Well today is July 1st. You know what that means don'tcha? That's absolutely right. It's the official start of The Big Girl Big Step Challenge. Once again here's how it all works.
Strap on your pedometers and start walking. Every day, keep track of your steps. At the end of the month, I'll ask everyone who has participated to email me or leave me a comment with the step count of their one biggest day. I might, during the course of the month ask for step counts just to update everyone as to ball park figures but, I'm not sure if that's really necessary. We can chat about that later.
By having the whole month, I figure this way if you have a bad day, or two or seven you still have lots of opportunities to have one really really big day. Or if you're not quite sure you want to participate yet and haven't "signed up", you can do so now or anytime during the month, just leave me a comment or email me.
So basically, just walk as much as you can and log your steps.
Besides hopefully reaping all the benefits of walking, all of you who email me your total at the end of the month will be eligible to win a piece of jewelry made by yours truly, picked in a random drawing and for the top 3 steppers I'll be getting you gift cards from your favorite store.
So far we have these people all ready to get out there:
Alli
Allison
40 x 40
DaDiva's Street
Sagan
Thinking Thin
Jamye
Jamie
Fab Kate
Gayla
Megan
Deb
Shanna
ptg
If you've already told me you're planning on joining us but don't see yourself on this list, sorry I've left you off. Please let me know so I can include you.
Have fun and please remember to play nice.
And if anyone cares out there, I had NONE of the dinner options from yesterday's post. The Husband worked way too late, in fact, past mid-night last night, so I called my mom up and took her to dinner at our favorite Japanese restaurant. It's closing sometime soon because the owner is moving to Hawaii. We've been eating at his place for nearly 20 years now and I'm certainly going to miss him, and his food.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Meals and Wheels
I've been trying to do a lot more menu planning in our house. So far it's been making a difference and it seems I'm reaping a lot of benefits from it. Every weekend, I make a list of the dinner options for the week. Then everyday I choose one which saves me from the dreaded question, "what should I make for dinner?" It also makes going to the market a much more organized and a less expensive affair. I have my list of things I'll need for the week and that's what I get. No more meandering about looking at things and throwing them in the cart and then never eating them once it makes it to my kitchen cabinet. Everything I buy will be used. Another benefit is it helps me in eating a little bit better. When I don't have something planned we usually fall back on ordering a pizza or getting take out from someplace near by. Whatever it happens to be, it's just easy and quick and not necessarily good for me.
We're heading out of town for the 4th of July weekend so my list this week is a little abbreviated but this is what's cookin' at my house for the next few days: Which one should I have tonight?
Orzo w/ spinach and shrimp and a green salad
BBQ pork loin and grilled zucchini from the garden
Teriyaki chicken with stir fry
Fish and grilled veggie tacos
_______________________________________________________________
Get your wheels going, tomorrow is the beginning of the month long, Big Girl Big Step Challenge.
A big welcome to our latest walker, DadivaSteet!
Don't be left out, it's not too late too late to join in on all this nonsense. Just shoot me an email or leave a comment and I'll get you on the list.
I have a feeling July is going to be very good month.
We're heading out of town for the 4th of July weekend so my list this week is a little abbreviated but this is what's cookin' at my house for the next few days: Which one should I have tonight?
Orzo w/ spinach and shrimp and a green salad
BBQ pork loin and grilled zucchini from the garden
Teriyaki chicken with stir fry
Fish and grilled veggie tacos
_______________________________________________________________
Get your wheels going, tomorrow is the beginning of the month long, Big Girl Big Step Challenge.
A big welcome to our latest walker, DadivaSteet!
Don't be left out, it's not too late too late to join in on all this nonsense. Just shoot me an email or leave a comment and I'll get you on the list.
I have a feeling July is going to be very good month.
Friday, June 27, 2008
A New Schedule?
Thankfully, I got my walk in yesterday. That lunch time walk routine has turned out to be such a blessing. I find that hour so therapeutic and rejuvenating which makes me really look forward to the days I walk. Even though I get at least those three miles in most days, I'd really like to start incorporating more walking in during the week but time wise it almost seems impossible.
