Experiment Update Number 1

So I just re-read my goals, which I had forgotten all about.
I did get in three strength workouts and 2.5 cardio workouts last week. So I was pleased about that. Tonight I am due for the circuit training (strength routine) with a few more reps than last week. Can I say that I'm dreading it? Can I say that that would be an understatement? Either way, let's stay positive here, I hit last week's exercise goal.
I also did a fairly good job of sticking to healthy snacks at work (I passed up a shared Twix!), until the weekend, which coincided with pre-m.s. I ate a fare amount of not the best stuff this weekend. But I will say that McDonald's has one of the best chocolate dipped cones around. The chocolate melts in your mouth like poison. Yum!
I drank on Saturday. Forgot all about my three drink limit. But didn't have a hangover, so although I wasn't as healthy as I'd have liked, I DID get my @ss to work on Sunday morning for a little OT.
Two out of three ain't bad, right? Well, technically it's a 66.66%, which is not a passing grade, but I'll take it.
This week's goals are pretty much the same (sort of blew the snack one given that the Girl Scout cookies I ordered came in today), so instead of trying to avoid unhealthy snacks altogether (at which I will fail), I'll compromise by making my goal to count calories this week instead. And not go over. Obviously. Um, today is excluded. That means I'll count on Saturday too.
Okay, those are some nice, shiny goals. Now...I shall try not to die while I do squat thrusts. Yes, they are just as horrible as they sound.

Missed Connections

On craigslist. Have you ever read these? I didn't know that they existed until about six months ago. Today was only my second perusal. One or two made me teary-eyed. Several made me laugh out loud. A couple were just vulgar. God. People never cease to amaze me. And this time it's in a good way.

http://nashville.craigslist.org/mis/

Experimental February

So February is going to be an experiment. An experiment in not drinking for a month, in trying to eat well, in setting an exercise goal for each week, and sticking to it. To see if a month of healthy living is enough time for palpable results in the realm of mind, body, spirit.
I figure that the shortest month is the one to try. I'll let y'all know how it goes.
Given that today was Super Bowl Sunday I didn't eat incredibly well, but I refrained from beer, AND I had an excellent walk/run (much more walk than run) with my dog at the Greenway. It was an amazingly gorgeous day, and I'd be lying if I said that I didn't close my eyes and breathe in deeply to really enjoy the wind and sunshine.
So this week's goals:
- 5 days of exercise. Two days of cardio and three days of strength training. It's time to start implementing some strength training so that I can tone up. I hate strength training, but it needs to be done. Tony brought me home this Women's Health 2009 Training Guide from the free bin at his work. I find a lot of the exercises to be very intimidating, but it's good motivation.
- Pass on the unhealthy snacks, most especially at work.
- Skip beer altogether, though we do have a birthday party coming up, so, if it must be consumed, 3 drink maximum.
Okay. Small, attainable goals are the road to change. So here we go.

