A Very Stylish Girl

01/14/2011

283.6 lbs

That's for real this time.

I did two amazing things this morning:  I weighed myself and I got to work on time!  Well, by 5 after 8.  That's pretty much on time.  Especially for me.

So it's obvious that I'm not really doing anything to lose weight right now.  I'm moderately thinking about what I eat, but that's about it.  Mostly that includes not ordering anything with sugar.  I don't care so much about the fat.  Or carbs.  Actually,....that might not be so true.  I have consumed a fair amount of Jack and Coke.  So.  I'm minimally thinking about what I eat.  That's really about it. 

I'm not exercising AT ALL.  I have thought about it a few times.  I still drive by Concierge Gym twice a day, but I really only notice it when I'm coming home, not when I'm leaving for work.  Then I'm just trying to make sure I don't hit anyone in my mad dash to be not so late to work.  I've noticed that it's really full at night.  I see my favorite elliptical machine through the window and I realize I sort of miss it.  I can almost visualize myself on it.  I think this month I am going to might make a goal to bring workout clothes with me to work, change before leaving, and actually STOP at Concierge Gym before making it home.  We'll see. 

Well, you know we just had a New Year celebration.  Me and my skinny friends went to Orlando, FL for a 4-day-getaway.  I was up at 5-freakin-30 in the morning on Friday December 31 to make it to our carpool for the trip to the airport. 

As girls we spend the day shopping and getting last minute details done like manicures and such before arriving at our hotel to start the two (ok three) hour process of getting ready.  Three girls + 1 shower (and toilet) = Tough Times.  We all manage to survive and look fabulous before leaving for the evening.  There are at least 55 pictures of that moment to prove it.

I walked back IN the hotel room at 5:00 in the morning on Saturday January 1.  That's a champion party night, my friends.  Good times, good times.  I'm glad nights like these are only a few times a year.  There's talk of a Mardi Gras trip in the works.  None of us have ever done a proper NOLA Mardi Gras.  However.  I don't know that I'll be fully recovered from NYE by then.

As any young lady would do, I shopped for my trip.  This is in addition to all the underwears.  I don't have many options for fashion (decent fashion-emphasis on decent) being Just Another Fat Girl.  I shop quite a bit from Lane Bryant.  That's like 90% of my closet.  I score some good tops occasionally from Kohl's and Stein Mart.  Anyway, the point I want to make here is that I did some shopping for my trip.  I went to The Mall (I loathe Mall Shopping) for a mad dash on Thursday.  I needed an outfit or three for the evenings we'd be on the town. 

Apparently, LB is now carrying DKNY clothing.  It's overpriced, but I got some jeans on sale!  Suh-Weet.  And they look freakin hot on.  I should tell you, if you consider shopping for these, the Soho dark wash are the way to go.  At least on me.  They have some that are a lighter wash--which are true "jeans" to me--and they weren't flattering in the slightest.  I've got a funny shape (remember The Jiggle in the Middle?) so it might just be me. 

I also got some really, really cute tops.  The one I got for NYE was a tank-tunic (I swear is looks better than it sounds) which required something for the arms.  Well, I tried a few long sleeve button downs which just did not work.  I was getting desperate.  I was going with the gun metal grey tank with the cute bows on the neck no matter what.  Well, I do the only thing left for me to do, I ask the clerk for a Shrug.  Lord, help me. 

I've avoided these basically since I even knew what a Shrug was.  We're talking about an article of clothing that's named after poor posture.  On top of that, they fall just below the boob which is just above the belly.  This can't be flattering.  Plus, I just think they're ugly.  For the sake of the outfit, I do it.

Holy. Shit.  It works beautifully with the top!  And I look FABULOUS in the outfit.  Right down to the lushious shoes I wore that night.  And Bohhh-Nusssss, I have to buy it in a smaller size for it to fit right.  The fashion fairies were following me that day!  I love this little thing so much, I've incorporated it into a few other outfits.  Turns out a shrug is quite diverse.  

Aside from looking Smokin' all Holiday weekend, I had another positive.  I haven't changed in sizes.  I even bought two pair of new work pants while in Tourist-Town (YIKES is it ever).  I'm so tired of my baggy slacks.  Which, I should add, really aren't because of a lot of weight loss as it was from a weight gain last year that was corrected by weight loss.  I've managed to keep about 10 lbs of my 25 lbs off.

