Okay, so I've said before that I was getting back on the healthy eating wagon. It wasn't successful. So unsuccessful in fact, that I have gained 10 pounds and my clothes are too tight. I have a couple suits and pants that still fit. (Clothes that were too big a year ago.) This time, I have decided to go back on the South Beach Diet. I went on the diet before and felt SO good. Lots of energy and just felt good overall. I have decided to get back on the wagon and be serious about it!
So, in the morning, I will be back on the BEACH. I hope it works as well this time as it did last time. Wish me luck!
FYI - Don't worry about me. South Beach is NOT ATKINS and you won't see me die of a coronary in the next month. South Beach is low carb and low fat diet. You can eat good fats (lean meats, olive oil, etc.) and good carbs (whole grain breads, pastas, etc.). So, don't worry. :)
This decision was not just about the gained weight or tight clothes, it was about the way I've felt the past couple of weeks. With the food that I have been eating, it is no wonder why I have felt like crap. So, I made this decision to feel better and to be comfortable in my clothes. Plus, when I felt better and my clothes fit, I felt better about myself and was more confident. So, just cheer me on as I try to get back into my "skinny clothes". ;)
Not that you guys want to hear it, but I will be posting my progress (hopefully) every week.
Thanks for your support!
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
WOW! What a week....and it's only WEDNESDAY!
In all honesty, I was dreading this week a little. On Monday, we had the farewell luncheon for our office manager. (I really wasn't ready for her to go. Also, I dreaded being without her asisstance.) Then, I spent two days in Parkersburg for a training that my organization provided. We had wonderful contracted trainers/consultants to provide the information, but I still went up to help facilitate and do registration, etc. So, I was dreading the trip and the time away from the office because there is SOOOO much to do!!!!!!!!!!
However, it was a blessing in disguise. Tuesday was an empowering day. One attendee said it best on her evaluation comments, "I felt as though I have gained a better working knowledge of [the topic]. I also leave this training feeling empowered with new skills & abilities." WOW! I felt the same way. During a group exercise, success stories of organizations emerged. One story lead to another and soon tears began to flow without guard or apology. Stories of children having a joyous holiday (when they weren't expecting to receive anything), families having a warm place to stay, welfare moms making it and becoming successful professionals, teenage mothers having neccessities for themselves and their children, more and more.....
Pauses during the sharing session were only evident when the words were hard to form through the emotion. Every attendee was involved, whether it was verbal or just shown through their body language. There were nods of understanding and hands over mouths to help keep the emotion from purely erupting from their bodies.
Today's training was a little less emotional, but greatly informative and engaging. Today also gave us an opportunity to dive into each other's life experiences and successes.
It's so often that we just go through the motions...not knowing what impact we have on one another. One of the many things I learned (or at least was reminded of) this week is that our lives do not go unnoticed. That we are all intersecting beings and we all have impact on others. It is our choice whether it is a postive or negative one. I hope that my impact is positive.
We will never know what we mean to another....or how many we have touched. But, what we do know and remember are the people that have touched our lives. So, as long as we pay that forward, then we can make a difference.
Two quotes that I think are appropriate:
"I believe that everyone is the keeper of a dream - and by tuning into one another's secret hopes, we can become better friends, better partners, better parents, and better lovers." Oprah
"Unless you choose to do great things with it, it makes no difference how much you are rewarded, or how much power you have." Oprah
And just a quote that I received in an email forward today from my friend, Michael, that really helped me today....
"I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God's business." - Michael J Fox
I just want to thank ALL of you that have helped me in a variety of ways. Thank you.....
***For those of you who think this might be cheesy, I truly wish that you could have been at the training this week. I truly believe that events like these can be LIFE changing. You just have to accept the message that was given to you. The message I received yesterday is that things are going to be fine and that I am making a difference and that my work and life is worthwhile. It's hard to not yell it at the mountain tops when you get this kind of message.
My response is, "I hear you loud and clear."
