How Fat is FAT?

When I developed earlier than all the other girls in fifth grade I thought I was fat. I wasn't, I just grew boobs and hips.

When I was 15 wearing a size 7 and weighing around 125 pounds I thought I was fat. I wasn't. I had a smokin' hot body. I would really appreciate that body if I had it today.

When I got my drivers license at age 16 I put on a few pounds because I wasn't walking or biking to get where I wanted to go. I probably weighed around 130 pounds and wore a size 9. I thought I was fat. I wasn't. I'd be happy to be 130 now.

Every year I would try new diets and lose a few pounds only to gain more and more. I was shocked when I hit 140 pounds and had to jump to a size 10-12. I couldn't believe I was so close to 150 pounds. I tried to lose it by going on one diet after another and ended up gaining more in the long run. I thought I could get my weight under control. I wasn't going to allow myself to break 150 pounds because then I would be really FAT. It didn't take long to exceed that mark with another round of dieting and regaining.

Up, up and away to 160, 170, 180, 190 ... OMG. How can I weigh 190 pounds? I couldn't imagine being over 200 pounds. There was no way I was going to allow myself to reach the dreaded 200 pound mark. If I hit 200 pounds I would be FAT FAT.

I had to get serious, no more playing games. I obviously didn't know how to do it right and needed help. I paid lots of money for a lifetime membership at Jenny C., ate everything out of a cardboard box for months and months, got weighed in every week by a stranger and lost about 60 pounds. I didn't even get down to my goal weight before I started regaining again. I kept the weight off for about 5 whole minutes. Don't blink, you missed it.

Keeping up with the weight loss/regain pattern, I regained all the weight I lost plus a little more for good measure. I broke through the 200 pound mark and beyond. Even though I've always been active, I felt really FAT at over 200 pounds. How did I let this happen? How could I let myself get so FAT?

I couldn't take it anymore. About 6 years ago I jumped on the low carb (South Beach/modified Atkins) bandwagon hard core. I gave up all white carbs. I didn't have any sugar, flour, pasta, potatoes, bread, rice or starchy vegetables for over a YEAR. I don't know how I did it but I resisted all my favorite foods, got off the constant sugar drip and felt amazing as the weight melted off. I ate tons of salads, veggies, some fruits and lean protein and lost at least 60 pounds (AGAIN).

I thought I had it all figured out. I lost it on my own. I got off the sugar and felt amazing. I was never going to be fat again. WoooHoooo! Sixty pounds seems to be my limit before my body wants its fat back. Before I even got to my goal weight I started gaining it back AGAIN all the way up to where I am today - fat and miserable.

Even though I haven't been successful (yet) in all my years of dieting, I haven't given up. I'm fatter than I've ever been and I can't stand it anymore. I'm not done fighting the fat. I'm going to win this war. I spent the majority of my 20s and 30s being Fat. Fat, you may have taken the best years of my life but you are not going to take any more. Fat, you are going down. I'm going to kick your a$$.

Why couldn't I see I was fine (NOT FAT) the way I was before I started that first diet? How fat is FAT now? Where is my limit?

I Know This Much Is True

This is not a post about Wally Lamb's book but rather a post about my truths.


I know how to lose weight
I know I'm not doing (enough of) what I need to do to lose weight
I know I need to put in the hard work to get the results I want
I know I need to get up earlier to work out
I know I need to stop making excuses
I know I need to make my weight loss a priority in my life
I know I need to stop binging
I know I need to stop letting job stress get the better of me
I know I need to eat more fruits and vegetables
I know I need to stop eating junk food
I know losing weight doesn't make life perfect
I know I don't have to eat/drink just because everyone around me is eating/drinking
I know I should only eat when I'm hungry not when I'm bored, sad, stressed, happy, etc.
I know what it takes
I know I'm not getting any younger
I know it gets harder to lose weight the older I get
I know I don't want to be this fat anymore
I know I can do it
I know I will do it


I know ...


What do you know?

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.

Nothing is Free

My firm has laid off workers, cut out their 401(k) match and scaled down and cut back many other things but the one thing they haven't cut back on is free breakfast on Thursday mornings.

The Thursday morning feast consists of fresh hot bagels, croissants, pastries, muffins and big platters of fresh fruit. I always try to stick to the fruit and can usually get out of the lounge without grabbing some calorie bomb but the last few weeks I had been indulging in half of a delicious carrot muffin along with my fruit. I knew I shouldn't but I did and it needed to stop.

