My Measurements...

Time is flying! And that is an understatement. The photo biz booming. I'm learning a foreign language and also sewing. Those are the newest things on my plate these days. (Oh I have a nephew and he's cray cray adorbs and he occupies my time too but that is another long mushy post.) I've successfully sewed two skirts on my own. I was in a class where I was working on a few items and I'm proud of those things but its the things I did on my own and wear often that I am most proud of. Yesterday was my last day of class for now. I'm no longer in it so I can pursue the foreign language more fully on Monday evenings. So I'll be attending YouTube University and I've also bought some books.

One thing I just did today that I would recommend to anyone sewing is to layout your measurements so you can see what you're working with. I'm not at the point where I want to 'put em on the glass' aka put my measurement numbers all out on the internet so I'll just post this chart.

When you have measurements like this, you will most likely have to always adjust any pattern. I'm working on my first blouse and based on my measurements I span between four sizes. Grading or adjusting a pattern is a task in itself. But I guarantee you once you do it and you have that custom made skirt, dress or pair of pants. You'll fall in love with yourself all over again. They say clothes make the person and I tend to agree.

Routine Disrupted

I didn't think I was much of a routine person but as I sit and reflect I see that I am. My weeks are pretty set. Today is Monday, October 20, 2014. My sewing class has been cancelled for the evening because the instructor has taken holiday and went home to England to visit her family and friends. I have a free evening. There are several things I can do with it... go roller skating. Mondays are super chill at the rink and I could get in some much needed exercise and backwards skating action. I could go to the harbor and get that time lapse that I've been dying to get. I tried the technique on some clouds and it worked! Now I want to try down by the water and capture the Capitol Wheel reflecting off the water. Saturday I attended my first Haitian Creole meeting. They were a very warm congregation. I really think this is going to be a great fit for me. They meet tonight for their bookstudy/school/service meeting. I'm dressed for the meeting with my heels in the car. I think I will indeed go to the meeting. Choice made!

Que up Chicago 85 please, track 3.

This week is clearly my week of goodness. I've been withstanding the pressures of the world pretty good and calling clients back in a timely fashion. I went swimming and skating this week. I swam several laps in the pool. That felt great! And last night I skated for a long time before taking a break. Oh and Monday I went to sewing class. Safe to say as for extra auxiliary stuff, I've been on and poppin. One more Oh, and I booked two photo sessions. Crazy! Today I'm getting a manicure and pedicure at my house. The nail tech is coming to my home to pamper me. Fancy huh! My Gwynnie Bee came in and fits wonderfully. Its a maxi dress with blue and green leaves on it with a gold necklace detail. I'll be wearing it this weekend to get much needed spiritual boost. I don't feel I got all the goodness there was to get out of the International Convention. But then again I hear, statistic show, that that's pretty normal, especially for host cities. So I guess I'm just as normal as they come. In preparation for my in home mani and pedi I cleaned up the living room yesterday and even did the windows. So I've been getting the Washington Post. I was sold to get it for a good deal one night at the grocery store. If we allowed it the house would be swimming in newspaper. That stuff accumulates quickly. So I've begun cleaning the glass in the apartment with the newspaper. Old school techniques always work, I tell you. After cleaning the glass table in the dining room, I took my sights to the balcony. The largest window in the apartment was filthy. I just about went through the entire Wednesday Post cleaning the three panes of glass that make up the balcony. It sparkled so beautifully when I was done tho. There are a  few spots I missed. If I feel like it I'll hit those today when I get home. But I felt ji good taking care of home yesterday. Now to get a man to take care of me after I take care of home....

Skating, Lentils and Trail Mix... oh my

So its really not all that dramatic, its just what this post is about.

Last night I went roller skating. The rink wasn't packed and the music was pumpin. I was having my cycle twinges and tightness in my back and groin which I seem to have every other menstrual cycle period. Throughout my day I randomly call out 'Oil Can' in my best tin man voice because I feel very crampy and tight. But I went despite my woes and got stretched out real good. This summer I fell on a wet floor and hurt my knee worst then I ever did when I fell on roller skates. I still feel the pain from the fall. It felt like I was going to fall when I bent my knees, but I was good last night.

