Rose's Blog

Saturday

2012-01-21T06:45:00.002-06:00

One month of winter in the bag. Woohoo. I just might make it yet. After the last couple of years, I'll take the milder than usual weather.

After a shaky start (and despite being a bad blogger), I'm doing pretty well with my 100 day challenge. I'm not following a specific rotation, just trying to push myself using a variety of workouts. I am planning to run a half marathon later this year so my treadmill will continue to get a fair amount of use but I am trying change it up as much as I can.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T12:54:00.005-06:00

Today I start a new challenge. 100 days, 30 min a day of moving/exercising with purpose.

I started the new year with a run with my friend Deb. A local running club sponsors this run along some public trails that is basically come as you are, do as much or as little as you can. We managed 4 miles in about 50 min.

My goal for the challenge is to get back to exercising consistently. My efforts have been pretty sporadic this past year and I really want to make a change. I have all of the tools and I have the time.

Tuesday

2011-12-27T09:23:00.002-06:00

I am definitely in recovery mode this week.

I did not particularly over indulge, but something (some combination of ?) - food, stress, lack of sleep, etc - left me feeling a little ick. Not sick precisely but not great.

Let's put it this way: at our family get together, none of the sweets were even remotely tempting. I had half a cookie and a couple of cinnamon red hot candies.

Most of the treats I got on Sunday are still shrink-wrapped and my plan is to leave them that way. I may regift a few of them on Friday at a party I'll be attending. (A "regifted gift" exchange is planned as part of the festitivities.)

My goals for this week involve organizing and cleaning up some old business at work and around the house so my new year truly is a fresh start.

Workouts: I have been sticking with lighter workouts so I can maintain some sort of routine. Short runs on the treadmills and that sort of thing. I won't be setting any personal records this week and that is just fine by me.

Happy Festivus!

2011-12-23T10:47:00.002-06:00

I am heading out today to run a few errands and that is about it for me for Christmas. Tomorrow I will be fixing dinner for DH, my SIL and I(their family holiday tradition) before heading out to midnight mass. On Sunday we will be hanging out with my family in the afternoon.

I haven't done much in the way of decorating the house this year. I am not exactly sure why. I will probably haul out a few bits and pieces this afternoon so things look nice for tomorrow.

Workout wise, I had planned to run this morning but that will have to wait. The temperature dropped rather unexpectedly so I am not too excited about heading outside. I will like spend some quality time on the treadmill instead.

Knitting Projects

2011-12-22T06:26:00.010-06:00

Where I fail at blogging, I seem to have made up for in knitting projects this year. Here is a sample of what I have been making:

A Mobius Cowl because I'm a nerd like that. (It's actually a deep burgundy, not at all mauve.)

A Scarf that took way longer than it should have to complete. (Apparently counting to 2 is a problem for me.)

This little Halloween set was a gift for my namesake. For some reason, this photo looks FINE on my computer but uploading it to Blogger causes it to rotate 180 degrees.

Self-Explanatory, I trust? You didn't think Adrian would allow me to make things for everyone else EXCEPT her now, did you? (I should post an "after" photo. It lasted all of about 20 min before she figured out how to unravel it and pull out the stuffing.)

Hmm...

2011-12-21T16:32:00.005-06:00

So apparently, I still suck at blogging.

I did get my posterior over to WW a couple of weeks ago to check out the new program. The latest update is an attempt to make the Points Plus program more flexible. Whatever. Here's the lowdown:

a) The basic program is still a reduced caloried diet. That has not changed. Last year, they did change the way Points are calculated to favor foods with fewer carbs and more protein and discouraged high fat or high sugar foods. Additionally, most fruits are now considered "Zero" Points along with vegetables.

The idea is that if you eat more fruits and vegetables, while eating less processed stuff, your Points will go further. This is further supplemented by the usual Good Health Guidelines to ensure members get enough servings of fruits and veggies, take a multivitamin, drink water and milk, etc.

b) Your daily Points target is determined by the same factors as before: age, height, weight, sex, normal activity levels, etc. Now, you have the option, presumably based on discussions with a meeting leader, to adjust your target +/-3 each day. There is a minimum (26, I think) that you should not go below to get enough nutrition.

Also, as before you have a "pool" of extra Points, the Weekly Points Allowance, you can use as needed over the course of the week. The idea is that you can use them any time during the week you need a little more flexibility. (In prior incarnations, your daily points target was a range instead of a single value.)

c) A key change, IMO, to the new program is that WW is being more proactive about helping new members to get started. In the past, new members were invited to stay for a 15-20 "orientation" session after their first meeting. Now, there are actually 3 sessions that cover the first 3 weeks. Each week has a different theme and these sessions will be rotating on a regular basis after each meeting.

Week 1 was PowerSpaces: evaluating and making changes to the "spaces" that affect your eating and exercise habits. Your kitchen is an obvious place to start but you should consider other "spaces" where you spend time like at work or in the car.

Week 2 was PowerChoices: this is about looking at what you eat and demonstrating how making better choices will help you reach your goal. For instance, if your normal lunch is a sandwich, how can you make it a better, more satisfying choice: substituting 100 calorie sandwich thins for regular bread, choosing mustard over mayonnaise, adding vegetables, etc.

Week 3 was PowerPlans: how to adapt the Plan to meet your goals each week despite challenges. For instance, if you plan to have dinner out with friends, think about what choices you can make to enjoy the evening without going off plan. Check 'net for restaurant menus and decide in advance what to order; plan to use the Weekly Points Allotment, etc.

eta - Each of the sessions for the first 3 weeks includes a suggested meal plan as well as tips for incorporating changes into your life.

d) Another change is an increased emphasis on being active. Activity Points have been a part of the program for a while and during the past few years, members have been encouraged to prepare for and complete 5K walks (or runs). Now, WW eTools includes an Activity Assessment that helps you set an Activity Goal and progress from there. It is still pretty basic but I think it makes a pretty good start for a beginner. (And there are now 3 Stephanie Huckabee-led WW workout DVDs!)

e) Last but not least (and sadly not all that relevant to moi), Lifetime members who weigh in w/in 2 lbs of their goal weight each month receive free access to eTools. (About flippin' time, imo.)

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

2011-12-06T17:58:00.002-06:00

It's December and it has been quite a year for me and mine. Unfortunately, somewhere during all of the craziness, my best exercise and eating habits seem to have fallen by the wayside. It may take 21 days to create a good habit but I can attest that it takes a lot less than that to abandon it.

Once the insanity of Thanksgiving subsided (headcount at my house: 52!), I started considering the past year and all that I've experienced, completed, and accomplished. The good, the bad, and the I-don't-even-know-what-to-say-about-it. Looking ahead, I knew I wanted to get back on the health and fitness bandwagon but I did not plan to wait until January.

The very next morning my email inbox yielded a message from Weight Watchers announcing their updated Points Plus program for 2012. I will be the first to admit that the Points Plus program has not really been a hit for me but that is probably mostly "user (attitude) error". So I went back last night. There really haven't been all that many changes, per se; however, they have spent more time trying to help members to better understand how to get started. I will try to share a little more in the next few days.

For now, it is time to start my last final for the semester. Eep.

I did it.

2011-10-22T12:28:00.001-05:00

I just signed up for my last MBA class next semester.

Woohoo!!!

Monday...

2011-09-26T07:51:00.003-05:00

I feel like I need to turn this blog back into a glorified to-do list for myself again.

Eating:
I need to do a little meal planning and pick up a few groceries today.
I've dug out my various trackers and plan to get back to that.

Flylady:
Zone: Living Room - Clearing/Decluttering a few surfaces and vaccuuming
Laundry Mountain is getting to ready to erupt.

Workout:
Not sure yet. Definitely something that involves stretching. If I can manage it, I may walk over to my brother's house to drop off something for my SIL. I am still crazy sore from the run on Saturday. Climbing stairs has been (and continues to be) a major challenge. Ugh. Fortunately, it's all DOMS: mainly my quads and calves. Knees, hips, other joints are all doing fine.

KC 15K Race

2011-09-25T07:01:00.002-05:00

I made it through the race yesterday and that is about all I have to say about that. The weather was perfect and I'm thrilled to have finished.

What is it about that last point whatever on one of these races that seems so much longer than it should be?

I really need to get back to actually training for these things. In my defense, when I signed up, I really wasn't expecting my DH needing surgery and all that that entailed. OTOH, I'm not fooling myself: I really could and should have done more to get ready.

TRX Training!

2011-09-14T15:59:00.004-05:00

I know I am a little late to this party but I'm diving headfirst into (what I hope is) the deep end.

My gym announced the addition of TRX equipment a few weeks ago and I am heading over for an introductory class shortly. I also signed up for an 8 week "group ex" TRX class that starts in 2 weeks.

If I can't lift my arms above my waist or sit tomorrow, you all will know why. :)

If you don't know what I am talking about, check it out here:

TRX Training

Update:

Ow.

Ow. Ow. Ow.

If that was the orienation, I'm not sure I'll be able to move once I start the regular classes.

Very much looking forward to it. :)

School

2011-09-08T17:57:00.006-05:00

The semester has kicked off and I'm counting the days 'til it's over. Love me; love my bad attitude.

I'm at a point where I have completed all of my required courses and that leaves a few electives to ensure I have enough hours to graduate. The problem is that I'm limited on what electives are available.

Class #1 = an IT class for business students. It's on the list of recommended classes for students with an interest in technical management. I shouldn't have any issues with the material; however, there is one of THOSE students. You know who I'm talking about: the one who ALWAYS has a question and it probably isn't anything particularly important or relevant to the class. This could make for a long semester.

