Catching Up

It's been almost two months since my last post....I know you've enjoyed the break:)

The last two months have flown by.  I'm trying to recall what all has actually happened...I know there was a birthday party for Martinez and LG that was super fun...

Can't believe two years of LG's life have gone so fast !!

We've had family visitors three times in the last couple of months- which included a visit from my brother and his family and it was awesome....except for the tornado running we endured !

Let's see...we also got some storm damage from the 5/31 tornado that caused us to take our house off the market....which is really strange b/c the following week someone made an offer on it who had previously seen it online.  Totally weird....totally unexpected....totally stressful....and totally a God thing b/c the Martin's really wanted to move!

After one day of house hunting and accepting an offer which granted our buyers early occupancy...we had 10 days to pack and get the heck out.

For those of you who know me well...I went crazy in my head...and out.  I need 10 days just to pack and organize for a weekend trip!! In the midst of this happening, we had to find new summer child care for LG...which can be a load in its self when you are trying desperately to keep your little one from attending a regular daycare (no offense to anyone who uses or works at a daycare- it's just not our preference).  Anyway, thanks to awesome neighbors and awesome friends for the solution to this !
Thankfully, we were able to find a house in the our preferred school district with a little land for LG to play on and with four bedrooms which was something that we really wanted...and we were able to get a storm shelter put in the garage! Super yay!

#1 favorite thing about the new house....is my laundry room ! I actually have some space to do my daily chore!!!!Score!!

#2 favorite thing....having a sitting area with an open floor for LG to run and play with her toys that's not in the TV room...

My thoughts on moving:
1) I'm never moving again
2) Measuring is a little important- my favorite piece of furniture could not fit in the den- Bright side to this? I got a new piece of furniture for the den:)
3) Being specific on my descriptions of the contents of boxes would have been helpful- just marking "kitchen" or "living room" isn't enough.... that's why a few decorative candles melted down to nothing from sitting in the hot garage
4)10 days is not enough for one to keep sanity...or normalcy for a 2 year old
5) I'm never, ever moving again.

Our move also resulted in renovating the piano. We have a piano that I believe has been passed down to a couple family members in Martinez' family over the last few years.  About two years ago, it became ours.  It has always lived in the office and Martinez kept his military awards displayed on top of it... and the bull with gold balls.  Again... measuring is important....it was going to have to be turned up to fit through the doorway of our new office and Martinez was not having that...so he wanted it to live in the sitting room....and I was not having that...at least not without a face lift and an agreement that the military awards....specifically the bull with gold balls.... would stay in the office.  I made sure Martinez knew that Hobby Lobby had plenty of shelves to choose from to display his awards....in his own space.
So you know I'm not lying...

Why, o Why??
Thus, the piano was renovated in the midst of unpacking, and the gold- balled bull is in a plastic tub awaiting his place on a shelf....that has yet to be hung:)

Weight Loss....the whole reason this blog was started.....
My lowest #...160...65 pounds of loss.
I've fluctuated the last few months and 163-164 seems to be my number. I'm pretty pleased that I haven't gained much since the move ...since we ate out for about 2 and a half weeks straight. I'm not really certain how many slices of pizza I've eaten....or how many pints of sea salt caramel gelato I've consumed.
It's time to get busy again.  Our move has pushed me about 15 min from kickboxing, so there is no way I can make it to kickboxing now and that makes me super sad....I was just starting to get some muscles too:)
Weight this morning- 166.2-blah- but I'm actually pleased that it's not worse when I think about the eating out, slices of birthday cake...and again...the gelato.

The DeShazo and I are recording our food choices....who wants to join us???

Speaking of The DeShazo...several months ago, she got started on Zeal. Now, I must admit...I thought all this stuff she was saying about her "new found energy" was an exaggeration. Now that I'm completely exhausted and trying to wind down from the craziness that has been my summer.... I need some help....and my trial of the Zeal...helped.
It kills me to admit that because I don't buy into "drinks".
Folks- I seriously suggest this.  It's healthy- and it basically gives you all the vitamins you need!
They have a weight management program with shakes and stuff, or you can do the all natural drinks which is what I've ordered...

Try it!

That's all I've got and I think I'm caught up:)

Until Next Time....

