A Nice Surprise and a Bittersweet Twist

I had a very nice surprise this morning. I made it to the gym first thing this morning fully expecting to see the new, lanky instructor who is okay, but it shows that he was a former high school teacher, but instead I saw Mr. Prom King. I was thrilled. It was a great way to start the day, a grueling workout. However, the twist is that he has shaved his head. He looks menacing with a big smile. I have to say he looks rather strange. Not like that. :)

But it's okay. He gave me a fist bump and a big smile. Then later he gave me a tap on my back. *gush!

Anyway, I started the day with the amazing workout. And yesterday, I signed up for the 90 Day Work Out Challenge offered at the gym. I'm so excited about it.

That started my day, and then I made it to work. I was noticing that my pants were a little loose. So, I went into the bathroom to give it the old shimmy test. That's right, I wiggled out of my pants with the button and zipper up. I did it! I can shimmy!

So I went right home and did a double hitter. I made Brown Butter Ice Cream. I saw this on Iron Chef America and wanted to try it. I got the recipe off of the website of one of the judges. It actually tasted really good. It's very nutty and salty, but also sweet and creamy. I'm actually quite thrilled with the result. However, it has to be the fattiest thing I've ever made. It's two sticks of butter and sugar with half and half and skim milk. (You gotta skinny it down somewhere).

But, after I made this, I grabbed my trusty measuring tape. And you know what? I've lost a little all over since a month ago. No, it's not as drastic as my Eat to Live class, but in the last month I have lost:





1/2 inch off my chest
1/2 inch off my hips
1/2 inch off my thigh
1/4 off my calf
and
1 1/4 inch off my waist!

More off the waist! I'm at 33 1/4. That's really amazing to me. I have technically lost 3 pounds, but that's another inch and a quarter. Hopefully at the end of August, I'll need to buy new jeans. I'm more than thrilled with my progress. I definitely plan on continuing.

Jammin' on the Fourth

So I did my Monday plan of making Ginger Pear Preserves. It was so much fun. I started out by boiling my jars and lids. Now, these jars are from the early 90s and were filled with dead Doodle-Bugs. Yay for sterilization. I boiled the jars and the lids in separate pots. And then, I bust out my cooking pot and reduced down six pears and ginger with lime.

Now, the recipe said I would get seven jars. Well, based on this: that was not going to be the case.

Lo and behold, I got three and a half jars.

Nonetheless, it was an amazing experience that included a facial. I have never stood at my hot stove for so long. After 30 minutes, the water canner finally started to boil, and I put in my jars of jam to cook away the germs. Then poof, Ginger Pear Jam.

Now, I must say, I have not yet tried it. I know, unbelievable. But I did give a jar to a friend, and she said it was really good. Yes, it is more than quite possible that she made it up to make me feel better, so I know I need to taste it. I will. Tomorrow for my lunch peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Also, over the Fourth of July weekend, my boyfriend's parents came in town. I took it upon myself to challenge my culinary skills and cook them dinner.

I made a Panko and Parsley Crusted Catfish marinated in Wasabi Ginger Sauce with Shrimp and Edamame Rice. It was so good. The crust could have used more seasoning, but it was still pretty good. His parents were very appreciative. Even more so with the Summer Berry Ice Cream. I made a simple ice cream with the berries macerated in lemon juice. It really brought out the flavor with vanilla and almond. It really was a nice ending to our dinner.

After stewing on that Chai Tea Ice Cream, the more I don't like it. I will try again on that and hope for the best. I think I failed by using too small of a tea leaf allowing me to use much more. This made for a denser ice cream since the leaves soaked up more milk than I think they were supposed to. I will use a bigger leaf next time.

On another note, my boyfriend's parents have invited us on a cruise in February. I will be in a bikini on that trip if it kills me. That's my new motivation. :)

And as a good start on this mission of being 140lbs by February, I have finally dropped into the 70s. I haven't been in the 70s for almost 2 years. It was a great feeling to see that on the scale today.