Class #2 = Business Law. Dum Dum Dum. It was this or an intro to HR. I'm still not sure I made the right choice. The professor sounds like a character from the Simpsons. The annoying student in this class works for an insurance company and styles himself like (a young) Michael Douglas. It's a good thing we are finishing week 3 of this 8 week course tonight.

All of this leaves me with just 1 course to take. I could conceivably take it in the second half of this semester but there is really nothing of interest that doesn't conflict with Class #1 that runs the full 16 weeks. Grr... So, rather than take something like Advanced Financial Statement Analysis (a particular challenge since I haven't taken Beginning FSA), I hope to find something to take in January.

What a week...

2011-09-06T14:24:00.003-05:00

I haven't blogged about it much but my DH needed surgery last week. In addition, my oldest sister who has been suffering from bladder cancer for years also needed surgery and by coincidence they were scheduled on the same day at the same hospital. Both are now at their respective homes and recuperating.

As you can imagine, this blog was not high on my priority list and quite frankly, neither was Flylady. ;)

Anyhow, I am working to get back on track. This week I am focusing on the kitchen and not a moment too soon. I have more or less gotten the dishwasher/sink situation under control so that they are at least empty and I've identified the main counter as the hotspot most in need of damage control. My goal for the week is to get that counter cleared so I can wash it down as thoroughly as it deserves.

I did use my sitting-around-time to work on a few knitting projects. I will post pictures, I promise!

Workouts? What workouts? I knew I was forgetting something...

First Day of School...

2011-08-23T22:59:00.001-05:00

3 more classes until I finish. I'm taking 2 this fall and 1 in the spring.

Woohoo!

Continuing to Fly...

2011-08-22T11:32:00.002-05:00

This week I'm working on the master bedroom and bathroom. The bedroom is not too bad although this means that next month I will likely be forced to tackle the closet. Eep.

This weekend I started tackling the basement. I have decided that one reason I've been struggling with my workouts is that spending time in the basement is just not very appealing so I am making an effort to organize my "stuff" and start keeping other non-workout items down there so I am more likely to go down there for more than just my workouts.

(This is not to say the basement is some horrible dank place. We just haven't spent much time making it comfortable or inviting. For instance, we have half a dozen or more posters and prints that will brighten the beige walls. They are just leaning up against the walls, approximately where they will be hung.)

Anyhow, my big accomplishment for the weekend was buying and assembling some racks for my weights. I still need some sort of hook for my resistance bands, I think, but I'm making progress. Also, I now have a sound system where I can set up my iPod.

I have some shelves for my books and I need to make that more accessible. (It is somewhere in the storage room...)

Hi...

2011-08-16T14:38:00.002-05:00

...my name is Rose and it has been 2 weeks since I have had a diet Coke.

Quite frankly, this situation blows. I have more or less switched to brewed iced tea (who knew I had so many tea bags floating around my kitchen) so I am not dealing with caffeine withdrawl headaches but I still crave it.

I did not start out with a plan to give up diet Coke (again) but I realized last weekend that I had gone several days without and decided to see how long I can hold out. I have been told that it takes a month. We shall see.

Flylady is Back

2011-08-15T10:40:00.002-05:00

It is amazing how quickly clutter accumulates.

Although I would never say we were "clutter free", moving to the new house brought a) a concerted effort by DH and I to get rid of a lot "things" rather than moving them and b) a fresh start with more space, 9 months has passed and, in many ways, it seems like we are right back to where we were.

But with more space to declutter.

Well, maybe not ALL the way back to where we were but close enough. LOL. Our goals of emptying and organizing all of the stuff still in crates and boxes just have not quite happened.

And don't get me started on the dog hair. Adrian may be small and have short hair but she seems to be making up for it by constant and immediate regeneration. I am starting to understand why everyone else in the neighborhood has a labradoodle.

ANYHOW, I am back on the Flylady bandwagon. My sink is empty, my laundry is laundering and I have just finished up my 15 min of decluttering for today: The Bathroom and 1 extra room. The extra rooms for today are my office and the spare room that currently holds assorted crafts and clothes. The office just needs to be dusted and vaccuumed so later this week, I will probably work on our guest room. Mostly it just needs dusting and fresh sheets.

Finally a Break in the Weather

2011-08-04T11:07:00.002-05:00

I really try not to complain about the heat because, quite frankly, I will take this over the -20F-with-the-wind-and-blizzards conditions of last January but it has been brutal lately.

Of course, hot weather makes stupid people do stupid things. Like This. (I personally know at least 4 people who participated. It was madness.)

This morning for the first time in a month, I stepped outside at 6:30 am and it did not feel like I was stepping into a warm damp blanket.

Enough with putting it all off...

2011-07-19T15:03:00.002-05:00

I have set a goal to run a 15K in September, so I am back to regular runs. Although I would rather run outside, if I can't make it first thing in the morning (and I seldom do), I am hitting the treadmill.

I'm loosely following this training schedule: Cerner KC 15K Training Program

(Why do all of these programs have Monday as a scheduled Rest Day?)

Do You Believe A Bra Can Change Your Life?

2011-07-05T10:19:00.005-05:00

That was a serious question on the profile card I was asked to fill out before a bra-fitting at the Intimacy Store in NYC over the weekend. This was the next step in my own personal makeover.

I have had bra fittings before and generally think they are a good idea but I've never had one like this.

First off, no tape measures. The bubbly Katy Perry lookalike who helped me wanted to know what size I thought I was and then asked to see the bra I was wearing.

"I don't hate this fit, but..."

Anyhow, she walked me through the details of what was wrong with my current choice and then disappeared to bring me another to try. (It was nice of her to TRY to make me feel better.)

Dang.

Who knew?

The eye opening part of the conversation was that what I thought was "normal" was not at all the way a bra should fit. And in case I wasn't certain, Katy Perry helpfully "rearranged" things as they should be. It was a very hands on and interactive experience. ;)

I went down a band size and up 2 cup sizes. Well, that certainly explains why I have so much trouble finding bras that fit and are flattering, not to mention comfortable. (Mind you, the size I was wearing was the result of a fitting at another reputable store that shall remain nameless.)

After trying on at least 10 bras, I settled on 2 regular bras (OMG, cute bras! That fit! That don't look like something my grandmother wore!) and one sports bra.

I think it is the sports bra that will change my life. Oprah can HAVE her Enell bras. My new one by Freya is awesome and does not require the flexibility of a dedicated yogi to fasten.

Unfortunately, if I thought I had a hard time finding bras before, with my new size, it is going to be worse. Much worse. I will likely have to special order them. Or go back and visit Katy. (Not her real name, obviously. Would be happy to provide it if anyone is planning a trip.)

Happy Independence Day!

2011-07-04T13:08:00.001-05:00

Happy Independence Day!

It's a Start

2011-06-28T14:43:00.007-05:00

In an effort to counter the laziness brought on by working from home, I decided my appearance was as good a place as any to start. At least this way I get some immediate gratification.

Since I'm heading out of town for a wedding, I decided I needed to do something about my nails and invested in a Gel manicure. (Scroll down to the CND Shellac description.) These puppies, according to the manicurist, are supposed to last 2-3 weeks without the damage of acrylics. We'll see about that!

While I think the manicure looks great, I'm second-guessing my choice of French tips. They just seem so very WHITE. If I go for a repeat, I think I'll ask for color instead. According to what I've read, I should be able to paint over these with regular polish as long as I only use a non-acetone remover. If I can't get past the tips, I may try that next week.

Update:

A week later, the gels still look pretty good. No signs of bubbling or peeling although I can see where my natural nails are growing. In the white areas, there are some lines - like cracks in the topcoat? Nothing major. My cuticles are a mess, though. Not sure how much of that (if any) is due to this manicure. I don't usually get hangnails like that but travel, stress, etc could be partially responsible.

I do plan to paint over the gels in a day or so to see if it helps prolong the manicure for a few more days.

While in New York, I went for a pedicure with my sisters. My youngest sister, who lives there, had just returned from a trip and got a manicure too. She has been using gels off and on for a while. This particular manicure had had some problems with bubbling and peeling but I was able to see the process of removal. She had her nails redone with regular polish and her natural nails looked to be in decent shape. She uses Nailtiques #2 on them as a base coat.

Happy Anniversary!

2011-06-28T11:58:00.000-05:00

Happy Anniversary, Sweetie! I love you.

It's Official

2011-06-24T13:49:00.005-05:00

Working from Home has made me lazy. Ok, lazier.

Not from a work perspective. I definitely get more done in the quiet of my own home than in the office. Plus I start earlier and, despite intentions otherwise, tend to work more hours.

It's just everything else.

Maybe not housework. That's never been my thing.

For instance, on Mondays, I'll fire up the computer around 6:30 or so with my coffee. I take care of emails then have my morning conference call. After that I'll dive right in to whatever projects I'm working on. The next thing I know, it's 2 in the afternoon and I'm still in my pajamas. Whoops.

Also, I have closets full of clothes but, since I'm only in the office 3 days a week, I find myself wearing the same 3-4 outfits.

Clearly something has to change. I've started keeping track of what I'm wearing in an attempt to force myself to mix it up.

Admitting there is a problem is the first step, yes?

Woohoo! Look! Another Post!

2011-06-08T16:12:00.002-05:00

Not much going on. It's blazingly hot around here. It gets *hot* in the summer but normally the first 2-3 weeks of June are mostly tolerable.

DH has come down with the walking-death chest cold I had a couple of weeks ago. Sorry, sweetie!

