Shaken, not stirred

I'm sure you all know to what I am referencing in my title.  James Bond.  His martini was shaken, not stirred.  Do you know why martinis are traditionally stirred, not shaken?  Gin will bruise and become cloudy if shaken.  Here's why I bring all this up:  On Saturday, I started Bartending School!  I learned Martinis, Manhattans and the like as well as Highballs (Gin Tonic, Rum and Coke, Bay Breeze, Tequila Sunrise, etc).  I had SO MUCH FUN.  The class was really laid back and I spend as much if not more behind the bar mixing "drinks" as I did learning from the instructor.  I could go on forever about all the fun I had, but instead, I'll bring you up to speed of the last month.

In my last post, I had joined the gym, I'm now going consistently, and have graduated to the elliptical.  The first couple times, I woke up the next morning and slid everywhere my calves hurt THAT bad.  It was fantastic!  Well, now I've gotten a routine down: 5 minutes doing leg weight machines, 25 minutes on the elliptical, 10-15 minutes cooling down doing mat type exercises, but on a exercise ball.  I'm really enjoying the new activities, but it's leaving me with less "free time" or another way to say it is I'm choosing to spend my free time differently.

I've had a weekend of SELF CONTROL!  Yesterday, I went to a Reunion of people I used to work with years ago at the church I attended then, and as you may remember from all my ranting, I'm not good at dealing with food in social situations.  Well I did great!  I had a modest bowl of chili with cheese, and I did have two brownies, but I stopped at that, and did not have a s'more.  So all in all, I think I did really well.  Then today, I had another social situation, but I coached myself all the way there.  Luckily I already knew what we were having: lasagna.  OY.  It's a pasta, so I love it already.  I told myself: 2" x 2" square and 1/2 plate salad, and what did I put on my plate.  Exactly that.  I said no dessert, but I did have a cookie.  The only difference was I only had one and I ate it after Bible Study after my food had settled.  Before, I would eat dessert right after dinner and then have another dessert after Bible Study.  I have told myself that a dessert is fine, but after Bible Study from now on because that worked really well. 

I've been a little stalled in my weight loss and my WW leader says it's because of the upped activity.  She says that I'm strengthening my body and my muscles will start catching up and then there's no stopping me.  She also said that what I should have noticed is that my clothes are starting to get loose, which they are, so it's more learning about non-scale victories.  Goody, what I'm best at: viewing progress with no numerical evidence.  I can hardly wait.  It's getting easier because my khaki pants which were snug a few weeks were just washed and I had to pull them up all day Saturday and today.  It was GREAT. 

How's my shoulder, you ask?  It's doing great!  I got the green light to start driving my VERY OWN CAR Friday a week ago and last week was when I got the additional green light to start bartending class.  I guess this counts as non numerical evidence of progress as well.  Interesting. 

On a totally random note: my hair has grown LONG.  Apparently high dose pain killers help with that.  There WAS a benefit.  WOOT.  I'll probably let it get another inch or so before I have it trimmed and layered and then keep it that length.  I like it long.  I like the way it feels against my shoulders when I wear sleeveless shirts, which I wear more of in the winter odd as it sounds, but everyone always cranks the heat up to the temperature of the sun, so I wear tanks and add sweaters if I get cold, which isn't often. 

I feel like I'm starting to ramble, but it feels good.

I had my annual physical last Tuesday, and my DR was, and I quote "tickled about the weight loss".  Yes.  I'm THAT cool.  It's awesome huh?  For the record, my goal is to be at my goal weight by this time next year, in time for my next annual physical; November 9th or something like that.  I may have to move that back to December to fit some scheduling things on the horizon, but we'll see how the cookie crumbles.

My goal weight is between 155 and 160, I haven't set a definite yet, but I'm estimating it'll fall around 157.  I'm 190.6 now, so I have 33.6 to go, or in 52 weeks, that's .6 a week.  I would say cat in the bag, but we know the way that statement ends.

