Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Mii and Dave


Here are the Mii's I created for Dave and I. I think they are so much fun! Dave is not a fan of his Mii though and jokingly said that I stereotyped him. Well Dave, they don't have graying mustaches and you are short, bald and Mexican. Dave does not have a handlebar moustache and wears a lot of black (for umpiring) so this is what I came up with. Personally I like it so there - pfffffftttt



Did not go to the bowling alley because Danielle's back is hurting. I had an Artichoke and a Deli Trio sandwich for dinner. I did not get in any activity.

I order some Vitatops and they are going to arrive today. I have seen/heard about them for like a year now and I finally just tried one last week. It was the Deep Chocolate flavor. They are the bomb diggity! Oh my are they tasty! I got a variety pack so I can try some of the other flavors. I will let y'all know how they are.

Well I got on the scale and was horrified to see 263 staring back at me. I was expecting a gain but not this much. Apparently, eating 1/2 a bag of Hershey's candy, drinking beers and drinking Cosmos will impact a weigh-in. Speaking of Hershey's... I have not had any chocolate since the binge. Hey, maybe I am cured of ever eating chocolate again.

The man who inspired the movie Stand and Deliver, Jaime Escalante, died yesterday. He was 79. In an interview I heard this morning he was quoted as saying "It is not how many times you fall, it's how many times that you get back up" So that is my motto. On this journey, I may be getting knocked down but I refuse not to get back up again.

I wanted to acknowledge that Kristina from Off the Couch gave me a Creative Blogger Award. I think I will try to come up with another list of "creative" things that I have done and see if you can pick which one is really. Stay tuned for that. As for the You are My Sunshine Award, I am giving it to ALL my readers because your comments bring me sunshine every day!!!

I got a call from 24hr to schedule my Personal Training sessions. The guy that called me is "new" he said so I won't be scheduling it with him. I need to call today and get that scheduled. I have 3 - 5o minute sessions.

That is about it for now. I hope you are having a good week. Until next time...

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Sunshine & Veggies


Had a mellow but fun night last night. Dave had a game so HG and I tried a new place around the corner called Ed's Terriyaki. I had a sandwich. It was really good so I definitely will be going there again. Played on the Wii again. You can see the calorie burn around 7:00 p.m. I did boxing again and today my arms are sore so I will do something else tonight and give my arms a break.



Drazil bestowed this award to me and a number of other readers on her blog. It is such a happy looking award! If you haven't seen or heard of Drazil at Me, Drazil and Sheniqua go check her out. She is one of the funniest bloggers I have ever read! She is funny AND real! Sidenote: If you are easily offended you may not want to peruse her blog. She puts it ALL out there and I love it, love it, love it!

Here is the list of veggies that people said they enjoyed. The most popular was asparagus with broccoli and green beans close behind. I like almost everything on the list except for carrots and peas. I like carrots but not cooked and I used to like peas but not anymore. They have to be hiding out in my food or salad for me to eat them. I would have to say my favorites are asparagus, eggplant, spinach and edamame.

Asparagus
Broccoli
Green Beans
Zucchini
Spinach
Eggplant
Cauliflower
Lettuce (Red or other)
Brussel sprouts
Artichokes
Avocados
Red Pepper
Carrots
Snow Peas/Edamame
Regular Peas
Cucumbers
Kale
Onions
Sweet Potatoes

Make it a good day! Until next time...

Monday, March 29, 2010

Crunchy Katie

Sunday was a pretty good day. I put together the Wii and set up the players etc. I will have to take a picture of the Miis for you. Too funny! My sinuses were bothering me so I decided to hang out at home for the morning and then go to Blinky's in the afternoon. I ended up going there around 2:30ish. Well in typical Katie style, I proceeded to have 4 Cosmos and 4 Coronas. I did do a little nibbling but nothing out of line. They ran out of tri-tip before I could get some so I decided to wait until I got home to eat dinner. We had chicken, stuffing and salad at home. I was passed out by 9:00 p.m. Dave said I tossed and turned and talked in my sleep.

Dave took me to my car this morning. It has been a long time since I had to do that. I live so close that I usually walk. Anyways, I am feeling a little crunchy this morning but plan on going home and playing with the Wii. My favorite so far is boxing! I have knocked every single opponent out cold :-D Until next time...

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Wii Wii! Yipee!

So where do I begin. Hmmm okay... well I did not have surgery. What the appt. was for was a "consult" and to "explain" the procedure. I already did all my homework and I was super mad that they collected another copay (already saw Primary Dr.) and now I am in the queue for the surgery. I will be contacted in the next two weeks to schedule it. I did learn that it does require scraping between the bones. I just wish they had set the proper expectation instead of having to psych myself up all day for it. Grrr...