July 6th: 179 lbs.
February 1st: 140 lbs.

So far this summer has lived up to the Summer of Me.

Sushi Samba

Last night, I went out to dinner with a friend and my sister. I slipped and ate way too much as Sushi Zushi. Born and raised in Texas! It was very much worth it because it was so over the top delicious, but the scale went up to 183lbs. It was the salt, I'm sure. But I'm back and will be chugging water today. Not just for that, but also because the office will become a large sauna for a large portion of the day.

The door will be taken off to be replaced, and that means the 96 degree heat will be filtering in causing us to pool in our seats and stick to our keyboards. You can't imagine how thrilled I was when I also heard a jackhammer was coming. Oh, but it's a little one.

Is there such a thing as a small jackhammer? Just saying.

I did go to kickboxing this morning to try and combat my sushi overdose, and I overcame a little fear of mine.

To bring you up to date on this fear, we need to back a few months. Back when I was still going to the gym in the evening, I would go to a weight incorporated kickboxing class on Tuesdays. I strongly dislike this instructor (I know, as well...), but I wanted to push through the class. I noticed on that particular day that I was full of energy and was pushing myself more than I had before at the gym.

There is a move many instructors like to do where you bring your knee to your chest, contracting your abs. Visualize grabbing your attackers hair and thrusting your knee into their face. Well, the next progression is to jump with your standing leg during this move. While this sounds great on paper to get your heart rate up, you also must be coordinated.

During this Tuesday evening class, I fell straight on my ankle and wiped out. Luckily, it was a slow Tuesday, so I didn't take anyone down with me, but it was certainly noticeable to everyone in the class that was paying the least bit attention. I jumped straight up, and a few beats went by as the instructor came over to me. I was fine, but my ankle was out. I tried to push through, but it was impossible.

I didn't sprain or break it. Just a twist. I was fine by the next day at kickboxing, but needless to say, I stayed away from that jumping knee...until today.

This morning, we did this move, and I can successfully say, I rocked it. Granted, I didn't push on other things in the class that I was still uneasy on, but I did that move and didn't fall.

It's the little things that get you through the day. So even if the number went up by one, I was able to push through an injury and fear of future injury.

Off to the sauna. Maybe I'll sweat that pound out.

Punctuality

My number one pet peeve is when people are tardy. I make an effort to be on time. Actually, I make it an effort to be early. So, when people are late, or make me late, I'm furious.

My beef with the woman who teaches the Tuesday class goes back a ways. The woman who taught before is the head of the trainers at the gym. I loved her. She was always spunky and fun to watch, even though you wanted to treat her to a typical Barbie meltdown.

One day, I was changing in the dressing room. I have finally gotten to the point where I don't care, so I'll change at my locker instead of the little closet they have. Wastes time--again time. Well, this woman was changing next to me, and as she pulled on her thong, she turned to me and said, "That's a pretty bra." I was wearing my lace Victoria's Secret bra. That's an odd thing to say when you're pulling on your own secret, ya know?

I politely thanked her and continued to change. Then, in my routine, I put on hairspray. I used this wonderful Flaxseed Aloe hairspray from Aveda. She chimes in, "I love that smell. I have that hairspray."

Uh--thanks?

Again, I politely thanked her and continued to change. It was a very bizarre experience. So imagine my surprise when the next week, she was the new teacher of the class, replacing Spunky Barbie.

Great.

Well, I have let bygones be bygones and continued to go to the class because it's the only strength training class I can get to.

A few weeks ago now, Ms. Bra Complimenter was a no-show to her own class. My anger for her rose. The kickboxing instructor luckily came in to sub. That was nice. I wish it was like that for every week.

That was just another tidbit. Well, since then, she has started the class late and thus ended the class late. I take a 5:30am class for a reason. It allows me ample time to get ready. Yes, I understand that I have extra time, but when you say the class ends at 6:30am, I need it to end at 6:30am. Not once since her absentee class has she ended on time.

