What a year can do! Part 5

Not many words.  How about a "montage" of pics instead of words .......


December 28, 2011 (the start)

January 30, 2012

February 28, 2012

March 29, 2012

May 1, 2012

June 5, 2012

Now this may not be the biggest transformation ever but it is mine.  I felt good when the very first picture was taken.  But the last picture sums up how I feel now!  If this is the middle .... hhhmmmm, what will be the end! 

BRING IT ON! 

Off and running with a little throwing also!

There can be a lot of waiting around in track & field.  We opt not to take a "canopy or tent" to small evening meets.  As once their events start we are not stationary. 

Waiting ever so patiently for the start of the 50 hurdles.  She just loves them.  And I must say she does a pretty good job at clearing them. 

Go Killer!  Go Killer!  Go Killer!  Must mention that even though she is 6 years old because of her age by years end she competes in the 7 - 8 age group.  She is so small compared to most of the other girls.  And some of the coaches didn't believe me.  Think I remember exactly when she came out of my body!  That is something us Moms don't forget! 

Straight to the finish! 

One thing I hate about the facility is their throwing areas.  I know unless you have an athlete competing in such events you don't care.  But honestly out of all the facilities I've been to in the last 25 years this one is hands down the worst.  Nice fence view, hun?  That is from the top seat. Under that is chain link.  Muscles is just waiting back there in the group. 

After one of this throws.  He placed third.  Not bad for only picking it up two days earlier.  There was no interest in having Momma help before this meet.  After this meet ... he wants practice and help.  He said it might just be nice to have a Momma that knows what is going on. 

Here is Killer again!  Running straight to that finish line.  This was the 100! 

Killer and Grandma Brereton ... she is a stand person.  Which 100% fine.  Right at the finish line.  No place better to view the races from!  Grandma Grimm was there also but she is a mover like us.  After spending years at track meets she knows to view the throwing events you must find them.  Although my Momma is very quiet there was some swearing going on when she finally made it to the discus area.  She agrees that the place sucks! 

I haven't uploaded my new software yet so I can't turn this picture around.  If I try it deletes it.  This was after one of Muscles shot put attempts.  Again, he now wants help. 

Muscles out there giving the 100 a try.  I'm gonna push for a longer run further into the season. He isn't speedy but can keep a good pace for a distance. 

Their first meet is in the books.  Onward and upward from here.  There is a meet later in the year that all 4 of the Breretons will be competing in.  It is held at the school they attend on July 7, 2012.  Guess I better get myself ready.  Don't know what the hubby will be doing but this girl is "chucking some weight" and "slinging some rubber". 

Beaver VFD 5K & 10K Race

Good evening!  I was hoping to come to you this evening with official race pics, times, and numbers but nothing is available yet.  Can you believe that?!  But any how ... today was the Beaver VFD 5K & 10K Race.  I entered this race at the beginning of May.  I had been very worried about it because I was going it alone.  Completely.  No cheering section.  No support staff.  No smiling faces saying "Go Mom!"  I was prepared.  Now when I registered for this race there was a lingering idea in the back of my mind of a 1 hour race.  But I didn't put the work into it.  Heck I barely ran in May.  So last night before bed a little self talk was had.  Just reaffirming that I would just go run my comfortable race and enjoy myself. 

To my shock and surprise ... my family got up at 6 am and went with me.  Truthfully they were all pretty chipper!  It worried me a little.  So already there was a change to my plan.  I was very happy to see sun in the sky.  They had been calling for rain.  SHOCKING!  I had went last night to get my race packet so everything was in order.  We arrived and I was given my timing chip.  Since there was time to kill and the family was hungry .. we walked over to the local bakery and they purchased pastries and juice.  Can you believe that?!

I was hoping to provide the number of runners at this point but honestly I don't have it.  When every thing becomes available I will share.  The time read 1:11:07 when I crossed the line.  Averages out to a 11:27 mile.  There was no "busting ass" today.  Just a good run. 

Here are some pics of my day taken by my hubby ........

Just a little pre-race family photo!  There was not a person in sight to take a picture of the four of us!

Tell me this just doesn't scream EXCITEMENT!  He really was pumped.  See the pastry bag!

Have you ever ran a race where this type of band played the entire time?!  I think every single person out there should run a race while Yankee Doodle Dandy is being played on the wooden piccolos.  Trust me you will appreciate your tired old play list on your music device. 

What they do while I'm running.  There were more but I thought this one was pretty darn cute.

Just me plugging along.  I felt good.  Just running my race with no "number" in mind.  Lungs were good.  Legs were good.  But I must remember sunblock.  I am slightly sunburned from my cheeks down.  Of course it could be a little wind burn also.  My goodness was it windy! 

