Fit, Healthy Hips

New Beginnings

2009-09-21T22:05:00.001-04:00

But not here... I've moved. I've neglected this blog for far to long and have created a more positive space for my musings.

Check me out @ Chronicles of Rosie-Land

Two Weeks Notice

2009-08-07T09:21:00.003-04:00

Good Morning! I'm terribly sorry I've been MIA for a few days. Getting back to work after my vacation meant a lot of catch-up paperwork in my office. The volume kind of fried my brain and kept me away from the computer while I was at home. That being said... I'm sure that I've talked about how much I hate my job before so I'll skip over that and go straight for the positive news.

I've accepted a reception at a Vetrinarian by my house. The boy used to work there as a technician. My other roommate also works there and I know almost everyone in the office. I'm very excited about starting. Its a bit of a pay cut but my happiness is much more important in the long run. It will also be easier to schedule my classes around this new work schedule since I'll be working evenings. Being without a car, the evening schedule is much better hitching rides. Its also only about 7 miles from my house so a bike ride is not out of the question. Oh! and I'll eventually get discounted pet care :) All signs point to this job making me a very happy camper.

The downside?
I have to put in my two weeks notice at my current job. I've never left a job professionally before. I was just planning on talking to my boss today, because I found out last night. She's not going to be in the office today or Monday though. ACK! I need to give notice today because they want me to start on the 24th. I'm thinking that I should write the letter and give it to another supervisory type person, I have someone specific in mind. That way the date I'm leaving will be notice exactly two weeks in advance.

Okay!
So I got some advice and I'm feeling much better about talking to the owner.
Wish me luck, I'm scared!

*UPDATE*

I did it. I was going to talk to Bob, the owner, but Sandi (Bob's wife) ended up coming in and I spoke with her. She congratulated me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Nice :) I'm going to take some pictures over the next few days.

Home Again

2009-08-03T20:30:00.003-04:00

Well, I'm back from Upstate NY. I had an incredible time. I had bacon and eggs cooked on a griddle outside every morning. I had coffee with the best half and half I've ever tasted. I'm talking glass bottle with the milk and heavy cream separating. Lets just call it heart attack in a bottle. I had turkey burgers and hot dogs for lunches, steak and salmon for dinners. I ate my fill and shared with my puppies. All that wonderful food went with long walks, swimming, and canoeing everyday.
I didn't lose weight. I didn't gain weight. I thoroughly enjoyed my week.

Since I've gotten back my food choices have not corresponded very well with my activity level.

When we got back we first when on a hunt for a stove top percolator because apparently once you have percolator coffee you never go back. I'm not kidding, a week of this coffee changed my life. It could have been the slight sheen of fat from the cream but I'm pretty sure its from the coffee pot too. You have no idea how hard it was to find the one we wanted. We went to Bed, Bath, and Beyond... we went to Target, Sports Authority (camping gear), Walmart, Kmart, Pathmark.... completely drenched by now because the sky decided to be very angry while we were at Target. Torential rains didn't deter us from the perfect coffee pot.
Finally after changing from wet socks and sneakers to flip flops we decide to try Sears.
Coffee maker aisle... NOTHING!
Dag-NABIT! I was so sure we'd find it at Sears....
wait a minute, wait a minute... what about the stove top tea pot section?
Low and behold! Copco Brand Stainless Steel Stove Top Percolator!!
Happy Dance, Happy Dance, Happy Dance!

Here's were my happy vacation eating plus activity habits take a turn for the worse.

Friday Night (Post Coffee Pot Hunt)
We decided to celebrate our coffee pot victory by going to Olive Garden. I had a ton of salad, shared a sampler appetizer with The Boy, downed a few bread sticks, and about 1/3 of my dinner. Which I finished last Saturday night.

Saturday
Woke up late. Had a cup of coffee with The Boy and a few friends who stopped by.
Grabbed a sandwich from Quick Check before The Boys night shift.
Big glass of whole milk
2 Hot dogs, no bun

Sunday
Another late morning... very late... like 5PM ish.
Split a large pizza and order of fries with The Boy. Holy Hell!
3 Hot Dogs a few hours after The Boy left for his night shift.

Monday
Woke up around 12. Took Ziggy to the vet.
Went to subway and got a footlong sweet onion chicken sub and a cheese steak sub.
The Boy and I split these.
1 slice bread with mustard and 4 slices of cheese.
1 slice bread with strawberry preserves.

I'm still noshy! What the hell is wrong with me! I know I'm due for my period but this is ridiculous.

Over all I have a fan-f*cking-tastic week. I just need to get myself back in to some sort of balance.

Much Needed Vacation

2009-07-26T16:38:00.002-04:00

Good Afternoon Blogland!
I'm leaving for Upstate NY this evening and I won't be back till Friday eveningish. The Boy and I are going camping up in the mountains. There's no internet and no cell signal, so I'm not even bringing my laptop. I am bringing my camera though. I hope to come back with some incredible shots.

We're also using this trip to create a few changes in our life. I don't want to talk about them till I get back though. I tend to say to much and jinx myself.

I'll see you in a week!

New Look?

2009-07-21T08:30:00.000-04:00

I've toying around with new backgrounds. This is the one that I keep coming back to. Who doesn't LOVE argyle. I do, I do! :) Anyway... let me know if its hard to read or anything like that. I think its alright but it could just be that the color on my screen is configured differently. I'll check it while I'm at work in the morning.

My food today was good. I generally eat less food, Saturday through Monday because I end up sleeping in with my honey. The night shift kills him.

Here's what I had on Monday.

Late Morning - 1 oz. roasted salted almonds

Lunch/Dinner - 2 poached eggs, two slices of rye toast w/ a bit of butter, a half serving of homefries, and a slice and a half of canadian bacon... add some ketchup in there too.

Snack - Banana

Evening - 1 cup of oatmeal(measured before cooked) and half a banana

This morning I'm back at work so I'll probably bring some oatmeal (w/ half a banana) for breakfast, a quarter cup of nuts or seeds for snack. I don't know what I'll have for lunch or afternoon snack yet though. I don't have anything prepared so it may be more oatmeal...

No Hyundai for me! Woot!

