-3k elevation difference, which is somewhat exciting, though daunting, for a sea level creature like myself) this weekend, so I think I’m going to keep things mellow both in cardio and weights.  I managed to run 3 yesterday before it started to really hurt, and feeling it out from Tuesday-Thursday before we go.  The awesome news is that I dropped 3 pounds since getting braces!  Plus I’ve been eating healthy since I’m paranoid that the Invisalign will trap sweet remnants that will stay in between and rot out my teeth no matter how much I floss.  So I figure if I keep this paranoia in mind, I might get into the habit of eating better after all.  Taming my cookie monster side - now THAT would be a Christmas miracle!

So I do think that Juls and Suzy are onto something regarding nerve issues.  I did light weights Thursday and I felt tingly but it wasn’t too bad, rested Friday, and ran 5 miles at the lake today (super frustrating I had to cut it short because I had so much crazy energy but the bod just wasn’t having it), followed by light weights again today (both times torture tempo workouts).  As I ran it was definitely noticeable in my lower back and where the sciatica would hit, and when I lifted I felt it near my shoulders (near my spine).  Last time this happened a few years ago, I had to rest for a bit, so I think I’m going to try another day or so off.  I might have to accept the fact I won’t make my running goals for the month, but I’m not going to give up just quite yet. 

I got my Invisagrillz (copyright Curt James) yesterday!  A couple friends (guys) said it hurt, but to that I say they’re pansies! ;)  It’s maybe a 0.2 on a scale of 10, and more annoying than anything (plus I drool a lot lol).  However, because it’s such a chore to take these suckers out (plus brush/floss my teeth whenevet I eat something), my snacking has been cut substantially.  Add this to the fact that people can’t see them unless I point it out and grinding of the teefus has been eliminated, and I’d say it was a good investment.

Thanks, too, for all the caring (and funny) messages with the guy situation… he ended up writing back, but it ended up being so drama that it’s not even worth it to get into.  The moral I’m taking away from it (and beaten into me by my friends) is that I’m too nice and I need to be less trusting.  I really want to have faith that most men aren’t so conceited that even the slightest smile from a chick means she wants him, but I guess I have to realize that some men are like that!

Anyway, if all goes according to plan, I’m going to sleep under the stars tonight for a mini-camping trip (to “force” me to rest, the guy is awesome ).  So I hope everyone has a great weekend and an early Happy Birthday goes out to my Wonder Twin!!  Thanks for the laughs and love, buddy, and I hope you have the happiest birthday tomorrow that Shiteholeville has ever seen!

I gave some coworkers the wrong information in an email, to which a coworker caught and corrected it.  So I attempted to take a self-deprecating way out of embarrassment with an "Oops!  Not all brain cells are awake on a Monday, sorry!"  This all transpired yesterday (Tuesday)… nice!  No wonder my Wonder Twin singles me out with trying to get a joke!

Anyway, hello my dieselicious friends!  I’m bummed to say that my left side has been all tingly and numb lately (maybe a 2-3 on a 10 point scale, like when you hit your funny bone), mostly in the back of my left hand, arm, back, booty, ham, calf.  When I stretch it my hips are super tight on that side, so I think that could be the culprit since I didn’t stretch out a couple times (at least for the lower half).  I’m going to try and lay off a couple days to see if it goes away.  I tried to sleep in today, but still somehow found myself at the gym at 6:30.   Such an addict… plus, I always find reasons to justify going (i.e., I’ll beat work traffic, I’m making it up, my body will atrophy, etc.).  But if anyone has had experience with this, let a chick know!

I did manage to run 3 Monday and 4 today (35 total, 45 more to go), and biked 16 Tuesday (43 total, 57 to go), plus did bicep/shoulders/chest on Monday and tricep/back/abs yesterday.  My weight has dropped back down to 120 due to some mindful eating (i.e., more whole foods, less treats), but I really need to focus on more protein (still kind of a runner’s diet, though I’m definitely getting better at having protein in every meal).  

Oh!  And this guy at the gym asked me for my email (we’ve talked here and there and I’ve seen him around for 4 or so years), and without thinking I said, "oh, for what?" since we don’t really talk about running or anything.  He said to just talk while he’s away for the week, so I said, "oh, okay, I email gym buddies all the time, sure!" and told him I’d email him when he gave me his card.  Despite my friends warning me not to because he was probably hitting on me, I also didn’t want to be a b!tch and not do what I say, so I wrote him an email that just said hi and hope you have a great week.  Well he wrote back and it was super flirty and he called me beautiful a bunch of times, so I figured I’d put the kibosh on it and said I don’t want to flatter myself, but I also don’t want to mislead him but I have a boyfriend and I just email gym buddies as friends.  He never replied back!  Geez, serves me right I guess… but still!  Kinda rude in my book…

Holy Africa!!  It’s been 90 degrees or so all weekend… conducive to laying like a worthless lump at the beach, but not so much fun when you’re trying to run in the morn and it’s already 80!  Add that to a nerdy allergy attack and pulling something in my left leg on Friday (plus being a nasty, profuse sweater… I’m convinced I was accidentally given two sets of sweat glands while someone out there has imploded from lack of sweat glands set), and I was a huge mess… I managed to run 6 today, but might sneak in another run in a couple of hours. 