I picked up Payne right before the 5 mile marker.  I will not tell you my time per the reference at that water station.  Yes, there was time given up to run with my kiddos.  I do have a question for those runners out there.  They handed out ice chips at this station.  What exactly are you to do with a cup of ice chips?  You can't stick them in your mouth and run.  And who wants to hold it until they melt?!  But back to my story ... he ran almost the entire mile with me.  There was a section that I let him pass up.  We stopped so I could give him directions on what to do to cut across the course with the race volunteers watching him. 

And a stop was made to switch off children.  Hadley ran with me for the .2 of the race.  I stopped gave my boy high fives.  Thumbs up to Daddy.  High five to my girl.  And off we went to the finish line.  I felt good.  I 100% enjoyed myself out there today.  Running with the kiddos was great!  All in all ...... it was ended up being a great day.    

Now the work begins ....................  next race is mine.  All mine! 

Les Mills Pump Phase 1 .... PART 2

Let me start with an apology.  I planned to complete this last night but truthfully after class, getting the kiddos showered and into bed ... well ... I'll admit to being tired.  And I just didn't feel like doing it!  And the thought of sharing some of these pics is just down right scary!  Truthfully!  No one out there can say that I don't "put it all out there".  Really.  And for the whole world to see.  But you know what I accepted my body a long time ago.  It is strong.  It is mine.  I have never said that I'm a little girl.  And I work every day to make it the perfect little home for me!  Hey and if sharing my story makes just one person out there more comfortable in their own skin .. guess what .. it is a win for me! 

So after Phase 1 of Les Mills Pump, I'm not going to lie!  Truthfully, I feel different.  Now some of what I say may not make sense but to me it does.  I feel a little longer and leaner.  My legs definitely feel stronger.  And my core ... well ... it hurts almost daily from the ab workouts.  Which once you see the pics you'll understand I need core work!  So, I'll stop dilly dallying around and get right to it!

I'll list my results, show pics, and then give some thoughts about it all ..............................

                             April 9, 2012                                   May 20, 2012

Chest                     43                                                        41 1/2
R. Arm                  14 3/4                                                  14 1/4
L. Arm                  14 1/2                                                  14
Waist                     38                                                        37
Hips                       41 1/2                                                 40 1/2
R. Thigh                25                                                        24 1/2
L. Thigh                24 1/2                                                  24
Weight                  190                                                      191

OMG!  4-12-2012 ... why doesn't someone stop me from doing this?! 

5-22-2012  The other shorts are MIA....I can not find them!  At least there is not "do-rag".  Hey, I wear some thing on my head almost all the times that I exercise.  NICE FARMERS TAN!   

Yes, I do go out in the sun!  Believe it or not! 

I don't know what I was looking at. 

You have to give me some credit for putting it all out there!  Can't believe I am going on vacation for two weeks and PASSED on the tanning bed.  Nothing wrong with being pale.  But seriously, from my calculations that is down 5 1/2 total inches and up one pound.  And the biggest difference is in my chest!  My chest!  I don't really have much as it is.  It doesn't need to go anywhere!  BUT, I look at it all as being subjective.  I had cheated a week ago and did some measurements ... my waist measured at a 36 1/4 and my weight was at 185.  So, I am completely aware that it is all relative.  My body really seems to like the 185 to 190 range.  I struggle to keep it below 185. 

My hubby is amazed that it is only 5 1/2 inches gone.  To us it looks much different.  Clothes fit differently.  He is beginning to hate that.  It always costs him money.  My Momma was amazed that it was only 5 1/2 inches.  She has told me more than once that I am looking much trimmer.  And the best thing she said was tighter!  Overall for the first phase, I would grade myself as a 85% nutritionally and 90% movement wise.  

I have already taken steps to "wrangle" in my nutrition and bring it up into the 90% or higher range.  And we're working on upping the weights on the movement side.  I'm really looking forward to what this next phase will bring.  This is starting to become a little fun.  Boy does that sound sadistic!  I love torturing myself.  LOL! 

So overall at this point, I would recommend Les Mills Pump.  You may need to do some tweaking here and there to make it your own but don't you with every program out there!  So are you coming along this month?  Are you ready to see what this next phase will bring? 

I am! 

Come on!  Lets' Go!     

And one thing I have learned from doing this blog over the past several months... I really need to smile more often!  No wonder people think I'm irritated most of the time!   

