Looks Like Snow

It's the last weekend of May and it looks like it's snowing. Unfortunately it's not the kind of snow I love, it's just massive amounts of pollen flying around. I think they did get real snow in the mountains above 4,000 feet but here in the city we just got the stuff that makes me sneeze.

I've had a scratchy throat, itchy watery eyes and have been sneezing all weekend. I know it's bad when I start sneezing and can't stop long enough to catch my breath. I always try to hold out as long as possible before I break down and take my allergy pills because they make me tired and put my head in a fog but I couldn't hold out all weekend if I wanted to breathe again. Breathing is a good thing. We got a short rain shower in the afternoon but it didn't help bring down the pollen count much.

Needless to say, I wasn't able to work out much in between all the sneezing and wheezing. I hope we get some rain to wash away all the fake snow out there so I can breath again.

No Fun

I remember when I used to love shopping for new clothes. I could go to any store and pick out just about anything and it would fit. Now I hate to shop for clothes because I can't fit my a$$ into anything I like. It is so sad that the designers don't make stylish clothes for the majority of women in the world. Are there really that many size 00-2's out there? I don't see that many on the street? Where are they all? at the gym? I don't see that many of them there either.

It's funny how clothes that would look adorable in size 9-10 look like old lady fat clothes in a size 16-18. Things need to change. I can't do this anymore. I can't keep talking about losing weight and thinking about losing weight but not doing enough about it to get results. It is making me crazy.

I was also thinking about how I keep saying I know how to lose but haven't been able to maintain any substantial loss but that really isn't true. The few times I've lost a substantial amount of weight (over 60 pounds) I never made it down to my goal weight. I would start gaining the weight back even before I got to my goal weight. I need to change things and get to the finish line and then figure out how to do the maintenance thing. I'm not getting any younger.

Still Resisting ...

I'm on a roll. It has been 5 weeks in a row I have resisted the temptation of the free muffins. I was so stressed out today and almost caved in but I flexed my resisting muscle and stuck with the fruit. It helped that by the time I went back into the lounge ready to stuff my face the muffins were gone. It was a close one but I did it. Now if I could only control myself every other day and night of the week I'd really be on a roll. Baby steps ...

Inside Out

Today was one of THOSE days. I think I need to start having more caffeine in the morning so I stop doing stupid things. What I did this morning is almost as funny as when I wore two different shoes to work and didn't realize it for hours.


The forecast was warning it was going to be a scorcher today with temps in the 90s so I tried to find my lightest weight top to wear to work today. I couldn't find the shirt I was looking for so I threw on what I could find that fit and started rushing out the door. I was running a little late but would still make it to work on time if I caught the bus and the train without too long of a wait. As I was heading out the door I saw the lighter weight shirt I was looking for so I whipped off the shirt I put on and threw the lighter shirt on and ran out the door. I walked down the street to the bus stop and as I started reading my book I looked down and noticed the seam on the outside of my shirt. OMG - I put my shirt on backwards!! Now what am I going to do? Do I wait 'til I take the bus and the train and walk to the office to change, do I run back to the house and miss the bus, do I stomp my feet and throw a temper tantrum? Do I go home and crawl back into bed?


I knew I would miss the bus if I went all the way back up the three flights of stairs to my apartment so I went up on my front porch which is hidden behind three massive trees to quickly turn my shirt around.


Yeah, it was another one of THOSE days. Am I the only one who leaves the house with two different shoes and inside out clothes?

SHOCKER!

Adam Lambert is NOT your next American Idol. Can you believe it? What is going on with reality tv? First, Helen beats Tara, then Shawn out dances Gilles (I don't watch DWTS but my mother was really pissed Gilles didn't win) and now Kris beats Adam for the American Idol title. I think this was the biggest upset in A.I. history, even more shocking than when Chris Daughtry got voted out. Personally, I think Adam is better off not winning, now he doesn't have to record that sappy song as his first single and you know he'll be making a kick ass debut album as soon as the A.I. tour is over.

This must be the year for the underdogs. Do you think the front runners (Tara, Gilles and Adam) got ripped off? Were you surprised?

Inspiration

Most blogs I read are written by women. I'm pretty sure we outnumber the male bloggers out there especially on the topic of weight loss. Women are much more likely to struggle with their weight and more likely to look for inspiration out in the blogsphere.

