Heck, It's Been a Week-Lots of Catching Up to Do!

My how time flies! It's been a WHOLE WEEK since I blogged. Not good.

What was good was my business trip last Friday-Sunday that took my to beautiful Boca Raton, Florida. I haven't really gotten away to a paradise type location in quite some time. This little trip reminded me that getaways are a great thing! The ocean was gorgeous. The hotel was awesome. The food--EXCELLENT! I even managed to stay away from the desserts and ate pretty well. I did have one emergency breakfast moment when the meeting only had a buffet of french toast, potato hash, sugar-laden yogurt and un-clean boxed cereal. My Nectar whey protein came to the rescue along with a few pieces of fruit and a granola bar I found.

Anyhoo, it was a great networking meeting, and I LOVED LOVED LOVED Beautiful Boca! Why didn't I take pictures!

Then I got back to ATL and a very very busy week! Wednesday got here so fast! I'm working--slowly, but working--on better time management between home and work. One thing that I will not sacrifice is health and fitness, but I have to make sure I stay on top of all things--especially when work is super busy as it is now. I don't have too much of a problem with managing work, but managing home and all the responsibilities that come with home ownership and being a grown up can get overwhelming. Staying fit and energetic helps. I know I can get it all done. I'm rarely tired. I just now need to execute on the organization and prioritizing.

Oh, and I can't forget the Fitter and Finer Challenge! It's time for the COUNT DOWN! Just 10 Days to the Finale! Short term goal: Don't blow it this weekend! I'm doing well and expect huge results on April 24th. So, KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING SHAY SHAY!

Just Need to Check In

I don't have a whole lot to say, but I have to blog today. I have found that gaps in my blogging usually means that I have fallen off with my clean eating and consistent exercise. The proof is in my 2009 blog activity. Starting around Memorial Day 2009, I just lost it. I was eating all sorts of bad stuff and often. I wasn't working out consistently.

From Memorial Day to the end of 2009, I only blogged 6 times! I clearly had lost my way. I have already blogged close to 50 times in just the first 3 months of 2010. Blogging keeps me accountable to myself and the faithful few who check me out from time to time or who follow me. If I'm not blogging, I'm not focused on my journey to Lose Fat and Win. If I'm not blogging, I am too ashamed that I have detoured off the path toward lifelong health and fitness.

So, today. I am just writing to say. I'm Keeping the Momentum Going. I'm feeling great! I'm seeing progress, and I know I will reach my goals!

We have just 2 1/2 weeks toward the end of the Fitter and Finer Challenge. I'm doing well in the challenge, but the challenge for Shay Shay will not end on April 24th. I'll be working toward the next goal and blogging about it all along the way!

I am Shay Shay Fit; I'm a Health and Fitness Blogger!

Happy Resurrection Day!

Before I get into my wonderful day, check out my new do. I really like it. THANK YOU so much Cheryl (Allen Mitchell Salon at Studioplex on Auburn Avenue) for taking me on short notice and doing a wonderful job! You're awesome! And, yes. I'm wearing a Lynard Skynyrd t-shirt. I couldn't resist getting it. I can't deny that Sweet Home Alabama is a great tune. LOL!

What a beautiful Ressurrection/Easter Day we had in ATL! My Sweetie and I joined my buddy Reesey Cup for Sunrise Service. Then we hit the gym (the new hairstyle held up) before we headed to a wonderful brunch at one of my favorite spots--Chequer's Seafood Restaurant. I can't help but chuckle at how my lifestyle really has changed.

I recall Easter Sundays where the gym was the furthest thing from my mind. I would eat WAY too much and clean eating was not even on my radar (can you say: lots of baked mac n cheese, too much homemade cornbread, lots of dressing with turkey wings, hunks of cake and/or pie, and bottles of sugar laden sparking apple cidar--all my favorites-oh my!).

This year, I made sure that I had a quality workout before indulging in any Easter meal. I even was careful at brunch avoiding the oh so tasty sweet, cinnamon raisin biscuits and pecan pie and instead filled up on lots of boiled shrimp with spicy mustard and Cioppino (shellfish in tomato broth)(which I LOVE). I didn't deprive myself though. Don't tell my trainer, Anna Mae, but I did have a spoon of the delicious crab stuffing and half of Belgium waffle with pecan and berries--yum!--easy on the syrup, but followed it up with lots of lemon water and green tea.

I left Chequer's feeling satisfied but not full. I have definitely left there in the past feeling like I was going to pop!. Today's feeling was a much better feeling! Enjoying a good meal and not feeling guilty about it. Sweet, because Shay Shay is still a foodie to the core!

To top off the day, I got to spend some time with my first cousin and his family who were in town for their daughter's volleyball tournament. So glad I was able to see them!

Tomorrow is back to the normal strict clean eating way. But, I thank God for today. It was truly awesome!

No Place Like Home: My Gym

There is really no excuse NOT to workout while traveling. Hotels are equipped with basic cardio and strength equipment, and my legs and arms can function as its own gym without any equipment at all.

