Eight is grrrreat! (or is it?)

Top o' the mornin' to ya, lassies!

So, this morning I woke up before my alarm went off and felt energized and ready to workout. I remember opening my eyes and thinking it was pretty cool that I was up before my alarm even went off. Until I looked at my clock. It was 1:39 am. I had been sleeping for, oh- all of three hours. Grrr! So frustrating! I have seriously got to get a handle on my sleep. I toss and turn all night (poor Hubby!) and then wake up--fully alert--at random parts of the night only to notice its one, two, three o'clock in the morning. Exasperated sigh.

Anyway, this morning I went to the gym by myself because my Darling wasn't feeling well and thought he was getting sick. I'm a firm believer in LISTENING TO YOUR BODY, so I kissed him goodbye and left alone and jealous that he was still warm under the covers. I had a great cardio workout since I got to read my latest Oxygen magazine and burned 477 cals doing 30 mins Crossramp and 30 mins stationary bike. Done and done.

When I came home, I made an extra yummy bowl of Gingerbread Oatmeal by adding a little Gingerbread flavored DaVinvi Gourmet SF syrup to my usual morning oatmeal. So flippin' good!

I ♥♥♥ DaVinci Gourmet Sugar Free Syrups. They have over 40 different flavors and most definitely make magic in my tummy! I've been using these SF syrups for years and it makes everything from coffee to smoothies to oatmeal taste DIVINE! Yes, as in HEAVENLY! (Remember my "Amen! Hallelujah! Can I get a witness?" post?) I already have Pumpkin Pie syrup, so I thought Gingerbread would be a great Fall addition to my oats. And.it.was. Pancake is another staple I use year-round (It's also great drizzled on protein pancakes) and Cookie Dough is mm-mmm good in oatmeal and shakes, too!

Banana, however, was a new one for the books. You see, all my life I've LOATHED bananas. L-O-A-T-H-E-D. It's the one food as a baby I'd spit out clear across the room if fed. (Sorry mom!) Yet, in recent weeks, I've been LOVING the banana flavor! You may recall that it all started when I tried this bad boy a few weeks ago.

I stopped by The Vitamin Shoppe after my workout and needed to refuel with a low-sugar protein drink. I decided to try this 'naner flavor and actually fell in love with it. Swoon.I started buying them regularly after my workouts, but recently decided that I could save $$$ by making my own version at home. DaVinci syrups to the rescue! In fact, I'm currently enjoying a chocolate-banana whey protein shake as I write this:)

OK, so as of THIS COMING SATURDAY, I will officially be EIGHT WEEKS OUT from competition. Good grief! My countdown widget on my phone says I have 59 days! 59 days, people! Holy cow, my palms are clammy just thinking about it! I'd love to post progress pics in a bikini, but to be honest, I'm just not "there" yet. In all honesty, you probably won't see those pics until the actual competition day. I'm sorry if this disappoints anyone, but I'm just not going to post anything I don't feel comfortable posting. It's my party blog and I can cry post if I want to! I hope you understand:)

Well, I've got to get a move on and find me a wrist guard so that I can do my Chest/Tris workout. I guess I slept with my wrist twisted in a funky position because it is hurting when I turn it certain angles, so I want to be safe to lift today. I think Hubbs has one somewhere around here. Hope it fits my Hobbit hands.

Lates!

Question:

1) How do you cook your oatmeal? I at least have to put cinnamon and bee pollen in my oatmeal with a little Truvia. The SF syrups and sometimes a little SF pudding mix are just add-ons that I treat myself to once or twice a week:)



2) Is there any food you used to LOATHE as a child, but now really like? Bananas for me!