The Whole NINE

Great news my fellow blah-ger readers!  It's been a month since I started personal training with Gary aka "The Fitness Trainer", aka "TFT" and I've lost SIX pounds so far.  Yipee Yai Yay!  A whole NINE left and I'm good to go!  I'll be complete.  I'll be content.  Most importantly, I'll be even more happy than I am right this very moment! 

Within this month, Gary incorporated a whole lot of difference exercises along with different props.  A couple weeks ago, I was able to meet the "prowler" for high intensity cardio work.   Just last Saturday, we played tug-o-war as our finisher and I got a pretty gift:  a nice splinter jammed into the palm of my right hand.  Today, I went from hugging a stability ball to dragging this huge (approximately 70 lb) sand bag back and forth.  I literally hit the wall with the sand bag and was knocked down!  I tell yah...it's hard seeing where you're going when you're traveling backwards.  It was a good laugh though.  Talk about being in the zone.  We also used kettle bells which I'm starting to love more than dumb bells.  Hmm...what else is there.  Slamming medicine balls is cool, too.  I love taking out my aggression on them darn things.  Fun! 

Improvements so far?  "But of course!" *I say in a French wannabe accent*  Besides the weight loss, I've noticed more definition on my arms and shoulders.  My face is less chubby.  My mid-section is slowly shrinking.  Soon enough, I'll have to buy new pants.  I no longer get tired easily.  And the best part of all, I like smiling.  Maybe because, I'm so much happier knowing that I'm getting back into good shape.  

I'm still aiming for them "Rock Hard Abs".  I know for a fact that's it going to take a while.  I'm in no rush.  I'll get there.  I guarantee it.  It'll take a lot of hard work and commitment (especially in the eating department). 

Here's to the Whole NINE (lbs)!  Can't wait to get you out of my life...FOR GOOD!

High Def...Mos Def

I'm getting there...to my goals that is.  2010 goals to be more specific.  The hardest one I've had to accomplish is make-up. 

Wear make-up when I leave the house:  This is a tough one and will require me to make some accumulating expenses at M.A.C., Benefit, and Sephora.  I'm not really looking forward to that.  I'd rather spend it on an expensive sushi dinner. 

Madz wanted to hit up the mall today so I agreed to tag along.  I wasn't intending on buying anything but thought of my recent bbm conversation with BooBear about how ladies should just worry about looking nice for men.  LOL!  Knowing me, I can give a rat's ass about my facial appearance.  I'm a wash and go type of girl.  But that's not a good trait to have ALL the time.  I need to start caring about how I look starting from inside out.  So far, my insides are getting there.  I'm starting to get in good physical shape which is alleviating my inner stresses of life.  I have to admit.  Exercising really helps.  I feel good about myself and let me just tell you - I can be a very self conscious person!

Anyway.....we head to Sephora because Renee wanted to buy some make-up.  Liquid foundation to be exact.  I thought...hmmm, I should buy make-up, too!  Well, well, well.  This might be 2010 goal day.  Sure enough, it was.  Some half Chilean, half Filipino employee named Victor helped me get what I need to look good.  Hehe.  He asked what my issues were.  Issues?  Ummm, I don't wear make-up?  No, that's not an issue. Oh! Oh!  Then I thought - dark circles under my eyes.  He said that area of my face was challenging.  "Do you get enough sleep?", he asks.  "Um, I get plenty of sleep!"  Moving on...

I told him that I wasn't very pleased with the past products I've purchased.  MAC Select SPF 15 Foundation was my purchase about four years ago.  MAC dried up my skin big time.  Not only that, it made me look all cakey.  Now who really wants to look like a freakin' mime?!  "Not I!", says share-bare.  Two years ago I converted over to stila natural finish oil-free makeup.  I loved it during the winter but during the warm summer days, it just melted on my face.  Who really wants to see runny make-up on my face?  Scary, right?  It's like Wax Museum gone wrong!  Totally.  He recommended MAKE UP FOR EVER.  I said sure.  Straight High Definition make-up for my face?  How awesome is that?!  $190 later, here I am with more than just the basic liquid foundation.  All together, I got MAKE UP FOR EVER's HD Invisible Cover Foundation in 140 (soft beige); HD Microperfecting Primer in green to eliminate the redness on my face; HD Microfinish Powder to set in my look; and black Waterproof Eyeliner as my finishing touch!  I also got some concealer for my ugly looking dark circles.  He told me to get the Kat Von D tattoo concealer (not pictured on the right...I forgot) to get the full on coverage.  Whatever you say, Victor!!  I'm a fan of L.A. Ink so why not.

Purchasing make-up is the easy part.  Now, if only I can get myself to put this stuff on before I leave the house EVERY day.  You think it's possible?  Possibly.  TFT days are an exception.  share-bare does NOT, I repeat DOES NOT wear make-up to the gym and/or outdoor work outs.  It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever!

What's the 411?