Ma'dam Martinez

Days of Sadness

The last couple of days have been mentally draining.
Tornadoes are horrid and have destroyed a few cities around us two days in a row.
Heartbreaking and devastating are words that fail to describe the tragedy in Oklahoma right now.  I cannot fathom the feelings of those who have lost not only their homes and belongings, but their loved ones.
While people in our area are trying to uplift others and help out, there is still an understood sadness among us all that brings tears and nausea in seconds.
Today, I am thankful for the life of my husband and child.
I am thankful for our home.
I am thankful to have water and electricity.
I am thankful that the path of the tornado turned and missed our home by 3 miles, though I'm sad for those who were hurt and affected because of it.
I am thankful for the love, care and overwhelming number of calls/texts/msg's from friends and family (both here and away) who knew our home was originally in the path.
I am thankful that Kevin was safe at his job and that his new job provided a safe place for LG and I during the storm....and I'm thankful for families also in the bank who were so sweet to LG and allowed her to play with them.
I am thankful to be an Oklahoman....part of state that has been so quick to support the victims of this devastation.  I've still considered myself an Arkansan in my head for a while now.  I equate almost everything to "how we'd do it in Arkansas" and The DeShazo constantly reminds me that I've been in Oklahoma for almost six years every time I make that statement.
I am thankful for the traffic I was caught in yesterday as I was traveling to meet Kevin for a belated birthday dinner.  This traffic was due to the drop off site for donations by Penn Square Mall....a site that had cars constantly turning in and dropping sackfuls of items off for the victims.
I am thankful for the Red Cross and others who have dedicated hours, manpower and funds to our State.
I am thankful for the Media..including Facebook for sending out photos of children & parents who need to be reconnected.

Please pray for our state.  I remember hearing about the Tornado in Joplin a couple of years ago.  I recall feeling sad for those victims...but the sadness of actually knowing people who have lost their homes, ect is totally different.

Until Next Time...

Ma'dam Martinez

I Can't Think Of A Title :)

Tonight was kickboxing!

Martinez was held up at work, so I was a few minutes late, but thankfully, only missed the warm-up.  Trainer Rob was back, which meant another circuit workout of sorts.  We did lunges with weights, split jumps?( I have no idea if I just typed the correct name), jogs, some other kind of jumps and wall sits....all out in the hot sun. 
I haven't been to kickboxing in 12 days (thanks to the stomach bug) and I could tell it. 
Here's how I felt...

only I forgot my water...again.

 

We did a different type of wall sit tonight...partner wall sits.  One of you would sit on the wall, legs spread, while the other balanced their body with hands only on your partners knees and did squats.  I don't really think my description is really close...but I'm not sure how to describe it.  All I know, is that my partner was a skinny little thing that I'm pretty sure I outweigh by 70lbs or so.  I was so afraid I was gonna break her, but if you're wondering, I didn't :) She's tough.

All I could hear was Trainer R walking around singing and saying, "Get in your happy place." What? Ain't nobody happy!

 

After all that mess, inside we go for kickboxing.  Trainer Rob had us doing some awkward variations, but I was pouring sweat like no other, so I know it was working.  We were doing punches with knee kicks and the other kicks we learned weeks ago and then punches again repeatedly.  Whenever the knee kicks were happening, you were supposed to grab your partner's head with your gloves.  I'm gonna be real honest, I had to sniff my pits to make sure I should do this.  I didn't want to kill my partner since my pit would be right by her face.  Thankfully, the extra swipes of deodorant paid off.......I think.  Right Adrianna?????? No, really???

 

After punches, we were instructed to get down and lay on our backs. WHAT?

Here come the abs again...those flutter kicks(sigh...I'm still working on these), Russian twists (WHAT??- Thank you Lynsey and Jaime for working with me on those after class!), something else I forgot, sit-ups with a partner wherein you interlock ankles and "sit-up" and punch right to left and repeat, and more things I forgot.  I'm pretty sure Adrianna and I were pimps at the first round of the sit-ups....but not so much the last two rounds....

 

After class.... group photo of those who hadn't left..