Anyhow, I finally feel like I'm recovered from Saturday. I think the plan for tonight is one of Jillian Michael's workouts, probably No More Trouble Zones.

Weirdness

2011-06-06T10:13:00.002-05:00

No response from Blogger so I changed my profile skin and, voila, no more editing issues.

Whatever. It's Monday.

Quiet Sunday

2011-06-05T11:11:00.004-05:00

I am sore, sore, sore today.

Not surprising, of course, but still annoying. I don't have a workout planned for today beyond taking the pup for a walk. I am thinking about some stretching (Classical Stretch) or maybe a little yoga, such as Power Yoga for Happiness Magically Hips routine.

Otherwise, I am feeling pretty good about everything. The house is currently a wreck but I'm making some progress in the kitchen and laundry departments.

Update:

Power Yoga for Happiness it is! :) I enjoy the workouts but all of the hugging and kissing at the end just seemed really creepy to me tonight.

PS - I would love to update the information in the right column of this blog but I keep getting errors. So far, no response from Blogger. :(

The Hill Conquered Me

2011-06-04T19:46:00.003-05:00

Today I attempted the Hospital Hill Run and learned a few things.

a) The race course was similar to the Kansas City Half Marathon I ran in the fall of 2009 (same general area) so I thought I could handle it. I had conveniently forgotten how grueling the hills are. If I have to ask the question: How Bad Can It Be? I really do not want to know the answer.

b) Running 13.1 miles in 50F weather is not the same as running the same distance when it is already 80F at 7 am.

c) There is no such thing as too much Body Glide. Ahem.

d) Clif Shot Bloks may be useful when training for events like this one but they are pretty darned disgusting when you are overheated and miserable.

e) God Bless the Garmin Pace Runners. Also, big thanks to the lady following one of them who kept yelling out: Big Hill! Tiny Butt! That kept me laughing for a good 30 minutes.

I had signed up for the race a few months ago at the urging of a co-worker in a fit of optimism in the hope of jumpstarting my workouts. Although having the race as a goal did get me to run more than I would have otherwise, I was not nearly as prepared as I was the last time I ran a half marathon. The upper respiratory infection I had for most of May did not help.

The smart move would have been to switch to one of the shorter races.

Oh well.

Next!

Goals and Plans and All That

2011-06-02T10:25:00.002-05:00

I'm finally back to feeling healthy, classes are over for the summer, and I am determined to get back to fitness. This past week I have been working on consistency and it is already making me feel better.

I've been running off and on but more off than on, especially when I have been sick. I am scheduled to run a race this weekend and I am using it as a starting point for training for another half marathon in the fall. I committed to running one with a friend and we are in the process of choosing a race. The front-runner is the Kansas City Half that I ran 2 years ago. My goal would be to finish that one faster than I did 2 years ago. Even 5-10 minutes faster would be great and, I think, do-able over the next few months.

For the month of June, my focus is all about setting up better, more consistent exercise habits. I have all of the tools and, right now, I definitely have the time. I will be using a combination of running, workout DVDs, and gym workouts as I get started. I am going to try to plan out my workouts a week at a time. My goal is mostly just to move more so I will just be using a variety of different workouts to avoid getting bored.

(I have a number of half marathon training plans and will be incorporating those workouts in July.)

On the diet front, shoot, I think I finally figured out why I have trouble using my beautiful workout room. It's all the mirrors. Mirrors are great for checking form but catching the odd glimpse of myself while I'm moving around - ouch! - not a pretty sight. I never thought of myself as having a lot of "body issues" but that could be changing! I will get in to diet more next week and for now, I am just tracking what I eat.

Clearly

2011-05-26T11:51:00.003-05:00

I should leave resurrections to the professionals.

Sigh.

Not a whole lot to report.

I finished my semester at school. I have 3 classes until I finish, most likely next spring. I could push and finish in December but, of the classes being offered this summer/fall, I'm not finding too many that interest me.

I have not kept up with my workouts very well and I am determined to refocus on that this summer.

At this point, I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. Literally. I've always been a fairly healthy person but the past 6 months have been a series of minor but annoying illnesses. Right now I'm recovering from (yet another) upper respiratory infection. My second in 6 months. Argh.

An unintended consequence of our 'new' (ish) open office space, perhaps? The big boss loves to throw around words like "collaboration" and "brainstorming" when he talks about this configuration (that was wildly unpopular when we moved in) but is it worth the sharp uptick in sick days?

I'm on the "good" drugs now so I should be feeling better soon. I hope.

Attempting to resurrect this blog...

2011-04-06T11:19:00.007-05:00

The past few months have been a real challenge for me on many levels. Winter is never my favorite time of year and this winter was particularly difficult. Nothing horrible happened, but there has been a lot going on in my life, and I just did not have much motivation for anything.

Anyhow, having a new workout room and some fantastic new equipment is not very helpful if you are not using it.

I know. That realization blew my mind too. ;)

It is not that I am not using my lovely new space and toys, but I am definitely not taking full advantage. So I have started a new running program. It is similar to the way I trained for the Disney Half Marathon but it incorporates more cross-training days to include strength training that I felt was missing. I do plan to run another Half this year but have not settled one in particular yet. This program will let me run outside as the weather warms up or use my treadmill on cold/wet days. I will use DVDs and my weight equipment for strength and non-running cardio.

My first run was Sunday when I ran the first leg of the Brew to Brew Relay. What a crazy race. 44 miles from Kansas City, MO, to Lawrence, KS. This was a first: they were handing out beer at the START as well as at the FINISH. I was a little apprehensive at the start, but I held my own. The rest of the team was much younger and much faster, far more avid runners! (I might have finished a little sooner except for going off course and briefly getting lost. Don't ask.)

Thanks for hanging in.

Book Report

2011-01-24T11:36:00.004-06:00

So, also on my New Years Resolution list is reading...

I finished Steig Larssen's The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. I don't usually choose books like this but I got a recommendation for it from an unlikely source and that piqued my interest.

The book introduces 2 characters, Blomkvist, a journalist, and Lisbeth Salander. Blomkvist who was recently convicted of libel is hired to write a family biography and solve a 40 year old mystery. He takes the opportunity to leave the limelight and lick his wounds. He hires Lisbeth to help with the research. Lisbeth is a mysterious antisocial hacker.

I don't want to give away much of the story but the original Swedish title translated to "Men Who Hate Women." Still, despite some scenes that, well, were pretty uncomfortable to read, once I got into the story and the story-within-the-story, I was hooked.

I read the book with a friend and we both came away with same impression: what is WRONG with Swedish men? This point was underscored by the horrifying statistics on violence against women in Sweden that serve to introduce each chapter. While I have no doubt there are some equally scary numbers related to American women, I have never seen them collected quite like that.

Seriously, some books, like Bridges of Madison County, have a huge positive effect on tourism to any area, but this, quite frankly, makes me want to stay far, far, far away from Sweden.

Still, I would recommend the book to anyone who enjoys a thriller although I'm not sure I have the stomach to watch the movie. The first few chapters contain a lot of background information that was a little slow to get through but be patient.

I have started the next book in the series, The Girl who Played with Fire, and it promises to be equally fascinating.

Knitting Progress

2011-01-23T11:54:00.004-06:00

I finished my project from knitting class. Behold, my $400 bag.

I posted this on Facebook but thought I'd add it here. I figure by the time I add up the cost of the class, the cost of materials and the length of time it took this slowpoke to complete, yeah, $400 is the minimum...

Hopefully, one of my nieces will lurve it. :)

Snow, snow, snow...

2011-01-11T07:54:00.004-06:00

Have I mentioned my love (hate) for cold weather? We've had at least 5" of snow so far and the temperature is supposed to drop like a rock today while the wind picks up. Yuck. And this year it's even more special because I have 2 driveways to clear. Yes, envy me my glam life.

In better news, the fitness equipment was delivered yesterday! Not without some drama but that is another story. So here are a few pictures from what is finally starting to feel like my workout room:

Obviously, there is still a ways to go as I figure out where to put everything. And yes, it is apparently possible to own too many workout DVDs...

Of course, not every member of the household is excited about the new equipment.

This new walking thing had better not cut into MY walking time.

New Year's Resolutions: Might As Well...

2011-01-06T11:12:00.003-06:00

I am really not one for making resolutions on January 1 but I do have a few things I will be working on this year.

a) A friend has convinced me to run the St. Louis Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon in October 23, 2011, so I'll be working towards that. In the interests of the S.M.A.R.T. goal-setting they push at work, I suppose I should be a little more specific: I will complete the half in 2:20 or less.

Progress to date consists of ordering that treadmill, LOL. Ok, I'll be more positive: I've worked out 4 times this year already and that is definitely a start in the right direction.

b) I will finish my MBA. I'm down to single digits on the credit hours left. This one might be a little tricky due to some potential scheduling issues. I may need to take my last class Spring, 2012, but I really, really want to finish in December.

Progress to date: the new semester starts up in a couple of weeks and I have 2 classes scheduled.

c) Read more. I spend way too much time online or watching TV.

Progress: Book #1 is The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson. I've been hauling this one around for several weeks. I will finish it this month.

d) Learn to knit. I had this as a resolution a few years ago and taught myself a few basics and stalled out there. I clearly need professional help.

Progress: I am taking a 2 night class that starts today at Urban Arts and Crafts with a friend.

Workouts and Whatnot

2011-01-04T05:22:00.003-06:00

My workout efforts really fizzled during the second half of 2010. Moving, work, school, and being sick are not a good recipe for consistency and I'm determined to get back to some sort of routine in 2011.