Anyway.  First day I wore them to work, I get asked like 5 times...no lie...[JAFG], you look like you've lost weight! or How much weight have you lost, [JAFG]?  To which I have to reply, I haven't lost any, I just bought some pants that fit!  You laugh, but I'm not joking.  You'd be amazed how flattering clothes are when they fit...regardless of what size they are!

So, geting back to the outlet shopping purchase of these two pairs of paints.  I pick up a pair of black Houston's (that's the cut/style) and try them on.  Fit like a glove. Completely pass the sit-down test with flying colors.  I decide that they're a steal at $30 a pop and fit so great, I run back over and pick up the same style in grey. Then, I get on a plane, manage to get my three bags (none are small) up The Stairs in ONE trip, fall down dead/take one more vaca day from work, and unpack like 4 days later. 

I pulled out the gray pair and decide to wear them (with a cute purple top and that new shrug).  I've worn the black pair already and got SO many responses [see a couple of paragraphs above] I figure it'll be even better since I've never worn gray slacks here before.  O.M.G. 

The bastards are so snug in the waist they're almost too small!   These are the EXACT same pair of pants!!!  I can wear them (and currently am at the moment) but I safetypin them instead of buttoning to make it more comfortable.   Everywhere else in these pants are fine.  The legs.  The ass.  The length.  Everything except the waist.   I think that the factory in Bangladesh where they were made (not really kidding here) put the clasps a farther apart on this pair than the other.  Explains why they were at an Outlet.   

Remember those fashion fairies that were following me that day I got the shrug?  They must have sensed my doubt.  Felt my fear.  I think that day has come back to bite me. 

So....Sorry, Shrug. I didn't mean to be a hater.

-jafg

Awesome!

06/11/10

278.4 lbs

Where to begin, where to begin...

Firstly, Yea on the weight-front!  I actually was gone from my abode for 7.5 days and managed to LOSE weight.  3 lbs even!  Awesome!  I'm pretty excited about that.  It was great to be back at Beach Town, even with the threat of the looming oil spill (for which I am sincerely soliciting your prayers so they will get the well stopped and at least have an end to the leak itself).  It's truly made a negative impact.  The beaches were sparsely attended and this was the first full week of the season.  Usually, you'd have to scope a place out at like 7:00 in the morning.  Now, you can walk out at 2:00 in the afternoon and grab a fairly large patch of beach all to yourself.  Anyway, I could write for days on this subject.  It just breaks my heart. 

On to less serious matters...

BFF arrived late Tuesday night.  Wednesday morning, we woke up about 9ish and went for a workout.  We then had a very healthy breakfast and I started backing.  I actually crammed 7 days' worth of clothing into my middle suitcase.  I still can't believe it made it all in.  I felt bad for the thing really.  I knew there wasn't a weight limit since we were driving and not flying, so I unzipped the extender (it has one built in which will expand the width of it, L-O-V-E It!) and loaded it up.  I threw my extra shoes and bathroom necessities into two grocery-totes-turned-carry-ons.  We finally got on the road about 1:30. 

Oh.  Let me share with you the best part.  I called the nice, upscale, beachfront hotel prior to our departure because I didn't think we'd make the 4:00pm checkin time.  Well, when on the phone I let them know that I'd need two beds and not one and here's the response I got:

"Oh, Ma'am, you don't have to worry about that.  You have a 3 bedroom suite.  You've been upgraded."  Pregnant Pause.  "Well.  Thank you.  I'll see you when I get there."  I totally didn't even mind that she called me ma'am.

We get to the hotel, we get our key and BFF is in charge of directing the bellhop with our luggage while I hurry off to find my first official gathering.  You must remember, this is for a work conference, but it's more like a big party.  These are all friendly industry colleagues.  We all know each other and mostly love each other.   We get together annually so it's always like a reunion.  There was a Meet & Greet that had already started so I ran over to it to offer my "Hi How Are Ya"s.  I must make nice with the masses.  I also have to rub in the fact that I have been upgraded to a tower suite whilst all the peasant peoples have been relegated to regular rooms.  I get fantastic reactions and grab two drinks from the complimentary bar (one is for BFF) and head up to said suite.

Well, I take the elevator to the 16th floor (there are only 17, btw).  After making it to the top, there's this door and no hallway.  I'm thinking "uh did I take the wrong elevator?"  Well, I push through the door and am now outside on a breezeway.  It's an entry like a motel.  Suddenly, the visions of my 3-bedroom palace shrink to a room with two queen beds and a hide-a-way.  How am I going to live this down?

