...the math hurts my brain. Calendars and science are hard.
I've not so much given up as seriously slowed down. My impending vacation and my truly heroic intake of beer (it's SUMMER damn it!) have impeded what little motivation I have left. I go to the gym 6 days a week still, yes but since I go at 6 o'clock with everyone else in Portland it's really hard for me to do what I want when I want without the urge to punch some meat head in his face. Or short shorts. Seriously dude. Buy some damn pants, I beg you. After staying at 177 for two or three weeks I dropped almost four pounds in only two weeks to weigh in at 173.5 last Tuesday. Or Wednesday. I don't remember. That's only one pound away from my "official" goal but I'm probably going to keep going. I'd like to be solidly under 170 so when in the future (and for the rest of my damn life) when I get up to 170 I can be like "whoa NJ, chill on the beer and snack treats and head to the gym".
Many years ago I lived in Corvallis. I was walking down the street downtown when some Casanova yelled out his car window "if you drop five pounds I'd bone you!" and my first thought was disbelief: is this real life? I looked around and it was only me this Lothario could be hollering at, I was alone on the street. At first I was in shock that it had even happened, then I just started laughing. Five pounds? That was it? I can't really remember, but this was in the stage between the skinniest I'd ever been (about 10 pounds heavier than I am now) and the heaviest I've ever been (after a devastating time in my life and a move from Corvallis back to Portland) so I'm going to call that I was around 200-210 pounds. That's a solid 28 or 29 on the BMI, I was only a couple pounds from obese and this gentleman was only requesting that I drop five pounds?
I wonder now that I've lost 45 if I should look him up. I'm still the same asshole I was then, I'm just skinnier. But apparently that's all it takes to hook a man of car-hollering caliber.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The past three weeks (18-20)
...in which I'm still trying to lose weight but care less & less about the number on the scale.
5/18 - 6/6
And honestly I can't really remember most of the past three weeks. My life is gym and work with beer and friends thrown into the mix for a nice balance. This week has been all about the car accident and Operation: Fuck That Guy Up.
I started a new job on the 16th of May. One that involves sitting on my ass all day. That probably plays a part in my body's refusal to lose any more weight. I could also blame my shockingly high beer intake. But I'll blame the sitting. I'm still counting calories but I took a week off in there because I just got so sick of it. I also took last Saturday off because it involved two cookies, a giant tamale and five (yes, five) delicious beers. I know it wasn't the optimal choice for someone on a "diet" but I honestly don't consider myself on a diet, I never have. I don't restrict any foods because that's just stupid. My body and its allergies do that just fine on its own, thank you.
My gym buddy got married the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and that was super fun. The food was amazing, the cake SMELLED divine but of course I didn't eat any of it, and the bride looked SO SKINNY in her beautiful dress. No calories were counted that day either, but as the photographer I spent all day busy busy busy with not very much food. The whole day was a blast and honestly I can't wait for her to get back from her honeymoon so we can start being gym buddies again.
I weighed myself on Tuesday and while I'm still hovering at 177.7 (for days now which I figured was lucky, but then the car accident proved to me how wrong I was) I can tell my body is super pleased with everything I've been doing. ESPECIALLY drinking beer. And now it's almost the weekend again and the sun's supposed to be shining the whole time and I'm pretty sure that means friends, beer and books. And no gym.
5/18 - 6/6
And honestly I can't really remember most of the past three weeks. My life is gym and work with beer and friends thrown into the mix for a nice balance. This week has been all about the car accident and Operation: Fuck That Guy Up.
I started a new job on the 16th of May. One that involves sitting on my ass all day. That probably plays a part in my body's refusal to lose any more weight. I could also blame my shockingly high beer intake. But I'll blame the sitting. I'm still counting calories but I took a week off in there because I just got so sick of it. I also took last Saturday off because it involved two cookies, a giant tamale and five (yes, five) delicious beers. I know it wasn't the optimal choice for someone on a "diet" but I honestly don't consider myself on a diet, I never have. I don't restrict any foods because that's just stupid. My body and its allergies do that just fine on its own, thank you.
My gym buddy got married the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and that was super fun. The food was amazing, the cake SMELLED divine but of course I didn't eat any of it, and the bride looked SO SKINNY in her beautiful dress. No calories were counted that day either, but as the photographer I spent all day busy busy busy with not very much food. The whole day was a blast and honestly I can't wait for her to get back from her honeymoon so we can start being gym buddies again.
I weighed myself on Tuesday and while I'm still hovering at 177.7 (for days now which I figured was lucky, but then the car accident proved to me how wrong I was) I can tell my body is super pleased with everything I've been doing. ESPECIALLY drinking beer. And now it's almost the weekend again and the sun's supposed to be shining the whole time and I'm pretty sure that means friends, beer and books. And no gym.
Monday, June 6, 2011
I knew I shouldn't have bought that boat...
I didn't buy a boat. But it's like in all those cheesy 80s movies (McBAAAAIIIINNN!! A movie within a tv show, I know) when the cop is about to retire and he only has two payments left on his boat/house/RV and then he gets gunned down and everything is ruined?! Okay, that didn't exactly happen to me, but I only have two payments (maybe three...) left on Jack and BAM someone hit me on my way to the gym today. Right in front of my gym actually. So that was probably the best part, at least there were supportive people on my side right there, if it had been anywhere else I'd be stuck alone on a street corner with the wind blowing my skirt up. So... any other Monday night. Nah, I kid.