Well cats, I'm off to read before my timer turns off my lamp.  It is thrilling having to stop in the middle of the sentence because the timer says so.  Otherwise, I think I'd read all night.  I'm lovin' it.  :)

Until next time,
:)

I'm coughcoughcoughcoughcough...sniff...sick

Ew.  I really hate being sick.  Luckily my mom buys really soft tissues, or my nose would be as red as Rudolph's.  I normally buy the cheap brand, but how could that possible be a surprise.  Maybe I'll start buying the good ones.  Well I don't have to worry about all that now. 

I've been up since 0430 because I refuse to sleep propped up and I can't breathe laying down.  I'm so stubborn.  Well after I woke up there wasn't really any going back to sleep anyways.

I am, however, not sick enough to stay home from work.  1.  I'm not contagious.  If I was, I'd take myself out of the game.  As it stands, I do OK when I'm not laying down.  2.  I only feel bad from the neck up.  I'm not walking funny (I don't think :) ) and my brain may not be functioning to its fullest extent, but when has it over the last 9+ weeks?  This also means I'm not sick enough to not exercise.  I'll back myself down 5 minutes and do 25 instead of 30, but I'm going (so there :) )

Good news: I get to try PT without drugs tomorrow.  Could get interesting, but I have faith in myself.  Next step: driving my car!!

Until next time,
:)

I don't like staring blankly at puzzles, I like to solve them.

Wow.  Lots of news.  Weighed in on Saturday.  Lost 2.4 pounds!  WOOT.  I've still got it!  It was a huge encouragement.  I have a feeling I'm going to have week 2 syndrome this week, so I'm being proactive, to try and squeeze out a loss anyway. 

I have a check up with my shoulder doctor tomorrow.  Today marks 9 weeks.  Amazing. 

My mind has been swirling for the last 36 hours.  I worked some crazy late hours (like 2am) on Saturday and was up early again Sunday, so all signs pointed to a nap.  I tried, but my brain went straight to school.  I'm forming a plan, and puzzle pieces are coming together!  I'm going to switch over from Computer Information Systems to Computer Science (still keeping my Criminology Minor, which is VERY important to me) and my dream job down the road is a Special Agent for the FBI Cyber Division investigating computer related crimes.  I'm so thrilled I could dance!  Or not sleep at least. 

From Friday night through last night I'm looking at a grand total of 17 hours of sleep over 3 nights...not a great track record, since that number's usually more like 24 or 27.  Looks like because my mind's still spinning, I'm in for no more than 6 hours tonight too.  I'm already starting to get congested.  I need sleep or I'm going to get SICK.  EW. 

I feel like all the puzzle pieces are starting to fall into place in my life.  I'm turning it all around.  I've turned my weight back into loss, I've stopped feeling sorry for myself, started exercising again, and I've started to compose a plan for school.  I have DIRECTION.  It feels great.  I'm not a fan of the nomad feeling.  It was helpful to my life experience, but I'm a little tired of sometimes feeling like I'm spinning my wheels.  Do I look like a hamster?  I didn't think so.  :)

Well I'm off to TRY and sleep.  HA! 

Until next time,
:)

So THAT'S what sweating is!

The last post was from Monday.  I composed it and forgot about it.  Whoops.  :)

I had my meeting with the gym Tuesday.  I loved it!  I am now a member.  I went Tuesday night and did .5 mi on the treadmill and 3.5 miles on the stationary bike.  I went back last night and did 1 mile on the treadmill and 9 miles on the bike.  WOOHOO.  It felt really great to sweat again, and doing 9 miles in 25 minutes, I was sweating.  I had physical therapy tonight, so I didn't go because I'm high.  Like really.  I do plan on going tomorrow after work before a party and then Saturday before I weigh in. 

I cannot do anything except the treadmill and the bike, but that's better than the NOTHING I've been doing the last few weeks. 

I thought my movie blog would be hopping, but turns out I took a break from it all.  I've been working on my NCIS movie project.  I'm almost done with season 7, and then I'll take this weekend to catch up on all my other weekly shows I've been missing the last few weeks to finish my NCIS project, and then when I'm all caught up on TV and sleep, I'll start hitting my movie blog.  Like hard.  I've already got the first title picked.  But I'm not sharing.  :)

My shoulder is doing really well!  I'm able to move it on my own more now.  That is really encouraging.  Monday will be 9 weeks.  9 WEEKS.  Wow. 

