Friday, July 30, 2010

The Game Plan

07/30/10

278.0 lbs

I'm working on something.  Something that may be big. 

I just celebrated my 1 year anniversary on Blogger on July 25.  That means it's time to get down to business.

Stay Tuned.....

-jafg

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Help Wanted

07/29/10

278.6 lbs

I didn't  weigh today.  That was yesterday.

Firstly, I don't know why it's been so long since I posted!  I haven't even tweeted any pithy comments and thoughts.  I hope you all didn't completely forget I was here.  Well.  I'm still alive.  And kicking.  Figuratively speaking anyway.

I haven't exercised in weeks.  WEEKS.  I have been taking the stairs at work as often as possible.  When I'm really hot, though, I still take that elevator.  The Mom came for a visit this week and it was great to see her.  I made some effin awesome meals.  They were healthier than they could have been (I made a bechamel sauce with 1% milk rather than heavy cream or half & half).

I'm rambling at the moment.  Sorry about that.

Let's get down to business, shall we?  I need two things from you, Bloggin Buddies.  Firstly, I need some workout accountability partners and I need them stat.  I can't seem to make the choice to get moving on my own.  I know I should be, but I'm not.  It's not that I can't, but I won't and I don't have a reason why except for laziness 9or something like it anyway).  I can always find something else to do other than exercise. Damnit.  I'm even ok with opening up my super secret fat girl identity to, say, work out together virtually where I check in and out with Exercise via my nifty cellular phone texting tools.  I'm talking one-on-one here, not Twitter of Facebook.  Although, my email's blowing up with friend requests.  I need to respond to those, too.  I'm so behind on jafg stuff.  I  digress.  You see how easy that happens?  This is why I need that accountability partner.

On to Thing Two.  I signed up for Match(dot)com.  Well, I haven't paid yet, but I did post a profile.  I got three emails since starting my account last week so I think I'm gonna upgrade.

I thought I'd share my long ass bio with you people so you can tell me if I'm datable.  Cause it's been so long I forgot what you actually do on a date.  Really.  So, here goes...

You know, one of the hardest things to do is describing yourself for a dating site. Or any other interview-type situation, really. So, hmmm…Well, I love soymilk. How’s that for a beginning? :o)


I am what you might call a social butterfly. I wouldn’t say I'm the life of the party, but I certainly do love to socialize! I've got a close network of friends both here and [geographical locations omitted]

I'm serious about work and about my free time. My friends are important to me so a person that blends well with them is also important. I would also hope to fit well into his circle of friends. There's tons of [college] sports in my local crew so if that's what he's into, he'll be welcomed with open arms. While I'm not a diehard fan, I do enjoy a good sporting event. Although, I'd rather watch a [college] football game on TV rather than in person. Just so you know.

Let's just clear the air on physical appearance. I'll be the first to admit that I can appreciate a good looking guy (or girl, really. I think Scarlett Johansson has a terrific body!). I understand (and think) that there's got to be that phisycal attraction between two people. So, I want to be completely up front with you on this. I am a plus-size girl. I’m 34; it’s not news to me. I’m comfortable in my own skin, but I’m also embarking on a new healthy path. Facing 35 makes one think about these things. I joined the YMCA in June and learned that there’s nothing like getting your rear handed to you after an intense workout.

For me, genuine is key. My match will be family-oriented and independent. He'll be full of life and maybe just a bit deviant. :-) I’m really hoping to find someone that will completely appreciate me for who I am right now and will also be encouraging for where I want to be. It’s my goal to be that same person for my “person”.

If you're interested in just hanging out (which is welcomed!), or in finding out if something may click, please let me know! (I'm not upgrading my account until I know there is some interest.)


Oh, and I’ve got to be honest with you here, I’m usually about 15-20 minutes behind schedule. Well, that’s true as long as “usually” means always.

Other than that, I wish you the best of luck in your search!

Cheers!

Well, there you have it.  Let me know what you really think about this.  Also, I need that virtual workout buddy. 

My new dating life depends on it.

-jafg


P.S.: 
Katy at Project Look Good Naked gave me a Versatile Blogger award!  Forever I never get an award and now, I get two in one month!

Thank you Katy!


P. P. S.:
Holy. Timeline.  I just realized that I celebrated my 1 year bloggin anniversary.  Like, literally.  Just Now.  Celebrate with me by reading that first one again.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Comfort Measures

Dear Blogging Friends.

Amanda has lost a loved one.  Please offer her your heart-felt condolences and hold her family up in prayer.

