GORGEOUS!!

Good Pain

Awww, I missed my blog!! It's been a minute, but a good minute. Yes yes, your lady here has been workin' it out. So as usual, the food intake has been good and healthy. Highlights include a salmon sandwich on whole wheat toast, lobster ravioli, chicken masala and basmati rice, and mini organic chocolate cookies with whipped cream. Also, I did myself quite proud when I prepared for a trip to the salon (which I knew would take a few hours). I brought several healthy snacks so as to prevent myself from being so hungry that I overate or ate something really junky. I had a slice of whole wheat bread with natural peanut butter (a good snack for cutting hunger), several cubes of reduced fat cheese, a 100 calorie pack of chips, an apple, and a little baggie of honey nut cheerios. It was the best idea! My hair stylist was all up in my cheerios!

Okay, the workouts have definitely been less sporadic. Last week, I clocked in 3 days for working out, which consisted of two morning walks with major stair running action, and Saturday morning errands (dry cleaners, bank, farmer's market) all on foot. Plus, I walked home from work one day last week. That was pretty decent, but I can do better. So, this week was off to a start with an African dance class that has definitely got me feeling some good pain. We shall see what's next. Might I add that the is feeling a bit more trim. Yessssss!!

[Pause for "Second Day Success" Applause] Amber enters Stage Right

Greetings!! I don't think anyone actually reads this blog, so I will just handle the light yet warm applause myself. "CLAP CLAP CLAP!!" Okay, so I did it again! Another perfect morning, made mostly perfect by getting up and working out...although, that peice of toast with strawberry jelly ran a close second. So, I've read on numerous occassions that you should alter your workout routines for maximum results. So today, I took my weights with me to the park so that I could work on arm definition. I will not have the first lady walkin' around with better arms than me on my wedding day! Plus, my dress is strapless, so there are really no other options. The 8 lb. weights really make a simple walk that much more intense. Plus, I can bust somebody in their kneecap if they try and git me for my iPod. Warn your friends: the girl in the park with the pink weights is not the one. I'm handing out a** whippins and lollipops, and I am smooth out of lollipops! *Real scenario: weights and iPod tossed in the grass and me running through the park screaming like a kid who just saw a clown.

SUCCESS!!

So, it's been awhile. Last week I was suffering from a cold/flu (not swine flu) and did nothing even resembling exercise. I was happy just to make it to work. But, by Saturday my cold was gone and I was back on the case. I ran all of my local errands on foot. Very proud of that! And on Sunday, I went for a nice walk with my fiance. But today, my friends, accomplishments were made! I had...my perfect morning! Yes, I've been striving for it for weeks and I finally got up and did everything I wanted to do. I was up at 5:45, I walked the dog, did laundry, and most importantly, I got in a great workout and my glutes are on fire!! Seriously, it took me like three minutes to sit down and use the bathroom!

The food choices have been pretty good as well. On Saturday, I had wonderful and healthy roasted portabella sandwich with mozarella and red peppers, sooo delish! Today, I made burritos with mexican rice, black beans, cilantro turkey sausage, and low-fat cheese all wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla with fresh limes for extra flavor.

Today was a special day. I actually had more energy when I got home from work. I'm ready to do it all over again in the morning. Let's keep it up. Oh, I forgot to mention that I had a fabulous massage last Tuesday. I'm pretty sure these beauty rituals will be my favorite aspect of preparing myself for the wedding evets. The mint water, the new age music, the hushed voices, I LOVE the spa! Plus, it was a special part of special deal offered on Tuesdays: a 30 minute massage or facial, use of the sauna and steam room, plus comfy robes and hot tea!

*My butt still hurts.

Okay, okay...where did we leave off? That hip-hop dance class did not happen ONLY because I had to stay at work and work on a contract. I promise you, dance class would've won over a contract anyday!

So, my birthday just passed and I must confess all of my delicious wrongdoings:

Friday - Usual breakfast, baked catfish and a small salad for lunch, and crunchy veggie tacos from Chipotle. Just corn, salsa, lettuce and cheese. And a few white corn tortilla chips from Trader Joe's.
Saturday - Tortilla chips and salsa at home for lunch, frozen yogurt with blueberries and strawberries for a snack, and -here's the bad stuff- 3 martini's and a shared plate of fried calamari for dinner. Booo!
Sunday - Multi-grain pancakes (ate about half) and chicken sausage for brunch (no mimosa!), a small popcorn at the movies (didn't finish, but I know better nevertheless), and brown rice and Indian lentils for dinner.

