Training... in a very new way

Those of you who know me well know that I've been practicing or training for something for all of my life.... from gymnastics to cheer to dance to running etc... always training. I have embarked on a new training adventure of preparation for a fitness competition coming up in October. For this effort I have given up all of my eating habits (3 square meals/lots of bread/a major sweet tooth) for 6 mini-meals per day filled with protein with the bulk of the eating done earlier in the day.

I'm on Day 5 of the new plan and I must say my body is adjusting. It's ready to eat at the designated times and I'm never starving so I haven't even had a craving for bread one time! I thought for sure that part would kill me and there is no effect at all! My exercise routine is changing too... less cardio and more weights. I had my first training session with my "trainer" Tara on Wednesday... all lower body... all very heavy. I'll just say that I still can hardly get up out of my chair!

That aside I am very very excited for this weekend! This is Wiggy's first weekend off since he started residency on June 20th that we will both be in town (one of his weekends we flew to CA for 40 hours and the other one I was gone for a wedding). Tonight will be my first big "cheat meal" where I get to eat whateva I want and have a glass of wine! Tomorrow we're heading to Galax VA where we're staying in a tiny cabin on the New River Trail. We'll be hiking maybe biking and partaking in the Blue Ridge Parkway and the bluegrass at the "Blue Ridge Music Center". Very much looking forward to a night away!

Last night I hosted Girl's night at my house with a game of Apples to Apples. I never win games and I tore this one up... it was crazy. Last time I played this game I ended up with one card at the end. Last night I had 7!!! We had a nice time chatting and got to meet a couple more wonderful women of Winston-Salem! There really are some fab and hilarious gals around here :)

Happy weekend!

Adjusting

Just as we've begun to feel accustomed to Wiggy's crazy intern schedule things are about to get crazier. Next week I begin my first class for my Masters Certificate in Healthcare Administration. Even though it's only one class per semester it's been over 5 years since I've been an estudiante and I'm a tad bit nervous when I think about juggling work, volunteering, social life and my extra responsibilities that I cover for Wiggy AND school. On top of that, this coming Monday I will also begin my training/eating regimine for my first fitness competition that will be on October 17th. I really just want to get it all started so I can rid myself of this weird anxiety!

Otherwise, it's been a very full couple of weeks. Fortunately for me, I have re-connected (and connected for the first time) with a wonderful and random group of girlfriends that have been great support and company while Wiggy's gone a lot. Friday evening I did get to hang out with the hubby over a nice dinner with wine at Hutch & Harris. We admired our little city and how incredibly much cooler it is now than say even 3 years ago. Saturday evening I met up with a group and headed over to Meridian Restaurant for their seafood festival. Very fun... great food and music and so many people. On Sunday it was "The Time Travelers Wife" (another book club movie) and pedicures with Lindsey and Carrie. Thursday evening we even had a fondue party with about 15 girls all whom have at least one connection to someone in the group. We always invite everyone to bring a friend so our group is growing. I'm hosting a Game Night next Thursday (a call night that I'm livening up) and the invite now has 25 ladies on it! Everyone gripes about how it's hard to meet new people in Winston-Salem... our group is challenging that! Bring on Girl's Night!

This weekend Wiggy will be off Friday AND Saturday and next weekend he's off completely. I'm very excited to spend 2 weekend days in a row with him!

Summer Sizzle

The past two weeks of my life have gone by like a big blurr... not even sure I remember everything! Last weekend Wiggy was on call basically all weekend except for Friday night so we indulged in a patio dinner at our fave Sixth and Vine for some good convo and yummy food (their goat cheese salad with cherries is the BEST). Saturday I went hiking at Hanging Rock with 3 friends and my puppy. My friend Carrie's pugs were supposed to come as well but they were conked out after playing with Jasper for 10 minutes so they went home. That evening Carrie and I saw "The Hangover". It was absolutely hysterical... Wow! Sunday I had lunch with my good friend Ashley who is expecting! She will be my first very close friend to have a baby and I can't wait! That evening Wiggy and I went on a bike ride and grilled shrimp, yummy!

This past week was quite exciting as Wednesday night I caught up with lots of the Group Ex gals who used to take my classes at the now closed Jonestown Peak Fitness. We had a great time catching up and enjoyed our 1/2 price wine. Thursday evening I finally caught up with my Med School gals Meg and Jamie for the Skirt Magazine one year anniversary party. They gave away lots of free goodies and fried food. It was really great to see them after such a long break!

Friday afternoon I flew home for one last wedding and my Mom picked me up from the airport and took me to my fave.. Red Robin for a juicy and greasy Whiskey River Chicken Sandwich! We then had a nice 3 hour chat on the way home. Saturday morning I got to go running at home, my favorite place on the earth... think... super low humidity, mild Summer temps, beautiful green surroundings and killer hills! Then it was off for pedicures with Mom and Meme and a lovely patio lunch with the whole fam before getting ready for the wedding. The bride was beautiful and I got a chance to catch up with lots of high school friends that I haven't seen in a long time. We all had a great time mingling and dancing and reminiscing. Sunday morning was rough as we had to get up by 6:30 to head to the airport. Fortunately I got to spend yesterday with my hubby which was worth the early wake up call.

Off to another week... no more air travel in sight for quite a while... sighhhh