Les Mills Pump Phase 1 complete ... PART 1

Good afternoon everyone out there in "blogland"!  Today marks the official end to my Pump phase 1.  My journey was extended by a 5 to 7 days because of illness.  I don't know about you but when I have a fever, congestion, uncontrollable cough, and the list could go on ... no workouts are done!  Now as you can tell from the title of todays blog this is a two part-er!  I know.  Don't you just hate two part-ers?!  I do.  Especially on TV or in reviews!  (Aware part-er is not a word .. don't care!)   

For those that don't know Les Mills Pump is brought to us by Beachbody.  Yes.  The makers/distributors of Insanity, TurboFire, P90X, and the list could go on.  I've realized over the past few years you are either a lover or hater of Beachbody.  Myself ... lover!  I don't know whether it is the  workouts.  Personalities.  Music.  Variety.  Really, I don't know.  But they work for me.  And one must remember not everyone is psyched to workout in their living room in front of the TV.  And I look at it like anything else workout wise ... if it gets you to move, motivates you to come back again, and lets you work your way to a healthy, happy, and wonderful you ... HOW CAN IT BE BAD! 

Each Beachbody product .. at least those that I own .. come with a preset workout "sequence".  Recommending the order in which you do the workouts.  Now you don't have to follow them.  But I opted to follow by the day!  My thought was they are set out in that manner for a reason.  Now, I have mentioned in other blogs that I like the padded bar.  It is too short for my liking but I have "gotten used" to it.  And the "basic" set comes with only 30 lbs. in weights (2 10 lbs. and 2 5 lbs.).   

You quickly realize that the bar and weights that you are using do not match the bar and weights that are used on the workouts.  The weights are configured different ... only two "holes" instead of the three shown which can make the hand held exercise interesting.  I can only imagine if you have small hands.  Luckily like everything else on me ... hands are not little!  And the bar appears longer with the padding being different.  Once I got the rhythm of the workouts down, I was quickly using the max of 30 lbs. for the entire workout.  Not everyone may be doing that ... I'm a weight "lover" and have been lifting for some time.  I know they offer larger weights for sale but I will not be purchasing them.  As I have my own bar and plates "laying" around here. 

Now anyone that knows Beachbody.  Has looked at their website.  Or has read anything by one of their representatives has heard of SHAKEOLOGY.  Don't worry .. this isn't a sales pitch!  When I purchased Pump ... let's just say ... there were some reservations about it.  I had tried a sample before.  Just as is.  Nothing added.  BLEAK!  BLAH!  PHLLT!  Just wasn't my thing.  But I have struggled with consuming enough calories in the day.  See I'm not a protein bar, power bar, protein powder, etc. lover.  I know people who eat bars for breakfast every day.  Or lunch.  Or for snacks.  I like actual food.  When I do eat it is quantity and quality over easy access.  But for some reason when I exercise a good bit .. my desire to eat goes out the door.  So I looked at SHAKEOLOGY as a easy way to get calories and protein while not having to eat anything.  Does that sound bad?!   

I told myself and my banker (hubby) that I would get it for three months.  The duration of the Pump.  For me over the past month .. it has worked.  I'm a fan of adding a tablespoon of Natural Peanut Butter and a Banana to my chocolate shakeology.  Yummy!  It is filling.  With the additions it tastes good.  Thinking about trying to freeze it like pudding pops.  Hey!  Why not?!  I've tried a lot of other things that didn't work.  I've started trying other "concoctions" but none of them can compare yet.  Yeah.  Yes it is expensive.  Sorry but that is my true feeling.  It costs like $120.00 a month.  I spend about $150.00 to $200.00 a month on our monthly food budget.  So for me it really is expensive.  Plus, I'm cheap.  Really and truly.  I want the absolute most out of my money. 

I know what you your thinking ... RESULTS!  WHERE ARE THE FREAKING RESULTS?!  I did the measurements.  I did the pictures.  I did the poses.  I pulled out the scale.  I did the weigh in.  Who am I kidding!  I just want the shirt you get at the end for sending in your pics.  Heck.  Honestly.  It would be kinda nice.  To maybe.  Maybe.  Maybe make a flyer or commercial.  Trust me!  The realistic side of me is here now.  That isn't going to happen!  But I will rock that shirt!

So at the end of Phase 1 the measurements honestly show that I have lost a total of .... ddddrrrruuuummmm rrrroooollll .... you will just have to check in tomorrow to see!  Come on you had to see that coming!  Really!  It had to be done.  Tomorrow will include before pics, measurements, and weights ... sometimes I do SHARE entirely too much!  Along with todays pics, weight, and smaller measurements.  I'm giving you a full day to prepare for the blinding whiteness of my stomach!  Truly!  Not many things are whiter! 

Check in with me tomorrow .................  

A little art appreciation...........

