Being a bookworm

My favorite kind of book is non-fiction. Now, I'm not saying I wont read anything else, I just find non-fiction books so much more compelling: real people with real stories learning real lessons. Here are two books I'm into right now.

The first is "Half-Assed" by Jennette Fulda, who at one point in her life was around 372 pounds. She decided to make a lifestyle change and overhaul her bad habits and fix years of damage. I found myself connecting with her because she was around the same age as I am now when she decided to get healthy. Fulda also didn't have a huge life mishap to blame for her weight–she just had to find the right level of control to make her changes happen. She's also ridiculously hilarous and realistic about what her weight meant to her and to people around her. The best part about the book, which I just recently finished, was that she knows that she's going to have to make good decisions about food and exercise for. the. rest. of. her. life. It's a scary realization, but also a very necessary one to have.

Book number two is Gretchen Rubin's "The Happiness Project." I first heard about this book from the Today show. Rubin started the project to become more appreciative of the people and things around her so she could ultimately be happier. She mapped out her year-long project by dividing it into 12 different themes like Boost Energy, Remember Love and what not, and breaking those up into smaller resolutions to help the ultimate goal. For instance, she tried going to sleep earlier, de-cluttering, handling nagging tasks and exercising better. It's a nice how-to instrospective book that help you think about your own happiness. I'm a happy person, but there are definitely things I could do that would make me happier. With that being said, I'm going to try focusing on happiness and how to get it. Look forward to my mini Happiness Project here.

Anywhoo, we're watching Chuck.

Thinking time at the gym

Warning: This will be a longish blog. Bear with me if you will.

When I was a little girl, say around second grade, I was put on a diet. My parents were concerned I had thyroid issues, I got all sorts of tests done and I ended up at a nutritionist's office, being told what I could and couldn't eat.

Now, as a silly little (well I guess not so little cause I was being put on a diet, but I wasn't huge or anything) 7-year-old, I didn't really know what was going on. Our nanny would bring my food to school ( I vaguely remember it usually being boiled chicken–ick) and I'd eat that instead of whatever was in store at the cafeteria. It wasn't a horrible thing, I actually did lose quite a few pounds and I made some money. That sounds wrong but let me explain: My Dad (and we'll probably end up talking about this issue later) paid me $5 per pound and who knows what I did with it, I was 7 after all.

So this afternoon, while I was kicking my own ass at the gym, I was bombarded by all of the Haiti coverage on every news outlet. Now, let me start with this: the damage caused by the earthquake is horrible and devastating. Especially in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, where 80 percent of the population is below the poverty line and disease wreaks havoc.

But at the same time, I also saw how a lot of Americans are trying to help the Haitians. It's nice seeing people come through for others, especially when America is going through its own economic hard times. So in lieu of losing a whole 4 pounds since I started, I'm reinstating my dad's $5/pound incentive and donating $20 to Haiti along with prayers that the country gets back on its feet.

For anyone that finished reading: go you! and maybe think about making your own donations of either cash or good vibes...anything helps.

I'm working on my faults and cracks

Brief post before I go work out.

Mans joined Planet Fitness! Yay for more workout buddies :D

I'm in love with Zachary Levi.









Bought the new Ke$ha album (fabulous for working out–It's basically Katy Perry beats meets Gaga style and Boys-are-fun-to-play-with-but-don't-fall-for-them-'cause-that's-just-a-bad-idea anthems.)

and the new Vampire Weekend album (which has good Afro-beats to try jogging along to–keyword try, I have a shitty knee after all.)I'm also digging on RX Bandit's "Progress" CD for elliptical sessions. It's got their best stuff. Check it out if you can. Anyway, gotta go change and lace up my Nikes. Tootles.

Star completed!

Yay! I filled in all five points! *happy dance* Not much to talk about today, still hate my job, still need to lose weight, still trying and doing (shout out to Yoda) things to work toward that goal. Feeling good. Off to buy "Julie & Julia" cause I still don't own it and that's just plain wrong. Hope everyone's having an awesome day!

Goals for the week

I figure weekly goals are nice, especially considering I'm exactly two weeks away from my first month mark. So this week I'm going to really watch what I eat, make sure I have lots of veggies, lots of water, lots of lean protein. Must remember to eat a big breakfast. Included in those food goals is trying quinoa. It's supposed to be super delicious and healthful, so I might as well.

Now's as good a time as any to tell you a little about the President's Fitness Challenge. Basically about two weeks ago, my friend Helen asked if she could ask me for a crazy favor, which turned out to be the PFC. In it, we're challenged to work out at least 30 minutes, five days a week to try and achieve an active lifestyle. We log in our activity every time we work out and get certain points for it and fill up a star. After six completed stars, we're supposed to get some sort of certificate from the President.

It's a little cheesy, but it works. I usually end up logging in right after I work out to get the points, fill the star. It's a nice way to keep myself in check...and if I don't do it then not only am I letting myself down, but I'd also be letting down the team, aaaaaaaaaand the President. Bam. So yeah, just picture Obama shaking his head at my fatty self every time I don't work out. Again, it's nice motivation.

School starts tomorrow for Van and I'm taking her in...to her 8 a.m. class. Hey, at least I get to leave work early...woo and hoo.

I get by with a little help from my friends

Today was the first meeting of the Nameless Support Club. Good friends and good food (in a healthy form, of course) where we got to talk about our hopes and dreams regarding our struggles with weight. It's nice knowing I have people to count on and keep me accountable. We're meeting again in two weeks to discuss the progress, and there will be progress.

Also, it left me feeling inspired and so I dragged Van to the gym with me for a Saturday afternoon gym session. Anywho, now I'm just dicking around trying to figure out what to do with myself. Woo to finding things to do!

Jimmy Fallon is my favorite

He usually does Thank You letters on Friday, they're totally funny, check them out if you get a chance. His are usually jokes about the week's events, or him bitching about slow walking tourists, or other things of that nature.

While I love his concept, I don't think I'm entirely funny, so I'll just try sticking to heartfelt Thank Yous for the week.



This week's Thank You goes to my baby sister, Vane. She's been mentioned a few times before (haha, few), and she's been helpful in our efforts of staying in and making dinner. She's also signed up for Planet Fitness and is now going to the gym with me. As everybody knows, going to the gym with a buddy helps keep you in check. In this same respect, Van usually asks when we're going, if we're going, what we're doing, if I've logged in that days activity in the Presidential Fitness Challenge (which reminds me I haven't blogged about)...so forth and so on. She even did some yoga with me this week! LOL That was an ordeal...I should have taken video but I was trying to focus. Anyway, yes, this is me saying thanks to a wonderful sister who helps keep me accountable.

Tomorrow should be interesting. I want to make it to the gym in the morning but with the temperature being in the teens, I keep having a hard time unraveling myself from my comfy, cozy bed. Then its the first meeting of the We're Here For Each Other Club (name still in progress), then a friend is coming in from out of town so I must play hostess...I'll let you know how it goes.