Always dependable. Thankfully I'm suspicious so it is hard to catch me!
Good news. Fin had BEAUTIFUL weaves tonight in class. Just beautiful. Dropped a double, but amazing weaves.
I haven't spoken much about fitness lately. When people ask, I say, "I'm working at it...I'm trying hard." The truth is, I've been great about exercise...food not so much.
Recently I went back to Weight Watchers. Even though I went back and was writing down what I was eating, I wasn't really applying myself. I'd eat fast food and put it down in my journal, but would not look at the points. Simply put, I've been screwing up on my eating. Not everyday mind you, but enough that I essentially keep loosing the same 5 pounds over and over.
Last week I go in to get weighed and there was a new leader. Something clicked. Something about her made me want to stay for the meeting. So I stayed. It was the same old stuff...but different. She is real. She speaks to me as an adult. I can hear sincerity in her voice. The meeting was good...so I stayed after to hear the talk on how to do the program. Nothing new there, but heck, I like her.
Another thing happened. I watched biggest looser. The gal that got sent home, gained weight when she went back. I felt so bad for her...then I thought, you are no better. Get your act together and get fit!
So this week. I am religiously writing down what I eat. I am choosing healthy options. I am eating within my points. Yesterday I was sorely tempted...and I passed. It is a new me. Exercise AND eating right.
For me each hour is a struggle, but I'm working very hard to be at a goal weight of 40 pounds off (from my starting weight) by my birthday. It is certainly achievable. I had hoped to be 40 pounds off by now, but my own bad habits have gotten in my way. I am proud that I've been proving to myself that I can do it.
I'm going back to my weekly report each thurs. I'll weigh in not only on my progress, but also what is getting me there. Look forward to some recipes and fitness tips. This thurs I've got to tell you about my turkey, red beans, and rice. Only 5 points for a full cup of delicious and filling lunch. Today I did a halibut on the pan with brown rice and veggies...yum!
Nothing is harder than taking charge of one's own life. It is much easier to tell other people what to do than to do something about one's own inconsistencies toward goals. My long term goals are what is important...not this short term gratification. Size 7 here I come!
First off, I must send congrats to my husband. Once again he was amazing in his play "You Can't Take it With You." Although for this one he played two minor roles, when he was on stage, he stole the show. Here we are after the performance (he still has his makeup on). Below is Andy (my wonderful nephew), Kel, Mythalie (andys amazing girlfriend), and Mom. Trish was there too taking the pictures.
The play is about a nutty family and what happens when one daughters fiance's straight laced parents come to visit. Hysterical. Kel played an IRS agent and then a "J-man" (justice department) who arrest everyone in the house and takes them down to the big house for an overnight stay (including the fiance and his parents). I recognize some of the handling systems:
What is your handling system?
The thing that you can find in top handlers is that they can answer that question clearly. They will tell you how they handle a situation with three jumps in a row, their start line stay is EXACTLY the same every time, they can describe to you their contact criteria, and they train systematically practicing their handling every day.
Greg, Linda, or your own? You have to decide what works best for you and your dog, then do it over and over and over and over and over until you can describe exactly what you do in any given situation and do it the same every time.
Overall, looking at my videos, I'm disappointed in myself but thrilled with Fin. Lots of errors that I should not be making. But, on the good side there are alot of good things to see. I will improve on the things I need to improve, and focus on the good stuff.
Standard: I screwed up the opening, but the rest is pretty good.
Jumpers - lots of good stuff happening here. Weaves - needs improvement... Ending - I need improvement.
Another standard: off course after the tunnel and missed weaves.
My plan is to pull out my clean run and Susan Garrets weave pole tests and to work on this over the next month to see improvement. Interestingly enough, I'm not real worried. I'm NOT happy, but I have to accept that Fin is 21 months old and these things happen.
Once I get my video camera fixed, I'll work on a series to show improvement.
This weekend we are off to a USDAA show in LA. Trial report will be on Monday.
Here she is at the end and the teeter is making downward progress. I like how she is working hard to ride the teeter. Head down and shoulders bent.
Here is where she starts to get a little stiff legged. I still like her position. She is really working hard to hold on.
She ended with legs bending to take the impact (don't have that pic) and then stepped into 2o2o position. 
According to facebook, I have 125 friends. Here are some stats:Mount Diablo put on a great show. My complements to the trial committee and all the volunteers.
Saturday the skys were clear and our runs fun. Sunday it was pouring and I ended up leaving after one run. Came home and took a nap. Sorta weird driving over 4.5 hours for a run that lasted 60 seconds.
Tazz 2 out of 3 runs (both Standard Q's and has an OA after his name now).
Fin 1 out of 2 runs (her NQ in standard, me...not her ).
Saturday:
Tazzies Open standard course was hard. Sorta the Excellent course with a few minor modifications. He was slow and steady and Q'd. He was the only dog in the class that Q'd so he got 1st and a cute toy. Next Tazzie ran jumpers. Lot's of people were having off courses, but it was a good course for Tazz. He started out slow but speeded up the last half. He was clean, but not fast so NQ...1 second over.
Fin. First run was jumpers. I felt the course was very straight forward with some difficulty at the end as jumps were really close together. She did a really great job but checked in with me at the end which slowed her up a bit. It was enough for a Q and first place. She really looked good. I was actually surprised as she wasn't her usual manic self. Her run wasn't until 2 in the afternoon and I had walked her alot, played ball, and just before her run did circle and one jump work. All the exercise helped get her mind into it. I feel she wasn't as fast as I've seen her, but despite me not being where I wanted to be, she was a good dog.
Second run was standard. My expectation was she wasn't going to do her contacts. My plan was to exit the ring if she didn't hold her contact. I walked the course with that in mind. She held her contacts. :) I, unfortunately mis-cued her at the weaves and she took an off course tunnel...then after the teeter, I handled poorly and she ended up missing the tunnel entrance. This was totally my fault. I consider the run a success as she did her contacts in competition. For me, my improvement needs to be in the game and not dwell on my mistakes (after I mis-cued her, I kept thinking about what I did wrong and that resulted in the mis-cue at the tunnel).
All in all, a good first AKC trial. AKC is definitely different. I was really worried about the new leash rule, but Tazz was excellent and did not leave the ring until I had him leashed. Fin was very good and jumped into my arms at the end of both of her runs so the judge did not have to yell at me. As AKC trials go, this one was really relaxed. I knew quite a few people there and it was fun to meet new people.
Next trial March 14. USDAA. Pray for contacts.
Note: A big thanks to Susan and Kraig for videoing my Fin runs. This allows me to see what I'm doing wrong and improve my handling.