Today was the first time I had to actually leave before she finished her routine. Amazing. Just finish on time. That's your job.

Okay, that's over. Now I get to rush off to work.

Starting Over, Yet Again

Hi my empty audience. I know no one is reading this, so this acts as a virtual diary. Maybe I'll be brave and actually tell people about it, but until then, I will continue to talk to the expansive void that is the Internet.

I am back after about six months to share some good news and some new thoughts. I have finally gotten the ball rolling on what I hope will be a very successful weight loss journey. I have finally been infected (not just bitten) by the gym rat, and I am here to say that it's finally working.

At my gym, there is a program called Eat to Live. It's a twelve week program that details out healthy eating habits while keeping you accountable with weekly weigh ins. Well, yesterday was the last day of the class with our final weigh ins.

Because I want to keep myself motivated, I will post my stats. Now, the invisible people of the world will know what I weigh, but will also know that the number will go down.

I began the class at 192lbs. The final weigh in clocked me at 182lbs. My measurements also went down. Shockingly down. My nutrition coach measured me twice. I lost 5 inches off my waist. The most in the class.

But ladies and germs, it doesn't stop there. That number will, by all means, continue to go down.

I have incorporated much healthier habits (save the rare splurge) into my diet and I am a regular at my gym again. Everyday I am there for at least an hour. And I have cycling to thank for that. I have fallen so head over heels for my spin class that I now take it four times a week. Last Sunday, as a matter of fact, I was on a bike for two and a half straight hours. A) because nothing else was going on during a particularly warm Sunday morning, and B) the instructor is so cute. What else can a girl do on a Sunday but burn a few extra calories?

So because of this phenomenon and my love for sweat (it seems), I have been losing weight. Any day that I'm not spinning (Right round, baby, Right round) I am doing strength and/or kickboxing--my first love. I had a long, torrid affair with kickboxing, but when he cheated on me with Strike! and the instructors changed, it wasn't the same. Don't get me wrong, incorporating weights with kickboxing sounds as decadent as an affair with Jon Hamm, but something about the instructor really turned me off, and on top of all that, I got a full time desk job. But I'm back, and spinning is my new love.

The other thing I am getting more and more passionate about as each day goes by is food. Irony, the aspiring baker wants to lose weight. If this isn't a typical Catch-22 challenge, I don't know what is. But, experimenting is my game, and if I have to find ways to cut calories as I cook, so be it.

This blog is for me. I will report on my weight loss and I will also post on my new culinary experiments and successes. Don't worry, the failures will also be noted. What is life without a little failure?

I hope to get the courage to share this with the world as I embark on a challenge I have been waiting my whole life for.

Cheers to the next 10 lbs and the next 5 inches. Clink your tonic waters and let's hold on for the ride.

Day 80: Don't Eat Before You Swim

Okay, so I have jumped off the deep end this week.

Monday I went to Strike at 530a and then spinning at 545p. Tuesday I went to the gym at 515 and stayed until 8p. Today, I went to kickboxing at 530a and went again at 7p.

I'm finally seeing the numbers drop a little. Not much, but enough to get me hella motivated to finally getting to my goal. Slowly but surely.

Today, however, I learned a very valuable lesson that pop culture has told us over and over again it's a myth. Don't eat before you swim. Now, in my case, I wasn't swimming, but working out with D in hard core kickboxing. I can never figure it out. Do I eat before I go to the gym so there is something in my system? Do I eat afterward to "optimize my 45" (eat something within 45 minutes of your workout so your next work out works for you instead of against you).

Well, I got home at 515p so I thought if I ate before the 7p class I would have plenty of time to let it digest. WRONG! I had the worst cramps through the class. It made it very difficult to make it through the class without quitting, but damn it, I made it through.

Tomorrow, I will go to the gym at 530a and just work out on a machine. Then go back at 530p (haha 12 hours later) for a 30 minute core conditioning class, and then a 60 minute Strike! class. God help me. If I can make it through this week doing this insane schedule, then I'll definitely consider making it a habit for 2010.

