Couch 2 5K

My husband has been on a dieting kick since the holidays started. Most men (including my husband) are very lucky in their metabolisms. He starts eating right and noticeably loses weight. Did you ever see that weird commercial of the cartoon couple and the woman says she cut sweets and lost a pound and her husband lost ten. They stop drinking soda; she looses two pounds he loses twelve. That is us. I haven't been drinking soda since my wisdom teeth removal. Considering Diet Coke is my main source of caffeine this has been difficult. Mio energy gets me through the day. I miss it! I haven't had sweets (Nutella included) and I have been really good. No dice.

So my husband naturally wanted to speed his speedy progression along and started hitting the gym and running. A lot. I do not run. If you see me running something is chasing me and you better run too. But after weeks of nagging of his persistence I started the Couch to 5K program (C25K). I downloaded the app to  my iphone and began to dread the day I'd use it.

Our first run was on a warm Saturday.  My program started off slow, a five minute brisk warm up walk, then a minute of jogging and a minute and a half of walking rotating for half an hour with a five minute cool down. Ryan ran five miles then came home and met me with the dog to do my run. No pressure right? I hated it. My ears were cold, my chest hurt and I basically wanted to cry before I was half way through. My husband tries to be encouraging with the "You can do it!"s and "Keep up that pace. It is really good!" sort of remarks but they make me want to punch him. Is that bad? I don't do positive reinforcement well I guess. Poor guy is definitely going to have it rough in the future when we have kids! I can see the delivery room now, him being sweet and encouraging me and me reenacting the Exorcist with my head spinning around screaming at him. I'll probably be one of those "YOU'LL NEVER TOUCH  ME AGAIN!" sort of people. Luckily we have a few years to go on that. Poor guy indeed.

Anyway, I hated day one. And I dreaded knowing on Monday I'd have to do it again.

Lucky for me it turned chilly that Monday so we went to the gym on base. Nothing like seeing Marines lifting double your body weight to make you feel like an outcast as you search for a treadmill. I have to say, day two was a little better. The treadmill allowed me to pace myself better somehow. Maybe because Ryan wasn't there pushing me as much I was able to push myself. Either way, I love the treadmill and hate running outside. Do you think I can do a 5K at the gym? My husband is the opposite and he somehow thinks I will run 5Ks with him come springtime. I don't even know if I can make it through the program let alone do an actual 5K with him! He is so much faster than me and more in shape!

As you can see my distance (and not shown pace) dropped slightly day two on the treadmill. But I felt a lot more comfortable. Until Ryan insisted I do an ab work out and lift some weights and I couldn't move my arms for two days. I think I did something wrong. It was funny trying to be an extra when I couldn't bend my arms more than 90 degrees.

So I had a few days off to do my extra thing and was back to the gym Thursday. And again Saturday.

You know what?

It is getting a little better.

By the way, that is overall mileage and time over all my days, not one day's work out! The first few days I was the crying face. Then the sad face. And as you can see last time I was the middle. I also had my best distance and pace on week 2 day 1 (and having Annie running nine miles on the treadmill next to me as I tried to maintain conversation totally helped with that!).

So that's where I am. I will be going to the gym again tomorrow and trying to continue. My main goal is to finish the nine week program to the best of my ability. Ryan keeps saying I should add more time and pace goals each day, but honestly for now I really just want to make it through and do what my body thinks is best. If I over think it I freak myself out... especially knowing in like a week or two the run/walk cycle becomes just running basically.

But smoothies do help.

Wildberry banana smoothies with fat burner almost make the hell of running worht it. Almost.

I'll keep you posted, hopefully this journey will be successful! Ryan said I look thinner already (honestly, I don't see a difference but he checks me out more than I check out myself I guess) but I hope I can notice a difference soon too.

TV Extra, Take Two

For the first, and pretty unsuccessful, attempt at being an extra on TV check out this entry.

Last week I saw that Revolution was looking for extras again for two days of filming. I submitted and also let my friend (and fellow milspouse blogger) Annie know to submit as well... and we were both cast! Last Wednesday we drove down to Wilmington together to get our costume fittings and this week we were on set. Mind you when we went for our fitting it was 75 degrees. Tuesday and Wednesday this week? Barely hit 40. Freezing. Our costumes were all knee length, no sleeves and no suitable for this kind of weather at all!

Costume One:

 Eventually they took pity on us and gave us jackets for a scene the second day.... but did I mention the four inch heels that accompanied this little gem? No? They hurt. A lot.

Costume Two:

At least this one had a flimsy cardigan, but I'll take it. And flats! Halleluiah for flats!!!

So the first day of filming our call was 5:30am. Which meant being awake around 3:30am to get to Wilmington on time! Annie picked me up at 4:15am and we made it with time to spare. It was dark and cold and as the sun came up and the day went on it just got colder and windier!

