Two and a Half Years SMOKE FREE

December 2nd, I crossed into the 2 and a half years smoke free zone. I can tell such a difference in my life - not only in breathing and exercise, but in every day life. I missed so much life by always leaving what was happening to go outside to smoke, and I couldn't enjoy a lot of what I was there for because I was stressing about getting another smoke.

The most interesting thing is that I could NEVER imagine myself really quitting forever. I really enjoyed smoking when I had one, and it seemed so awful without having them. I simply couldn't really believe that I would make it. However, now, I truly can hardly remember what it was like. When I see people going out to smoke, or stanidng in the cold or rain, or smell the smell, I really can hardly recall it. Isn't that weird?

My statcounter today says that it has been 132 weeks, 3 days, 12 minutes, and 10 seconds since I smoked last. The most amazing stat to me is that had I kept smoking at the rate I was, I would have smoked a whopping 22, 266 cigarettes. I can't even imagine that. It is such an incredible number. I can't even think of what that would look like if you put 22, 266 cigarettes in a row. I hvae also saved $4,007 (using the money I was paying then for a pack and I think it is more now).

Thanks to everyone who supported me in this process. I will update at 3 years! :)

Healthy Choice Steamers Review

I have found the best microwave meals ever, so I decided that I needed to blog about it. They are the healthy choice steamers. I get tired of most microwave meals quickly and usually pick a very limited few to eat because they aren't very good. The chicken gets rubbery, the sauce is caked and dried, etc. However, these Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers are to die for. As far as calories go, you can't beat them. Most of them seem to be in the 250 calorie range, and they have 15g or so of Protein and even around 5g of fiber. However, the best is that they are delicious.

Each meal has a tray that has two part. The top part holds the rice or pasta, the meat,and the veggies. It has holes in it to let the food steam. Under the top tray is the sauce. So, you throw the whole thing in the microwave (take it out of the box first), and you don't poke holes in it or anything. Then, after 4 and a half or 5 minutes, you pull it out. After peeling the plastic off, you dump the top tray of meat, pasta/rice, and veggies into the bown on the bottom which has the sauce. They are really flavorful and cooked perfectly every time.

I haven't had a bad one yet. I love the pesto chicken, the spicy shrimp and chicken, the chicken marsala, etc. I have had a bunch of them, and so far, each one is great. Publix often has them on sale too, so they run around $2.50 a meal. Not bad...:)

Cheer Competition Lakeland

Today, Morgan's teams competed in Lakeland. They did pretty well for it being the first competition for youth and the 2nd for junior. I think they will do well at the next one. They had three girls quit the team and move to another gym. While I might understand them being frustrated, I think it is pretty crappy to do that in the middle of a season. I think you should finish what you start.

Here are the videos I took...(ignore the loud screaming)

Youth 3 Team

Junior 4 Team

SIX MILES COMPLETED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This morning, I managed to fight off nervousness and excuses, and I got out and ran. I am still battling the kidney stone, but it wasn't hurting for the first 5 miles. That last mile was hard. My back hurt by my kidney, my bladder cramped, my legs hurt, my toes hurt...BUT, I kept going. I just ran until the next street sign, the next turn in the road, the next whatever. I took three sips of water at each place I made it. By the last quarter mile, I was enjoying it again. There were these workers pouring concrete right by my house, and they smiled at me each time I passed them (3 times). This other lady was pushing her child in a stroller as a workout, and I am not sure I was looking pretty good as she said" at least you are trying." I am not sure that is a good sign as I don't really want people to say "at least you are trying" LOL.

I felt pretty strong except for 5.25 - 5.75. That was a rough half mile. I did it though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Untitled

Kidney stones, Christmas Plans, Doctor

Unfortunately, I have been dealing with another kidney stone. It hasn't been too bad so far, and I have tried really hard to blast it with running when it isn't hurting. I have passed some pieces, so I hope it continues to go away. I went to the doctor today, and I have lost 68 lbs since Feb (60 since I started working out and really trying in May). The doctor was teasing me and asking where I went. :) It felt pretty good. They took a bunch of bloodwork, so it will be interesting to compare it to my last bloodwork. It is weird. I feel so different that it is almost odd thinking about me 6 months ago.

For Christms, we are taking the kids out west to see Mike's family. We are going to ski and such and visit with family. I am excited, but I know it will be COLD.

We watched the Biggest Loser tonight. I cannot believe how good Rebecca looks (go back to being a brunette though in my opinion) and how good Danny looks. That show really has inspired me.

I think I forgot to mention the Blind Side movie. We LOVED that movie. I might have to see it again. Coming from an ALL SEC family, it was a classic. I thought all of them did a great job, but I really thought Sandra Bullock made that movie which surprised me a little. Great story. See it if you haven't.

I am getting close to being done with Christmas shopping. I am ready to be finished. :) I can't believe mom and dad only have 2 weeks left. I can't wait to talk to them! It is so weird how many times I have picked up the phone to call before remembering that they are gone.

Yesterday, I was a complete dork, and I locked myself out of the house. I went to take Sophie out, and the door was cracked when I went out. I didn't notice that it was locked, so I pulled it closed behind me. DOH! Sophie and I were outside for a little over 3 hours waiting on a locksmith. FUN!

Easy 3 mile run

Today was the first time in about two months that I have run two days in a row due to my leg injury. I took it easy and did a run based on my heart rate. I tried to keep my heart rate between 168 and 170. I felt pretty good, and I enjoyed the run. :)

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Untitled

Christmas Tree UP!

I have been posting more on the couch to 5K blog lately as I have been exercising a lot. I post my workout info there, so I might have posted there if I am behind here.

Yesterday, Morgan had a holiday party at cheer, and I went to dinner with the parents. Today, I ran 4.38 miles and then we decorated the house. Eleven months after we got our TV last year, we finally got the TV stand upstairs!!!! It has been by the dining room table for almost a year. Chris, Michael, Mike, and I moved it upstairs even though I thought I was going to be crushed. Thankfully, we did ok.

We decorated the tree tonight, and it was a lot of fun. We listened to Christmas music and hung ornaments. Grams and Papa are still having fun on their cruise. They are in Dubai now. I miss them SO much, and I can't wait to talk to them!

Alamaba kicked Florida's butt today. I was surprised, but no team has ever finished the season as number one when they started the pre-season as number one. I guess Florida probably won't be the first after the loss today. As my brother Mike said, it was hard to pick which team to pull for as I don't like either!

Today, is the first time in over 10 years on the first Saturday in December that I haven't been at a company holiday party. It was SO weird to watch the SEC game at home. Usually, I am trying to sneak it at a party. :) I miss having the Boston, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina crew in town to celebrate though.