Fat Grl Slim

Adieu

2010-01-18T08:23:00.001-07:00

In case you haven't figured it out - I'm not posting here any more. Long story. If you'd like the link to my new blog, I'd be more than happy to share.

FGS

I'm not lost....I'm distracted......

2009-03-15T12:12:00.001-06:00

I'm still here.

Just distracted.

Well, Here I Am......

2009-01-28T06:36:00.002-07:00

Thesis.

Check.

Weight loss progress, gym, or anything else in my life.

Not so much.

I'm officially posting a "WATCH THIS SPACE" sign here.

I'll be back.

Delaying the Inevitable No Longer

2009-01-04T11:56:00.004-07:00

I hate this time of year. And I hate resolutions.

I didn't used to. But for some reason, these days, I always feel so damn defeated come January 1st.

So my resolution this year?

Not to make any dang resolutions.

Now, let me clarify here. I am all about goals -- goals broken into small manageable chunks. And I think one of my downfalls over the last 6 months was abandoning my goals. That and relying far too much on my non-existent willpower to steer me in the right direction. As I have mentioned before, willpower is not my forte. And if I am honest with myself, which I have forced myself to be since my pants stopped fitting, I will never be a girl who can turn down food.

It gives me a bit of comfort to know I'm not the only one struggling with my issues and there are some good reads to be found here, here and here. Why is it, exactly, that we let this one time of year demolish us? I mean, in general, I'm a strong confident woman. But this time of year never fails to make me turn into a blubbering idiot. Honestly, if I weighed 120 pounds, I would still probably freak out! What have we let the media and ourselves turn this time of year into? It certainly explains why I am much more fond of Khmer and Chinese New Year's now! No resolutions. No regrets. No pressure! And more silly traditions...

Ahh 2009, you've already kicked me in the ass. I hesitantly say I have hit rock bottom. And you are only a few days old! I suppose I need to look forward with hope. I have 360 days left to figure out where I'm going...

Back to the gym for starters!!!!!!

So, here we go. Forward. Monos va!

FGS

Merry Belated Christmas!

2008-12-26T11:21:00.001-07:00

Ahhh my poor neglected blog! And my poor neglected readers!

Merry Christmas!
Hope you had a wonderful one!

Love,
FGS

ps. Trust me, the new year will be bringing some serious blogging!!!!!!

Everyone Needs a Luck Dragon

2008-12-05T06:23:00.002-07:00

Including me! But man I was lucky yesterday. Got to school on time in the middle of a snowstorm when everyone else was late. Got a jury summons, but when I looked closer it was addressed to the old owner of my house. Found a program that will let me defer my student loans for longer. Sigh. Wahooooooooooo.

Weight wise, I've made it to the gym 3 times this week and I'm going again tonight. Then I'm going to go once this weekend. I decided that this week was about getting back to the gym, not counting everything that goes in my mouth. I have learned in the past that when I try and start both things at the same time, things go horribly wrong! So I'm letting my body get used to burning more calories during workouts and on Monday I am going to start doing the Daily Plate again.

That's all for now folks! I'm still half asleep and can't seem to make my fingers work.

Hasta la proxima,
FGS

Why 80's Music Rocks on Mondays

2008-12-01T06:32:00.006-07:00

I think I can file this one under totally off-topic blogs. But hey, I just couldn't help it. I've been on vacation for a week (thank God for turkey!) and I needed a little inspiration to get myself back to work. And back to the gym......

So here it is. Why 80's music rocks on Monday:

Because who doesn't love Journey.
Synthesizers made the world a better place.
Cougar wasn't just an over-aged woman trolling for men at a bar, he was a man who wanted it to hurt so good.
Cartoons came to life, a-ha they did!
A bad hair day just wasn't possible in the 80's.
Peter Cetera. Who doesn't want a man to fight for their honor?
Music was wholesome. Rick Springfield is reminding me not to talk to strangers, especially French strangers.
Who doesn't love being compared to a cherry pie?
Because work truly is the Danger Zone.
Prince.

