The Typical Noell Weekend

Hello World!

My mom made an observation today that I haven't been on Facebook all weekend! She became all concerned because this obviously isn't my style. So, where have I been and what have I been doing? Well, let me share...

Friday evening. I got off work at 4:45pm and drove 10 miles to pick up my 5K Santa Scurry run packet. Then, I drove back home to pick up Peter, made dinner, and then dropped him off at the babysitter so that I could go run that 5K. On the way there I was a little upset at myself for eating my dinner super fast and not allowing enough time for it to settle before running this race. I knew it was going to be ugly, but hey, I did it anyways. It was a gorgeous evening at 67+ degrees on Dec. 3rd in Texas. It was awesome!

The race was suppose to start at 7pm...it ended up starting at 7:30pm because apparently there was horse poop on the trail that had to be cleaned up. Go figure?! I found that kinda funny in the middle of the city there was horse poop. Anyways, I decided to start talking with people. I was at the end of the line and met Zach Olson from Rochester, MN! What are the chances of two Minnesotans running a 5K in Keller, TX on Dec. 3rd? It was just neat.

This race was kind of different because 1) it was at night, 2) it was lit by Christmas lights and lanterns, and 3) there was all kinds of Christmas festivities going on throughout the town square. It was a great start to the Christmas season!

Saturday rolled around really quickly! I started out by going to the post office to mail out Shakeology samples. I stopped by work for 15 minutes to pick up some forgotten items. Then, I made a grocery store run for bananas for the Shakeology Home Party I hosted from 11-12:30pm. I got home and did a massive clean up-everything from laundry, dishes, vaccuming, setting up the display, etc. It was a busy morning!

My first guests arrived at 11:30am. They were my neighbors beneath me in the apartment so it was great to get to know them. They seemed genuinely interested in the product so that made me somewhat pleased. Admittedly, I was a little disappointed that only 3 people out of 300 households showed up to my Home Party! This past Monday I printed out over 300 flyers announcing my party and posted them on all the doors within the apartment community. I didn't know what to expect but was overall pleased with the activity.

Saturday afternoon Peter and I went toy shopping. Peter picked out this construction set with "kid wood". It has a saw that is designed for safety, nails, everything you could ever want! So, we became creative! We built a house for Pengui...his pet penguin. Then, we made a chair, a car, Woody's pants from Toy Story, you name it...we built it.

Before I knew I realized it was 4:20pm. I had a small groups orientation meeting at Gateway at 5pm! Yikes! I got changed really fast and then made Peter change his clothes and just like that we were on our way to church!

The meeting lasted until 6:15pm. Whew! I was ready to go home. BUT, halfway home I realized that I failed to drop off some more Shakeology samples at my old work. So, I turned around and drove halfway across town (30 minutes in the opposite direction) to deliver samples and remain accountable. Any way you look at it, I had to deliver because I said I would!

I got to the store and ended up making another 3 exposures! Who would have thought?! So, after an hour of visiting and sharing, it was finally time to come home. Whew, what a day!

Sunday. Today. I felt the urge to go to church even though I was there last night. Peter was a little confused because he went to kid's church two days in a row. Try explaining to a 6.5 yr old why he has to go to kid's church twice...saying I had a meeting and now I was going for food just didn't cut it! It did help that Saturday evening he got to go to the jewel store and today we went to a different campus.

Sunday service started at 9am. The title of the message was, "Idiots for Christ". What an awesome message! Idiots for Christ obey irrationally, give extravagantly, and do what others believe cannot be done. The message focused around Acts 4. Seriously, we all need to be like idiots in our faith journey.

After church, Peter and I went out for breakfast/lunch at IHOP. I am a huge fan of their Tomato/Spinach/Mushroom/Onion Omelet! For 330 calories and a little hot sauce = delicious!

I was able to knock out an hour Turbo Fire workout in the afternoon and then we went to Bethesda's Christmas production at Peter's school. It started at 6pm but we arrived at 5pm just for seating! I was a little concerned on how Peter was going to act because he never sits still. Well, that was alleviated when Santa arrived on the scene and ended up sitting right next to him! Talk about a blessing! Peter's eyes were super huge and I could just see the excitement on his face! It was just great. The performance was amazing and we were so glad we went!

To end the night/weekend, we always have our Beachbody Just Show Up Team Call at 8pm. It lasts an hour and tonight Coach Tim just rocked the call! We are growing our team with more and more people joining us to learn about how we are helping people with their fitness and nutrition journey. It's just awesome!

