New Stuff!!

I've been MIA for awhile, like 10ish weeks MIA, well lots to share...

Let's start with today.

I went Skydiving.

Friday morning, 8:00 a.m., Hyvee, breakfast, co-workers...

The conversation turns to a story about a guy that was bungee jumping when the cord came off of his foot or something like that, I wasn't paying attention until C.J. said something about skydiving.

I've always wanted to do that!

My boss has done it and says she regrets not getting a camera guy, so be sure to take that option...

Hey, how about we do it? Next weekend maybe? Anyone interested?

A few people express interest, but they weren't all-in.

Aaron said he'd maybe jump out of plane... if it were on fire...

Geez, first breakfast, then skydiving? Where are we gonna be at day's end?!

I invited some of my friends, but alas, no one took us up on the offer.

So it was just us two.

A little drive out to the Winterset Municipal Airport and the home of the Des Moines Skydivers known also as the Couch Freaks

They chill in a hangar littered with old couches and picnic tables, an old dog wandering around, people getting ready for jumps, people returning from jumps, music going...

Very laid-back and informal, it has the feel of a late-night landing place for those in an altered state

After waiving all kinds of legal rights and signing our lives away to participate in an 'Ultra High-Risk Activity' we pick out jumpsuits.

I borrow a long-sleeve shirt from my Tandem Instructor, John, since my fleece would be too much...

Then stuff myself into the bright blue jumpsuit...I felt like a sausage!



He put the harness on and tightened it up, kinda makes you walk funny, a sort of waddle.

I did a little interview with my camera guy Andrew...

So do you have anything to say to people that might be watching this?

Ummm, Nope!

Out we went to the airstrip, took a group photo, then crammed into a little Cessna, all six of us

The ride up to 11,500 feet takes like 25 minutes, which is F O R E V E R when you want to jump out....

Shortest ride I've ever taken in a plane!

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.....

Before/After

My Farrell's eXtreme BodyShaping Before and After pictures:



































Not as big or sharp as I was hoping but you get the idea!









10 Week Results:

Weight............161.....................151 (makes a difference on my 5'7" frame)
Body fat % ......29.0...................26.1
Left arm..........11.5"...................10.5"
Chest...............41......................37
Waist...............35......................33
Hips...............44.5....................41.5
Left thigh.........22.....................20
Push-ups.........20.....................49
Sit-ups.............21......................33 (I can already do more, only two weeks later)
Mile run........11:03..................9:31 (and I ran the whole thing!)

I signed up for three months of 'maintenance' so I can continue to improve my fitness level.

I'm very pleased with my results, my clothes fit better, some are too loose, and others that haven't fit for over a year have made their way back into rotation.

Since I hate running, I've decided to add it to my Tuesday/Thursday workouts (which are resistance bands) until I start waitressing again...

I never thought I would like working out!

My coach shared my before pictures with me during week six of the program, I was horrified. I had no idea I looked so terrible.

I actually thought I looked good?!

Never. Again.

A new Pi has emerged.

And she starts her new job tomorrow!

Progress!

Yes, a lull in the blogging, in the whole online-life in general, as I've been out living Real Life

I've found a new job!

My boss wasn't surprised, hah, he'll probably use my departure to be even lazier.

The announcement was made yesterday, a nice two paragrapher mentioning the things I've done for the company...

A few congratulations and you're leaving us?!

I know, isn't it great!?

Jumping off a sinking ship huh?

Well, when you put it that way, wouldn't you?

I'm excited for the challenge of a new industry, new co-workers, new boss, new everything!

What will my new cube-theme be?

Everyone has asked me if I'm taking time off between jobs...

No, what would I do with time off?

Think about starting my new job?

Mourn my 'loss'?

Time to 'switch gears'?

I checked out long ago and I'm ready to move on.

My boss offered to set up an outing to see me off...

The offer was not appealing in the least.

Plus, I don't really drink during the week...I'm in the whole work-out after work mode.

Results from Farrell's eXtreme Body Shaping next! (pictures too)

DSM, we need to talk...

I'm taking ballroom dance classes at the moment.

I love it.

I've learned basics for the waltz, tango, rumba, and cha-cha.

rumba and cha-cha are my faves so far...

So every Monday I rush around from work to work-out to home, shower, eat, speed to dance class

I live near the largest consumption mecca in the metro in a disgustingly suburban neighborhood full of identical looking condo and town-home developments.

Barf.

Dance class is on the north side of the city of Des Moines. There's no quick way to get there.