However, it was a blessing in disguise. Tuesday was an empowering day. One attendee said it best on her evaluation comments, "I felt as though I have gained a better working knowledge of [the topic]. I also leave this training feeling empowered with new skills & abilities." WOW! I felt the same way. During a group exercise, success stories of organizations emerged. One story lead to another and soon tears began to flow without guard or apology. Stories of children having a joyous holiday (when they weren't expecting to receive anything), families having a warm place to stay, welfare moms making it and becoming successful professionals, teenage mothers having neccessities for themselves and their children, more and more.....
Pauses during the sharing session were only evident when the words were hard to form through the emotion. Every attendee was involved, whether it was verbal or just shown through their body language. There were nods of understanding and hands over mouths to help keep the emotion from purely erupting from their bodies.
Today's training was a little less emotional, but greatly informative and engaging. Today also gave us an opportunity to dive into each other's life experiences and successes.
It's so often that we just go through the motions...not knowing what impact we have on one another. One of the many things I learned (or at least was reminded of) this week is that our lives do not go unnoticed. That we are all intersecting beings and we all have impact on others. It is our choice whether it is a postive or negative one. I hope that my impact is positive.
We will never know what we mean to another....or how many we have touched. But, what we do know and remember are the people that have touched our lives. So, as long as we pay that forward, then we can make a difference.
Two quotes that I think are appropriate:
"I believe that everyone is the keeper of a dream - and by tuning into one another's secret hopes, we can become better friends, better partners, better parents, and better lovers." Oprah
"Unless you choose to do great things with it, it makes no difference how much you are rewarded, or how much power you have." Oprah
And just a quote that I received in an email forward today from my friend, Michael, that really helped me today....
"I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God's business." - Michael J Fox
I just want to thank ALL of you that have helped me in a variety of ways. Thank you.....
***For those of you who think this might be cheesy, I truly wish that you could have been at the training this week. I truly believe that events like these can be LIFE changing. You just have to accept the message that was given to you. The message I received yesterday is that things are going to be fine and that I am making a difference and that my work and life is worthwhile. It's hard to not yell it at the mountain tops when you get this kind of message.
My response is, "I hear you loud and clear."
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Interesting Recipes....
I just realized that I never posted about this....
For the Super Bowl, Anthony wanted something different. So, after looking around Food Network's website, he found a recipe from one of Emeril's episodes on party food. It was called Emeril's Favorite Brown Sugar-Crusted Baked Bologna. At first, I have to admit that I was skeptical. The ladies in the deli at Kroger were intrigued when I asked for a 3 pound chunk of bologna.
But I brought it home and prepared it. The aroma filled the kitchen and I was reminded of Easter Sunday as a kid. It smelled just like a yummy, sweet baked ham.
We were even more surprised when we pulled it out of the oven and it tasted even better than it smelled! We served it on bread as sandwiches. Next time, I think I'll make some au gratin potatoes to go with it. WHO KNEW that bologna could taste so good.
As you know, I love to cook and to find new and interesting recipes. So, I'm glad that Anthony found this one!
So, if you know of any other interesting recipes that are worth a try, send them my way!
If would like to try the Emeril's Favorite Brown Sugar-Crusted Baked Bologna for yourself, click here. (It goes over really well for when the guys all get together for basketball or football games.) ***Hint - I made a 3 pound bologna instead of the 6 pounder that it calls for. It fed a crowd, but if you are having a big group, then get the 6 pounder..... It is really easy to adjust the recipe to feed your crew!****
For the Super Bowl, Anthony wanted something different. So, after looking around Food Network's website, he found a recipe from one of Emeril's episodes on party food. It was called Emeril's Favorite Brown Sugar-Crusted Baked Bologna. At first, I have to admit that I was skeptical. The ladies in the deli at Kroger were intrigued when I asked for a 3 pound chunk of bologna.
But I brought it home and prepared it. The aroma filled the kitchen and I was reminded of Easter Sunday as a kid. It smelled just like a yummy, sweet baked ham.