In a not so off-topic, absolutely not related to the 80's train of thought, Thanksgiving was an eating fiesta that has left me with very tight pants. They were just tight before, now they are very tight. That combined with a lovely picture of me looking like a beached whale (yes literally, peeps) that my friend took has really been an eye-opener. So I've scheduled gym time with my friend for this afternoon. And we are gonna get physical....

Tee hee...off to work!

FGS

PS. For more inspiration, click here.

Golden Years

2008-11-20T06:34:00.002-07:00

Don't ask me what possessed me to title my blog this way. Maybe the fact that David Bowie is blasting on my iPod right now... but really, who knows.

So it's Thursday, and I can't believe there is still one day left in the longest week of my life. I haven't had any coffee yet either. And could I whine a little bit more?

Yes, yes I can! This week, the elementary teachers in my building (it's K-12) were all out of the building at a training. And my school is so ghetto-fab that they decided the intervention and special education teachers would cover the classes. All I have to say is good times. And to all you teachers out there who leave shitty sub plans, I curse you and wish you a classroom full of unruly 2nd graders with absolutely NOTHING for them to do.

Oh I am a bit annoyed this morning to. And no matter how many times I tell myself, I'm having a really hard time getting over myself.

BUT, yes there is always a but! I went to the gym last night! And I had a fabulous work out! Sigh. 30 minutes of cardio, followed by arms and 30 more minutes of cardio when my friend showed up and abs. Ok, so the weights weren't crazy -- and I didn't hit every muscle group. But, BUT, BUT - I MADE IT TO THE GYM!

As I was lifting, I decided not to try and recreate moments with PT -- because I also think this has been one of my hang ups with heading to the gym lately. I can't recreate a PT workout, but you know what -- it doesn't really matter. I can get close! As I was working out I decided to go back to the Body for Life pyramid model. I used to do this at my old gym and had some good results with it. So for now, I think I might use the model again. Until I'm ready to try and create a work out as hard as PT's used to be! I was also considering downloading a few workouts for my iPod (anybody have any good suggestions????????). My main concern with that is that they won't be hard enough. Ok, I know that sounds a bit ridiculous -- but I build tolerance quickly and need to switch things up routinely. There's also the possibility that I could suck it up and go back to spin class (which I love) and the cardio pump boot camp weightlifting extravaganza class (if I wasn't so scared of it!).

But for today, I'm just going to be happy with the fact that I went to the gym and had a good work out! Yeah me!

And there is only one more day until Thanksgiving Vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love ya love ya love ya,
FGS

Early Morning Bloggin'

2008-11-13T06:44:00.002-07:00

As usual, I got up this morning and started wading through the millions of blog posts on my Google reader. And then I started feeling a twinge of guilt for not contributing to other people's to-read lists. I'm here peeps! But trust me when I say you really wouldn't want to hear it! I hate my job, haven't been to the gym in weeks and we aren't even going to mention the scale. So, for the moment, I'm just going to focus on making it through this week. This weekend though, I need to do some major thinking about how I'm going to survive the rest of this school year. Because I refuse to become the goodyear blimp because of stress eating related to how much I hate my job.

Until then, have a fabulous day!

FGS

Trick or Treat!

2008-11-01T06:39:00.002-06:00

So I'm feeling a bit like a pumpkin today -- slightly rounder in the middle than I was yesterday. I'm up ridiculously early and of course I thought, hey, I should blog. So it's just before 7am. I spent last night passing out candy with a bloody mary in hand. Classy, eh? I also managed to eat half the state of Colorado, but I don't want to talk about that.

My newest addiction is The Daily Plate. Since canceling my WW membership (wahoooooo! economic crisis!), I think it is a fantastic alternative. And, if I'm honest with myself, I'm learning more about my eating habits that I ever did with WW. Now, don't get me wrong. Points are easy and great! But actually knowing the percentage of carbs and protein and fat going into your body, even better! It is very informative and more importantly, free. So a shout out to TDP!