I had a really good day Saturday. I watched The Princess and the Frog. It was cute and I loved the New Awlins Jazz music on the soundtrack. I wonder why all the Disney characters lose or have lost their fathers... Hmmm anyways... I went to help my mom with her computer and did some errands. I stopped at Starbucks and had one of the egg white wraps and those buggers are pretty darn tasty. Had a nice afternoon hanging out and made an Asian Chicken Salad and some croissants for dinner. Delish. We decided to go and get a new laptop which we really needed. My old one was 6 years old and boggin big time. It is a 17" screen so it easier on the eyes and surprisingly lightweight. So Dave knows I have been wanting a Wii so he got it for me while we were there!!! Danielle said she would buy the Wii Fit so we can use it. How cool is that! Meanwhile... tennis anyone? Oh and I got a little printer that prints 4x6 pictures only. It is super cute and I want to use it to make homemade greeting cards. I will show you some of my work soon, k? Also got a short walk in before I went to bed.

Sunday is the Tom. Dick and we don't know a Harry Birthday bash. BBQ and booze. I will make an appearance but I am too tempted to drink beer if I hang out too long. Hope you are all enjoying your weekend. Until next time...


Saturday, March 27, 2010

Hair Removal 101

Many women struggle with the issue of hair removal. Here's a guide to help you find the method that's best for you.

By Colette BouchezWebMD Feature
Reviewed by Norman Levine, MD

From peach-fuzz fringes to long, dark, or coarse growth, women have been doing battle with excess hair -- and hair removal -- for centuries.

For some, the problem is hereditary or related to ethnic heritage. For others, it can be caused by a medical condition such as polycystic ovaries or a hormone-secreting tumor, or even the result of hormonal changes linked to menopause. Still other women are interested in hair removal for areas such as legs, underarms, or bikini area, where growth is normal but sometimes undesirable. No matter the reason, there is no shortage of ways to cope. To help you decide which method of hair removal might be best for you, WebMD consulted several experts in the field. They helped us prepare this guide to the eight most popular methods of hair removal for women.

Hair Removal Method No. 1: Laser/Pulsed Light
What It Does: One of the more popular ways to remove hair is via laser or pulsed light - energy that goes through the hair shaft down to the follicle, where it destroys the hair's root. "The hair does not immediately come out during a laser treatment. Instead, it weakens and falls out over time because we've blown away the root," says dermatologist David Goldberg, MD, director of Skin and Laser Surgery of New York and New Jersey and the author of a medical textbook on laser hair removal. Goldberg says the newest laser, called DUET, combines laser with a little bit of suction for even better results. "It pulls the hair into the follicle, allowing the beam to penetrate deeper," says Goldberg. This means doctors can safely treat larger areas at one time and more comfortably for the patient, he says. Best For : Laser hair removal can be done anywhere on the body. The best candidates are women with dark hair and light skin. Lasers won't work on white hair, and they are much less effective on blond hair, which Goldberg says usually responds best to electrolysis. While most lasers work on the skin of Hispanics, only one, called the Nd:YAG, is safe for black skin. All other hair removal lasers increase the risk of hyperpigmentation (dark spots), as well as burning and scarring, which can lead to the creation of keloids (scar tissue). How Long It Takes : It usually requires 5-7 sessions, with a touch-up about once a year thereafter. Cost : The cost runs between $150 and $500, or sometimes more depending on how many treatments are needed.

Hair Removal Method No. 2: Electrolysis
What It Is : The only method of hair removal that is permitted to be called "permanent," electrolysis uses a tiny needle that slides down into the hair follicle until it reaches the cells responsible for hair growth. "Electrolysis destroys the cells that cause the hair to grow. The hair will release and slide right out and it won't grow back there again -- it's permanent removal," says Patsy Kirby, executive director of the American Electrology Association in Bodega Bay, Calif. The process can be uncomfortable, but local anesthetic creams can help. Best For : Like other forms of hair removal, it is safe to do electrolysis anywhere on the body, though Kirby says the most popular place for women is the face. How Long It Takes : Though the system requires that the removal be done hair-by-hair, Kirby says it's not as daunting a task as it might seem. "It can take up to 25 sessions, depending on how much you need removed, but each session may only be 5 or 10 minutes long," says Kirby. Cost: Costs run between $40 and $90 per treatment, with 10 to 25 treatments (or more) sometimes necessary for permanent, lasting results.
Potential Drawback : Electrolysis can cause tiny scars where the needle is inserted. Though for most people they heal unnoticed, for blacks it means an increased risk of hyperpigmentation and formation of keloids. Thus, it's not recommended for this skin type.

Hair Removal Method No. 3: Vaniqa
What It Is: This topical prescription cream, also known as eflornithine 13.9%, works by blocking an enzyme that would otherwise stimulate hair growth. Without the enzyme, hair growth is retarded in that area, and eventually may stop. Joel Schlessinger, MD, president of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery, says Vaniqa is not a hair remover, so it is best used in conjunction with other methods, particularly lasers.
"If you apply it after laser treatments as an adjunct, it can help retard and then stop hair growth," says Schlessinger. Other experts say treatment can also work on its own, but requires a patient commitment of 8 weeks to 6 months before full results are seen. Studies show that the longer the cream is used, the better results will be. Vaniqa is applied twice daily. Best For : Vaniqa works best for facial hair growth on the upper lip, chin, and cheeks."Because of the cost, and difficulty and feasibility of applying it to large areas, it's not recommended for hair removal in large areas of the body, such as the legs or arms," says Schlessinger. Schlessinger says it is, however, an effective way to remove white or non-pigmented hair, which does not respond to laser treatment. Studies show Vaniqa is safe to use in combination with birth control pills and other hormone treatments when the cause of unwanted hair stems from reproductive problems such as polycystic ovaries. It is also safe for all ethnic groups and skin types. Cost : Vaniqa costs between $80 and $225 per tube.