If I could do it, I can do it. :D

Looking back, I'm very disappointed in my lack of weight loss in the last 80 days. But I understand as well. I didn't work as hard as I should have. And I definitely took some serious liberties with my diet. I'm sure sleep has something to do with it as well. I haven't slept well in weeks. But also my stress level has skyrocketed since things are changing at work. So those factors are definitely working against me. It's the constant uphill battle, but I'm armed now and prepared to fight.

And one day, I'll get to writing this stupid book that's in my brain. One day at a time.

Day 73: Long Break

Okay, I've taken a long break from this. I'm very bad. Sorry. Well, the commit to fit program has taken a little break for Thanksgiving, but I'm back on track and have lost 3 lbs. That's something during this holiday season. I guess the loss of appetite is good. I haven't been very hungry lately. My stress level has elevated exponentially. And I'm doing so much to curb my appetite and not stress eat. I'm sure I'm burning calories stressing and concentrating.

But I'm doing okay. Four months and three pounds. Talk about massive failure, but in all honesty I have not been very loyal. So there is that.

I do have a wonderful recommendation, however especially for the holidays. I have found a "digestif" or after dinner drink. It's heavy on the liquor, but it numbs the holiday stress and makes your kitchen smell amazing. Also, if you have trouble sleeping, it's a good way to knock yourself out to sleep through the night.

Family Therapy Cranberry Rosemary Digestif (From the Food Network)

1/2 cup water
1 cup cranberries (fresh)
1 cup sugar
3 inch cinnamon stick (whole stick)
or one teaspoon of ground cinnamon
2 sprigs of rosemary
or 2 tablespoons of rosemary
Pinch of salt
1 lemon, zested

Add the water, cranberries, sugar, cinnamon stick, rosemary, salt and lemon zest to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Lower the heat and simmer until slightly reduced in volume and thickened to a syrup. Remove from the heat and strain through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl. Discard the solids. Refrigerate until cool, about 30 minutes.

To make a drink:
Put a handful of ice in a drink shaker along with 1 1/2 ounces of whiskey and 1 tablespoon of the cranberry syrup. Shake gently a few times and strain into a glass. Repeat for the remaining drinks and serve.

Day 57: 2 out of 8

Yes, I took a break over the weekend because I was out of town. So shoot me.

But I did go to the gym today and worked my ass off in David's kickboxing class. I couldn't get to the gym fast enough after work to get to spinning, but ah well. Kickboxing burns more calories anyway.

Well, I looked at my Commit to Fit chart and it said I only took two classes last week. Okay -- you (who are reading) know I went to seven classes last week. Puke and all. So I brought this up, by means of the system, they are just slow. Ironic for a gym. So I'm supposed to keep myself accountable. WTF? I thought that was the point of the gym. For them to track myself for me.

But I made it to class number 8 of the Commit to Fit 2009.

Now if I could write or stop eating junk, I may lose weight and gain a book.

And oh yes, the mundane weekly recommendation: The House of Night Books. Okay, yes it's lame. But I'm a little obsessed with them now. If you're a fan of the awesome series of Twilight, you will like The House of Night. It's a vampyre boarding school where kids who are "marked" are sent to learn about the vampyre culture and see if they can take the change into the bloodsucking being.

If you haven't heard of them, I recommend giving Marked a quick read. They're fun, flighty, easy, and quick. When you're read Twilight too many times, pick this up for a change of pace. I recommend.

Day 53: Vomit and Goals

Hey everyone. The first time ever, I threw up while working out.

I did my Wednesday. I took Total Conditioning and completely forgot how hard it was. I threw up a little half way through the class. So, I decided I shouldn't go to Kickboxing. But at least I made it through the whole 75 minutes of Total Conditioning.

Today, I went to Strike! with Cathy. I usually switch the 6lb bar halfway through the class. But today, I got the 9lb and made it through the whole class.