Currently, I work 6:30a-3:30p and then at 3:30p I go pick up The Little Miss from her personal servant, I mean nanny. It makes for a full day for me with very little time to do any additional long walks or workouts at the gym. I hear that brutal buzz from the alarm at 5:30am, which is early enough. As much as I'd love the bragging rights of saying I work out every morning, I'm not getting up earlier than that. I could let The Little Miss stay with The Nanny longer so I could work out after work, but at the rate I'm paying her, an extra 3 hours a week translates into almost another $200/a month. Too rich for my blood, and I'll let you do the math.
Hopefully in the Fall I'll be cutting back my work hours to part time and a 9a-1p schedule. I've made my case with the President of the company and my immediate boss and they are both willing to give it a try, but I still need to get approval from the owner of the company. Working just those four hours a day would be oh-my-god-I-don't-know-what-I'm-going-to-do-with-all-my-free-time great and I have a hard time not letting my mind wander into thinking of all the things I can do with my extra time, besides, laundry and cleaning the house since we won't be able to afford the cleaning lady anymore. Part of my plan is to still get up early and get a nice workout done before the day really starts. I've found from my past, morning workouts are the best for me. It helps motivate me throughout the day and if I do it in the morning, it's done and over with and I don't have to try and find reasons I can't go.
One goal of mine, and something I've toyed with is wanted to try was to incorporate a little running into my workouts. With my (hopefully) morning workouts, I'd like to give C25k a Big Girl try. It seems like a reasonable plan and at a pace I'd be able to handle. I've really enjoyed reading about Lora's experience and success with it. Every time she completes a run, I'm excited for her and wish it was me. And soon, it will be me. While the family is nicely tucked into their beds, enjoying the last minutes of their nights' slumber, I'll be out there making it happen. I can't wait. Just wish me luck I get the part time work schedule approved. If I don't, I'm not sure what I'll do.
Currently, I work 6:30a-3:30p and then at 3:30p I go pick up The Little Miss from her personal servant, I mean nanny. It makes for a full day for me with very little time to do any additional long walks or workouts at the gym. I hear that brutal buzz from the alarm at 5:30am, which is early enough. As much as I'd love the bragging rights of saying I work out every morning, I'm not getting up earlier than that. I could let The Little Miss stay with The Nanny longer so I could work out after work, but at the rate I'm paying her, an extra 3 hours a week translates into almost another $200/a month. Too rich for my blood, and I'll let you do the math.
Hopefully in the Fall I'll be cutting back my work hours to part time and a 9a-1p schedule. I've made my case with the President of the company and my immediate boss and they are both willing to give it a try, but I still need to get approval from the owner of the company. Working just those four hours a day would be oh-my-god-I-don't-know-what-I'm-going-to-do-with-all-my-free-time great and I have a hard time not letting my mind wander into thinking of all the things I can do with my extra time, besides, laundry and cleaning the house since we won't be able to afford the cleaning lady anymore. Part of my plan is to still get up early and get a nice workout done before the day really starts. I've found from my past, morning workouts are the best for me. It helps motivate me throughout the day and if I do it in the morning, it's done and over with and I don't have to try and find reasons I can't go.
One goal of mine, and something I've toyed with is wanted to try was to incorporate a little running into my workouts. With my (hopefully) morning workouts, I'd like to give C25k a Big Girl try. It seems like a reasonable plan and at a pace I'd be able to handle. I've really enjoyed reading about Lora's experience and success with it. Every time she completes a run, I'm excited for her and wish it was me. And soon, it will be me. While the family is nicely tucked into their beds, enjoying the last minutes of their nights' slumber, I'll be out there making it happen. I can't wait. Just wish me luck I get the part time work schedule approved. If I don't, I'm not sure what I'll do.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
An Observation
As I lose weight, other people seem to be getting bigger. I'm not sure if it's just my perspective or if they truly are gaining.
Is this happening to you too?
Is this happening to you too?
