A Positive Reflection on my Grandfather

Today, our nation honors those brave men and women who have given their lives so that we can continue to live in the land of the free with security. Many in our nation also take time out today to remember those non-veteran loved ones who are no longer with us. As I reflect on the memories of those who have departed, I also want to take time to reflect on one who is very dear to me and very much alive: my grandfather Charles Dennerson Robbins, pictured here with me a week ago Saturday on the Spirit of Norfolk.

My grandfather, an 85 years young, is full of life and energy (he exercise daily and is very careful with his diet). I hope to be half as active at 58 as he is at 85. He is also by far one of the two most brilliant men I know (the other being my Sweetie). Granddad is a real "Renaissance Man", known to quote Shakespeare or Milton at any random time or break out in an operatic sounding melody (not being funny here, he has an awesome voice that didn't make it to me!).

Granddad is also known for writing short positive reflections of the highest literary quality. He gave me the following one recently that I had to post; I want to honor him now while he is still with me:

Positive Reflection by C.D. Robbins

Life is a miracle. Each day, each moment-another miracle.
Time and today still ours to share; 'Seize the moment'.
Be thankful.
Be proud.
Be happy.
You're still part of the miracle.

Round 2: Fitter and Finer Challenge-It's On!

When I started the McGhee Ladies Fitter and Finer Challenge, I had always intended there to be a Round 2--to Keep the Momentum Going; This is a journey without end, right?

After winning The Challenge, I was so fired up for Round 2. We even took before pictures! Then all of the traveling happened and I just didn't take the time to focus and engage the Round 2 participants.

Now, that I am home and haven't lost any weight since the challenge (although I am happy to be maintaining with all the traveling that I had been doing!), I re-grouped the Round 2 participants. To my delight, they were all ready to really get started! They too want to Keep the Momentum Going, and we have some additional participants who were inspired by the first round. I have extended the challenge to August 28th, so we have 3 FULL MONTHS to work it out and eat right!

And, am I trying to win again? You're darn skipping! I have about 10-12 pounds of fat that I want to shed. My competitive nature and my desire to look, feel and be great will get me there! In fact, I want to almost be there in the next month and then just shed the rest of the fat and maintain by the Challenge Finale.

I am ready! Headed to the gym to train now!

Let's Go Fitter and Finer Challengers!

I am Shay Shay Fit!

Shay Shay's Adventures in Travel: Going Home

Ah, it's a Friday and I am on my own couch, in my own house. It's been weeks since I have had a Friday evening like this, and I am loving it! I love my Adventures in Travel, but I am so glad to be in my own space right now!

Last week I was in my home state: The Commonwealth of Virginia. I was there for work conference, but was blessed to extend my stay and visit with family. Going home is always a challenge with the eating clean and working out. I was prepared with nuts, trailmix, flaxseed, and Kashi bars for the conference. And thankfully my mom is trying to eat better, so I had egg whites, oatmeal, bananas, and lean meat to get me through the weekend. Here are some pictures from the trip:

The gym in the small Colonial Williamsburg Hotel. Not the best, not the worst. It was enough.

The Jamestown-Surry Ferry System: Leaving Williamsburg

I'm HOME--"Downtown" Surry County (population appox. 7,000) and its ONLY Traffic Light circa 2008! I am truly a small town girl!

Small town girl at the beautiful Norfolk Harbor headed to a family event on the Spirit Dinner Cruise. This is another Rose Couture item. I was so on the fence when I saw this on the rack, but I LOVE this dress! And, I have to say it--LIKING MY LEGS! Must Keep the Momentum Going!

Anticipating More Fun: Race & Relax

I am back from another week of travel; total 5 out of 6 weeks of straight travel-whew! I'll post about my travel adventure later this week, but I am long overdue to brag about my next round of fun: Race & Relax, Saturday, June 5th--right here in ATL! NO SUITCASES (that 50 lb limit-arrgghh!), PLANES or SECURITY LINES--Yeah!!

A while ago I mentioned Race & Relax sponsored by The BlogRollers (http://www.blogrollers.com/), Cherry Marketing Institute (above, checkout the cherry juice sent to me which helps with inflammation among other health benefits. It was quite tasty), Walt Disney World Resorts (got to love Disney!), Pampered by Adrienne (can't wait to get pampered!), and and now The Wine Sisterhood (every now and then, I do enjoy a nice glass of wine).

I am so excited about the race, fellowship, AND my Swag Bag! You can read how excited I am at http://runwifeyrun.blogspot.com/2010/05/race-relax-beauty-shannon-pierce.html.

Can't wait to blog of my experience!

Shay Shay's Adventures in Travel--Pictures Finally

Finally, pictures from my Adventures in Travel!

The Family Circle Cup, Charleston, SC area--A great time in beautiful Charleston area and so much fun with my buddies Queen B and Reesey Cup. Ah, my tennis hero-Serena! And yep, I packed my snacks and carried my scale. I had to Keep the Momentum Going! I desire to be as fit as Serena!

Washington, DC--Hanging out in our Nations Capitol with clean eating convert and Sorority Pledge Sister-Braveheart and hanging with more Sorority Pledge Sisters at Dexterity Fashion Show produced by Sorority Pledge Sister Mortal Kombat in the center. Also pictured: Dessert Storm, Saved by the Belle, Mona Lisa, Pulp Fiction, and Golden Child. Check out my dress from Rose Couture in Riverdale (I blogged about my Post Fitter and Finer Challenge Shopping experience at Rose Couture back in April). Pulp Fiction was an awesome hostess, but she had WAY TOO MANY SNACKS! LOL! A Den of Sin and Temptation I called it. I enjoyed a few things, but I sure was glad the challenge was over!