Where to begin!  Over the past several years, it has come to my attention that both of my children are artistically talented.  In different ways.  One is a little more "see it as it is" and the other is more "abstract".  Well this evening was the United Elementary 2nd Annual Art Show.  The show is open to all.  And apparently the art teacher is the one that selects who, what, and where things are shown.

 
I had mentioned this little show on my own personal Facebook page but that was all.  We didn't let anyone else know about it because we weren't really sure if our kids were showing anything.  In the two weeks leading up to this we have heard it all ... I didn't have any thing in the show or What are you talking about! or Well, I can make it at home and take it in.  WHAT!  So we thought best to go it alone this evening.  Just in case!  We ended up finding out that BOTH of our children had "art work" shown!

Our first "art" of the evening ... a picture of us three!  I have thousands of pics with the kids and my hubby.  If people looked at our pics they would think I didn't exist!  And he is not a photographer!  I seriously think about getting him some lessons!   

Right inside the door of the show!  Killers picture of her favorite food.  John thought it would be a good idea to hold her up.  As you can see neither was really into it.  Right after this picture was taken....he nicely dropped her on her head and her dress went flying up exposing her underwear to the entire room.  Why?  That is just how us Breretons' roll!      

Here is another good look at her favorite food?  Can you guess what it is?  Come on!  Take a guess! 

Don't feel bad.  We had to ask.  John thought it looked like a TV dinner.  Which we found hilarious considering they have never seen a TV dinner!  Then a big block of cheese was mentioned.  Maybe a weird piece of pizza?!  No.  All wrong!  That there my friends is a cheeseburger!  Don't you see it.  I'm thinking it is a little heavy on the cheese.  ?!  Remember, I mentioned one is more on the "abstract" side.  Take a guess at which one!  She told me this looks exactly like a cheeseburger to her.  I don't know whether to be happy or worried........................HHHHMMMMMMM! 

Now for Muscles artwork!  His paper playground was chosen.  Not to second guess the art teacher but I have a kick ass self portrait hanging in the hallway!  I felt bad that we perused and over looked this at first.  They were only marked in the far corner of each paper.  Then I talked to Muscles and he didn't even know it was on the table.  And to think I felt guilty!

Can you tell he was really enthused about getting his picture taken? 

Yes!  I was given the ... MOM, YOU GET ONE PICTURE SPEECH!  And he was promptly given the ... I'll take as many as I want speech!  There was face painting.....................................................

Here is a self portrait drawn by my cousins daughter ... Second Grader Ms. Hannah Wood. 






Way to go Hannah!  And a little artwork by Muscles best buddy ...................................................

Go young Mr. Dickens!  And the following I just thought were totally cool.  These were done by the Fifth Graders.  Yarn self portraits.  I loved them all!  They were so interesting to look at.   

All in all a great and enjoyable evening!  There are a number of talented artists in the making at United.  The yard art was neat.  And the clay figurines that the molded, fired, and painted were all excellent.  It makes me really happy to know that art is important at their school.  Unfortunately, in a lot of schools art and music take a back seat.  Good job United Elementary students!

Why do they grow up?

Some days you just have to ask yourself ... why do they have to grow up?  Just about every single day, at some point, I feel as though pulling my hair out sounds fun.  Hey!  All kids know how to work their parents over.  Really!  I don't sugar coat things.  I love my kids.  I love them dearly.  But I will admit that parenthood is not always "rainbows, sunshine, and sugar cookies".  And I'm no even talking about vomit,  poop, and endless nights awake. 

But no matter what .... there comes a time .... when you just want .... to ask .... Why do they need to grow up?  We had the pleasure of going to the United Local Elementary Kindergarten program this evening.  It was a 1/2 hour program filled with Rock n' Roll songs about letters.  My daughter, Killer, was in it.  I've listened to her talk about this for the past two months.  You see this is right up her alley.  She is great for one liners, dancing the chicken wing or water sprinkler or cabbage patch, and just being her wonderful goofy little self. 

But tonight's program also signifies some thing else.  The end of Kindergarten.  The beginning of first grade.  Big girl school.  No more rest time in the afternoon ... they actually stopped that a few weeks ago to acclimate them.  No more early release.  Sitting here weeping .... I could go on and on and on. 

But I sat there this evening just wondering where the time went. 

How did this happen .......

September 2008 ... her first trip to Kennywood. 

The Hadley that I know and love every single day! 

Her favorite "purple sparkly prom dress"! 

Today before her Rock n' Roll music program. 

Do you think "binding" really works?  Who am I kidding she would still get older! 

You do not blend.  You do not follow.  You already walk on your own line.  I hope that you stay the unique and special person that you are forever. 

I LOVE YOU KILLER!