We all know how frustrating it is to see a man decide to lose weight so they cut out a couple of beers and cut back on a few burgers and miraculously lose 20 pounds in a week or so. Why can't it be that easy for woman? Well, apparently it isn't that easy for all men, especially if they are over 400 pounds and can only handle 48 seconds on the treadmill.

If you have a long way to get to your goal or are just looking for a little extra push to get you to work out today, check out The Anti-Jared's video blog about his first trip to the gym. This guy has completely changed his life and is an inspiration to anyone who thinks they can't work out. We all have to start somewhere, right?

Pink Wins Again

Ali Vincent was the very first female winner of the Biggest Loser (Season 5)

Michelle Aguilar followed in her footsteps (Season 6)

and now Helen Phillips is the Biggest Loser of Season 7.

Pink is in. All of the winning women from the past three seasons were members of the pink team. Do you think it would help my weight loss efforts if I added more pink to my wardrobe?

I have to admit I was really disappointed Tara didn't win. I think she was an amazing competitor and I admired her determination during all the challenges. I realize all the contestants worked hard but I thought Tara had that fire in her eyes, the eye of the tiger that would take her all the way to the big prize. Maybe things would have turned out differently if she donned the pink shirt.

It was inspiring to see a 48 year old woman win but I felt Helen was portrayed as the Biggest Whiner most of the time. Personally, I thought Helen looked too skinny, almost scary skinny. She would look better if she gained back at least 10 pounds. I read she worked out over SIX hours a day and pushed herself to extremes to ensure she would win but I don't think it will be sustainable. There is no way you can keep that up and live a normal life.

I wish they spent more time showing the celebration after announcing the winner instead of dragging the show out by constantly repeating everything and cutting out as the confetti falls. It's a letdown that the show ends the minute they announce the winner just when the party is getting started.

It would have made for a more exciting show to have Jerry weigh in towards the end so different contestants could have been in the lead for the $100,000 prize. I'm sure the producers know who lost the most weight before they go live. I was surprised some of the bigger athletic guys didn't get close to Jerry's numbers. It was pretty amazing Jerry, the oldest player in Biggest Loser history (64), lost 177 pounds after being at the ranch such a short time. I hate to say it but I thought he looked a little sick and the loose arm skin flapping around was freaking me out a little but I was impressed he was able to beat out all those younger guys (Blaine, Dane, Sione, Filipe).

For the most part, I liked the contestants this season much more than last season's back stabbing, cut throat game players. I think this year's cast members were there for the right reasons, worked extremely hard, encouraged and supported each other and, hopefully, have changed their lives forever. I hope the contestants they pick for next season will be more like them, interested in losing weight and changing their lives more than the cash prize. Hey, was Amanda, the girl they picked for next season, wearing a pink shirt?

I love seeing people win the weight loss battle; it gives me hope I'll get there too.