Hair Removal Method No. 4: Waxing
What It Is : It's been around for centuries, but today's waxes are far different than the sticky honey treatments of the past. "Today we use a soy-based compound that does not stick to the skin, bonding only to the hair," says waxing technician Michelle Serniuk of Beyond Day Spa at the Hackensack University Medical Center. The soy cream is applied, then covered with special cloth strips. When the wax sets, the strips are removed, taking the hair with it."Because it only sticks to hair, not skin, it produces a kinder, gentler waxing, with less damage and pain when the wax is removed," says Serniuk. Best For : Waxing can remove hair anywhere on the body, including the upper lip, chin, eyebrows, arms and legs. A bikini wax removes hair that might show when you're wearing a skimpy bathing suit bottom, while a Brazilian wax removes all hair from the genital area. Cost: The cost of waxing runs from about $10 for an upper lip, to $70 for upper and lower legs or a Brazilian wax. The procedure must be repeated every few weeks.
Potential Drawback : Because soy waxing removes the entire hair -- the root, bulb and shaft -- Serniuk says it's vital to use an antibacterial lotion afterwards. "Because the follicle is so open you need to take some precautions to prevent infection," she says. Waxing is best done in a spa or salon, but home kits are available. However, experts warn that it's vital to do the procedure in hygienic conditions and to follow treatment with an antibacterial lotion. Done incorrectly, Surniak says, waxing can lead to a nasty skin infection.

Hair Removal Method No. 5: Shaving
What It Is: Whether done with an electric or straight razor, shaving is akin to cutting hair - only it does so ultra-close to the skin. Shaving does not remove hair at the root, nor does it disturb the follicle. That means the effects are temporary, lasting anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Although the myth persists that shaving makes hair grow back coarser or more plentiful, dermatologist Bruce Katz, MD, says this isn't so. In fact, as early as 1928, researcher Mildred Totter showed that shaving didn't affect hair growth - a finding that has been echoed in several studies since. Speaking at the American Academy of Dermatology's 2005 annual meeting, Katz said that ways to minimize shaving problems include: Making sure hair is thoroughly wet first.
Shaving in the direction the hair grows. Avoiding repeating strokes. Keeping skin relaxed while shaving. Potential Drawback: If hair is coarse - particularly in the bikini area - shaving can cause ingrown hairs. Katz says this occurs when the cut hairs curl back into the skin instead of growing out. This can be especially problematic for black women, who are prone to infections caused by the ingrown hairs.

Hair Removal Method No. 6: Depilatories
What It Is: These creams and lotions use a chemical compound designed to dissolve the proteins that make up hair. Unlike shaving, which leaves sharp, hard, hair stubble just below the skin, depilatories leave a rounded, smoother edge - so stubble is minimized and regrowth appears to take longer. Still, treatments usually need to be repeated at least weekly, if not more often.
Best For : Best used for hair on the face, arms, and legs, many depilatories are not recommended for eyebrows or for use in the genital area. Cost : Cost is between $5-$10 per tube or bottle.

Hair Removal Method No. 7: Tweezing
What It Is: Tweezing pulls hair out at the root. However, it does not affect the follicle, from which hair grows, so it's only a matter of time before another one sprouts up.
"Hair grows in cycles, so the time in the cycle when you remove it determines in part how quickly another will take its place," says Goldberg. Unlike shaving, which allows hair to grow back the same size as the follicle, hair that is plucked grows back with a tapered end, meaning it is softer and less noticeable when it first comes in. Eventually, however, it will grow back to its normal thickness. Best For : Tweezing is best used to remove hair on small areas of the face - such as the upper lip, chin, or eyebrows.

Hair Removal Method No. 8: Oral Contraceptives and Hormones
What It Is: For women whose hair growth is hormone-related -- most often caused by a condition known as polycystic ovary syndrome -- medications can help. The condition is known as hirsutism. Treatment includes drugs designed to reduce levels of androgens, the hormones linked to excess hair growth. Medications commonly include birth control pills and/or anti-androgens, such as spironolactone, cyproterone acetate, and flutamide.
________________________________________________________________

This is a fairly good article from WebMd which is one of my go-to websites. I have had PCOS and have to deal with the facial hair growth from that and it is no fun at all. I have tried almost every treatment available and wanted to tell you my personal experiences with each.