2009-07-17T09:09:00.003-04:00

This is the last car post for a while... My trip the the Hyundai dealership didn't work out so well. They listed a very inexpensive car and failed to mention that its only under 6K if you have a qualifying trade in. There was a disclaimer that the online prices could include incentives so I could through a shit fit but I was pissed. I left before a salesman even got the chance to show me a car. In my defense, I waited. I smoked a cigarette. I'm a slow smoker and they still hadn't gotten around to me... so I bounced.

This is good news though. Everything happens for a reason. If I got stuck driving a Hyundai just because I could afford it I would be a very unhappy driver. I was brought up to believe that the car you drive is an extension of yourself and thus have always formed crazy attachments to my cars. That bond between car and driver just wouldn't be there if I was driving an Accent.

The Plan? Go carless for a while. The Eunuch is getting junked this afternoon. Its a heavy car so I should get about $200 for it. I'm cancelling my car insurance this afternoon as well. I may have to bum rides until September but there is honestly a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. Its was very hard for me to have a broken car staring at me every time I look out my window.

I was forced to make a decision based on finances. Is the outcome what I want? No, I won't have wheels till this student loan comes through... but its done. I can stop wringing my hands. I can stop thinking about the pieces of shit cars that have failed me and the fact that I don't have a car. There is nothing I can do about it, and knowing that and making a decision based on that makes me feel better.

Besides :) Now that I'm not going to try and spend my last $500 on a beater car... I CAN BY GROCERIES! YAY! haha, its the little things in life that should make you smile and fridge full of wholesome goodies will definitely make me smile. Hell I'm smiling right now.

More than a little upset

2009-07-15T12:13:00.004-04:00

Remember the Eunuch car? The bastard that over heated after we replaced the radiator?

Well we figured out what its malfunction is... its a head gasket. *Gasp* I know, head gasket problems on cars this age can be fatal. Lucky for me there is a boy that loves me enough to try and fix it himself.

So its not such a catastrophe. I'll just have to wait a little longer for a drivable car. No big deal right?

WRONG! Why after everything else car related that I've had to go through would anything be that seemly simple.

Today, when that wonderful boy decided to start taking the engine a part, the car wouldn't start. The GOD DAMNED starter is bad!

I really can't even help but cry.
I'm going home early... even though there is no point. I'll be just as upset at home.

Why can't I get a break? All the things that are putting me in a depression lately stem from not having a vehicle. I don't know about you but depending totally on someone else for transportation really gets me down. I feel trapped and hopeless.

*That isn't the Eunuch car, its just a picture I found thats a similar year make and model.*

Chronic Dehydration Kills!

2009-07-15T09:41:00.005-04:00

When I was a kid living in the Poconos we used to drive past a public service announcement billboard daily.

Chronic Dehydration KILLS!

It shouted at us.

We thought it was hysterical. As if something as insignificant as water, or the lack of it, could kill you. Growing up we were a soda family... soda, juice, milk, anything but water. Even the poor part of my childhood we had ice tea mix, juice from concentrate, and occasionally kool-aid (it was expensive for what it was). The massive quantities of soda and other high calorie snacks came when my mother remarried and we could afford it.

As an adult battling a weight problem I've discovered all the benefits of water... I'm talking the absolute necessity of proper hydration. Superficially, it keeps your skin clear, soft, and supple. I'm sure keeping your skin hydrated helps with keeping stretch marks and saggies at bay too. Internally it does fun things like keep your muscles flushed, helps keep your colon moving nicely and a myriad of other lovely things.

When I get dehydrated I get a wicked headache. I end up downing at least a liter of water before I even think about taking ibuprofen. If I can get away with not taking medicine I'd rather not, so knowing that my headaches are a reaction to dehydration is awesome. I've heard that muscle pains can be attributed to dehydration too so next time you ache try a glass or two of water before reaching for the pain killers.

Why all this talk about water and hydration?

Well... Amanda over at Another Prior Fat Girl is having a giveaway. Check her out and leave a comment to get in on the action. She's giving away a nifty reusable water bottle. Gotta love the green :)

Jen at Prior Fat Girl is also having a giveaway. Jen's isn't water related, its a subscription to Health Magazine. How cool is that? I'm so loving magazines lately. She's got the water theme going to though.

Happy Tuesday Morning!

2009-07-14T08:04:00.008-04:00

Good Morning Bloggers! Tuesday starts my new work week. I'm fortunate enough to have Mondays off. Just until school starts back up. Then I should have Tuesdays and Fridays off :)
I'm really proud of myself this morning. I got up early, albeit sluggishly, and popped in the Leslie Sansone Walk and Jog DVD that I got from Netflix.

As corny as her DVDs are, I really really love Leslie Sansone. On those days when I really don't feel like being a fit healthy person I can put on one of her DVDs and get a butt kicking.

The trick to Leslie Sansone is that you are "just" walking and thats what gets you to put it in and start. By the end of workout, usually about 30 minutes, you've put in some milage and come out sweating.

In honor of my friends Karen @ FiTCETERA and Jen @ Prior Fat Girl. I'm posting a picture of my proof that I mean business.
The camera flash washes away a lot of the red, unfortunately.
I don't know about the rest of you but I get RED! People have stopped me at the gym to ask if I was okay. "Yeah I'm good" usually means "Of course I'm okay, I'm dying but I just did an hour on the eliptical... I'm Warrior Woman!!"

No HYC update just yet. It'll have to wait till this evening. I really should be working at work. Ya think?

Wonder Fruit!

2009-07-10T11:00:00.002-04:00

KIWI!

Say it with me... Kiwi, kiwi, kiwi! Isn't that fun! It's even more fun to eat!
Lately we've been keeping Kiwis in our fruit arsenal and have found that they are quite the Wonder Fruit. Aside from being tropical and yummy they have a fairly extensive list of health benefits.

Kiwi, The Fuzzy Wonder!

Calorie for calorie, kiwifruit is one of the most nutrient-rich fruits. Also in this list are cantaloupe, papaya and lemons.

The fiber content helps reduce cholesterol, which lowers risks of heart disease, stroke and other heart related disease. The abundance of fiber also acts to remove toxins from the body, helping prevent colon cancer.