Anyhow, I have been trying to ease back into my DVDs this week by choosing easier workouts and lighter weights, but I am still sore, sore, sore. I know that muscle has memory and all of that but I am in for a rough week or so while I adapt. I am not trying to follow any sort of rotation, just going with what feels right.

In other news, my new Life Fitness treadmill will be arriving next week. We also ordered a recumbant bike for DH.

Cleaning up Christmas

2011-01-03T09:49:00.004-06:00

Out of tradition (or possibly sheer laziness), I tend to keep most Christmas decorations up until January 6, the Feast of the 3 Kings or the Magi, also the 12th day of Christmas. As a child, my mom would never let us put our decorations until just before Christmas so this made sense. This year, we are having some work done on the house and I have a few more delicate items that probably should be safely tucked away before that happens.

A week or so before Christmas, my mother offered me one of her Nativity sets. She used to collect them and had quite an assortment but seldom put out the nicer ones. 14 rugrats, well, we weren't particularly *kind* to anything breakable. She has been slowing pruning her collection but was excited that I now have the space to display some of her prettier ones.

She told me she had 2 for me to choose from but steered me towards the "Renaissance Nativity" by Lenox that she had collected piece by piece over about 10 years. As you can see, the statues are beautiful, detailed and oh-so delicate.

The set is also GINORMOUS. I did not realize this until she started pointing out the boxes for me to take home. (There may actually be a few more pieces still in her garage!) (Also, I have no idea who some of these "people" are.)

One of my sisters-in-law noted that the statue on the far right, the Camel Driver, is a woman. Probably the only one smart enough to stop for directions.

In addition to the sheer volume of characters, each of these pieces is packed in specially designed styrofoam casing that fits into specially sized boxes. If the statues aren't placed *just so*, none of it works. ARGH. This is going to take hours.

Also, who knew that Conan was once a model for Lenox.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T10:21:00.002-06:00

Welcome, 2011!

Following some really miserable weather (thunder, tornadic winds, 60 degree temperature swings, etc.), we opted to stay in last night and went to bed at a reasonable hour. So today, I've been feeling pretty good and have actually been quite productive -- putting things away, clearing out the refrigerator, and tidying up the kitchen.

On the agenda for today, ordering the treadmill we picked out.

Dusting Off My Neglected Blog...

2010-12-28T08:31:00.003-06:00

If it is not one thing, it is another.

Ugh.

I have been sick the ENTIRE month of December. No joke.

It started with a little tickle in my throat at Thanksgiving that blossomed into a full-fledged head cold. I tried to wait it out but, after 2 weeks, it had settled in my chest. I threw in the towel and went to the clinic at work for some antibiotics and other Rx goodies. I thought I was finally recovering from that, when, BAM, I get hit by an intestinal virus, courtesy of one of my brother's rug rats, just in time for Christmas. Brutal. I'm feeling much better but have zero appetite and nothing tastes right. To let you know how bad it's been: I couldn't even finish a diet Coke. (And yes, I'm still coughing.)

I had high hopes for a productive December: finishing up my classes for the year, getting back to a consistent workout schedule, embracing the new Weight Watchers Points Plus program, and finally posting some pictures of the house. 1 out of 4 isn't bad, right?

Anyhow, onwards and all of that. Looking forward to a little consistency in the new year.

Let the Craziness Begin...

2010-11-24T04:05:00.002-06:00

I'm going to hide in my basement until after Saturday when the majority of the family has departed. Per the usual, family drama abounds. (Nothing horrible and mostly unnecessary but still a PITA.) Love them all but...

My accomplishment for the week:

For the first time in about 2 months, for about 15 seconds, my laundry hamper was EMPTY. I'm still in shock.

Drive by blog post...

2010-11-17T16:15:00.003-06:00

I don't even know what to say at this point.

After a month, I am finally starting to feel settled in the new place. We've been under a deadline because Thanksgiving is next week and the family will be descending. We are looking forward to it and it will be great to see everyone but I know that if something has not been unpacked by then, it will like be lost in the basement storage for all eternity.

I plan to post photos next week.

I have class 2 nights a week right now and for some reason I am feeling very, very stressed about this situation. Far more than I should be. There is just something about the assignments that makes me tense. Maybe it has to do with working in groups?

Anyhow, I have a group paper due tomorrow and one due on Monday. Tomorrow's paper is essentially done. I'll do a little more proofing tonight or tomorrow once I get the final copy from a team member. The other one will require more work but really, we have enough time. I just need to focus tonight.

I posted this on FB but in case you missed it...

2010-10-26T16:36:00.001-05:00

Plank Challenge!

Anyone interested in joining me?

Has it been a week?

2010-10-25T15:30:00.005-05:00

Actually, I guess it's been 10 days. Wow. Hard to believe.

Not sure where to start. Close went flawlessly but everything else has taken 4 times as long and been 10x as aggravating as it should have been.

Anyhow, I made it to the other side. Kicking and screaming at time, but I made it. (Have I mentioned that I don't do well with change?) The new house is starting to feel like home and the old place is almost cleared out.

Remind me not to move again any time soon.

One Week

2010-10-07T16:45:00.001-05:00

I can't believe we are closing on our new place in 1 week!

Honeycrisp Apples

2010-10-06T16:34:00.004-05:00

Honeycrisp Apple season is here!

I am normally a Fuji apple girl but, after sampling Honeycrisps last year for the first time, I'm a big fan. The apples are large but the texture is light and crisp and soo sweet! If you haven't tried them yet, get to your nearest store and hunt them down. You will not regret it. These hybrids are only available for a few weeks.

The Trouble with Adrian...

2010-10-05T15:30:00.003-05:00

I think something is going on with my dog. I can't quite put my finger on it but sometimes I look at her and think I should not trust her.

What do you think?

(She has the funniest way of staring DIRECTLY into the flash when I take her picture.)

For Laura...

2010-09-22T07:33:00.002-05:00

Today is Elephant Appreciation Day!

We have a deal!

2010-09-21T17:02:00.002-05:00

It took a little time to work out the details but we have a deal on the house. The current owners are taking care of my major concerns before we move in and have agreed to adjust the price a little to compensate in part for the rest.

So, as promised, photos:

Flickr

And now we wait...

2010-09-11T10:14:00.004-05:00

I have photos to post but, unfortunately, after the inspection results came back, I have decided to hold off.

The majority of the inspection results were good or, at least, as we anticipated since it is a "used" house, but there are a few things we weren't expecting that are simply unacceptable. (In the owners' defense, I do not believe they were aware of these conditions before putting the house up for sale.) It's all "fixable" but. all togther, it won't be cheap. IMO the current owners need to take responsibility for the most important issues.

We sent over a list of unacceptable conditions yesterday and they have 5 days to respond. We'll see what happens.

UPDATE: Their realtor called and it looks like they are willing to work with us. *crosses fingers*

You asked for it...

2010-09-03T15:44:00.005-05:00

DH outside the new abode doing his Happy Dance. :)

My Allergies Are Having A Party...

2010-09-02T15:46:00.001-05:00

...and I feel like that cranky old neighbor:

Hey, you kids! Get off my LAWN!

Bleah.

Guess Whose Offer Was Accepted...

2010-08-31T21:05:00.002-05:00

I think we've found a house...

2010-08-30T14:36:00.006-05:00

We had our realtor send over an offer today. I'll post more details later. :)

In the meantime, I thought I'd share a little about our home search.

First off, I don't know what it is about us and purple houses. Some of you may remember "Barney" from a few years ago. Imagine my trepidation when I was greeted by this at the first house we visited.

On paper, this house was to die for and I thought, perhaps, bad photos might have made this look worse than it seemed. Nope: this purple was ALL through the house. Upstairs and down. Even worse, it wasn't just *purple* but had some sort of speckled finish that made it look a bit like concrete. PURPLE concrete.

Another place had some *very* flattering photos online, like this one:

This lovely house, in person, minus the furniture, featured a PURPLE master suite with GOLD curtains. I was one green bedspread from a Mardi Gras float.

It wasn't all bad. There were quite a few lovely houses to see in our price range. And, if this deal doesn't work out, I know we will find something else very soon.

If anyone asked me, I'd have a few tips for sellers:

a) Unless you are doing the FSBO thing, do NOT hold your own Open House. Let your realtor handle it. If you must have your own Open House, bathing yourself in cheap cologne is not helpful. Neither is having multiple prices on all of the paperwork you have spread out.

b) And, while I may have been born at night, it wasn't last night. Offering to include your 10 yr old, 200 lb non-HDTV in the sale fools no one. It's going to be a PITA for you to move it out of the specially designed built-in cabinetry and I know you're dying to get a new flat screen anyway.

c) You might want to ask a few disinterested parties for opinions on decorating choices, even if you are paying someone a lot of $$$ to help your prep your house for sale. Seriously? Pottery Barn colors may be "in" but that bright pumpkin orange on your dining room walls are not to everyone's taste.

Please HELP! Do me a favor...

2010-08-18T14:45:00.002-05:00

I seldom forward things like this on but I would really appreciate any and all help on this. I received this email last night from my brother. I know it's for real because Chris is a volunteer instructor at Helen's karate studio.

So please, read his email and vote for Helen!

Thanks in advance,
Rose

***********************

Do a good deed today / do me a favor

Sorry for the spam-like email. This isn't spam. I am asking for you to
vote for Helen Dugan in this nationwide contest sponsored by the Energizer
company.