It was already a rough day at work, my newly minted office job has me realizing what Office Space and Garfield were really all about. As much as I love it there, Mondays really do suck! It's not just a cliche! All I wanted was a beer or some serious cardio. Since I had been drinking since Thursday my obvious choice for weight loss was cardio. I was just driving along, singing to my heart's content (Jebus I love Adele) when BAM the aforementioned hitting of my car. Jack didn't deserve it. He tries so hard (no he doesn't) and to be taken down in his prime (it's not his prime) is just a travesty and a disgrace. Plus he looks like trailer trash now!
Bastard McGee of course claims it was all my fault. "Why were you driving so fast?" he yells. "Whoa," I say. I am NOT dealing with anyone's bullshit right meow. It's too much, TOO MUCH! So he called the cops. Wonderful, it's his fault, let's get the whole freaking town involved! First he claims I was speeding and he couldn't see me coming. You didn't see me because you didn't look. Then when the police arrived he told them that he was simply "repositioning his parking spot" and that I must have been swerving. Uh, no thanks. The cop takes one look at my car and makes a snide comment that pretty much negates Mr. McGee's whole story (stories). Love it. Score the first (ever) for Beaverton PD. I take pictures, my trainer/lawyer/insurance agent/life coach is there to help (almost as much as I think a beer would have) and even though I'm still worried I'll get shafted (and not in a Monday-night-street-corner kind of way) I know I'm right and I know Bastard McGee is wrong and I'm only hoping everything works out fine. It usually does.
NOW WHERE'S MY DAMN BEER!?!
It was already a rough day at work, my newly minted office job has me realizing what Office Space and Garfield were really all about. As much as I love it there, Mondays really do suck! It's not just a cliche! All I wanted was a beer or some serious cardio. Since I had been drinking since Thursday my obvious choice for weight loss was cardio. I was just driving along, singing to my heart's content (Jebus I love Adele) when BAM the aforementioned hitting of my car. Jack didn't deserve it. He tries so hard (no he doesn't) and to be taken down in his prime (it's not his prime) is just a travesty and a disgrace. Plus he looks like trailer trash now!
Bastard McGee of course claims it was all my fault. "Why were you driving so fast?" he yells. "Whoa," I say. I am NOT dealing with anyone's bullshit right meow. It's too much, TOO MUCH! So he called the cops. Wonderful, it's his fault, let's get the whole freaking town involved! First he claims I was speeding and he couldn't see me coming. You didn't see me because you didn't look. Then when the police arrived he told them that he was simply "repositioning his parking spot" and that I must have been swerving. Uh, no thanks. The cop takes one look at my car and makes a snide comment that pretty much negates Mr. McGee's whole story (stories). Love it. Score the first (ever) for Beaverton PD. I take pictures, my trainer/lawyer/insurance agent/life coach is there to help (almost as much as I think a beer would have) and even though I'm still worried I'll get shafted (and not in a Monday-night-street-corner kind of way) I know I'm right and I know Bastard McGee is wrong and I'm only hoping everything works out fine. It usually does.
NOW WHERE'S MY DAMN BEER!?!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Why do my car mishaps crack me up so much?
My car hasn't locked in like 7 months... well it locks but then it doesn't unlock with the key so I just leave it unlocked all the time. I apparently have issues with owning cars that allow for proper storage; while my first car actually did lock the driver's side door handle was broken so I just left her unlocked all the time. If someone's going to bust into a 20 year old Volvo to steal crap then we'll just let them feel good about themselves for doing so and make it easy. At least then they wouldn't have busted a window and cost me $500 so they could steal nothing. Except for my cds that one time. That was my bad for forgetting them, but that doesn't make it okay for people to take shit.
Jack (my current car- I have a complex in which I name or nickname everything and everyone I come into contact with) has been fine since I've started leaving him unlocked, thanks Portland. All winning streaks must come to an end though (right LA? HA!) and on Thursday morning when I left for work the door was ajar and the glove compartment was open. Damn kids. I was annoyed with them for rifling through my stuff but also spent the whole drive to work laughing, they tore the car UP but I couldn't even tell, my car is so full crap like old shoes and a broken umbrella and mix cds that are scratched beyond recognition.
Jack (my current car- I have a complex in which I name or nickname everything and everyone I come into contact with) has been fine since I've started leaving him unlocked, thanks Portland. All winning streaks must come to an end though (right LA? HA!) and on Thursday morning when I left for work the door was ajar and the glove compartment was open. Damn kids. I was annoyed with them for rifling through my stuff but also spent the whole drive to work laughing, they tore the car UP but I couldn't even tell, my car is so full crap like old shoes and a broken umbrella and mix cds that are scratched beyond recognition.
The only thing of any value at ALL in the entire car is my death star (should that be capitalized?) key chain that hangs around the rear view mirror and they left that thank goodness! Oh and all my canvas grocery bags and even though they're only $1 each I'm glad they left them, I've bought so many already.
It took me till this afternoon to realize what was actually taken because they left a single one on the floor mat, taking the other 14 or so. Leftover beer tokens from the Oregon Brewers Festival. You. Bastards. Though in all fairness they had been sitting in my car for almost 3 years now. I volunteered there once and they paid me in tokens. And as much as I love beer and festivals devoted to things that I love there were just too many damn people and crowds give me gas. I've never been back because the thought of touching other people in the dead of summer freaks me out so the tokens just sat there and unused. I tried to pawn them off on people but never had any takers. So hopefully the damn kids will get some use of them.
While I was rummaging around trying to see what, if anything, was taken I did find two things I'd been searching for. A CD case from the library that years ago I paid a fine for losing was back there. And my sunscreen that I looked for that one day it was sunny. Maybe it'll come in handy in August, we'll see. So thanks ransackers for unearthing some hidden gems for me. Much obliged, I'm sure.
