Do you believe in miracles???

Wow, I just experienced a February 28th miracle. Now this miracle isn't as special as a Christmas Miracle, but it is up there. Drum roll please....I lost 3 pounds!!!! Whoo Hoo!!!

Now, I'm sure that many of you are wondering, "How is this a miracle"? It is a miracle because I have no clue how I did it. Was it willpower? Nope, never met him! Was it exercise? Nope, my back and hips are still making exercise too painful to do. Was it because I stayed on the wagon? Nope, I never even made it on the wagon. Hum...what caused this February 28th Miracle?

• It could be because I started taking my vitamin D again.
• It could be because, even though I ate foods I loved, I ate very small portions. (Let me say a quick “thank you” to the individual that created the salad plate).
• It could just be my mind set. I've started to think more positive. Maybe my mind is winning over my matter (fat cells).
• Or, it could be that I lost weight when I chased the diet wagon, grabbed hold, and was dragged for a good part of the week.

Who cares? It happened, I gave thanks, and now a new week starts. Hopefully, I can use this as a great motivator to continue moving forward. Who knows I might even meet the man of my dreams...Will Power! Miracles really do happen!!!!

Times, they are changin'...why can't dieting?

You know, the older I get, the more I become aware of the past. I don't know if the same is true for everyone, but that is definitely how I am. It seems you can't get away from change. Yet, the older you get, you realize that change (for the most part) isn't change at all...it is rebirth. Basically, everything is a cycle. Old clothes, furniture, and hairstyles become popular again. Movies and TV shows are remakes of successful shows from the past. Books are re-released with some minor changes so they are not so dated. It seems as if most things popular in the past become popular in the future. So, I have to ask...when is Rubenesque going to be popular again?

I'm sure you are wondering...if she is trying to lose weight, why does she want Rubenesque to become popular again? So, it is time for me to be honest. Here goes! Is my phone ringing? Wait, maybe someone is at the door. OK, no more procrastinating...honesty time. The truth (gulp) is that I fell off the wagon this week. Who am I kidding? I never even made it on the wagon this week. It came by, and I tried to hop on but my hands were a little full at the time.

Ugh! I'm sooo frustrated with myself. It has been about 6 months since my exercise has been completely limited, if not, non-existent...yet, I still eat like I'm taking exercise classes at the Y. Let's face it, when it comes to dieting it is all about mind over matter. In my case, my matter (fat cells) is winning over my mind.

So, today is a new day! Even though I can't control that I'm unable to exercise, I can control what I eat. I need to be strong, I need to be tough, and I need to find the will power to not overeat when I'm upset. If I can do this, I WILL lose weight before summer is upon us. Or, if all else fails, I can hope and pray that times are a changin' and Rubeneque will make a comeback. What...it could happen!

I wish my life was like TV.

You often hear the saying that life imitates art. Too bad my life doesn't imitate some of my favorite TV shows or movies. I mean, my life does have some obvious similarities to some shows...Friends, Seinfeld, The Amazing Race, and Castle. I'm sure that you are intrigued, so that me explain the similarities.

Friends - You are probably thinking "WOW"...she must be a beautiful, skinny, single, thirty-something female, living in the city, dating many men, has great friends, and has an exciting job. Um...sort of. I'm a single, thirty-something female with great friends. Oh yeah, I also like coffee. Aren't the similarities amazing!

Seinfeld - Basically, this TV show was extremely funny even though it was about nothing. My blog is the same way! It is slightly amusing, and sometimes it too is about nothing.

The Amazing Race - Any one who has ever dieted can see the correlation between the show and dieting. Starting the race (losing the weight) hoping to make it to the finish line and win a million dollars (hoping to reach your goal weight and feel like a million dollars). Along the way coming across detours, roadblocks, and U-turns (desserts...need I say more) but still trying to reach the pit stop (mini goals) along the way. Too bad my dieting journey doesn't include a good looking host. Hum...this might be something to look into.

Castle - a show about a witty, crime author that works with the police to solve cases. He also uses the detectives he works with as inspiration for his stories. Again, I'm sure you are thinking, "I didn't know that she writes crime stories". Nope, I don't...but I do read them. No, I feel that my life is like the TV show Castle because I love to write (and read). Also, I too draw inspiration from those around me. I love reading and hearing about other people and their success stories.

OK, so maybe my life isn't just like a TV show, but isn't pilot season coming up in April? Maybe, I could create a show about a sweet, single, thirty-something woman that is blessed with a lot of family and friends. She loves to read and write, and she is constantly chasing her goal of losing weight. Once she reaches her goal, regardless of the roadblocks and detours, she wins a million dollars. I'll call it The Race to the Castle with Friends who talk about nothing but winning something Amazing. OK, so maybe incorporating all of my favorite shows in the title wasn't a good idea. Any ideas?