 

 

We are pretty much the coolest people ever.  Ok, so maybe not, but I promise this place is fun, even though it hurts.  I can't thank The Machine enough for getting me involved in this.  I feel awesome and I've really starting making new friendships and meeting new people!  You would think I would know more people after living here almost 6 years...but let's face it.... Martinez and I don't get out much:)

 

R-1 MMA is awesome !  They are having a Grand Opening on Saturday and I'm sure it'll be fun!

 

https://www.facebook.com/R1MMAOKC

 

So, I have to tell you guys about my discovery.  Martinez and I were laying in bed last week and I discovered my new muscles!!!  For real!!!  I have tiny little arm muscles now that I didn't have before this class...and I'm acting like they are this big....

 

 

 

 

 

 



Just ask Martinez when you get the chance, I haven't stopped flexing them.  As soon as I discovered them I shot up in bed and made him feel em'.... and then I went to work the next day and showed everyone.. and made them feel em' too.  It is what it is.

It's ok to be jealous folks.. no, really, it is.

Back in the day, you know, 6 ish years ago when I was an Arkansan, I had some muscles from hauling hay for my dad.  I could throw those bales pretty good and hang with the fellas...to an extent, but then I moved to Oklahoma, chopped off my hair and got fat.  I'm two pounds away from weighing 20 lbs less than when Martinez and I married! BOOM BOOM! 

 

 Day 2 of the part-time vegetarian diet this week is killing me.  I just want a piece of meat!!!!  One of the girls mentioned that someone (one of the guy fighters) had brought in a McDonald's bag.  I'm not gonna lie, I seriously considered stopping by the McDonald's by my house on the home and inhaling a burger or five...I mean, no one would know....but I vowed to never eat fries or burgers from there again a few months ago.  So far, I've been successful.  Instead, I came home and scrambled two eggs and had a piece of 50 cal toast with 0 cal butter. 

After kickboxing, I want to eat the house down...every..single...time.  I've eaten two turkey dogs, a peanut butter waffle and a bowl of cereal after class before..in one sitting.  It's like I'm starving!  As I'm typing this, I'm thinking about those skinny cow bars in the freezer...and those jalapeno chips...oh man, I'm getting distracted...

I think I'll just go to bed instead.

 

Until Next Time.....

 

Ma'dam Martinez

 

*As always, sorry for the typos!*

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weigh-In Friday #2...a day late:)

Words to describe this week: busy/frustrating/whirlwind/fun.  Makes no sense.

Tuesday resulted in a stomach bug that brought no puke, no bathroom issues...just the stomach pain that lands you in the fetal position in your bed for hours, along with fever.  Martinez thought that day one of my partial vegetarian diet had attempted to kill me.  Thankfully, he was wrong.  This stomach bug ruined my kickboxing dates this week and I'm really unhappy about that, but we are about to start a new week so YAY!

I did accomplish no meat for four days...not even tuna.  I ate very little Tues & Wed due to the stomach bug...but I will tell you that all I wanted was a spicy chicken sandwich from Chic-Fil-A in the worst way.  I'm not sure this week was a good view of how I would normally do since I had no appetite for two days.  I'm a girl who thinks about what snack I'm gonna have next, while I'm eating one...so this week wasn't a fair attempt and I'm gonna try again this week...but only Monday-Thursday.  Friday, I woke up and the first thing I could think about was a sausage biscuit.  This southern girl loves meat. It is what it is.

Weigh-In Friday at Rice Law Firm...162.2 for yours truly!!!  2 pounds down. BOOM BOOM.  Thank you stomach bug. 

This upcoming week will be busy for us.  Prayers are appreciated this week as Martinez will be completing his final two classes and earning his Bachelor's!!!!!!!
Now, we won't be hypocrites when we tell LG that her little rear will be attending college.

Friday was super busy.  LG had another follow-up apt to check her ears (they are clear!!!), Martinez had a work/promotion thingy which was seeing a private viewing of Iron Man 3 that I was able to attend as well, and a dinner date.  It was fun.

It was chilly yesterday, so I had issues finding something to wear.  I ended up wearing one of the hubs button- ups.  He says to me, " You look really good" when I told him I had gotten a new shirt. He had no clue it was his.  I believe I may not be alone in the nonobservant world. 