So I think it’s fairly common for people to people watch, but I’d have to say it’s one of my favorite activities!  Gym people are interesting, but the beach brings out such a wider array it’s awesome.  I genuinely get happy when little kids look like they’re having the best time, I think it’s amusing when guys pick up chicks (and vice versa!), and I’m envious of the people who have the guts to just lay out in the sun and have no qualms in the world about what people think!  My absolute favorite today was when this curly-haired blond 2-year old was running around and totally fell in the sand.  He started to cry for a bit and his mom was like, "are you okay?" to which he started crying a little louder as he shook his head no.  The mother then said, "can you shake it off?" and the little kid nodded yes, flailed his chubby-wubby arms slightly, and stopped crying!!  SO cute!

Did all the weights workouts for the week and up to 28 miles for running.  Need to step it up with running this next 1.5 weeks since there have been talks of the guy and I mountain biking and doing some serious climbs/hikes in Tahoe the last weekend of April (hence, "losing" 3 more running days opportunities though I’ll get biking in).  My plan of attack for the week is bicep/chest/shoulders tomorrow with a possible bike, run 6-7 miles Tuesday, tricep/back/shoulders with bike Wednesday, run 5-6 Thursday and legs that PM, rest Friday, and long run (10-12) Saturday.  Might break up the weekday runs between morning/after work, depending on time/weather.  Have a good week, everyone, and super safe travels go out to Stormi and CapitalJay!  I’ll miss you two!!

Happy Birthday, Lifting V-Taper!! I hope you have a great birthday weekend!

So TGIF, party people! This week has been a rather hectic one at work and with the Hawaiian trip mess… I managed to get my Hawaii fare back and SW even comp’ed me with a free voucher, but because of that whole freakin supply and demand thing, I have to cough up an additional $500 to go there! My friend’s wedding better be the bomb… like I better have an entourage of diesel male fire dancers around me at all times and tending to my every need and want… or something!

PLUS, the guy is travelling! So, as the Trixters say, my "domestic cardio" has been scarce and I’ve been checking out guys moreso than usual, both with higher frequency and less selectivity! Some people get beer goggles… I get no action goggles.

So I know it’s not an excuse, but because of said week, I’ve definitely emotionally eaten more than a handful of times (salty over sweet things, when it’s usually the opposite, usually at work), and my weight has skyrocketed 1.7 pounds extra (heh, drama queen much?). The "good" news is that I still kept up with my workout goals - I did bicep/chest/shoulders yesterday (pretty weak sauce, dropped my weights a bit), have ran 6.5 miles Wednesday and 4 today bringing my total up to 22 (58 more to go!), and biked 5 miles yesterday and 12 today so 27 total since April (73 more to go!). I’m planning on tricep/back/shoulders and legs tomorrow, perhaps a dusk run, and then run and/or bike Sunday.

Have a fun weekend, everyone!

Ack!!  I leave for a few days and this chick sneaks a birfday on me!!  Belated Happy Birthday, gorgeous lady!!  Hope it was a great one

Sedona was AWESOME!! This is by far my favorite pic out of the whole trip of a ‘hanging rock’:

The guy found this after we did a little bit of off-roading and wandered on some trails. What was hilarious was that it took five shots because he put the camera on the edge of another cliff, set the camera on timer, and ran before the 10 second snap of the shutter. So for the first four shots, there’s one where he’s mid-jump or mid-run, about to sit down, etc. while I just sit pretty.

So my family loved the guy! He and I flew in to Phoenix on Thursday night, drove over to Sedona on Friday and did some off-roading and hiking, and met up with the fam at the rental house for dinner. The house was awesome - three bedrooms with each couple having their own bathroom, and a hot tub that the guy and I made use out of each night after some grueling hikes! And just in case you were worrying, don’t fret - he loved the thong bikini (as he put it - “any bathing suit where the tag is bigger than the back is amazing in my book!”). Plus, the first time we went hot tubbing on Friday (uh, where he filled out the questionnaire, NB! ), we saw 8 shooting stars, one of which was so close and bright directly above us!

