Step 1: Become a Walker!

How fabulous are these rain boots?!

They can be purchased here and I am hoping these will fit because my calves currently hold the record for largest circumference in the Guinness Book of World Records; therefore, I have the hardest time finding knee high or mid-calf boots. It runs in my family.

I recently met two other receptionists that work at another building who have inspired me. They walk every single day during their lunch. Even in the winter of 2008, when Washington State had huge snowfall, they still went trudging around. The only time they don’t go is when it is windy and rainy, because at that point, nothing you do will keep you dry. But if it is just rain, they walk. Just wind, they walk. Just snow, they walk. I  actually enjoy walking around outside so I have decided to become a walker. But I am ill prepared for life outdoors in the Seattle area and need to stock up on weather appropriate shoes and coats. I know, living here, I really should have every piece of rain proof wear out there, but I don't. I am more of an indoor cat. Was more of an indoor cat.  

Weigh-In Wednesday #7

As feared, today's weigh-in did not go so well. I gained two pounds. Suffice it to say, I will not make my goal of being under two hundred pounds by next Wednesday. In truth, if I work really hard at it, I could possibly lose the ten pounds. But I am a firm believer that if you lose the weight super fast, it comes back just as fast.

Weight: 210.8 lbs
Total Weight-Loss: 19.2 lbs
Reason to lose the weight: I am tired of this struggle. I want to lose the weight already and just have to worry about maintaining. I want more out of life than just worrying about my weight. I want to be able to put all my extra energy on writing my stories. I. Am. Tired. Of. This. Struggle.

And the Extra-Curriculars Have Begun!

Last Monday, I took my daughter to a trial class at a kid's gymnastics place. It started out pretty rough. Mama had to run the warm-up lap with the rest of the 4-year-olds because Bella was too timid to jump into the class. I could hear the snickers of the other parents who were posted up on the viewing deck.

Luckily, Bella warmed up and thoroughly enjoyed the rest of class. I signed her up right away! It is a weekly class held on Mondays. I was bummed becaused Mondays are usually my good gym days. But ultimately, this works out:

5:00 Off work (HALLELUJAH!)
5:10 Pick Bella up
5:30 Go to gym and do 45 minutes of cardio
6:15 Leave gym and head to gymnastics
6:30 Arrive at gymnastics right on time because Mommy didn't allot for us to dilly dally.
6:31 Mommy perfectly sitting on a bench, writing her second book feverishly for 45 uninterrupted minutes
7:15 Leave gymnastics for home!

I haven't been doing much writing lately. Life just gets in the way. I have been working on my second book (which I have temporarily titled America's Match-Up) for over six months now and am only 9,000 words in. I am really excited about being able to pick up on book two because I really didn't think I could come up with a better story idea than Mix Tape, but I am really starting to fall in love with the way the story is progressing in my head for America's Match-Up.

That's it for now. See you tomorrow for Weigh-In Wednesdays! Oh mama is nervous about tomorrow's weigh-in (types the bad dieter as she eats a McDonald's cheeseburger). Not looking good. But I have managed to stay off the scale this entire week (I am an obsessive weigherer - real word? No? Should be). Unfortunately, I have also managed to stay out of the gym, except for Sunday. My pecs, triceps and shoulders are still screaming in pain! 

Weigh-In Wednesday #6

Any weight loss is good, right? Ok, how about 0.2 lbs? No? Yeah, I don't think so either. I have no excuses. Just didn't stick to The Diet as is advised in the book.  

So I have a challenge for myself: I will be under 200 by March 1st (yes, 199.9 counts!). It isn't a challenge I throw out there easily. Nine pounds in under two weeks is a huge feat - especially with the weight-loss numbers I have been throwing out there lately! But I think I can do it. (I think I can! I think I can! I think I can!)

I read somewhere (don't know if I have shared this before) that you should eat the same thing for lunch everday as variety causes one to over-eat. I agree! I just have to find something that I like enough to eat everyday. Turkey sandwich maybe? Turkey chilli? Any suggestions?

I will also eat the same thing for breakfast most days. Sundays is when I like to cook a big family brunch, so that will be my "off" day. But while I am at work, it will be either a banana or fruit oatmeal.


Weight: 208.8 lbs
Total Weight-Loss: 21.2 lbs
Weight-Loss Reason: I had commented to my mom once that I feel like my stomach is bigger now than when I was pregnant. Without hestitation, my mom replied, "It is."

Blog Award!!!

