I can honestly say that I consider Jon one of the smartest, most insightful, reflective people I know. Over the last 12 years, he has offered countless words of wisdom on everything from personal relationships to business plans. So what the hell is up with me tuning him out like one of the Peanuts grown ups (“wah wah wah”) on random matters?

Two recent examples come to mind.

Several months ago, Jon discovered baby coconuts at Whole Foods and – already sagely knowing about their health properties – decided to buy a couple and risk personal injury to crack them open with a knife so we could enjoy the beneficial contents. He served me a glass of coconut water and I sipped it gingerly, proclaiming that it tasted “weird.”

Fast forward to this month where, after reading the latest issue of In Style, in which Rebecca Romijn credits her radiant skin to coconut water, I immediately ran out to Whole Foods and bought a couple of liters of the stuff. I went back for 4 more liters yesterday (it’s on sale). I just can’t stop yacking about how “delicious and refreshing” the water is; I even pushed a liter on my mom yesterday, insisting that she start drinking it (though there’s baggage here; she harps on me with some regularity about skin care).

Jon reminded me of my initial reaction to coconut water, and the best I could come up with was that either: a) I didn’t like the floaties in the fresh coconut water; 2) I was expecting a pina colada to come out of the coconut; 3) Rebecca looked hot in that photo shoot; if coconut water could improve my skin I better damn well like it.

The second example was just last night, where my awesome friend Paige (you must hire her for home design consultation…) came over to catch up, swap a few things we’ve been meaning to swap, and take a look at our living room to help us improve the feng shui. Jon asked her to also give me a hard time about my office lighting situation (currently just the overhead light, with 2 of the 3 bulbs burnt out). So we went upstairs and Paige proceeded to give me a thorough ribbing about the bizarre fact that for an office that serves as the creativity hub for countless Boston Mamas and Posh Peacock projects, it was poorly lit and severely lacking in inspiration and organization. She plans on tackling the office right after fixing our living room (actually, she wants to do the office first it is so bad).

Mind you, Jon has been on my case about the office for some time now, offering cash and muscle to fix the lighting and arrangement of this room, yet again, for some reason I have tuned him out (“wah wah wah”).

I’m not sure why I appear to experience selective listening with him - smart dude that he is - but if these two data points count for anything, maybe I just take beauty and décor directives better from women.

Amazingly, I don’t think I’ve blogged about Dancing With the Stars since before the season aired, despite being hugely excited about it pre-season, and watching it regularly after some of the early dancers were cast off. And of course it’s fun that my 3 top picks for the season - Gilles Marini, Shawn Johnson, and Melissa Rycroft - all are in the final. It’s hard to believe this is ending tonight, they’ve been so fun to watch.

I’m watching now and recording some thoughts along the way…

Shawn Johnson: I thought Carrie Ann said it well when she commented that they’ve been underestimating Shawn all season. At various points this season I thought she got marked less than what she deserved and I always had a sinking feeling it’s because she isn’t long and lean like the other women. But she has delivered and it’s been so fun to watch. Her freestyle also was INSANE yesterday. I actually got teary for her this evening. 10’s across the board.

Melissa Rycroft: Oh my word this woman has just an unbelievable body for dance. She really makes everything look beautiful. (Bruno just said the same thing as I typed that.) She did great - wow, this is going to be tight. 10’s across the board.

Gilles Marini: This guy has been so great (and ridiculously smoldering) this season. And I love that Cheryl is a “real” looking woman - athletic yet curvy and sexy and fabulous. I think they may win it. The judges are gobbling him up. 10’s across the board.

So impressed with these guys; they really seem tight. Gilles and Shawn looked sad to say goodbye to Melissa (3rd place finisher).

AMAZING. Congrats Shawn and Mark! The popular vote gave them the (teeny tiny) edge. And amazing for Gilles and Cheryl too for their 2nd place finish.

Now, when does Project Runway start again??

I haven’t written a shredhead post since my April wrap up but I’ve still been working away, getting my ass kicked (primarily by Jillian) and loving it. This month, Kristen is rallying the troops to train for a 5K and since I can’t run (really, I’ve tried; I’m just not built for it), I decided to poke around on Exercise TV for some sort of plan or inspiration.

I can’t locate the free PDF now (maybe they took it down to force you to buy it?), but at the beginning of the month I was happy to find a Countdown to Summer fitness plan (it’s part of their Lose the Last 5 Pounds programming). The program components are detailed here and essentially the countdown PDF includes a 30-day plan that mixes up cardio, circuit training, and yoga (5-6 days a week).

I took a preliminary look at some of these programs On Demand, but to be honest, I started a couple of programs and the trainers just didn’t have me in the Jillian trance (apparently, it’s hard for me to cheat on Jillian). So what I’m doing is this: essentially following the Countdown to Summer regimen (on a 4-5 times a week pace) but subbing in Jillian programs such that on circuit days I do No More Trouble Zones and on cardio days Boost Metabolism. On yoga days, I do what I’ve found to be my favorite free yoga program so far – Angie Stewart’s Yoga Fitness Fusion. Just in the last 2 weeks, I’ve found myself really looking forward to the yoga and not because it feels like rest. Yoga is such a fantastic way to stretch and breathe deeply, I feel several inches taller after the workout, and I hurt like a mother the next day due to all the strength incorporated in the Yoga Fitness Fusion workout. I highly recommend trying this program.

Because I’m mixing up three ass-kicking workouts I’m not bored yet and still have room for improvement. The other thing I decided to do to commemorate the Countdown to Summer was ORDER A BIKINI. I kid you not. I have not worn a bikini in probably 10 years and I just ordered it this weekend.

Yes, part of me felt more courageous to make that move since I’m feeling trimmer in general, but the bigger issue is that this whole shredding process has helped me just embrace my person for what it is in the now. Despite the exercise and cutting way down on my sugar, I may never be able to get rid of the little pregnancy wrinkles on my belly but now I’m finally getting beyond caring. I’m taking care of myself and that’s what matters. I’m ready to flaunt what I’ve got, even if it ain’t perfect.