If you don't know Helen, she is truly an angel. She earned her blackbelt
in karate in her 60s. She is now 75. She opened her own karate studio at
Metcalf South mall in Overland Park devoted to special needs kids. And I
mean SPECIAL needs: Cerebral palsy, brain injuries, mentally retarded, and
other crippling illnesses. Many of these kids cannot walk. You should see
her teaching them and what they get out of it. Truly amazing. Every time I
brought a visitor to Helen's school, they have had tears in their eyes.
What she does with these kids is that touching. The KC Star recently did
this article about her:

Black belt, 75, finalist for Energizer recognition

Helen is a finalist in the Energizer Bunny Hall of Fame and could use all
the votes she can get. The voting ends August 20. It just takes a few
seconds. To vote for her, click on her picture and go from there. She has
an American flag behind her. If she wins, all the prize money goes right
back into her school. Do a good deed today:

Energizer Hall of Fame 2010 Finalists

Thanks,
Chris

So, Um, I'm Back. I think.

2010-08-17T11:47:00.003-05:00

Let's see. Where to start?

a) My boss is back as of yesterday. This is a mixed bag. I'm thrilled he's back and had hoped to be caught up on my own work again soon. However, *his* boss continues to send me all sorts of extra-curricular (work) requests so maybe not. Bleah. One hopes this will translate into other Good Things at work, but anymore, I really have no idea.

b) School starts next week. Yay, tuition reimbursement is back. Boo, there is all kinds of construction going on at the campus and parking will be MISERABLE. I sincerely hope this clears up before it gets cold, but I'm not holding my breath. Seriously. If it's done by NEXT fall, I'll be shocked.

c) I just returned from a weekend in Chicago to celebrate DH's birthday. He's a serious parrothead so I surprised him with tickets to the Jimmy Buffett concert. (A fun show as always.) And bonus, last weekend was the Air and Boat Show, two of DH's favorite-est things, so he was in HEAVEN.

d) The house hunt process continues. We have a letter from the bank saying we are good to go so it's time to start looking, realtor in tow. Eep.

Not much to post lately.

2010-08-02T17:01:00.003-05:00

I've started this post a half dozen times, but I'm not feeling particularly inspired by anything at the moment, especially anything that involves moving or sweating.

So, I'm shifting focus.

We are on a mission to move to a larger place. Our current home is large enough for DH, the dog and I but it's no longer large enough to hold his home office, too. So...

Step 1. Get our house on the market.

We met with our realtor a few months ago and together we made up a list of items to help us get ready. Naturally, they all seem to start with "Once you have this room decluttered..."

So, this week I am working on reclaiming my workout room and cleaning up the loft/master bedroom.

My workout room had become that place where we stuck anything we didn't quite know what to do with. And there sure seems to be a lot of that in this house! Anyhow, maybe doing this will inspire me to get back to working out. (A girl can dream.)

The loft is where I study and where I hang on days I work from home. Lots of papers and books. A LOT of books. Hmm, I wonder if I could sell enough at Half Price Books to make a down payment on a Kindle. More likely, I'd just buy more books, LOL.

Plugging along

2010-07-19T07:29:00.002-05:00

It's hot and sticky and utterly disgusting here. I hate to complain because, really?, I'll take this any time, any day over the weeks of negative temperatures, mountains of snow and ice, and knife-like winds we had earlier this year.

I haven't been blogging much because I feel like whining is all I am doing lately.

My boss is improving but still no word on his return (he had a stroke), so I am actually having to *be* the boss instead of just managing the fires until his return. I'm not used to having this much attention all the time. I know I can handle it but I'm really hoping he'll be back next month.

Le Sigh. (waves to Marie)

Anyhow, I am tired of feeling like a blob so I am trying to give myself an attitude adjustment this week. I can't control the weather or my work situation but I can control that.

Monday

2010-07-12T15:22:00.002-05:00

Bleah.

Still snowed in at work and exhausted all the time. My boss is out on short-term disability with no end in sight. I'm hoping (for his sake and mine!) for some sort of resolution by the end of July, but I really have no idea.

Friday

2010-07-02T11:59:00.002-05:00

What a week.

I found out on last Saturday that my boss is going to be out of the office and mostly unavailable for the next few weeks, so I'll be taking on a significant amount of additional work as I cover for him.

6 Months Old!

2010-06-28T19:42:00.006-05:00

I can't believe she's 6 months old already!

Her favorite spot. She lies in wait for someone to throw the frisbee when she'll spring into action.

She's got legs and she knows how to use them.

For comparison purposes, she's wearing the same collar here.

[Cartman] "I hate you guys. I hate you guys so very, very, very much." [/Cartman]

(If you didn't get that reference, here.)

Happy Anniversary!

2010-06-28T19:33:00.001-05:00

Happy 7th Anniversary, Sweetie!

My Diet Coke Problem

2010-06-25T08:45:00.003-05:00

When it comes to my eating, I do best with an "everything in moderation" attitude. For instance, I've cut out a lot of starchy carbs but trying to lose them completely would probably make me violent.

I made an effort to cut out most sodas a long time ago after learning about the phosphorous/calcium link. I don't keep them at home for myself and generally only drink the fountain version when I am out. (One exception: when I am sick, I crave diet 7-Up.)

Under normal circumstances, I tend to have a diet Coke once or twice a week. However, in the past few months, I've gone from once or twice a week to once or twice a day. And I'm not talking about 12 oz cans. I'm talking about the QuikTrip 32 oz size. It does not help that EVERYWHERE I go this summer, there are advertisements for "sales" on fountain drinks.

The Diet Coke itself is not my only problem: I have found that it is my "gateway drug" to poor food choices. If I am buying diet Coke during the day, that probably means I am somewhere surrounded by junk food (at a fast food place, at a convenience store, etc.).

I'm only human and can only say "NO" to McD's French Fries so many times.

I'm not terribly worried about artificial sweeteners for myself. I already have to avoid most sugar alcohols (severe gastro distress) and stevia brings on massive headaches. Other than diet beverages and a little Splenda in my 1 cup of coffee in the mornings, I usually stick with regular sugar and just try to limit my total consumption.

Anyhow, it's been a week and I seem to be doing all right. I don't know what it is that I find so addicting the stuff. It is not the caffeine. Drinking (caffeinated) iced tea does not curb the cravings at all. Unfortunately.

Happy Feet!

2010-06-25T08:40:00.004-05:00

I did a little online shopping for myself this past week. I was desparately in need of some new sandals for the summer. :)

Cute and comfortable!

Hello

2010-06-23T10:48:00.003-05:00

I'm Rose and I'm a Diet-Coke-aholic. It's been 5 days since my last hit, I mean drink...

Action Photo

2010-06-22T11:14:00.003-05:00

Look who zoomed past me on my run last night.

a) How slow am I?

b) How freaking hot was it that I was envious of the tiny bit of shade this little dude found?

Thinking About Another Half Marathon

2010-06-16T14:59:00.002-05:00

I still haven't made up my mind but this looks like it could be a fun one:

Roots 'N Blues Half Marathon & 10K

One of the sponsors is a winery and it is followed by a BBQ festival. How could that possibly be wrong?

My running buddy at work is all ready to sign up. I suppose I could just go for the 10K.

Plus I might get to meet TracyB after all these years. :)

Poor Baby

2010-06-12T07:48:00.002-05:00

I took Adrian to the vet yesterday for her spay surgery and to be chipped. They recommended she spend the night. My niece, who works at the clinic, sent me a photo last night to let me know how she was doing. Adrian looks a little PO'd, don't you think?

Oh the pain!

2010-06-09T15:35:00.003-05:00

So, Monday, I decided to dust off my kettlebells and workout with one of my favorite DVDs: Ultimate Sculpt and Conditioning. I used my 20 lb KB for most of the work except the ab/core floorwork (the last 2 minutes) and was pretty pleased with how I did.

Yesterday I woke up a little later than usual and felt wonderful. A bit sore in spots but nothing too horrible.

Around noon the DOMS kicked in. WTF? I could barely walk, let alone climb the miles of stairs in my house. It was all muscle pain. Knees, ankles, all that felt fine.

OwOwOwOwOw.

I'm still sore today and pray it will be better next time.

And it's Monday. Again.

2010-06-07T10:37:00.002-05:00

I'm actually feeling pretty upbeat for a Monday. Last week was pretty tough for me for some reason. Maybe it was the holiday or maybe it was the heat, but I just didn't feel like doing much of anything.

Anyhow, I managed to get myself back on track, more or less, over the weekend.

Hey, You!

2010-06-06T15:40:00.003-05:00

Less Facebook, More FRISBEE!!!

Gosh, how did that get there? Maybe someone should pick it up and throw it...

Last 3 days on the Beck Plan

2010-06-01T16:46:00.002-05:00

I can't believe it's taken me a week to post this but, oh well. I've now completed the 6 week program. My weightloss hasn't been stellar but I am making progress and expect to see some great results as I continue on.

Day 39: Keep Up with Exercise. This is actually something I've been doing pretty well the past couple of weeks. I've still got a ways to go but I'm feeling better about my overall consistency and that really is the most important thing. At any rate, the whole purpose of this task is to look back on what I've been doing, to consider what sort of results I am seeing, and to think about where I want to go from here. As always, changing things up is good and I want to keep pushing myself to make progress.

I'm still running but I'm making time for more weights. I'm also in the process of changing to a different gym and that will make my life easier, too.

Day 40: Enrich Your Life. We have a tendency to say things like "I'll do x when I've reached my goal weight." or "I can't try y until I've lost weight." And that can set us up for cycles of disappointments and punishing ourselves. Yes, it's important to reward good behaviors and successes but being overweight shouldn't be an excuse for avoiding new things. Being overweight is not a moral failure.