One of my goals for the week was to make it to the gym 4 times and walk the dog twice. So far I'm 1-1 on these goals. I'm planning on going to the gym today and tomorrow and I'll walk the dog both as well, so I think I will at least end up 3 and 3 for the goal. I used to not be able to not go to the gym it was such a habit. Now, not so much. It's been hard to remotivate. Even though after working out Sunday and Tuesday made me feel AMAZING. You'd think that would be enough. I guess I need to learn to make better deals with myself...

I guess the real question that remains is am I making progress? Well, I'm not completely stalled out. But neither am I moving forward with any great velocity either. I am still here though, hanging in there. And I'm happy for that.

Ok, off to drink insane amounts of coffee.......

FGS

Stop the World I Wanna Get Offffffffffffffffffffff!

2008-10-23T19:08:00.002-06:00

Today was one of those days when it really doesn't suprise me that I'm overweight. It was a day full of intense stress, 8 year old children in tears or threatening to hurt themselves, and excessive M & M's knicked from the secretary's secret stash. It was a day where I felt completely and totally useless.

I can't fix everything, that much I know. But I'm a Libra and I like balance and frankly, in my job, in this particular school I work at, there is none. It is constant chaos -- and that is putting it mildly.

And yet, I feel as if it's all just one big fat excuse not to be better than I am. I am very good at making excuses. My best ones at the moment have to do with making it to the gym. By the way, I've finally figured out that I'm never going to make it there in the evening after school, so my new commitment is going to involve going at least 3 days a week in the morning. I seem to do okay dragging my arse out of bed at ridiculous hours. And then the 4th and potentially 5th day will be whenever I choose. I'm even going to allow myself to choose walking the dog (provided I actually walk the dog!) if I choose. A good walk though, no cop outs.

And who knows, maybe 99% of my stress will go away when I start working out again..........

That's all from the trenches,

FGS

Wahooooooooo!

2008-10-21T06:52:00.002-06:00

I'm going to take a page from Mouse's book here and do a little Good, Bad, Ugly!

Good: My thesis is in the mail!!!!!!!! All 56 pages of the first three chapters. The easy part is next, so I'm not stressing AT all!
Bad: I ate more junk food in 72 hours than I have in the last oh, let's say, 2 years!
Ugly: The scale this morning!

I just wanted to do one :).

Sigh. My gym back is packed. And believe me, I'm going. I wish I had a week off work right about now to clean my house! You should have seen the pizza boxes and piles of dishes left over from my academic stupor. But, it's over now! And a wee small tiny bit of that super stressed feeling has gone away. Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok. Time to get ready for early morning meetings. And throw some pork in the crock pot for tonight's dinner!

Bye Y'all!
FGS

ps.

You know, I think I failed to mention that I chopped off all of my hair for Locks of Love a few weeks back!!!!!! It's short and sassy now and I like it.

Bits and Bobs

2008-10-13T18:23:00.002-06:00

It's Monday again. My favorite day. Pfft. Ok, I like Monday's when they aren't chaotic and out of control. Oh, and have I mentioned that I enjoy living in a swing state? I swear I'm getting calls every two minutes to vote for this and that. Peeps, I'm voting, you don't have to worry!

So I've joined Lauren's challenge! Heck, maybe a challenge will be just what I need. I am not really clear on all of the details of the challenge which means I'd best get my butt back over there and read the rules! Okay! All clear now! 10 weeks! The challenge is 10 weeks and it ends on December 22nd.

The question is, what exactly are my goals for this 10 weeks period?

Let's start with the obvious!

GYM,GYM, GYM! I'd like to say I'll be able to go everyday. But peeps, I'm finishing my thesis here and so I'm going to make my goal of gym fun for 3 times a week.
Food - okay, I eat very well my big issue is portion size. Sigh. I'm so good about fiber and I'm addicted to yummy, healthy shakes. The issue, and my weakness? CHEESE! And chips..... So, I'm not going to give up these things. I'd be stupid to say I was going to give these things up! Nuts! But, I can control how much I'm eating. Hmmm and maybe I can try some soy cheese.......
Mind. I need to control my stress! I think that might help me out on a lot of fronts.

