If at First You Don’t Succeed…

Social media is truly a phenomenal concept. It’s how I met Ken Karnack who owns a personal training business called Old School Fitness in Frisco.

We found each other a’Twitterin’ around one day online and realized we could both help each other out – me with our weekly e-publication and our 41,000 readers who get our email blast of The Frisco Community Newsletter, and him helping me get back into shape. Having just turned 38 this year, I realize that I *really* need to get with the program if I want to live a long, happy life – everyone needs some form of exercise so I figured there is no better time than the present. You see, from September 2008-April 2009 I lost about 35 pounds from simply eating better. I learned some new things about nutrition by attending a few group meetings led by Matt Schultz who holds the Frisco Weight Loss Challenge (where you can YES, even win money for losing weight!) I rarely worked out. Then I started a job (right after a very hectic event I annually produced) which required a FABULOUS commute to the Oaklawn area in Dallas and the stress just got to me – one fabulous pasta dish and wine at a time!

So I met with Ken in person and after telling him my goals for doing this and the reality check of measurements and body fat (oh that caliper!), we now meet a few times a week for weight training. Cardio is on my own – and like he says, do what I want but the scale won’t fib when the time comes!

What I like about Ken is that he isn’t trying to reinvent the fitness wheel with the “latest and greatest” products or exercises. No, you won’t find him touting an innovative piece of equipment. And he’s not a “mean” trainer whose M.O. is to degrade his client into shape.

Ken, who moved here a few years ago from Pittsburgh, is all about getting back to basics. “It’s the ‘old school’ method,” he told me, explaining the story behind his business name.

There aren’t any quick fixes to getting in shape and he isn’t going to tell you otherwise. To me, he checks his ego at the door and is very client focused. When I meet with him, I am not intimidated or surrounded by a bunch of muscle men more interested in socializing and comparing biceps than doing an effective workout. So far, it’s been just the two of us and another trainer and his/her client at the fitness studio on Main Street across from (hello irony!) the iconic Double Dip in Frisco.

Next week in The Frisco Community Newsletter our readers will get to know Ken a little better, as he’ll be the feature interview subject of our weekly Spotlight.

I know it’s going to take a while but I’m not going to beat myself up over the damage I’ve done by not being more active the last 8 years. The great thing is that one can always start anew. I’ll get there – one very painful walking squat at a time. 😀

Sharing the Day

Today is January 29, 2010 and it’s going to be a great day. It’s my birthday, after all – and my Mom’s, too! I love sharing our day. My Mother is the most unselfish, giving, kindest person I know. She is so very thoughtful even when she has numerous things in her own life that pull her in so many different directions. And in the words of my 6 year-old – I’d have to more than agree that “she’s the most awesomest Grandma!” Among her many, varied talents, nobody can touch her creativity when it comes to birthday cards she sends out – the front of the envelope is always embellished with stickers and glitter pens. (She’s famous for it around here – especially Halloween cards she sends to the kids – with a nice little “extra” in the form of a McDonald’s gift card) I mean these are envelopes that you never want to discard – works of art! My birthday card that I received yesterday was adorned with tiny red and pink flowers and silver stars. I am blessed to have such an amazing mother who can bring a huge smile to my face even when she’s a few hundred miles away.

So…happy birthday Mamacita! I love you so much and hope your day is as great as mine will be!

It can only get better…

Lovely Dallas traffic

My commute is north Frisco to Oaklawn in Dallas every single day. The following is the content of an email I had to send my managers this morning. Just remember that when you think things can’t get worse…your dear laptop decides to take a furlough…again. And there’s nobody to cover her when she’s gone!  🙂 Enjoy!

——————————————————————-
Really can NOT make this stuff up.

1)      Get on Dallas North Tollway at Eldorado in Frisco to head to Oaklawn, much earlier due to probable slick road conditions. It’s gonna be a great day! I am closing my first major deal. Life is GOOD!

2)      Traffic crawls-25 minutes to creep just a few miles. Alternate between my two favorite Cumulus radio stations–99.5 The WOLF and Talk Radio 570 KLIF. My KLIF guy ominously states how terrible traffic conditions are everywhere. {{{Naaa, it’ll be over soon! I’m still in good shape. Optimism! }}}} 

3)      Decide to call the two managers to let them know looks like at least another hour and will be surely late to meeting (it’s *always* so nice to be late or better yet COMPLETELY miss a group sales meeting when everyone is perpetually under the microscope. GREAT!)

4)     DOUBLE  GREAT! No cell service, which means no Blackberry either. Someone forgot to pay the bill (this is what happens when one is hyperfocused on the new job and the significant other has been relying on her to take care of household finances. Oopsie. Wonder if he knows yet…)

5)      Only at Tollway and Parker as road is a virtual parking lot – {{{Lightbulb goes off }}}} Decide to exit to nearest Starbucks since barely moving anyhow. I have my laptop and I can access ‘net via T-Mobile to 1) pay cell bill; and 2) communicate with my managers via email so they know I am alive. I didn’t earn the nickname “Virtual Erika” from my manager for nothing, by gosh!   