Southern California--And here I am in beautiful Southern California: in front of John Wayne statute at John Wayne Airport in Orange County; chilling at the beach (boy was that water chilly); and in front of the FABULOUS Renaissance Club Sport Hotel. This hotel was off the chain! It had a full, state of the art gym with over 100 classes offered throughout the week--all free to hotel guests! What a concept?!? This was the PERFECT hotel for Shay Shay! I wish there was one in every city where I traveled! During my stay I took a Turbo Kick class (http://www.turbokick.com/). I've taken kickboxing before, but this was kickboxing x100! It was right up my alley because it combines dance and intense kickboxing. There was no getting bored in this class, and I SWEATED! Apparently you can burn up to 1000 calories in one hour, and I am a believer! I just love California! The state seems to make it so easy to be healthy. I stuck pretty close to eating clean while there although it was vacation. I now know that I don't have to blow my lifestyle just because I am away. Good to know because I'm traveling a lot these days and can't get too far off track!

Although I am quite tired, I sure have had a great time the last few weeks! Looking forward to more adventures!

P.S. I back-posted the pictures from the State Championship. See May 11, 2010.

Exhausted, but Doing My Thing!

Okay, I know I've been talking about being busy and tired for quite some time now. But, I really am pooped. I am looking forward to next week and the following month when I can get a chance to settle down and get back to a more normal routine.

Although I am tired, I am not letting go of my health and fitness momentum. I can't let go because I refuse to keep trying to lose the same 20 lbs over and over again.

So, how am I doing my thing:

After I returned to California Sunday, I hit the gym for some cardio. Was I tired, yes. Am I glad I went? Oh yes!

Then last night, I had a flex league tennis match with my partner Reesey Cup. I had not been on the court or held a racket since WINNING (still super excited) the State Championship with my team. I'm not sure if it was fatigue or just dust from not playing for a week, but Reesey Cup and I found ourselves 1-6 at the end of the first set! Not good--we're State Champs for Heaven's Sake! LOL!

Instead of getting down on ourselves, we made some much needed adjustments (switched sides and slowed down the pace of the match) and pulled out the VICTORY ending the match at 1-6, 6-4, 6-4. I am so proud of us because we kept our heads and played smart tennis even with our opponents' (very skilled/experienced players) teammates in the background (we were on their home courts) doing some hardcore cheering for their teammates. Without eating clean and staying fit, battling it out in three sets may not have been as easy. I am finding that endurance plays a major role in tennis. Not having to focus on gathering energy to keep me in the match helps me to focus on the task at hand--winning the match! Sweet!

Then there was this morning. Back to my theme for the month--Shay Shay is tired! After three sets of intense tennis, I wasn't necessarily all that geared up for an 6 AM workout (plus 20 minute warm-up on top) with Anna Mae. But, I got up and out because I committed to be there. Shay Shay's word is my bond. Now that the workout is over, and I have had my egg whites on Flatout, I am glad I trained this morning.

So, here's to Doing My Thing! I must Keep the Momentum Going!

I am Shay Shay Fit!

P.S. I WILL get he pictures posted this week (if I keep saying it, maybe I'll do it.)

Back from Beautiful Southern California!

Two days after State, I headed to beautiful Southern California for a family event with Sweetie. We made a mini-vacation out of it and had wonderful time.

What a beautiful area and perfect for those who want to be fit (ah, the teaser; will be blogging about this later). I'm tired now. Work is calling tomorrow, and I need to get my mind right. I PROMISE to post this week the pictures of my California adventure and my earlier journeys.

Night Night.

We are State Champs!!

We did it! The McGhee Super Slammers won the USTA 3.0 Women's Georgia State Title! We are headed to Birmingham for Sectionals in July! It was such an awesome experience! Four days of twice a day tennis--HEAVEN--tiring, but HEAVEN! I have such an awesome team and am so proud to serve as captain.

I am also proud that I packed plenty of clean eats to make sure that I stayed properly fueled during the tournament. With preparation, this clean eating on the road isn't all that difficult--but preparation really is key!

Here are some shots from State:

Team fueling up for 6 AM warm-ups. Loved the full kitchens in the suites. I had my homemade oatmeal (oats, flaxseed, bee pollen, cinnamon, walnuts, and banana) in my room each morning. It did me good!

Shay Shay and The AKA (I don't hold it against her--I'm a Delta)warming up for our first match.

Just finishing winning the 2nd point of 3 needed to WIN IT ALL!

We WON!! Birmingham here we come!

Earned two more bag tags to add to the collection!

Theme for the Month! BUSY!!

Okay, I am running around like crazy--tired, but having fun! I still have my eyes focused on eating clean and keeping fit! This is USTA State Championship Week! The Crud Monster is trying to show its ugly head! This often happens when I'm on the go--non-stop. But, I am taking it on! I went into the office today, but quite a few folks are sick, so I headed home and rested.

As soon as I settle down a bit, I will get pictures posted from Charleston, my trip to D.C. (see me in the sassy dress from Rose Couture to the left under Title "Still Working") and my "leaner" jeans. And I'll have to tell you about this really cool race I'm doing--Race&Relax sponsored by Disney and Cherry Juice. Stay tuned!!