I hope this post finds you and yours in good health and harmony.

Thank you!

-jafg


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Monday, July 19, 2010

Monday Musings

07/19/10

278.4 lbs

Technically, that belongs to yesterday since I didn't weigh today.

Right now I was Starbucks SO BAD.  I'm going to settle for a coffee from downstairs with powdered creamer (read empty calories and a little bit of fat) and a splenda.  Whatever.

I feel somewhat returned to the land of the living.  I don't have that super stressed feeling that's been sitting on me for like the past month.  I took a few days, put things on paper, and see now that the sky isn't actually falling.  So now what?

I totally binged on fast food breakfast Sunday.  There's my weekend confession.  I had been out having an adult beverage or two the night before and totally caved to the temptation.  It's been a long while and it was good.  I'm glad that's out of my system.

Well, yesterday I bought groceries.  I meal planned and ended up with one guilty pleasure for which I totally do NOT feel bad about, stuff to make baked tacos.  It's made with flour tortillas.  I also got lean ground turkey and will have plenty lettuce and tomato for the top.  I did get low fat sour cream.  I don't believe in fat free unless it's naturally occuring.  That's just me.   Other than that, I have some beautiful sweet potatoes, lean centercut pork chops, chicken cutlets and thighs.  Also, I have plenty of steam bag veggies which last longer.  I hate it when I don't use my produce and have to throw it away.

Speaking of spoiling produce, I've signed up for a veggie co-op program and am looking forward to my first delivery this week. Not only will I be supporting local farms, but I will also be getting food that is SO fresh. I can't wait! It's costing me about $150 a month with weekly deliveries. That isn't bad for fresh organic locally grown produce. I'll let you know how it goes.

So I was inspired by JewliaGoulia's Friday post in which she laid out her pantry and fridge details.  She had all pre-portioned pre-prepared food for her easy access.  I decided I can do something similar too.  I got two pieces of watermelon ($.80 each!!!) and chopped them up.  It was a great evening snack because it's so sweet and succulent.  Plus, that $1.60 worth of watermelon will totally last me through the week (as long as it doesn't go bad)!

Well, BB's bachelorette party is set for the weekend of August 13.  We were going to the beach, but in light of all the oil issues, we've opted for New Orleans in stead.  Awesome!  I can't imagine what kind of trouble will ensue. 

I'm  setting aside bail money, just in case.

-jafg



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Friday, July 16, 2010

OMG-My First Award!

07/16/10

279.0 lbs

This post is dedicated to Christine (Phoenix Revolution) who awarded me with my first bloggin award ever.  I am super excited about it.

There are these rules that go along with geting an award so here goes.

ver•sa•tile  [vur-suh-tl or, especially Brit., -tahyl] –adjective

1. capable of or adapted for turning easily from one to another of various tasks, fields of endeavor, etc.: a versatile writer.
2. having or capable of many uses: a versatile tool.
3. Botany . attached at or near the middle so as to swing freely, as an anther.
4. Zoology . turning either forward or backward: a versatile toe.
5. variable or changeable, as in feeling, purpose, or policy: versatile moods.




Truth be told, I didn't know a toe could do that.



Rules, the rules for the award are as follows:

1. Thank the person giving the award  [THANK YOU Christine!]
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Nominate 15 newly discovered blogs.
4. Let your nominees know about the award.


Firstly, I don't know that I have 7 things to share about myself.  I talk about me all the time, I can't imagine that there's more to reveal, but here goes...

Thing #1.  I totally just thought about Dr Suess just now.  That's not my "thing" but I'm sharing anyway. 
On to my "Thing"...I'm left handed.  I don't know why I picked that as my first "thing" but there ya go.  I still think I would have scored higher on my ACT if I would have had a left-handed desk.  The testing room only had desks for Righties.  The bastards.  Speaking of those damned desks, I seriously doubt that my fat ass and stomach would be able to fit in one of them today.  But, I'm not bitter.

Thing #2.  My list of desired occupations as I was growing up:  A Nun (Yes, Nun-hey, I was raised Catholic.  What do you expect?!?!).  An Architect.  An Actress.  An Author.  An Attorney.  Apparently, I had a thing for jobs beginning with the letter A.  For the record, I am none of those things today. Well, except maybe for the author part.  But you don't know who I am so I don't think it counts.

Thing #3.  I am an artistic spirit.  I paint.  I take pictures. I design and create jewelry. I love entertaining (which I do consider an art form).  I worked as a make-up artist for a few years, too.  I love art.  If I won the lottery, I'd dedicate my time to my artistic expressions.  That, and I'd get a boob job.  But you already know that.

