Sleeping through Tai Cheng Week 12

Image courtesy of renjith krishnan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I busted right on through the 30 lb weight loss barrier that holds so many back!  There's only about 19 lbs left until I reach my second goal of 50 lbs.  Will I manage to reach it by my birthday week or my birthday month?  Only time will tell!

I haven't thought of my goals between the 50 lbs and my target weight of 130 lbs.  What do you recommend for the next stages?

During this week's Weight Watchers meeting they were talking about building a better salad.  I was saying that I'd have a fruit salad because I don't like so many vegetables (yet), especially raw ones.  Because I'd hit another 5 lb loss target the leader asked me to say what my total loss was.  Everyone seemed to be in disbelief that someone could've lost 30+ lbs without eating much fruits or vegetables!  All I've done is eat smaller portions, stopped drinking soda and started drinking water (almost exclusively), started eating at least one fruit or veggie a day, and started exercising.  So again I say, if I can do this ANYONE can!

Tai Cheng has become completely boring not putting all 18 moves in sequence.  I just wasn't able to concentrate on any of it this week.  It feels so blah during the Neural Reboot.  I did each the sequences once on each side (faster than they were doing them on the DVD) then skipped to the next one.  When I was done with the third sequence I let the DVD play out while I finished making a fruit smoothie.  This 4 point smoothie tasted good but it wasn't filling so I need to figure out what I want to add to it to make it last.

One morning this week I peeked at day 1 of week 13 since it's on the same DVD.  It was EXACTLY the same as week 12!  Two weeks of boredom is going to make me pull out my hair!

Someone requested the Hip Hop Abs and Rockin' Body DVDs so I had to return them to the library.  That, in combination with not really having anything to cover up that big window in the front room, is leading me to do Slim in 6 next.

First Trip into Old School Blogging - Lists of Five

Background courtesy of rakratchada torsap / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I've been tagged by Britton at My Big Beautiful Life for my first Old School Blogging prompt!  Now on to think, think, think...


5 Things I Have a Passion For...

Reading Photo Credit: Éole via Compfight cc | Languages Photo Credit: woodleywonderworks via Compfight cc

 

1. Reading
2. Volunteering
3. Languages
4. Researching various topics
5. Improving my health

5 Things I'd Like to Do Before I Die...

1. Have a daughter so I'll have one of each.  No, I won't take yours! LOL
2. Visit every continent...well not Antarctica.
3. See some of the Summer Olympics in person, at least the opening ceremony.
4. Watch my son grow up, marry, and have kids of his own.
5. Go on a cruise with my family.

5 Things I Say a Lot...

1. I dunno.
2. Huh? or Wha?
3. Down X lbs (does this count? LOL)
4. Nothing...just a blank stare
5. I can't think of anything else at this time.

5 Books and/or Magazines I've Read Lately...

1. Better Homes and Gardens
2. Weight Watchers Magazine
3. The Racketeer by John Grisham
4. The Teeth of the Tiger by Tom Clancy
5. Hostile Witness by Rebecca Forster

5 Favorite Movies (in no particular order)...

1. Titanic
2. The Princess Bride
3. I'd have to list all the Madea movies here.
4. Dirty Dancing (the original not the remake)
5. The Sound of Music

5 Places I'd Like to Travel To...

 

 Photo Credit: kattebelletje via Compfight cc

1. France, specifically the Languedoc-Roussillon region.
2. Big cities across the US such as Vegas, NYC, DC.
3. Australian Outback
4. Africa on safari
5. The Caribbean

5 4 People I Invite to Do This Meme...

1. Honeybee GB of Her Weight Loss Diary
2. Sarah of Screw the Scale
3. Susan of Finding Our Way Now
4. Sadie of Slap Dash Mom

Tai Cheng Week 11 Completed

Photo Credit: Mason Masteka via Compfight cc

Another pound gone.  I'm .8 lbs away from the big 3-0!  This week I've read many posts where others have reached this milestone and plateaued for weeks.  I'm hoping to not be just another statistic stuck at the 30 lb loss.  I must reach the peak of this mountain and move on to the next one.

Photo Credit: Patrick Gensel via Compfight cc

Still trying to stretch out doing the splits during the reboot.  Nothing changed there.

