Couples Night Out

One of my favorite sorors recently bought a home a few blocks away from us. On New Year’s Day, they held a lovely brunch that we had the pleasure of attending. At the brunch we connected with another couple that also bought a home in our neighborhood recently. We all clicked and decided to have a couples night out last Saturday.

We found sitters and headed out to see Red Tails and to dinner afterwards. Over the last few months, I have attended several events to support my wonderful friends that promote business ventures, clubs, after work happy hours, parties, etc. Can I just tell you? I am over that whole scene. Yup, it’s official, I AM OLD. I am not trying to stand around a club in heels all night with random men trying to approach with their best lines. UGH. I don’t miss that at all.

Sitting down with a glass of wine, enjoying a nice dinner and good conversation? Count me in every time. The three ladies rocking jeans and sweaters and snow boots due to the snow? EVEN BETTER. Comfy, casual, grown up fun is underrated.

The funny thing is, I felt like such a SUBURBANITE. Couple friends? Wine? Dinner and a movie? What’s next? Playing mahjong and hosting Tupperware parties? This may be the first step towards being uncool people. I can’t wait to do it again.

 

It’s Cold Outside….

BUT THE SUPE IS ON!!!!!!!!!!

My New York Football GIANTS are headed to Indy to battle the Patriots! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!

The Randomness

I still have not seen The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. For someone that read all three books back to back in a week, this is highly unacceptable.

I still hate running but I like the thought of running. There are no marathons in my future. When does the enjoyment kick in?

I am ready to confess that I now love my iphone more than my blackberry. It’s official. I am a convert.

That being said….I AM THE GREATEST SCRAMBLE PLAYER EVER. Ask Babs. LOL

I now hate all of the Braxtons and I hate folks saying dot.com or dot.org

I noticed this morning while running (I still hate it) that I listen to slow music when I run. Is that strange?

I am on a mission to find the perfect dress for my reunion. I think I saw it in a store last week. Did I buy it? No. WOMP, WOMP.

I lost five pounds Five more to go.

I cleaned up at Target in their workout section during their sale. Loving my fleece zip up jacket.

Lands End is the business for winter gear for kids. PERIOD.

I am procrastinating like a mug!

Snow forecasted for tonight and tomorrow night. UGH. Still going swimming tomorrow.

I made the best sauteed fish last night with capers and tomato. Delicious!

Happy Birthday to my favorite Southern Belle/GA Peach and to Hostess!

 

Invasion of the Goal Snatchers

With all this working out, I have made lots of new friends. Especially the ladies of Black Girls Run. I love meeting up with these ladies because they range in age, shapes and sizes. Some RUN, some jog, some wog (walk/jog) and some walk. No matter what, everyone is out of the house and off the couch.

While working out with them one brisk Saturday morning, one of the ladies shared that she recently asked her husband for new workout clothes. He told her she should wait for a few months to see if she was really going to stick with it and then he would get her some new stuff. I took a deep breath. Why? Because I don’t know that woman from Adam. I also don’t know anything about their financial situation. I also don’t know her husband. If she were one of my “girls” I would have driven her to the store and bought her an entire shopping bag full of workout gear. Instead, the ladies that were jogging offered up loads of positive advice about how once he saw how good she started looking after working out, he would rush to the store and buy her stuff. Blah, blah, blah.

In my 42 years on earth, I have learned how to spot a Goal Snatcher when I see one. Maybe the thought of his wife working out made him feel insecure about his lazy behind? Goal Snatchers throw salt on your dreams because people changing their lives make their own lives seem stagnant or insignificant.  To quote the sage philosopher, Kanye “I know you rather see me die than to see me fly.”

When I encounter someone like this, I usually do my best to accept that they are insecure about something and keep it moving. I can’t change everyone, I can only do me. However, If you have someone in your life that always has something negative to say when you throw out a goal…I hope you don’t allow them to stop you from moving your dream forward. Change comes from you. It’s nice to have support from your friends and family but sometimes, they aren’t in that place and you can’t force them to be there.

When you are passionate about something, that fire builds in your heart. Protect it and encourage it. From working out to starting your own business… Success will not come to you if you are always waiting for approval or acceptance. Don’t let the naysayers stop you from moving your dreams forward. Instead, find joy in proving them wrong.

Lose Yourself

In looking back at the evolution of my blog, I realize that I am currently doing more posts on fitness and my personal development. I am sure many of you were attracted to this blog with my hotel tales, the Tali adventures and my day to day life stories. I feel like I am in a different place right now.

When I first started blogging, I was full of stories. I felt like I was this vibrant woman who just had kids and was married and I needed a voice that wasn’t just “mommy” or “Mrs. 1969″. When you have a baby, it changes things. I have written about it before but you go from feeling young, hot and sassy to feeling like somebody’s mama. Your body revolts against you, your flat stomach and tight thighs disappear and you become this strange person that stares back from the mirror every morning.

Your old clothes don’t fit and you start shopping for anything spandex and jeans with stretch. Cute panties with strings get pushed to the back of the drawer because *gasp* they aren’t comfortable and they draw attention to your new muffin top.

I have been on a journey the last couple of years to reclaim my old self. I realized that I looked okay….for a mom. I wanted to be healthy and fit, period. I wanted to put my clothes on and not have to worry about how they looked. I wanted to make a commitment to pursuing a healthier lifestyle as an example to my husband and my boys. I wanted to be able to balance my work and personal commitments. The last few years have been a journey for me and I am feeling great about how far I have come.

I realize it’s not always what you want to read about. It’s not as entertaining and after a while, it does seem pretty narcissistic. This is just where I am right now. I finally have time to focus on my goals and not just the goals of my family. After the last ten years of marriage and motherhood, it’s mommy’s turn to take care of herself.

I feel blessed to be at this point. New mommies, it does get easier and there will come a day when you finally can breathe and do what you want to do too. Hang in there.

Thank God I have three men in my life that are 100% supportive of my goals. They encourage me to swim, bike and run. They encourage me to eat better. They believe in me. Tomorrow’s post?  Goal snatching sabotagers. What about when you don’t have support to move your goals to the next level?

Getting Right

My goal this year is to take good care of myself. With that has come the realization that I need to improve on a few things.

I need to continue to eat healthier and to prepare for the triathlon in June.

I have joined Black Girls Run in Philly and have had great interaction with these ladies. When I feel like I need runs that push me, these ladies are there to encourage and motivate. Over the last two weeks I have run about 10 miles total, taken a weight training class and swam over 2 miles (40 laps at a time). I am feeling stronger. The best part is that I have been eating much cleaner. No processed foods. Lots of fruits and veggies. Lots of lean protein.

In addition to the tri, I have a personal goal coming up that is motivating the heck outta me. My 25th High School Reunion is in April. Can you believe it? My plan is to show up there looking GOOD and feeling confident. Finding the right outfit will be another challenge. *sigh*

I also want to grow spiritually. I pray but need to pray with more purpose. Does that make sense?

How are you all doing with incorporating changes into your routines?