This is part of why I started running in the first place. I kept telling myself I was too heavy to run or that I just couldn't do it. Quite frankly, running is and will be easier when I weigh less but that doesn't mean I can't or shouldn't run right now.

Anyhow, so the task for today is to seek out opportunities to enrich your life now and not to use excess weight an excuse to hide from new experiences.

Day 41: Make a New To-Do List. All along on this program, there's been a list that you add on to remind yourself to keep up with all of the little habits and some of the tasks were pretty detailed like monitoring how often you ate standing up, sitting down, etc. Going forward, I still need to pay attention to all of these things but also I recognize that I might not do everything every day. Now that I've been doing this for 6 weeks, the new list looks like this:

Beck Diet Solution To Do List:

I read my Advantages, NO CHOICE, It's Not OK, Get Back on Track and Believe It! Response Cards as needed.
I read my other response cards as needed.
I wrote a food plan for tomorrow.
I monitored everything that I ate today in writing right after I finished eating it.
I talked to my diet coach.
Every time I ate, I ate slowly, sitting down and noticing every bite.
I ate only to mild fullness.
I gave myself credit whenever I engaged in helpful eating behaviors.
I did spontaneous exercise at every opportunity.
I did planned exercise.
I reminded myself that hunger is never an emergency.
I tolerated a craving or used anti-craving techniques rather than giving in.
If I overate or strayed from my diet, I got back on track immediately.
I said "Oh well." or NO CHOICE whenever I wanted to eat something that I wasn't supposed to.
I responded effectively to ideas of unfairness or discouragement.
I used the 7 Question technique to respond to my sabotaging thoughts and made corresponding response cards.
When others offered me food I hadn't planned to eat, I turned them down.
I followed my diet successfully when I ate out.
I experienced negative emotion and did not turn to food for comfort.
I took steps to enrich my life.
I prepared myself for weighing in.

Wednesday

2010-05-26T11:18:00.003-05:00

Le Sigh.

Dealing with the usual round of $hit-that-must-be-completed-before-the-holiday-weekend requests that are really $hit-I've-put-off-for-months-but-I'm-off-next-week-when-it's-due-so-I-MUST-harass-everyone-NOW.

Beck Diet Solution Day 37: Reduce Stress.

Essentially there are 3 ways to reduce your stress. First, if there's a problem, solve the problem or at least brainstorm for solutions. Just having an action plan will provide some relief. Second, RELAX. Use deep breathing, guided imagery, or any other techniques to help you physically relax. Last, change your mindset. Stress is often caused by self-imposed rules and restrictions. Sometimes it's just a matter of giving yourself permission to NOT be perfect.

Beck Diet Solution Day 38: Deal with a Plateau.

Plateaus in weightloss are normal and inevitable. These are the result of hormones, water retention or other biological influences -- a change in eating, slight increase in calories, less exercise, etc. In a week or two, the scale should start to move again. Plateaus lasting several weeks or longer indicate the need for a change in my program.

A few suggestions for dealing with this situation and possibly jumpstarting weightloss again:

1) Continue as you have been (double-checking portions, etc.) to ensure this is not temporary.
2) Cut daily calories by 200. (Check with healthcare professional to make sure this makes sense.)
3) Increase daily exercise by 15-20 min. Or increase exercise intensity (incorporate interval training,etc).
4) Call this "goal" weight and move into maintenance.

Beck To-Do list:
Review Cards: X
Eat Slowly, Mindfully, and Sitting Down
Track Food:
Activity:
Create Plan for tomorrow:

Flylady:

This is moving slowly but I'm starting to get back into my routines.

Zone: MBR
Room Rescue: LR
Laundry
Counters
Bathroom

Back. Really. I mean it this time...

2010-05-24T09:43:00.003-05:00

What a couple of weeks.

Exams are over and the grades are in. Although, ultimately, I don't think I needed to take that second final, I'm glad I did. I let myself down on the midterm a little but was able to, more or less, redeem myself on the final.

Following that, I had a routine dental cleaning that I'd rather forget. The dentist and I decided to go ahead with what should have been some minor oral surgery after checking some x-rays. Unfortunately, due to my pale complexion, teeth that defy straightening, and a too-small jawbone, the result was me looking like a domestic abuse victim. Ugh. It was a rough few days all the way around.

I am hoping for an uneventful week so we can relax and enjoy the Memorial Day weekend.

So, back 2 weeks ago, I'd finished up week 5 of the Beck Diet Solution. While I won't say I've been a model participant of the program, staying with the planning and so forth as much as possible has kept me from regaining the weight I've lost and losing another pound or so (I won't know for certain until I weigh in this afternoon). So today, I am officially back to blogging this program and renewing my commitment to stick with Weight Watchers until I achieve my goals.

I may go back to posting a to-do list and checking off the tasks but I haven't quite decided whether it's worth it to do it online or not. (I keep one in a little notebook with my eating plan.) Maybe for a few days?

Anyhow, Day 36: Believe It. Essentially, today is about positive thinking. I've proven to myself that I can lose weight when I stick with this program. I can control my eating, deal with cravings, be more active, and accomplish all that goes into changing my attitude towards sticking with a plan. I CAN do this. And I will reach my goal weight.

Any other thinking will only sabotage my results.

In other news (or not-so news), my house is a disaster, so it's back to Flylady. That's a checklist I will definitely be posting. I made some progress this weekend but I really need some focus to keep up with the cleaning.

Flylady:

Zone: Master Bedroom
Room Rescue: Living Room
Laundry:
Sink:
Trash:
Bathroom:

One down...

2010-05-12T11:03:00.003-05:00

...and one exam to go.

I am waaaay overdue for updating this blog. I'll see if I can make a little time soon. My second exam is Thursday.

In the meantime, this is one of Adrian's favorite games. We call it "Adrian Bowling" and it never gets old.

Sunday

2010-05-02T07:22:00.005-05:00

Day 33: Eliminate Emotional Eating - I used to think I didn't have a problem with emotional eating. And maybe I don't. At least not in a binge/purge way. However, it is called comfort food for a reason and doing this program a couple of years ago made me aware of how often I reach for food to "feel better".

Anyhow, Day 33 is about dealing with negative emotions. Being upset is not an emergency. I do not have to eat to feel better. The techniques for dealing with this issue are similar to those used to avoid cravings: Mindset Techniques like labelling my feelings, giving myself NO CHOICE and reading my cards. Or Behavioral Techniques like distracting myself with other activities, finding some other way to relax or taking a walk.

Day 34: Solve Problems. This is a reinforcement of the 7 Question Technique from Day 27. Basically, once you identify a problem, even if you can't solve it, just brainstorming solutions will make you think about it more clearly and stay in control. Be realistic and ask for help.

Day 35: Get Ready to Weigh In. As I approach another weigh-in, of course, all of the usual caveats apply. The scale number is just information, etc. I'll make note of it and move on.

In some ways, eating better has become easier but in others, I feel like I am stressing out about eating more than I should. School continues to be miserable as the semester winds down. My exam Thursday didn't go as well as I'd hoped. I'd hoped to be able to skip the final but now I think I need to take it. So, 1 more week of classes and then exams. And did I mention a family reunion of sorts next weekend? Yeah, that won't mess my schedule up at all.

Yesterday was the Heart and Sole 10K I run every year. My time was about the same as last year. I really want to improve it a bit but I just haven't been able to get on a consistent schedule for running. Maybe things will be easier when school is out of session. Maybe. I'm thinking of planning to run another July 4 weekend. I think I'll see what I can accomplish in the next 2 weeks.

Thursday

2010-04-29T11:26:00.002-05:00

Bleah.

Not enough sleep and don't feel ready for this exam. I studied but a lot of it is just so subjective.

Anyhow, quick post:

Beck Day 32: Prepare for Travel. I don't actually have any trips planned until August. The gist of this day's task is to make a plan ahead. Sure, it's a vacation and I'll want to splurge but it doesn't have to be all or nothing. Decide how you want to handle things, write it down and keep your diet notebook handy for tracking.

It's not fair that I won't be able to spend the entire weekend eating everything I want to but I can't have it both ways. I can eat what I want, blow off my workouts and gain weight. Or I can stick to my plan, make time for exercise, and not let my eating get out of control. My choice.

Wednesday

2010-04-28T10:58:00.004-05:00

Beck Day 31 - Decide about drinking.

This is probably one of the easiest days for me. I seldom drink, so there's really no decision.

In general, Beck's advice is this: if you choose to drink, make sure it is part of your plan but remember not to skimp on real food.

Studying for a big exam and working on a paper today. Just a couple more weeks and I will be 2/3 of the way through this program. I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.

Tuesday

2010-04-27T15:52:00.003-05:00

Quick post:

Beck Day 29: Resist the Food Pushers. We all have these people in our lives.

At any rate, I have come to realize that those folks in my life do, on some level, equate food/hospitality/feeding someone with showing love. However, the people who truly love me are supportive of my goals even as they still need to offer something. In my experience, it's not necessary to accept and eat an entire unplanned meal. Most of the time, I know when I will be in that environment and can plan accordingly. If it is unplanned, I know I can accept an alternative, like coffee or even water, and their need to take care of me is satisfied.

Beck Day 30: Be in Control While Eating Out. Basically, make your plan and remind yourself to stick to it. I have class tonight so I'm not going to practice this tonight. However, I am doing much better in this area overall. Because of my schedule, we eat out more often that I'd like and I've stopped viewing every meal out as an opportunity to treat myself. I can and will enjoy a special meal on a special occasion but I try to make sure those occasions are few and far between.