While I was rummaging around trying to see what, if anything, was taken I did find two things I'd been searching for. A CD case from the library that years ago I paid a fine for losing was back there. And my sunscreen that I looked for that one day it was sunny. Maybe it'll come in handy in August, we'll see. So thanks ransackers for unearthing some hidden gems for me. Much obliged, I'm sure.
The worst part of all this is that if they had closed the door and the glove compartment I probably wouldn't have even noticed anything was amiss for a couple days. The damn kids didn't get anything of real value, except maybe some sort of airborne pathogen from all the shit in my car and they helped me find something I'd been searching for! Win win! I was seriously laughing my ass off on the way to work thinking of what they thought they'd find in a BMW and only finding crap piled on top of crap. Seriously, a baggie of pistachio shells, a half a roll of toilet paper, an empty perfume bottle. They could have at least thrown everything in a garbage bag and taken it with them, it would've helped me out a lot.
And yes, I'll clean it out this weekend I promise.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Weeks 16-17
5/3 - 5/17
...in which it's really been 52 weeks.
On May 17, 2010 I decided I was too fat. Too fat again. How did this happen? I blame beer and fudgesicles. Totally all their fault.
With Brittany on our drive down to Vegas the first week of May last year.
I wasn't necessarily unhappy like so many people on fatty reality shows are. I wasn't fat because I was sad, or because I had a rough childhood or because I was scared of who I really was when I wasn't fat. I knew who I was. I was funny, outgoing, smart and pretty damn clever too. Also I swore WAY too much and had substantial burping problems. I still am (and have) all those things, just in a smaller package. I've LITERALLY (yeah, I did that) been working my ass off and it does look fabulous. I'm pretty much forcing everyone to look at it whether they want to or not.
With Brittany again just last week! And yeah, I have a thing for giant sunglasses.
Even though I love Biggest Loser, weight loss is not a journey. I HATE that they call it that, it makes it sound like we should be sad and weepy all the time. Like Odysseus. Oh, did we not read the same copy of The Odyssey? No wonder I hated it so much. It's been hard crappy work that forced me to give up a lot of things I really like. Like my friends and booze. I've just recently started drinking again; many weekends of excess and I think I need to put libations on the back burner for a while. At least till I go to Alaska. But losing weight SUCKS. I'm sweaty all the time, my car smells like a foot because I'm always either on my way to the gym or on my way home from there. And I can't wait till I don't have to count calories anymore, it's SO boring. I don't CARE how many calories are in my Hungarian goulash I just want to enjoy it!
But there's a plus side to all this of course. I love to complain, but you can't argue with results. I can do more at the gym than I ever thought I could (even though I bitch and swear a LOT) and it's totally worth it. I went to the Rogue brewery in Newport last weekend and my three beers, fries and meat did not sit well- my body was definitely rejecting my decisions. I felt like shit that night (totally worth it though GOD I love beer) but it was good to know in real life I'm making the right decisions and my insides are super happy (most of the time). Also, I know a lot of people aren't sure if it's kosher to compliment someone on losing weight, to mention it might be admitting that you thought they were fat before. But guess what. I was fat before. I know I was fat. And I want EVERYONE to notice how good I look and tell me. PLEASE tell me! We all strive for validation and adoration cause it feels good to be appreciated when working so hard to reach a goal.
Also, you can tell me I'm funny too. Because compliments are awesome and looks aren't everything. It's okay to be shallow sometimes, but c'mon. Grow up will you?
PS- Weight? 178. That's 38 total pounds gone (even with a 4 month break over vacations and the holidays!). I've lost just about 15 inches from everywhere on my body. That's science. I've gone from a size 16 to a 10 and an iffy XL to an M. That's math. Shopping is fun now and I love everything just a little more than I did before. Being a skinny bitch is awesome.
...in which it's really been 52 weeks.
On May 17, 2010 I decided I was too fat. Too fat again. How did this happen? I blame beer and fudgesicles. Totally all their fault.
I wasn't necessarily unhappy like so many people on fatty reality shows are. I wasn't fat because I was sad, or because I had a rough childhood or because I was scared of who I really was when I wasn't fat. I knew who I was. I was funny, outgoing, smart and pretty damn clever too. Also I swore WAY too much and had substantial burping problems. I still am (and have) all those things, just in a smaller package. I've LITERALLY (yeah, I did that) been working my ass off and it does look fabulous. I'm pretty much forcing everyone to look at it whether they want to or not.
Even though I love Biggest Loser, weight loss is not a journey. I HATE that they call it that, it makes it sound like we should be sad and weepy all the time. Like Odysseus. Oh, did we not read the same copy of The Odyssey? No wonder I hated it so much. It's been hard crappy work that forced me to give up a lot of things I really like. Like my friends and booze. I've just recently started drinking again; many weekends of excess and I think I need to put libations on the back burner for a while. At least till I go to Alaska. But losing weight SUCKS. I'm sweaty all the time, my car smells like a foot because I'm always either on my way to the gym or on my way home from there. And I can't wait till I don't have to count calories anymore, it's SO boring. I don't CARE how many calories are in my Hungarian goulash I just want to enjoy it!
But there's a plus side to all this of course. I love to complain, but you can't argue with results. I can do more at the gym than I ever thought I could (even though I bitch and swear a LOT) and it's totally worth it. I went to the Rogue brewery in Newport last weekend and my three beers, fries and meat did not sit well- my body was definitely rejecting my decisions. I felt like shit that night (totally worth it though GOD I love beer) but it was good to know in real life I'm making the right decisions and my insides are super happy (most of the time). Also, I know a lot of people aren't sure if it's kosher to compliment someone on losing weight, to mention it might be admitting that you thought they were fat before. But guess what. I was fat before. I know I was fat. And I want EVERYONE to notice how good I look and tell me. PLEASE tell me! We all strive for validation and adoration cause it feels good to be appreciated when working so hard to reach a goal.