  1. Laser Removal: I did a series of treatments about 6 years ago. I went every 6 weeks for a year. It was a fairly new technology back then and I thought it was fairly effective. It was about $1,200. It felt like someone snapping rubber bands on your skin. Annoying but not that painful. They put a numbing cream on prior to the treatment to help with the pain. I did go for a few follow up appointments for maintenance but did not keep it up thereafter. There have been many advancements in this technology and even though it is so costly, I think it is very effective.
  2. Electrolysis: I have done electrolysis and think it is the most painful of all the treatments. It is expensive as well. I spent at least $500 on treatments. They stick a needle into the hair follicle and the electric current is supposed to kill the hair at the root. It does grow back and again, I think it is too painful for the effectiveness.
  3. Waxing: I have had a lot of waxing done on my face. It can hurt but after doing it for so long I got used to it. Although, when she would do my upper lip it always brings tears to my eyes. I have never done anything other then my face.
  4. Depilatories: I have never been much of a fan of depilatories. Mostly because of the smell. One time I did apply it to my face and it ended up burning and leaving marks on my face so I never tried it again.
  5. Tweezing: Everyone has tweezed hairs. Painful but cheap and handy. No explanation needed here.
  6. Shaving: Everyone has shaved. Some do more then others but basically no explanation needed here.
  7. Threading: I am surprised that the article does not mention threading. I believe it is probably the oldest method of hair removal. I just started doing the threading last year and I really like it. It does hurt. I won't lie about that. However, I think it is one of the most effective ways because the regrowth does not occur as fast as the other methods. Plus it is inexpensive. It is only $10 to do my eyebrows and $20 for the whole face.
  8. Medications: I have never used hormones or birth control pills for controlling hair growth. Not sure how effective they are.

Hope this sheds some light on some of the hair removal methods from a professional and personal standpoint. Everyone is different and has different pain thresholds but for now, I am going to stick with threading and shaving for my hair removal needs. Until next time...

Friday, March 26, 2010

Flipping the bird

Had a good but uneventful night last night. Danielle and I went to Su's again. We are getting to be regulars! LOL! Came home and watched my usual shows on Thursday nights. Note to self: You can't sit next to a bowl of candy and not eat it. I bought a combination bag of Hershey's candies for a cute easter bowl I made and I thought I could resist them but apparently not. One after the other, after the other. Grrr...

Oh I have to share this: Yesterday I stopped on my lunch to get a pack of cigs and I got carded! (Save the lecture for later...)You only have to be 18 to buy smokes but I imagine the staff is trained to ask anyone who looks under say 25 or 35 but I will take it. Being 43 years old and being carded isn't a bad thing.

I am having my Ganglion cyst removed today at 4:45 p.m. and I am a little nervous. When I did my research originally, I thought it would be drained and I would be done with it. Well... I learned that it needs to be cut out so I will have to go to the Plastic Surgery dept. I am sure it will be fine but I am agonizing about it. At least my finger won't look so gross or hurt anymore when all this is done with. I will be flipping everyone the bird for a few days though! LOL!


Sample of what it looks like. Mine is bigger then this one

Gonna lay low this weekend. I would really like to see How to Train Your Dragon but not sure Dave will go for it since it is the 1st weekend. Should go to the gym but I will see how the finger is. The least I could do is walk around my neighborhood or do a DVD. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and wish me luck with my finger, k? Until next time...


Thursday, March 25, 2010

Sugar Doll Award & Giveaway Winner!



As I mentioned yesterday, here is the proper posting for the Sugar Doll Award I received recently. Here are the rules:

1. Thank the person/people who gave you the award:

Mary, you are a fellow Cali girl and I love your positive attitude and honesty. We would have fun hangin out for sure! Thanks for thinking of me.

Sarah, you always have something sweet to say and I appreciate all your comments. If you lived close by, we would be on a first name basis with the people at Target! Either that or we would both have to work there to cover what we were spending!

2. Name 5 bloggers that make your life a lil sweeter:

Julia
Patty

Shelley
Candace
Karen

3. Why I was given the award?

Mary said to all the award recipients: Because they have all been so incredibly supportive and motivating. You are all wonderful to me and I can't express to you how much your kindness means to me!!

Sarah said Katie J is full of tips. I swear she always has something interesting to share and might I add she is doing a giveaway on her blog right now. We share a love for Target too!

4. Tell the nominees why you gave them the award.

I think all my followers are sweet (except for you Jack!) and would love to give ALL of you the award but these 5 ladies have been exceptionally sweet and caring and I want thank you dearly for being in my corner and rooting me on.


As for the Because I said So Award, I don't have to do anything for it and you want to know why? "Because I said So!" Since I had to limit who I gave the Sugar Doll Award, I am going to give this one to ALL of you and you want to know why? "Because I said So!"

Now on to the Winner of the Giveaway. Thank you again everybody for entering. There were over 60 entries! I wish I had a set to send to all of you. If you are interested in purchasing them, they are available through Measure Up as well as Target. So without further adieu... the winner of the set of bowls is Amber at The Long Hard Road Out Of Hell! Congrats Amber! Please email me your contact information and I will get them sent out to you. Until next time...



