Weight is up...must get on track

About 2 years ago my weight crept up from its low point (135) to what I consider the maximum I'd want it to be...or my "high point" (140). This 5 pound range would allow for fluctuations between time of month, time of day, and dehydration vs. hydration. This "high point" is when I should have become worried and become more focused...but I didn't. I've been lax and over the past year and it has crept up to over 140 pounds...fluctuating between 140 and 145 pounds. In recent weeks, my weight has been as high as 150! This is what happens when one DOESN'T PAY ATTENTION and STAY FOCUSED. 15 pounds can come back. I was down to a size 8. Though I can still cram myself into an 8, a size 10 fits much better. I can tell my face is fuller, too, just by looking at pictures. I still exercise, and my endurance is much better...I just need to focus on diet. I am using the calorie counter app on my smart phone. "IF YOU BITE IT, WRITE IT!!!!"

CrossFit Day 2....

I actually felt like falling over last night...I was sooooo tired. I went to sleep at 9:30 p.m. which is not like me at all. Yesterday's CrossFit workout must have worn me out. WOD consisted of 30 cleans, 50 pistols, and rowing 2000 meters. This was in addition to the usual warm-up (10 dips, 10 push-ups, 10 squats, etc, etc). I also worked on my kipping pull-ups...not quite there yet...maybe get there in a week or two. I did my cleans with 20 pounds added to the bar. I used a "cheater-ball" on the pistols. A pistol is a one-legged squat with the other leg extended. One holds on (barely) to a pole. I used the cheater-ball (a medicine ball) so that I knew when my butt was far enough down. I have never really used a rowing machine. Seems like it was a good cardio workout, along with some upper body workout. It took 10+ minutes to row 2000 meters. My overall time was 18 minutes and some odd seconds. I guess I need to write this down in a journal so that I know what time I need to beat the next time we do this routine. I'm considering converting my shop into a home gym as I've outgrown my laundry room. In my limited free time, I have been searching for some equipment so that I can do this on the cheap/free. Class meets again in 3 hours....I hope I survive.

CrossFit Day 1 :)

After my "introductory class" which left me so sore, I couldn't roll over in bed, I signed up for more punishment. That was two weeks ago. I had to take the instruction course which taught the fundamentals of CrossFit. Class met MWF for two weeks. Yesterday was my first day of actual CrossFit class. We ran. Not a good day to NOT have enough time to run home and change into workout clothes. Lucky for me, I had a compression top in my suitcase in my car. I usually wear this top as a swimsuit; I was just getting back in town after spending the weekend at the lake. My time was 17:30 and we had to run 3 segments with a minute rest in between each. I don't know how long the segments were, but the instructor had shortened the lengths to accommodate the class. That's the great thing about CrossFit, if you can't do the workout, it can be adjusted to allow one the benefit of the exercise while allowing one to "work up" to the full amount/exercise/weight, etc. Any how, he told me that since I beat the other participants times, that I will be doing the full length next time. We'll see what tomorrow holds. CrossFit is now daily M-F with a make-up on Saturday. Did go on a short bike ride last night. My rides will most likely be shorter as evening comes earlier....

It's been about two years since I have blogged. I changed the name of the blog to "New You" as a lot of the information that I share can be used by many people, not just divorced people. I guess I get to keep the URL of "newyouafterdivorce" as I tried about 30 variations of New You, but all were taken. Kind of reminds me of the old SNL skit where all of the internet URL were taken except "clownpenis.fart" If you have any ideas of a good name, let me know. I am still working on body, house and finances (among many other things). I recently started a crossfit training program and hope to post some of my progress (and frustrations!). If any of you are doing crossfit (or any other program), I'd love to hear about it. So far the crossfit program seems promising. There have been times that I have been unable to do a portion of the "WOD" or "Workout of the Day", but the exercises can be modified in order to work up to doing the full "WOD". For example, I am not able (yet) to do a series of pull ups, but have started doing kipping pullups (google it) with a cheater box to stand on. From what I understand, that cheater box is going to shrink as the days go on.

Found away to off-load some junk!

It's been awhile since I've blogged, but thought I'd take a moment to jot down some thoughts about what has been going on. First of all, I had about 300 people for Christmas in the country (open house)--getting ready for this kept me from blogging regularly. It was a good reason to get a lot of things done around the house.
Second of all, I've been doing some cleaning. I found a way to get rid of stuff without having to load it up to take to the thrift stores (you guys know me--I shop at yard sales, but I don't have them...) If you google "Freecycle", you can find a webgroup near you. It's amazing the stuff that people want. All you have to do is post an "offer", to which you will likely receive several responses. Pick one and arrange a pick up. I leave the stuff on the porch, I have yet to have to deal with anybody in person. I've also posted a few "wanted", but haven't had any luck with that so far....
Good luck and happy cleaning!

Recent Adventures in Frugality

Have you ever tried something in the name of saving money, only to find that it didn't work out too well? I have two examples that come to mind: 1) Last year I tried drying out my coffee grounds and then reusing them---the coffee was bitter!!!! Disgusting! The best I can do is pick this up on sale at the dollar store. Lucky for me, I drink Folgers and that is not too pricey. Some may say to just give up the coffee---maybe I'll do that at a much later date :-) 2) My attic clothes line. I do about three loads of clothes/week (jeans, white, colors). I figured that I could save on electricity if I dried my clothes on a line. I used to have a clothes line in my back yard, but this was lost to construction 7 years ago. I decided that I would air-dry my clothes upstairs. Ewww...the towels were rigid and like sandpaper. and the clothes were all wrinkled. I guess drying clothes outside lets them flap in the breeze, thus reducing wrinkles and stiffness.

On a positive note, I bought a tag-along-bike. Jimmy has yet to ride a bike. This hinders going for a family bike ride as he can't keep up on his scooter. I got a good deal on the tagalong; it was barely used---still had the rubber stringy things on the tire. I bought it for half of what they sell for new. I debated for two weeks whether or not to buy it. I decided to go ahead---and that I could sell it for about what I paid for it when Jimmy finally learns to ride a bike.

Tax and Tax savings on home improvement

Sometimes you have just got to run the numbers to see if something will save you money or not, so, I strongly suggest you do that before running out and making a big purchase...but let me tell you about my situation.
After the divorce, I did add on to the house (which costs money) for two main reasons...1) my house was a 2 bedroom house and I have 2 sons who won't always want to share a room 2) I spent an evening in my creepy cellar and vowed I would never do that again.... Here are two (or three?) ways in which I am able to save some with a home addition (Perhaps home improvement with you?)
1) Federal taxes allow for a deduction for a portion of any energy-saving improvements to your property. One just has to make sure the product you are installing qualifies. In my case, the windows applied (energy-efficient), which gave a me a small federal tax savings. Hey, every little bit counts, right?
2) When the old portion of my house was remodeled, the 100+ yr old sashes were replaced with new energy efficient windows selected to look like the old windows (nothing is more unappealing that modern windows made to fit the odd-size of older homes) I custom-ordered the size (just a few dollars more than off the shelf) so they look original. This has saved me money on my electric bill. My house also stays cleaner, too.
3) Our county has a tax rebate program on additions and improvements made to your property. Basically, you pay no property tax on the improved or added portion for 5 years. This is a big savings, too. One would have to check availability of local programs....