Overall, I'm not entirely sure what my weight loss goal is here. I suppose I will have to think about that!

Ok, off to take a bath and relax!!!!!!!!!

Laterz!

And happy birthday to Paddington Bear!

OMG! I missed my blog-o-versary!

2008-10-10T06:33:00.003-06:00

Totally figures!

I seem to have trouble remembering my name these days with all the stress I'm having at work. Why I thought it was at the end of the month, I'm not entirely sure. But please help me celebrate with some yummy, guilt free cake...

Mmmmmmmm cake! Not that I wouldn't stop myself from eating it right now. Willpower? What's that? Pfft.

So I read that stress has a lot to do with forgetting things. Which could very easily explain my lack of memory these days. Have I mentioned I'm stressed out at work? I can't remember......

That's about all I'm capable of this morning. I'm listening to Manu Chao and thanking my lucky stars it's finally Friday. One more day with screaming children. If I make it through the day without quitting that is...

With that super positive news, I'm off! Have a lovely, choclatey-cake filled day!

And Happy Blog-o-versary to me!!!!!!!

FGS

Just one more piece!

2008-10-06T05:57:00.005-06:00

I am an emotional eater peeps. Yeah, I admit it. And the stress of my job, coupled with the fact that I seem to have forgotten I am paying $40 bucks a month for a gym membership, have made this fact all the more lucid in the last few weeks.

I decided to blog about it after reading Fat Bridesmaid's post and thinking about to the last couple of weeks. A bagel in the staff lounge after I had just eaten breakfast, having an extra piece of pizza even though I'm not hungry. And the list goes on.... I guess I didn't realize how much the gym helped me manage a lot of these stress/comfort/emotional eating episodes. Work is taking it's toll right now. So much so that I found myself at home with a bottle of red wine and a heap load of sushi (among other things) on Friday night. And really, do I wonder why?

Breaking habits is clearly hard to do.

So how do I get control again?
Captain Obvious would like to point out my shiny, unused gym membership.
Thank you Captain Obvious.
But seriously,what about those times when the gym doesn't cut it? Knowing that controlling emotional eating is one of the keys to successful long term weight loss, it kind of freaks me out that I can't seem to get a handle on it!

What does the world have to say about comfort eating?

educate yourself
get rid of clutter that drains excess energy (ooooooooh! that makes so much sense)
pretend you are Stuart Smalley (I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and gosh darnit, people like me!"
exercise. (Duh. Easier said than done. Can someone hit me with the motivation stick?)
take a test to see if I'm an emotional overeater......(okay,shockingly I have healthy attitudes toward eating!)
get researchers at Case Western to call you and remind you that fatty snacks aren't going to improve your mood
know your triggers
find yourself some emotional support here and here and here
change what you eat when you are emotionally eating (popcorn and carrots...?)
make a plan of action for when you get stress (I promise to walk the dog, not walk to Wendy's)

*Minor disclaimer - research was done via google at 6am. Not responsible for any bad information posted on my blog prior to partaking of coffee. Will verify sources after caffeine.*

So it's a start...admitting my problem and educating myself are the first steps. Now I need to find alternative ways to manage my stress eating. Like moving to a tropical country and selling beers on the beach. Not much stress in that is there?

Sigh. And I'll keep blogging. No matter how frustrated I am.

FGS

Notes from the Trenches....

2008-09-29T17:57:00.003-06:00

Hey all!!!!! I write to you today whilst stuffing my face with my newest addiction - KALE CHIPS! So I read about them eons ago on Kath's blog and always put it in the back of my mind that I wanted to try them. The verdict? Obviously, why did I wait so long!!!! My only worry is what my stomach is going to be like later after eating the pile of kale chips.