Our Saturday has been productive.  LG allowed us to sleep in, we've cleaned, sorted through LG's toys again to weed out those she no longer plays with, took a nap, and I was able to get some prep work done for week ahead.  Now I need to catch up my DVR.

I also went through my closet again and weeded out clothes that are too big :):) Super YAY. I had a pair or two of shorts that I tried on and they are in the giveaway box.

When your husband tells you those shorts make you look like you have a "wide load", you should purge them.
That's free advice for you ladies.



Until Next Time....

Ma'dam Martinez


* As always, sorry for the typos!*

Randoms and Day 1 of a Vegetarian Diet

Martinez and I had a very busy, yet fun weekend!  We were able to go see 42...go see it guys.  It's an owner.  We also attended a wedding reception for one of Kev's old co-workers and had a great time. Jeans were acceptable, so in the words of Phil Robertson, I was happy, happy, happy.

Sunday was church and then a super fun afternoon with our SS peeps and their families.  Our Easter Egg hunt had been cancelled and so it was rescheduled for this weekend...the kids had a blast.

Random thought...
Annoying/ridiculous things seem to happen to me at the most inopportune times.  Sometimes, things I could prevent if I was the least bit observant. Martinez and I laugh about this all the time.  Things always happen to me.
For instance, Martinez and I got popcorn at the theater on Saturday.  We never get popcorn.  I'm a pro at sneaking in my own drinks and candy, but I didn't prepare this time.  So...the buttery, scrumptious popcorn with 5 million calories was purchased. Afterwards, we headed to the reception.  As I was freshening my makeup, I looked down and realized that I had a huge stain on my white undershirt. So, naturally, I assessed the situation...

and realized...

I had dropped popcorn down my shirt, didn't know, and now had a horrid stain.  Not good, considering the whole point of this undershirt was to keep my tatas from hanging out and looking like a skank.  So...I did what anyone in this situation would do.  I pulled my undershirt down and let the tatas fall where they may.  After all, a sight would have been seen either way.  At least my clothes looked clean.

Another ridiculous/non-observant thing...
Mamaw U. already knows about this...
Last Thursday, while getting ready for kickboxing, I realized I had my underwear on backwards. Now, I've blogged before about how I have a bad habit of this and wearing them inside out.  I have no idea why.  I decided to leave them since I'd already worn them all day.  What's another hour or two right?  Well, after bouncing around the grocery store shopping for my 4 day partial/pretend vegetarian diet like a pimp, I got home and got ready to shower....and realized.... not only did I have my undies on backwards.....but I had been wearing my panties as a thong...backwards.

That discovery explained so much. There's just nothing left to say about that.

Another example...
I was dumped on Christmas Eve once.  Who does that?? I should have known that a guy who enjoys wearing a kilt, Irish or not, wasn't the one.

Another example...
At Christmas one year, I was sitting on the couch beside my sister-in-law.  I won't tell you which one b/c she  lived through this embarrassment once...and that's enough.:) Anyway, I was sitting there and I don't remember if she was looking for something, if I was looking or if something was lost in general and we were all looking....It doesn't matter....all I know is that without thinking, I lifted the blanket that was covering her while she was nursing her baby not even realizing what was happening until she pulled it back down.  As I am typing this, I remember feeling ridiculous.
Always happens to me....and in this case....her.
I've never lifted anything around anyone who was nursing since.

Day 1 as a pretend vegetarian..

Bf - iced Cafe Latte - 70 cal
       pb bagel thin     - 195 cal

lunch- my version of a southwest salad... w/o meat, cheese or corn (too high cal!) -340 cal

snack- Greek yogurt (honey)-130 cal

Dinner- Skinny Alfredo - 246 cal
             bread                 -50 cal

leftover cake from the SS party - 2 million cal


I also decided to try to go the whole day with no Diet Dr. Pepper.  Surprisingly, I was awake.  Everyday around 1pm, I get so tired. I usually take a 2 hour nap on Saturdays and another on Sundays- which means I'm lacking sleep and caffeine.  Maybe all the DDP is actually putting me to sleep??? Let's see if I can go another day.