Thing #4.  Hmm. See, I'm already running out of things to share.  I have a tattoo.  I designed it.  It's on my outer right thigh.  It's a tribal sun moon and star and takes up as much space as my entire hand (7.5 inches long and 3.9 inches across).  I consider it a work in progress.  I won't add to it until I lose weight, though, for fear of "shifting".

Thing #5.  I have a horrible memory.  All I can say is "drugs are bad, mmmkay?".

Thing #6.  I really have to be motivated to go to the bathroom.  I can think I have to go to the bathroom and then realize an hour later I haven't gone.  I've always been like that.  I will most likely have to wear adult diapers because of it.

Thing #7.  I was just motivated to go to the bathroom.

*******
OK.  Now on to my 15 "newly discovered" nominees.....All of which, BTW, are weightloss bloggin babies.  While these may be some oldies but goodies to you, I've only just added them to my reading list.

1:  Fat Girl vs World (at) I go through life in inches and pounds.  I really like her kick ass and take names attitude.  It's great! 
2:   Lor (at) Lighten Up, Lor!.  She's funny.  And she writes mostly in lower case.  I find this facinating.
3.  Jules (at) Big Girl Bombshell.  She just makes me happy.  From the moment I click onto her page I smile.  She's thoughtful with what she posts, too. 
4.  Angela Pea (at) Keeping The Faith - Skinny Me!  Also inspirational.  And she's a real encourager.  We all need encouragement.
5.  Suzi Storm (at) Ok, Just One More Beer.  Aside from the fact that I know she could go toe-to-toe with me and adult beverages, she's just freakin awesome.  She's on the other side of the journey.  The side where she's more maintaining and polishing than losing.  That's a real motivator.  Sometimes I heart her so much I almost hate her.  (just kidding!)
6.  New Me (at) 253 to New Me.  She's a newbie.  And she's doing great!
7.  Kat (at) Kat Does Diets.  She's a new favorite of mine, too.  Especially on twitter.
8.  MissSarahlou (at) Super-Duper-Cali-Fragi-Listic-Expeali-Docious.  I had to copy and paste that.  She's awesome and encouraging.
9.  Tricia (at) Endurance Isn't Only Physical.  She's another one that's made it to the maintain and polish stage. 
10. Amanda (at) It's All About The Walls.  I didn't list Amanda first because she and I have been bloggin buddies For-Ever.  I love love love her snarkiness and she's a faithful reader/commenter.  She also leaves wicked entertaining comments.
11. Drazil (at) It's just Me, Drazil & Sheniqua.... Not only is her name Lizard spelled backwards, but she's freakin funny too! (also not a "new" discovery, but one I heart a lot)
12. Dani (at) Well-Rounded Woman.  She's another encourager.
13. Stephen (at) Who Ate My Blog?  I've been following him since my bloggin beginning.  If you don't know about him, you should.  He's such an inspiration!
14. MrsFatAss (at) Did I Just Eat That Out Loud?  Sure, everybody knows her, but she's been an addition in my book for only a few months.  Also a great read.
15. Julia (at)  JewliaGoulia.  She just hit her 100 lb lost HUGE milestone and I am so glad I was there to watch it happen!

I follow so many others, but these are the ones that are new on my list (mostly). 

Ok.  There you have it.  I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

-jafg




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Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Better Living Through Medication

07/14/10

277.8 lbs

Ok.  It's not at bad as I really thought it would be.  And that's with wet hair and underwears.  Which are black, by the way.  Both tops and bottoms.

I did get my workout done with BB on Monday.  I'm pushing for another one today.  I'm holding out for 20 minutes this time since I did 15 minutes last time.  I've got a shit-ton going on right now and don't know if I'll get to it, though.

Actually, I am overwhelmed with stress at this particular moment in time.  Over. Whelmed. 

Work.  Home.  Family.  Money.  Weight.  Exercise.  Food.  Time.

I'm trying not to eat my way through it.  Very hard to do.

Let's focus on the positive for a moment.  I got my labs back and I lowered my cholesterol! 

I've got bad coronary genes.  I just do.  So when I factor in all the overweightness and bad eating (forget stress), I have a recipe for an early demise.  Well, I take a pill now for my cholesterol and I've also been eating healthy and exercising (with the past month and a half as an exception) so I've done really great.  Let me tell you just how great.  Here are my overall numbers from last January and this June.