We were filming at a mall in Wilmington pretending it was summertime in Atlanta. It was freezing! Whenever we could our winter jackets were on, but when filming happened we had to stash them off camera and be in our sleeveless dresses that barely hit our knees. My feet were numb with cold and pain, my nose was running and red, my face got windburn and my entire body hurt after the first day of filming. I did meet some amazing people, see the stars of the show way up close, and learn a lot (and hopefully got on camera!) but MAN it was cold!

Check out those winter jackets!!! And the fact that as many people are trying to huddle in the sun as possible. Penguin shuffle!

 The stars got pants. And sleeves. I was a little jealous!

 Our location for filming day one.

 Of course an amazing lunch (and breakfast) were served!

We did a lot of scenes in the market, some with the stars of the show, and some for Visual Effects to make our crowd of say 75 look like 500. That meant a lot of walking up and down the sidewalk and in small sections of the street over and over again to splice together in post production. In the beginning when the crew asked for volunteers everyone was eagerly trying to get picked. By night and hour 10 when they asked for volunteers we just avoided eye contact as much as possible! Not getting picked meant staying in holding with your jacket (and in my case sweatpants and boots) on! You never say no when they pick you so some people I was with did have to go out a few more times. I was content to sit and wait in the warmth!

 I got home around 9:00pm.... so that would be a 13.5 hour day. We went into double time pay! My husband had a bubble bath waiting for me and made me soup before my chilled sore self passed out before 10pm! I was so cold the bath water nearly burned me and turned me a lovely shade of red, but it wasn't that hot. I was just so so cold it felt boiling.

Luckily day two I got to sleep in as I wasn't called until 2:30pm. I slept a solid twelve hours and laid around the house until it was time to drive back to Wilmington! Day two was much more fun! I got to be in a smaller scene of people entering the Atlanta federation and then in a huge chaotic running scene at night. It was tons of people running and screaming and a blast! This time they let us wear our comfy shoes with our cocktail dresses and even our jackets! It made a huge difference to morale! Running in Uggs is miles above running in four inch peep toed heels for six hours. Seriously.

 Hair would grab you wherever they could to do adjustments, there were a lot of us after all!

Daytime filming.

 Huddled around the propane heater

 On set

 Waiting to go

 With one of my new friends Kat

 Torches! It looked awesome. No pitchforks though.

 Cut!

 Walking back to places.

 Heading back to holding to warm up!

 Inside holding, the place extras wait, snack and try to warm up.

 Camera crane

 Almost ready to go!

 Such a fun night!

 Extras can double as hobos when it is cold enough.

Me on set with my winter jacket firmly in place over my cocktail dress. Priorities!!! And I had my boots on. Definitely a much more fun night!

I met some amazing people that I hope I can hang out with again! This time being an extra was amazing, it blew the first time out of the water, and not just because I got used and got to film, I promise. It was two long, cold and tiring days but I am so glad I did it. And I will do it again if the chance arises! This episode should air around the end of April, I will let you know for sure when the date gets closer and more defined.

Beach in January

Last week the weather was so gorgeous we took Rylie to the beach with our friends Ben and Chelsea and their dog Boomer. The dogs had a blast running on the sand and Rylie was in the water whenever we let her! Although it was in the 70s the water was still a but cold for the likes of us, but I did allow my feet to go numb so Rylie could go in a bit! Although it is absolutely frigid now (and all this week) it is supposed to be in the 70s again next week. Fingers crossed!

Here are some pictures. It looks cloudy but it cleared up off and on and was still warm! We stayed until the sun almost set and it started to cool off!

Losing Wisdom

Teeth that is! I hope the lack of two ugly little teeth doesn't make me any less wise. As I sit here and eat my macaroni and cheese I am very glad this weekend is over and I wish it was next month already so these darn holes can be a distant memory. I hate the dentist so I was definitely overly freaked out before my appointment. Since sedation is too expensive on our insurance they prescribed me Valium to take an hour before we left. I noticed nothing. My husband came home from work early and we had some Bojangles and watched Doctor Who until it was time to go. When he looked at me and said "Ok, time to go!" I may or may not have burst into tears!

Normally whenever I go to the dentist I am in their waiting room an average of two minutes before going back. Today naturally was the day I was in there nearly an hour waiting to be seen, hyperventilating all the way. My poor husband was so angry (not at me, on my behalf) when they finally took me back. He came with me, actually he had no choice I death gripped his hand, and of course when I saw the chair I burst into tears again. The hygienist calmed me down and explained we were just doing an xray first... which was fine. Then they put on a DVD about after care for us both to watch before adding my choice, Back to the Future, which we had with us. They also made me have another Valium from my purse!

After that the nitrous gas had to go on and Ryan had to leave the room. I have to say I calmed down quite a bit once that stuff started flowing! I watched my movie until the dentist came in and gave me the numbing shots (the ones on the top of the mouth hurt!) and I fought sleeping. I did not want to fall asleep and have them just yank my teeth out! I only had two upper wisdom teeth, one was slightly impacted but the other was in. Suddenly the dentist is back with a pointy tool and telling me to open my mouth.