In the same format as last week the Tai Chi portion repeated the second and third sequences (weeks 6 & 9). This piecemeal business is for the birds!  I'm thinking about skipping out on the last two weeks for the sequence portion.  Just do the Neural Reboot 4 and pop in the master scroll to do the whole sequence in one fluid motion.

After Tai Cheng this morning I took a look at "Hip Hop Abs: Hips, Buns, & Thighs" and "Rockin' Body".  I was thinking that his voice sounded familiar.  Suddenly it dawned on me.  Shaun T is a buffed up Will Smith! Is it just me or does anyone else see this too?

Will Smith Photo Credit: Alan Light via Compfight cc.  Shaun T Photo taken by me of the Hip Hop Abs cover.

I might be able to do the "Rockin' Body" workout if we can get a TV and DVD player set up in the front room.  Where we have everything set up for TV viewing just isn't big enough with the furniture.  We're currently just using the front room for storage.  I might want to put something to cover up the window though so everyone driving by won't see me working out LOL.

~ Liebster Award ~

Thank you to Debra Yearwood for nominating me for the Liebster Blog Award!  It took me a while to work through everything but I made it.  It was easier for me to come up with the new questions than answering about myself.

About the Liebster

The idea behind this award is to recognize new bloggers and help them get some buzz and promote their blogs.  It's a sign of recognition and it can pretty much mean what you want it to mean.

If you've been nominated for the Liebster Award and accept it, you need to follow a few rules.

1. Write a blog post about the Liebster Award.
2. Thank the person that nominated you.
3. Post a link to their blog on your blog.
4. Display the award on your blog and including it in your post and/or displaying it using a widget.
5. Answer the 11 questions about yourself provided by the person who nominated you.
6. Give 11 random facts about yourself.
7. Nominate 5-11 blogs that you feel deserve the award, who have less than 1000 followers.
8. Create a new list of questions for the nominated bloggers to answer.
9. List the rules in your post.
10. Inform the bloggers who you've nominated for the Liebster Award - remember to give them a link to your post so that they can learn about it (they might not have ever heard of it!).

Note that you can nominate someone who has been given this award already, as long as they have less than 1000 followers/subscribers.

My Answers to Debra's Questions

1. What do you like best about blogging?  I enjoy seeing the interaction with my readers.  Sometimes they bring to light something I wasn't aware of or remind me of something I'd forgotten.
2. What made you start blogging?  I started blogging to vent my frustration with the doctors not being able to diagnose my problems.  Then I started Weight Watchers and Tai Cheng so I blog to help keep myself accountable.
3. What is the best thing you learned so far?  It's hard to narrow it down to what's the best.  Nearly every day I'm learning something new.  It's kind of exciting!
4. What is the hardest part of blogging?  Putting my thoughts in writing.  I may have notes but it can be a jumbled mess in my head.
5. When do you write your posts?  I start writing my weekly Tai Cheng updates Friday or Saturday and finish up Sunday or Monday.
6. Where do you get your inspiration for blog posts?  Right now it's easy with a "week-in-review" type post; no inspiration required.
7. What is the best book/article you've read recently?  The books I've read lately have been a little weird.  I don't know which would be the best.
8. What’s your favorite season?  It would have to be the summer.  I love being outdoors!
9. What do you like to do with your free time?  Reading, gardening, playing online and offline games, entering contests, crafting, watching movies.
10. What makes you smile?  I'm almost always smiling so it's hard to pinpoint anything in particular.
11. Coffee or tea?  Definitely tea....I can't stand the smell or taste of anything coffee related!

Random Facts

1. I love cooking but have no concept of how long it takes for anything.  My husband is always asking me how long it'll be until dinner is done but I can't give an answer!
2. My degree is in French but I also took a little Japanese and Spanish.  I've forgotten most of all the languages.
3. I still like dressing up for Halloween.  Last year I made my costume based on the library's summer reading program - Steampunk.  My son was sick and didn't get to go trick-or-treating so I didn't really get to show it off.