Monday mornings are ROUGH.

2010-04-26T21:00:00.002-05:00

Has it been two weeks?

2010-04-23T18:13:00.003-05:00

Yes, of course it has.

Sorry, but the second half of this semester has really been kicking my tail. Ugh. Just a couple more weeks.

I've been emailing with my coach so I'll just fill in a bit here for the past 2 weeks. This entry will probably be pretty long.

My last entry was about starting my diet, so I'll pick it up from there.

Day 16: Preventing unplanned eating. Every day on this program you are expected to make a little flash card reminder for yourself. Today's reminder simply says: NO CHOICE. This will remind me that, for now, if I want to lose weight, I must not eat anything that I haven't planned. It also works for the days when I don't want to workout: I have NO CHOICE. I need to exercise if I want to lose weight.

Day 17: Overcoming Overeating. Basically, the plan is to deliberately serve yourself too much food, stop eating and then throw away the leftovers. I have to quiet that internal "BUT IT'S WASTEFUL!" voice. Last time I did this at lunchtime but I think today I'll wait for dinner. We're going out so it should be easy enough to find something to *leave*.

Honestly, I'm not sure how useful this is to me. I've spent YEARS trying to figure out how to take *enough* to satisfy myself. Also, there's a part of me that just *enjoys* that overfull feeling sometimes. Not necessarily pushing it as far as sick-to-my-stomach full but definitely more than I needed. Like anything else, I need to get used to the feeling of "just satisfied" and hope that eventually, feeling too full really DOES feel bad. My attitude for this task is that what I'm taking is still apparently too much and I need to adjust to eating less than that.

Day 18: Change your definition of full. Here's her advice on what "full" should feel like: "If you can't easily take a moderate to brisk walk after a meal, it means you've eaten too much and you might have an unrealistic definition of fullness."

Day 19: Stop Fooling Yourself. Basically, stop trying to rationalize away slips and poor choices. Yes, slips happen. Acknowledge them and get back on plan, but don't try to excuse them. Today's response card say "It's Not OK..." As in, if you want to lose weight, it's not OK to skip your workout. It's not OK to eat unplanned food. Etc, etc. It's a little harsh but really, excusing slip-ups is part of what got me to this point. Instead, acknowledge the choice and move on. Don't make excuses.

Day 20: Get Back on Track. No one is perfect and everyone slips up at some point. The key is to get back on track immediately. Don't wait until tomorrow. Every meal, every bite of food is a chance to get back On Plan.

Day 21: Get Ready to Weigh In. Weighing in regularly is an important part of a weightloss program. While it's not the only measure of progress, it is one. So use it as feedback.

Day 22: "Say Oh Well To Disappointment." Basically, the point of this exercise is to help counter feelings of unfairness or resentment about needing to diet and the pace at which we lose weight. Today I'll get on the scale. Hopefully I've lost weight. Maybe I haven't. Maybe (ugh) the scale has gone up. If the number isn't what I'm hoping or expecting, then basically say "oh well" and move on. It's a just a day. It's just a number. I will hit my goals if I stick to my plan and focus on my reasons for losing weight.

"Oh well" works when you have to turn down unplanned food or treats -- "I really want to eat this but it's not on my plan, so I can't and I hate that. Oh well."

At my first weigh-in I was down 1.2 lbs and I am thrilled about that.

Day 23: "Counter the Unfairness Syndrome". When you diet, you will have to deal with feelings of "it's so unfair that I can't eat whatever I want". The reality is that eating whatever I wanted got me to this place so I have to make a conscious choice to eat the way I'm supposed to to lose weight and to keep it off. I have to redefine what 'eating normally' is for me.

Day 24: "Deal with Discouragement". Obviously, not every day will be easy. When I'm discouraged, I need to take a step back, acknowledge my feelings and make a plan of action. I may be struggling today but I can ask for help. Try to relax. Tomorrow I will probably feel differently.

Day 25: Identify Sabotaging Thoughts. Basically, the point here is that eating really is NOT automatic. Putting something in your mouth requires thought. So, when you stray, you've given yourself permission. Once you identify the thoughts that sabotage your efforts, you can deal with them.

Day 26: Recognize Thinking Mistakes. Thinking mistakes help you rationalize poor behavior.
"I've already blown it at lunch, so..." or "It's only one bite..."

Day 27: Mastering the 7 Question Technique. This ties it all together. The technique is all about recognizing the thoughts that derail your efforts and turning them around, replacing them with more productive ones. This series of steps helps you address these thoughts. When you notice these thoughts, ask yourself these questions (and, if possible, write up the answers in a Response Card for future reference):

1) What kind of thinking error could I be making?
2) What evidence is there that this thought might/might not be true?
3) Is there alternative explanation or another way of viewing this?
4) What is the most realistic outcome of this situation?
5) What is the effect of my believing this negative thought and what could be the effect of changing my thinking?
6) What would I tell a friend if she were in this situation and had the same thought?
7) What should I do now?

As an example, I really struggle to track my eating consistently. I tell myself I don't have time for it. So my answers to the questions look something like this:

1) This is a thinking mistake.
2) I have time to surf the internet or watch tv in the evenings, so I definitely have *time*. Plus it only takes a few minutes to do. I could make the time if I wanted to.
3) I don't want to take the time and I really don't want to admit that I don't want to control my eating.
4) I can make time to track and stick to my plans or I can not track, not lose any more weight and probably gain more weight.
5) If I believe that I don't have time to track, I won't do it. Changing my thinking would give me more control over my eating and I will lose weight.
6) I would tell a friend that, even tho it's tough and a PITA, you always lose more weight when you are journalling, so just do it. It doesn't take long and it really does help.
7) I should write these answers down on a Response Card and read them every day to remind myself that I can do this. I should also go write up my plan for today. I will give myself credit for recognizing this thinking mistake and taking steps to change my thoughts.

It's a little tedious but it does help.

Day 28: Prepare to weigh in tomorrow. There are 3 scenarios/thoughts to consider:

1) Having a big loss. Be happy about the loss and celebrate it. At the same time, recognize that I won't always lose weight this quickly.
2) Having a small loss. Resist the temptation to be disappointed by such a small loss when I've worked *hard*. I *am* losing weight and will celebrate every half lb lost.
3) Having no loss or a gain. Recognize that it could be hormonal or water retention. Recognize mistakes I may have made this week. Discuss it with my coach if necessary. Look for solutions -- am I drinking enough water? Am I getting enough exercise? Am I eating too many calories? Or unplanned food? Focus on problem-solving. I am doing the right things and the weight will come off.

Phew! That was long.

I've got my eating plan together for today and I'm planning to go for a run afterwards. I can do this. Big week this week: homework for class, exam on Thursday and need to make some major progress on a group project/presentation due next week.

I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.

Monday

2010-04-12T09:08:00.002-05:00

Beck Diet Solution - Time to start my diet.

Yesterday's task was all about being ready for today. I wrote out my eating plan for today, and did some meal planning for the week. My grocery trip did not happen but I'll have time this evening to make sure that I have what I need until Thursday.

I also wrote out some plans for workouts for the week. Today I'm planning to get in a short run at lunchtime, and, P90 Masters Sculpt 5-6 this evening.

So today, I've checked in with my diet coach and will be weighing in a Weight Watchers. I'll be tracking what I eat against the plan I wrote out last night.

Adrian's New Trainer

2010-04-10T18:48:00.002-05:00

And my long, long week ends...

2010-04-10T11:40:00.003-05:00

Phew. I wasn't quite sure I'd make it.

2 big projects for school + a couple of work deadlines = a truly miserable time

Anyhow, I haven't been blogging (obviously) but I have been keeping up with the Beck Plan

Days 10 - 13

Day 10 - Set A Realistic Goal - Part of the program involves focusing on small, reasonable achievable goals. Dr. Beck recommends setting weight loss goals in 5 lb increments so my first goal is to lose 5 lbs.

Day 11 - Hunger, Desire, and Cravings - Today was about understanding the differences. Basically, if an apple sounds good, you are probably hungry. Anything else is a desire or craving. Before eating, consider what you are feeling. If you've recently eaten but just want to keep eating, it's a 'desire'. Regardless, the feelings of cravings or desires will subside if you wait for them to pass.

Day 12 - Practice Hunger Tolerance - Basically, this day involves skipping a meal and tracking your physical and emotional feelings during that time. Hunger feelings, like any other feelings, ebb and flow and should not be used as an excuse for deviating from your eating plan. Just because you feel hungry, doesn't mean you *have* to eat right this second. You should make the choice wait in order to stay on plan.

When I first did this activity, I didn't really understand the point, but yesterday I was in a situation where I was hungry and, under other circumstances, would probably have hit a drive-thru for a quick snack. Knowing we would be eating dinner eventually, I decided to wait and, after a little while, I didn't really notice the hunger. Later on, I thoroughly enjoyed my meal with DH.

Day 13 - Overcome Cravings - Like the hunger tolerance day, today is about understanding what a craving is and learning to avoid them. Dealing with the feelings can involve mindset techniques like self-talk or visualization or behavioral techniques like distractions or relaxation.

Off to puppy training class. :)

Beck Day 9

2010-04-06T16:06:00.002-05:00

Today's task is to select an exercise program.

I'm not even sure what to say here. For the moment, with my schedule for the next 6 weeks, I need to focus on short, intense workouts that I can complete at home. Also, I'm signed up for a 10K in about 4 weeks so I will need to hit the pavement a few times between now and May 1.

