Positive comments

Today, at work, I had two people comment that I was looking good and had obviously lost some weight. One of these was a male co-worker with whom I really don't have conversations about anything not work-related, so it was especially surprising.

Now, I do weigh a few pounds less than a week ago, according to the scale, and I 'think' I can see physical changes in my appearance but am always worried that it's just wishful thinking. This is proof that the changes I'm making are working.

Of course, if you saw the previous post, I've only just restarted my weight loss efforts. What these first pounds off show me is that my body really doesn't like all the junky food and will respond positively and quickly when I make the appropriate changes. I'm sure this first little loss is more a loss of bloat than of fat, but I'll take whatever I can get and run with it.

I wish I was losing where I really want to. I've noticed that when I first start to lose weight, it's kinda from the outside in. I notice it first in my face/neck, hands, and feet. It seems to take forever before I see changes in the worst areas, and never seem to see any loss in my breasts (they get perkier but not smaller, and they are, in my opinion, way too big). I know it's a matter of perseverance and eventually my whole body while shrink, it can just be a little frustrating...

Gotta say the heart monitor helps. Nothing like an annoying beeping alarm to let you know you're heart rate is not high enough to make you work harder to make it stop.

We go on our vacation, another cruise, at the beginning of May. If I can keep with this I could conceivably weigh 30 lbs less than I do now (16 weeks x approx 2 lbs/week) and that's a huge deal; about a third of how much I ultimately need to lose. I haven't been in my ideal weight range since high school, and a 30 pound loss would put me about where I was 13 years ago.

So, here's to hard work, determination, and perseverance. And people keeping the supportive comments coming.

Survived the Holidays

Hey there. Bet you thought I'd given up on this.
Nope, it's just been a little crazy with the holidays and all.

So, let's see, since my last 'real' post (I'm not counting the Christmas one), MC has turned 13 (oooh, yeah, another teenager in the house -- I am so not old enough to be the mother of teens); we've gone to see "The Waterhorse" (cute, nice family film, but nothing exciting) and "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" (some fun, but not as good as the first one); we survived 5 days in a row together without any major bodily harm; my exercise program got shunted to the side; managed to get all the shopping done before Christmas Eve; OC's best friend moved far, far away; DH and I went out for New Year's Eve (too a horribly loud bar); I woke up Jan. 2 with a nasty cold (which I am still not completely over); MC and YC have each lost a tooth; DH got a tattoo (his first, and probably last); my newest niece was born (today); my in-laws didn't come to visit -- again (they always say they're coming but never do -- mixed blessing); and that's pretty much it.

Nothing much, really. And now the holidays are over, not another official one till Memorial Day. DH and I are back to work and the kids are back to school. OC is getting braces this month -- that should be fun -- not. She's already made all sorts of demands on how they should work and how long she'll have them on, etc.

Today is the official restart of my exercise 'program'. To assist in my pursuit of a healthier and hopefully thinner me, I purchased a few things -- a scale that not only shows weight but also body fat%, muscle mass%, BMR, and total body water%; a pedometer; and a heart rate monitor (DH also got one for Christmas). I'm hopeful that as I see changes beyond just my weight, I'll be additionally inspired to keep going. I'm also trying to get my eating back on track -- I have a really hard time eating healthier when I'm home and with the family. Did ok today -- organic oatmeal for breakfast, a Kashi entree for lunch, a gyro for dinner, and two cookies with some Nutella for dessert -- no soda, no chips, no candy. Obviously, I fell way short on fruits and veggies, but there's always tomorrow. Trying to change it all at the same time is a recipe for failure. Too many ways to screw it up.

Still haven't made it to "P.S. I Love You." Hoped to this weekend but the cold waylaid that plan.

Since DH got a tattoo, he now tells me I can get one if I want to. I have thought about it over the years, but a) I don't know if I could find one I really, really like, and b) I don't know where on my body I'd like to have one. So not getting one any time soon, but maybe some day. I can at least do some research...

New Year's Eve -- DH took me to a bar he likes to go to, but we don't usually go together. Now I know why. Good grief, but the music was LOUD!!!!!. It was making me physically ill, and we were across the bar from the speakers -- don't know how people could stand to be dancing right in front of them. Also the crowd is heavy on the college aged -- local college is only a couple of blocks away. On the plus side, they had good food and good drinks (love their Mayan Chocolate Martini -- has a nice spicy kick). Don't think we're going there again. They do have a sister bar in the neighboring town and the music wasn't so loud (or the crowd so young) at that one. So, we'll see.

So, are you wondering about the picure at the top of this post? Going to tell about it anyway...
That is MC, Christmas morning, after allowing YC to play "hair salon" with his hair. He has 12 little pony tails, plus a few clips in his hair. He actually invited her to play with him. Sometimes he surprises us -- so often he is nasty and mean to YC, then he does something like this where he's actually a pretty wonderful big brother. Sigh.

Merry Christmas

Gerard Butler

Confession time:

Gerard Butler -- don't know him at all so, can't really say that I like him, but boy do I like to look at and listen to him. He just does it for me -- tall, dark, handsome, green/blue eyes, lovely voice with Scottish accent. From the bio info I've read and the interviews I've heard, he appears to be intelligent with a sense of humor, very personable. And that smile....

And he's got a new movie coming out in 1 week: P.S. I Love You. I won't be able to see it when it comes out -- MC's birthday is that weekend and he's already been promised a movie with friends. And I know DH will not want to go, a) because he's not a big fan of romantic movies, and b) because he's uncomfortable with me finding someone else attractive. And to make it worse, his brother knows GB and has mentioned the possible of sometime introducing us. (I don't know if DH thinks GB is going to see me and try to steal me away [right] or what, but he doesn't want to be seen as doing anything to support my interest.) But I think OC will go with me -- we'll have a girls night out, leave DH home with MC and YC.

First movie I saw him in was "timeline" a couple of years ago. Since then I think I've seen them all. Have to say my absolute favorite so far is "dear Frankie." No special effects, no rousing score or fight scenes, just a simple story. And I think he was terrific. I actually have 'Timeline" and "Dear Frankie" on my DVR for when I need a bit of Gerry.

Once I see the new movie, I'll post a review.

Holiday Favorites -- More Fun

Here's a couple more fun Christmas songs -- not on my iPod, but should be.




And

Holiday Favorites -- Fun & Silly

Here's 3 more I have on my iPod but rarely hear on the radio.



What's to say? You've either seen the movie and remember the weather twins, or you don't.



There doesn't seem to be an "official" video of this song, but I like this one.

And finally ...



At least one of these "pains" has to ring true for anyone trying to celebrate the holidays. Again, doesn't seem to be an official video, but I've found many, many videos on youtube, and this was my favorite. It's obviously a very popular song. Bob Rivers has many other "twisted" holiday songs on his website The Bob Rivers Show.

Holiday Favorites -- from Love Actually

It's that time of year (at least here in the States) when some radio stations become all holiday, all the time. I love a lot of the old standards, but I have a few favorites that I rarely, if ever, hear anywhere but on my iPod.



From the movie "Love Actually." It's Bill Nighy in the movie and video, but it's Billy Mack singing.





Also from "Love Actually" this is Olivia Olson singing 'All I Want For Christmas is You.'


Last, but not least



This beautiful version of White Christmas by Otis Redding is also in the movie and on the soundtrack.