Studies have also shown it to stimulate intestinal movement and relieve constipation. Individuals who eat kiwis daily can boast softer, bulkier and more frequent bowel movements. I might be the only one interested in this aspect but when you enjoy a nice poo as much as I do you'll add kiwi to your diet.

The massive amounts of Vitamin C in Kiwis can help to reduce asthma, wheezing and coughing. It can also help keep the common cold away. Any fruit high in Vitamin C can help with this though. What kiwis have going for them is the high Vitamin C content in such a small package, 95% of your recommended daily intake in just a few ounces.

Kiwis also have good properties of phytonutrients and antioxidants which benefit your health. They’re “cancer-fighters” that help fight cancer and heart disease. The compound of phytonutrients (such as caffeic acid, violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, pinene, quercetin, coumaric acid, lutein, isolutein, alpha-carotene, cryptoxanthin) are key elements towards a healthy life.

Want to add Kiwi to your life without making a fruit salad? Here is something I've been meaning to whip up.

My veggy/vegan friends enjoy grilling just as much as we omnivores. They grill sliced pineapple and have it on a bun with the cheese of their choice, it doesn't matter what kind... vegan cheese works, so does going cheeseless :)

My idea is to grill up the pineapple and then grill up a kiwi. I'm not sure exactly how it would work though. When kiwis are ripe they can be very soft. I would say, peel and grill... then slice. Or, even better, grill a kiwi that hasn't ripened fully. Maybe top off the veggy grilled sandy with some mango salsa and the cheese of your choice.
Oh Oh! My mouth is watering. I might have to try this tonight.

Hold off rain! Hold off! I want to fire up the grill...
Or, it's all good... even in the rain! I will over come :) I've got a George Foreman!

Damn Donut Day!

2009-07-09T09:39:00.008-04:00

In the insurance industry it is customary, for some ungodly reason, to bring baked good to meetings. Two dozen donuts seems to be a favorite of many. What generally happens next can get a little scary.

The customer service reps sniff the air slightly, their senses are heightened and it becomes a waiting game.

Who will stand up first and make that mid morning dash to the kitchen?

There she goes, hoping that she has enough time alone to swallow one whole before bringing another back to her desk. She's broken the ice, the others are free to ransack the kitchen in hopes of grapping the, too few, chocolate flavored crack donuts. By lunch time we're all mollified by sugar, grease, and yeast.

Silence...

By 3PM the crash comes.

Are you ready for a trip the the ice cream store?

Before you let "Donut Day" get you... remember to make an informed choice!

Jelly Filled Donut - courtousy of DD

Calories: 260, Calories from Fat: 1oo

Total Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 5g

Carbohydrates: 36g, Sugar: 6g

Chocolate Frosted Cake Donut - courtousy of DD

Calories: 340, Calories from Fat: 170

Total Fat: 19g, Saturated Fat: 8g

Carbohydrates: 38g, Sugar: 19g

I'm dealing with my own personal Donut Day today.

In the words of my kick ass Auntie Erin -"If you really think about it. Donuts are not really that good... They are greasy and yeasty tasting... really not worth what they do to you emotionally or physically. Stay strong Rosie!!!"

I have not indulged. I will not indulge. I'm trying out the FiTCETERA thing and avoiding tempation all together. I can't just have a little bit of a donut. I am interested to see how my coworkers are doing though.

Viva La FiTCETERA!!!

2009-07-08T09:00:00.002-04:00

Karen over at FiTCETERA has put her scale to rest. It's not just in hiding, its all the way gone... donated! This is a huge step for anyone trying to live a healthy lifestyle and I'm jumping up and down applauding her. She has a hugely positive impact on me, I'd even go so far as to say that she is INSPIRATIONAL!

While I'm not ready to give up my scale long ago Karen mentioned using a pair of jeans to measure her progress. Back then it got me thinking abo

ut my dream pair of jeans. They're orange, and owned by my sweetie (yay, he looks good in girl jeans). I took pictures of myself trying to squeeze my rear into them and then, horrified, decided not to post them. They are hanging on my closet door with the promise that I can have them when they fit...

You want to see how far away from fitting they are? Okay, I'll show you but only because someday I'll be able to post a picture of how cute my butt looks in them.
This is how they look on my sweetie :) Isn't he cute!

Good Car Karma, or lack there of...

2009-07-07T23:42:00.007-04:00

Let me start by apologizing. I know I set up a "schedule" of how I want to be posting but unfortunately it doesn't seem to be fitting the way I want it to. I think I should hold off of the scheduled posts until I can get myself posting regularly.

That being said, I'm moving on.

In my book Karma in general is very very important in all aspects of life. Good deeds keep society running smoothly and generally good energy returns to you. That's how it works in Rosie-land anyway. Car Karma is not happy in Rosie-land right now.

As I may have mentioned before... my car decided to sh*t out on me around Memorial Day. It decided to have some sort of electrical problem that renders it completely useless, at least to me. For me, the car unfortunately was not work towing to an over priced VDub mechanic. So it sat in the driveway in hopes that the boy might somehow figure out what was wrong with it. In the mean time I was being driven to and from work and sitting at home while the boy was at work, loads of fun.

Now, over the years my mother has been extremely generous with cars, and well everything else. If there was ever anyone in need and she had the means of helping, she did. She bought me my first car, the love of my life. It was a 1984 Cadillac Eldorado and it was gorgeous, but I digress. Then when my step father passed away she gave me his car because it was more reliable then what I was driving. She's given cars to her children's ex's. I had always hoped that someday I could be as generous.

Isn't it gorgeous! I miss it so much.
This is a Fleetwood Eldorado, but you get the idea.

Well low and behold, Mom came to the rescue yet again. She had an older Camry sitting in the back of her driveway with a blown radiator. If I could fix it, it was mine. WHOOPIE! That night I called around radiator shops. The next day the car had a radiator, and the title was signed over to me.

In an effort to pass on the good car karma I called up my mechanic friend to see if he wanted the Golf. He knows its problems, he looked at it for me when it first crapped out, and is confident he can get it running. So Monday, two days after fixing the Camry, the Mechanic comes to pick up the car. He's happy, I'm happy, and you would thing that the Car Gods would be happy.
We couldn't have been more WRONG! On my way to my brothers birthday shindig this evening the car over heated. Whipped out the cell-phone and call AAA and then proceeded to bang head on steering wheel.