Last January:  Cholesterol=360 mg/dL
This June:       Cholesterol=216 mg/dL

Ladies and Gents!  I am officially in the normal range of High Cholesterol!  I'm no longer in the "How the hell are you walking and not dying of a heart attack at this very moment?!" range of High Cholesterol!  Awesome!  Awesome-Awesome! 

However.......There's this new thing that They use now to track the risk of heart disease: hs-CRP levels.  Apparently the optimal range for hs-CRP is 1-2 mg/L.  Mine's a 15 mg/L.

Fuckin Genes.


-jafg



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Monday, July 12, 2010

Tempus Fugit (That's Latin, Y'all)

07/12/10

???.? lbs

I actually had some scale phobias this morning.  I will overcome tomorrow.

I've made a workout date with BB tonight.  None of us have been back to HHH class since May.  Actually, since I decided to start paying for the gym, I've pretty much stopped going.  Bye-Bye $40 a month! 

I do wish a lot of you folks were around in my REAL life.  I'm drawing on the support of a Skinny Athletic Girl (SAG) who has a freakin slammin hot body and a Blushing Bride (BB) who is 22 and still has a baby face.  This means she hasn't fully finished morphing into physical adulthood.  Neither of which understand a weight struggle like I've got.  Well, that's not to say that SAG doesn't work her ass off every night to look as hot as she does.  And BB and Her Beau do yoga twice a week now.  I have seen her change over the past few months. Her face has started thinning out and the adorable little baby cheeks are vanishing just a bit.  [Sadface.]

I am beginning to feel the weight of everything I need to do all at once.  That's a lot of weight.  I want to see 150.  I'm not pushing for these 140s and 130s goals I see with other people.  I'm not ready for that yet.  Hell, I'll be glad with a 165 on the scale.  But shit.  One Hundred Twelve Pounds To Lose.  That's a lot of weight.    And that's based on an out-of-date-weight. 

I'm not whining or whimpering, I'm documenting.  I could choose not to write today.  Or even until I decide to jump back on board, (which technically I am doing tonight because of my workout date). And, in case you haven't figured it out, that's what happened between the end of October to the beginning of March.  I simply tuned out. 

Well, I'm not doing that this time.  I don't care if there are a few "gray days" in my blog world, I'm making myself stay connected.  If I don't, if I drop everything, then 6 months from now I'll just be starting over again.  And I'll be no happier for it.

Hmm.  I'm ending the day on a happy note for all of you.  There's this girl who started about 7 months ago on her new healthy lifestyle.  I'm sure you all know and love Julia @ Jewlia Goulia.  Well, her Monday has greeted her with a 100.1 LB LOSS!  Go congratulate her.  She TOTALLY deserves it!  She's my hero of the day.  Tell her to go back and buy that dress, too.


So.  That got me thinking.

What will seven months get you?

 
-jafg 





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Thursday, July 8, 2010

Damnit. AGAIN. DAMNIT!

07/08/10

I didn't weigh myself today.  I thought about it, but then I got busy with other things.

I had a fantastic time at The LakeHouse over the weekend.  I then proceded to do not a damn thing on Sunday afternoon and Monday.  I slept, I ate, I watched TV, I washed some clothes, I washed bed linens.  That's pretty much it.  I was then down with a little bit of rumbly tumbly yesterday.  And that's pretty much carrying through today, as well.

This is a big DAMNIT session. 

I have totally skinned up my knees from falling off the healthy living wagon.  And the ground was really damn bumpy too.  I may have even sprained an ankle.  What all this means is that I have thrown Caring to the wind and not given a damn about exercise or healthy eating.  Well, I haven't completely let go of healthy eating, but I did COMPLETELY let go of working out. I don't mean over the past two days either.  I mean that since May, my exercising has been slowly slipping by the wayside. 

I am ashamed PISSED. 

I don't understand why I continue to have this up and down nonsense!  I freakin know that exercise is the ONLY thing that will put My Fat in check.  I know that if I don't watch every little thing I eat, I'm gonna be packin on the pounds.  It took 3 effin months to kill 20 lbs!  And I'm just throwing that away!  I see it happening.  I recognize the bad behavior, and yet, because life is totally stressing me right now, I choose to take the very easy way and not give a shit.  Only the not giving a shit makes life totally stress even more because I DO give a shit!

So. That's where I am after a perfectly great holiday. 

That 20 lbs that I lost was REAL.  Like, I sweat that fat right out of me.  I'm proud of that.  So what the hell happened to my motivation???


-jafg



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