You know, now that I look at it...not so bad! The workouts consisted of pilates with light weights. I could've done better...but it was raining!! good excuse, right?

Waaaait, I forgot my birthday...

Monday - usual breakfast, tomato soup and small salad for lunch, a turkey burger on a multigrain bun (only one slice) with - wait for it - french fries and a glass of wine!!! PLUS, I had 1 1/2 carrot cupcakes with cream cheese frosting (made with splenda though).

Really? 4 am?

If you take a look at my very first post, you will see that one of my listed guidelines is to get enough sleep. Please tell me why this is a problem for me?! At least 3-4 days out of the week, my fiance and I find ourselves waking up on the couch or the floor (me only) at some odd hour in the morning. It's crazy! Last night, I fell asleep on the couch just before 9:00 pm (yes, extremely geriatric) I woke up to find that it was not quite midnight, and I could still salvage a reasonable amount of sleep. What did I do? Watched a documentary, got on Facebook, and watched The Duel on MTV. So, that had Shaka and I getting ready for bed at around 3:45 am. So lazy.

Nevertheless, I forced myself to do Pilates this morning, and I'm glad that I did. It really starts my day off nicely when I can excercise in the morning. Tomorrow may be a different story since I have an early morning appointment, but I'll try and figure something out.

Thus far, the food choices are still good. I could've done without 6 of those tortilla chips and 2 pieces of chocolate yesterday, but I was pretty good overall. For dinner last night, I made lobster ravioli and a fresh green salad and I did not go back for seconds!! Small victory! As for today, breakfast remains the same: turkey bacon, a slice of multi-grain toast, sliced strawberries and hot green tea. Lunch was a green salad tossed in olive oil and balsamic vineagar and chicken curry (no rice!!), and a slice of mulit-grain bread. Don't laugh, but I'm really looking forward to snack time: An almond biscotti and green tea. pretty thrilling, huh? no, don't be jealous. don't be that way.

I'm nervous to share my secret wish (just for today), I kind of want to go to dance class (hip-hop) this evening. I'm reluctant to share that because I am famous for getting in the house and desperately wanting to stay there, unless it's a nice day or we have dinner plans. Plus, the class isn't over until 9:00 pm, and it's a pain to drive back home and try to find parking. But, it may all be worth it. I love the instructor (so talented) and that class really works your whole body. Hmmm...I guess I'll see how I feel when I get home.

Um...Almost: An Afternoon Update

Soooo...I had a pretty decent morning, but not the perfect morning that I had discussed last night. Being that I went to bed after 2:00 am, I kind of figured that it wasn't going to happen as I'd planned. Nevertheless, I did wake up earlier than usual. I didn't jog, but I did squeeze in a pilates session at home. Lovely and relaxing (minus Jag jumping on my belly and chest).

Breakfast was the usual with fresh strawberries, and for lunch, another Trader Joe's vegetarian Indian meal: Channa Masala. Delish, but yesterday's was a teensy bit better. I added a slice of multi-grain bread, and I literally scarfed down every last bite of that meal. I even fought to save a little grain from falling off my desk. Aaaand, I just spilled my drink down my bra...apparently I'm thirsty to the point of being uncool.

Good Eating and the Hope for a Perfect Morning

So yesterday, I enjoyed my usual breakfast and lunch, and later had a fabulous dinner of suhi and a seaweed salad. Plus, a delicious frozen yogurt with fresh bananas and oranges. Today I discovered a great lunch, Paneer (similar to tofu) Masala with spinach basmati rice from Trader Joe's. Such a yummy vegatarian meal!! Tonight's dinner was black bean and cheese quesadilla's and a green salad with cilantro dressing. Oooh! So good!!

So, tomorrow I am striving for my perfect morning, let me explain: Wake up early (while it is still dark), light candles, make a cup of tea and check out facebook, walk Jag, head to the park for a 20 minute jog, make Shaka a chai latte, shower, do hair and make-up (all while watching The Golden Girls) and head out the door by 8:20am. That sounds sooo nice. I hear and read about people rising with the sun, and I am so very envious. Damnit, I wanna rise with, no BEFORE, the sun! I'm doin' it, guys!!

vodka, pizza, and mojitos, OH MY!

So this weekend was kind of a bust. I'd say I was dissapointed if I hadn't had so much fun! I did not do any "official" excercise, but between the hills at the zoo, and our elevator being broken all weekend (we live on the sixth floor), I'd say I put in a bit of work! Downside: Friday - vodka, chips and dip; Saturday - Crown Royal +diet coke (2 of 'em) and a HUGE slice of cheese pizza; Sunday - a mojitos and a handful of potato chips. Geeez...if I keep this up, I'm gonna be the wrong kind of ridiculous!! Okay, tomorrow's Monday...time to focus once again!! In addition to the wedding, next weekend is my birthday and I HAVE to be cute for that too!