I end up driving through a few different neighborhoods on my way there, most notably, Beaverdale.

Beaverdale is an older 'hood with mature trees, brick houses set closely together and back from the street, and is generally a nice place.

It reminds me of parts of Chicago.

It has more of a city feel. It's quite a bit more inviting than where I live.

I love that part of my Monday.

It makes me miss living in a large city.

While visiting Mom this past weekend for the July Fourth festivities, I got a good talkin' to.

By Mom's business partner.

I've heard this speech a few times over the past few years, but I'm only it getting now.

Like, REALLY getting it.

I'm grossly under-paid.

My company is in shambles and the outlook is grim-to-uncertain.

I have a handful of (mostly crappy) friends.

I hate where I live.

I'm single.

I have a college education.

I grew up in a big city.

I live in the suburbs of Des Moines, Iowa.

What The Fuck.

I've never felt like Des Moines was Home, not really a good fit.

Young, single, educated people should live in large bustling cities with lots of other young, single, educated people, in my mind anyway!

and make enough money so a second job is unnecessary. savings are a reality. travel occurs often.

There's plenty of time to waste away in a suburb if/when I have that whole husband/kids/dog scenario going on...

What's holding me back?

Nothing, really.

There's no good reason to stay where I am.

Time to move.

Des Moines, you're fired!

Plan: complete all unfinished home improvement projects, then de-clutter and simplify, talk to realtors, pick one and list condo, also, look for job in Chicago

Scary...

Exciting...

can't sleep, heart is broken

I think about you. All the time.

I wake up at least once a night. Usually around 4 am.

Tonight, it’s earlier.

it’s been over a week since we last talked or had any contact.

That’s the longest it’s ever been since we met on december 6

I really miss you. I miss what we had.

i miss Sunday mornings

…high school Wednesday nights

…dinner with everyone

…waking up to a ‘good night cutie :)’ text message

…that wonderful feeling that no matter what, you’re there for me

I miss being loved and loving you.

You were my best friend for six months, someone I could trust and tell anything

I think I miss that part the most.

Even though I turned the corner and realized that you probably did the right thing, (I may still be convincing myself) this still hurts

A lot.

it’s hard to believe that this is what you wanted, I betyou would say, ‘it’s not what I wanted, but what I needed to do. I didn’t want to hurt you and believe me, I miss you too.’

Freedom

So I was dumped.

Looking back at the whole thing, the long drawn out process, really, why did it take a month?

Holding on to what I thought was something special and 'right'

Well, maybe it was for a little bit, but in hindsight, he did the right thing - why would I want to be with some one that can't make me a priority?!

I've turned a corner.

I'm finished with the whole thing.

I'm sick of talking about it.

I'm done!

Freedom.

Time to focus on me and the things I want to do (and improve) in my life.

I've been busy learning new dances, swing in particular, much different than all the latin dancing I've learned in the past

Swing is down n dirty compared to traditional ballroom, bent and loose knees, lower frame, very close to your partner...

A bit more real

Way fun!!

I'd like to compete in dance one day, call it a life goal :)

This is an amazing video of some Charleston moves, both 20s and 30s, with a little modern flair:

Fatty Spice

At 160 pounds I am the heaviest and fattest I've ever been.

I've gained 10 pounds over the last year that I like to attribute to emotional eating as a result of grief and hanging out with Fat Kids at massive buffets on Fridays.

I've been far too lazy.

Time for a change.

No more complaining

No more excuses

This time, I really mean it.

I've committed to an intense 10 week program: Farrell's Extreme BodyShaping

Six days a week of cardio and resistance training and a specific way to eat.

I'm going to turn myself into a muscle building machine

Today was orientation.

Meet your coaches, do sit-ups, push-ups, sit n reach, run a mile, get your gear, find out your body fat percentage, receive your manual.

My new bible.

I'm going to nerd out on all the info in the next couple of days and research my favorite places to eat out so I know what and how much I can eat when I feel I REALLY need to go out....

Starting Point

Weight: 161
Body Fat: 29%
Sit n reach: 12.25"
Sit-ups: 21
Push-ups: 20
Mile time: 11:03
Heart rate before steps: 94
Heart rate after steps: 121
Hips: 44"
Waist: 35"

Terrible numbers if you ask me!

Improvement is the goal, specific numbers to follow...maybe...

Yay! Go me!

A slimmer, healthier, more disciplined Spice will be the result :)

Day-After Update:

Holy crap I'm sore!!