Thanksgiving 2011.....

We had a blast!!! Holly and Matt are such great hosts. I feel so blessed that we were able to spend Thanksgiving with them this year...their 1st in their new home. I arrived Sunday night (Momma has to get a few days solo...selfish, yes...I don't deny it).  Matt's parents arrived Tuesday evening and Mauro came in on Wednesday night.  Two newlyweds, 4 parents (that actually like each other) and 3 cute lil pups!  Holly and Matt had a houseful.

Maggie Lu, Peanut and Tiffy

I got my groove on with Holly at Physique 57 (two times, I was thrilled).  Got some much needed corrections and now feel rejuvenated to keep up with my Physique 57 DVD's at home.  I've actually set my own challenge...I'm gonna try to Physique every day until Jon & Steph's wedding so I get into that beautiful dress and look great so I make Jon proud when we do our Mother/Son dance.  I'm on track, but I must be honest, I was so jet lagged, I skipped yesterday, but pulled out my arms and abs booster tonight and now I feel really good.  This ol' body doesn't recover from my east coast travel quite as easily as I used to.

So anyways, back to Thanksgiving.  All of us got up bright and early, 3:30 am, on Thursday (Happy Thanksgiving), loaded all six of us in the Cube (Matt's mom's car) and headed thru the Holland Tunnel into NYC to brave the masses for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!! Check that off my bucket list...Woot Woot!

We bundled up (luckily Penny and Dale had blankets and towels in the back of the Cube), walked a quizillion blocks and found our spot.  We, with a ton of other people, sat, visited, tried to keep warm, and waited, and waited, headed down to the Starbucks for a quick bathroom break while the gettin' was good, then waited some more.   Holly and I pulled off our best layered look to keep warm while we waited for the parade to start.

The six of us had a great spot right next to the Dakota, which is where John Lennon was shot and Yoko Ono still lives (just a little bit of trivia for everyone!).

Penny, Dale, Suzie, Holly, Matt, Mauro

The parade was amazing.  I'm so happy we braved the cold and the long wait to see it.  Watching it all these years on TV is just not the same.  

The balloons are a site to see; it is so amazing to see how many handlers each balloon requires.  I took a ton of pictures, got several of each balloon...here is a sampling of some of them.

Neil Diamond, Scotty McCleery, Mary J. Blige, Johnny Weir and Santa, just to name a few, all joined the fun too.

Dinner was amazing.  Holly made a homemade apple pie that was to die for. Holly's Physique 57 friend Laura joined us for dinner and we had enough food to feed all of us for three days.

Our Amazing hosts.

The moms and Holly 

Delicious!

The best desserts anywhere

Tiffy had a long day!

Friday we all headed into the city after Holly was done teaching at Physique 57 so we could check out the Macy's holiday windows.  They are just beautiful and so creative. 

Holly and I made a digital ornament that was actually in the window for a short time. 

Our ornament in the window

This was such an amazing week and a wonderful way to start this holiday Season.  I cannot wait for Christmas to get here!

Physiqueing in NYC......Woot Woot!!

I am one happy Physiquer! I have been able to take two Physique 57 classes so far and I have loved it. Being at Physique 57 in person has been amazing.  I took a class at Physique 57 on Monday and finally got to meet N....

....and further confirmed that we are BFF's!  (I'm not totally happy with the way I look in these pics (a bit too rolly polly), but they give me yet another before/after goal).

Monday, Holly and I headed into the city and I took class, then we got mani's then went out for a super yummy lunch and then headed to her Vissi rehearsal (the piece she is working on is amazing BTW).  A lovely day with my baby girl to say the least.  I was thrilled that I got to meet Tanya as well.  She is so nice and seems like such a fun person.  I really enjoy doing my Physique 57 DVD's with her (I'm taking the advanced 30 minute express DVD home with me) - being at the Physique 57 studios was great because I got some much needed corrections and realized that I have not been doing stuff correctly but will from now on.  Tanya asked me if I was doing straight legged pushups yet...I told her NO but I took that as a challenge and ...

Yesterday, I again went to Physique 57 UWS with Holly and took her class. Man or man, my daughter is one tuff cookie.  But.....guess what Tanya?? I did 10 straight legged pushups for the very first time and my daughter witnessed it!  I was so proud of myself.  I cannot say enough about how great I feel Physiqueing! And I must add, I could not do even 1 pushup a couple of months ago!!