I'm happy to tell you I resisted the urge to indulge today. I was determined to stay away from those muffins because we all know that muffins, even "carrot" muffins, are just cake in disguise and there is nothing healthy about them. I know better. Some Thursdays I would just eat my regular oatmeal breakfast so I wouldn't be tempted by all the fattening breakfast treats but I needed to work my resisting muscles and just say no. It's hard to pass up something for free in these tough economic times but even if it doesn't cost me money it cost me dearly in other ways.

I'm happy I was able to resist those yummy muffins and just enjoy the fresh watermelon, cantaloupe, berries and honeydew melon instead. I had to stay away from the lounge for the rest of the day because I knew if I went back in there I would be tempted but those muffins. Getting out of there with just my fruit was enough temptation.

I need to remember that just because it is free doesn't mean I have to eat it. It is not calorie free and I would need to pay for it in sweat and tears.

No more free muffins for me!

Hot Sweep

It felt like summer here this weekend with temperatures in the high 80s/low 90s. It was much cooler in Vermont yesterday so we missed sweating it out in the city.

It was only in the 50s when we left the Northeast Kingdom yesterday afternoon but the temps climbed higher and higher as we drove south and it was up to 90 degrees when we got into Massachusetts. Thankfully it cooled down by the time we got to our house so our apartment wasn't an oven. We opened all the windows and got a nice cool breeze to air things out and cool off.

The heat was on at Fenway Park all weekend. It's always exciting to be a sports fan in Boston and there is no bigger rivalry than the Red Sox/Yankees. The Sox spanked the Yankees this weekend taking all three games at Fenway. It's always good to see the Red Sox win but it is so much sweeter when they beat the Evil Empire. Go Sox!

Thematic Photographic - Floral

I wish I were more consistent with my Thematic Photographic participation but somehow life gets in the way and another week's theme is up and I've missed the party. I'm a little late for this one too but wanted to post anyway.

If you want to participate in Carmi's Thematic Photographic project, head over to Written Inc. to get the details and check out his amazing photos. Enjoy!

Happy Patriots Day!

I love these holidays that I get a day off of work but don't have to buy anything or go anywhere. I did say a little prayer of thanks to all the service men and woman, past and present, but that's about all I did to celebrate and honor this holiday.

I was tempted to go take pictures of those crazy people running the Boston Marathon but we decided to go to the gym and do a little running of our own. B and I met Steve and Annmarie at Planet Fitness after breakfast. We got a good workout in while watching the marathon runners on tv.

It is always inspiring to watch the marathon but I don't think I'd ever be able to do it, even if I did get into a serious running program. I am going to try the couch to 5K now that the weather is getting warmer and I can get outside to run. I can't get very inspired to run on the dreadmill but don't mind hitting the pavement and sucking in some fresh air.

I'm still congested and coughing so I was out of breath before I even got on the elliptical but I stayed on for 50 minutes and got a decent workout in. It would be so much easier to get to the gym more often if I had a few more days off from work.

Happy Patriots Day! Oh, and Happy 4/20 ;) Party on.

Cousin Frankie Gets Married

Big Italian weddings are always fun and cousin Frankie's wedding was no exception. Frankie and his bride Angela got married in a small church in Medford so we didn't have to travel far which is always good. It was a nice ceremony but it was a little strange when four or five members of the wedding party started walking down the isle before the music began playing. The church was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. The organist finally started playing by the time the bride started her walk down the isle.


We actually snuck out before the "I dos" because I could feel a sneezing fit coming on and I didn't have any of my allergy pills with me. We got out of the church before I disrupted the service and took a quick detour to our house to get my medication before heading to the reception.


The reception was held at Venezia's on the waterfront in Quincy. I've never been to this restaurant but I'd like to go back and check out the restaurant for a special dinner. The meal was delicious and I had fun catching up with my aunts, uncles and cousins. Even though most of them don't live too far away, I don't get to see them very often.


I only had one cocktail which was more than I needed since I'm still sick with the cough that won't go away. I'm glad I wasn't in the mood to drink since the booze was $8 a glass. I did a good job staying away from the dessert table. I did have a few bites of the wedding cake but didn't have one cream puff or Italian pastry off the huge table of desserts.


I promised B I wouldn't abandon him at the table to spend the whole night taking pictures like I usually do at weddings. It was hard keeping my finger off the shutter and not running to catch every moment. We didn't stay too late even though we both have tomorrow off (Patriots Day). At least we waited 'til the old people left before we called it a night and headed home.


Of course we couldn't make it through the night without a couple of my aunts asking us when we were going to finally tie the knot. It's inevitable someone will bring up the fact we have been together forever (26+ years) and still "live in sin." I keep telling them we don't want to ruin a good thing and I'm not sure if I'm ready to be a grown up yet.


Best wishes to Frankie and Angela!