Also, you can tell me I'm funny too. Because compliments are awesome and looks aren't everything. It's okay to be shallow sometimes, but c'mon. Grow up will you?
PS- Weight? 178. That's 38 total pounds gone (even with a 4 month break over vacations and the holidays!). I've lost just about 15 inches from everywhere on my body. That's science. I've gone from a size 16 to a 10 and an iffy XL to an M. That's math. Shopping is fun now and I love everything just a little more than I did before. Being a skinny bitch is awesome.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Week 15
4/26 - 5/2
...in which everything amazing happens.
This isn't a week for gym and food and weight talk. I did go to the gym and cook and bake. Whoop. I did lose weight and now I'm closer to my goal. Yay. I do need new pants because my 'first stop' goal 12s are way too big now and need to be washed constantly. Another yay. But this past week has been one of the best EVER that I even had to make a list so I wouldn't forget all the cool stuff that happened.
Tuesday morning I got a call from one of my best friends letting me know there was a job opening in her office and I should come by. I curled my hair up real pretty like and rushed over there, ended up with an impromptu interview and an invite for a second. Sweet. I always do well in interviews, it's my ebullient and self-deprecating nature I do believe. I decided I needed to spend some time in the travel section of Powell's because it's pretty much my favorite, first stopping off for tacos, because those are also my favorite. Another one of my best friends texted me to tell me her water's broken and she's in the hospital. Three weeks before her due date! It's slow going but she'll keep me posted. Of course I'm on edge for the the next 24 hours, but that's nothing compared to the 24 hours of labor my friend is in with no consideration to the pins and needles I'm sitting on. But then Wednesday morning BAM there's another person on the planet and she's so so small and so cute I can't stand it.
Thursday I got to visit Ellie (Elisabeth Miriam is way too big a name for such a tiny girl so it's just Ellie) and she's so adorable, when she blinks it's the best thing I've ever seen and every sound and face is like something new and exciting has just happened. I love it but I don't really know who I am anymore.
Thursday night (Friday morning) was, of course, the royal wedding and yes I stayed up for it. My gym buddy spent it with me and, after we made a midnight run to the gym to help us stay awake, there was Boddington's and Newcastle in wine glasses, jam tarts being made at 2:30 in the morning and lots of giggling and talk of fancy hats. It was amazing. Also, I made turkey bacon guacamole burgers and homemade sweet potato fries for dinner that night so it was a pretty unbelievable day/evening/early morning.
Then I found out I got the NEW JOB so I was able to put in my two week notice at my current place (which gave me great joy, even though I'll miss my co-workers very much) and start thinking about a life with a set schedule, weekends off (beer festivals here I come!) and paid vacation. LIKE A GROWNUP! Everything's falling into place.
Now it's time to buckle down and start ignoring my friends again so I can reach the goal I set for myself before I leave for Alaska. 8 pounds in 8 weeks. I've done it before. I can do it again.
...in which everything amazing happens.
This isn't a week for gym and food and weight talk. I did go to the gym and cook and bake. Whoop. I did lose weight and now I'm closer to my goal. Yay. I do need new pants because my 'first stop' goal 12s are way too big now and need to be washed constantly. Another yay. But this past week has been one of the best EVER that I even had to make a list so I wouldn't forget all the cool stuff that happened.
Tuesday morning I got a call from one of my best friends letting me know there was a job opening in her office and I should come by. I curled my hair up real pretty like and rushed over there, ended up with an impromptu interview and an invite for a second. Sweet. I always do well in interviews, it's my ebullient and self-deprecating nature I do believe. I decided I needed to spend some time in the travel section of Powell's because it's pretty much my favorite, first stopping off for tacos, because those are also my favorite. Another one of my best friends texted me to tell me her water's broken and she's in the hospital. Three weeks before her due date! It's slow going but she'll keep me posted. Of course I'm on edge for the the next 24 hours, but that's nothing compared to the 24 hours of labor my friend is in with no consideration to the pins and needles I'm sitting on. But then Wednesday morning BAM there's another person on the planet and she's so so small and so cute I can't stand it.
Thursday I got to visit Ellie (Elisabeth Miriam is way too big a name for such a tiny girl so it's just Ellie) and she's so adorable, when she blinks it's the best thing I've ever seen and every sound and face is like something new and exciting has just happened. I love it but I don't really know who I am anymore.
Thursday night (Friday morning) was, of course, the royal wedding and yes I stayed up for it. My gym buddy spent it with me and, after we made a midnight run to the gym to help us stay awake, there was Boddington's and Newcastle in wine glasses, jam tarts being made at 2:30 in the morning and lots of giggling and talk of fancy hats. It was amazing. Also, I made turkey bacon guacamole burgers and homemade sweet potato fries for dinner that night so it was a pretty unbelievable day/evening/early morning.
Then I found out I got the NEW JOB so I was able to put in my two week notice at my current place (which gave me great joy, even though I'll miss my co-workers very much) and start thinking about a life with a set schedule, weekends off (beer festivals here I come!) and paid vacation. LIKE A GROWNUP! Everything's falling into place.
Now it's time to buckle down and start ignoring my friends again so I can reach the goal I set for myself before I leave for Alaska. 8 pounds in 8 weeks. I've done it before. I can do it again.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Week 14
4/19 - 4/25
...in which there's a veritable fashion show.