Sometimes, I feel like I may be over resourcing my assistance to certain people.  Today, share-bare 411 received  4 inquiries:

1. My little sister Abs from Las Vegas calls my cell phone during work to ask for my meatloaf recipe.  Awe, how cute!  I'm flattered! -411 Sent via text message! 
2. Twinks asks for my half marathon training schedule (which by the way I'm oh so proud of) so that she can plan the days she will be able to join me for training.  I'm ecstatic! -411 Sent via e-mail!
3. My girlfriend, Nice asks me for the size of my niece, Janelle's clothes.  I'm helpful! -411 Sent via BlackBerry Messenger
4. My ex-boyfriend a.k.a. Mr Wrong #11 hits me up and mentions he is planning a weekend getaway with his wife.  It's their 1 year Wedding Anniversary.  He asks for ideas.  I recommend a spa/massage day in Calistoga.  He says, "good call"!  I'm (a bit) weirded out. -411 Sent via Yahoo Instant Messenger!

Items 1.) through 3.) seem reasonable.  I have no problem being their resource person.  Item 4.) on the other hand, I'm not so sure about.  What did I just do?!  It seemed a bit awkward.  Wouldn't you agree? I should seriously stop offering my services to particular people such as ex's.   Especially ex's! Am I too nice?  Or am I just a naive person who doesn't know when to stop trying to please others.  The moment has passed and now I will be envious because in a matter of three days,  someone will enjoying a relaxing anniversary thanks to me.  I won't be benefiting from it.  There's nothing in it for me.  I'll just be stuck working the usual 8 hour shift making sure Eli gets home safely from school, thinking about firm puppy fecal, figuring out what to cook for dinner, planning my evening exercise routine, suffering from neck pain due to a bad night's sleep, and tolerating these never ending knots on my back.  

For the record - I'm long overdue for a spa treatment.  4 years over due to be precise!   

Puke Status

Today's work out was totally puke status.  Well....not really, but it felt like it!  I think all four of us felt like puking during our TFT workout this evening.   Gary, you worked us hard dude!  It's been only a week and a half into my training program with TFT and I have to admit, this work out has been the second to the best work out I've had by far.

WARM UP
Jumping Jacks
Walking Lunges
Jogging forward and backward
Caterpillar walks
Side Shuffles
Wall Stretches
Squats

WORKOUT

• 4 sets of each the following.  (1st set for 60 seconds, 2nd for 45 seconds, 3rd set for 30 seconds, 4th set for 15 seconds):
  

• Bear Crawl
• Reverse Lunges
• Push Ups
• Wall Squats

• 3 sets of each the following:

• Plank
• Jumping Squats

• 4 sets of the each following with resistant bands (20-30 speed reps)
  

• Rear Deltoid Fly
• Rows
• Bicep Curls

• 4 sets of 60 Ski Jumps (cardio)

I say that this evening's work out is the second to the best work out of all time.  It seemed more of higher difficulty than the past four work outs conducted by TFT.  I'm not sure if it was because I took two consecutive days off prior or if Gary was really pushing us hard today.  So, yeah, second to the best.  You know why it's my second to the best?  Because, I didn't puke.  I want to puke.  I figure if I ever were to puke during a work out then that would be the "bestest" work out I've ever had in my life.  I want to work my ass the hardest to infinity to see how far I can push myself and just puke.  Shall I put this on my "Tabo" List?  That, I shall!  I want to feel how it's like for the contestants of the first episodes of every season's The Biggest Loser feel.  I want to be able to watch it one evening and talk back to the television by saying, "I feel your pain!"  Is that horribly sickening?  Hmm, I'm beginning to wonder that my work out with TFT made me a bit delirious.  I don't think I'm in the right state of mind right now.  I may just regret wishing to puke come tomorrow morning.  By that time, it'll be too late.  "Black Jack no take back!!" 

share-bare's ranDUMB Moment #12

It's been a while.  This is an oldie but definitely a goodie.

A couple years ago, I go on one of my wonderful shopping field trips to IKEA in Emeryville.  A tall wood composite book shelf in  an espresso color was on my shopping list (since I cannot afford the real kind of wood)  Yeah, I know.  Why a book shelf of all things especially since I don't read and I'm not an owner of many books.  This purchase was intended mainly for decoration purposes such as vases, candles, etc.  So, I find one, went ahead and bought the BILLY bookcase in medium brown.  It was perfect.  Once I got home, I was so excited to assemble it.  I took the parts out of the box and noticed that I didn't have all that I needed to successfully build this book shelf.  Oh no!  As a matter of fact, it was a huge part of the entire piece of furniture - the left side panel which is about 7 feet tall!  I was pissed.  I was full of determination to build this shelf the same day I got it.  Ugh!  Frustration sets in immediately.  I sucked it up.  I took the duplicate right side 7 feet panel along with my receipt.  Put it in my truck and drove back to IKEA.  What a dreadful drive!