Could all this be my fault? I did name the poor car, The Eunuch... I was very upset with the complete lack of power or balls in this car. It is the very definition of efficiency and if you now Rosie... you know that Rosie-land needs a car that speed or style, ideally both.

Mine is green...
It has no soul :(

What Are Thursday's For?

2009-07-02T07:16:00.006-04:00

Pictures!

You may or may not be aware of the fact that I'm an aspiring photographer, I frequently forget myself. In fact, I'm even officially enrolled at school as a Visual Communications Major, with a focus on digital photography. Though to be honest, I haven't gotten to photography classes yet. Hey, its important to get your general education classes out of the way first :)

Anyway... This is what happens when you keep a camera in your purse.

Disclaimer: I took the above photo. I don't care if you use it, just credit an aspiring photographer. It would really make me smile.

This picture was taken a Whole Foods. I love the visual effect of all of these peppers stacked on their side in sections by color. When I look at it says some stock boy spent time painstakingly stacking and arranging these peppers so they are visually appealing AND so they don't fall. I pulled one out just to make sure, and the low and behold the wall did not crumble. I loved it so much I took out my camera. I was apprehended and reprimanded in about 30 seconds. For the record, Whole Foods does not like people taking pictures in their store.

*Rasberries* to Whole Foods! I only needed 30 seconds :)
All kidding aside, I love Whole Foods! Its the Happiest Grocery Store on Earth!

By the way, I have a very cool food for the kick off "What's Cookin?" Friday!

Measures of Success

2009-06-30T09:26:00.007-04:00

Yesterday I talked about wanting different measures of success than the scale because life is so much more that how many calories we consume and burn. Rosie-land is full of books, music, friends and anything else that happens to take place while I'm awake AND while I'm dreaming.

My new measure of success is how well I fit my quest for a healthy lifestyle around my life and not vice versa.

So in an effort to incorporate more than just weight loss and fitness into this blog I'm setting up a weekly schedule, loosely based of course because life happens :)

Monday
"Happy Music" Mondays

Wednesday
"What are you reading?" Wednesdays - Book reviews

Friday
"What's cookin'?" Friday - Great recipes, miracle foods, and yummies!

Let me also say, that I have never ever been good with keeping schedules, doing homework, or any kind of consistency so this is big learning process for me. One of my goals, though, is to consistently get a post up Monday through Friday.

Since today is the first Wednesday, unfortunately I don't have a book review prepared but I will leave you with something. Check out FiTCETERA! She has a great write up about the book The End of Over Eating by Dr. David Kessler, and the benefits of eating whole foods. This is something I truly strive for in my everyday life.

Challenge Updates... Deadlines be gone!

2009-06-30T07:51:00.006-04:00

Yesterday I was supposed to weigh in for the Prior Fat Girl's Final 10 challenge, not my final 10 but who's counting :), and then today for the HYC. I've decided to take the "Get Out of Jail Free" card this week. I've decided to give myself one of those every month. There are just those weeks when you don't want to know. I didn't do poorly over the weekend but I didn't do superbly well either and I just don't think I can stand to see the scale in the same place it was last week. I suppose this means I won't get into Jack Sh*t's poem but that's okay with me. I'm doing this because my psyche needs it.

Life should not revolve entirely around what the scale or tape measure says. Atleast, I don't want mine too. There are so many other ways to measure life successes. I don't know yet how I want to measure mine. Life, for me, gets kind of depressing when 24 hours a day I stress about my weight. Particularly when I make the wrong choices, which happens frequently when I'm depressed. It ends up being a vicious cycle. Depression, stress eating, depression, deprivation, binging, depression... It could go on and on.

But I'm not going to let it. Unfortunately, Rosie-land gets very upset when I enter challenges and I don't follow through for one reason or another. So, and believe it or not I've just come to this decision now as I'm typing, I'm going to drop out of the PFG Final 10 Challenge. It has a deadline and it seems I don't do to well with deadlines. I'm going to continue checking in with the HYC because I haven't set a goal deadline for it.

I do want to say that I LOVE Jen @ Prior Fat Girl! I'm just not where you are yet and the stress of having a timeline isn't helping me get where you are. What works for some doesn't work for all. I need to find what works for me.

Feeling Fine :)

2009-06-26T08:59:00.003-04:00

After yesterday's little temper tantrum I'm a slightly embarassed to say that today I'm just fine. Unfortunately my moods usually swing that way. I get completely pissy and then everything feels like a new positive beginning when I pull myself out.

I'm just in a really good mood this morning.

I'm beginning to realize that life is inherently good. Some how it is in our nature to pick out things to be upset or stressed about.

That being said... I'm moving forward from my crank-ass day.

I have a weigh in for a Spark People challenge, tomorrow. The challenge is called Swimming Through Summer into Fall, or STSF. I don't think I'll have a very successful weigh in but I'm sure I'll at least maintain. I've also posted my fitness related goal for the end of this challenge. I think I should share it here because its big step for me. A big step because I'm not saying by this date I'll have completed such and such. I'm saying I'll have made progress toward such and such. Here it is :)

It's been my goal, for a long time, to complete a 5K. I'm set
the goal many times and never followed through because I'm afraid. It needs to
happen because I can't keep letting go of my goals because I'm a chicken. So...
I'm going to list the things associated with running that I'm afraid
of.

-- I'm afraid of failing --
-- I'm afraid of being in pain --
-- I'm afraid of looking stupid --
-- I'm afraid of working hard --
-- I'm afraid of being too slow --

Now that they are out there for everyone to see, they kind of
seem a little stupid. My head knows that all of those reasons for not achieving
my goals are silly.

My goal for the end of STSF is to use the C25K program to make
progress toward running a 5K. I won't say that I'll be able to run a 5K by then
because I don't know how long it will take my body to adjust and acclimate to
running. I think an appropriate and achievable goal is to be successfully on my
way to running a 5K. Meaning I work on it 3 times a week. If I have successfully
worked on building endurance and stamina every week during this challenge I will
be ridiculously happy with myself.

Thats my goal. Its hard yet achievable and I will be ridiculously proud when I'm done. Though I'll probably never be "done" because its what I want for my whole life.