Ok, day late and a dollar short... Here is the post that I had ready for Monday, but didn't have time to put all the links to the blogs:


Finally, my post about my precious blog award. Highly anticipated, I'm sure :) It was presented to me by Anna from TheShoppingGirl. Why thank you! I accept! If you haven't read her blog, you should! She recently started, so if you follow her now you are pretty much on this journey with her from the beginning. I don't know about you, but I like to find interesting blogs by people who recently started. It's fun to start a journey with someone than trying to catch up from two years ago.

So, onto my blog award! Here it is in all it's shiny, happy glory:

Ain't it gorgeous?

To accept this little slice of sunshine, here are the rules:

• Put the Logo on your sidebar, or within a post.
• Pass the award onto 12 Bloggers.
• Link the nominees within your post.
• Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
• Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.


Here are the 12 blogs that I would like to send a shoutout to:
1.) See Pam Write, See Pam Run - Love her blog for several reasons, the main one being that she is on a quest to get published (like me!) and that she is on a fitness journey (like me too!). She started around the same time that I started my blog, and she recently changed the formatting of her blog which includes a detailed description of her dream literary agents - Love It!
2.) Straitjackets Are Slimming - I have blogged about this one here. Seriously must read sarcasm in every post!
3.) BlogBaby - The cutest blog you will ever come across. Show her some love, her family is going through a rough patch!
4.) Bobby Pin Blog - I am new to her blog, but think it is retro-awesome!
5.) Ex Hot Girl - Talk about weight-loss inspiration! Plus she is a photographer, and they always have the best blogs.
6.) Make-Up by RenRen - It took me a long time to find a good blog on makeup - my absolute favorite thing in the world - but I finally found one! Plus, I gotta represent - she is Filipina just like moi!
7.) The Shoe Girl's Blog - Legitimately THE shoe girl. She was practically born into the business and is a shoe designer for some brands that you have certainly heard of.
8.) Apparently! - She is the author of the teen fantasy novel Wings, which was published within the last year. I started reading her blog right before her book was released and she is just very informative on the whole writing/editing/publishing process. Fun Fact: She is friends with Stephenie Meyer.
9.) Not So Humble Pie - She was recently a Blog of Note and I started following her right away because she is a fellow Washingtonian! Plus her pictures are beautiful and everything she makes looks delish.
10.) Janet Reid, Literary Agent - I am sure that anyone trying to publish a book knows this woman. Enough said.
11.) Nathan Bransford - Literary Agent - Love him because his posts always seem to be so upbeat and he really spends a lot of time on his blog. Plus he hosts some great writing contests! Oh, and did I mention that he watches America's Next Top Model?
12.) Absolute Write Forums - Ok, this might be cheating a bit, but I really love this site. It is a wonderful forum for amateur authors. I found it surfing the internet looking for reviews of agencies. Really a must for writers.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! I know, it's early yet, but flowers are starting to arrive at the office (still hoping I get a surprise delivery for myself!).

I know that I promised to post yesterday about my awesomely cool blog award, but I have been busy getting stuff ready for my daughter's Valentine's party at her preschool today. Monday, I promise!

Sunday is going to be an awesome day because 1.) It's actually Valentine's Day and we may watch the eponymous movie. 2.) We purchased a loveseat recliner and it is scheduled to be delivered (how appropriate for a loveseat to be delivered on V-day!) 3.) It is my last day on week two of Phase I. Yay!

If you recall, I had stated that I was going to endure Phase I for the entire month of February. Well, my body is telling me that it needs a banana, and I always answer the calls of my body!

Weigh-In Wednesday #5

Color me upset! Oh, and happy! I'll explain...

This week, which saw me through one full week of the dreaded Phase I of The Diet, I lost weight. This past week I have experienced banana withdrawals, attempted diet sabatoge by TWO people, survived a super bowl party with lots of yummy food I couldn't have, and constantly feeling hungry because of the lack of bread in my system. But I pushed through! I made it through week one! All of the pain was worth it for an astonishing - you ready for this? - ZERO POINT FOUR POUNDS!

Wait.

What?!

One week of pure torture to not even lose a pound?! Not even half a pound?! I really don't even know what to say. I was pissed! All that hard work for shit. Sorry, profanity is totally called for at this point! The only explanation that I can think of is that I have gone to the gym only once in the past week whereas my body was used to at least three days of cardio. But my eating habits were insanely good this past week! I haven't eaten vegetables this much since, well, since the last time I tried to do this diet.

So, should I just give up on this diet and torture myself with something else? No. I am a new woman with a new outlook on weight-loss. I will not consider this a setback (even though deep down I really do!) and will keep on trucking. Onward to week two of Phase I!

