The Miller Kids

from l to r:  Alex, Kathryn, Nate, Jamie

I can hardly call them 'kids' any more.  They are definitely young men and women either out of the nest or just getting ready to fly!


Alex (my baby!) is 16 and about to finish his sophomore year at Moorhead High School.  He's a computer whiz and more recently fascinated by biology and specifically genetics.  He makes me think, "wow!" at least once a day.  We've all been enjoying his cat - "Gilbert," "Simba," or "get-off-there-stupid-kitty!" - since he came home from the shelter as a surprise for Alex's 16th birthday.  Alex & I have been thinking about what life will be like this summer with Jamie leaves and then next fall when Nate takes off.  WOW.


Kathryn (my big girl) is 22.  I can't even believe it.  She's renting a little house she loves in a neighborhood she loves a little less.  She works A LOT as a server at Redford's Steakhouse in Fargo.  Having Kathryn visit is always a treat -- we can't believe she lives right across town because we just don't get to see her enough!


Nate is 18 and just moments away from graduating from Moorhead High School.  He's had senioritis for about a year now and is SO excited to move on to the next phase of young adult independence.  He is the tallest of our family at just 6 feet even.  He's planning to go to school at NDSU next year, jumping right into the architecture program there.  

Jamie at PHCA, front row 2nd from L

Jamie is 20 and still the life of our party.  It has been fun to have her at home this fall and winter.  She's taking classes at MSUM and will be moving to campus in the Fall.  She will be back at Pine Haven for the 3rd summer in a row.  She loves it there!  In this staff pic, Jamie is right next to her cousin, Katie Cachiaras.  They are sometimes mistaken one for the other to the delight of both.


We're all well aware that some part of our life together is coming to a close and another part is about to begin.  So I just try to hang onto these precious moments together!

GMOBBIS 2012

          

           Back in the very beginning of January of this year we got a really cool digital scale that calculates a person's weight, body fat percentage, and water weight percentage and it confirmed what I already knew. . . that during the holidays I overindulged, under-exercised, and I was dancing dangerously close to being 200 plus pounds.  I thought, "Seriously??  Two HUNDRED pounds?? Nuh-uhh!"  

           So then on January 6th I had an epiphany - It's time to embark on 2012 GMOBBIS (Get My Old Butt Back In Shape) Challenge. Being 50, I've decided that I really need to make some serious changes to my fitness level and nutrition.  So after three and a half months I have started this blog, at the constant encouragement of my wonderful wife, Lori, to chronicle my road back from the edge.  
            Most fitness folks will tell you that to really maximize and benefit from an exercise regimen that you need to have a goal.  My goal is to lose the spare tire that seemed to inflate overnight and Get My Old Butt Back In Shape! (Cue Survivor's, "Eye of the Tiger").  What is making this process even MORE challenging is that at 50 my body is fighting me tooth and nail in losing any weight so I have my work cut out for me.  Sigh.                    

            Two key elements to this fitness challenge has been my "themed" workouts and better nutrition.  The hardest part of continuing an exercise program is fighting boredom and your body adapting to the same routine so you don't experience continual muscle growth or weight loss.  Plateauing is the enemy, my friends, that most of us battle against and it can come through both exercise and nutrition.

             I decided for my workouts that I would create a variety of strength training/ cardio routines that would keep my workouts fresh and motivating throughout the process.  In order to do that, I put together themed workout months with a series of six workouts that I would rotate each week.  I read a TON of fitness/ exercise information both in print and online, check out youtube videos of various workout routines, and even watch The Biggest Loser for workout ideas.  Because of all this research, all my strength and cardio ideas and workouts have been either inspired by or borrowed ( ripped off) directly from other sources.  Hey, why reinvent the wheel, right?   That being said, I have taken all this information and designed my own personal workouts that motivate me and keep my in the gym doing my workouts.