I walk to the end of the corridor to my room.  Awesome!  At least it's a corner unit.  Noise can only come from one side and, in turn, I can only bother one neighbor.  Okay.  I open my door and Holy. Crap.  It really IS a palace!  Actually, it's a condo unit with a wrap-around balcony, full kitchen, washer/dryer unit, master suite to DIE for with a master bathroom to DIE for even more!  The master suite has a private balcony which became my second home.  I totally had the party pad for the week.  It was awesome.

There wasn't a night that I didn't see 3am.  As a matter of fact, Friday, I actually was greeted by the Sunrise.  Yikes.  It was a moment to say the least.

Food was provided either by the conference or by the hotel.  There was a fantab breakfast buffet which served omlettes and the best sausage gravy and biscuits.  I had them 3 mornings in a row.  I ate healthy lunches and barely touched a dinner and because of that, I maintained and even lost lbs!  Awesome!  I had the most awesome marinated portobello sandwich for lunch one day.  Scrum-Chus.

Friday Moms had driven down for a visit to the beach and Sunday BFF headed back home.  My Gramps was turning 81 on Tuesday (as in just this week...BFF's bday was Wednesday) so I planned on not coming home until then.  Since I'd be in town on a weekday and would not be working, I made an appt with my Dr whom I love.  I haven't found a replacement for her and don't know that I will.  I may just continue to plan mini-breaks around my visits with her.

I hadn't seen her since January of last year and hadn't had "the visit" since the summer before that, so I took care of The Works. I won't horrify you with all the details, but I did talk to her about my weight.  Turns out my highest weight was 287 lbs.  This past trip I was 273 lbs.  Now, before you get too excited, her scale has always ran 5 lbs lighter.  That means the 287 lbs was actually 292 lbs and the 273 lbs is actually 278 lbs.  That also means that I'm 13 lbs lighter than January 2009.  For the first time in as long as I can remember, my wieght has decreased from year to year. 

I feel pretty damn awesome about that.

-jafg

The Hate Side of My Love/Hate Relationship With The World Of Weight

05/21/10

278.2 lbs

*Warning:  Cranky JAFG Ahead*

I'm really not sure what to think.  Since this little bloggin space's inception, I've not been this low on the scale. 

I'm freakin happy! BUT...I have this overwhelming need to walk around and whisper I've lost 18 lbs because if I say it too loud, it might jinx it or something.  Like when people whisper *cancer* or *prison*.

So yeah, I've lost 18 lbs.  It's not a fluke like a 3 lbs fluctuation could be.  It's 18 solid lbs.  If someone asks me how I'm doing it I get to tell them "I'm doing it the old fashioned way:  Healthy Eating and Exercise".  No one wants to hear that, but it's the truth.  Now, IF there were some magic way to do this while being able to eat whatever whenever I wanted, and I didn't have to exercise, then, well, I bet I'd be doing that instead. 

My life's been very boring as of late.  I have no funny stories to share or even any to pull from in the right recent past.  I'm watching what I do for food religiously and tracking it all on myfitnesspal.  I'm weighing myself every morning and, this week, have just been sitting on my couch watching tv or checking FB at night.

I love routine and I hate it too!    Right now, I'm totally in an I-hate-it phase.  I'm in a rut/funk/ditch/somethin and I need a change.  I've really had to be a grown-up at work which, translated, means I'm not doing anything fun.  I need to blow off some steam.  I had plans to visit BFF and Her Hubbie this weekend, but had to cancel that.  Grr.  I've been disconnected from SAG and BB because everyone is just busy with l-i-f-e right now. 

On a good note, I am going to Beach Town the first week of June.  I'll be there for work, but I'm bringing BFF (it'll just be her and me) and we're staying in a fantab hotel ON the beach.  Even when I lived there, I never stayed ON the beach.  Well, there was that one Halloween weekend and then that random night one summer, but you know what I mean.  I'm really looking forward to that!

I've strained my knee from pushing too hard through HHH class and bouncing around and all that. You know how walking down the stairs is usually the easiest thing in the world? Yeah. Not for me. Not right now. I hate this.


Turns out all those crunching sounds that I've heard in my knee for years has been what they call runner's knee. Commonplace among runners and overweight people. Well, I'm not in the runner category in case you didn't know. Actually, while I've had this mild, unchecked version of this pain in my knee for at least two years back that I can remember, since I started exercising in like 0-to-60 mode I've had a serious flare-up.