That's all I have for now.  More later.  As my mind comes back to me.  Maybe :)

Until next time,
:)

Hey you, It's me

That’s a great song by Michael W Smith.  My iPod is on shuffle.  It has been a while since my last posting.  I need to post more, especially when I’m having as much difficulty as I am currently.  My last ATL (all time low) was 7/24 and I weighed 181.4 (total weight loss of 41.4).  On Saturday I weighed in at 193.2 (total weight loss .  This is upsetting in a number of ways.  First, that’s 11.8 pounds in 11 weeks.  That’s gaining on average of 1 pound per week.  That’s the wrong direction, by the way.  In the last 4 weeks, I have gained 9.2, this week being the most upsetting, 5 pounds even gained this week.  I’ve no one to blame but me.  I’ve been eating my feelings again.  I’m so frustrated I can’t run and that I can only walk or do a stationary bike, I can barely take it anymore.

I found out the end of last week my company has a partnership with a gym a stone’s throw away from my house and they have a spin class on Wednesday night at 6:30.  I have a meeting tomorrow.  I’m going to take advantage!  I’m turning it around.  I’m tracking again, and I’m getting back into the exercise I can actually do.  I have my annual physical November 9^th, so I have 4 weigh ins before then.  My goal is to lose 1.5 pounds each week leading up to that, to cover half the weight I’ve gained.  I’m hoping I don’t have to go through week 2 AGAIN.  We’ll see. 

Update on my shoulder.  Today marks 8 weeks from my surgery date.  Wow.  I’m doing “textbook ideal” says my Physical Therapist.  I’m permanently out of my sling, and I might get to start driving my car (standard transmission) as early as this weekend.  When I say drive, I mean down the street one day and hold off until I know I’m not too sore the next day.  I won’t be driving on a permanent basis for at least another week.  Which is fine.  I’ve waited 8 so far, what’s one or two more?

Until next time,
:)

By George, I think I've got it!

I've finally figured out why I've had writer's block when it comes to this blog over the last week or so.  This blog's basis is my weight journey.  Right now, my journey is very stagnate.  Nothing much on which to report.  No set backs, no accomplishments (other than not eating everything I see).  I've been doing a lot of resting.  And watching movies.  So pay attention to my new blog, Spoiler Alert, in which I'll review movies I've seen.  It will be hopping the next few weeks! 

I'll check back in every so often, but the posts over here may slow down to once or twice a week at the most for a few weeks, and that's okay really.  I'll be back in full force when I'm all healed, able to run and drive my car again, and able to struggle with the things I always will. 

Thank you for your patience while I wade through the swamp that sometimes is life. 

Until next time,
:)

What is a Steel Magnolia?

I just finished the movie.  And I sobbed like a baby from the point Shelby fell down all the way to the end.  I guess it wouldn't have hit me so hard if she didn't die all of the sudden, with no real warning.  It would have been bad either way, don't get me wrong; I do not deal with death.  At all.  I happen to be particularly affected by the all of the sudden.  I've only lost a handful of people, and only three that I can remember.  I lost my Mom's Father when I was in 6th grade.  I still remember the phone call we got that night, and still have the picture I was coloring.  Last year, I lost a very dear friend.  It will seem odd.  I had never actually met him, he lived in New Jersey and I knew him through work.  We talked on the phone every other day for at least a half an hour.  He was my Grandfather's age and was very much like a Grandfather to me.  I had known him less than a year when I received an e-mail saying he had passed away from a heart attack suddenly, after returning from a conference in Florida.  He died the same way my Grandfather did, and I cried outside on the patio at work for a long time.  I lost a co-worker and very dear friend suddenly this year as well.  Privately, death tears me apart.  I do not care for movies with death in them (action bad guys excluded).  I cried after Joan of Arc for a week. 

I know it's probably not great to end a blogging drought with such a demur topic, but I can't really help it.  To think that I so stupidly tried to take advantage makes me ill. 

I'm going to go downstairs so I can cry and scream at the injustice of it all.  I promise a more cheery topic for next blog. 

Until next time,
:(