When I got home from the rink, my house was smelling some kind of wonderful. My sister was making lentils! Currently I'm eating them and they are delicious. This soup is going to be a staple for us as we workout and get healthy. For dinner I'll be having leafy greens.

I always have to go to the vending machine while im at work and today was no exception. Usually I go for cookies; Grandma's mini vanilla  sandwich joints, or Famous Amos Chocolate chip joints. Oh yeah, warmed glazed honey buns and peanut m&m's or snickers are also on my usually list. (ima work in progress) For the last two days I've been getting Cranberry Almond Delight trail mix. Its very yummy. While the bag contains three servings and I gobble them down in like 1/2 a servings time, its got to be better than my usually list.

The free water and ice dispenser here on my job is out of service! I've been drinking my green tea tho. The hot water dispenser is working just fine.

Im about to head to a meeting....

#positivitybegetspositivity

"I will!" Be your bridesmaid, but first let me take a selfie!

"You have been there for me through thick and thin. You have seen me cry, grow as a woman, and fall in and out of love. You have been my rock and my sounding board for all things "MEN". I would love to have you continue in this journey with me. Will you be my shoulders, my ears, my support, and my rock for my wedding day? If you are able to dedicate yourself to me from now until my big day, please say you will be my bridesmaid!!"

I'm bringing sexy back!

That's how one of my good friends asked me to be in her wedding. Who could turn down such a request?! The bride has worked so hard during her courtship to lose weight and she looks marvelous. Now is my turn. I have 11 months to get some of this ugly fat off this good lookin' body. As I am typing this post I stop occasionally to sip Royal King organic green tea from my white Starbucks mug with minty green polka dots. I am also starring down a banana.

Can I do it this time? Get rid of a substantial amount of weight that I've been trying to get rid of for such a long time. I haven't loss any big weigh in a long time. I've flatten my belly to gain it all back and got rid of some back fat but its all back. Glistening and sweating every time I make a move.

The wedding is just another motivator for something I've been very much interesting in doing for a very long time. I'm trying to make my mind over people. It aint easy, but somebody gots to do it.

He Switched It Up.

Im struggling with what to title this post.

Here's the situation: Guy like girl. He meets her friends and assumes the role of "ultimate" gentleman. When girl is out with her friends in public settings and guy shows up he walk everyone to their cars at the end of the night, hers being the last stop, of course. He engages her friends in conversation, trying to get to know them. He gives everyone big embraces, like family embraces. In private phone conversations he professes love for girl, she turns him down. After a while he sees her friends, he greets them with one hand hugs, or more like pats on the back. Girl doesn't show up to the public settings, but friends still do, when he leave, he bids everyone an adieu and goes straight for his car, leaving friends to fiend for themselves.

Its not that the friends needed escorts to their cars but its interesting to see a guy change up. I wonder was he ever the ultimate gentleman in the first place or just a poser with booty on the brain or maybe just love dejected. IDK just wondering...

Personal Tabata Challenge

Im starting this challenge to see just how I can PUSH IT. I took a Tabata class last year about this time and while I wanted to vomit, I enjoyed the class and the theory behind the exercise. I just finished a 4 minute session and I plan to do it every day for the next week while still doing the other exercises I do during the week, roller skating, squats and crunches, and see where this gets me. 

Trying to be a better me as I get better with age. Black women do not have to be the stereotypical overweight women they try to box 75% of us in. Not that it is their fault - let me clear that up. My goal is after pic fab. Day one - DONE.

Self-deprivation.

"They" say the children of this generation won't be able to write when they get older because all we do is text and type. So in an effort not be an old woman who done lost her handwriting abilities, I write down my thoughts now. Feels kinda good too. Sometimes I can't stop. I like my handwriting very much and I write very exaggerated because nobody has to read it but me.

Any who.... I don't do well with self-deprivation. I'm learning this interesting trait in myself... If its in my reach and I can get it, its mine! With that being said I'm putting myself on a financial fast. I'm not going to use any credit cards and stay within my budget. I acutally paid a finacial planner to hook a sister up with a plan and I have the nerve, not to follow it. Another waste of my hard earned money.  I'm blowing through my savings for dumb stuff like hair and skates and other non-essential JUNK! This ish cray! I've got to gain control ASAP ROCKY. August starts 'Get Your Life' productions. I get paid at the beginning of the month and I have no big money commitments so this will be a swell time to get it together.