Ok... I've told you guys that I gain 3-5 pounds each weekend.  This weekend...only 1 pound....I blame the fact that we drove by Pinkitzel on the way home from the reception and I had no choice but to indulge in a decadent cupcake at 10ish...after eating fantastic fajitas.
It is what it is ....and I'm sure whichever trainer we have tomorrow at kickboxing will make me wish cupcakes didn't exist.


Until Next Time.....


Ma'dam Martinez

*As always, sorry for the typos!*

Weigh-In Friday #1

Well....

The day has arrived....Weigh -in Friday at Rice Law Firm!

164.2 was my number.

I'm not gonna lie, I'm disappointed in that number.  After kickboxing last night, I really thought I'd be back to 162ish.  We worked hard, and I personally tried hard, so I'm hoping there is an explanation for this.  At least I didn't gain though!  I don't want to have to pay the pot!
Our office, along with the salon sistas in the back has lost 13 lbs this week!  Yay for weight loss!

Kickboxing..
On Tuesday, I knew that a few girls would be gone for various commitments.  Since The Machine was soaking up some sun in Florida, I didn't plan on coming, until I told that to a sweet girl who works her butt off at kickboxing.  She encouraged me to come.  When Thursday rolled around, the nerves came and I wanted to skip. Then, another sweet girl who as worked so hard that she's thrown up before passed out some encouragement, so I acted like a grown up and went. I know I said that Tuesday was the best experience there that I'd had, but now I think last night was... and mostly b/c I went without The Machine, my safety net, being there.
There were only four of us....four newbies.  This worked out perfectly b/c it's hard to keep up if you don't know the moves.  We got personal instruction last night and it was awesome.  I feel much more confident.  I will tell you that I woke up several times last night with my arms aching...so I know it's working:)  Trainer Jared worked us hard!

After workout photo..

Flutter kicks...
Martinez doesn't know this yet, but he's gonna be working with me on these.  The other girls can do this so well.  You have to lay on your back and hold your legs 6 inches off the ground.....straight.... and then alternate your legs up and down, but without touching the floor...and without bending your knees too much.  Right now, I do not have the strength to do this...and it's aggravating.  I'm on a mission to get this down.  The girls said your core has to be strengthened to do this properly...so I've got some work to do:)

I'm just gonna go ahead and put it out there...I'm really not interesting in perfecting a Burpee.

So, at the office yesterday, The DeShazo and I were talking about how we feel better when eating clean.  We've taken a break from eating at different sandwich shops around town and critiquing them and we feel much better.  I just realized I said "town"...southeast AR just came out of me...guess I should have said "city" instead. Anyway, this whole conversation lead to wondering how it would feel to eat a vegetarian diet for a little while.  So....we are becoming vegetarians. Well, part-time vegetarians.  Ok, so only for four days ... Monday -Thursday next week.
Actually, we are becoming partial part-time vegetarians...since The DeShazo almost broke out in hives with the thought of not having any tuna. So, fish is included!
I had already planned to go to the grocery store after class last night, but this vegetarian idea changed my menu.  It's kinda scary the thoughts we have at work b/c a lot are put into action...like rubbing lotion with cocoa on your body for a tan.
I won't tell you who did that.

Ok ya'll, please tell me I'm not the only person who has seen some skinny girl in the grocery store after work... in her workout clothes....putting healthy food in her buggy cart (sorry! south AR just came back again) while you keep bumping into her with your cart filled with bbq chips, oreos and powdered donuts??!!??
That happens to me ALL the time... and then I wish I was like that.
Last night, that was me...except the skinny part!  I pretty much felt like a pimp as I bounced around getting things for my practice vegetarian week...and...I pretty much checked out my sweaty body, disheveled hair and red face the whole way down the produce wall in those slanted mirrors.
It is what it is folks.
I will say, going grocery shopping after a workout did change my choices...of everything.  It's scary really. Maybe it's b/c I would feel like I fake if I dressed the part and then went the opposite direction with my food choices.

Back to my weigh in today.. I really hope my lack of losing an extra pound is from getting home so late and eating dinner...even though it was only a 1/2c of my new friend, edamame.  I had to wait in line forever...which resulted in purchasing this...

If they can't make it, what's happening in this world?????!!