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
A Baby, or Not and A Casting Call
We went to a little impromptu dinner party last night and I saw a woman I met back in January and haven't seen since. She asked me how old my child was now and I answered her back, "2 years old." She had a very puzzled look on her face. She then gave me a very sweet backhanded compliment, "oh, you weren't pregnant when I met you? You've lost weight." I was both mortified, happy and speechless at the same time. Whatever. I have lost weight, I just didn't have a baby to do it.
_____________________________________________________________
For those of you who are interested, I came across this today.
Casting Call: NBC's The Biggest Loser will host an 11-city search for contestants to appear on season seven. For this edition, producers want pairs from family members and spouses to dating couples, co-workers and best friends. All candidates must be at least 18 years old and legal U.S. citizens. The audition cities include: Louisville, Oklahoma City, New York City, Detroit, Denver, Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix, Charlotte, Miami and Los Angeles. Those auditioning in person must bring a non-returnable photo of themselves and their partner. The show's casting team guarantees the first 500 applicants in line will be seen in each casting city. For more information or if you cannot attend one of the 11 casting calls, visit www.nbc.com/casting .
_____________________________________________________________
For those of you who are interested, I came across this today.
Casting Call: NBC's The Biggest Loser will host an 11-city search for contestants to appear on season seven. For this edition, producers want pairs from family members and spouses to dating couples, co-workers and best friends. All candidates must be at least 18 years old and legal U.S. citizens. The audition cities include: Louisville, Oklahoma City, New York City, Detroit, Denver, Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix, Charlotte, Miami and Los Angeles. Those auditioning in person must bring a non-returnable photo of themselves and their partner. The show's casting team guarantees the first 500 applicants in line will be seen in each casting city. For more information or if you cannot attend one of the 11 casting calls, visit www.nbc.com/casting .
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
The Weather Ate My Motivation
It's been hot. Freakishly HOT. It was so warm this past weekend I was down at the beach playing in the sand and water with The Little Miss until after 8pm on both Friday and Saturday nights. Wonderful and glorious times, but if it's THAT warm at the beach that means it's too hot to even wear clothes at my house.
Needless to say with the weather hovering in the 90's at night, I got absolutely NO walking in this weekend which then spirals into bad eating habits. For me, it seems as though if I have the exercise component working, the eating well thing falls, more easily, into place. I guess I figure if I'm going to take the time and put out the effort to pound the pavement and sweat for a few miles, I don't just want to blow it all by eating like crap. Unfortunately, it doesn't work the other way. Eating well doesn't inspire me to go out and exercise.
Today, the heat of Satan weather has taken a turn for the cooler and so it's shaping up to be just another perfect day in this little paradise. I brought my running shoes and walking clothes for my lunch time walk around the neighborhood. According to, my sometime friend and sometime enemy, Pedro, it's a little over 3 miles. Just perfect to fit in as a middle of the day, get out of the office cubicle, escape.
_____________________________________________
Thank you all, so much, for your thoughtful comments on my post yesterday. I'm not sure what I was expecting to hear about about the whole privacy issue but it's really gotten me thinking about personal choices. There were a couple of you who said they wished they hadn't given out their link to friends and family or put so much personal information out there and others that were more than happy to share everything. Bottom line for me is I'm still going to be cautious. I'm still going to take little baby steps. I sort of equate it to losing my virginity. I figure once I give away information to the Internet universe, there's no taking it back and for me it's better move slowly not to regret my decisions later.
Speaking of losing my virginity, I want to give a special shout out to Tony. He was my first, male commenter.
Needless to say with the weather hovering in the 90's at night, I got absolutely NO walking in this weekend which then spirals into bad eating habits. For me, it seems as though if I have the exercise component working, the eating well thing falls, more easily, into place. I guess I figure if I'm going to take the time and put out the effort to pound the pavement and sweat for a few miles, I don't just want to blow it all by eating like crap. Unfortunately, it doesn't work the other way. Eating well doesn't inspire me to go out and exercise.
Today, the heat of Satan weather has taken a turn for the cooler and so it's shaping up to be just another perfect day in this little paradise. I brought my running shoes and walking clothes for my lunch time walk around the neighborhood. According to, my sometime friend and sometime enemy, Pedro, it's a little over 3 miles. Just perfect to fit in as a middle of the day, get out of the office cubicle, escape.