Kettlebells are the obvious choice, but, have I mentioned that Adrian is COMPLETELY attached to me? Seriously, she whined and cried piteously for 10 minutes while I took a shower this morning. We're working on that. I'm thinking swinging 25 lb kettlebells in her presence would NOT be a Good Thing(tm) just yet.

I'm going to start with P90 Masters workouts for weights. Not too much space needed and she can get used to me cussing at the television. Maybe in a few weeks, I can teach her to wait patiently on the bed for me to finish. (Ha!)

Monday, Monday - Beck 7 and 8

2010-04-05T20:55:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was day 7 for the Beck program and the focus was preparing your environment. This coincided with the day I normally clean out the refrigerator, so it worked out well. I cleared out a few things and restocked with some fresh fruit (my contribution to Easter dinner was a fruit tray) and other items I know will make my life easier this week. I am also working on clearing my dining room table so it is once again an appealing place to enjoy my meals.

Day 8 is about "creating" time and energy to diet. Essentially, in addition to an eating plan, I need a "life" plan to ensure that I find the time to continue with the program, eat healthfully and exercise regularly. I really struggled with this last time and I think the answer is to commit to creating a schedule each evening when I plan my meals for the following day. For now, my schedule is all over the place so this will force me to think about my priorities each day.

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T08:16:00.005-05:00

Happy Easter!

I haz a humiliation. (Thanks, Michelle!)

DH wants everyone to know that he was completely opposed to the above photo and can not be held responsible. ;)

Beck Days 5 and 6

2010-04-03T08:08:00.000-05:00

So, day 5 is committing to eat slowly and mindfully. This is a good reminder. It has been a challenge to sit down to eat healthy meals with a wriggly, hyperactive puppy. She is a joy but she has 2 speeds: asleep and full speed ahead! Besides, she can be so much fun! Who wants to take time to eat when you can play? LOL. Anyhow, as part of getting back on a regular schedule, I am making time to eat regular meals.

Day 6 is about finding a diet coach. I spoke to a friend a week or so ago and she has agreed to help me stay on track.

Making progress...

2010-04-01T19:41:00.003-05:00

As I mentioned the other day, I'm working through the Beck Diet Solution program again. I had forgotten how powerful these tools and techniques can be. It's only been a few days but I'm already noticing a difference in my thinking.

First off, from day 1, a few items from my list:

Reasons for Losing Weight

a) I will look better in my clothes and in photos.
b) I will actually fit in the smaller clothes in my closet.
c) I will be able to run with less pain.
d) I will be able to compete a half marathon in under 2:30 min.
e) I will lower my risk for type 2 diabetes and breast cancer.
f) I will look more professional for job interviews.

Day 3's task was to commit to eating sitting down. Basically, stop eating on the run. Slow down and enjoy your food. Make an effort to eat without distractions. I didn't realize how far I had gotten from this until I focused on it yesterday. This weekend I will clear off my dining room table so we can actually start eating there again. (Right now it's covered with papers for doing taxes and that sort of thing, so by getting it organized and clearing the table, I'll kill 2 birds with one stone.)

For me, a big one is not eating in the car. I used to keep bars and stuff in the car to snack on but I did notice how one would mindlessly turn into 3 or 4. I'm not actually spending that much time behind the wheel (my commute is 15 min on a bad traffic day), so really, I *can* wait.

Day 4 is about giving yourself credit for the good things you do, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Did you drink your protein shake? Give yourself credit for making a good choice. Did you work out today? Congrats! The more you give yourself credit, the more confident you are in your ability to lose weight and change your outlook. Also, it helps counter the negative messages of not being good enough, not being able to lose weight, etc.

Today I gave myself credit for actually eating lunch when I went home. Lately, with the new puppy, I rush home, spend time with the pup, and try to make progress on the housework and then grab something in the drive-thru on my way back to the office. Today I took the time to steam some broccoli and heat up some soup.

Back to business

2010-03-30T10:20:00.003-05:00

I'm scrambling this week and trying to re-establish a routine. I've been letting distractions, albeit one specific adorably furry one, be my excuse for eating whatever I feel like and not working out and that needs to stop.

Anyhow, after reading something on Deb's blog, I've dug out my Beck Diet Solution book in order to get back on track. Making the cards and whatnot will be a bit time-consuming but the plan really helped me focus in the past and I know it will be key to my success in the future. I really appreciate that the plan focuses on answering the excuses I've used in the past to go off plan.

Yesterday was Day 1 and I've created my list of reasons for weightloss. This time, along with the usual appearance and health related reasons, I've added running faster and with less pain as a priority.

Day 2 is about choosing a diet plan and a back-up. Since I am satisfied with Weight Watchers, I will continue with that program. My back-up plan is the Body for Life for Women program that, in my mind anyway, is a fairly basic plan that can be as flexible as Weight Watchers but with a little more structure.

(Don't worry. I'll continue to post lots of puppy pictures. :) )

She sleeps...

2010-03-29T11:02:00.003-05:00

Chasing your own tail is EXHAUSTING!

More puppy pictures...

2010-03-25T16:10:00.005-05:00

I won't stare at you but I will stare at the tennis ball.

Emo MySpace pic.

(It is tough to get good shots. She moves FAST. LOL.)

Wednesday Update

2010-03-24T15:31:00.004-05:00

I'm in lurve with my little puppy. :) She's smart as can be and already plays fetch with a tennis ball, even tho it barely fits in her mouth.

Workouts just aren't happening although I am doing a LOT of walking. My plan for the next week is to squeeze in a couple from the P90 Masters Series that are shorter and mostly bodyweight moves.

And class number 2 this semester started last night. Managerial Accounting. The return of the frat boys from my first semester. (OK, not necessarily the SAME frat boys but close enough.) Also, my other class runs the full 16 weeks so I'll be doing double duty.

At least the weather is getting better. Sort of.

Oh, and I'm considering revisiting the Beck Diet Solution again. I really need to get organized and I need some help creating some structure.

Oh, Hai!

2010-03-20T15:45:00.004-05:00

I'm Adrian. Rose is away from her blog right now because, since rescuing me, she and dad are busy with housetraining and spoiling me rotten. Eventually, this little girl hopes to be Rose's new running partner but for now, I excel at whining whenever I am left alone and barking at my own reflection.

A Workout!

2010-03-18T11:51:00.003-05:00

Severe chest congestion has kept me pretty restricted workout-wise, but it's mostly cleared up now. I started back with a little walking and Classical Stretch episodes and, last night, I decided to go for some weights.

I pulled out Cathe's Push Pull workout. I'm not sure why I wanted to do this one as it has never been a favorite, but I popped it in. The workout is 45 min and alternates muscle groups for a total body workout. I went as heavy as I thought was safe. I took a few breaks and it still left me feeling pukey. Feeling a little sore this morning but well over all.

I'm not sure about today. I'm thinking about kickboxing.

I feel like such a slacker...

2010-03-15T14:10:00.002-05:00

...but I have been sick, sick, sick.

I thought I'd made it through the winter relatively unscathed but this past week has been miserable. A couple of days I thought I was past the worst of it and then *bam* it knocked me on my a$$.

Once again I think I am feeling better but I almost don't want to type it out for fear of bringing it back.

Digging Out...

2010-03-08T14:20:00.004-06:00

The past couple of weeks have been so busy between school and work and my poor blog has just been left to languish.

Last weekend, to celebrate both my birthday and the weather being above 40F and sunny for the first time since November, we took a little roadtrip to St. Louis.

It was so wonderful to get away for a couple of days and enjoy the sunshine.

Friday night we had dinner with friends at Al's, a restaurant that has been in operation (and in the same location) since 1925. Good food and excellent company. Saturday we explored the city a little: rode the lightrail train and stopped at Forest Park then did a little shopping. On a friend's recommendation we visited the Crown Candy Kitchen for some wonderful milkshakes.

Anyhow, back to reality now: work school work school work school...

New Message

2010-03-06T08:31:00.001-06:00

Weight Watchers, one week in

2010-02-22T20:08:00.002-06:00

And I'm happy to report I'm down 2.6 lbs.

Although I didn't make my goal of tracking every day, I did much better than I have in the recent past, so I'll be continuing to work on that.

In terms of "lessons learned", well, it all boils down to feeling more in control and having a better idea of how much I am eating. There really is no excuse for not sticking with this.

The week 1 materials focused on the Momentum Plan's "Filling Foods". Basically, these were the foods on the old "Core" list: Fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, fat-free milk/milk products, and soups made with filling foods. WW has a rep (not undeserved) of pushing a lot of frankenfoods, so I was really happy to see they are focusing a little more on "cleaner" eating.

This brings me to week 2 of the Momentum Challenge: Choose Foods That Will Satisfy You. Choose 10 meals to focus completely only Filling Foods. Notice: does this keep you fuller longer?

Filet O'Fish Season

2010-02-19T13:53:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Lent, 2010.

If I didn't know better, I would say that Lent was invented by fast food companies to clear out their inventory of frozen fish patties.

Hmm, now there is an idea: Maybe the reason the Vatican has delayed releasing its WWII records is because it doesn't want the world to know about the connection between Pope Pius XII and Ray Kroc.

*dodges flying catechism books*

I'm kidding. Really!

2010 Momentum Challenge

2010-02-17T15:56:00.002-06:00

New this year at WW is a 10 week challenge to get the new year started off right.

I'm obviously a little behind the curve on this one but thought it looked like a good way to get back on plan.

So, the Week 1 Challenge is: Track What You Eat. And the "homework" assignment: Identify 10 things that you learned about food tracking.

I'm sure I will have more insight as the week progresses but I will start with the obvious:

1) tracking makes me so much more aware of what is going in my mouth.