It's treatable with stretches and "quad stengthening" and a brace and ice and Motrin which is fantastic (seriously-it's a mostly free treatment plan). I also will actually have to bounce LESS in HHH class and focus on not too much resistnence on my favorite elliptical.  I can't avoid The Stairs at least twice a day; however, I've been using the railing to ease things up a bit.   While I've really noticed that my knee pain has eased up as the week of inactivity I feel like the rest of me is rusting inside.  I also miss the extra calories that exersice affords me.  Trying to keep my caloric intake under 1300 is a real pain in the ass.

 
I'm exercising tonight, damnit


-jafg

I Heart You, Mom!

05/10/10

283.4 lbs

Over the weekend Scale told me I was at 286.2 lbs.  WHAT. THE. HELL.  There's a whole mental saga that played out over the next two days but the end of the story is, I kicked my own ass, stopped feeling sorry for myself, and have changed my thinking to "every workout is last chance workout". 

So, Mom's day was G-R-R-R-ATE (I'm using phonix, friends).  Moms and I had sushi for dinner, botanical gardens for a day trip, an awesome brunch compliments of Chez JAFG, and I treated my mom to a morning workout.  I was very excited about this last one.  She's my cheerleader about losing weight and getting healthy and wants to do the same thing.  It was really exciting to share this with her.  Actually, I'm surprised by how happy it made me to have her participate in this part of my life. 

My mom's a bigger woman like myself.  We're built completely different; She's a pear, I'm an apple.  I've got two inches on her 5'4" self.  I'm "olive-complected", she's "fair-skinned".  We have the same laugh and a lot of the same subconscious mannerisms and as soon as I realize that we're doing something alike at the same time I can't help but smile to myself. I get annoyed and amused at the same time.

Referring back to this weekend, I gained weight.  Scale told me so two days in a row.  I did A LOT of dining out with Moms and did no working out Friday or Saturday.  As a matter of fact, I did nothing really, but sleep and eat on Saturday.  More on that some other time.

Sunday morning, I wake up and decide to have coffee ready for Moms.  When she woke up, I asked her to workout.  She was totally down with trying the recumbent bike at Concierge Gym.  So, we changed into workout gear and headed out. 

She's a very young 53 years of age.  She's got serious left knee problems (to the point that she takes The Stairs one step at a time), was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2002 and now has arthritis starting in.  All of this with serious allergic asthma.  So this working out thing is a big deal. 

She's talked with some physical therapists who have told her to get her knee moving with NO impact (thus the recumbent bike) to get the joint lubrication forming/flowing.  She's supposed to take it easy on the walking front.  We got her on a bike for 15 minutes at level 1.  Woohoo! 

She also did some resistance work on the Circuit machines with her arms.  She was sore this morning, but we got out there again.  Go Moms!  We've got to take it easy because of all the challenges she has health-wise.  I want to make sure she's not doing something that will ultimately exacerbate anything and make the situation worse.  This got me thinking.

So, I was reading my blogroll came across 282.5 which I hadn't read in quite some time (Sorry Jo, and congrats on your freakin fantabulous progress!) and found a reference to a "real age" test.  This one was a free service from http://www.realage.com/.  I've been wanting to take one and so I used 20 minutes of my day and answered the questions honestly.  It was great being able to tell it how much  I exercise on a weekly basis. And then I got my results. 

Actually, I'm pretty stoked about the fact I made it in under 40.  I figured it would be like my first Wii age.  75.  Yeah.  Nice. 

What got me is that the thing told me my workouts are too intense.  I couldn't believe it when I read it.  According to this lengthy assessment, my joint pain I've been experiencing isn't just because I've never moved so much in my life, it's because I'm pushing myself too hard.  I started to connect the proverbial dots between Moms and me and I realized that, just like I don't want her pushing herself too much, I, too, shouldn't want me to push myself too much.  I'm really relieved which is also surprising.  I want to keep a level of intensity that will keep the fat burning happening, but I want my knees to feel better, too. 

I think I've been trying to show all the skinny kids in my classes and gym (including SAG and BB) that I can keep up with the rest of them.  That just because I'm fat doesn't mean that I can't do what they can.  I don't think it's been intentional, I think it's been subconsciously happening. 