Glum & Frustrated

2009-06-25T09:39:00.004-04:00

I apologize in advance for the glum post.

This morning started okay. I had a cigarette which sucks because I was supposed to have quit yesterday. Yesterday was a terrible day and I ended up smoking a few after work.

What really triggered this crank ass mood is an email conversation with my Aunties this morning. It was really nothing and its probably all in my head but they started talking about weekend plans, 3 times a week w/ trainers, cars, weekends at the lake, and whatever else is going on in their lives. It really bummed be out thinking about the many things that suck right now.

This weekend I'll be home, most likely in bed. Donny works the night shift (8pm to 8am) saturday through tuesday. So Saturday and Sunday will be spent in bed all day sleeping with Donny. Donny will be sleeping so he can make it through the 12 shift without dying from exhaustion. I'll be sleeping in with him because my car has been out of commission since Memorial day and I have absolutely no prospects of fixing it or getting a new car till the end of the summer.

Also, it pisses me off that both of my Aunts (one is Aunt by family friendship) are in their 30s and live rent free (maybe they help with utilities). One with her sister, she got divorced a year ago and hasn't saved anything. The other with her mother.

I bitter because I can't afford to see a trainer 3x a week. I'm frustrated because at 24 I know that she's being irresponsible with her money. I know that a 30 something year old woman should be saving money to try and get out of her sisters basement.
I'm tired of struggling to make ends meet and watching my Aunts not saving anything and benefitting from their rentless situation.

Erin, Kristin... if on the off chance you've finally decided to look at the blog I've been mentioning for months... Please please please don't be offended. I'm ranting because I'm frustrated. I'm tired of working only to be able to pay rent and eat. I doubt your reading though. Its improbable that either of you even remember what my blog address is.

Jack Sh*t’s Kick-Ass Half-Ass Half-A-Pound Challenge

2009-06-24T10:44:00.002-04:00

I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm in on the Half-A-Pound Challenge!

I'm a Quitter

2009-06-24T09:22:00.003-04:00

I'm quitting!

I'm done!

I don't want to do it anymore!

I can't possibly continue to put garbage in my body. For the past 6 years I've spent entirely too much money feeding an addiction that will kill me one day.

If you haven't guess yet... I'm talking about smoking.

This morning around 8:30, I had my last cigarette.

I don't know if this is going to be like the other times I've quit and started back up. I have to try though. I'm making strides toward making the rest of my body healthy and happy and yet daily I kill my lungs.

Also, one of my lovely co-workers brought in a giant container of chocolate chip cookies. He's on a healthy kick so he brings the cookies to work. How is that fair? I seriously don't know if my willpower is strong enough to with the cookie without the promise of a cigarette at lunch time.

Belated Challenge Check In & HYC

2009-06-23T08:54:00.003-04:00

Starting Weight: 230 lbs
Goal Weight: 210 lbs
Weight 6.8.2009: 225.5 lbs
Weight 6.16.2009: 231.5 lbs
Weight 6.22.2009: 230.5 lbs
Loss since last week: 1 lbs
Total loss: +.5 lbs
Left to go: 20.5 by 8.1.2009

Its not a huge loss from last week but it is a loss. Its a loss in spite of the fact that one night I went to Applebee's and did not give any thought to eating healthy. Its a loss in spite of the fact that at one point this week I was back up at 233 lbs.

I am proud of the fact that I took a baby step and did the Yoga Booty Ballet DVD that I rented. Its called Yoga Booty Ballet 2-Disc Set: Light & Easy / Latin Flavor. I did the Light & Easy DVD. It was a lot of fun. There was a nice chunk of dancing around, then a group of Abdominal work, then some yoga poses. Oh I forgot, before the Abs was the ballet type moves. It was nice though because it was broken up really nicely so you didn't burn out on something. It seems like a Novice DVD so for anyone with a lot of fitness type experience under their belt it might not be enough of a workout. For beginners like me who have a hard time getting their motivation up it works. Its fun and it works up a sweat!

I'm tired of seeing disappointing numbers when I weigh in. I complain that its not coming off fast enough but in all honest who's fault is that. That would be a big fat mine. Its okay, I'm not going to beat myself up. It is all a learning process and there is nothing I can do about the past. All I can do is learn from my previous failures and move on. Perserverence is key :)

I have my meal plan for today.

I have my happy thoughts.

I'm all set :)

Oh What a Beautiful Morning!

2009-06-19T23:00:00.004-04:00

Earlier you got a brief taste of what an incredible start to the day I had. I don't know why but I always seem to forget what a big impact music has on my mood. Whenever I'm down in the dumps I can usually pick it back up with some music. A couple of weeks ago I was really upset. It was one of those days where everything upset me. My weight and my lack of motivation, insufficient funds, and an overall feeling of failure. Donny, the dear, was trying his damnedest to cheer me up but I was sure that I was down for the count.

The only course of action to take when your feeling that low is to go for a drive. I don't know why but going for a ride always seems to pacify me. That isn't the point though. The point is that while I was getting ready to go I put on a song that most people would find horribly embarrassing. For me, it perked me up and made everything better.

Do you know what that song was?
No?
Okay I'll tell you... but I'm not posting a video because you got one this morning.
Drum roll please :)

I've Been Thinking About You by London Beat

Corny :P but I love it.

What songs cheery you up?

Also, I promised a cornucopia of imagery this morning.
So... here is a string of story board about why I have the most amazing boyfriend ever.

Problem: Rosie's car no longer feels like starting and sadly there seems to be no remedy in site.

Solution: My lovely boyfriend, Donny, has been driving me to and from work every day since Memorial Day. No complaints and with the exception of a few late pick ups no other problems. That's a 2009 Volkswagon Jetta TDI, he's a bit of diesel whore.

That being said, my sweetie still wakes up with me and does things like make yummy breakfast smoothies....

... and wonderful scrambled eggs on toast. He may get a little zealous with the ketchup but I think that can be over looked at 7 o'clock in the morning.

I think I've found myself a keeper.

Good Morning Lovelies!

2009-06-19T09:49:00.005-04:00

I really wanted to have an incredible post for you this morning but I had an unplanned evening out with my sweetheart, Donny. No pictures but tonight I have a cornucopia of imagery coming! I just can't decide if I want to stick with black and white images or a blast of color.