_____________________________________________
Thank you all, so much, for your thoughtful comments on my post yesterday. I'm not sure what I was expecting to hear about about the whole privacy issue but it's really gotten me thinking about personal choices. There were a couple of you who said they wished they hadn't given out their link to friends and family or put so much personal information out there and others that were more than happy to share everything. Bottom line for me is I'm still going to be cautious. I'm still going to take little baby steps. I sort of equate it to losing my virginity. I figure once I give away information to the Internet universe, there's no taking it back and for me it's better move slowly not to regret my decisions later.
Speaking of losing my virginity, I want to give a special shout out to Tony. He was my first, male commenter.
Monday, June 23, 2008
How Personal Do We Get?
As I read through your many wonderful blogs I'm always surprised at how uninhibited people are and what you all share. Blogging is such a funny thing. On one hand we really don't know each other but on the other, there are things shared which are immensely personal. We touch on subjects which sometime we wouldn't even talk about with people in person. I've read posts which have made me, I'm-so-not-a-prude, blush.
When I thought of starting this blog, not so long ago, I debated how much information I wanted to be out there. Do I use real names, including my own? Post pictures of myself? Pictures of my family? I was scared and more than a bit apprehensive about doing that. I just wasn't sure how far I wanted others to be voyeurs into my life, which is to some extent, is also the life of my family. Tidbits about my life are fine, sharing my feelings, knowing about my struggles are all well and good but to put a face to it all? It seems just too personal.
I find myself my more willing to open up about my life if there still is a sense of anonymity. I don't like having people I know (in "real" life) read this blog which means I have told NO ONE about it. Not even The Husband. (Is that weird?) I've always been a rather private person. I don't like to talk about myself, which makes blogging all the more bizarre to me, because here, I have to talk about myself ALL THE TIME. When having conversations I tend to deflect questions about me and steer conversations to other topics. It embarrasses me to have to spew, what I think of as, boring information about me and my life with others. I guess it's fine in this forum because if you find yourself nodding off and getting that sense of extreme boredom wash over you, you can just move on, I'll never know and my feelings will be left in tact.
I'm feeling a sense of familiarity her now. I have some readers that stop by daily and I'm getting to know a lot more of you out there. So why do I still get cold feet about posting pictures? I guess it's because I still like being in this protective little bubble, my personal comfort zone. It's a zone I like, and I'm not quite ready to step out of it just yet, but I may, one of these days.
________________________________________
So how is it that all you brave souls out there decided to post pictures and share names on your blog? Or was it that even a consideration? Do you ever regret it?
When I thought of starting this blog, not so long ago, I debated how much information I wanted to be out there. Do I use real names, including my own? Post pictures of myself? Pictures of my family? I was scared and more than a bit apprehensive about doing that. I just wasn't sure how far I wanted others to be voyeurs into my life, which is to some extent, is also the life of my family. Tidbits about my life are fine, sharing my feelings, knowing about my struggles are all well and good but to put a face to it all? It seems just too personal.
I find myself my more willing to open up about my life if there still is a sense of anonymity. I don't like having people I know (in "real" life) read this blog which means I have told NO ONE about it. Not even The Husband. (Is that weird?) I've always been a rather private person. I don't like to talk about myself, which makes blogging all the more bizarre to me, because here, I have to talk about myself ALL THE TIME. When having conversations I tend to deflect questions about me and steer conversations to other topics. It embarrasses me to have to spew, what I think of as, boring information about me and my life with others. I guess it's fine in this forum because if you find yourself nodding off and getting that sense of extreme boredom wash over you, you can just move on, I'll never know and my feelings will be left in tact.
I'm feeling a sense of familiarity her now. I have some readers that stop by daily and I'm getting to know a lot more of you out there. So why do I still get cold feet about posting pictures? I guess it's because I still like being in this protective little bubble, my personal comfort zone. It's a zone I like, and I'm not quite ready to step out of it just yet, but I may, one of these days.
________________________________________
So how is it that all you brave souls out there decided to post pictures and share names on your blog? Or was it that even a consideration? Do you ever regret it?
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