Recently in Exercise & Health Category

Yeah, I know. I haven't written an entry in months. Today, though, I have something worth posting. Amidst a pretty traumatic layoff and a search for a new job, Scott, the amazing husband that he is, decided to book a spa day for ME! I just got an email listing my itinerary for the day... check this out:

A Stress Relief Scalp Treatment service starting at 9:00 AM
A Hot Stone Massage 80 minute service starting at 9:30 AM
A Elemental Nature Facial service starting at 11:15 AM
A Pita Chicken-salad service on 03/30/2009 starting at 12:45 PM
A Caribbean Therapy Manicure service starting at 2:00 PM
A Caribbean Therapy Pedicure service starting at 3:00 PM
Complimentary Light Makeup service starting at 4:15 PM

Jealous?! Yeah, I bet. I am one lucky woman!!  Can't wait.

Actually, since I got home from the hospital I've lost 35 lbs. But since I started really trying to lose weight, I've lost 25 lbs. It took me 5 months of doing Weight Watchers but I finally reached my ultimate weight goal. The craziest thing is that it really wasn't that difficult, thanks to Weight Watchers and to breastfeeding -- your body burns 500 extra calories a day just to make the milk. That's the equivalent of an hour on the treadmill. Weight Watchers was great because really it's not about dieting... it's more about, well, watching your weight... watching what you eat and tracking it. Portion sizes, healthy eating, and not depriving yourself of anything. I still had my occasional piece of chocolate, glass(es) of wine and cheeseburger, just not as often as before. I feel great. Physically and mentally. I can't remember being this weight - ever - I don't even think I was back in high school. So you can imagine I feel pretty good, especially considering I just had a baby. So, not to toot my own horn but I am damn proud of myself. Go Weight Watchers!

Ever since launching the wander + wonder website I have told myself to spend less time in front of the computer and more time outdoors! Especially now that spring is sneaking back into my life. The past two days were 70 degrees! It's time to be less sedentary and more active. Yesterday, I took a walk to downtown Golden. I walked along Clear Creek where people were kayaking, tubing and sunning themselves. Sophie and I sat quietly watching and at some point I dipped her feet in the water but she screamed out -- I guess that mountain water was a little to cold for her liking. On Monday I went for a hike on the trail behind our house -- took some photos along the way. Walking through our neighborhood, you can see lots of tulips and daffodils, buds on trees, and front lawns turning green, but once you get into 'real' nature it feels like a lot of the world is still in hibernation. There are the occasional wildflowers blooming though and I love how they inspire me to kneel down, admire them from close up and snap a picture. I can't wait for the little lizards to come out and even a snake or two would be fun to see. The mountain lions and rattlers can stay away, though. A little lady bug landed on Sophie's head which is supposed to be good luck and a sure sign of spring. Yippeeeee.

Ahhhh.... wonderful yoga. I took a prenatal yoga class once a week while I was pregnant, which was a great way to get my body moving, my hips gyrating, and my mind relaxed. Last night I went to my first yoga class since Sophie was born. I'm an off-and-on yoga practicer (a few months on, a few years off, that kind of thing) but I've done enough of it over the past 10 years that as soon as I sit my butt down on that mat with my eyes closed, I am transported to a peaceful, loving, relaxed state and reminded how healthy it is to stop, breath and stretch every now and again. I wish I were disciplined enough to practice on my own, but, alas, I am not. And anyway, I think a class once (or twice) a week will be a great opportunity for me to get out of the house (without Sophie), to recoup, and to return feeling invigorated! Ahhhh.... wonderful yoga.