Just to wet your whistle...

Please enjoy the song that started a

BEAUTIFUL MORNING!

I'm talking about the kind of beautiful morning that includes dancing around your bedroom, admiring your hip action in the bathroom mirror, and singing really really loud.

I forgot how incredible it is to wake up and blast great music. It sets the tone for the whole day.

What kind of music gets you going?

New Look :)

2009-06-17T23:12:00.004-04:00

Do you like the new digs? Its basic... a picture of my rear and paint. It works though and its the beginning of things to come.

In the next few days I'll be adding a few things that I'm fairly excited about. I don't have it completely planned but that is the beauty of the 'Rosie Mind'.

Also...

In addition to the super exciting updates I have in store I also plan on blogging much more frequently. I'm curious what you're interested in reading about. Of course there will be lots about me and whats going on in my life and my quest for hips worthy of the title "Brick House".
I know everyone is very interested in me :)
But what else tickles your fancy!

Challenge Update #2 & HYC

2009-06-16T13:09:00.002-04:00

Its time for Weigh in #2 for the "Put Your Money Where your Mouth Is" challenge and it was an utter failure. I completely dropped the ball over the weekend, not just any weekend though. This was a LONG weekend. Oh well, there is always Week #3.

Starting Weight: 230 lbs

Goal Weight: 210 lbs

Weight 6.8.2009: 225.5 lbs

Weight 6.16.2009: 231.5 lbs

Loss since last week: +6 lbs :(

Total loss: +1.5 lbs :(

Left to go: 21.5 by 8.1.2009

I've owned up to the the ball droppage. I'm back to square one for my August 1st Challenge. Thats okay though. I just have to be a lot more dilligent and hold keep the ball in my court.

That being said... I'm changing my reward. I desperately need a hair cut. I've been waiting on getting it done because the lady I like is a bit expensive. She's so worth it though.

2009-06-09T09:00:00.002-04:00

Good Morning. We're having a wonderful thunderstorm here this morning. My drive to work was eerily dark and then we ran into a wall of rain, by the time I got to work the sky was rolling with thunder.

I had a really weird night last night. Donny and I went to bed fairly early because there was really nothing better to do, we're kind of lame. Around 1:38 I woke up crying from a dream. Donny woke at within the same minute from a dream he had been having. In my dream my mothers significant other had died. I'm surprised it upset me enough to wake up crying and not think it was a dream... only because I didn't cry at all when my step father died. I was really upset. From what Donny told me it seemed like his dream was a stress dream based on our friends accident.

After that Donny layed down with me and tried to sleep but he was up so he went out for a drive... cigarettes, returned a movie, and picked up MUFFINS! Oh no! I asked for something muffiny when he left but who listens to a girl thats half asleep. I ate them, well... we split them. 3 muffins each, one bran, one corn, one blueberry.... Oye vey!

Challenge Update #1

2009-06-08T09:09:00.003-04:00

Its official! Weigh in #1 is a success.

Starting weight - 230 lbs

Weigh in #1 - 225.5 lbs

I dropped 4.5 lbs!

15.5 lbs to August 1st Goal!

This is the lowest the scale has dipped on my weight loss journey and it really excites me! I didn't do the best that I could last week and my body still responded to the positive changes I did make, which is very encouraging. This week I will follow my guidelines for eating and get 5 days of physical activity.

August 1st & The Prior Fat Girl!

2009-06-03T10:25:00.003-04:00

I'm taking my que from Jen, The Prior Fat Girl, and making an August 1st goal. Jen has set a goal to lose her last 10lbs by August 1, 2009. She's set up a reward system for herself and her readers. She's also asking everyone who's joining her to pledge $50 to their cause of choice if they don't reach their goal.

My goal is to lose 20lbs.

I will weigh in on 8.1.2009 at 210 lbs.

As a reward I will be getting the girly piercing I've been wanting.

If I fail, I'll be donating $50 dollars to my local food bank.

The plan on getting it done is a slightly more interesting story. Saturday morning, 5.30, my boyfriend and I found that our very good friend Mike had been in a very bad car accident. He's been in the hospital since Friday night and will probably be in the hospital or a rehab facility for a while. We've visited him at least once a day since the accident. Unfortunately as much as us being their is a comfort to him it is not helping my resolve to work out more and eat better. I go to work, and then I sit in a hospital room full of comfort food.

I just need to be as strong for myself as I have been for my friend.

Whoa...

2009-05-29T11:34:00.001-04:00

An email I sent to some friends... I thought it seemed like an appropriate way to reenter the blog world.

"You know... lately I feel like my moods have been all over the place. Seriously lately, particularly right now, I've been so dissappointed with myself. I let my desire to lose weight stall. I haven't lost weight in 8 months. I've danced around the same number since September. I wanted to dance and I don't go to class. Granted I probably won't have time to take classes in the Fall but I paid for THIS session and I don't go. I photography major who hasn't taken her real camera out in a long ass time. I want to go pescetarian but I regularly eat chicken, turkey, and even red meat.

I'm beginning to think Brian is right. I quit everything I try to do. I don't follow through and I don't complete anything.

I don't want to make excuses for this ridiculous slump. I'm indulgent and I don't know how to tell myself no. I don't know how to be strict with myself.

Normally I would follow a rant like this with a declaration of how I'll do it this time. The truth is, I don't think I know how to stick with it and not give in when it gets to hard.

I do know that I can't ever truly give up though because it would probably kill me.

I'm not really looking for answers or coddling. I think I really just needed to get it out. If you do have advice... that in no way resembles telling me its okay, because this failure is not okay... then I would love to hear it. "

April 27, 2009 - May 3, 2009

2009-04-27T10:59:00.002-04:00

The Plan of Attack!

I will drink at least 64oz. of water every day this week.
I will do at least 30 minutes of cardio every day this week.
I will practice yoga at home 3 times this week.
I will keep my eating within reason everyday this week.

April 30th is my birthday, so I anticipate a little decadence. I don't want to deprive myself of birthday goodies but I will keep it reasonable.