No weigh in this week. I haven't been awesome, what with Easter candy lining my arteries, but compared to Easters past I was a freaking beacon of self restraint. Did you know 4 gummi worms have 140 calories? That's bullshit and I'd much rather use those calories for a beer. Or one and a half fudgesicles. Also, I type fudgesicle a LOT, why isn't in my computer's dictionary yet? On Easter I did eat a whole (mini) bag of Cadbury chocolate eggs but it took me all day. And I had one of my cookies. But that was it. Damn good.
Last week I was dreading dress shopping for the first batch of weddings I'm going to this year. Two of the three I'm the photographer so I have to be professional, nondescript, but still look good. Cute, but keeping the legs mostly covered and boobs in locked and loaded position. Which can be tough. But there were dresses! Oh so many dresses at White House Black Market. I used to not be able to shop there, and because of my ample bosom and generous German back I'm still a 14 on top. But a doable, zip myself up kind of 14. I must have tried on eight or nine dresses, two of them I tried on multiple times before settling on a super cute polka dot one. I couldn't be more pleased. I wasn't even planning on buying anything today, resigned to the fact that dress shopping is for suckers and I didn't have a chance of finding one that works for me. But 35 pounds is a harsh mistress and I felt really good for the first time in a while. The dress I bought even has a cute bow/belt thing that I snap with the SECOND snaps, not the first ones. Bam. Skinny Nicole.
To celebrate, a German feast of rotkohl, kartoffelsalat and pork. And beer. Of course beer. I would be a disgrace to my heritage if I tried to lose weight by giving up beer. It was a good thought for those two days, but now I'm back to reality. Back to beer. And it's good.
...in which there's a veritable fashion show.
No weigh in this week. I haven't been awesome, what with Easter candy lining my arteries, but compared to Easters past I was a freaking beacon of self restraint. Did you know 4 gummi worms have 140 calories? That's bullshit and I'd much rather use those calories for a beer. Or one and a half fudgesicles. Also, I type fudgesicle a LOT, why isn't in my computer's dictionary yet? On Easter I did eat a whole (mini) bag of Cadbury chocolate eggs but it took me all day. And I had one of my cookies. But that was it. Damn good.
Last week I was dreading dress shopping for the first batch of weddings I'm going to this year. Two of the three I'm the photographer so I have to be professional, nondescript, but still look good. Cute, but keeping the legs mostly covered and boobs in locked and loaded position. Which can be tough. But there were dresses! Oh so many dresses at White House Black Market. I used to not be able to shop there, and because of my ample bosom and generous German back I'm still a 14 on top. But a doable, zip myself up kind of 14. I must have tried on eight or nine dresses, two of them I tried on multiple times before settling on a super cute polka dot one. I couldn't be more pleased. I wasn't even planning on buying anything today, resigned to the fact that dress shopping is for suckers and I didn't have a chance of finding one that works for me. But 35 pounds is a harsh mistress and I felt really good for the first time in a while. The dress I bought even has a cute bow/belt thing that I snap with the SECOND snaps, not the first ones. Bam. Skinny Nicole.
To celebrate, a German feast of rotkohl, kartoffelsalat and pork. And beer. Of course beer. I would be a disgrace to my heritage if I tried to lose weight by giving up beer. It was a good thought for those two days, but now I'm back to reality. Back to beer. And it's good.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Weeks 12-13
4/5 - 4/18
I work I work out. I work I work out. I go to wedding showers, baby showers, funerals, happy hours and then back to work and the gym. I enjoy tofu more than I ever thought I would. Prosciutto wrapped asparagus changed my world for the better. I've officially cut cheese out of my diet and feel pretty good about that. I'm now vegan except for the meat. And I will never stop eating the meat. I drank WAY too much beer over the last two weeks and am going to try really hard not to drink for... at least the foreseeable future. But I make no promises. Since my flat iron is broken I've started curling my hair and that's pretty cute for now, we'll see how long it lasts. Probably as long as my vow to stop drinking. UPDATE: Curling my hair lasted one day and not drinking lasted two. It's the playoffs! I can't be held responsible for my actions.
When I got on the scale yesterday I wasn't expecting a big number. What with the aforementioned many nights of beer drinking and cutting back on my cardio at the gym. Except for Wednesday nights. That's when Elyse and I watch American Idol. No judging.
I also wasn't expecting a big number because I'd lost 10 pounds in the previous six weeks. That's pretty damn good and I knew my body was going to be all "wait a minute meow, you're doing this again? Can't we just lounge and watch Mad Men and eat fudgesicles and drink wine?" And I say NO to my body and go back to the gym. Sucker. So I lost one pound over the last two weeks. I'm now 182.6 and getting ever closer to my first REAL goal of being 'normal' and not 'overweight'. Not bad considering I started just a hair inside the 'obese' category.
One more pound gone and 34 pounds total. I'd like to hit 40 by Memorial Day weekend and my gym buddy's wedding but either way I should get started dress shopping now. Ugh, dress shopping. I'd rather go beer shopping.
Oh and watch these. I've been obsessed with Epic Meal Time for a couple weeks now (thanks Tron) and these are a few of my favorites. They'll either make you really hungry, really disgusted, or just plain fall in love with Canada all over again.