I was talking to N about a December Challenge...hmmmm, what will it be?  I decided to do my own challenge in conjunction with the November, and soon to be, December Challenge (keep me posted N).  There are 59 days until Jonathan and Stephanies' wedding so I am going to do my very own Physique 57 (+/- a day) 57 day challenge...(this gives me a day to get back home to start it)...but I am energized and ready to hit my Physique 57 DVD's so I am svelt for the wedding.

I am hoping to get in one more Physique 57 class before I head home on Saturday.  H&N...please tell all of the other girls that I had the pleasure of meeting, and seeing again while in town, that I thank them all so much for making me feel so welcome and a part of the Physique 57 family.  As a mother who has a daughter living 3000 miles away from home, it is nice to know that she has such a great circle of amazing ladies in her life :)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone...tomorrow we are up bright and early to head to the 

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!  

I'm so excited.

So until next time my fellow Physiquesians.....

Leaving' on a jet plane....but gotta Physique 1st!

Today is the day.  Tiffy and I are heading back east to spend Thanksgiving with my Jersey Girl, Matt, and Maggie Lu.  Matt's parents arrive on Tuesday and Mauro comes in on Wednesday.  I'm really excited to celebrate Thanksgiving with my beautiful daughter; it has been way too many years since we have shared this holiday together.

I woke up this morning feeling aches and pains all over, probably because I dug out my boots and wore them all day yesterday to get my feet used to them.  So back to the aches and pains....I figured what better way to prepare for my flight than to Physique!  I ran up stairs, dug out my old work out clothes because I've packed my Target and Old Navy gems because I'M TAKING HOLLY'S PHYSIQUE 57 CLASSES IN NYC! (well N & I are taking Holly's classes ;))....I'm so excited.  I found my Physique 57 socks, packed my stuff, and I'm ready to get my groove on in the Big Apple.

Oh and by the way, all of those morning aches and pains are now gone.  My morning workout left me feeling great.  I'm glad I made the time for two reasons: #1) I feel really good, not sore anymore; and #2) I think I will be much more comfortable during the flight.  Physiqueing is the way to go!

Here is a way too cute picture of my precious, adorable traveling companion...

Tiffy Lu is ready to go spend the week with Maggie Lu

Until next time my fellow Physiquesians....

See you in NJ/NYC!

Oh, any luck on that snow request ;)

Phelling Sick and Physiqueing....

Well, today I broke down and went to the Doctor.......

these didn't work..... 

So....I got these.....

I don't want to miss my Physique 57 date with H&N next week, so I needed to get the heavy hitter stuff so I am not sick for my trip.  I leave on Sunday so I wanted to make sure I could get the infamous "Z Pak" in me before I left so I will be in good shape once I get there. The OTC stuff just didn't cut it...I needed a dose of the big stuff.

Oh and while I was at the doctor's office....I got this too!

I braved it up and finally gave in and got my tetanus and whooping cough shot. Seeing as I am the Queen of Bronchitis, and we have a ton of little precious ones in our family, it was best that I get both, especially the whooping cough shot. BTW, it's good for 10 years, so I am also covered when I become a Grandma ;). Oh, and because my arms are getting so toned from Physiqueing, the needle almost broke off when she stuck me.  Not really, but it sounds good right?!

So, that brings me to my Physiqueing for tonight.  Most people would say, oh there's Suzie, she has a perfect excuse to miss her Physique 57 workout tonight. Ordinarily they would be right. Hmmmm, were they??

I got home from work, took Tiffy out, fed her, headed out because I wanted to try to get some boots and sweaters for my trip back east, went to the mall, didn't find anything, was gonna go to WalMart but was too tired (again, people are thinking, excuse #2 to skip Physiqueing), drove home, took Tiffy out again (short walk around the cul-de-sac this time), fed her again (she eats several small, home cooked meals a day), and wait for it wait for it......(this was fun...I really wanted to keep H&N guessing). Did she or Didn't she Physique?! hehehe.

I went up stairs, put on my Physique 57 work out clothes (Target), I rolled out my pink mat, hit play and started my Physiqueing!  HAAAAA, I didn't skip my Physique 57 tonight.  But I must be honest, I didn't make it thru the whole thing either.  My arm is a bit sore (those shots are tiny but mighty) and I'm hacking up a lung (see above re Queen of Bronchitis), but at least I tried it.  I may not have made it thru the whole workout, but I did not give in to my old ways and use being sick as an excuse.  I gave myself only 1/2 credit because I want to be honest with the Physique 57 November Challenge, but 1/2 is better than nothing.  That is quite an achievement for me! Alas, I did not skip, I did my Physique 57 tonight!