My variation, for the record, was:
*one bunch of washed and dried kale, chopped into bite size pieces
*garlic powder
*salt
*a few sprays of canola oil
*drizzle of red wine vinegar

I baked at 350 for 10 minutes, flipped and then did 8 more minutes. Delish!

So now that I've gotten that off my chest, let's talk about me. Yes me! This is my blog after all! It's been a tough start to the school year. Chaotic. I'm feeling like the Stay-Puf Marshmallow man. And really, what I need to do, is get over myself! I'm constantly stuck on the bad -- like will there be enough to pay the mortgage and the bills. And you know what, I just need to breathe and let the universe provide. It always does!

This week, I stayed the same. I got myself out of bed this morning and took the dog for a walk. That's a start, right?

Well I'm off to eat more kale.....this time in my Kale, White Bean and Turkey Sausage Soup! Yum yum, I love fall!!!!

Love and hugs,
FGS

It's that Birthday Time of Year.......

2008-09-22T06:36:00.003-06:00

So it's the first day of my 32nd year. How the day will go remains to be seen. Of course after lovely emails from HBB and birthday greetings from my peeps, how could it go badly?

Murphy's law......

Something about the Biggest Loser always gets my ass back in gear, so here I am again. With HBB gone, I have too much time on my hands any way. So I'm back to blogging. Yeah for blogging. It keeps me accountable. Of course dumb ass that I am gave the addy to friends and now I won't post my weight here. But have no fear, I'm tracking again. And the journey of the last 40 pounds has begun (again). Only it's more like 48 now. Yeah summer!

Nuts and bolts -- how am I tracking? how am I making change?

Weigh-ins will be Monday and will be tracked on WW online (I'll post results in pounds lost here).
The food -- as always will be healthy and good. I don't ever make restrictions on what I can eat -- though now, you can safely bet that fast food is RARELY a choice with the exception of Subway. My goal is to eat more veggies, less meat that I have no idea where it came from or how it's been treated. I am not a vegetarian by any means, but I do believe that we should have a respectful, mostly symbiotic relationship with our food and in my mind cruelty is never an option. I want to make sure what I'm eating is good and that I'm supporting sustainable, humane practices. That being said, I have a long way to go to get there. Maybe I'll have to start buying less of the good stuff instead of more of the sketchy stuff.
Exercise will be at minimum 4 days a week. Obviously, times are tough and I can't afford PT. Nor do I think training every day is realistic or good for you. So 4 days a week with a possible 5th thrown in here and there for good measure. My goal this time is something sustainable -- a lifetime fitness plan.
Change will be in the form of my attitude and mentality. This summer I let a lot of things slide -- even when the numbers were creeping up. And I didn't push the exercise issue when I should have. But you live and learn. And I've learned that I can no longer drink beer every night and stay the same weight. Who knew, right?

And that's it! Here I am, after falling flat on my face to start again. Happy birthday to me! Let's get this show on the road!

Love Always,
FGS

Return of the Living Dead

2008-09-18T06:15:00.002-06:00

Watch this space peeps -- new blogs coming soon. My HBB just headed back to the GB and now I've got nothing to do and no more excuses not to go to the gym!

Sigh. It hasn't been a pretty summer............

OMG!

2008-08-02T10:42:00.004-06:00

Two posts in two days! What is wrong with me?

I'll tell you what's wrong with me (aside from the scary roll of flab that has reappeared over my gut that is!)! I'm the world's BIGGEST procrastinator. Yeah, you heard me. BIGGEST procrastinator ever! And I suppose when it comes down to it, blogging is easier than my thesis!

But...the thesis is almost done! It only took two bloody years......

In other news, Monday is a semi-back-to-work day for me. Yup, I have heaps of organizing to do. Heaps and heaps and heaps. And while I'm at it, I'm going to the gym. Then I'm coming home to my sweet HBB for my last few days of freedom. FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDOM!

Where has this summer gone?

Alright, it's back to work with me. The taskmaster is coming, I can hear his whip cracking.

Hasta la proxima,
FGS

Row, row, row your boat!