Motivation...I don't know what that means

Recently, whenever I hear someone refer to the word "motivation", I can't help but channel one of my favorite TV characters.
To quote Dr. Temperance Brennan (a.k.a Bones)...I don't know what that means. You see, I recently discovered that I still may need to have back surgery. Before I take that step, my doctor wants me to see a hip specialist to rule out my hips being the cause of my pain instead of my back. Seriously...another doctor, another test, more pain medication...oh yeah, and on top of that I would LOVE to lose weight.

Needless to say, with all of the stress and discomfort, exercise is the last thing on my mind. The good news is I'm not an emotional eater. Oh, I think I hear an ice cream truck...where are my shoes? OK, who am I kidding? Of course I'm an emotional eater! So let's recap, no exercise plus stress and frustration leads to eating...yep, I'm not going to lose weight anytime soon. So, I've decided to get motivated. But what does that mean?

Well, Webster's defines "motivated" as to provide with a motive or to incite. Huh? Oh, I get it...to provoke, move, prompt. So, what would provoke or prompt me to exercise (regardless of the pain) and to not eat when I'm upset? Hum...I've listed some ideas below...

1. Locate a good looking guy that is jogging and chase him. Hey, having something to chase could work.
2. Getting paid to lose weight. Not gonna happen...next.
3. Sharing stories with others that are just as frustrated as I am. This could work, but what about eating?
4. Treat myself like an addict and give up chocolate forever. Maybe find a support group for Chocoholics Anonymous. It is a thought, but give up chocolate forever...not gonna happen.
5. Put an underground electric "fence" around my fridge like people have in their yards for dogs. It just might work!

I better go start filling out the forms for my patent. I mean "shock" therapy to stop eating could work. Of course, if all of the above fails, I could always rely on my family and friends to continue giving me their support, encouragement, and recipes. It might not motivate me to exercise and stop being an emotional eater, but it does give me hope! It makes me work harder and not give up. Hum...maybe I am motivated!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! I wish I could say that I'm spending this romantic holiday with the love of my life, but I have yet to find him. So, I'll be spending this valentine's day like any other...alone. I know what you are thinking. How sad! But, you couldn't be more wrong. I've been blessed with the love of great family and friends. I, in no way, feel like I'm missing out. However, if you want to throw a nice, funny single guy at me...I won't throw him back. ;)


Until I meet that special someone, I will continue to be grateful for all of those currently in my life. I've already received roses from 4 of the men in my life. The oldest is funny and witty. He loves sports and can make me smile at the drop of a hat. The second oldest is one of the sweetest guys I've ever met. He just wants to make everyone happy and let me tell you...he does. The next guy just melts my heart. He has curly hair and is always happy to see me. He too enjoys a good book, and he always tells me he loves me. Finally, the youngest of my men, likes to cuddle. He'll sit with me and hug me. He gives me these grins that just make me fall in love with him again and again.
These four men may be younger than me, but I love them with all my heart! Cade, Cooper, Carston, and Colton...I love you guys! Thanks for the flowers! You will always be the four special men in my life!

I have also been blessed with 6 other very special individuals. My oldest nephew, Drew has matured into a wonderful young man. When he was two years-old he talked so distinctly that you understood every word. I couldn't wait to hear what he would say. As he has gotten older, that hasn't changed. He is a great football player, hunter, and a GREAT older brother! I'm so proud of the man he has become and I can't wait to see what the future holds for him. His sisters, Margaret and Mary, are a trip. When around a lot of people Margaret can be shy, but when she is with family she is quite outgoing. She loves everything from dolls to dancing, to playing with the boys. Mary, on the other hand, does not know the meaning of shy! She tells it like it is and has the best hand gestures to go with it. Both girls love having Dad and Mom read religious stories to them, and we always have to remind Mary that she is not "Blessed" Mary. They are smart and beautiful. I adore them both.
Their brother Charlie is my little bruiser. He loves to get physical and play with anyone around. He has this smile that lights up a room, and his imitation of Buzz Lightyear is funny to watch. He doesn't always like to cuddle because he is always on the go. But, when he does sit on your lap, you treasure every moment. His little sister Lucy is the observer and explorer. She is too young to do more than roll around and crawl, but she has the biggest and most beautiful eyes you have ever seen. She is always looking around, and when her eyes catch yours, she gets the biggest grin on her face that you can't help but match. Finally, there is little miss Quincy. She is our Miss Independent and daredevil. She is only one years-old and she already wants to do everything for herself. She doesn't mind sitting on your lap, but she is usually showing you something at the time (and of course, doing it herself). She always makes me nervous when she gets on her rocker and stands while rocking. Q, as we call her, has a laugh that is infectious and you can't help but laugh with her.