I arrive at IKEA for the second time.  Parking was a major biatch.  I carried this tall ass side panel all the way from the parking lot to the customer service section.  I took a number and waited to be called.  Approximately 30 minutes later, my number was announced.  I finally approached the counter and stood in front of a customer service representative.  I explained my situation on how a few hours ago, I got a box that contained two of the same part.  I handed my receipt over to him to hurry up the exchange process. The representative gave me a blank stare so I had to explain for the second time  around how I got home and opened the box and found out that instead of getting one left panel and one right panel, I got TWO right panels.  I was convincing him that I even tried to turn it around SIDE WAYS (right to left and then left to right) to see if it was just backwards but it obviously wasn't because the pre-drilled holes weren't in the same place they should be (according to the instruction manual).  He still looked dazed and confused which eventually led me to looking dazed and confused.  Was he not paying attention to me?  I was started to get real impatient.  "Can you please just get me the right piece I need so I can be on my way?"  He pulled the right panel over to his side of the counter.  He paused real quick and then right before my eyes, he flipped the long panel BOTTOM SIDE UP!  "There.  Now you have a left panel", he said while trying to contain himself from laughing in my face.  

LOL!  I was mortified!!  I can't believe I drove all that way (about 30 miles round trip) to get humiliated!  That's what I get for trying to be a smart ass.  Ha-ha!  Oh d-d-dear.  I will definitely think twice before undermining IKEA's factory packaging process next time.  That's for sure!!

Bam is Bummed

Poor puppy of mine.  So, his scheduled surgery was originally set for yesterday.  That, of course, did not happen.  Apparently, the brilliant staff at the veterinary hospital decided to paint their surgery room over the weekend.  Come Monday, the paint was still not fully dry.  They ended up postponing his surgery to the following day, today!  So I agreed to have him stay at the pet hospital overnight.  I hesitated at first because he's never been away from family.  But I let him.  Big mistake.  He was howling and barking all night according to the staff.  My poor baby!  Everyone missed his presence.  Our home wasn't the same without him.  I mean, he's family, you know? 

Anyway, he had went under the knife for three, YES!  THREE procedures.  1.) Neuter (took his balls out), 2.) Hernia repair in his belly, 3.)  Removal of two of his canine baby teeth.  So sad, right?   I picked him up after work and he looked horrible.  His eyes were red.  He had bags under his eyes as if he was crying all night and all day.  He went through so much torture.  He saw me and jumped for joy (I think).  I'm sure he was happy to see me but at the same time was like, "WTF Mommy!  Why did you leave me here with these horrible people?!"  I carried his 50 lb. traumatized body into my SUV because I was scared that the sutures would tear if he hopped into the vehicle.  He has an e-collar better known as the "lampshade" around his neck.  I gave him the special treatment and let him sit in the back seat instead of the trunk hoping it would help him take his mind off the pain he underwent.  All he did was cry and whimper on the entire way home.  I took a picture with my Blackberry phone while I was at a stop light.  The picture says it all, right?

Get well soon, Bam!  Everyone misses your crazy hyper-ness.

My Turns

This year has been pretty much different than the past 5-6 years.  I'm bored.  I'm antsy.  I'm restless.  Not counting my date (yesterday) at the War Of The Heroes 5 (with my girlfriend, Nice), I have not had one at all this year.  BTW - Good fight Philip Jucaban!  It's OK.  It's only March.  My screening process has been a lot stricter.  Maybe, that's it.  Nah.  I don't think that's the reason.  I'll be honest with you , if I must.  There's really NO men for me to screen.  LOL!  It's a good thing for me, because that part of my life has changed.  Rules have changed and, of course, change is great!  Besides - I've kept myself pretty occupied crossing out "Tabo List Item #9:  Get Rock Hard Abs" with the help of  TFT,  training for the SF Marathon with [Insert team name here], interior decorating (of my apartment), monitoring puppy diarrhea, and adjusting to a growing pre-teenager.

Since, we were on the topic of dating seconds ago,  here are share-bare's Top 10 Turn-Ons and Turn-Offs:

Turn-Ons

1. East coast accents
2. Athleticism
3. Knowledgeable tipper
4. Fearless
5. Big gloves
6. Nice smile
7. Uniforms
8. Unfaddishly greeter
9. Solo catholic church goer
10. 5 o'clock shadow

Turn-Offs

1. Non-conversationalist
2. Sloth
3. Diffidence
4. Cockiness
5. Skinny jeans
6. Protruding adam's apple
7. White briefs
8. Terms of endearment (@ a premature phase)
9. Belligerent drunk
10. Thick mustache

Boredom

I just finished my workout with TFT.  Ate some dinner.  Took the dog out.  He has yet again the runs, by the way.  Ugh!  Moving on. I'm really bored.  What's wrong with me?  I feel like I should be doing something more.  I'm bored but I have nothing to blah-g about.  This really sucks.

[pause a moment, while i think]

OK - I need to find something I love to do.  Help here?  Any recommendations?