2008-08-01T08:18:00.003-06:00

Okay, I'm not entirely sure why I titled my blog post thusly. It certainly has NOTHING to do with precipitation in the state of Colorado! It's been HOT HOT HOT here. Hot with a side of hot. Hot with hot and more hot and not a drop of rain!

And this Fat Grl has been seriously MIA.

Sigh.

Now time for lame excuses.
I have been working on finishing my looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong overdue thesis and sort of working on scraping the house and I even went in to work to set up my classroom (how's that for dedicated!). Thus, no blogging, mostly just floating along. But here I am. Maintaining. Finally realizing that despite my best intentions, summers are NEVER going to be productive periods for my weight loss and fitness regimes and I just have to learn to deal with it! But, I suppose I need to give myself some some credit for just maintaining and knowing myself well enough to keep from gaining despite the hot dog and beer and potato salad minefield that is summer in the U.S. of A.

The big thing on my mind these days is work. I can't seem to get myself to calm down about it. Sounds ridiculous that I get an entire summer off and spend most of it thinking about work. They don't pay me for this...... So at the end of last year, actually after the school year ended (sorry my internal calendar runs on teacher time!) we, to our holy-hell-didn't-see-this-one-coming shock, found out our director was leaving (a fact he still has NEVER told us personally, we just heard through an email from one of the assistant directors). Doesn't sound too bad, right? Change is good! I love change. Most of the time... This is my 4th year in this district, which don't get me wrong, I love or else I would have left long ago for the land of milk and honey. In my 4 years in the district I have had a new director EVERY year (hmmm and yet they only seem to blame teachers for all the problems in education!). With each new director comes the 'do it my way or else' phase, the 'I must make it all mine' phase and the 'you will like it or else' phase. His first act as boss was to move the entire school. Yeah, most of the teachers haven't met him yet and he moved the whole dang school. Not a big deal, right? WRONG! HUGE deal. Annoying and aggravating. Your classroom becomes an extension of your home. Teachers left for the summer thinking they were going to be in one room, only to find out they'd been moved. I promise you this is a traumatic experience for teachers. And to top it all, he put me in a room with 4 other people. Yup, that's right, special ed peeps don't need space or quiet or anything like that.
Honestly, I'm ok with sharing the space now. I've been in, set up my side of the room and I feel a bit better about it (side note: for all you people who think teachers have it easy and get the summers off, I laugh at you. I've spent hours tutoring, rearranging and planning this summer for free, on my own personal time! Sure, I get a paycheck all summer, but that's just because they take our 182 days of pay and divide it over the year. How many of you give hours and hours of your time unpaid to make your office a better place?) So things are starting in an uproar, with loads of turmoil and a big dollop of bitterness on the side. And I hate it already. I've been shoved in a corner, and NOBODY puts BABY in a corner!

Wow this post got whiny! Sorry :(

The whole point of the above, incomplete rant, was to just point out that I am in for a year of serious stress and turmoil and biting my tongue and finding my footing YET AGAIN with a new boss. And I need to have an action plan about it. I'm NOT getting sucked in to every little thing at work. I will go to the gym at least 4 days a week and once on the weekends after school starts. I need to start thinking ahead about what my stress management is going to be during the school day -- because folks, I think this guy is going to ruin my quality world. And eating chocolate is NOT, I repeat, NOT the answer.

How do you manage stress during the day? Ideas? Suggestions? Oh! Maybe I should get one of those kickboxing things to kick during the day.........I'm thinking of buying a beach scene from here to put on my wall and bringing in my fountain. Sigh, now if I could just afford a full time masseuse and someone to cook me healthy meals!

Sorry so whiny, y'all! This has just been stuck in my head for too long and it was time to get it out there and start thinking of good, positive ways to deal!

Hope all is well.....

FGS

I got tagged!!!!

2008-07-21T14:17:00.006-06:00

Alright, I'm ridiculously excited about this and I don't even know why! But thanks to the ever wonderful and eloquent Minx, I now get to spend some quality time procrastinating whilst answering some of life's more important questions. Thanks Minx for saving me from chapter 2 of my thesis!