   

   The Costume

4. I've had my favorite quote since high school French class.  "L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux." - Le Petit Prince.
5. My absolute favorite candy is White Chocolate Reese's.  You freeze them and eat....it's like manna from heaven!  They're hard to find any more and probably off the table since I'm on Weight Watchers.
6. When I was little I told my mom I wanted to stay out in the sun so I could be as dark as she is. How long would that take? LOL

   

   Mom

7. When I went to Disney World I enjoyed sitting and listening to all the languages around me more than the rides or anything else.
8. I never learned how to ride a bike.  I remember falling off several times and skinning my knees.  Dad says it was only once.
9. My favorite color is royal/cobalt blue.  If I could I'd have everything in my house some shade of blue.
10. I've never been drunk.  Buzzed yes, drunk no.
11. My dream car would be a Ford Fusion.  I think this even is the exact color! (Continuing the blue trend.)

Photo Credit: amberherself via Compfight cc

My Nominees

1. Angenita Williams-Childs & Delina Hill-Brooker @ Lioness Vizions
2. Sarah Scharbrough-McLaughlin @ The Table
3. Britton @ My Big, Beautiful, Life...and Everything In Between
4. Adrienn Hunt @ This Uncomplicated Journey
5. Mary Slagel @ Shape Daily
6. Shana Norris @ Shana Norris
7. Adrienne Jones @ citygirl

My Questions for the Nominees

1. What is something that you wish you learned how to do growing up?
2. What are five words your closest friends would use to describe you?
3. What is your favorite meal to make or eat?
4. What did you want to be when you grew up?
5. Can you speak another language?  If so, what? (This would include sign language but not Pig Latin.)
6. What is your guilty pleasure?
7. What are your favorite books or blogs?
8. What do you hope to accomplish by the end of the year?
9. What's your favorite quote or passage?
10. Do you still dress up for Halloween?
11. Have you learned anything about yourself since you started blogging?  If so, what?

I'm SPLIT Over Tai Cheng Week 10

Well, that lil gain of last week was blown out of the water with my 3.6 lb loss this week.  The sun was shining, I got to be outside, and all was good!

As Gray Cook says, "Extension equals reflex stabilization."  That's just a fancy word for saying posture gives you balance.

Dr. Cheng says this during Neural Reboot 4 while doing the ankle rolls (may not be 100% word for word).  I'd like to find Cook's original wording on this subject but I'm not familiar with him.  If anyone can pinpoint this reference please let me know.

Now on to the scary part of the Reboot.  I have NEVER EVER been able to do the splits.  Not as a preschooler in ballet and tap and definitely not now.  For it to be sneaked in on me like this is just cruel! LOL  Eventually you're supposed to look like this.

Photo Credit: CS87 via Compfight cc

Photo Credit: CS87 via Compfight cc

So I don't come ANYWHERE near either of those.  Here's what Dr. Cheng had to say about this week and the splits in particular.

The new foam rolling was for T-spine mobility.  No pain from it but I can feel the pressure around my shoulder blades.  I've labeled this picture to show the section that's rolled.

Photo Credit: Rob Swatski via Compfight cc

The sequence time was a big disappointment.  Here I was ready to put the first two sequences together.  Instead, it was repeating the sequence separately from weeks 3 & 6.  I really want to put it all in one fluid motion now not piecemeal anymore!

Fat's Eviction Notice

Text from my Weight Watchers friend, Karen Bodner, who in turn got this from her Weight Watchers friend John Cramer.

Be it here by known that I Cassandra Schmigotzki who shall be known as “Landlord” do here by give notice to the current residents who shall be known as “FAT” of the following described property “MY BODY” are hereby given notice you are ordered to vacate and remove yourself from the afore mentioned property. This notice will be in effect from now to extend to forever. 

This eviction is hereby being executed for the reasons listed below.