Saturday, we went on a family hike in the afternoon, where my stepdad was totally impressed by him with how he coached not only me, but him and my brother’s girlfriend (my mom waited near the bottom because though she is super afraid of heights). Had lunch at a super yum place, and the guy and I went off on our own again to do more off-roading and a bit of hiking where that picture was taken. He definitely tested my nerves on this one section where we were scaling down a wall, and I was super freaked when I slipped, but luckily he caught me and, admittedly, I do feel pretty badass having accomplished something beyond my comfort zone. He also took some beautiful sunset pictures and awesome picturesque ones, which I’ll compile in a photo album to share with you guys when I get my stepdad and brother’s pictures, too. Here are a couple of fam ones taken by the brother (and yes, I know my mom’s a MILF at 54 and that my stepdad is awesomely fit at almost 60… and look, it looks like I have boobs! )

Saturday night was more hot tub fun, though we only saw 2 shooting stars… or planes. Sunday morn he had to leave, so my family and I went on a hike (flatter, but lengthier and I challenged my mom the way he challenged me and she definitely felt kickass when she made it up a steep, rocky section to the top!). Had dinner at the best Italian joint in town, and had movie night. Monday everyone slept in, and did a bit of shopping where I bought a super cute top for the summer. All in all, I hiked 3 miles Friday (lots of uphill and downhill), 4 on Saturday (lots of hills, downhills, and climbing, and 5 on Sunday (flat and "safe" but definitely tiring). I’m definitely rearing to get back to the gym tomorrow!!

I will catch up with all of you as soon as I get my tush home, but I hope everyone had a fantabulous weekend and I missed you much!!

So for real, who needs this "roids" stuff when daily life can rage you out all on its very own!  I made reservations for Hawaii in August under ATA, and while I was at the gym today glanced up at the TV and read that they filed for bankruptcy!!  So now I’ve been on the phone for awhile trying to get this changed, and it looks like I might have to cough up an additional $600 to go because the reservation I made going to Hawaii is non-refundable!!  W!T!F!  

I’m trying to calm down because hopefully they’ll be able to refund me, and it won’t be too bad if I get credited because I use SW all the time… but still!!  All this waiting on hold stuff infuriates me since I’m super impatient.  PIXI WANT TO KNOW NOW!!

*smooths hair and wipes rabid spit foam from corners of mouth* Fantastically, furious typing kinda made me feel better!   So, uh… hi!  I’m not sure how much I’ll get to go online for the long weekend, so I figured I’d recap this week already: I completed both upper body sessions and light legs, biked 10 on Tuesday (90 more to go!), and ran 11.5 since 4/1 (3 Tuesday, 2.5 yesterday, 6 today, so 68.5 more to go!).  I increased my carbs to 58% yesterday and felt tons better today, though I was heating up with a quickness.  Of course the hypochondriac in me thought, "Oh man, I’m starting menopause and getting hot flashes…", but I’m thinking it had more to do with the fan not working behind me.

Anyway, I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend!!  It will definitely be interesting to see how the fam and the guy  get along!

First and foremost - Happy Birthday, Beautiful!!!  May this revolution around the sun bring you much success with personal training and fun motorcycle trips.  Hot eye candy that can keep your attention a plus!

So I’ve already learned my first lesson of the C3 Challenge - only 1.5 servings of grain-type food is no bueno!!  I completely bonked at mile 2 today, and what is usually easy-peasy sustainability at 6.8 mph felt like a struggle/sprint at 6.4!!  So lesson learned, I either need to eat rice/couscous at dinner before a run, or top off my tank with half a bagel before I go to sleep (since I run at 5ish and like to run on an empty stomach).  The cool thing about eating only veggies (okay, con queso… but I did stick with the 50/30/20 rule!) and fish was that my stomach looked flat and amazing this morning!!  But, I’ll choose running over aesthetics… at least I’m a quarter done with biking, though (biked 16 yesterday (C3 started yesterday, I think?  If not, I can make it up), and 10 today)!  

I also did bicep/shoulders/chest yesterday, and light legs today, which I’ll put in the workout tracker.  Everything for the legs except the adductor and abductor were single legs, thus the light weights… my physical therapist a long time ago said I should do more isolated exercises per leg since my right leg is stronger and more dominant, as can be seen with my tighter and more defined right calf (uh, thanks dude, like I needed another thing to be self-conscious about! ).  Looks like tomorrow morn workout is cancelled since the guy and I are meeting friends tonight, but I’ll try to make it up either at lunch or after work tomorrow.  Then I’ll work out Thursday morn and it’ll be time for SEDONA!!

Hope everyone’s week is starting off splendidly!!