5 things found in your bag:

1) Sephora lip gloss in Sugar Coat.

2) Tiger Balm. Can't live without that stuff! Cures nausea, headaches, sore muscles and insect bites. I use it when the children are driving me crazy at work.

3) My planner and heaps of stickies.

4) Orbit Sangria gum because they were out of mint mojito!

5) Glasses case and cleaner because I'm always forgetting to wear my contacts!

5favorite things in your room (bedroom)

1) My really big 22" monitor.

2) Two framed pictures of Georgia O'Keefe taken by her sometimes lover Alfred Stieglitz. Beautiful stuff.

3) My ultra comfy bed.

4) My boyfriend. How cheesy can you get? I know -- but I've never had one before and I'm sort of liking it.

5) The print of these gorgeous poppies painted by HBB's mum. Gorgeous! Dramatic and beautiful. Especially with the funky colored walls in my bedroom.

5 things I have always wanted to do

1) Have tea in the Sahara (thank you Paul Bowles...)

2) Finish my dang masters!

3) Sleep in one of those huts in the Maldives that are out over the ocean.

4) Get published (sorry Minx - I knicked this from you.) I'm all about getting published. I want to write cheezy romance novels. Don't ask.

5) Get on the scale and not think "Wow I need to lose a few pounds!".

5 things I am currently into:

1) Reading blogs, way too many blogs.

2) Adobe anything and my Wacom Bamboo graphics tablet (that I don't even know how to fully operate yet!)

3) Designing websites (ultrageek admission!)

4) My swamp cooler -- it's hot peeps, what can I say!

5) Being a better teacher. I'm tired of the American public hating on teachers -- I want to show them they are wrong about teachers and public schools. We work hard and we do make change!

5 People I want to tag:

1) Comrade GoGo

2) DoriAnn

3) Julie

4) Fat Bridesmaid

5) Shannon

In other completely weight related news, I dragged my behind to the gym yesterday and had a good 60 minute workout. 36 minutes of cardio and lower body strength training. Wow. Can you say sore? Dang! But man do I feel sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much better today!!!! I'm not driving to the gym today since HBB and I took the dog for a walk this morning but I am planning on doing an upper body workout.

Also, I was OP! Yeah me! Sigh. Sometimes it just takes seeing 'that' number on the scale to kick yer behind into gear. Does everyone have a 'that' number or is it just me?

OK, back to home reno projects and the thesis!

FGS

Like Time Through an Hourglass...

2008-07-21T08:13:00.003-06:00

Okay, didn't I just post yesterday? Apparently not! Clearly, I'm too busy with the thesis, house painting and hiding my head in shame to post. Let's just say things are not good on the front lines and I am making the choice to spend the gas money and go back to the gym. I can't handle not having the gym in my life. Neither can my belly! So It's back I go today with a goal of going 5 days and working out for 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. Sigh. My good intentions never made it out the door to take the dog for a walk and it is now time for drastic measures.

Of course, I don't think my dog likes this revised plan, but she will just have to cope!

And now we return to radio silence as we continue to work on our thesis...and attempt to stop referring to ourselves in the the third person....stop it! Now! We don't like it.........

FGS!

I need a little INSPIRATION!!!!

2008-07-09T09:05:00.003-06:00

PHENOMENAL WOMAN
by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies
I'm not cute or built to suit a model's fashion size
But when I start to tell them
They think I'm telling lies.
I say
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips
The stride of my steps
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.

So I put this poem up which I'm sure everyone has read a million times as a little inspirational reminder to myself that I am great.

I'm still not feeling it though.

I'm like a little ventriloquist puppet these days -- I can say the right words but I don't really believe them. Nor do I always do what I know I'm supposed to do. It is Slackerville for me these days.