P.S. I will be doing another Giveaway soon so stay tuned :-D

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Whacky Wednesday


What a great response I got for the Giveaway on the Measure Up Bowls! It is not too late to enter if you have not done so already. I will be doing the drawing tomorrow a.m. Aren't they the coolest?

I took the day off yesterday from work. I went with my mom to her Accountant and we had brunch afterwards. I got a pedicure in the afternoon and Dave brought home Mexican food from La Paloma for dinner. I had a Crab Tostada. I watched American Idol (Go Crystal and Lee!) and went to bed. It was a nice peaceful day.

I got on the scale this morning and I am up 2 lbs. I am not surprised but I keep doing this dance with the same &$@*# couple of pounds and I am fricking sick of it. I really need to shake things up if I want to achieve any of my goals. I know exactly what needs to be done - I just need to DO IT!!!

I wanted to acknowledge two awards I received recently. Caitlin at Project Revamp gave me the Because I said So Award:



and Sarah at Project Five-Oh AND Mary at Curvy is the new black. Right? gave me the Sugar Doll Award:




I will properly post about them tomorrow. Hope you are having a good week! Until next time...


Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Tuesday Giveaway!

The other day I was poking around blogs and came across Measure Up Bowls at Gathering My Roses. Have you ever heard of them?? I was so impressed with them that I went ahead and bought them right then. I purchased mine through Target. The retail price is $29.99 for the two bowls. Once I started using them I fell in love with them even more. So I decided to contact Heather, the CEO of the company and she graciously has provided me with set to do a Giveaway! Yay!

From her Website:

The Measure Up Bowls are a solution to portion control at every meal. The Classic bowl is for soups, pastas, rice, cereal, chili, anything you eat out of a bowl. The pre-measured portions on the classic are 1/2 cup to 2 cups. The Small bowl is perfect for high fat, calorie dense foods such as chips, ice cream, nuts, and granola. These foods should be enjoyed in a smaller serving size. The pre-measured markings on the interior of the small Measure Up Bowl are 1/4 cup, 1/2 cup, and 3/4 of a cup.The measurements marked are perfect. They are clear and easy to read -- no guess work here!

The bowls are made of microwave and dishwasher-safe porcelain. Easy to use and easy to clean up. Heather, the creator of the Measure Up Bowls was an old hand at dieting. After the birth of her second child, she decided to change her lifestyle and drop the fad diets and the pounds she'd gained. In her own words: One morning while measuring out my cereal, I though this would be so much easier if the measurements for what I was eating was inside of the bowl I was eating out of. I wouldn't need to wash or store the measuring cups. It would eliminate a whole step. I looked for it and could not find it anywhere. So I started developing the Measure Up Bowl. That was over two years ago, and with hard work and the loving support of my family and friends I am proud to say the Measure Up Bowl is here! I am even prouder to say it took me about 11 months to lose 80 pounds and I have kept it off for over two years. I continue to experiment with different recipes, exercise routines, and fitness strategies. I am developing many other Measure Up healthy lifestyle tools such as a Measure Up Journal, a plastic children's Measure Up Bowl, and many other fun and exciting products soon to be announced. I have taken every step in this weight loss journey and sincerely hope my experiences and products help you no matter what your goals are.

They are super convenient and it saves time on having to wash more dishes. Unless you measure it, you really have no idea how much you are consuming but this takes all the guesswork out of it. I know that my concept of portions was very disproportionate to what they really are.

Okay, so here is what you need to do to enter the Giveaway: Leave a comment on this post saying what your favorite vegetable is. For an additional entry you can link back to my giveaway on your blog and then let me know. I will accept entries up until Wednesday, March 24th at midnight and will announce the winner on Thursday, March 25th. I will be using the Random Number Generator on random.org. Good luck everyone! Until next time...




***DISCLOSURE: I was under no obligation to review this item. I received no monetary compensation. The opinions expressed are based on my own use of this item.


P.S. Everyone is eligible to enter.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Marvy Monday

Hi guys! How was your weekend? Mine was good. Saturday I was pretty much a slug because I had a toothache and a stuffy nose. I watched Grey Gardens and layed low. I didn't eat much because I didn't do much.

Sunday, Dave and I went to Santa Cruz. It was a nice spring day there. It was about 68 degrees. We stopped on the wharf and had shrimp cocktails and got lots of walking. Oh and a little retail therapy... I took a few snapshots of the scenery: the surfers, the boardwalk and the seagulls...







After we got back over the hill, we went to Big 5 Sporting Goods. Dave wanted some sweatpants and we are looking for hiking sandals for him. I have been eyeing some boxing gloves and he got them for me and they are PINK!



What I would like to do is use these to hit the bag at the gym. I think it will be a good stress reliever and a way to get rid of some of the aggression I have built up. The bad thing is I am having surgery on my middle finger on Friday so it will be a little while before I will be able to use them again. Hopefully, it wont take too long for my finger to heal.