My shoulders feel like they will fall off.

But I'm just reporting, vomit and 9lbs. Gotta love it.

Day 50: Commit to Fit

My amazing gym has started up this thing. It's called Commit to Fit. I found out I couldn't do the six week nutrition class through the holidays, so now I'm doing this program through the holidays.

So, what happens is the instructor of the class you attend signs a piece of paper, and they take it and document how many times you go to a class. Supposedly, there are prizes at the end, but I thought I'd rock this contest. They try to get you to go a minimum of four times a week.

Well, check this: Core Conditioning is a 30 minute class, and it's offered four times a week. So I figure the new schedule for the week is this.

Monday: Spinning for 60 minutes, Core for 30 minutes
Tuesday: Core for 30 minutes, Strike! for 60 minutes
Wednesday: Total Conditioning for 75 minutes, Kickboxing for 60 minutes
Thursday: Core for 30 minutes, Strike! for 60 minutes
Friday: Strictly Strength for 60 minutes
Saturday: Spinning or Kickboxing for 60 minutes
Sunday: Core for 60 minutes, Pilates for 60 minutes

So, as you can see, it's pretty easy...except for Wednesdays. I will die. But I couldn't even begin to think about doing it if I hadn't done it before. There is a 15 minute break between the two classes, and that is the perfect break. Wednesday will be weights/cardio and then cardio.

I do NOT want to stop taking kickboxing, but I know I'm prepared for TC again. Mondays are now for spinning, and I love spinning.

Anyway, I will die on Wednesdays but feel AWESOME!

And since today is Monday, I will give you a recommendation. LOL. Like you guys care.

My recommendation is Last.fm. It's an online radio that you do not have to pay for. I've been using Pandora, and I'm sure there are many people that listen to Last.fm, but I just found it today, in fact. It's great. You type in an artist and you get what you want. I listened to Frank Sinatra radio and then Christmas Sinatra played. Gotta love the Christmas season.

Yeah, it's lame, but I'll get something better for next week.

Day 46: New Motivation

You know everyone has a different personalities depending on where they are. I'm a different person with my friends vs work vs home vs outside world where no one knows me. And so rarely do any of these worlds collide. Well, tonight, two collided for a brief three minutes.

So, I went to the gym (oh yeah, on a roll). Well, I got there a little early. I always forget that the 530 class goes right up to 6p. I take the 6p Strike! class. Well, I was waiting when I spotted my boss. AHHHH!!!!

Do I say 'hi?' Do I pretend I didn't see her? Do I leave? Am I not supposed to see her outside of the office world?

I was not leaving the gym. I needed those 800+ calories to burn. So, I said hello. I then pretended through the class that she was watching me. Because of this, I pushed myself harder and faster. I am very competitive and must keep up with the instructor come hell or high water.

I pushed. I made it. I rocked it.

Oh yeah! Tomorrow: Strictly Strength. Weight training class that gives me a break from cardio.

Now the question is: Do I give myself a day off a week? Or do I push and work out everyday and take the spinning class on Saturday morning. You know, that's an extra 500 calories to burn.

I think we know our answer.

Funny how our worlds collide.

Day 45: Old Asian Lady Logic

Yeah! I've gone everyday this week so far! Sunday through Wednesday. Good streak so far 2200+ calories burned. Yesterday, I went to Strike! Great class. Well, before the class I was talking to an older Asian lady. She was in amazing shape, and she was very talkative, so what could I do but talk to her. Well, she went on and on about trying to stay in shape. I said something like, "Yeah, you have to keep the weight in check." Well, this woman looked me up and down and gave me a look.

I know a man wouldn't notice, but women notice those little things. Especially when you're self-conscious about your weight. So, I continued talking to her until, thank God! Amy started the class.

I did take kickboxing tonight even though I was a little sick these last two days with food poisoning. But I went, and my knee hurts like hell, but it's okay. It'll be worth it when 50 pounds go away.