Shopry Mills

We went today. Have I told you how I hate shopping? Well, I do. I lost some weight over last year, and I seem to be slowly piling it back on. I guess that's the way it goes, right? Well, I wasn't really in the mood for shopping, but I had some jeans to take back to Old Navy, along with a "Free Pair of Denim On Us" card (let me say as a side note that when you're dissatisfied with a product or an experience - write a letter. Always. Write a letter, and send it to the customer service department. You never know what they'll send back to you in the hopes of remedying the situation). I had a bad experience with a pair of Old Navy jeans, and hence, the "Free Pair of Denim On Us" card was born.
Well, let me also just say that the Old Navy of Opry Mills has possibly the worst lighting ever. I tried on about eight pairs of jeans, and they all fit, but weren't necessarily the flattery that I was going for. It also didn't help that every time I removed my jeans, every dimple on my thighs and every stretchmark everywhere else were on display. Dear god, y'all would move more product if you had some dimmer lighting. It was enough to make me sink back into my old jeans and slink out of the store with only a pair of yoga pants. That's right, Old Navy, you sure showed me. I'll be working this ass out for a few months before I saunter back in there, trying on jeans in the worst-lit dressing rooms of all time.
It was "inspirational" though. Inspiration to put the Oreo's away, and head back to the Y with a vengeance. Closer to the vengeance that I had at this time last year and farther from the weak vengeance I've been mustering. I tried on the jeans that I had returned, same cut, same style, same wash, slightly thicker denim, and I felt like a sausage. It was discouraging to say the least. The only thing that made me feel better was that my incredibly fit boyfriend said the mirror also played tricks on him, making him feel that his not-quite-cut abs looked more like a beer gut. I'd be content to just get back to my September weight and then maybe start toning up those dimples that are oh-so-evident on the Old Navy mirror.
I hate coming to terms with the girls that I'm never going to be. I'm never going to be fashion forward or trendy. I'm never going to be stick straight with an awesome set of knockers. I'm never going to be spot-on with accessories or hairstyles. I wish that I could just accept these things about myself and make the most of what I've got. I'd say I do that some of the time. Sometimes I can say, you are the girl with the big booty and heels and basic tank top/cardigan/GAP sweater (that your boyfriend picked out for you). Hell, you are the girl with the boyfriend who's always going to be dressed better than you are. So get your tan in the summer, buy your tank tops, find that one pair of jeans you feel confident in, and stop worrying about it. You are who you are. You're getting a little old to not be comfortable with yourself. Oh yeah, and maybe stop eating so many Joe Joe's and get your @ss to the Y.

Oh My Goodnesses

I have just watched the most amazing, most inspiring, most interesting documentary I have ever seen. I know what you're probably expecting, and it's not that. It's the Pixar Story. If you liked any of the Disney Pixar movies, any of their, what is it now, EIGHT, visual masterpieces, you should check out this documentary. Once you watch this film you realize why every single one of their full-length films has been a hit. It's because the company is filled with these people who are dedicated to making an amazing product, not just pushing out movies to make a buck. It was totally inspiring to watch. Literally gave me goosebumps a couple times, maybe 'cause I've loved so many of their movies, but maybe because it was just that moving to watch a company that had so much heart and devotion and took these great risks to make something that they could be proud of. Oh, to be so passionate about one's work. It must be radical. And this was all filmed before Wall-E. I can't even imagine how they're going to top themselves now.

Ticky Tacky

"And they're all made out of ticky tacky and they all look just the same." Five points if you know what that's from...Yes, Random House. That's the name of my game.
Hmmm, to do the year in review or not? I can't decide. I think it's still too fresh. Being 367 days past its prime and all. I did, however, make New Year's resolutions. I will list them for you:
1. Call Austin every Sunday.
2. Exercise 4-5 times per week.
3. Eat more fresh fruits and veggies.
4. Shop at the farmer's market for said fruits and veggies.
5. Go to ALL of my book club meetings (I was a tad absent in '08).
6. Buy a house.
7. Pay 1/2 of my credit card balance (numbers 6 & 7 should maybe be reversed, no?).
8. Have dance parties.
9. Be grateful.
10. Volunteer.
Personally, I think ten is a nice, round number. I'm sticking with it. I'm sticking with these resolutions too. I will MAKE them happen. That's how I'll be rolling in 2009. This year's motto is: Time to stop talking about it and start being about it. Sounds badass, right?

There's No Friends Like Old Friends

Nichole: I watched Martha Stewart yesterday.

Jade: I love Martha Stewart.

Nichole: I hate her.

Jade: (Look of anger and disgust)

Nichole: She had these chefs on her show, and they were cooking stuff, and she totally overpowered them.

Jade: (Smug face) If I were going to marry a woman, I would marry Martha Stewart.

Tarra: (Look of anger and disgust) What? You mean you wouldn't marry one of us?