Nothing planned for tonight. Dave has games and meetings so I will most likely do a Lean Cuisine and maybe some bellydancing. We shall see. Until next time...

P.S. I have a GREAT Giveaway planned for tomorrow!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)


Ladies and Gentlemen:

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience…I will dispense this advice now: Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh never mind; you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you imagine. Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday. Do one thing everyday that scares you. Sing. Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours. Floss. Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself. Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how. Keep your old love letters; throw away your old bank statements. Stretch. Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life…the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don’t. Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone. Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s. Enjoy your body, use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own.. Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room. Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them. Do not read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly. Get to know your parents; you never know when they’ll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future. Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young. Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel. Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders. Respect your elders. Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out. Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85. Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth. But trust me on the sunscreen…

***********************************************************************************
This is a song by Baz Luhrman which came out in 1999. Here is a link to the original video in case you are interested. The words to me are timeless and I wanted to share. Enjoy yourself today! Until next time...

Friday, March 19, 2010

Why Oh Why Friday



Had a good night last night. Was a little snacky but caught myself early. I did go on a walk around 9:45 p.m. with Dave but did not have my bugg on. It was such a nice night! It was a short walk and we sat at the Sr. Center and talked for a little while afterwards.

So I thought I would answer some questions that Jack posed in his recent post on Wednesday. I think everyone should take some time to answer these questions. Some bloggers have already done so. Here are my answers:

Why do you suppose you let your life be less than you imagined it to be? I didn’t think I was worthy of joy and happiness. After years of feeling that way, I think it just got worse and worse until I decided I had to do something to make it happen or my life was just going to slip right on by.

Why do you stumble so often despite all your good intentions? It is hard to undo a lifetime of bad behaviors. I think I succeed more then I stumble this time around but I also don’t think that I will ever stop stumbling. This is for the rest of my life and it is just not realistic to think I won’t stumble along the way.

Why do you sabotage yourself? Because I am good at it! Really though, I think I do it because if I am already feeling bad then why not make it worse by doing more self-sabotaging damage. This affects my life in other areas as well but that is a post for another day and time.

Why are you here anyway? It started with wanting to journal my progress. I had never even read a blog before I started my own. My friend mentioned that I should start a blog so I did. I hope that by sharing my experiences and ups and downs that it might save someone some time and effort. It helps me put things into perspective and I also call it my journal with feedback.

If you’re making it, if you’re succeeding on this weight-loss journey, tell me why this time is different than all the others. Because I am doing it for me now. Not because of my boyfriend or my family and friends. I am doing it for my health and well-being. Now I fully understand the statement "You have to do it when YOU are ready" Also, if I do slip up, I get right back up and start going again vs. in the past where I slipped I would just say phooey and throw in the towel.

Why are you going to make it this time when you’ve fallen short before?
To me, I have no choice but to succeed. I waited 42 years to do something about it and now there aren’t any other options for me to consider. Do or DIE! Literally! Scary but true.

Why are you going to keep it off this time when you’ve gained it back before?
Before, I was on a diet with a beginning and an end. Now, I have changed behaviors so the likelihood of it coming back is reduced substantially. I have never lost this much in my previous efforts because of this. I only addressed part of the problem before and now I am addressing all the issues that brought me here in the first place.

Why are you a different person now than you were before?
Aside from addressing the external issues relating to my weight, I have done some “internal” work as well and have learned to love myself. I have self-worth now and have a much better outlook on my future. I have more energy and truly want to be a part of life.

Thanks Jack for posting that and making us think and laugh :-D

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

Nothing too exciting planned for the weekend. Hopefully I will be able to see my friends Deb and Larry. I miss them terribly! HG will most likely be leaving after this weekend is over. I haven't mentioned him much lately because things mellowed out after all the outbursts but it's time for him to go. We have done all we can. What was supposed to be a couple of weeks turned into almost 5 months! It is just so frustrating and sad for me to watch. He is a smart person but he just hasn't made an effort to do anything to better his situation and we can't enable him anymore. He has been really helpful around the apt. and to be quite honest, I have not washed dishes, vacuumed, cleaned the bathrooms or did the floors since he has been there because he and Dave have been doing it. A gal could get used to that - LOL - but back to reality. At least housework is good exercise! But seriously, it is not going to be easy for me to see him go. In fact, we already talked about it and he is going to slip out while I am at work so it won't be so upsetting and its not really a goodbye because we will still see him around but I am just not good at parting ways with people. Like my mom says " You could cry at a Basketball game" Hope you all have a wonderful weekend whatever it is you do. Until next time...

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Silver Lining


Yesterday was kind of an odd day - Food wise I did okay. We went to Su's and I did not overeat. I did have a Kirin Ichiban and 2 small egg rolls but still had an okay deficit.

The bad part about yesterday was that I got in a spiff with one of my coworkers. We worked it out ultimately but she decided it was okay to berate me in front of God and everybody which was very humiliating. I ended up excusing myself and going outside to get some fresh air
(smoke a cig)We resolved it once I got back but that is never fun.