Tomorrow, since I can't get up and work out, I'm going to write. I'm going to get up at 6a (instead of 5a) and get to a coffee shop to write. I need to write.

Day 43: Spinning

I am in love! On Friday, that awesome weight class I mentioned made me more sore than I have been in months. Well, the instructor, Lindsay, told me about spinning (mainly because I asked). But because of her motivation and her knowing I was going to be there, I went to her spin class today.

Holy crap it was amazing! Who knew sitting on a bike for an hour would be so much fun. My butt hurts, my thighs are killing me, but it was completely worth it. And then there is a thirty minute core conditioning class right after with the same instructor. My abs are KILLING me from Friday still, but it was awesome.

I hurt, but it's a good hurt. I'm also so damn tired, it's 830p and I'm about to fall asleep.

Yay for being re-motivated and kicking serious spinning/core ass! Kiss this!

And yes, it's Monday: Weekly Recommendation time.

I am going to recommend another band this week. I heard this really cool band again on NPR, Pink Martini. They are this fun swing, 1960s flavor of music. I feel like I should have a martini and cigarette with I listen, but it's just fun music that belongs on the Mad Men soundtrack. I recommend them if you're looking for something new but old. Pink Martini.

Day 41: Ow!

I hate the holidays. It was last Thanksgiving that I started gaining the weight that is now piled on my gut. So here we are again. I'm not only trying to get that weight off, but additional as well.

Well, I went to a weight training class yesterday, on a Friday evening. And you know what? I can barely get my arms up. My abs are so sore and my butt hurts. But that's good.

I talked to the instructor, Lindsay, also and she told me about her spinning class. I'm going to go on Monday and see if I can hit up kickboxing afterward. haha.

But pain is weakness leaving your body. And I hope weakness means fat.

Happy Halloween!

Day 38: Left Means Left

I made it back to the gym. However, I managed to hurt my left ankle/knee. I couldn't make it through the last bit of class, but I've taken pills and put my knee on ice. For the last two Wednesday's that I've gone to Dee's kickboxing class, I've walked out with the most intense charlie horse. Holy crap. I could barely walk out of the class. And now with my ankle throbbing, I thought it best.

But the class did begin with Dee playing Thriller and then a girl walked in with one of my best friend's hair. This is the best friend who always went to that class with me.

But also, there was this girl I kept laughing at. When he would shout, "Left foot bounce" she would turn right. And then, he would shout, "Right foot bounce." Then she would turn left.

Anyway, it's the little things.

Also, I realized I should not only recommend a recipe, but I should provide it. haha.

Greek Lasagna as credited to Moosewood Restaurant New Classics

Tomato Sauce:
3 Tablespoons olive oil
2 cups chopped onions
4 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
2 teaspoons dried marjoram
5 cups undrained canned whole tomatoes (14.5 ounce cans)
1/3 cup chopped kalamata olives
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
3 Tablespoons chopped fresh dill

1 large eggplant (1 .5 lbs) [I substituted ground turkey]
olive oil for brushing
3 eggs, beaten
2 cups of cottage cheese
1 teaspoon ground fennel seeds
3 cups grated feta cheese
1/2 pound uncooked lasagna noodles (12 noodles) [I used Spinach noodles]

In a saucepan, warm the olive oil briefly on medium-high heat. Add the onions and saute for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions have begun to release juices. Stir in the garlic and marjoram and saute until the onions are translucent. Add the tomatoes, cover, and bring to a simmer; then reduce the heat to medium-low--just enough to maintain a simmer. Add the olives, salt, and pepper. For best flavor, add the dill just before assembling the lasagna.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Lightly oil a baking sheet.

While the sauce gently simmers, lay the eggplant on the baking sheet, brush them with olive oil, and back uncovered for about 15 minutes. Remove the eggplant from the oven and reduce the heat to 350 degrees. [I cooked the ground turkey on the stove top instead of this.]

Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix together the eggs, cottage cheese, ground fennel, and 1 cup of the feta and set aside.

Lightly oil a 7.5 x 10 x 3 inch casserole dish. Evenly spread 2 cups of the tomato sauce in the bottom of the dish. Top with a layer of noodles and cover with 1 cup of the tomato sauce. Next layer all of the eggplant rounds [or ground turkey], 1 cup of feta cheese, a second layer of noodles, and another cup of the tomato sauce. Finish with all of the egg and cottage cheese mixture, a third layer of noodles, the rest of the sauce, and the remaining cup of feta.

Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil and bak for 45 to 50 minutes [recommend 50]. Remove from the oven, uncover the lasagna, and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

[Per 15 ounce serving: 462 calories]

Day 36: HA!

Yeah, okay. I haven't been to the gym since Wednesday. Galen came in last weekend, so I didn't work out.

I haven't written anything. This is a blog of failure. I can't make my deadlines. No way.

But, it's Monday and I promised a recommendation. Because honestly, why else would anyone be reading this piece of shit blog. I'm a failure. This is crap. I can't lose this weight. I don't know how. This is ridiculous.

But my recommendation for this week is the Moosewood Cookbook. I made this really amazing Greek Lasagna for dinner with my aunt and uncle. It was amazing. I completely recommend it if you have a couple of hours to make a kick ass lasagna. It's not easy, but damn, I was proud of myself.

That's my recommendation. Let's see if I can scrape myself off the floor and get my fat ass to a gym. Probably not because I can't seem to get the motivation to lose this extra weight.

Day 29: Miracle

I could not sleep last night. It was the definition of ridiculous. I was too tired to read, but not too tired to watch Friends. I was too tired to bake, but not to tired to read the internet. And I planned on getting to the gym this morning, but watching the clock tick past 10p, 11p, and then midnight, I knew it was impossible.

So, I must say it was a damn miracle I dragged myself to the gym for the 645p kickboxing class with David. And you know what? I almost left half way through. But I knew I would hate myself if I did. My knee was hurting, I was out of breath. Ridiculous. But I stayed and kicked ass. I made it. And I plan on doing it again tomorrow. And getting to the gym in the morning. That's right, the morning.

Good things have come on the writing front, as well. As soon as I post this blog I am opening my document and going to write. The right people know I'm writing this and, as I said, the pressure is on.

I will start doing a weekly recommendation to help me explore more things whether it be music, cooking, books. This week my recommendation is in the music category.


Bomba Estereo is a Columbian band that mixes live instruments and computerized loops. It's fun music that is good for dancing and writing. I found them via NPR.

Next Monday, I will have another recommendation.

This blog just became something more.

Day 25: Absent

Hi everyone who reads my blog. Probably no one. But anyway, I've been absent this week and plan on being absent for the rest of it. This week I don't care. But you know what? I lost a pound. Why?

Why is it when I do nothing and eat whatever I want (in proper portions) I lose a pound? I'm getting so excited about cooking that it would be difficult to stay on track, but portions are key. I was good on my portions yesterday.

But you know what? I wrote my entire outline for my book. I know how it will end. I'm writing starting this weekend.

Day 20: Early Saturday

I made it! I made it to the gym on a Saturday at 8a! Yay for boyfriend who works out, too and pushed me to the gym. We did our own home workout, but then went and burned some serious calories.

On my other goal front, I've now told my boss about it, so the fire is under my butt. I've got to get it written and have her rape it to be published. Outline will be finished today! Today. today. Maybe. haha. Inspiration! Come and get me!

Day 19: Jock Straps Were Made for a Reason

Somehow I managed to drag myself to the gym this morning. I don't know how. I got to the gym when it was hot, muggy, 80 degrees. I left when it was pouring, freezing and 65 degrees.

Welcome October! You're a little late.

Although, I was not ready for the freezing weather. But I made it to the gym. Tomorrow, kickboxing. Sunday, machine. We'll be on par.