Busy weekend ahead for the Martinez family.. Movie for the hubs and I, then a wedding reception to attend, then church and SS family fun day!  Hopefully, I won't make my usual weekend screw-up and gain 3-5 pounds. 

Have a great weekend folks!

I leave you with this gorgeous thing...

Until Next Time....

Ma'dam Martinez

*As always, sorry for the typos!*

More Pieces To This Weight Loss Journey!

Hello Peeps!

I'm about to fall asleep, so I'm not promising complete thoughts for this post.  Well, as I think about that, I'm not sure I ever actually complete a thought because I get distracted by the smallest things...like the chocolate I just saw on the bottom of my shirt.

Yes, if you are wondering, I just ate it.

I remembered earlier that I never updated you guys about my Dole issue.  In case you missed that post, here's what happened...

I received a letter saying to call them...so The DeShazo and SSGT Seeley talked me into calling...which resulted in these beauties..

2 Free bags of salad up to $4.99 and 3 $.75 off coupons! Score!

Just to be clear, I was never rude...even when the rep on the phone advised that the stick had been sent to her bosses for review.  I never confronted her about how that couldn't possibly be the case since the stick is in my car....still:)  Perhaps my fascination with writing letters comes from working in a law office...where I see/hear the most random things.  I'm not really sure how that sentenced related to anything at all, but I've already explained my exhaustion.
Thanks for the coupons Dole!

So...I need to confess....

I ate the house down - weekend before last.....5 pounds worth... in three days.  I went from 162 to 167.  Mostly b/c Jen F made the most delicious dessert ever.. and because my hubs knows how to prepare for shark week..

..and because I had no self control.
It's a sad story...and yes, I regret EVERY.FREAKIN'.CRUMB.

The good news?  I lost three of the five gained- down to 164 pounds... thanks to watching calories and kickboxing!  Well..Kickboxing gets credit for 2 of the pounds lost.

Another confession...

Our office started a Biggest Loser Contest Friday.  Each person will weigh in, take a photo of their scale (toes included so we know it's really you) and it'll be recorded.  Every Friday, repeat the process.  If you maintained your weight or lost, great!  If you gained...sucks to be you because you owe the pot a buck for every pound gained.  Oh, and everyone had to pay an entry fee of 10 bucks. With the salon in the back of our office participating too, it's a nice little pot!
All of this info I've provided is so I can now explain why my weight on Friday was 166lbs...that would be four pounds up from my lowest number and two pounds up from my recovery from two weekends ago. I'm not sure that made sense.  Anyway, we binged on Oreos in the office and Chic-Fil-A on Thursday, so clearly a sleeve of oreos adds two pounds to my hips.  If I really try, I have a small shot at winning this thing. Maybe I should just bite the bullet and take everyone's money.... I do need to save for the next Steven Tyler concert:)  I really wish we would have done this contest last year when I weighed 225lbs....no one would have had a shot!

Tonight's kickboxing class....

Different trainer....different workout.....different pain.

Tonight, I learned how to do swing knees, hippie-hoppies, cheerleaders, body squats and some actual kickboxing moves.  I'm pretty sure the next couple of days are going to be full of pain...I'm just hoping I sit on the toilet this week without having to hold the wall for support like I've had to do a couple of times since starting this.

Swing knees....
Trainer Ryan had us hold our arms up and grip the cage and then swing one leg backward as far as possible and bring it forward (knees up as high as you could) and then repeat. over..and over..and over...until I thought death was quickly approaching.  I could feel the air in my chest getting cold and my breathing hurting.....and I guess I stopped breathing b/c The Machine was in my ear "Breathe, Anna!  I like these! You can do it!" .  I think The Machine has lost her mind...no one should "like" those.
We got a break..60 seconds..and then it was swing knees alternated with cheerleaders in different intervals.  If you really want your legs to ache....just do that for what seems like forever.

Hippie Hoppies....
Trainer Ryan thought it would be fun for us to all go to the wall and jump up on our toes and touch the wall as high as we could....repeatedly...and when I say repeatedly... I mean IT.SUCKED.  For those of you thinking "Oh, that's easy"....do it....repeatedly... I dare you.  If it doesn't tire you out...then you aren't human, you need a therapist or you're lying.
Our break after those suckers....a wall sit.  A very long wall sit.  I'm not gonna lie, I didn't do well with the Hippie Hoppies OR the wall sit.  Trainer Ryan moves peoples legs and pulls your arms out if you are slackin'.  How do I know this? Well, I was slackin'...and when my legs were moved and my arms were moved and I was told to move my butt down the wall......pain like no other appeared out of no where.