We were even more surprised when we pulled it out of the oven and it tasted even better than it smelled! We served it on bread as sandwiches. Next time, I think I'll make some au gratin potatoes to go with it. WHO KNEW that bologna could taste so good.
As you know, I love to cook and to find new and interesting recipes. So, I'm glad that Anthony found this one!
So, if you know of any other interesting recipes that are worth a try, send them my way!
If would like to try the Emeril's Favorite Brown Sugar-Crusted Baked Bologna for yourself, click here. (It goes over really well for when the guys all get together for basketball or football games.) ***Hint - I made a 3 pound bologna instead of the 6 pounder that it calls for. It fed a crowd, but if you are having a big group, then get the 6 pounder..... It is really easy to adjust the recipe to feed your crew!****
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Can't help but LOVE Vicki's!
Okay, so I'll admit. I'm a Victoria's Secret customer. I love their products. No one makes undergarments like they do. Also, from a girl who has always been self conscious of her chest size, Vicki's has been a self esteem builder. (If it wasn't for Vicki's Very Sexy bra with SUPER DUPER padding, i'd still be in a training bra.....:( )
Their undergarments are comfortable and well made. Initially, I thought that they were expensive, but once I realized how great their products are, I knew that it was worth the cost!
A college classmate once told me, "Once you start wearing Victoria's Secret, you won't be able to wear your other underwear." She was right! I started buying from VS several years ago. I haven't purchased underwear anywhere else since!
So, what does all of this mean? Well, as a marketing professional, I look at the reasons why I am a loyal VS customer. I LOVE their products, their sales professionals (they are so helpful), and their commercials are intriguing. Their commercials make me think of several things.
When I saw their new IPEX commerical last week, I caught myself wanting to rush out to VS and get a new bra. Other than the fact that I could use a new one, I decided that I wanted an IPEX one because the ad "suggested the idea". Once I realized that the ad worked for me, I wanted to analyze why it did. So, I wanted to find out what the thought process was for this outcome. I realized that I first thought, "Wow, look how beautiful those women are. If I have a bra like that, I will be beautiful." Then, I thought, "I really need to put down these potato chips and get into shape."
I realize that it is obvious that they play on the beauty and sex appeal of their models to sell their products. Hey, I know that sex sells. But to me, this is more than that. I love their products and sales staff. Their products have helped me build self esteem. So, I take that positive image/memory and mixing that with great ads, I just can't help myself!
A friend told me that the ads have the opposite effect on her. She thinks, "I can never look like that, so why even try." She isn't a VS customer. She said that the fit is not quite right.
I guess that just goes to show that advertising affects people in different ways.
So, what do you think about when you see Victoria's Secret ads?
I hope you will read this post and reply. I really want your input.
Their undergarments are comfortable and well made. Initially, I thought that they were expensive, but once I realized how great their products are, I knew that it was worth the cost!
A college classmate once told me, "Once you start wearing Victoria's Secret, you won't be able to wear your other underwear." She was right! I started buying from VS several years ago. I haven't purchased underwear anywhere else since!
So, what does all of this mean? Well, as a marketing professional, I look at the reasons why I am a loyal VS customer. I LOVE their products, their sales professionals (they are so helpful), and their commercials are intriguing. Their commercials make me think of several things.
When I saw their new IPEX commerical last week, I caught myself wanting to rush out to VS and get a new bra. Other than the fact that I could use a new one, I decided that I wanted an IPEX one because the ad "suggested the idea". Once I realized that the ad worked for me, I wanted to analyze why it did. So, I wanted to find out what the thought process was for this outcome. I realized that I first thought, "Wow, look how beautiful those women are. If I have a bra like that, I will be beautiful." Then, I thought, "I really need to put down these potato chips and get into shape."
I realize that it is obvious that they play on the beauty and sex appeal of their models to sell their products. Hey, I know that sex sells. But to me, this is more than that. I love their products and sales staff. Their products have helped me build self esteem. So, I take that positive image/memory and mixing that with great ads, I just can't help myself!