6)      Turn on loyal laptop to fire my girl up; alas, Dell home screen comes on, and then blacks out. Power is plugged in…WTH? {{{Please, don’t do this to me! Not now!}}}

7)      Repeat step #6. Hold power button down 10 seconds, repeat. Do this at least 20 times. Persistence doesn’t pay off. Appears backlight is out (This happened back in April a few weeks before an annual event I produce. But then magically started working again) Panic…{{{think think think}}}…pack up laptop back in rolling bag and get back on Tollway, head north to Hwy 121—Kinko’s to the rescue! (I *always* have a Plan B, C, D, etc., right?!) {{{Mentally pat self on shoulder for a self-atta-girl}}}}

8)      Get last PC Basic Workstation at Kinko’s available. All the other credit card reader machines to be able to login say they are “Rebooting”. I stalk the Kinko’s guy with a big sense of urgency. Help me! He does, and I thankfully remember company log-in so can re-attempt step #5

9)      Quickly compose similar email like this one in actual body of email —this Kinko’s desktop doesn’t like pop-ups.  It logs me out as I try to send it to you both. I. Need. A. Drink.

10)   Decide to compose my email in Word document for 2^nd attempt in case Cumulus webmail boots me again. Thankfully I have a thumb drive WITH me to save *just* in case. Just call me “Sally on the Spot!”

11) Realize that I just wrote a new blog. {{{Copy, paste — DONE!}}}

That is my feeble attempt to find humor this morning.

Inspirational People…

I am continually amazed at the wonderful people in my life who I’m inspired by, learn from, and hope to have some of their great habits and attitudes rub off on me. I have this one friend who I’ll call “Balancing Betty” who is such a dynamic person, in so many ways.

Today, I had to go pick something up from her and was lucky to be able to grab some coveted “us” time. She and I normally are going a million miles an hour in different directions, so it was a treat to catch up and hear about all the great things going on in her life. You see, “BB” isn’t one of those people who sits back and hopes things will happen for her; she looks at every thing that comes her way as an opportunity. While some may look at things as “too much coming from every direction”, she is the master of balancing all the things she has done in the past knowing it will most likely “fit in” with her current and future endeavors. She’s a great mom, astute business person, creative, a compassionate being and just plain fun.

I was sharing some things with her today and her words of wisdom really came at just the right moment without her probably realizing the impact she had. So, Ms. “Balancing Betty”, I salute and admire you…and (at the risk of sounding like I am so much younger than you, which I AM NOT!),  thank you for inspiring me to say “I want to grow up like *her* someday!” You’re a Rock Star–on the edge of Iconic Status.  🙂

Twelve Years Ago Today…

First Day of Pre-School, age 3

Twelve years ago today, I was in a hospital in southeast Texas about to deliver my sweet little boy Zachariah…I remember like it was yesterday that I insisted that this time, unlike with the first born Carl, I was going to do it the “natural way.”  I just wanted to try it with no epidural as I had heard (albeit just a handful at the most!) women proclaim the liberating experience was unlike anything else. My Mom had 6 kids this way…I could *do* it!

I remember the very brief period of time that day when that plan went out the went out the window…I was about 2 cm away from finally meeting little Z…and, like Linda Blair, (if I could have done a 360 with the head, I am sure it was then!) became *that* woman who glares at those brave enough to be in the delivery room and demanded “Give me the drugs NOW!!” I wasn’t too happy to hear that at 8 cm, it’s wayyyy too late for that.

By then, the worst part was over….the painful contractions gave way to a few pushes (“these hips were made for pushing….”ok, no Nancy Sinatra 🙂 )….and there was my sweet little angel. All 9 1/2 pounds with that beautiful blonde cotton top of his. At that moment, I remember recalling how I would do it a million times “the natural way” just to see the little one make his entrance into the world. It’s a moment that Moms just don’t forget.

Liberating is an understatement.

Happy Birthday, Zachie Pack! I am so proud of the kind, caring, joyous young man that you are. You make me a very happy Mama and I love you so much!

Where has the time gone?

Has it really been since July that I have blogged? So much has happened since then (all great things!) Just got back from taking the sophomore to cross country practice, and about to get the rest of the kiddos up for school…have an event to attend this morning for the Boys and Girls Club of Collin County at Neiman Marcus, but will be back early afternoon to blog my thoughts on a few things.

I am excited that I finally made the decision to lose this baby weight from the youngest son (ahem, he is FIVE now, so I guess he wouldn’t exactly qualify as a BABY anymore…which is my point)once and for all! I joined Weight Watchers on his fifth birthday to make a commitment to be at a healthy weight again. I am currently a 31 BMI, VERY unhealthy. I gained as much weight (60 pounds!) with the others, but was always able to lose it within a reasonable time frame. This last munchkin did me in. Five years is NOT reasonable.