So, I am going to start my "Z Pak" tonight, I know I will feel much better by Sunday when I take off. I plan on hitting my Physique 57 DVD's for the rest of the week - maybe modified, but I'll still do it so I will be ready to Physique it with H&N....hopefully I will see T too :)

Oh, and BTW, I have totally gotten over those dreaded work pictures.  I am happy with my Physique 57 results and will continue to work towards a healthier Suzie :)

So, until new time my fellow Physiquesians....

Pity Party then P57 to slap me back in shape!

No pics to post today.  I'm was having a pity party pretty much the whole day :(

.....Let me share please:

After a great weekend, feeling really good about how I looked in the pics that I posted last night....I get to work today and what is waiting for me in my inbox but the dang proofs of those dreaded work portraits we took last week.  I was so upset and disappointed in myself and the way I looked.  I felt like the fat girl sitting against the wall at a school dance knowing that no one was really going to ask me to dance. (I know, I know Holly, I'm just getting it off my chest.  I know you hate for me to talk like this)....anyways, I instantly sent Holly the link so she could look at them and then I cried when she called me to say they were great.  I love my daughter, she is definitely my biggest fan, but still, I was so unhappy with those pics.  I felt like I cried all day long today. 

I've been doing my Physique 57 workouts for a while now, most consistently during the Physique 57 November Challenge.  I was feeling pretty good about myself thinking I was one hot momma.  I was all pumped about getting to take Physique 57 classes next week while I am back east for Thanksgiving.  I even thought the door man gave me a little extra look when I left our building the other day.  My unmentionables don't seem quite as tight as they used to be, I don't have to lay down on the bed to zip my jeans anymore, I gave up Diet Coke...blah, blah, blah.

Then....

I was thinking of all kinds of ways to look good...Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, go to the doctor for diet guidance, look into that totally ridiculous HCG shot diet (my friend did it and she lost like 60 pounds-I would never do it plus I could never afford it), have an emotional breakdown so I will be so depressed that I would stop eating (not my style, I'm a happy person who tries to be up all the time).....but then...

I realized that it didn't take 3 weeks to get like this so it won't take 3 weeks to get back into the shape that I want to be.  If I am to have this "womanly body" then I will at least have this "womanly body" that is healthy with no drugs or shots getting me there.  If I am going to remain dedicated to working out so I can transform my body, if I am going to constantly work hard with my Physique 57 workouts, then I know I will get into the shape and look like I want to look but do it in a healthy way.  I may not be a size 6 again, but I will be healthy.  I will sleep well, have self confidence, keep myself fit and healthy and walk with my shoulders back and my head held high!!

Oh and by the way, I always see pictures of celebrities (Kim Kardashian, Kendra from DWTS, etc.)who have "work done" and fake boobs and are a skinny size 2...I think I am way more attractive than they are. Conceited maybe, but the minute I see those pictures, I think to myself, would I want to look like that? Nope!

So....

I got home, took Tiffy out, put on my workout clothes (Target); rolled out my pink Physique 57 mat; said Hello Tanya, then hit play.   I felt good after my Physique 57 workout tonight. I'm working out 6 days a week, I've never done that!  I got over my Pity Party, said the heck with those pictures, it is what it is. I can't change those pictures (heck I can use them as another goal)....but I can continue to change how I look and feel thru my Physiqueing.

So...until next time my Fellow Physiquesians.....

Bridal shower #2 and a Physique 57 night-cap...

Yesterday afternoon was my future daughter-in-law's 2nd Bridal Shower.  I had a blast and I am having so much fun enjoying all of the festivities leading up to the big day....69 days and counting!!

I usually do my Physiqueing in the evenings...it just seems to be a great night-cap for me, but yesterday I made the mistake of not Physiqueing before leaving for Stephanie's shower figuring I would do it when I got home. The shower started at 4pm so I figured I would be home by around 9pm ish and would do my Physique 57 work-out when I got home then I would have a great nights sleep.  WRONG!!  I got home at 1am...needless to say, that was some shower and I didn't get my Physique 57 workout in.  My DIL had a great time and was "showered" with so much love and amazing gifts so it was worth sacrificing my Physiqueing last night.

I was introduced to a yummy drink...a non-alcoholic one since I was driving myself, and for those of you who know me, know that I work for a DUI attorney and I just didn't want to end up being a client so.....this was my drink of choice last night.  It was so good and even better, only 5 calories per glass!!

Before I continue with my Physique 57 post for this Sunday night....I want to share some pictures from the shower.

