Sparkle Me
Do you ever wonder if some of the medicines you take or the food you eat makes you stupid? I’m serious. I open my mouth and the most ignorant phrases erupt. Projectile stupidity. It’s almost as if the words that flow from my mouth (and hands if I’m typing) are coming not from my brain but from some monkey that hasn’t learned the English language.
I’m a smart girl. I graduated at the top of my class in high school and I have two degrees from a reputable university and again, graduated near the top of my class. I can speak intelligently on a number of topics. I’m well-read. I have a fantastic vocabulary. I surround myself with smart people. I love learning new topics and solving life’s little enigmas. Why is it that I have all those attributes but can still say the dumbest things? The worst part of it all, and I hesitate even saying this out loud, sometimes I don’t even realize I’m being stupid. Wow.
Should I blame it on age? I have to place the blame somewhere so why not Father Time? Am I going to progressively get worse the closer I get to age 30 (which is in t-minus 206 days but who’s counting?). On top of wrinkles, sun spots, and gray hair, do you become stupid too? I know other people that are 30 that do not have stupid moments, so why me? I welcome your responses. Hopefully the cure is something like “eat more cake” or “turn circles in your back yard while standing on one leg.”
I googled “How to cure stupidity” and believe it or not there are a variety of theories. I’m done talking of it today, but I just want to send out a blanket apology out there to anyone who has been on the receiving end of one of my dim-witted moments. My poor husband gets the brunt of them. Please send condolences his way.
For a complete 180 in topics, let’s talk about working out. I haven’t given you my workout regime in over a week. I haven’t been slacking off. I assure you. At times I think it’s about the only thing I’m not letting go by the wayside. I’ve done some crazy CrossFit WODs and I’ve done some running. Lovely, glorious running in the spring sunrise and doesn’t involve training for ANYTHING. I’m beginning to love running just to run again, no matter the distance or the pace. And while I am running a half marathon in St. Louis a month from today, I’m just going to enjoy it and get a medal. It still gives me a giggle and a tingle thinking I can go run 13.1 miles on any day and be just fine. I can remember when I started running 2 years ago and goodness I’ve come a long way.
Personal training is still clicking away all lovely-like. I feel I am improving my form on my lifts nicely. I do wish I was able to practice them more between sessions but not having a lot of free time somewhat prohibits that. I will say though to those of you out there working on form…I’ve found a standard household broom stick works nicely. No, those are not my stupid moments so stop laughing.
Last night in personal training we did not focus on learning any lifts. In the time we usually spend on learning/practicing lifts we talked about my nutrition. Coach B is following a slightly morphed version of the Zone, along with nearly every trainer in the gym. As you can imagine, obviously it’s working. They look Amazing. He would like me to give the zone a good college try once again. He again reiterated to me to toss the bathroom scale out the door and focus on other things, like how clothes fit and possibly before and after photos. Based on my food journal and generalities he doesn’t think I’m eating enough calories overall, so I’m going to look into that. I calculated my BMR (basal metabolic rate or calories you burn just by being alive) and my number is 1490. So, it takes me roughly 1500 just to function my body. Using the Harris Benedict Formula, you take your BMR number multiplied by your activity factor. I’m going to choose “moderately active” which is exercising 3-5 days per week. So, here’s my calculation:
1490.8 (BMR) x 1.55 (activity factor) = 2,310.74
In order to maintain my weight I should eat 2,310 calories per day. I don’t want to maintain, I want to lose! Several sites reference a healthy guideline to lower your calories to lose weight; either 15-20% of your daily caloric intake or 500 calories. I’m going with the 500 calories for ease. All this calculating to find out that in order to safely lose weight I need to be eating 1,810 calories per day. That’s about 300 calories more than I usually eat. Let me be clear, Brian did not tell me how many calories to eat per day. He only pointed out that I was probably eating too few. I’m going to use this information and plug it back into the zone way of eating. This time around when trying the zone I’m going to have to be much better at planning so that I don’t get so bored with the food. I got quite lazy and ate the same things every single day and I can’t handle that again.
A friend of mine gave up sugar for Lent and so far she’s 3 weeks perfect. No. Sugar. I’m so impressed that it takes everything I have to lift my jaw off the floor when I see her. That takes some amazing willpower. Do I have that in me? I’ve read all the same things that you all have about white sugar and the devil demons they possess. I want to be free of them, but my oh my, I do love cake. We shall see.
Back to personal training, after our nutrition discussion he put the through a ringer. After about a billion kettlebell swings, forward and backward sprints up a hill and in the cold, we did some lifts. You know earlier I was bragging that my form was getting better and then we do a couple of workouts that prove me wrong. He never corrected me, but I think secretly Coach B wanted to beat me over the head with the bar. Have I told you all lately how thankful I am to have such a great coach? Yeah, well I am…even when my arms are so sore that I can’t shampoo my sweaty head, when my legs quiver when I bend over, and I accidently roll my eyes at his demands. I really am appreciative.
I have to give a few shout-outs to end today:
Big, humongous, and gigantic CONGRATULATIONS to my brother-in-law Brock for getting a head choir director position for next year. I’m so proud of you and would celebrate with cake if I’m still allowed to eat it.
Super CONGRATS to my friend, and running group buddy, Summer who pounded her demons and stresses to the pavement this past weekend completing the Little Rock Half Marathon. I just knew you could do it. Never doubt yourself, my sweet friend, no matter what others and those devil thoughts tell you. You’re amazing.
TODAY I LOVE: seedless red grapes and fresh cucumbers
SONG OF THE DAY: “Sparkle Me” by Buffseeds
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I just keep a general list of foods eaten throughout the day as well… I felt I obsessed a bit much when I counted, measured, etc… enter the amazing Body Bugg… tells me how many calories I’m burning. My goal is 2500/ day. So far, so good!! 25 lbs down!!!
Congratulations Mel! Awesome work! I would give my right leg for a Body Bugg. Maybe someday…