Cheerleaders....
These were like the jump squats (I may not have the right comparison...I just know Trainer Rob did something identical but it had a different name and I didn't like it then either).  I really don't do these well.  I have to seriously concentrate.  Sometimes I wonder if I'm concentrating too hard and trying to learn the moves perfectly, which in turn is screwing me up, but I really want to get this...not the cheerleaders...but this kickboxing thing!

Body Squats....
Trainer Rob did these with us once before.  The were also alternated with swing knees.  Not fun, but at least with these I didn't feel like my rolls were bouncing and jigglin' everywhere like I did with the cheerleaders.

On to the kickboxing moves...

We focused on jabs tonight...and proper stance and form.  Trainer Ryan had us get in a circle and he demonstrated our "move for the moment".  We were informed to really pay attention b/c we would be tested later.  He came to each person and gave instruction.  After that...the test....that I didn't really think would be a "test".  Each person....solo...had do to the jab move with proper form...meaning the footwork with the bounce, hands in the proper position protecting your face, chin down, outstretched jab... the whole nine yards.  Intimidating much??
If a person missed something, the whole team had to do a Burpee. I was third up and we had to do Burpee's twice already...So.... I tried to be clever and move myself to be any number except third and next, but Trainer Ryan didn't let that slide.  So...yep....more Burpee's.... I didn't hold my arms properly...

After our kickboxing tutorial and several Burpee's later, off to the boxing ring we go...for an ab workout.
New move....everyone had to get to the outer edge of the boxing ring and hang the first half of your body (he was nice and it wasn't quite half) off the ring/mat....so that we were dangling.  This forced us to have to hold our bodies up...and no one could grab ropes for support.  That was hard....our heads had to be straight with our bodies....and it seemed like forever...but it was probably only for 15 seconds at a time.  I'm not sure how many we did.... but I can guarantee my stomach will be sore tomorrow.

I believe I produced more sweat tonight than I ever have.... so much so that I could have rang water out of my bra when I got home.  You are welcome for that lovely image.  If I thought about it, then you should have to picture it.  Only fair, right?
I must note a major difference in tonight's workout versus my other three visits....this trainer doesn't let you sit and stare when he's giving a demonstration.  Instead, jump and jacks are in order...while you watch the moves. 

The veteran girls, who need to be credited for their dedication and willingness to help us newbies, kept talking about jumping on punching bags and holding on.  The Machine and T demonstrated.  As I stood and watched...I just had this need to try it.  So.... I did.  Apparently, I forgot to grip my legs around the bag, along with my arms, which meant me and all my fat rolls slid right down the bag and hit the floor.  I'm pretty sure my rumpus may have even bounced me a little...but I couldn't even worry about my butt b/c I clotheslined the punching bag when I jumped and I didn't know if my throat was still there.  All I could do is laugh.  I'll need more instruction before I attempt that again.  If you've seen the episode of Ellen where she talks about people "koaling"..that's essentially the mental picture you should have...only with a punching bag.  I failed miserably.

I have to say, I'm enjoying the class more now.  I'm not sure if it's b/c the nervousness is slowly leaving or if I'm just really getting into this.  I've lost so much weight over the last year and four months and I want to lose more!  I'm not trying to be super skinny, but I feel so much better now that I can only imagine how it would feel to lose more.  I'm blessed to have a husband who willingly helps out at home and doesn't mind picking up some extra duties so that I can do this...so...Thanks Martinez:) I'm struggling with the time away from my family.  I know it's only an hour, but when you work all day...that hour at night is precious with husband and daughter.  Even though I'm feeling guilty about this, I know it will be the best thing b/c I will hopefully be adding years to my life by getting in shape and eating healthier.....except for shark weeks.

Peace out folks!  It's bedtime!

Until Next Time...

Ma'dam Martinez

*As always, sorry for the typos*