Breakfast of Booze
Meat Cars
Meat Salad
I work I work out. I work I work out. I go to wedding showers, baby showers, funerals, happy hours and then back to work and the gym. I enjoy tofu more than I ever thought I would. Prosciutto wrapped asparagus changed my world for the better. I've officially cut cheese out of my diet and feel pretty good about that. I'm now vegan except for the meat. And I will never stop eating the meat. I drank WAY too much beer over the last two weeks and am going to try really hard not to drink for... at least the foreseeable future. But I make no promises. Since my flat iron is broken I've started curling my hair and that's pretty cute for now, we'll see how long it lasts. Probably as long as my vow to stop drinking. UPDATE: Curling my hair lasted one day and not drinking lasted two. It's the playoffs! I can't be held responsible for my actions.
When I got on the scale yesterday I wasn't expecting a big number. What with the aforementioned many nights of beer drinking and cutting back on my cardio at the gym. Except for Wednesday nights. That's when Elyse and I watch American Idol. No judging.
I also wasn't expecting a big number because I'd lost 10 pounds in the previous six weeks. That's pretty damn good and I knew my body was going to be all "wait a minute meow, you're doing this again? Can't we just lounge and watch Mad Men and eat fudgesicles and drink wine?" And I say NO to my body and go back to the gym. Sucker. So I lost one pound over the last two weeks. I'm now 182.6 and getting ever closer to my first REAL goal of being 'normal' and not 'overweight'. Not bad considering I started just a hair inside the 'obese' category.
One more pound gone and 34 pounds total. I'd like to hit 40 by Memorial Day weekend and my gym buddy's wedding but either way I should get started dress shopping now. Ugh, dress shopping. I'd rather go beer shopping.
Oh and watch these. I've been obsessed with Epic Meal Time for a couple weeks now (thanks Tron) and these are a few of my favorites. They'll either make you really hungry, really disgusted, or just plain fall in love with Canada all over again.
Breakfast of Booze
Meat Cars
Meat Salad
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Week 11
4/1 - 4/4
...in which my ass looks good in my goal jeans.
So it's only part of Week 11 but since I wrote so much last week I don't need as much right now. Unless you want to hear me bitch about being a privileged white girl that's too tall and getting skinny. You don't? Too bad. Apparently if I'm a size 12 Tall then my pants fit okay but if I'm a 10 Tall then I've somehow managed to lose weight AND about 2 inches off my height. So annoying but I'm pretty okay with it being my new biggest problem.
I weighed myself on Monday for the first time in two weeks and I was down three pounds. 183.6. Long way down from my original weight (33 pounds, whoop!) and pretty damn good I say, especially considering the day before I sat on my ass and played nine hours of Mario Kart for our annual tournament. (I came in 3rd and I'm just as proud of that as I am of the weight loss!) Yes, I did go to the gym in the morning, but there's usually more movement the rest of the day. I also had delicious bacon lager purchased for me by a friend who knows my penchant for bacon anything. Especially booze. Though I am still terrified to try bacon vodka, it just sounds awful and the only proper use I for it is in a Bloody Mary and I don't really like those anyway.
So even with the ass sitting, the beer drinking and the way too much sugar and crap (though for me it still wasn't as much as I used to ingest, I get full and sick faster now) the three pounds were quite nice. And not weighing myself gave me time to notice other things, like how my body seems to finally be figuring out this is for the long haul and is shaving down some inches. Just two weeks into my training workouts and I can notice my upper arms (the bane of my existence) appear smaller and better in t-shirts. Not that I've been wearing any t-shirts since it won't get higher than 50 degrees up in here, but still.
Also my skin looks way better. I'm sure the vitamins help, but I'm pretty sure diet and exercise are the real reasons everything on me is looking nicer these days. Also, I'm wearing my goal jeans right now (right now as I'm typing this!) and am only one (ONE) pound away from the lightest I've ever been as an adult. Sweet. My next few goals are easy. Six pounds here, four pounds there, another four here. Then I've given myself no time limit on the final six (or seven) pounds. They'll happen when they happen and I'll feel damn great about it too.
...in which my ass looks good in my goal jeans.
So it's only part of Week 11 but since I wrote so much last week I don't need as much right now. Unless you want to hear me bitch about being a privileged white girl that's too tall and getting skinny. You don't? Too bad. Apparently if I'm a size 12 Tall then my pants fit okay but if I'm a 10 Tall then I've somehow managed to lose weight AND about 2 inches off my height. So annoying but I'm pretty okay with it being my new biggest problem.
I weighed myself on Monday for the first time in two weeks and I was down three pounds. 183.6. Long way down from my original weight (33 pounds, whoop!) and pretty damn good I say, especially considering the day before I sat on my ass and played nine hours of Mario Kart for our annual tournament. (I came in 3rd and I'm just as proud of that as I am of the weight loss!) Yes, I did go to the gym in the morning, but there's usually more movement the rest of the day. I also had delicious bacon lager purchased for me by a friend who knows my penchant for bacon anything. Especially booze. Though I am still terrified to try bacon vodka, it just sounds awful and the only proper use I for it is in a Bloody Mary and I don't really like those anyway.
So even with the ass sitting, the beer drinking and the way too much sugar and crap (though for me it still wasn't as much as I used to ingest, I get full and sick faster now) the three pounds were quite nice. And not weighing myself gave me time to notice other things, like how my body seems to finally be figuring out this is for the long haul and is shaving down some inches. Just two weeks into my training workouts and I can notice my upper arms (the bane of my existence) appear smaller and better in t-shirts. Not that I've been wearing any t-shirts since it won't get higher than 50 degrees up in here, but still.
