Suspense is Over!

First here's a Memory Refresher from Vegas Vacation Day-3- Part-3:


 I shared my blog post about Tom Colicchio's Craftsteak on his Twitter page, and I also emailed a link to the restaurant to express my gratitude and giddiness. I didn't really expect any reply, but I hoped for one. Tonight,  just after my sister and her family left to go back to their Texan home (wipes tear), there was an email from Craftsteak's general manager in my spam folder!! Yay and WHEEEEEE!! SO very glad I checked that folder tonight! Very niftyand exciting!! She and Chef Matt Seeber are going to be sending me something to remember the highlight meal of my life. WOW!! I feel like camping out by the mailbox, but I won't because that would just be weird. I can't wait to share my memory-keeper with you, my dear readers. Ohhh the suspense!!!


Any regrets I might have had about not camping out at the mailbox evaporated when the mailman left a big envelope at my doorstep Wednesday afternoon. I do regret not taking a picture of the unopened package, but I wasn't thinking straight. Picture it- a big yellow envelope on your doorstep. There, that's good enough. 

Inside that envelope was this book!!

It's a beautiful and fascinating book with stories about Mr. Colicchio's restaurant beginnings, his food philosophies, and the design of the original Craft. There's also insightful stories about the recipes and ingredients, and, of course, recipes themselves! Beautiful food photography, too! 

My sister Heidi, a fellow foodie, noticed that Craftsteak's Chef Matt Seeber left his special mark. 

How freaking cool is THAT?!?

Jill Aiken, General Manager of Craftsteak (lucky lady!), told me in her email that she and Chef Matt wanted to send me something to remember the highlight meal of my life. 

Ms. Aiken and Chef Matt~ mission accomplished!! Thank you so very much for your kindness, and your extremely well crafted food and restaurant. I will treasure the memories of my phenomenal meal and excitement of this cookbook, and I'll share it with anyone who will listen. 

A PB but no J

I've got blogger's block tonight, but I'm going to attempt to type through it. My brain is cluttered and overwhelmed. I'm tired. The new schedule I created for myself has been about 25% successful this week. My biggest issue is getting to sleep early enough so that I can wake up earlier and with more energy. I wish I could blame cancer treatment for this issue, but it's one I've had for many years. I know it's something I have control over, because I've had success in the past. Semi-disgruntled success, but success is success. It's a process, and I'm making positive progress.

I am in tickled awe of all the new bloggers I've discovered on Twitter this week! Every Tuesday night at 8pm CST there a Twitter chat for bloggers who blog about some aspect of fitness using #fitblog. A friend told me about it a few weeks ago, but I didn't really understand it. I stumbled into the chat tonight. Honestly, I'm still not sure I understand it. I had a lovely time chatting anyway. Actually, I did more lurking than chatting because I was stretched out on the couch on a Driod phone. I don't get along well with on screen keyboards. I was too comfy to get up and grab the laptop that was 12 feet away. It's incredible how many inspirational blogs- and people!- there are out there in this not-so-big world!

I'll tell you a little secret. Ready? Even though it's been 7 months since my final chemo treatment, I still get tired out fairly fast. I make a concerted effort each day to spend my energy wisely. I try not to go up or down the stairs too many times, which also challenges my chemo-brain. (Hey, I like to multi-task.) I spend an hour's worth of my best energy most days on a workout. I've switched to late morning workouts this week. So far it's not helping me get to sleep sooner, though. By the end of the day I need to lie down and rest. I don't need or even want a nap. It's frustrating because there are lots of things I want and need my body to do. I know my energy level has improved greatly over these 7 months. And I am truly thankful for the healing that's going on inside. Still, I wish the process would hurry up.

I experienced a personal best today, despite my lingering energy issues. Today I was able to do 99% of Cathe Friedrich's Imax2. I modified to lessen the impact on my knees, and went 75% step-less, but that's THE BEST I've done with this uber challenging yet crazy fun interval workout. It's a PB without any J!

I am quite proud of myself! 

I've been fighting for the energy, stamina and strength for 18 months to do this particular workout. Couple that with starting Shock Training System this past Monday and WOW! It's nifty to the 10th power! This body is such an amazing machine. I keep thinking of the corny clique- takes a lickin' but keeps on tickin'. I love being a Cathlete!

A fellow Cathlete, Carola, is currently Fighting the spread of breast cancer. She's a single mom who is currently bedridden. Cathletes- and many others- have joined together to support her through positive thoughts, prayers, and purses. Please donate as you're able, and offer your prayers of healing, peace and every need met. I truly and deeply thank you for supporting her- and me.

Still SINS, New STS

I know, I know~ I haven't blogged about SINS for weeks. I promise that I haven't forgotten about the challenges I gave myself and shared with the SINS community. I was doing so well that I even upped my weight loss challenge. I admit that I lost a bit of spark and focus on these challenges. Overall, I am eating and living healthier than ever though. I'm proud of my improvements and positive changes. And I now fit into a smaller size as a bonus. Yay!!

Update

1. Goal was to lose 12 pounds. I've lost 8.8 so far. Whoohooo!! I've got 13 days left. I'm confident and determined to lose at least 2 more pounds by April 23rd. 
2. Goal was to gain lean muscle. I have definitely accomplished this one! I've increased my weight load on nearly every exercise. Totally nifty!
3. Goal was to stay within the calorie range of 1550- 1800 and carb range of 164g- 195g. I've done well, but I know I can be more consistent. I'm recommitting as of now! 

I'm starting a new self-challenge that's in the same vein of SINS. Cathe Friedrich's Shock Training System (STS) starts Monday!! I am uber excited! When this amazing series came out in 2009 I couldn't afford it and wasn't physically ready for it. Then came cancer treatment #2, and my hopes for doing STS dropped. I pretty much decided to stop trying to find the means to do it. Then came Cathe's Cathlete Appreciation sale a couple weeks ago. I felt like I won the coupon lottery! I sold a few of Cathe DVDs that I don't use due to impact to help cover the cost, and that was a big success. Cathletes are THE best!!

I believe that STS is going to propel me into my lifetime highest level of fitness. It's going to strengthen more than my muscles. My bones, focus, and belief in myself will all grow stronger. I'm thankful for the opportunity and the challenge.