So, this was just a taste of a weekend in the life of the Noell household. I left out that I cooked every meal, went to the park/playground, and had loads and loads of one-on-one time with Peter. This is why I was absent on the computer over the past couple days. I love giving my boy all the mommy-time he can stand!

Last night was pretty cool on the car ride home from church. He picked up a plastic recorder from the jewel store and started to play. Well, I didn't say a word but he DID! The sound that came out was somewhat obnoxious and was just loud with no tune. Out of his mouth came, "Man, I have to practice!" Thank God he recognized that! I just smiled and encouraged him. It was cute.

Lastly, we have 20 days until Christmas. When you are out shopping, please consider giving your family and friends the gift of health this year. If you truly love them, encourage them to participate with you. Be their accountability partner and help them get started with their fitness and nutrition. You can do it! All it takes is a little discipline and an hour each day to move your machine and the results will come. Let's "Bring It" in 2011.

Huggs :-) Over and out.

Type 2 Diabetes...a solution!

Type 2 Diabetes...A solution!

As we approach 2011, a lot of people are thinking of making New Year's Resolutions. A lot of the time these resolutions include making better health decisions and usually involve weight-loss goals.

I was intrigued by this 1 minute video tonight because it shows that you have to start somewhere...even if you have Type 2 Diabetes. I think a lot of people (I sound like a broken record!) think that skinny people have always been skinny and bigger people have always been big. But, what we often fail to realize is that thin people are not always healthy, yet so many of us strive to be thin! And, if we've fallen off the wagon and totally let ourselves go at some point we start to believe that we are destined to live unhealthy, unsatisfying lives.

I'm here today to tell you that it's not true! I used to believe that I was destined to be bulimic my entire life because of my struggle with food. I allowed myself to become so emotionally bound to food that it literally consumed me to the very pit of my soul. It was a nasty, hidden part of my life that I was ashamed to be me.

What I'm trying to get across is that I have a special calling to help people get their lives back. I believe that every one of us has the ability to make changes regarding our health and fitness, AND, it doesn't matter at what point you begin.

Kathy Smith's Project You: Type 2 and the American Diabetes Association have developed this amazing program in conjunction with doctors this all-in-one solution to help manage diabetes, reduce your risk for diabetes complications, and get you back in control of your health!

I want, so badly, to help you get your life back! Please check out this 1 minute video via this link: http://beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/sota?bctid=10131284001

Thank you,
Ang-

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

November 25, 2010. Thanksgiving. Day 329/365 with 36 days remaining in 2010.

Thanksgiving is typically the turning point in the year which marks the beginning of the holiday season. Families gather together over the traditional turkey, mashed potatoes 'n' gravy, stuffing, ham, cranberries, pumkin pie, etc. meal. It's a time to reflect over the past 328 days of the year and then plan out the next 365.

This year, I am extremely grateful for my health and fitness. I work out like an animal and have lost a solid 35 pounds in the past 18 months. This is huge in my world because I've always been a yo-yo dieter. I found the link that prohibits that from happening which is consistency. I've paid extreme attention to the number of calories entering my body and have fought like hell to work out at least 5 times a week.

As some of you know, I decided to challenge myself in a series of 5K races between September 25th and December 3rd for no other reason but to race against myself. I wanted to challenge myself to see where I rank amongst my peers and to take my fitness to the next level. As an inexperienced runner, I was pleased to consistently place within the top 1/3 of my age group. Perhaps when I turn 30 I'll be #1! LOL!

Tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, I will be participating in the Fort Worth, TX Turkey Trot 5K. Afterwards, I am volunteering to deliver turkey baskets to those less fortunate so they have something to eat on this special day. As I reflect upon this venture, I am really thankful that I have a home, food in the cupboards, blankets upon the bed, money in the bank, etc. But, it isn't the tangible things that bring me the most joy. It's the smiles and graditude upon people's faces when you truly give of yourself to make their day.

I think that's why smiles are referenced as part of the universal language. When I look into the eyes of a person, I see their soul. I see behind the curtains. When they smile, I see for a split second true happiness because nobody smiles just for fun.

So, this Thanksgiving, I challenge you to make a list of things that you are truly thankful for. Share them with your family and do not ever be ashamed. Take the time to reconnect and to share stories. Shoot, you may even make some 2011 goals as a family! Who knows?!