I'm blessed to have such beautiful, funny, smart, and loving nieces and nephews. They fill my heart with love, and I couldn't ask for better valentines!

I'm willing to do anything...as long as it's legal

I'll admit it. I'm losing my motivation to lose weight. I'll be doing really well, and then I get sick or my back and hip pain kick in with a vengeance. At this point, I'll do anything (as long as it's legal). Who am I kidding...I don't care if it is legal as long as I get my motivation back.

Funny, I know that Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, and Nutrisystem want to motivate me to lose weight by using a celebrity spokesman that has had the same problem. I hate to break it to them, but it doesn't work. I'd be more motivated watching someone within my own tax bracket trying to lose the weight. They are dealing with the same issues I am. They are worried about whether or not they can afford the food, when to find time to exercise, and keeping the motivation going throughout the weight loss process. If I had a personal trainer, a personal chef, a lot of money, and was getting PAID to lose weight...I don't think motivation would be a factor.

So, I'm willing to help out any gym or healthy restaurant. If you want to show how successful your organization is, I will be happy to be your spokesperson. I'll be weighed once a month on any television show to chart my progress, I'll work out with a trainer for free to lose the weight, and I'll eat meals for free to advertise for your restaurant. All I ask in return is for $1000 per pound lost in a six month time frame. It is a win-win. The companies get great advertising showing how great their gym or restaurant is, they would be paying less than if they were paying a celebrity, and I'd only be paid if I lose. It is quite the hardship to offer my services this way, but I'm willing to do anything (legal or not) to help companies successfully advertise. I mean look at Subway!

So, if I could pick companies that I would like to represent, I would pick the following...

1)24 Hour Fitness or Lifetime Fitness...
The fact of the matter is, I WANT to work out. My problem is I'm not sure what exercise will best help me lose weight without further injury to my hips and back. I need guidance, I just can't afford it.

2) Sonic....I know what you are thinking, Sonic isn't healthy. However, if someone could come up with the Sonic Drink Diet, I'd jump all over that. Who doesn't love Sonic drinks? And can I just say "Thanks" to the marketing department that came up with Sonic Happy Hour. I must admit, it is one of my happiest hours.

3) Chipotle...I could make this work if I did all protein and watched my portion size. Who am I kidding, I love their burritos with rice. Ok...Chipotle is out of the running...darn it!

4)bd's Mongolian BBQ...Please, oh please call me. I seriously could eat there everyday!
I would wear t-shirts, I would learn how to work the grill, I would give out coupons to all my loved ones (Paul & Meagan start praying for this one). I honestly think that bd's could benefit just like Subway. Of course, they are already a huge success, but by marketing to those trying to lose weight they could add more restaurants. Pittsburg NEEDS one! Call me, write me, tweet me...help a fat girl's dream come true. Too much? Help a slightly overweight girl help others...think of it as charity! Still too much? I'm on my knees begging and won't get up until I hear from you. Yep...just the right amount of aloofness.

Well, I better go charge my phone for all of the calls I'm sure to receive. Sponsorship, here I come!

Wow, where has the time gone?

Apparently, 2011 is not going to be a great year for me. Mind you, I don't think it will be a bad year, but I don't think it will be a stellar year. I started January off with the stomach flu which was bad, but I did lose 6 pounds because of it...so it wasn't awful. Now, I start February off with my doctor saying, "these prescriptions will cover you for strep, bronchitis, and walking pneumonia". Great! Do you know hard it is to exercise when you are coughing every third or fourth step? Again, there was an upside...food tasted awful so I didn't overeat.

Needless to say, I haven't had a great start to dieting in 2011. I'm trying to decide where I go from here. Do I try Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, or do I just eat sensibly? Of course, not eating sensibly is why I'm overweight in the first place. Any recommendations? Anyone, anyone, Bueller...Bueller. Oh well, here is what I'm thinking...I'll start by just watching my calorie intake and try to exercise (as much as my health permits). I'll see how I've progressed at the end of the month and then re-evaluate.

My 2011 Weight Loss Poem
What can I say, this is not the way,
I saw my year going, with my weight yo-yoing.
I'm sick of feeling awful, and now I crave a waffle.
I wish the snow would go, so I no longer grow,
big and wide, but a woman full of pride.
For I plan to eat right, so my clothes aren't too tight,
and workout like crazy and just quit being lazy.
2011 I thought would be heaven,
instead it has been rough and I look like a cream puff.
So, today is the date that I start to lose weight.
Wish me luck, so I don't get stuck,
in a rut with all of the weight going to my butt!

Not my best work, but you get the idea. Thank you all for your support!