Monday Stats
Tuesday Stats
Wednesday Stats
Thursday Stats
Friday Stats
Saturday Stats
Sunday Stats

2009-04-27T10:33:00.003-04:00

I have to stop flip flopping around. Its now the end of April and I'm still where I was at the beginnning.

Thursday, April 23, I had a eye opening moment. While at my American Tribal Style (ATS) dance class, my teacher started discussiong a class starting in May for a Student Troupe. Belly dancing, though I don't like the term, is very important to me and I've always wanted to perform. I'm not ready to perform yet but its looking like I will be able to in the future which is ridiculously motivating for me. So... after taking an hour dance class I came home and did a 30 minute Leslie Sansone Walk & Jog DVD. Then I did it again Friday morning, and on Saturday I took an hour yoga class at my gym. I took Sunday off but I'll be back at it when I get home from work today.

Having the door opening up to a student troupe triggered a desire that I haven't felt in a long time. I lost sight of my goals I suppose and then once they were gone I didn't feel like I could accomplish anything.

Having a goal or passion to strive toward is so important, at least for me. It helps me walk past the basket of snickers minis on my coworkers desk. It helps me get out of bed in the morning and turn on the DVD player. It helps me get out of bed early, for me, on a Saturday and get my butt to the gym for yoga.

What's driving you?

Absence makes the heart grow fonder...

2009-03-06T08:47:00.002-05:00

Its been a while... I've been reading, just haven't felt like writing. Life has been kind of busy and when its not busy, kind of lazy. My honey's tendonitis and our bartending class has kept us out of the gym but through good eating I've still last 2lbs a week for the past two weeks. YAY! I count that as a big success because my eating has been way off in the past. If I can keep this good habit up once I can get back to the gym I'll be ripping off the fat :) YAY! AGAIN! lol.

I'm in such a ridiculous good mood today. I have my coffee, with sugar (Friday splurge) and my crystal light, Peach White tea YUM! I have my bag of veggies. I have my yogurt. AND I don't have class tonight!

Its 6 days into March, its time for March Goals!!!

HMM :) What to Strive for?

1. Continue to drop 2lbs a week

(I half heartedly tried to watch my eating the past two weeks and lost about 2lbs each, if I whole heartedly watch my eating I have no doubt that 2lbs a week is doable.)

2. Walk/Jog the neighborhood 3x a week

(in preperation of the April 25th 5K)

3. Weight train 4x a week

(for at least 15 minutes at home or go to the gym)

Carb Over Load

2009-02-13T10:04:00.004-05:00

On my way to work I stopped at 7-11 because I didn't have time this morning to prepare anything for work. Well rather than proceed with the plan of getting Cheerios I grabbed a a buttered roll *gasp* AND a brownie *eye buldge*.

I'd like to blame my period for my ridiculous carb load this morning but that would be an excuse. I'm not making excuses anymore. I stumbled but I'll recover.

What I need to do is get to the grocery store and stock up on all my healthy goodies. I'm still no very good with the meal planning either so for some reason I don't end up getting enough food. Also I'm trying to eat a lot of fruits and veggies so I buy fresh produce and end up completely forgetting about the stuff in the crisper. Does that happen to anyone else? I eat everything thats out on the counters and 2 weeks later I find moldy cucumbers. Eww!

At the gym:
I did really well at the gym on Monday and Tuesday. I worked out with my aunt and got cardio in on Monday and then on Tuesday night I got in an hour on the elliptical. Wednesday was a rest day and then I was supposed to go to the gym after work on Thursday but my sweetie quit his day job so I came home and we made dinner and had some wine.

I'm really really proud of Tuesday night though. Tuesday is a long day for me. I work from 8:30 to 4:30, go to class 6 to 8:45, hit the gym for a hour of cardio, and then visit my boyfriend at work (he works overnights on Tuesdays). Towards the end of my hour, every minute that ticked by made me curse in excitement to myself lol.

If anyone has any meal planning and grocery shopping tips I'd love to hear them. I'm shopping for 2 people and for some reason we end up running out of staples fairly quickly.

HYC Check In - Week 6

2009-02-10T12:48:00.003-05:00

Admittedly I was off to a rough start in January. Something decided to click though.

I'm excited to get to the gym and work HARD!
As I type I'm planning to run a 5k at the end of April!

Right now I, almost, don't care about the number. There will always be that vain part of me that wants to reach 199. I will but only if I do it through being active and healthy. I made the boy promise that he wouldn't let me make myself sick.

SOOO... I haven't weighed today. My last weigh in was 230lbs. Its cool :)

Pre-Birthday 5K

2009-02-10T12:33:00.003-05:00

I'm signing up for a 5K!!!

I don't know where this surge of motivation came from but I'm riding the wave. The 5K is on April 25th. I have 10 weeks to prepare. The C25k is a 9 week program. I'm going to train 3 days a week on a planned course around my neighborhood. I was originally going to go to the gym 5 to 6 days a week, during to my 5k training I'm going to go 3 days a week.

Any runners out there? Tips and advice are ALWAYS welcome.

OH! Just thought that my week as started off swimmingly. I was at the gym for an hour and a half yesterday night and I'm going to my cardio only night after class. I'm going to get in an hour to try and build endurance.

Psyched Friday!

2009-02-06T11:38:00.002-05:00

So forget what I just said about focusing on my food.
I realized that focusing only on nutrition was NOT going to get me to my birthday goal.

I also really appreciate the no-nonsense, brutally honest reality check the Prior Fat Girl, more like Current Hot Chick :), gave readers.

Its not going to be easy or fun. There should be a lot of sweat and tears. If there wasn't hard work in being healthy then it wouldn't be worth it would it? If it came easy it wouldn't be appreciated as an accomplishment. I want my health to be an accomplishment.

I had a goal or reaching 199 lbs by January 1, 2009. It didn't happen because I didn't work hard enough. I pushed it back to my birthday April 30, 2009, and I'm still a long way off. Even with little more than 2 months to go I've been procrastinating. I have to work harder now because I didn't then. I have a new resolve get this done. I may have to work harder now then if I had tried harder 2 months ago... but that is a lesson learned.

I have the time to get to the gym, 7 days a week! I've made excuses to curl up on days when its cold and the weathers bad. Thats my mind trying to play tricks and say there are other things to do. The gym HAS to be my priority and HAVE to do it until it becomes a lifestyle.