Congrats to the Biggest Whiner, I mean Biggest Loser, Helen.

~~~~

Hey, Jillian Michaels, STOP SLOUCHING AND STAND UP STRAIGHT, WILL YA?!

and the winner is ....

Can you believe it? I got my very first blogging award! I can't deny the fact that you like me, right now, you like me *tearing up ala Sally Field accepting her Oscar.*

A very lovely lass over at My 3 Month Challenge(s) gave me the Super Blogger Award (!!!!). I'm always surprised (and honored) when amazing people from all over the world (hello Japan) actually come to my little corner of the Internet to say hello, offer great advice, acknowledge I'm not the only one out here struggling, motivate me and offer encouragement. Whether they randomly stumble over here, are bored to tears and have nothing better to do, are struggling with their weight, just starting out on a program to live a healthier life, or have it all figured out and want to help, I feel blessed to have you all in my life.

I am so thankful to get such great support, love, and laughs from every single one of you and I get a kick out of being able to peek into your lives and get inspired by your triumphs, celebrate your losses, learn from your mistakes, laugh with you (never at you), cry with you or be there to offer my shoulder to cry on.

Now, this is the hard part ... I'm supposed to pass this award along to 5 Supper Bloggers. How am I supposed to narrow it down to just 5? It is almost impossible to narrow it down to just 5, there are just too many to choose from and a few I thought of already received this prestigious award. Of course, there are the superstar bloggers like Hilly, Britt, MizFit, Cranky Fitness, etc. and famous blogging authors such as Pasta Queen and Diet Girl but they already get tons of love (and book deals) so I thought I would give the award to some bloggers who may be new to you, may be struggling or just because I love them. Even though I could only give the award to 5 bloggers I encourage you to check out my blog roll and all the blogs I'm following so you can meet some amazing new people and maybe make some new blog friends.

It wasn't easy but I narrowed my list down to the following Super Bloggers (in random order):

Finding Melanie

Morgan Gets Thin

Setting Her Free

A New Decade

Scale Ho

Ok, here's what you Super Bloggers have to do now (it's the price you have to pay for fame):

1. Tape the banner on your blog somewhere


2. Pass the Super Blogger Award along to 5 fellow Super Bloggers


3. Be sure leave the winners a comment on their blog so they know they've won a Super Blogger Award and know how special you think they are


4. Link back to the Super Blogger who gave it to you.

I guess it's time to get off the podium, get my head out of the clouds and my a$$ on the treadmill so I can someday join the ranks of the weight loss success stories.

Thanks to all of you for visiting and thanks again to My 3 Month Challenge(s) for giving me this Super Blogger award.

Your Momma

Top 10 things Mothers say:

1. Be quiet
2. Go to your room
3. Don't touch that
4. Don't be late
5. I'll f'n kill you
6. Get your a$$ home NOW
7. Because I said so
8. NO
9. Because I am your Mother, that's why!
10. I will not tolerate being disrespected

Ummm, that doesn't sound right ... I guess those aren't the top ten things MOST mothers would say. I would imagine MOST mothers would say things like:

1. You can do it
2. I'm proud of you
3. I'll support your decision
4. I'm happy for you
5. Good job
6. Can I help?
7. Have fun
8. Be careful
9. You look beautiful
10. I love you

Hopefully you had a mother (or are a mother) who says more of the things on the second list. No matter what category you fall into, I hope you had a Happy Mother's Day!

The Mothership*

The Mothership has landed so it's showtime, time for all the drama to begin.


I'm totally stressing out about her visit considering what happened during her last visit. The good news is she won't be staying with me (ever again) so she will be driving my brother nuts for the four days she's here. Hopefully she can make it through the four days without him losing his mind and going off on her. She really knows how to push all the right buttons, she installed them.


*My Mothership should not to be confused with Diet Girl's Mothership. My Mothership is from an entirely different planet, far, far away from Oz.

Happy No Diet Day!

Today is International No Diet Day. Please don't take "no diet" the wrong way, it doesn't mean you should celebrate by eating all the cake you want all day.

Most of us who have been at this weight loss game for a while have been disappointed by the results of every new diet out there or we've lost weight only to regain it back at lightening speed plus another 5 or 10+ pounds (hi, that's me). We've been "good," we've dieted, we've lost, we've regained, we've dieted again and again but we just keep going round the same circle, jumping through the same hoops, doing the same tricks and we end up in the same fat place over and over again.

I think I've learned my lesson after all these years. There is no quick fix for permanent weight loss. To be healthy we have to live a healthy lifestyle that will sometimes include cake. We can't deprived ourselves of foods we love but we can learn to eat them in moderation. It's all good (well, except for those evil carrot muffins).

I'm on the No Diet diet where I eat good food and move my a$$ on a regular basis. It is the easiest plan to live with. All you have to do is eat lots of fruits, vegetables, lean protein and occassional treat and work up a good sweat on a consistent basis. Sounds easy enough, huh?