Jotting it down.

Marriage. Cardio. Squats & Crunches. Hair. Fashion. Skirts, dresses, jeans, and t-shirts. Strips! Big blue and white ones. Printed jeans adorning newly squatted buns and flat belly. Big hair. Friends and functions. Working too hard. Roller skating! Feeling the music. Not afraid to fall, but don't want to fall. Too big. Red lipstick. Kate Von D not Ri Ri Woo. Paying my vow. Zealous minister. Mind over matter. Faithfulness and honesty. My Father. Boyfriends, cuddles, kisses. Serious conversations, disagreements, no yelling. No more bacon. They're trying to kill us with food.

Its a lifestyle change...

So yeah basically I worked out every day last week and weighed in when I was on my cycle and thought I was going to lose crazy weight and only lost .6. That's that bull crap right there. Yes you may say its only been a week and your eating habits prob weren't up to snuff and all that good stuff and you'd probably be right but still. I've never worked out every day of any week in my life in the humid heat. I wanted to lose at least 7 lbs. I'm not majorly disappointed tho. I realize this is a lifestyle change and I have to keep at it for my health. So that is what I shall do. *guzzles water*.

A lady I graduated from high school with just died from pancreatic cancer. That news hurt my heart. For many different reasons. When I found out I researched it and of course they don't know what causes it outside of smoking. I'm not sure if she smoked, but I  believe she did. I'm sure thats not the only cause of it tho. I hope to see her again in paradise, she was a cool lady with loads of style.

I could ramble about a whole lot of things but I'll shut if down for now.

Take care!

Gumption

Gumption:

Noun 1. Shrewd or spirited initiative and resourcefulness. 2. Courage; Spunk; Guts.

This guy at job. FINE. Dresses nice. Looks nice. Speaks nice. Smells nice. Smiles nice. Today I ALMOST had the gumption to holla... Sad. Then he said something about Good Friday and it jolted me back to my senses. Today I feel like I'm off my rocker.  *searches for my rocker....*

30 to Check Up

I did lose some weight, but I put it back on, you should have seen me six months ago. I can't stay consistent, ima yo-yo. I already have a gym and Weight Watchers membership. I went vegan for a few week, felt and looked great too...

That is going to be my response to my doctor after she looks at my weight, and ask me why I havne't lost any weight.  So basically I can't go to the doctor until I lose 30 pounds. I need some praise and recognition from her, I'm tired of hearing the same ol thing out her mouth. What I should do is go ahead and schedule the appointment and work hard to lose it by that date.... but that is too much like right. I have put it out in this here cyber universe and I expect the universe to hold me accountable. I actually despise accountability. Im not about this fit life, but I so desparately want to be.

 

30 pounds to my check up, here goes everything.

Im going to the bar tonight. Its been a long time. Drink, eat, chat, laugh, that is what I plan to do. Mojitos for EVERYONE.

Tea Time

In my quest for better health I've discovered there are many healthy benefits to drinking green tea. Its recommended to drink at least 5 cups a day! Who knew. While web surfing I learned there are "Certified Tea Cups". These cups are suppose to be the perfect size for tea so that you never get water down tea. Every brew is suppose to be PERFECT!... Once again...who KNEW!! There is so much to know in this here world.

Bottoms Up!

-13

One month of this here life style change down and 13 pounds gone. Feels good too! Now I'm in the dog days of this here lifestyle. Stay the course AC, stay the course.

Beat My Time

At the Black Girls Run (BGR) conference this past weekend I took a Speed Training class. It was interactive and very informative. She showed us how to run and then had everyone in the class do the run. She gave lots of tip on improving your time. Last night I went up to track at my high school and ran/walked 3.1 miles. Im trying to beat my race time I posted at the 5K. I beat it by 10 mins. While I did loaf during the 5K and didn't push myself to the limit last night I did improve and see that I can only get better. At certain times I would take off and sprint. Felt good too. I've been eating nothing but fruits and veggies for the past few days and I feel like a well oiled machine. The online BGR store opens today and I plan on buying two shirts with Preserve the Sexy on the back... doin the most. I cant wait!

Guess what?! I got a positive post!