               In future blogs, I will share more about the monthly themed strength workouts, cardio sessions, workout music, training ideas, nutrition, etc. that are helping me on my GMOBBIS Challenge 2012.  Remember, I'm no personal trainer or expert by ANY stretch of the imagination.  I'm just a guy trying to get in better shape and enjoy life to the fullest.  Oh, and any comments, questions, or especially fitness ideas that any reader has to offer would be greatly appreciated.  Would love to share this process with those interested that also are struggling to lose weight and get in shape this year.  

weekEnd Review

Oh!  I have been SO bad about blogging this summer.  Our schedule changed and my business got busy and I got out of a habit barely formed anyway!


One of the things we enjoyed most this summer was the membership my parents bought us for our public pool.  They had a lap swim in the early evening followed by a family swim session.  Jeff especially enjoyed the lap swim time.  The boys often joined him for the family swim and they had a great time playing with water bomb (balls made especially for throwing in the pool) and tubes.  Who knew they doubled as light sabers?  Boys.  Nate & Alex really enjoyed cooling down after their long days in the field pollinating corn in July.


The boys also enjoyed their well-deserved earnings.  They both got up early and worked long, hot days in the fields.  They worked hard and did good jobs.  I'm so proud of them both.  Nate is pretty sure he'll return to Pioneer for a third year next summer.  Alex isn't so sure though he's pretty happy with his new laptop computer!  :-)


Speaking of hard work - Jamie probably wins this summer's award.  We have heard nothing but good things about her work at Pine Haven.  She spent part of her time working with the outside crew and part of her time in the kitchen with her cousins, Anna & Mary.  Anna was head cook for the camp this summer and did an outstanding job.  We heard more than once that campers, faculty and staff enjoyed the best camp food ever!  


Jamie worked pretty much all day, every day - off each week Saturday afternoons until they got ready for the new campers each Sunday afternoon.  She came home in really good shape - lots of awesome muscles!  Jeff & Ashlee brought her home last Tuesday evening and we ran like crazy until we left Thursday afternoon to take her down to Northwestern College (St Paul).  We moved her into the dorm Friday morning.  The college had some special orientation for both students & parents Friday & Saturday. 


We went to a family BBQ at the school Friday evening - then the boys went to Connie & Brian's to visit with their cousins Friday night & Saturday.  Jeff & Ashlee visited the Mall of America before he took her to airport Saturday afternoon.  We did some serious Target shopping for Jamie and picked up the boys for a relaxing evening back at the hotel.  We all went to church together on campus this morning, had brunch in the cafeteria and said goodbye to Jamie.  She's going to have such an awesome year!


We had a really wonderful visit with Ashlee these last couple weeks.  Swimming and movies and shopping and even a Mary Kay Spa Night.  We mostly just enjoyed being together.  Ashlee got to spend some time with her sister, Marissa, and other friends in town.  And finally Jamie for a few days.  It was so fun to have both girls for a shopping day for school clothes for Jamie - Ashlee was in charge of cute tops & I was in charge of jeans - Ashlee came out the definite winner for the day!  Having Ashlee, Jeff and the boys made quick work of moving Jamie into the dorm.


Kathryn is still working away at fitness center and bowling alley.  She has an adventurous one-legged cat.  I believe her roommate has brought home another cat as a friend.  Kathryn plays guitar beautifully - she just keeps continuing to learn and has friends who enjoy music.  Her little red car is back up and running and carrying her around town.


Jeff starts school tomorrow at MSUM.  He's taking Multicultural America, Calculus I, Computer Calculus, and Educational Psychology.  He got a new wallet for back-to-school and set off store alarms all week until we finally found the little electronic anti-theft tag hidden inside!  I thought I was going to have to pretend to not know him everywhere we go...  His backpack is packed and he's pretty excited to start his new adventure towards being a teacher.


The boys have two more whole weeks of summer!  They and Jamie are going to Last Chance Camp at Pine Haven over Labor Day weekend - Nate & Alex as campers (Alex's first time!) and Jamie as staff.  Jeff & I are excited to be planning a trip to Alabama over Labor Day weekend to visit his parents and sisters and families.  Then it's back for the boys' first day of school the Tuesday after Labor Day.  


We have really enjoyed our summer and we're not quite ready to let it go yet even as we're looking ahead to fall and cooler weather.


Love,


L


ps.  


Jamie Miller
3003 Snelling Ave. N.
MC #159
St Paul, MN  55113-1598