Back in the Game

As I told you last Sunday, I fell off the working out wagon. After my nephew was born on Friday, I finally got back into my workouts. I added a different twist to it: water aerobics. My last semester in college I took a water aerobics class (I technically could have declared Sports and Nutrition as my minor, but decided to declare Latin American and Caribbean Studies instead; it went better with my History major). Anyway, I learned plenty in this class. In fact, the class was full of football players who took it just to take it and they appreciated the class the most.

In water aerobics you're in the water upto your shoulders. With 90% of your body submerged, you have the most resistance. You take for granted the exercise because you don't feel as if you're sweating. The truth of the matter is that you're getting a great workout. You also use noodles or dumbbells to increase the intensity and resistance. The pool is also a great place for therapy for those people who have injuries or physical disabilities. There is no impact on your body and the benefits of it are spectacular. Some of the exercises do tend to get challenging because you have to learn how to balance your body. There's this one exercise where you step on the noodle with your foot. Your leg goes up and down as if you were marching. This sounds very easy, but don't get fooled. A very petite and thin lady in my class shot backwards into the water when she tried stepping down. We felt bad for her because she didn't know how to swim and had swallowed some water.

If you have access to a pool, I recommend that you try it. Practically any exercise you do on land, you could do in the water. I especially suggest those of you that don't like even the thought of exercising to try it. You'll have lots of fun and your body will appreciate the movement.

BRYAN

BRYAN
Originally uploaded by XiaDiaz.

Here's another picture of my little nephew Bryan. I just want to bite his cheeks off!!!!!

Operation Move Back

It's official! Operation Move Back is in order. I just finished booking my flight for June 8th. I'm joyed and saddened at the same time. I really don't want to leave Dan down here, but we kind of have no choice. He's not thrilled with the idea, either. I have to find a place to move into before Dan comes up because we need a place for our doggies. My hope is that I find a job quickly and get Dan up to NJ by at least August or September. I don't want to spend that much time away from him. Everyone wish us lots of luck!!!

Correction on the Name

I just found out that my nephew's name is going to be spelled with a y instead of an i. Bryan is doing very well. He weighed 9.3 lbs. and is 20 inches long. So far, he's been sleeping a lot. His older brother and sister are ecstatic about their new baby brother. We're very happy about the new addtion to the family.

Brian 5-27-05

Brian 5-27-2005
Originally uploaded by XiaDiaz.

I want to welcome my new little nephew Brian! He was born about 11:15am. What's funny about this is I was the first one to see him. I actually broke the news to my mom who had no idea that he had been born yet (and she's at the hospital). My sister promised that as soon as he was born that they were going to snap a picture of him and send it right away. Mom and baby are doing great and dad is emotional as you could imagine. I'm so excited about my nephew that I can't stop crying. I can't wait until I could hold him!!!

No Progress This Week

I fell off the working out wagon this week. To be honest, it hasn't been one of my best weeks. Since I don't like harping on the bad stuff, I'm not going to talk about it. In fact I realized how bad its getting when I woke up this morning and the first thing I thought about was the afternoon from hell I had yesterday. Not a good way to start the day.

Enough about that! I do have good news. As of this morning, my sister is in early labor. The doctor told her she was going to have a long labor (her last one was for 22 hours). I hope it's not that long this time around. As you could imagine, I'm extremely ecstatic about this. At the same time I'm very sad that I won't be able to hold him (she's having a boy) for another two weeks or so. She did promise to take a picture of him right away and send it via phone. Wish her and the baby lots of luck!!! Keep you posted.

Paying Off

Weight loss update: 1.5 pounds lost!!!!!
Not only that, but I've lost three inches on back, two around my waist, two around my hips, and two around my thighs. This is my progress in one month. Since I'm loosing inches, I'm not discouraged about the lack of movement on the scale. For the first time, I actually saw my body in a different light. I was trying on some tops at a store today when I came across a very sexy blouse. It was slim fitting and when I tried it on I didn't look like a ten pound sausage in a five pound casing. I didn't buy it because I found it too sexy and don't feel that comfortable in my own skin yet. Otherwise, I would have walked out with on (of course after paying for it)! I probably should have bought it, but I found another top that I wouldn't dream of wearing a few months ago.

At any rate, I'm very pleased with my progress and especially with my determination. My mother-in-law thinks I'm obsessed with working out, which she's probably not that far off. The way I look it is if I'm not keeping track of what I burn or how much I workout, then I'm not going to see the results. This keeps me focused on my task. Everyone has a method to their own madness. I happen to work in this manner.

On a totally different subject, my job search is going well. I haven't been called for any interviews, but I'm very excited that I'm finding jobs that I am qualified for. This is such a relief compared to the jobs available in Miami. What is even more comforting is that I am finding a vast variety of jobs that I wouldn't mind doing. I'm sure once I'm up there my luck would drastically be enhanced!

A Pound Farther Away

Unfortunately this week, I inched up in the scale. I'm not concerned about it because I am weight training, which explains it. Even though you really don't show significance body change for about eight weeks, third week in and I'm getting compliments. At least I know I'm doing something right. I should probably take my measurements to gauge how many inches I am actually loosing. This will keep me motivated and not focused so much on the scale. Keep you posted!!!

A Pound Closer

As I promised, I would keep you updated on my weight loss. I went to the gym this morning and got on the dreaded scale. It turned out to be not so dreaded since I'm one pound closer to my goal. Actually, I did get weighed at the doctor's office on Friday. Since then, I have lost a pound. I cannot even begin to explain to you how excited I am about this. I think I'll start the trend on weighing myself on Sundays to see my success and post it on line.