Like the way Moms and I both get sassy with one hand on our hips.  And then quickly move our hands when we realize what we're doing.  At the same time.  It's annoying.  And funny.

I HEART YOU, MOM!


-jafg

The Hill

03/30/10

291.0 lbs

Wow.  Two days in a row.  Stability is not a bad thing.

BB and I took some "before" pictures last night.  I'm trying to see how to post them here without revealing any of my super secret identity.  Stay Tuned.

For those of you who actually read my blog, you may  have guessed from the title that I met up with The Hill again last night.  BB was quite a little motivator and made us walk half way up.  I said I would, if we did it in the early part of the walk in stead of the last part.  I also said that this time we'd have to stretch and we both remembered to get an app for tracking how long and far we'd be walking.  I was figuring that it was at least a half a mile to even three quarters.  I know that's not a lot, but I mean, come on.  The only activity I'd been getting is the walk up and down The Stairs.

We used The Stairs to stretch our legs.  I learned how to stretch that front shin muscle by a massage-like method of "pushing (or rubbing) the muscle away from the shin".  Don't get it?  Take your fingers and run them down your shin from your knee to your foot.  Now, start back up at your knee, and use your thumb to rub the muscle so you're "pushing it away" from where your fingers just were.  I don't know how else to explain it. 

Let's get back to the story.

BB and I start our fantastic new app  and begin our walk (I have a Driod phone and got "Outwalk".  It's a British company, but it really works).  The weather has been so fantastic that you just don't want to stay inside.  BB and I are greeting lots of nice people with lots of nice dogs.  A "monster" drink truck even drove by once and offered us free samples of that drink.  I didn't accept.  I will only allow people to buy me a drink in a bar.  I'm too respectable to accept one in a parking lot.

I'm in a complex which is not level at all. There are varying inclines for varying lentghs which is good. It keeps things from being boring. Plus, I think it's why I'm feeling my butt muscles while walking. This is something I'm not really accustomed to experiencing. 

BB and I are walking and talking and walking some more. Then, we're at The Hill.  As we round the corner for the beginning of the trek, I'm thinking: This isn't so bad!  Suddenly it happens.  We turn the corner and I'm looking up a freakin mountain.  And it just keeps on going.  What the hell have I gotten myself into here? 

Suddenly I hear voices behind me.  I'm already panting and gasping and foaming at the mouth.  Maybe not foaming at the mouth, but you get the picture.  Then suddenly, I hear voices in the background.  I could simply be hallucinating from lack of oxygen to the brain.  I know that BB has continued talking between my swearing but even that sounds far off and she's right next to me.   I get up the energy to turn around to see what's going on and I see Them.  Behind us is the Skinny Girl Duo. 

If you've never come across the SG Duo, you're very lucky.  These are the super skinny girls with their flippy pony tails and their little leggings and swinging arms and little sports bra-like tanks or whatever they are.  You can find them walking around a neighborhood (or complex in my case) or side-by-side on the eliptical machines or in spinning classes at the Gym. These are the girls that you just end up hating.  Even if they don't deserve it. Which most of the time, they probably do.  I digress. 

SG Duo is closing in behind us and they're just a chirping. "I'm so tired of my dad asking when I'm going to get married or at least get a boyfriend.  He's tired of fixing my shit all the time."  Huh?!  "Tee Hee!  I know what you mean.  I've got someone you can call the next time you need something fixed."  I kind of black out a little at this point.  Upon regaining consiousness, I hear "Wow! He'll do that?!"   [I hate I missed that part.]  I can't believe they're just chit-chatting the whole time walking up this mountainous hill like it's no big deal.  No Big Deal My Ass!  I'm having a freaking coronary!  I can barely even place one foot in front of the other! 

"Okay, we make it to that speed bump up there and we can turn around".  OH THANK THE LORD IN HEAVEN.  BB has come to her senses and realizes that there's no way I can go any farther up The Hill.  We turn around.  As we're walking back my legs start to feel like they're going to just fall off.  This after all that stretching we did.  BB tells me of her trip to botanical gardens with her Beau.  She tells me of all the Asian people taking pictures of the cherry blossoms.  They're pretty this time of year.  She goes on to say that they walked around for two hours yesterday and how exhausted she was at the end of it.  She's also telling me to walk through the burn and push through the pain.  I'd hate her but she's such a cutie pie.  Damnit. 