MIL and MOB

THE FUTURE MR. AND MRS. MENDOZA

MIL, BRIDE-TO-BE, MOB

OK, back to my Physique 57 Sunday night post.   After meeting Jon and Steph for lunch today (that always makes this momma very happy), I headed home, got my laundry done then pulled out my pink Physique 57 mat and my weights and hit the floor so I could get my groove on tonight.  I really enjoy my Physique 57 workouts and feel so good when I am done. I am on the count-down for my trip back east...one week from today.  In one week, at this time, Tiffy and I will be landing in NYC!!  Tiffy and I are getting our bags packed and we are gonna be leaving on a jet plane to go spend Thanksgiving with Holly, Matt, Maggie Lu, my hubby and Matt's parents.  The only thing that would make that perfect holiday trip even better is if Jon, Steph and Jer were going too!  I am so excited about being able to take Physique 57 class(es) while I am there.  I want to prove to myself that I can get thru a Physique 57 class and do better than the first time I took class with Holly.  I do not plan on standing at the ballet barre feeling like I am gonna toss my cookies like I did the first time.....I'm prepared this time!! I've been Physiqueing...I am a Physiquer! I can do push-ups and tricep dips!! 

Oh, and again I say.....let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!

So....until next time my fellow Physiquesians.

I was sick......:(

I was sick yesterday and just could not muster up the strength to do my Physique 57 workout.  I know that sounds very dramatic, but it is the truth.  I have been fighting something for the last few days and I just plain hit the wall yesterday. This is what my yesterday consisted of: I made it thru the day at work, but after running to Kohl's for a new blouse (getting ready for staff portraits, yuk, that's another post), I came home, took Tiffy out, fed her, went upstairs, put on my PJ's then told Tiffy that I was going to lay down for just a bit then figured I would get up to do my Physique 57 workout because I was on a roll and didn't want to break my streak...it was 7:30....WRONG! I did not get up until 6:15 this morning!  This is what I had for dinner last night...

I woke up this morning feeling better but feeling guilty because I didn't Physique yesterday :(.  I called my Holly Girl on the way to work this morning and told her that I was sick yesterday and just couldn't do my Physique 57 workout and I felt super guilty because I missed it....she called me back and told me I got a "bye" from Natasha because I was sick (phewwww, that was a relief), and she said it was ok to miss if I was not feeling well.

Technically tho, the way I figure it, I'm still "legal" and can say I'm in compliance with the Physique 57 November Challenge because I did my Physique 57 workout 8 days in a row and the challenge says to do it 6 days a week, I missed one day, but had a credit for the 7th day, started the new week on day 8....oh heck, I'm not good at math, but I think I can legally say that I am on track to be a success with the Physique 57 November Challenge!

So....back to today.  I wore my new blouse and we did those dreaded work portraits, arghhhh....I came home, took Tiffy for a walk around the block...2 times...came back home, fed Tiff, went up stairs, put on my Physique 57 workout clothes (Old Navy), came down stairs (I moved my Physique 57 workout stuff down stairs for a change in scenery, and did this........BAM, I'M BACK!!

I actually feel pretty good and I am so happy to be back on my Physique 57 routine.  Wow, this sounds dramatic too.  It's not like I was gone for months and months, it was a mere 24 hours...can we say Drama Queen!

I'm counting the days until I head back east to celebrate Thanksgiving with Holly, Matt and Maggie Lu.  Also, I am really excited because I will get to take Physique 57 classes in NYC, woot woot!   Oh, by the way, I would be super super happy if we had snow, I'm just sayin'.

Until next time my fellow Physiquesians.....

One Week Down....

I did it! I made it thru the first week of the Physique 57 November Challenge.  I worked out 7...count it...1,2,3,4,5,6,7 days in a row. I have never done that before! Never!

I must admit, I woke up a bit sore this morning...particularly my left shoulder blade but I don't think it is from my Physique 57 Workout...I think it is because I'm sharing my bed with two other bodies and they are hogging the bed. I have very little, lets say real estate, in my queen size bed because of this:

For the last week I have been sleeping with a total of 12 pounds of sweet Yorkie-ness and they are hogging the bed. I'm not kidding, I cannot believe that two little pups can take us so much room in a grown up bed! With Tiffy snoring all night and Mimi sleeping right by by side...my comfort level has been less than normal but how can you resist these cute little faces.  So...

I get up in the morning, take the pups out, make them breakfast...because pups in my house don't just get kibbles, they get nice warm heated food that I have painstakingly prepared for them (I'm sure Maggie Lu is counting the days for Grandma to get there) then head out to work.  After a long day, I come home to see these waiting for me:

My three reminders...my Physique 57 reminders.  They keep me going everyday. I see them the minute I get home and I get moving with my Physiqueing.  Week 2 starts tomorrow....

Until next time my Fellow Physiquesians....