In an effort not to be a jummper of the gun, I'm trying to show some consistent behavior before I write about a 'moment of goodness'. Well I have been consistent buddy. Starting August 27, 2012 my sister and I started Phase 1 of Fat Smash. We have been consistent with the diet ever since that time. During that time we've gone on two trips, one trip to see mother who lives three and a half hours away and two weeks after that a 10 hour road trip to Atlanta. We have really helped each other and I think that has added to the stick-to-it-ness of it all. Im down10 pounds since the last time I weighed in. I have clarity like I've never had before. I don't crave for snacks like I use to. Preparation is the key! There have been so many possible distractions. I'll name the top three.

(1) Being home with mom. We usually eat out at the best Mexican Spot in Virginia Beach. (Their chips and white sauce...ahhh, devine!) We didn't that weekend. We went to Harris Teeters and purchased $80 worth of groceries for our 4 day stay and we eat off that food the entire time. Mom was impressed and all ate well and were thoroughly satisfied. For a treat we had frozen yogurt at the beach, cookes and cream, YUM!

(2) New Roommate. A good friend of our needed a placed to stay for a while so we opened our home. While she is working out, she eats whatever she wants. One night she baked cookies. As soon as I open the door the aroma of chocolate chip cookies smacked me in the nose. She said "sorry, I'm trying to be of encouragement, I only ate, 2 cookies" How what encourages me, IDK! But it didn't stumble me. I grabbed me a Naked Green Machine and went to bed.

(3) TEN HOUR ROAD TRIP. Whop, Holly, La, Meka, and I went to the Inagural Black Girls Run 5K in Atlanta, GA. I anticipated the trip and packed our snacks. Broccoli, green and red grapes, Green Machines, sweet and salty bars, garnola bars, water, blueberries and strawberries, and sunflower seeds. We ate like model citizens. I didn't train for the 5K like I really wanted to. But I survived it and I owe it all to my eating habits. Feeling lighter had to be what helped me.

There ya have it. Positivity!! We can do this!

Over Myself

I'm over myself. I'm over my fat self. I'ma do better. Not because I want to but because I have to. I hope to write a positive post soon.

Living Childhood Fantasy - Who Am I?

One of my all time favorite cartoons growing up was Inspector Gadget. I was fascinated by the way he talked. I'm not sure where he was suppose to be from but his geeky, inspectorish accent kept my attention. I crack up laughing when my mom tells stories about how we use to be so mesmerized when watching television. In any given episode outside of all the inspectors gadgets what I couldn't wait for was his niece Penny to come to her uncles resuce with her computer book and her dog. She'd whip out that book and get to finding out this and intercepting that. It was so cool. I wanted one of those books so bad. I would take a colorful book in the house, at one time an encyclopedia, and puch the paper with my fingers like I was punching computer keys. The glossy paper and the colorful graphics made me feel like I had the real thing... Not really, fore I would only play for a second but still! Now I am in my 30s and I have that computer book, my iPad. I don't use it nearly as much as I thought I would but I have time and there is so much potential with my 'computer book'. I bought a cool case, so I really feel like her. I don't like to hear the sound of they keys when I tap them so I turn that option off. But I always smile when I enter my password to access my iPad world. I'm living one of my childhood fantasies, I am Penny, Inspector Gadgets niece. Cool!

I caught a bug

Today I'm sitting at my desk at work, hacking and snotting the morning away. I am sick! I'm going on vacation in three days and I am sick. "Where they do that at?!" I'm sitting here in a nice new dress, no hosiery, and its cold in my office. I'm getting a headache and my headache medicine is at home, I'm pretty much in a sucky position right now. Chuggin down the last bit of my med  hot Caramel Mocha from Micky D's. Why do they always ask, "Do you want it hot or cold?" That crap bothers me, I want to reply "Did I say iced????!" Guess they don't have the whole latte business lingo under their belt yet. Any who, I spent Sunday - Tuesday full off liquids and high off meds and I still can't kick the cold. I haven't been had a cold in a few years and when I did feel something coming on id follow the above mentioned regimen and I'd be cured. Not the case this time. My supervisor thinks she gave me her cold.... now that I think about it, she probably did! According to the schedule in my mind I'm suppose to be fully packed today, instead I have a few choice items draped on top of my suitcase, I am something else. I look forward to getting a tan and evening out this skin complexion.