We're back on the "regular course".  We've conquered the baby inclines and are starting to head back to my place.  My legs are on fire.  Really.  I keep looking down to see where the flames are because of the burn.  I still can't believe that I'm feeling like this.  The other times we've walked haven't been this bad. It's because of that damn hill.  I know it.  I ask (trying to refrain from begging) if we can forego the circle around the mailbox and gym and just head back.  She says sure if we can loop around the other side of my building.  It looks flat.  I say ok.  After all, I am trying. 

We loop around and finally make it to my building.  And The Stairs.  Holy.  Shit.  I forgot about The Stairs.  That's 53 steps of nightmare.  BB jogs her little butt up to the first landing and sits down.  I simply stare up at her blankly.  I decide that I must do a little stretching before I can lift my legs high enough to get to my door. 

So, after finally falling through my doorway, we decide to check our time and distance.  After 20 minutes, we covered one quarter of a mile.

Sonofahbitch.

-jafg

A BIG F-***-ING DEAL

03/23/10

296.6 lbs

In the immortal words of our US VP...

THIS IS A BIG F-***-ING DEAL.  This isn't funny.  And neither is the other, but that's a whole 'nother blog.

Ok, yes.  Right now, I am weighing at night.  After I eat.  And drink.  Lots and lots of decaffeinated tea sweetened with Splenda.  I am getting up in the middle of the night to take a little bathroom break.  I think this is better for my kidneys, but I could be wrong.   Eh, 12 hours of gravity may be adding an additional 3.3 lbs.  Dear lord I hope it's not real weight. I'm also not going to state the obvious and say this is the MOST I've ever weighed and never would I have imagined I could weigh this much.  No wonder my knees ache when I walk up The Steps.

I watched The Biggest Loser tonight.  I watched this group bike a marathon.  By the 26.2 mile marker, I was practically jumping up and down on Oprah's couch.  I wanted to jump on a bike and do the same thing.  And then I got on the scale.  Holy crap.

I watched Kirstie Alley's Big Life last night.  It was really good.  She's funny.  She wonders, though, why everyone focuses on her weight.  I personally think it's because she's made a big deal about her weight.  I am proud of her because she's really doing something.  She's hired a personal trainer and has a "chubby buddy" who works out with her.  I think he gets paid to do it, though.

I am also all about this new Jamie Oliver Food Revolution thing. I think health should start young.  And with Parents too.  And with schools. 

There's a bunch of stuff all over the place right now that is all about being right.  Doing right.  Eating and living right.  I am excited about it and I hope it helps.  I need to get back down to when I thought I was just fat.

-jafg

But I Didn't Post

09/22/09

???.? lbs

I can't even provide a good estimation for you today, boys and girls.

I travel in a week.  Travel days suck.  We'll see.

As you can tell, I've been silent on the bloggin front for awhile.  Fuhgeddabout the weekend posting I was so planning on doing this weekend.  Totally didn't happen in case you didn't know.  Crap.  I couldn't even get motivated to sit on my arse and type in a blog this weekend. I did get some things done around the abode which have been neglected since company last weekend.  It was great.  But I didn't post.

Friday I went grocery shopping on my lunch.  I bought Mac 'n' Cheese and Fried Veggie Sticks from the "hotbar" and that was my lunch.  I am very proud to say, though, that I did not buy the Blue Box MnC which often times can find its way into my grocery cart.  It's a guilty pleasure of mine.  Like cereal at night.  I eat cereal like ice cream.  I try to buy Kashi most of the time, but sometimes Golden Grahams or Lucky Charms come to visit.  I also don't eat cereal in a bowl, I eat it from a coffee cup, like my ice cream.  Which I haven't bought in a while.  Yea me!

Cereal and ice cream got me going off on a tangent...

As I was saying, I went grocery shopping on Friday during my lunch break.  This was strategic since the grocery by work was having the best of the sales and I didn't want to grocery-hop this time.  I got bone-in chicken breasts and drum sticks.  Dark meat isn't the healthiest, but baked, it's still not too bad.  My freezer is stocked with chicken parts.  Yum. 

I also got the lean ground chuck which I used some of to make Tacos on Saturday.  I like to get the really lean ground beef like the 94%-6% ratio.  I couldn't find it and Grocery was having a good sale on the family pack "lean" ground chuck.  Turns out this stuff isn't so lean.  The ratio is like 85%-15%.  Yikes.  I cooked the hell out of it, and then drained it off and rinsed the hell out of it, too.  I hope that helped.  I'd like to think it did. 