A friend told me that the ads have the opposite effect on her. She thinks, "I can never look like that, so why even try." She isn't a VS customer. She said that the fit is not quite right.
I guess that just goes to show that advertising affects people in different ways.
So, what do you think about when you see Victoria's Secret ads?
I hope you will read this post and reply. I really want your input.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
I want to take a walk down the red carpet!!!!
The Academy Awards are tomorrow night. I have only seen one movie that is nominated for best picture. I have a desire to see many of the movies that have received nominations in a variety of categories. I want to see Memoirs of a Geisha, Brokeback Mountain, Capote, TransAmerica, Good Night and Good Luck, Munich, among others. The one movie that I have seen is Crash. It was a moving movie and leads the audience to deal with issues of prejudice and intolerance in an 'in your face' true realistic way. I personally loved this movie and found it extremely insightful. It is a movie that my husband agree with. We both agree that it was outstanding. The cast, the story, the concept, etc.
So, as I try to make my picks for the winners, I'm having a difficult time since I have not seen all of the movies. So, here are my picks....We'll see tomorrow night who will take home the little gold bald men!
Leading Actor - Terrence Howard - Hustle & Flow
Supporting Actor - Jake Gyllenhaal - Brokeback Mountain
Leading Actress - Felicity Huffman - TransAmerica
Supporting Actress - Michelle Williams - Brokeback Mountain
Directing - Crash
Musical Score - Pride & Prejudice
Best Picture - Crash
Those are just a few of the awards being presented tomorrow night. We'll see if I'm right. I think I might be off on a few of them?!??!
So enjoy the walk down the red carpet! I wonder who will have the most contraversial speech tomorrow night?!? That's one of the best things about award shows.....you never know who is going to say what!!!!!!
So, as I try to make my picks for the winners, I'm having a difficult time since I have not seen all of the movies. So, here are my picks....We'll see tomorrow night who will take home the little gold bald men!
Leading Actor - Terrence Howard - Hustle & Flow
Supporting Actor - Jake Gyllenhaal - Brokeback Mountain
Leading Actress - Felicity Huffman - TransAmerica
Supporting Actress - Michelle Williams - Brokeback Mountain
Directing - Crash
Musical Score - Pride & Prejudice
Best Picture - Crash
Those are just a few of the awards being presented tomorrow night. We'll see if I'm right. I think I might be off on a few of them?!??!
So enjoy the walk down the red carpet! I wonder who will have the most contraversial speech tomorrow night?!? That's one of the best things about award shows.....you never know who is going to say what!!!!!!
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
March has been sneaky!
I can't believe that it is already March! I have a training in Wheeling on Tuesday and I didn't realize until yesterday that the training is next Tuesday! OH MY!
Spring will be here (and gone) before you know it!
I guess I am getting older because time flies by. I can remember when I would say, "I can't wait until summer" or "I wish it was Christmas"....My grandmother used to accuse me of wishing my life away. I used to take time for granted. Now, I WISH I had that time back.
I'm 25 years old. To some, I'm sure that it sounds like I have plenty of time left. Besides the fact that we never know when it's our time, even though I am 'young', it won't be long before I have kids, they grow up and graduate, and I begin to receive the senior discount at Shoney's. :)
So, until then, I'll try to enjoy every moment and not to "wish my life away".
Spring will be here (and gone) before you know it!
I guess I am getting older because time flies by. I can remember when I would say, "I can't wait until summer" or "I wish it was Christmas"....My grandmother used to accuse me of wishing my life away. I used to take time for granted. Now, I WISH I had that time back.
I'm 25 years old. To some, I'm sure that it sounds like I have plenty of time left. Besides the fact that we never know when it's our time, even though I am 'young', it won't be long before I have kids, they grow up and graduate, and I begin to receive the senior discount at Shoney's. :)
So, until then, I'll try to enjoy every moment and not to "wish my life away".
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