Ok then, onto happier news! My fellow bloggess, TheShoppingGirl, has awarded me a blogging award! Ok, so we're friends and it is more a personal thing, but whatever, I will take it! I don't really have time to post all about it now, but I will for tomorrow's post! See you then!

My Cheaper Side and South Pacific

Happy Friday!!!

Ah, I made it through my first five day week since the week of January 4! It was tough, but I came out the other side just fine. Of course it is early yet!

First, I wanted to share with you what a cheapskate I am. Yes, I am a self-declared shopaholic, but in order to feed that addiction, I must be frugal in other areas. For example, my hand sanitizer:

There was just a small amount left in one bottle - not enough to reach the bottom of the pump, but too much to just throw away. And yes, I do this with my body lotion as well!

Hey, I gotta save money somewhere, right?

Ok, onto other goings-on. Last night I went to The 5th Avenue Theatre to watch South Pacific. I had high expectations because South Pacific was the first play I ever saw in the theatre when I was 10-years-old and I really liked it. Plus, I keep hearing on the radio how lively and wonderful this revival is.

Yeah, not so much.

We had the understudy for the main character, Nellie. She should've stayed in the chorus where she belongs. She wasn't lively and seemed to be holding back on her movements. Aren't you supposed to exaggerate your movements on stage? However, she did have a beautiful voice.

The actor that played Lieutenant Cable had an amazing voice as well. Very manly and powerful, and he just had a really pleasing tone. But I had a problem with him too. His character was obviously supposed to be the ultimate hunk of a man; and while the actor was tall and slightly muscled, I had this vision of him as a skinny little twerp in grade school. Superficial, I know. But isn't that a big part of show business? Fitting the part both physically and mentally?

Oh well, I should've just closed my eyes and listened to the singing.

Weigh-In Wednesday #4

It is Day Three of what shall now be referred to as "The Diet" because frankly, "The South Beach Diet" is too long and apparently "The SBD" could be mistaken for something else entirely.

So, Day Three on The Diet. I am enjoying a technically appropriate breakfast since I am not eating any carbs. However, it isn't as low fat as Phase I calls for.

I find that I am having the hardest time trying to figure out what to eat for breakfast. I had gotten into the habit of eating a piece of fruit or a bowl of oatmeal; it was fast and nutritious. Now that I am no longer allowed to eat fruit or oatmeal, I have had a skinny vanilla latte for breakfast two days in a row. Today's breakfast consists of dry coppa (very similar to proscuitto) and  some delicious pieces of jalapeno cheddar cubes.

I didn't pull nearly the same number on my weight loss as I did last week (only 2.4 lbs), but I am ok with that. Previously, when I was on The Diet, Phase I would cause me to lose 14-16 lbs in the first two weeks. I am hoping next Wednesday will be a big number again. Unfortunately, I noticed that The Diet's slogan of "Lose Belly Fat First!" doesn't apply to me. Boobs and bootie always goes first.

Current Weight: 209.4
Total Weight Loss (since December 2008): 20.6 lbs
Weight-Loss Reason #4: "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." - Kate Moss

Welcome To Day One!

Happy Monday! And welcome to Day One of Phase One on The South Beach Diet! I love when the first of the month falls on a Monday! There is something so promising about starting anything on Monday the 1st.

Today is actually my first Monday back at work in three weeks. Jan 11th I stayed home because my daughter was sick. Jan 18th was MLK Day - no work. And then we all know what happened last Monday (ouch!). So forgive me if I start to get grouchy as the week goes on as this will be my first five-day work week in over three weeks!

Ok, now that I have rambled on about my lack of ambition to come into work, onto the diet!

First off, I didn't realize that "SBD" could be misinterpreted as "silent, but deadly", so I will likely stop referring to The South Beach Diet as such. A special thanks to Germaine for pointing that out. 

Other than the name snafu, I am feeling pretty good about attempt number 5,801 to lose weight. Don't all diets give you that feeling in the beginning? But there is a main reason I am excited about this round - TOFU NOODLES!

My fellow dieter, Lauren, loves tofu and found these wonderful tofu noodles. I tried them a week ago and love them! They will surely work in curbing my craving for pasta this month. There is definitely a texture difference between tofu noodles and flour pasta. When you bite into the tofu noodles, they have more of a - hmm, what's the word? Crunch? Snap? Basically, they aren't as chewy soft as flour or whole wheat pasta. But for those of you that are "low-carb and loving it", these are a staple.