Anyway, I did this grocery shopping on Friday because I felt a need to unplug coming on.  That means cell phones and computers off, My Friends.  I didn't want to venture out from the apartment once I got home. I like those weekends as much as I like the very sociable weekends.  It was great. But I didn't post.

I'm not lazy when these moods strike, it's almost the opposite.  I start "nesting", know what I mean?  I clean, vaccuum, wash dishes, organize piles, wash clothes, redecorate, that sort of thing.  Most people probably do these on a very regular basis, I do it just enough to make the house livable chaos.  Sometimes, though, toilets just need to be scrubbed.  So I get busy.  This also means, that I'm most likely not going to change out of the jammies until about 6:00pm and then it's just to feel like I got dressed that day. 

I started washing clothes, sheets, towels, and such Friday when I got home.  After I walked up The Stairs twice with damn groceries.  That sucked.  Anyway, my washer was going all weekend (not contsantly, mind you, but I did wash all weekend).  I vaccummed up the bedroom, dusted a bit, and watched Movies on Demand.  It was great. But I didn't post. 

I didn't do the one thing that I wanted to which was try to keep motivated about weight stuff, instead, I unplugged from it.  I was active, I moved, I wasn't just glued to my couch, but I didn't lose poundage this weekend either.  I most likely gained.  I'll be confirming that tomorrow. 

I always drive by the complex gym on my way home and have really started to feel guilty about not being in there.  I've got to do something.  I've got to take action.  I'm running out of excuses to talk about me and my fat and it's starting to weigh on me!  Egad!  Now I have emotional weight, too!?  What the hell?!  My ass isn't enough for me to carry around?!?! 

Something's gotta give here.

-jafg

Dollars and Sense

09/02/09

???.? lbs

I know, I know. What good is a weight watcher if I don't know my weight?

Today's been all about food. Really BAD good food, too. I started off the day with a cinnamon muffin and coffee. Yum. I didn't get a second cup which probably explains my headache right now. I moved to a decent lunch of home-made tuna salad, whole grain bread and Baked Lays. I also had a half a Coke. Note: I didn't have the will power to drink half a Mr. Pibb. I've ended my work day with Snicker Bar and Almond Joy. I've been a very naughty girl. I enjoyed every minute of it.

I've been a busy worker bee today; in meetings, sending emails, updating FB and Twitter. All the important things that fill my day. I even had time to find a new little flashy button for my blog to shamelessly plug that I heart comments. Really. I heart them. A lot.

I've always got my blogpost in the back of my head looking for new angles on life and My Fat. It's not as easy as I make it out to be. Sometimes life has absolutely nothing to do with My Fat. That hurts My Fat's ego, too. Sometimes My Fat just wants to be the center of attention. Hello, World! My Fat is here! Like I said, it's not as easy as it seems.

So I took the elevator (yes, I took the elevator) to go down to smoke. I was standing outside, mildly peaved and equally pleased that I had cheated with the elevator, contemplating today's blogpost. I let my mind wander to what I've thought about over the past few days and thought of the most recent blog I read which was FINE LINE by my good friend Dixie Livin'. She even knows my secret fat girl identity. I've enjoyed adult beverages with her. But, I digress. Her post was about weddings (and was really funny, I highly recommend it) and I was thinking about when I was a large girl in a skinny wedding. Ok! That's what I'll write about. My Fat would have the starring role even if it was from a story in 2005. Sometimes, though, things don't always go according to plan.

I was finishing up the last few puffs of the coffin-nail when this lady walked by. See, there's this cute little neighborhood right behind my work building. No busy traffic at all. I usually see this one guy walking around. He doesn't ever wave back which is why I remember him so well. Anyway. This lady walked by in one direction. Puff, Puff. Contemplation. Then she walked by in the other direction. She'd made her lap, apparently. She bent over and picked something up. My thoughts: "Oh how wonderful! What a conscientious neighbor to pick up litter like that!" O'Contrare M'Onfrare.

I turn around and wave. It's what you do in the South. She waved back rather enthusiatically. She was waving the litter she just picked up. "A DOLLAR!!!! A DOLLAR!!! JACKPOT!!!" That's right, my exercise-challenged friends. She found a dollar. Skinny bitch.

Moral of the story, It really does pay to walk.

-jafg

Which Way Did She Go, George?

