Vegas 2009

YaHeyDer!

So here we are a couple weeks from Vegas and some of you have never met before. This is the easiest way to introduce everyone. I thought I would explain the connections between everyone and a little history on this Vegas trip.

This will be the third year for the Gidley's and Villari's, second year for Palka's and Frodyma's and the first year for the Urech's, Czopek's and Ang's cousin.

Pictures - believe it or not we don't take many pictures, usually on the plane ride there and back and that is about it....unless you go do something off premises like shooting a gun or something.

Most days we wake up early, have breakfast, find a place at the pool, drink (some of us bring our own) and find a place to go dancing or gambling. Some of us venture out to shoot guns, go shopping, maybe ATV this year (I know Bob wants to), rent a sports car (don't think about it JoeG) - basically find someone who wants to do what you want to and go do it! Have fun!

Organizing us all to do everything together is impossible, let's just text and hopefully we can connect at the pool to talk about the night. Now let's give you a little info on everyone going:

Joe and Sarabeth Gidley - We have been married for 3 years. Now for the group connections, my brother is Dave Urech who is married to Stephanie Wiliams who has invited her sister Kim. I actually went to JR High with Kim Williams-Czopek. JoeG has known Brian Villari for 30 years, Tracey for 20 years and works with Brian which is why we moved back from WI. Bob Palka is "our guy", yes - we know a guy. Hotel bound around noon Wed.

Brian and Tracey Villari - Brain and Tracey have 3 kids and 1 dog, live across from Ang and Erik and met Giuliana and Bob at pre-school through their kids. Hotel bound around noon Wed.

Ang and Erik Frodyma - Have 2 kids, 1 dog and invited they Ang's cousin this year, which I am figuring they have known each other for awhile. Hotel bound around noon Wed.

Giuliana (aka G) and Bob Palka - Have 2 kids and 1 cat, Bob the contractor extrodianaire has done lots of updates on our house. Hotel bound around noon Wed.

Dave and Stephanie - have 1 wolf (ok it's a dog) have known each other since high school, been married for 1 year and Stephanie is by far the youngest member of the Vegas crew.]

Kim and Chris - have 2 kids, 1 dog, been married for ten plus years.

Kim and Brad Bettenhausen - have 3 kids, 3 cats and been married for 18 years.Hotel bound around noon Wed.

Please make a comment to add anything to your description, try and recruit people to an activity you want to do, restaurants you want to go to or just general excited-ness for the big group trip.

A Soda Pop - I LOVE

This is very hard for me to say but I really like this soda MASH. It is as healthy as a soda can be with little sugar and lots of taste. I found it at Potbelly's on LaSalle - SO GOOD. If you see it try it - I am a big water pusher, but this was really good. I just might have to go back and JUST buy the soda without the sandwich - seriously.

May - Joe's Bday!

Happy Birthday to Joe! The big 36.... we golfed, went to Lakefront and enjoyed a beautiful Memorial Day weekend (his birthday is the 25th). We golfed at Ravislow in Homewood, where my dad started working at 11 or something. So he was telling stories, most of them only safe for my mom's ears but we got a couple.

New Lunch Place: The Protein Bar

Ok - this place is on Franklin across from the Sears Tower and it has some great healthy options. First of all, the nutritional information is on the packaging and the menu which should be done by all restaurants. I mean, how are you suppose to make an educated decision without that information? Second, the prices are VERY reasonable for the quality of food you are getting. Lastly - the portion sizes are actually "serving" size. They are not too huge, but you get enough to fill you up.

I was very impressed! Plus right now they frequently give out free samples to promote the product.

http://www.proteinbarchicago.com/

PS - I would personally recommend the Pancake in a Bowl - YA-UM!

Challenges at work, is it worth it?

I work in an office which is full of very healthy people who compete is marathons, triathlons, discuss new workout routines and don’t get me started on how much we talk about healthy food. Of course there are a few who like to tempt you to sway from your daily healthy food routine. For example, there is a man in the office who brought in a machine called the “Hot Diggity Dogger” which cooks a hotdog, warms the bun and fills the office with free smells that make you feel like you are at a ball game – JERK. Then there are others who are MASTER bakers and bring in their yummy goodness treats to share (because they would not want to eat it all on their own at home). Last but not least, the birthday celebrations – sugar GALORE! Somethings I have tremendous willpower but others exploit my weakness.

Its hard, but the high quality beer I drink on the weekend is worth all the unhealthy stuff I passed up during the week.

Overall - Pick your indulgence and savor every inch or ounce of it.

Make it easy

My husband, Joe, does not eat a lot of vegetables but he is a healthy person, works out, drinks his protein shakes and watches what he eats 90% of the time. He likes vegetables, I should say he mostly likes broccoli. Of course there is a but coming – I buy it, he does not eat it, fresh or frozen. Through trial and failure I finally succeeded – frozen packs of broccoli and cheese and I made it the first time for him. Not only did he see how easy it was to make he LOVED it! I am so excited, so I will be buying more of those.

Along with the broccoli with cheese thing I found I was found frozen pureed squash – I finally made it! I cooked with with peas and then added some cayeene pepper and a slice of cheese – YUM! Not sure there are a lot of others who would like it but I did.

A healthy lifestyle

Some would think that going on a diet IS choosing a healthy lifestyle - not me. To me, there is a HUGE difference. I would never suggest to someone to go ON a diet, diets imply rules - can and cannots. Rules are difficult to follow, how do I know? I have tried many diets and failed miserably, which is a horrible feeling. Failure can be a good thing, a chance to learn something new, be reflective and honest with yourself - and creates a point to improve from. It took a very honest voice in my head to realize that I needed to make health a priority in my life, which meant many changes. I tried to break the change in small segments that would allow a little bit of change at a time - change is hard.

First of all, I focused on my diet (what I was eating). Instead of eating out I started cooking at home, bringing my lunch to work and finding healthy snacks. Once I thought I had that down, I started a food journal - YIKES, here comes that honest voice in my head again. I used my food journal to figure out how many calories I was taking in, when I looked at my exercise I realized that I was not going to loose weight if I did not use up more of the calories through cardio and weight training.

This is where I hit a snag, because of my situation (working full time, working on my masters, trying to sell a house, taking care of the dog and my husband living in another state) I did not feel like I had the time or energy to work out. So I did what I thought I could - walk the dog, get to the gym 1x a week and try to eat healthy. When I look back I realize that I was making excuses, I would have had more energy if I would have worked out - if I only had the motivation.

Today, health is not only a priority to me, but also my family, my husband and my co-workers - WHOAH does that make a difference. I am not sure how this happened, if it was me inspiring those around me or being inspired by those around me - I tend to believe it is about 50/50. Point being, I have been able to be successful because of my support network and their decision to choose a healthy lifestyle.

Have you chosen a healthy lifestyle? Are you having challenges?