Who walked home??!!

I DID!! It was a delgithful walk too!! So, now my legs feel great and my abs are sore. I love that feeling. Now, I'm trying to stay awake and watch a movie. I really just need to go'on ahead go to sleep.

A Breakthrough!!

Okay, so I did not wake up early enough for a jog. But, I did do my Pilates DVD!! Hooray!! I only worked on my abs, but I still feel quite accomplished! I ate a healthy and delicious breakfast with hot green tea. So far, we are off to a good start. Lunch will probably be a veggie sandwich (zip it, Shaka)...delish!

My challenge for today: more exercise. If the weather stays nice until I get off of work, I will be walking home. That's about a 30 minute walk, plus there's a little hill. And since my fiance will be at home waiting for me, it will not be a leisurely walk!! He's too cute for me to just be strollin'!! I will check back in this evening to share how that went (or if it happened at all).

*I need a new nighttime dessert. After most meals, I crave something sweet and I'm not satisfied until I get it! I remember that I had purchased these great soy ice cream sandwiches that tasted fabulous and had very few calories, fat or sugar! They were called Little Dreams. I offered them to my fiance, and after finding out that they were not real ice cream, he called them Little Nightmares...don't laugh, it wasn't nice.

I sat on the couch.

leave me alone. tomorrow's a new day!!

Mini cookies vs. Many cookies

As far as food goes, I almost did alright today. My usual breakfast: turkey sausage, whole wheat english muffins, fruit , and green tea. Lunch was leftovers from last night: homemade pizza (whole wheat pizza crust, turkey pepperoni, and skim mozzarella), followed by black bean and cheese quesadillas (whole wheat tortillas). All of that was fine...I may have lost a little control with the snacks though. I have these yummy, mini, organic chocolate chip cookies that equal 140 calories if you eat about 7. I had 7...and then I had 3 more, maybe 4...then I had two pieces of chocolate...a 90 calorie granola bar...and tortilla chips and salsa. it was all so sweet and salty...i was too weak.

Also, there was no workout! I had an early morning appointment to have my car inspected and then the skies opened as soon as I walked in the door after work. So, I guess I'll have to double up tomorrow. My plan is to wake up around 6:00 am...I am doubtful, and it's only day 2!!!

Of course I don't want any fries!!

The exclamation above is usually a flat-out lie if it's coming out of my mouth. On most occasions, if I haven't eaten my fiance's fries before he can even lick the salt off his fingers, then I'm giving him the evil eye as I manhandle the remaining few fries he didn't eat and almost threw away. But not this weekend, my friends!! No, no! I stayed firm and held my head high with pride while scarfed down a veggie sandwich from Subway's and Baked Lay's. YES!! This is a first folks, so I believe congratulations are in order...pause for smiles and light applause...okay, good.


As I mentioned in the description of this blog, my wedding is right around the corner and I desperately need to make some changes. Truth is, I'm not a bad eater. Although do love to eat, I almost always find a healthy way to eat just about everything that I love. The problem is, I have literally stopped exercising. I have a great deal of excuses, some make sense, but most are simply just excuses. And I have this nagging feeling that it will be a week before the wedding and I'll be trying to starve myself and do crunches under my desk at work, like a crazy person. So, I need to set some goals and guidelines, damnit!

Goals

1. To lose 5-10 lbs.
2. To firm up, but keep a little jiggle where it counts.
3. To look and feel stronger.
4. To have the smoothest skin possible.
5. To rock a fierce bikini on our honeymoon.

Guidelines

1. I will need to do at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day (whether it's jogging, pilates, brisk walks, dancing, whatever...I just need to get my indulgent a** up).
2. Eat sensible meals and snacks...no beer (at least not a whole one), no bites of fries and doughnuts. sniff.
3. Try not to eat after 8 pm, unless it's something light.
4. Don't freak out if I mess up a little bit, but not too much.
5. Get enough sleep!! I am terrible at this.
6. Follow all the necessary beauty rituals at night, no matter how annoyingly tedious they can be. It will pay off!!
   

As of now, I am accountable to this blog. There are 104 days until our big day, and I plan to be frikin' ridiculous. watch out ya'll.

*Ber is a nickname given to me by a few of my cousins. It's goofy and I love it.