Go here to check out the top 10 reasons diets don't work. I love the number one reason to give up dieting: "Learning to love and accept yourself just as you are will give you self-confidence, better health, and a sense of well-being that will last a lifetime."

Be good to yourself and enjoy your life today. Don't wait until you lose 10, 20, 50, 100, or 200+ pounds. Start living the life you want right now.

HAPPY NO DIET DAY!!!

Me, Myself and I

I don't do these meme things often but this one caught my eye and I really wanted to be able to answer no. 9. It got my heart racing just thinking about it. I stole this meme from Vicki who got it from Angie by way of Dot. You should do it too.

I Want to Talk About Myself

1. Were you named after anyone?

The Fab Four came out with "Michelle" during the Summer of Love and my mother decided to change my name after hearing the new song. If not for the Beatles, my name would have been Cheryl. I wasn't a big fan of the song and hated when people called me "Michelle My Belle" but it has grown on me over the years. I don't think my father had much of a say in the matter as he was on the outs by that time but I think he pushed for my middle name to start with "L" so I would have "MLB" (Major League Baseball) for initials.


2. When was the last time you cried?


I tear up so easily; my eyes start watering when the wind blows. The last time I cried was last night while watching the Biggest Loser. I get so emotional watching people change their lives. I even cry watching the Olympics, sad movies/tv and sappy commercials. B calls me "a sensitive flower." It's probably been about six months since I've had a really good cry due to something going on in my life (usually work).


3. Do you like your handwriting?


Yeah, it is legible most of the time and sorta pretty but I wish I could write straight across on paper without lines.


4. What is your favorite lunch meat?


Honey Roasted Turkey is pretty much the only lunch meat I eat.


5. Do you have kids?


No, I have B; he's more than enough. I've never really wanted to have kids and now that I'm past 40 it doesn't seem likely but you never know, stranger things have happened. I'm pretty sure I got a defective clock, it doesn't keep the time.


6. If you were another person, would you be friends with you?


I would love to have me for a friend. I just wish I treated myself as well as I treat my friends.

7. Do you use sarcasm?


Only around people who are smart enough to get it, otherwise it isn't any fun.


8. Do you still have your tonsils?

Yes I do and they are HUGE. Every doctor and dentist comments on how big my tonsils are but they refuse to take them out unless there is a reason.

9. Would you bungee jump?


Oh yeah! Absolutely! I did it! I bungee jumped off a crane at the Champlain Valley Fair a few years ago. It was probably the craziest thing I've ever done. I have a video of it and my heart rate spikes just watching it. I can't believe I did it. I'm always shocked by the gut wrenching noise I made when I jumped off the platform. I sounded as if someone stabbed me in the chest while I hurled. "EEEEHHHHHHHUUUUGGGGGHHHHH" ... then, once I bounced on the rope a few times I let out the "WOOOOOOOOOOO." I had perma-grin for days after. I should try to get that video on a digital file so I can show you. It was crazy and scary but I think I would do it again even if I'd be more scared now that I know what it's like.


10. What is your favorite cereal?


As a kid my favorite cereal was Lucky Charms, especially the marshmallow parts. Now I'd have to say my favorite is Honey Nut Cheerios or Chex.


11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?


Not if I can get them off without doing it.


13. What is your favorite ice cream?


When I was a kid I always got chocolate chip with extra jimmies but now my favorite is probably black raspberry with chocolate jimmies. There's a place in my neighborhood that has "Purple Cow" frozen yogurt (raspberry yogurt with milk and white chocolate chunks) with extra chocolate jimmies that is better than any full fat ice cream. I don't kid myself that it is even the slightest bit healthy but it is delicious.


14. What is the first thing you notice about people?


Definitely the eyes.


15. Red or pink?


I'm not a big fan of either color but I guess I would prefer red over pink.


16. What is the least favorite thing about yourself?


My FAT and short stature. I'll always be short but I can (and will) do something about the FAT.


17. Who do you miss the most?


My Grampy.


18. Do you want everyone to complete this list?


Sure but I usually don't bother to do them so if they want to great, if not, no biggie.


19. What color pants and shoes are you wearing?


Black/Black. 99.9% of the time the answer is black (shocker, huh?).


21. What are you listening to right now?


Good Morning America.


22. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?


Periwinkle.


23. Favorite smells?


Fresh baked bread, mountain top air, fresh fallen snow, fresh cut grass, oranges and other citrus fruits.


24. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?


B called to tell me I left my T pass and ipod in the car last night so now I have to go to work without tunes and pay extra to get on the train. UGGHH!


25. Do you like the person who sent this to you?


It wasn't sent to me but I love all the bloggers out there.


26. Favorite sports to watch?


Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. Boston is the best sports town EVAH!


27. Hair color?

Whatever the hell my brother/hair stylist feels like. Currently it's light brown with high and low lights (and grey roots growing in). Good thing I have an appointment Friday.

28. Eye color?

Various shades of Blue depending on what I'm wearing and what kind of mood I'm in, with a darker blue ring around the iris.

29. Do you wear contacts?

Only on special occasions or when I'm playing winter sports. I can't be flying down a mountain or trail with fogged glasses. My eyes are super sensitive so I usually rip the contacts out as soon as the occasion is over. I have daily disposables so I can just toss them anywhere and put my glasses back on.

30. Favorite food?

Everything that isn't good for me, especially those evil white carbs ... bread, pasta, SUGAR, etc., etc., etc., oh, and chocolate. MMMmmmmm

31. Scary movies or happy endings?

I can't watch the spooky/gory stuff. It makes me tense.

32. What color shirt are you wearing?

Black and white (again, shocker, huh?)

32. Last movie you watched?

Quantum of Solace.

34. Summer or winter?

WINTER!!! The more snow the better.

35. Hugs or kisses?

Depends who's doing the hugging and kissing.

37. Most likely to respond?

Whoever is bored, wants to waste some time or wants to tell us something about themselves.

38. Least likely to respond?

Everyone who has something better to do.

39. What book are you reading now?

The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly. I'm always reading something. Do you have any good book recommendations?

40. What is on your mouse pad?

I only use one at work and up until last week it was the Tasmanian Devil but I just got a new one with Gerber Daisies.

41. What did you watch on t.v. last night?

The Biggest Loser. I love watching the transformations and the time lapsed pictures of the Losers. I think I cry at least once during every episode. I want to be a LOSER too.

42. Favorite sounds?

I love listening to a crackling bonfire, the crickets and frogs while sitting out in the woods on a clear night or being woken up by the bird song in the spring although I wish they didn't start the concert so damn early.

43. Rolling Stones or Beatles?

Both. I've got a Rock 'n Roll heart.

44. What is the farthest you've been away from home?

I haven't gone far enough.

North - Canada; South - the Southern most point in Key West, Florida; West - Kansas City, MO.

I'm pretty sure once I go to the mountains out west or way up north I won't want to come back. Hmmm...that may not be such a bad idea. It's pretty sad that I don't even have a passport. I really need to get out more.

45. Do you have a special talent?

I like to think, and I've been told, I have a good photographic eye.

46. Where were you born?

About 3 miles away in a hospital that doesn't exist anymore. There's a church and a few McMansions there now.

47. Whose answers are you looking forward to getting back?

Anyone who spends the time to answer.

48. How did you meet your spouse/significant other?

We only lived a couple of blocks away from each other and I would walk by his house all the time on the way to my then boyfriend's house or I'd see him driving around the city. He says he had fantasies after seeing me walk home from cheerleading practice in my cute little uniform. Those were the days when I could wear a cute little uniform.

Not long after my then boyfriend broke up with me 'cause I wouldn't let him have my sweet cherry, I went to visit B's sister at her house and B was there. He was happy to hear I was single again and didn't hesitate to asked me out in front of his whole family. The rest, as they say, is history.

Ok, enough about me. It's time to talk about yourself.

No Surprise

I can relate to Kirstie's weight battle. It's no surprise to me that Kirstie Alley regained all the weight she lost on the Jenny Craig program. I've been there - done that. The Jenny Craig program works as long as you stay on it but as soon as you stop eating their food, stop getting weighed by their people and go back to your old ways the weight comes right back on.

Kirstie recently sat down with Oprah to tease us about yet another weight loss plan that she has researched over the past year and a half while her exercise equipment was sitting in her garage. The day she moved all the equipment into the garage is the day she decided to regain the weight she lost.

Oh, Kirstie, Kirstie, Kirstie ... we've done this before, we've lost and regained and lost again but we can't just "go on" another weight loss plan. A plan that we "go on" is something that we eventually will "go off" of and that is why we need to break the cycle. We need to learn how to permanently change our lifestyle so that we eat a certain way and move a certain amount for the rest of our lives. If Kirstie's new plan is a lifetime plan then it will be a smashing success. It took me many years and many diets to learn that diets just don't work in the long run.

I hope Kirstie can figure out how to win her battle of the bulge but if her plan is just another diet to go on I have a feeling there will be another sit down with Oprah about another failed loss/regain cycle.

Maybe Kirstie has uncovered the secret the rest of us have been unable to figure out. I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens and how different her weight loss plan is from everything else that is already out there. Do you think Kirstie's new weight loss plan will work for her? I hope she does but I have my doubts.