I hate to toot my own horn...but "TOOT TOOT"!

First off, let me welcome Jo and Anne to the blog! Thank you so much for your kind words, and taking time to share your thoughts with me. I appreciate your kindness!

Last week was a great week! I actually stuck to my diet plan and lost...wait for it...drum roll please...is the curtain ready?...by the way did I mention I'm dramatic?...or maybe I'm annoying...I guess it depends on who you talk to...so, where was I? Oh yeah, I lost THREE pounds last week. I hate to toot my own horn, but TOOT TOOT!

First, I want to thank the academy. Wait, wrong speech! First, I want to thank Dillons and Ron's. Your great sales on Lean Cuisine and Smart Ones made my week (5 meals for $10, 2 meals for $4, and 2 meals for $5). Thank you to Dunkin' Donuts! Without your coffee I would not have made it through the week. Thank you to my water filter. My 64 ounces a day tasted great! I couldn't have done it without you. Finally, thank you to the big people (and no I'm not referring to your size...little people just seems condescending). My family, friends, and fellow bloggers...you have been behind me 100%. I'm sure that is not the view of me that you would prefer, but maybe you have noticed that my behind is smaller. I couldn't have done it without your support! Thank you for your kindness, words of wisdom, and good humor. It is because of you that I have made it this far.

Seriously, this past week has been great. I had a healthy breakfast, a healthy lunch, and either a Lean Cuisine or Smart One for dinner. I kept my calories between 1000 and 1200 calories per day, and I drank my 64 ounces of water. I can't wait until I feel up to exercising because I'm sure that it will make my experience that much better. I have an appointment with the hip specialist at the end of the month. If he rules out my hip pain as being caused by my hips, then I will need to reconsider back surgery. I'm not sure which to hope for, but I'm ready to start exercising! I'm so excited!!!

I hope everyone is loving their Monday as much as I am. Have a good one!!!

Goals...I guess I should have some

Many of you might not know this, but I'm not an organized individual. I'm a fly by the seat of my pants kind of girl. I don't do lists,
I don't do outlines, and I don't have an organizer. It just isn't me. My mind just wanders too much. I mean, I try to log-in to calorie counting websites, but I would rather calculate it in my head. Weird...I know! However, I figure that it is time to get serious about my goals and (gulp) write them down.

So, let's see, how do people normally do this? Do I need numbers or dots? Better yet, does anyone have a list template? Nope...ok, I'll give list making my best shot.

1. Lose weight (too generic)
2. Lose 61 pounds (Wow, that is a lot)
3. Re-evaluate the actual weight loss number as I lose dress sizes. A size 8 would be ideal. (I think the last time I was that size I was eight...hum)
4. Drink 64oz of water a day (Thank goodness for the 32oz cup I received from the hospital at my last surgery. It is a HUGE help in keeping track of my water intake. Of course, it probably cost me $100 for that cup...darn hospitals).
5. Eat smaller portions. (I'm rocking this goal. I eat meals off of a salad plate to keep my portions small).
6. Exercise! (This one is huge. I don't exercise at all right now. That is not something I would recommend to anyone! Hopefully, after my next doctors appointment this will improve).
7. 1st Goal - 175 pounds
8. 2nd Goal - 150 pounds
9. Final weight loss goal...135 pounds or a size 8.

Wish me luck!

Oh, by the way, I was wrong in my last post. You can win on Top Chef when you make risotto. Who knew! Have a great weekend everyone!!!

The Best Diet Aid of 2011

Finally, I have found it! The best diet aid ever...or at least in 2011. The best part is it doesn't cost you a thing. Unless you don't have cable, then it might cost you a little bit. This aid will work for anyone. OK, that isn't true. It will only work for people that don't want to cook or people that don't like to cook. The answer...drum roll please...everyone have their pencils handy...the best diet aid of 2011 is THE FOOD NETWORK!


Now, I'm sure many of you are confused, so let me explain. I'm not much of a cook, and I really have no desire to cook. I blame this on being single. I used to cook meals for myself, but then I always had leftovers that went bad. It was so frustrating. To make matters worse, I'm a snacker...cookies, crackers, chips..oh my! Now, this is where The Food Network comes in.

I'll give you an example of a typical evening. So, it is Monday night and I'm watching an episode of Castle. A commercial comes on for ice cream, and it is all I think about. I have to have ice cream. I can't watch Castle fight the bad guys without ice cream! Oh no...I can't get that creamy, cold, confection out of my head.

Now, it is Tuesday night, and I'm watching Cupcake Wars and Chopped. All I can think is about is cupcakes and a picnic basket full of crazy food items. You know, thoughts like...wow, that baker is putting salmon in her cupcake. She is crazy! How did that chef brown the meat like that? Why did they pick risotto? I know that risotto is a difficult dish to do correctly in a short amount of time. Ugh...I don't even know what risotto is but I know it is a risk. Seriously, risotto will most likely not be the winning dish.

So, have you noticed a difference? Apparently, I can watch any cooking show (Chopped, Top Chef, Cupcake Wars, Cake Boss, Ultimate Cakes, The Next Food Network Star) and not crave a snack. I don't even crave a meal. I mean, I'm loving what they are making, but I have no desire to do it myself. It is funny, but on the days when these shows air, my calorie intake is lower.

Isn't it amazing? Who knew that cooking shows were a weight loss tool for the cooking challenged! I'm excited, I'm thrilled, I've lost weight...Thank you Food Network, TLC, and Bravo. You have been my greatest dieting aid.

You know, this has me thinking...scary I know. If watching food shows doesn't make me want to eat, then maybe seeing Archie Bunker sitting in his chair will make me want to exercise. Probably not, but a girl can dream.

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!