I'll be at the 5 to 6 times a week, starting today!

I'll be eating mostly plant based!

As it gets warmer I'm going to start the C25K!

Happy Friday!

2009-02-06T08:41:00.002-05:00

Good Morning Everyone! Its colder than a witch's-tit-in-a-brass-bra today but I'm snuggled up in my wrap with the space heater going so I'm good.

I confess that I haven't fulfilled all of my gym days this week. I'm disappointed but not earth shatteringly. My food has been excellent and I'm truly happy with how things are going. My mind is changing and those excellent food choices that I've made this week were second nature.

I think I'm going to continue to focus on my nutrition for a little while. I have no desire to trek out to the gym when its fridged. I want to curl up in bed with my reading for English class.

HYC Check In - Week 5 & A Good Morning

2009-02-03T09:27:00.006-05:00

Hola! I haven't checked in with HYC in a few weeks. I haven't lost any significant weight since my last check in. I'm still hovering in the 230s but lower in the 230s now, which is cool with me. I'm trying to take a more non challant attitude about the actaul number that the scale gives me. I realize that stepping on the scale everyday drives me batty. Especially when my weight goes up a pound or two but I can wear a size 12 cocktail dress to my sweeties holiday party... see the picture a few posts down. See that dress? I looked smokin AND it was a size 12. Don't get me wrong though I can NOT fit into size 12 pants. The cut of the dress make it fit like a glove but it F'ing FIT!

So how am I doing :) I'm doing fantastically! I got to the gym last night and rocked the cardio. I was planning on going to the gym tonight but I have a feeling that school is going to be cancelled, due to snow, so I think I'll go home after work and get in abs and stretching, maybe yoga. Today I'm cleansing a little bit, I at roast beef last night, with an all fruits and vegetables meal plan. I've already got 8oz. of water down and I'm prepared with 12ish oz. on deck.

I should go get some work done...

Edited to add:
I did eat a muffin this morning which is another reason for the fruits and veggies cleanse. I didn't enjoy it. It was tasty but afterwards it was so heavy in my stomach. It sat there like a ton of bricks. Who needs that crap? Muffins are less appealing now. Although I'll be making my own in the next few days and those are always so loaded with good for you goodies that they are SUPER muffins :)

Toodles... again

Owning February

2009-02-02T13:26:00.003-05:00

Apparently I needed to take a break from my blog. I was never far though and I didn't stray from my goals while I was away. I needed to get excited again. I got excited. I'm absolutely psyched about what I can do and achieve. I have been allowing myself to settle for less but I'm not doing it anymore.

I want to thank Kelly O., author of Aim High (blog and vlog). She has an incredible attitude and I recommend anyone toying with the idea that you can't do it to read her blog and watch her vlog.

That being said. I'm taking her advice.

"Create your TARGET and then get closer to it every day!!" - KO

My target? A Healthier & Fitter Rosie! I will be as in shape as phyically possible for my body. There is no reason I can't achieve it. Everyday I will get closer to where my body and my health should be!!

That being said here is what I'll be up to this week.

Monday - Gym (1 hour cardio, weights), Yoga DVD

Tuesday - Gym (1 hour cardio), Abs & Stretch

Wednesday - Abs & Stretch, maybe Gym if not Yoga DVD

Thursday - Gym (1 hour cardio, weights)

Friday -

Saturday -

Sunday -

I'm trying to coordinate Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with my gym buddy. If I don't go to the gym those days I will get some sort of cardio and strength training in.

Holiday Party Sexy

2009-02-01T14:08:00.000-05:00

Surprise, Surprise! I've stopped hating the way I look in pictures. I think I look pretty damn cute in this picture AND this is not the first time this has happened. I actually really liked a picture taken in January. I'll post it later. Has anyone experienced this? All of the sudden you aren't horrified photographs of yourself.

Gym & Food

2009-01-20T22:21:00.004-05:00

Gym
Stretched
Clean & Press - 2 sets of 10 @ 30lbs (I should probably up this to 40lbs soon)
Squats - 2 sets of 15 @ 100lbs (did these slowly)
Pull Overs - 1 set of 15 @ 20lbs, 2 sets of 10 @ 24lbs (I'm going to try 30lbs next time)
Bench Press - 1 set of 10 @ 50lbs, 1 set of 8 @50lbs (Yay! I'm half way to 100lbs)
Good Mornings - 2 sets of 10 @ 24lbs
Bicep Curls - 2 sets of 10 @ 30lbs (palms down)
Russian Ball (abs) - 2 sets of 20 @ 12lbs
Overhead weighted crunches - 2 sets of 10/15 @ 10lbs
Cord Chop - 2 sets of 10 @ 10lbs

Food
1 slice of Sicilian pizza (left overs, before my revelation)

Odwalla Banana Nut Bar & Wawa Low Fat Strawberry Yogurt (before the gym)

1 1/2 c. Low Fat Cottage Cheese
1/2 tbs. of honey
1 banana
1 tbs. peanut butter
(I made a high protein concoction similar to pudding with the above ingredients, it was so filling I couldn't finish it.)
2/3 c. Smart Bran cereal (mixed in with cottage cheese concoction that I didn't finish)

My food list might seem short... but I slept in late and have decided not to eat after 8 PM.

Out With The Old

2009-01-20T22:05:00.002-05:00

Can I first just say that I am freezing! The space heater in my bedroom is out of commission and it feels frigid without it.

That being said I should probably explain why all my old posts are gone. This afternoon I decided that I'm going to work my butt off to get where I want to be physically and mentally. I have not been accessing my true potential recently and its time for that to stop. That still doesn't tell you why I deleted all my old posts though does it?

Karma, I deleted everything because of karma. It may sound silly. Can a blog really create good or bad karma? I think it can. My blog is a space that I come to every day whether I write something or not. If I haven't written anything for the day its because I haven't been inspired to do so. Most of the time I'm uninspired by the negativity that it used to hold. It felt defeated and heavy, almost burdening.

Now the bad karma or negativity is gone from my blog and my life and I can create a new story. I want to create the story of a young woman who pushes herself to do great things because she knows that she can. Its going to be a hard story to write because I've never done it before but it will be accomplish.