Breach of Lease Agreement: 

Failure to make improvements in the overall appearance of the property.
Failure to make the property a safe living environment
Failure to maintain property in a marketable condition.
Exceeding the maximum occupancy of the property
Expanded the property without prior permission from the owner in writing
Failure to produce permits and signage for wide loads
Excessive and abnormal wear on property furnishings and structure
Decreased the overall lifespan of the property

Dangerous Activity

During your residency you have increased the overall heart rate of the property
During your residency you have increased the internal pressures on several primary systems
You have on several occasions promoted lax or nonexistent activity leading to the overall depreciation of property value.
You have encouraged poor eating habits leading to general decline in the property

Nonpayment of Rent & failure to compensate

During your residency you have failed to compensate the landlord in any form
You have forced the landlord to incur additional cost in maintaining the property
You have increased the overall operating expenses of the property
Your over occupancy had created a need for additional external enclosures (Clothes)
You are currently classified as a “NO VALUE ADDED” resident

Nuisance Tenant

You have disrupted on several occasion adjoining properties
You have caused or participated in several domestic disputes
You have introduced a negative influence into property
You have blocked or created obstacles for many property activities
You have removed the ability of the property to operate at a normal level

Due to the numerous reasons listed above your cooperation is not only requested but required and your compliance with this notice is required.

Furthermore having a new resident in waiting now known as “Good Health” & “Longer Life” you will have your complete deposit returned to you. The landlord wishes nothing more than to have no further contact with you at all. Any attempt by you to make contact with the landlord will be met with any and all applicable force required to remove you from the property.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding in this matter.

Sincerely your landlord Cassandra Schmigotzki.

Feel free to share and pass along if you wish.  Go ahead and change it to your name and give your fat the same notice.  All for one and one for all!

Weight Watchers & Tai Cheng Journey - Phase 3 Complete

I've made it to the 16 week mark with Weight Watchers! Another charm to add to my ring.  When everything is all said and done I'm not sure what I'm going to do with these charms.  Fellow Weight Watchers meetings members, what are you doing with your charms?

WW 16 Weeks Charm

I was up .4 lbs this week and mostly attribute that to the weather.  This daily rain keeps me from my gardening so I'm not getting in that extra little bit of exercise.  I did try riding the exercise bike but only lasted about 5 minutes; my heart pounded so much when I was exerting so little.

Finally convinced Benny to buy the romaine lettuce.  It's SO much better than iceberg!  No aftertaste whatsoever so I'm not burping up romaine all day like I did with iceberg.  Benny can keep the iceberg for himself; I'm sticking with romaine.

Workout Weeks 7-9

Every time a phase is complete I wonder what challenges await me on the next Neural Reboot.  Each time Dr. Cheng introduces a new area of foam rolling.  Since the last time we started the rotator cuff I'm assuming it'll be another upper body location.  I still barely feel any pressure on my shoulder blade.  I have had issues when I twist a certain way but those pains have been at the top not the back.

DVDs 7-9

One side of me isn't as balanced as the other.  I noticed during Sequence 3 I'd wobble a little during the rolling kick.  The wobble seemed to alternate legs each day so I couldn't say which truly had this problem.  I'll have to monitor this more closely when doing this sequence again in week 11.

This next phase is different than the previous ones.  First of all there are 4 weeks instead of 3.  Secondly, no more static moves; I'll strictly be working on the sequences.  I'm so ready for these sequences to be together so everything will be one fluid motion.

This next phase also marks decision time.  What program should I try next?  It's crunch time and I must make a decision over the next month.  If you have any recommendations please leave a comment; I'll see if the library has the program and will check it out.

I watched the first DVD from Slim in 6 and it doesn't look too bad.  Since I don't have all the extras checking the DVDs out from the library I'm just not sure what the schedule is supposed to be between the three speeds - Start, Ramp, & Burn.  I looked at the auto-schedule on the Team Beachbody's Supergym but it didn't really make sense to me.  "Start It Up!" is only used for Day 1.  The rest of the first two weeks is "Ramp It Up!".  The last four weeks is "Burn It Up!".  No where does the schedule mention the other two portions on each DVD - "Slim & 6-Pack" and "Slim & Limber".  I thought it would be 2 weeks of each speed with the other two tossed in.  I'm thinking that with this schedule I'll get bored.

I've also checked out a couple of Shaun T's DVDs from the library - "Hip Hop Abs: Hips, Buns, & Thighs" and "Rockin' Body".  I'm still way down on the list to get "Hip Hop Abs: Fat Burning Cardio; Ab Sculpt; Total Body Burn; Secrets to Flat Abs".  Just watching clips of Shaun T's various programs exhausts me so I'm sort of afraid of these workouts.