Yet, after a great workout at my local gym and seeing my morning crew this morning, I must declare: There is NO PLACE like my hometown gym! I realized this morning that the familiar faces force me to crank it up a notch in a way that the strangers at Hotel X can't.

I'm one of those folks who feeds off others in the gym. I'm not as effective alone at home, and now I know that I am not as effective feeling alone in a lonely hotel gym. It's just not the same.

While I won't stop working out while traveling and will try to increase the intensity while away, I will make sure that I make the most out of my hometown gym.

There is just no place like home-gym!

Happy Good Friday!

I am Shay Shay Fit and Happy to be Home!

Shay Shay's Adventures in Travel

I am finally back from a business trip to beautiful D.C. It's peak Cherry Blossom season and the weather was gorgeous. Here is a peak at how I managed clean eats and exercise during this trip:

First, Kudos to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Concourse E for having Nature's Table Bistro. My Sweetie had told me about this place. Although I was departing from Concourse C, I allotted time to go to E so that I could have some good ol' grilled chicken and steamed veggies. It was quite tasty. Now, they do have plenty of items that may be calorie busters, but this spot has lots of sensible choices for the most disciplined of eaters!

Second, a big shout out to the conference coordinator for my industry association meeting. Lunch was filled with grilled chicken, roasted veggies, and salad greens. There were VERY mini desserts, wheat rolls, and wild rice too, but these are not a part of my current fat burning food plan. Another day, I probably would have added these to the plate without much guilt.

I even managed to make really good choices at breakfast and dinner, but here is where the adventure comes into play.

Although things went fairly well, I wasn't as prepared as I would have liked/should have been for this trip. Here's the lowdown:

1. I left my sneakers! I wasn't deterred though. I did cardio in my socks! Out with those socks!
2. The hotel had great steel cut oats but didn't grind the flaxseed it provided! I HAVE to remember my ground flaxseed travel packs. Eating whole flaxseed is just not right!
3. MUST remember my Ipod! How could I forget. Music makes me happy and my workouts better!
4. Protein powder must tag along. I can always find water, so if I find myself unable to get in some protein because I'm on the run or in a meeting, a little protein powder would be handy!
5. Always pack almonds! Just a few almonds and the blood sugar is back on track. Can't do without them!
6. Right now I'm limiting natural sugar from fruit to get over the hump, but in the future some dried apricots will definitely accompany me on the road! The grapefruit was great, but just not practical with all the juice (although I am sure glad I had that grapefruit while waiting in the airport this morning!)

I now have a list in my blackberry call Travel Must Pack that I will check each time I have to leave town. I will not be caught unprepared again because . . .

I am Shay Shay Fit to Travel!

Kicking it Up a Notch!

With less than 4 weeks left in the Fitter and Finer Challenge and warm weather and swimsuit season right behind, it's time for Shay Shay to KICK IT UP A NOTCH!

Progress has been okay since Stopping the Insanity (~17 lbs since 1/5/2010). My Challenge Progress is not too shabby, but still slightly behind my pace (~12 lbs since 1/19/2010). I have to focus a little bit more with my clean eating and REALLY get my cardio and strength training on!

I know I can and WILL reach my goal this year.

P.S. I won my first match at the B1 level. I am going to build on this and work hard to get more and more competitive at this more advanced level.

I am Shay Shay Fit!

That's My Song!

I have always said that I would be open (as open as appropriate) and honest on this blog. So, I will admit that at one time I just didn't get the hype about the music group Black Eyed Peas. Then came Boom Boom Pow. This high tempo song really got me. It became my theme song for our USTA Championship run during the Summer (when we made it to the finals) and Winter (when WE WON!).

Something about this song just does it for Shay Shay. Proof: I had an Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association (ALTA) match Wednesday. For reasons that are too complex to explain in this post, we're playing at a much higher level this season. It's tough. We're actually playing pretty well, but we have been falling short with the wins (this is humbling for Shay Shay). Anyhoo, my partner and I were struggling a bit, and I was up for the serve. All of a sudden my teammate D, who is my music box when I need motivation, says: Boom Boom Pow! I toss the ball and BOOM BOOM POW! ACE! A true Ace--not a "the opponent was not ready for the serve ace." It was a "just how my coach and I practiced, ball had the right speed, and hit the perfect corner spot of the service box" ACE! It was so SWEET! I need to find this serve again. LOL!

This morning I was struggling a little bit in cycling class. I really woke up thinking, "maybe I should get back in bed." I think I am coming down with a slight case of the "going at it too hard and not resting enough" crud (throat a tad sore, energy level a little down). Because I knew my teammate Nneezy was going to class (because I woke her up. LOL!), I got the motivation to go to class. I was working hard, but like I said struggling a bit. Then, all of a sudden a Boom Boom Pow remix came through the speakers. Nneezy was on the bike next to me. She gave me a look like-that's your song. All of a sudden my fist started pumping and my legs started MOVING! I was able to finish off the class with a Pow!

Thank you Black Eyed Peas for giving me some theme music. I now get it. And that Showdown song is off the chain too. It will be my new theme song as I work through this ALTA season, get ready for the USTA State Championships, and get ready for a swimsuit summer!

TGIF!