Then, one of my other coworkers did a beautiful landscape drawing for me as a thank you for helping him with a computer project. What a nice surprise and so thoughtful. It made me feel a little better and not like such a heathen.

The good part was that Danielle and I decided to go by a bar called the Homestead Lounge to see the bartender that works there. Well, I bumped into some old friends I had not seen in at least 15 years! It was SO good to see them and Madonna (one of the girls) kept hugging me and telling me how fantastic I looked. It was a boost to the morale based on the events at work earlier in the day.

Tonight I am making a Pork Tenderloin for dinner. It is Peppercorn flavored and so moist and yummy plus they are super easy to make. Potatoes and snap peas for the sides. Hoping to get a walk in this evening. Hoping today is a better day! Until next time...

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Happy St. Patrick's Weigh!



Did well with food yesterday. I went to watch my friends bowl and managed not to make it a snackfest, thank goodness. I hopped on the scale this morning and got a big old goose egg. I am not surprised given the fact that Chinese food, movie popcorn and pizza were part of last week's menu. I probably would have had a gain had I not exercised over the weekend. Speaking of exercise, I need to make an appt. with a Personal Trainer. 24hr Fitness is having a special offer of 3-50 minute training sessions for $129 so I went ahead and bought them. I thought it would be a great way to get reacquainted with the equipment and to get set up on a routine that I can build upon. Wonder if I should ask for a male or female Trainer... Any feedback?

Nothing planned for this evening. I am not a huge fan of corned beef, cabbage or green beer so most likely Danielle and I will go to Su's Mongolian after she gets off work. I love Su's because you can pick out exactly what you want (meat, veggies and sauces) and they stir-fry it for you. It is all-you-can-eat but I have never gone back for 2nds because it is so good and filling.

Hope you all are having a good week. The sun has been shining here and it has been in the 70s everyday and I am l-o-v-i-n-g it! It is so refreshing and now that it is lighter later it seems I have a better attitude. I think I am affected by SAD more then I realized. Until next time...



Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Tremendous Tuesday


Had a really good day yesterday. I went to the doctors to get my cyst looked at. My NSV was that they used a regular adult sized cuff instead of the XL one! Dr. M had not seen me in a over a year. I have had blood tests done and so forth but just not seen her in person. She was very happy with all the progress that I have made and she even said my blood pressure was GORGEOUS! I am still taking some meds but she said as long as the numbers keep going down I will be able to ditch them AND the *$%^# CPAP machine. Yay!!! I am scheduled to have minor surgery on the 26th. Instead of just aspirating it, they actually need to cut it out. Otherwise, they have a tendency to return. Hope it doesn't hurt too much. Ughhh...

Had Chicken Parmigiana with Penne for dinner. It was one of those Bertolli Oven Bakes and it was yummy. It serves 2 and is 500 cals per serving but with a nice salad it was an easy dinner.
I got these in the mail yesterday as well. The multi-talented AND charming Miss TJ over at
TJ's Test kitchen makes THE cutest jewelery. I have them on today!

Sun and Sand (Picture courtesy of TJ)
The other highlight of my day was getting pictures of my ceramics posted online. I set up a blog to be able to catalog them and you can see them here. Let me know what you think. I would really like to start painting again. It is an enjoyable hobby that even brings in a little cashola. I was approved to sell at our local farmers market but I never had enough stock to get out there. It still is on my "list" of things I want to do. Hope you all have a fantastic day! Until next time...

Monday, March 15, 2010

Knives and Exercise




Hope you had a good weekend! I did for the most part. Saturday was cool but sunny and I started my day out with a short walk in the neighborhood. Then I did 20 mins. of Zumba on a DVD at home. After Dave got done with his games we decided to go to the movies. We went and saw Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightening Thief. I got a kids pack of popcorn and soda but then also ate some of Dave's too. Evil movie popcorn! We had pizza for dinner.

Yesterday I started out the day with some retail therapy. I needed new knives in a big bad way. There was a 29 piece set at Big Lots for $19 and they are guaranteed for 5 years. The big one is intimidating so I think I will have to read up and see how to use it. Went to Target which is always fun. We went early so it was eerily empty and quiet but we got out of there pretty quickly. As for the rest of the day, I just hung out. I did watch part of Grey Garden but did not finish it. Eating was spotty at best.

I have to go to the doctor this afternoon. I have a Ganglion cyst on my right middle finger. I have Kaiser so I have to be seen first and then treated. I know what it is and I just want it treated but that is not how it works. Oh well, I am just grateful to have insurance right now. The treatment will require them to stick a needle in it, drain it and sew it up. Ewww... I just want to deal with it and get it over with. Until next time...

Saturday, March 13, 2010

40 Tips for a Better Life



1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to _____ today.'

5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6. Play more games and read more books than you did last year.

7. Make time to practice meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of six.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants. Eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

12. Try to make at least 3 people smile each day.

13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, or issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like Algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime .

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince & dinner like a college kid w/a maxed out charge card.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except YOU.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

26. Forgive everyone for everything.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28. REMEMBER GOD heals everything.

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

33. The best is yet to come.

34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

35. Do the right thing!

36. Call your family often. (Or email them to death!)

37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

40. Hug somone today.

I thought this was a good list and thought I would share. Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

Until next time...



P.S. I started my day with a 10 minute walk! Don't forget to put your clocks forward tonight when you go to bed (if applicable)

Friday, March 12, 2010

Flashback Friday


So this is what the screenshot would look like if I included a list of my food. You can click on the image for a larger view. I do take pics of my meals on occasion but this is what I was referring to when I mentioned listing it. Let me know your thoughts... We had lasagna for dinner and I ended up having 3 pieces of garlic bread.


This is a picture of me in the courtyard of my folks house sporting a Gunne Sax dress. It was my 8th grade Graduation. A smile full of metal. I was 12 going on 13. I think I weighed about 160ish at the time, which is ironically 5 pounds above my goal now! I found it as I was cleaning stuff out. It brought back a lot of memories. One of which was that a few weeks after this picture was taken, I went to a Weight Loss Camp (Fat Farm) called Camp La Jolla in Southern California.

The program was for 8 weeks and we stayed on campus at UC Santa Barbara. It was pretty pricey then ($4,000+) and I looked at their fee schedule and the same program now is $10,795! Anyways, it was a lot of fun but as a teen it was a long time to be away from family and friends. It was a good program in that you could choose what activities you wanted to do from a variety of things like tennis, hiking, swimming, volleyball, etc. Meals were prepared on site for you and it was pretty good food. They did discuss behavior modification and provided the tools to help you lose the weight and be healthy. One thing I think they should have done back then was to actually teach the campers how to prepare meals (looks like they do now). I even won a makeover and got my hair cut, makeup done and my eyelashes dyed. I ended up losing around 30 lbs. if I recall correctly (it's been 30 years!)

Now, one would think given this wonderful opportunity, that they could maintain the loss and live the rest of their days being at a healthy weight but obviously it did not work for me. In hindsight it should have but eventually I gained the weight back and then some. I guess I just wasn't ready to accept that I needed to make lifelong changes in my behavior and therefore reverted back to my old ways. It was a tumultuous time in my life which I have been thinking about posting about here but still have to think about it. There are some things that happened to me in my teens that were pretty traumatic (some self-imposed) and I wonder if they did have an affect on my weight because I know it did some harm to my self-image. I am just wondering if putting it in writing will help me deal with it, get closure on it and move forward. Any thoughts?

I did go to ANOTHER Weight Loss Camp when I was 16. Carney Wilson was even there with her cousin Jonah! It was through Weight Watchers and was in Santa Barbara at St. Mary's College. I will post about that another day.

Hope you all have a good weekend! I don't have anything concrete planned. I want to go to Zumba at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow AND 24hr is having a special on Personal Training. It is $129 for 3-50 minute sessions which I thought was a good deal and a great way to get (re)familiarized with the equipment and setting up a workout routine. I am really excited about this and think it will be a great motivator to get me going to the gym again and get the scale movin, movin, movin! Until next time...

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Tra La La La Thursday


Steps: 3850
Physical Activity: 28 mins.


I had a good night food wise. I had marinated some chicken in low-cal Italian dressing and we had green beans and red potatoes. Yummers! Had a bowl of Multi-grain Cheerios as a snack. I went through paperwork while watching American Idol and it felt good to get through some more clutter. I am getting it whittled down to a manageable level - yay! It is a really good feeling!

After the bad experience with the Loreal makeup, I went to the CVS website and found this:

The CVS/pharmacy beauty guarantee - 100% satisfaction.
Be 100% happy, or receive 100% money back on any beauty product. If you are dissatisfied for any reason, you can return the beauty product (opened or unopened) along with your receipt or invoice to any CVS/pharmacy store. We will refund the full purchase price—no questions asked!


How cool is that! CVS is fairly new in California. They purchased a chain of stores called Long's Drug Stores. I loved Long's but the eldest owner passed away and the children wanted to sell it so they became CVS. It has been a bit of an adjustment because they entirely redid the store. I used to be able to shop the aisles in my head. I guess I am a little resistant to change...


I tried the New Loreal Go 360 Clean facial cleanser. I have sensitive skin so I bought the sensitive formula. The applicator sits inside the bottle and pops out for use. It is a little awkward holding the applicator and I ended up dropping it twice. It has a little suction cup underneath and the first time I dropped it, it stuck to the tub floor. Well the 2nd time I dropped it, it stuck to my boob! I literally had to laugh out loud at that! As for the product itself, I really do like it. It made my skin soft and I could visibly see the reduction in my pore size in just one use. I would recommend it for sure.

Quick question for y'all. Would you be interested in seeing a list of what I am eating everyday? I just wondered if it might help someone. It looks like this (click on the image for a larger view if needed):



Well that is about it for today. Hope you are having a good week! Until next time...