I think I may have yelled, "Oh my God are you going to do it now!?" but it didn't seem that loud to me... oops. He patiently nodded and said I would just feel some pressure. I took some deeeeeep breaths of the gas and let him take the teeth. I honestly only felt pressure and it was over in about two minutes. Both extractions were "easy" and I needed no stitches or anything of the sort. I got to see them too, ugly little buggers they were!  

Ryan came back after that while I breathed in some oxygen and chomped on gauze. Whew. I felt a little shaky but not too bad, I was still pretty hazy and I think the Valium at this point kicked in. Joy. He dropped me off at home and got me into bed and changed out my gauze and gave me some water. Luckily I still have my portable DVD player so he set me up in bed and went off to get my pain pills and soft things to eat.  

 My husband was awesome over the next few days. As you can see he crossed off and highlighted things on the sheet from the dentist to keep track of my care. I was surprised to see how thorough he was, but as a Marine I cannot expect any less! ;)

 This was right after I got home and Ryan went to the store. He even let The Dup come up and cuddle with me while I watched Because I Said So. Truth be told I fell asleep before he got back but he woke me up for some pain pills which I love him for. I then napped more. That was pretty much my first day; pain pills, chick flicks and jello.

 I was worshiping Jello the first day. (And watching Under the Tuscan Sun) By the second day I was hungry and wanted real food darnit.

 Awesome husband went to both McDonalds and ChickfilA to get me soft serve vanilla ice cream. That stuff was absolutely amazing to my jello and pudding filled stomach! Saturday I was in bed mostly but I did shower and try and take ibuprofen instead of my pain pills. Sunday I was moving around and on the couch and allowed to have soup! Yay soup! Ryan also took pity on me and made me a bacon egg and cheese sandwich since I promised to be mega careful.

Monday I was still swollen, but I was up and dressed and trying! I swish with salt water and keep the holes clean (with the special tool Ryan got for free from the Walgreens pharmacist since the dentist didn't give me one) and I am just trying to ignore the holes in the back of my mouth. I did overdo it last night and make stir fry for us and got rice caught back there..... poor husband had to use the tool and salt water to free it. Sigh. No crunchy things or rice for this girl for a little longer. I think at this point I am not going to get dry socket unless I do something really stupid so hooray for that!

I am still a little sore but I did venture out of the house finally. I went grocery shopping and to get gas as well as going to work on a project tonight. Yesterday I made myself keep moving and did laundry and vacuuming and dusting because I am a nut and needed my house cleaner than it was.

So thank you husband for putting up with a neurotic, pain killer popping wife for a few days and being a darn good caregiver. I'd offer to do the same but you are like normal people and had your wisdom teeth out in high school. Sigh. I'll get you in other ways I am sure!

Short version: I had teeth ripped out of my mouth and it sucked but I survived. Soft serve vanilla ice cream was involved as was an amazing husband. (:

Ringing in the New Year

Our New Year's weekend was rather low key. After traveling for Thanksgiving and Christmas we decided to stay in town and just spend the weekend with friends. Saturday night Ben and Chelsea came over and we walked over to the bar and just had a good night letting loose. We played pool and talked and just had a good time. Sunday we recovered and Monday was New Years Eve.

Nicole invited us to her house for dinner and games and we had a blast. I tried some no heat curls to fancy myself up a little and I think they turned out pretty well! Ryan was funny since he never heard of any of the games (um, I hadn't really either!) and he kept saying he was being played. Actually by the end of the night we were three dollars up some how! Not bad considering how many games we both played and lost before we won.

We played dice games (left, right, center), golf, 99, and screw your neighbor. Nicole and Laura sang karaoke but I know better than to sing in public so I stayed at the game table!

 I was the DD for the night but I did have some champagne at midnight! Delicious!

Our New Years kiss! After watching the ball drop Ryan danced me around the living room to Frank Sinatra. Perfect.

My hand from the one game I won!

 New Years Day we went to Buffalo Wild Wings and watched the Gamecocks play in the Outback Bowl.... and they won! We sat there for about four hours watching the game and dragging out our dinner, but it was so worth it.

THE hit heard around the world! We literally jumped out of our chairs when it happened!

 Yesterday was a trip to the commissary which was absolutely heinous. I normally shop during the day and on my own and never on pay day. Between everyone checking in and then the registers all crashing the line literally went around the entire store back towards the entrance near the produce section. I took my time shopping and after Ryan checked in he came and stood in line for me while I finished up. Luckily I always do self check out so the line was a little less bad, but still pretty awful.

Now there may be a mini employment thing in the works, I will blog about it more later when I have more information.... but there is a trial run tonight! Still waiting to hear from the library.

Tomorrow I am getting my wisdom teeth out (and completely freaking out) but I assume I will be lounging in bed this weekend and not on the blog world. I hope you all had a wonderful New Years and are kicking off 2013 in the best way possible. See you all soon!