Sigh -- whoever said "the road to hell is paved with good intentions" certainly knew what they were talking about! It is so easy to plan and plot when it comes to weight loss. Heck, I have the most detailed journal of what I should be doing at the gym today. The other part of it is the hard work and commitment, neither of which I seem to have in spades these days.

I was reading a post the other day (think it was one of the fab girls on the WW boards!) where she was talking about the ebb and flow of weight loss. I'm so with her on this one! I go through periods where I can lose and work out everyday for months at a time -- and then I seem to hit a wall (like, um, NOW) and can't be arsed to do a thing. I'm maintaining, but can't seem to push myself to do more. And then (and I can already feel this coming) I get sick of doing nothing or my body is just ready for more and I'm back at it again, full on the way I like it. But in these down swings I feel SO USELESS! And, to top it all off, I feel heavier and larger than I was when I started all of this 30 some odd pounds ago! What's up with that?

And the funny thing is I know if I just dragged my butt back to the gym or got out of bed earlier to work out, I'd feel better. But I don't do it. I know how to fix my little broken bits right now, but can't be bothered to do it!

Can you say RUT? Rut rut ruttedy rut!

I've been here before, and I know I will get out of it. But really can someone PLEASE kick me in the ass and make me stop whining about it??? I mean really!

In other news, I have to take a moment to count my blessings. First off HBB. He's in the kitchen right now making me another pot of coffee. I lurve him! And he's perfectly happy eating WW cuisine. Sigh, does it get any better? And I think he thinks I'm a Phenomenal woman so that is a step in the right direction...So that is my happy thought for the day.

Okay, enough with the self flagellation! This too shall pass..............

Lots of love and chocolate covered kisses,

FGS

Things I never want to know the point value of....

2008-07-06T10:15:00.003-06:00

And why do I always end my titles in ellipses?

So I NEVER, EVER want to know how many points are in a Strawberry Cheesecake Spoonbender at Good Times. NEVER. EVER.

The 4th of July turned out to be pretty good. We went to a Colorado Rapids game to have some beers, watch a game and then partake in the obligatory fireworks display. The Rapids won (4-0) which made for a very exciting game. I stuck to my 3 beer limit over the course of the evening and even switched to water (which I very thoughtfully remembered to pack!). Additionally, there was no late night after drinking binge-fest because people were a bit too loaded to bring into a restaurant. Not mentioning names though!

Earlier in the day, I wasn't so well behaved. Something about deviled eggs that drives me over the edge every time! But, I have no regrets. Except for maybe that Spoonbender I had last night! It sounded soooooooooooooooooooooooooo good and I'll freely admit tasted good too. But dang, when your tummy isn't used to having that much dairy, things get a bit dicey after consuming that much frozen custard!

In yet another moment of brilliance, I decided to make cold, point friendly salads to have in the fridge. OMG! I'm loving it! Last night for dinner we had cold everything! Perfect in the 90 degree heat and point-friendly to boot! So I'm looking for some more point friendly salads. I'm thinking lentils this time around. Not that I don't love me some pasta salad... Any ideas, oh faithful readers?

Ok, back to the thesis! I cannot wait to get this sucker finished!!!!!

FGS

Why do I have Lionel Richie songs running through my head???

2008-07-04T08:15:00.004-06:00

Not only is it the 4th of July, but it is also my 100th post!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I guess I can't help but want to celebrate!

As we enter the day's minefield of food and beer and things you just shouldn't eat on a regular basis, I feel ready and well prepared! I've even already signed up to be the designated driver this evening! Yes, even this Fat Grl is capable of occasional moments of brilliance! No beer = less out of control points day! Although I can't guarantee that I'm going to turn down a hot dog today, because, after all, it is Independence Day and it would just be un-American of me, I know I'll be watching my portion sizes. And maybe, just maybe if I'm really good I can get HBB to eat a hot dog and I can just steal a bite. Again, moments of brilliance!

So to all of my domestic readers -- have a wonderful 4th of July filled with moments of brilliance, calorie free homemade ice cream and excessive amounts of safety! And all of you foreign readers, hope you had a good day at work!

FGS