So, no more whining for me…I am already having great success…I am doing the core plan, and for me, it is SO easy because my challenge was trying to figure out how to account for the “bad” stuff I liked to consume; I know which foods are good for me, as I educated myself over the years. The core plan has it figured out how to make me accountable to the pizza, cream based pastas and other yummy things that should be consumed in moderation. I am SO pleased and would encourage those who want to be at their healthy weight to give it a shot!

So the event I am attending this morning is actually a benefit fashion show (for the BGCCC…I am on the committee for the Gala this year, which is 11/1 in Frisco featuring LeAnn Rimes) and you know what, it may not be that noticeable yet, but I already feel like a new women with the pounds I have lost. I am looking forward to it, actually! It’s amazing what just making a decision to be a better “you” can do for one’s energy and confidence levels.

Gotta go get kiddos ready…have a great day and I will write more later!

Erika

Obsessed

Ok, I have to say, that normally, I am not so impressed by food. I know my last blog was 100% about Bob Armstrong, an amazing appetizer from Mattito’s. This blog is ALSO about food. But it’s a whole new level…

First, let me say, that the most beautiful cook ever has her own television show. I am talking about Giada De Laurentis.

She is…well, how do I accurately describe her…my fantasy chef…and is THE master at my favorite cuisine (Italian) because she IS. She was schooled in Paris, France, as a chef and has, thankfully, shared her findings with all of us common-folk. She and her husband, clothing designer Todd Thompson (he designs for Anthropologie), just welcomed their first child, a daughter, in late March. She is the granddaughter of acclaimed filmmaker Dino De Laurentis. Is there anything this superwoman can’t do?!

Well, tonight, I made the most amazing spaghetti sauce. “Thank you, Giada!” It was HER homemade spaghetti sauce. I have to say it is the most amazing spaghetti sauce I have tasted, and OH so simple! Now, usually I have to add lots of parmesean cheese and usually do ground beef or turkey with a sauce, but tonight, it was neither. Just the recipe and (tried for the first time!) wheat spaghetti noodles. As Rachel Ray would say…. “Yummo!” And very healthy, to boot.

Matt and I have a small TV in our kitchen. It stays on Food Network constantly. Thank goodness for that network!!

Oh how I love my BOB ARMSTRONG!

My meaty, cheesy, just-can't-say-no-to Bob Armstrong!

How do I love Bob Armstrong? Let me count the ways. Bob is a montage of so many things… all in one nice little package. He’s meaty…cheesy…with a little sass mixed in…I love-me-some-Bob-Armstrong and I can’t seem to stay away. Everytime I think I can just say no, alas, no control. Bob and I recently re-connected after many years absence and I am ashamed to say I am a tad obsessed now. He’s so amazing that even my sweet husband approves! Lucky me!

It’s ok! Bob is not some long-lost love or hottie who I’ve kept under wraps ’til now! Get your mind out of that gutter.

Bob Armstrong is the off-the-menu tantilizing appetizer available at Frisco’s newest gem-of-a-dining-experience, Mattito’s. Located on the northeast side of booming Frisco Square, you can’t miss the vibrant storefront that faces a busy Main Street. Their patio is always bustling, especially during happy hour. You can’t help but smile when driving by. It is a welcome addition to that fast growing area of town. And the fact that it takes about three minutes to get there from my house? Oh boy. That’s a whole ‘nother conversation. (It’s like when we moved in right across from the new SuperTarget, I just knew they would all be calling me by my middle name soon! It’s just way to convenient. If I could JUST buy stock in ONLY the SuperTarget/Eldorado store…)

Let me tell you how I first heard about Bob Armstrong. I used to work at 99.5 The Wolf in Dallas, and my office was at Maple and Oaklawn. Mattito’s, located in Uptown off Cedar Springs, was the first restaurant I ever ate at with some people from work. When Katherine, one of my co-workers ordered the Bob Armstrong, I inquired, “Where’s THAT on the menu? I don’t see it!” She smiled and answered as if she had THE best-kept-secret, “It’s not! You just have to ask for it!” (Talk about word-of-mouth at its best!) The BA Dip consists of ground beef, guacamole, cheddar cheese and sour cream. Bob Armstrong may not sound like a genius creation, but it’s the queso that makes it extraordinary, in my opinion. So creamy…it’s SO delectable!

So go to Mattito’s. Ask for Bob Armstrong. The server will know exactly what you want! My tip: I like to eat mine with corn tortillas instead of the chips. I can get more of BA on that tortilla than on a chip and in some crazy way, I can rationalize to myself that Bob Armstrong is just a “little” more healthy for me!