Also my skin looks way better. I'm sure the vitamins help, but I'm pretty sure diet and exercise are the real reasons everything on me is looking nicer these days. Also, I'm wearing my goal jeans right now (right now as I'm typing this!) and am only one (ONE) pound away from the lightest I've ever been as an adult. Sweet. My next few goals are easy. Six pounds here, four pounds there, another four here. Then I've given myself no time limit on the final six (or seven) pounds. They'll happen when they happen and I'll feel damn great about it too.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Week 10 (ish)
3/22 - 3/31
...in which I finally stop weighing myself every damn week.
On Thursday I weighed myself and saw that I'd gained a pound. It was stupid of me to weigh myself in the middle of the week and only three days after such a huge win (3.5 pounds for those with poor memories) but I did. Cause I'm a dummy. And the pound gain didn't upset or depress me, I just got annoyed with myself that I would waste my good energy by letting a stupid number get me down. When I got to work I confided with my gym buddy that I had cheated and she told me she had too (neither one of us has great will power, that's how we kept those trim figures for all those years...) and gained a pound also. We decided not to be dummies and stop weighing ourselves so often and focus on our clothes and how they fit, the measurements and the compliments. GOD I love the compliments and I'll get to my very favorite one in a few.
At first we were thinking once a month, but again that will power I know I still don't quite have (though I haven't had a fudgesicle in like 3 days (too much sugar) and I'm dying a little on the inside) I figured I could make it two weeks. Which means weigh-in isn't until April 4th and it seems so far away. Now this decision has a downside too, if I don't lose what I think I should in two weeks I might be a little disappointed, but I also know that I'm working really hard, trying new things and it's definitely paying off.
On Thursday I went to a class (24 SET) that made me sweat more than I've ever sweat. It was gross and smelly. My hair was a nightmare (one sweat soaked strand was sticking straight out of my head, it was actually pretty awesome) and my face was red red red. But I felt good. Exhausted but good. Then Sunday I got to (finally) see a personal trainer. And if I haven't said it before I love him. So adorable and too smart and I got worked really hard again. I hadn't fully healed from the class (my abs were killing me every time I sneezed, coughed or laughed and I do those things a LOT) and here I was doing even more things that made my face red and my hair stick out straight from sweat. Awesome.
So no weigh-in Monday. And it felt good. I felt good. Well, my abs felt better but my shoulders (10 pound dumbbells! And I didn't complain once. Till now. It was HARD) and my quads were a wreck. I like to mix it up. Later in the week it's my hamstrings. Thank god for the handicap bar next to the toilet. But today at work I was talking with a customer about quitting sugar (or trying) and then something else happened (I only remembered the most important part of the conversation you see) and THEN she told me I was a "skinny minnie" and to shut up! It was the best thing anyone's ever said to me (for real she's awesome and I love her) and I freaked out. Then my gym buddy told me I looked tall and not jiggly at all running on the treadmill this morning. Another win for NJ!
So no matter what the scale says on Monday (especially cause it's the day after my Mario Kart party... I'm only allowing myself one bottle of wine all day. Maybe a giant beer, I haven't decided yet) I know I'm pushing and working and doing the best thing I can for my body and my soul. And the rest of the world. You'll thank me when you officially meet Skinny Nicole. It'll be worth the wait, trust me.
...in which I finally stop weighing myself every damn week.
On Thursday I weighed myself and saw that I'd gained a pound. It was stupid of me to weigh myself in the middle of the week and only three days after such a huge win (3.5 pounds for those with poor memories) but I did. Cause I'm a dummy. And the pound gain didn't upset or depress me, I just got annoyed with myself that I would waste my good energy by letting a stupid number get me down. When I got to work I confided with my gym buddy that I had cheated and she told me she had too (neither one of us has great will power, that's how we kept those trim figures for all those years...) and gained a pound also. We decided not to be dummies and stop weighing ourselves so often and focus on our clothes and how they fit, the measurements and the compliments. GOD I love the compliments and I'll get to my very favorite one in a few.
At first we were thinking once a month, but again that will power I know I still don't quite have (though I haven't had a fudgesicle in like 3 days (too much sugar) and I'm dying a little on the inside) I figured I could make it two weeks. Which means weigh-in isn't until April 4th and it seems so far away. Now this decision has a downside too, if I don't lose what I think I should in two weeks I might be a little disappointed, but I also know that I'm working really hard, trying new things and it's definitely paying off.
On Thursday I went to a class (24 SET) that made me sweat more than I've ever sweat. It was gross and smelly. My hair was a nightmare (one sweat soaked strand was sticking straight out of my head, it was actually pretty awesome) and my face was red red red. But I felt good. Exhausted but good. Then Sunday I got to (finally) see a personal trainer. And if I haven't said it before I love him. So adorable and too smart and I got worked really hard again. I hadn't fully healed from the class (my abs were killing me every time I sneezed, coughed or laughed and I do those things a LOT) and here I was doing even more things that made my face red and my hair stick out straight from sweat. Awesome.
So no weigh-in Monday. And it felt good. I felt good. Well, my abs felt better but my shoulders (10 pound dumbbells! And I didn't complain once. Till now. It was HARD) and my quads were a wreck. I like to mix it up. Later in the week it's my hamstrings. Thank god for the handicap bar next to the toilet. But today at work I was talking with a customer about quitting sugar (or trying) and then something else happened (I only remembered the most important part of the conversation you see) and THEN she told me I was a "skinny minnie" and to shut up! It was the best thing anyone's ever said to me (for real she's awesome and I love her) and I freaked out. Then my gym buddy told me I looked tall and not jiggly at all running on the treadmill this morning. Another win for NJ!
So no matter what the scale says on Monday (especially cause it's the day after my Mario Kart party... I'm only allowing myself one bottle of wine all day. Maybe a giant beer, I haven't decided yet) I know I'm pushing and working and doing the best thing I can for my body and my soul. And the rest of the world. You'll thank me when you officially meet Skinny Nicole. It'll be worth the wait, trust me.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Week nine
3/15 - 3/21
I can't wait till next week so I can stop spelling out the numbers. Bet you didn't know that was a rule, right? One through nine are spelled, 10 and up and just numeric. "The More You Know..."
Okay, grammar lesson over time to talk Skinny Nicole. Cause yes, I've finally had a week to be proud of. My body realized after nine weeks that I wasn't going to give up no matter how much bullshit it threw at me. Two pound gain?! Too bad, I'm still working my ass off (LITERALLY, ha!) and I'm going to reach my goal. Think a fat ass can dissuade me from going to the gym? It's just going to make me work harder so suck it.
And all my hard work totally paid off this week. 3.5 pounds down. In one week. Damn right. 189.7 to 186.2 and I think it's the best jump I've had in weeks. Months even. It seems like almost too much, but in the last 3 weeks I've lost a total of 4 pounds so it's not really that impressive. But it also means that I've lost 30 pounds since starting back in May of 2010 and that I'm still on track to hit my goal of 55 pounds lost by August of this year. Of course, I'm expecting a lot of backlash next week for having such a good week now, but I'm prepared and I'm willing to mix it up a little to keep that from happening.
But no matter what, I feel good and I look better than I have in years. And that is seriously worth all the time and energy spent. Also, can I say again how much I love my gym? It's like a refuge from work and home. Plus there's cable.
Now it's time to hit said gym and for my favorite past time, staring at others while they work out and silently judging them for the choices they've made. Those shorts? Oh honey, no.
I can't wait till next week so I can stop spelling out the numbers. Bet you didn't know that was a rule, right? One through nine are spelled, 10 and up and just numeric. "The More You Know..."
Okay, grammar lesson over time to talk Skinny Nicole. Cause yes, I've finally had a week to be proud of. My body realized after nine weeks that I wasn't going to give up no matter how much bullshit it threw at me. Two pound gain?! Too bad, I'm still working my ass off (LITERALLY, ha!) and I'm going to reach my goal. Think a fat ass can dissuade me from going to the gym? It's just going to make me work harder so suck it.
And all my hard work totally paid off this week. 3.5 pounds down. In one week. Damn right. 189.7 to 186.2 and I think it's the best jump I've had in weeks. Months even. It seems like almost too much, but in the last 3 weeks I've lost a total of 4 pounds so it's not really that impressive. But it also means that I've lost 30 pounds since starting back in May of 2010 and that I'm still on track to hit my goal of 55 pounds lost by August of this year. Of course, I'm expecting a lot of backlash next week for having such a good week now, but I'm prepared and I'm willing to mix it up a little to keep that from happening.
But no matter what, I feel good and I look better than I have in years. And that is seriously worth all the time and energy spent. Also, can I say again how much I love my gym? It's like a refuge from work and home. Plus there's cable.
Now it's time to hit said gym and for my favorite past time, staring at others while they work out and silently judging them for the choices they've made. Those shorts? Oh honey, no.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Not about weight.
I'm probably one of the whitest girls in America. Not just because I live in Oregon and see little to no sunlight nine to ten months out of the year. I mean like white, white. I have very little rhythm, no ass to speak of and I speak like a Valley Girl. Totally.
But I love music. Most all kinds of music, as long as it's good and I can appreciate it. Classical, rock, hip-hop, even some country. Now I'm on the B.o.B. bandwagon- he's just so adorable. And I've always been a Mos Def fan. I know, he's rap for white people, but still.
My first introduction to hip-hop and rap was in 1994 with Mr Nate Dogg and Mr Warren G singing about driving around California looking for some ladies and finding trouble instead. It was a seriously awesome song and I still love it. I just heard (thanks social media) that Nate Dogg has died, and at only 41 years old. When I rediscovered the song a year or so ago, I stumbled upon the Regulate (song) website on Wikipedia (my usual source for information) and thought it was pretty hilarious. Of course I didn't think anyone else would remember the song or appreciate it so many years later, but now, after a celebrity has died it becomes okay to admit you liked the more ridiculous aspects of their careers. Michael Jackson and Man in the Mirror springs to mind. No one admitted to liking that song when he was alive but the day he died and for months after they played it non-stop.
So I just thought I would share the tongue in cheek explanation of one of my favorite songs. Bonus points to the author for using the word surreptitiously.
And RIP Nate Dogg.
But I love music. Most all kinds of music, as long as it's good and I can appreciate it. Classical, rock, hip-hop, even some country. Now I'm on the B.o.B. bandwagon- he's just so adorable. And I've always been a Mos Def fan. I know, he's rap for white people, but still.
My first introduction to hip-hop and rap was in 1994 with Mr Nate Dogg and Mr Warren G singing about driving around California looking for some ladies and finding trouble instead. It was a seriously awesome song and I still love it. I just heard (thanks social media) that Nate Dogg has died, and at only 41 years old. When I rediscovered the song a year or so ago, I stumbled upon the Regulate (song) website on Wikipedia (my usual source for information) and thought it was pretty hilarious. Of course I didn't think anyone else would remember the song or appreciate it so many years later, but now, after a celebrity has died it becomes okay to admit you liked the more ridiculous aspects of their careers. Michael Jackson and Man in the Mirror springs to mind. No one admitted to liking that song when he was alive but the day he died and for months after they played it non-stop.
So I just thought I would share the tongue in cheek explanation of one of my favorite songs. Bonus points to the author for using the word surreptitiously.
And RIP Nate Dogg.
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