08/31/09

285.2 lbs

Hmm.  I just realized I've been doing this whole tracking thing for a month.  Technically, I've lost 2 lbs.  2.    > :-|   I don't know what I think about this.

I have gained a few iFriends. As a matter of fact, I'm totally plagiarizing "iFriends" from Jen is Zen who was one of my first real followers.  It's a cute phrase, right?  Anyway, I really enjoy coming to my blog and scrolling to see all the updates.  I've missed a lot.  A LOT.  I really hate that, it's so hard to catch up. 

Catching up is hard to do. It's hard to catch up with "back on track".  It's hard to catch up with "eating right".  It's hard to catch up with "exercise".  I fell down and scraped my proverbial knees a few weeks ago and just haven't managed to catch up with Momentum.  The bitch is a lot faster than I am.  Once I lost her, I just can't seem to get her to slow down again so I can catch up!  I need help finding her again.  I need to find some Motivation along the way and hop back on Momentum's train, throw my arms out to the side and feel the wind in my hair "I'm Queen of the World!" style, ya know?  Maybe even get a little theme song action in the background...Who knows.  BUT...I have lost 2 very real lbs. 

In honor of my one-month anny, let's look at some positives.  I do take the stairs at work more often than anything else!  Go Me! I do try to eat healthier and snack less at work.  Some days are better than others and some are worse than I'd care to admit.  Chalking this up to a daily struggle, but hey, that's ok.  I've stopped my ice cream consumption almost comlpletely.  Sad, I know.  I miss ice cream a lot.  Snicker Bar? Still an occasional visitor.  So is Mr. Pibb. 

All in all, there have been some changes that have stuck.  This is progress.  Slow, oh so damn slow; but still,  Progress, nonetheless.  I wonder what next month will reveal.  My Fat and I have come to an understanding.  I don't think there's a line in the sand, yet.  But it's coming.  OOOhhhh, it's coming.

-jafg

I Need A Good 12-Step. Really.

08/24/09

285.4 lbs

That's from Saturday. It probably a little higher today, though.

Hello, blogging buddies. Did you miss me? It's been almost a week since my last confession. I mean blogpost. I'm feeling a little shameful about it.

I have been in the most funkiest funk. It started last week. I hit a metaphorical brick wall and am still kinda licking my wounds. Poor me. I crawled in bed at 5:00pm on Thursday and didn't get out until 10:00am Friday. And then I slept most of the day Friday, too. Saturday was a little better. I got out and saw Julie & Julia. Great movie! It's all about blogging and food. What's better than that? I mean, that's pretty much what I do, right?

After the movie, I did what any red-blooded American Woman would do when in a funk. I went shopping. I landed at Target. I heart Target. Especially when it's a Super Target. You get Food and Fashion all in the same place. It's great. I restricted my shopping to things I needed but wouldn't just buy everyday like nail polish. I got a great color. Fantab really. It's a metallic grayish pink. It's on my fingers and toes. In the sun, I look like I have pink chrome on my nails. Awesome. I'll get the name of it tonight and add a Post-Post Script tomorrow.

So, Sunday I still wasn't feeling all shiny and happy so, off to the stores again. I'll share a little make-up tip with you. Sally Beauty Supply has a great line called Femme Couture Mineral Effects. It's great stuff. Really. I wouldn't steer you wrong when it comes to war paint. Also, it's way cheaper than most mineral make-up. WAY cheaper.

I also decided to do my own highlights. Money Saving tips and all. When I lived in Big Southern City, my BFF was my stylist for YEARS. He knew my hair better than I did. The relationship ended when I moved to Beachtown. It took a year to find a replacement. When I did, it was magical. Fireworks and everything! I just moved to Small Southern City 5 months ago. I still haven't met The One. As you can see, I take hair very seriously, so this whole do-it-yourself thing has me a little worried. Keep your fingers crossed.

I decided I need a new top. I went to Avenue after Sally's. It's hit or miss. On Sunday, it was all miss. I'm going to Khol's sometime this week. I heart Khol's, too. I need a top. I need something that makes me feel pretty. Thus, the new do, war paint, and finger/toe nails. A new top will just 'top' everything like a cherry on a sundae. Or nuts, if you prefer.

I had one of those last night. A sundae, that is. This blogging business has made me realize I have a thing for ice cream. Note to self, break up with ice cream. I had to do the walk of shame from my car to my place at the top of The Stairs. At least I got a bit of exercise in the process. Doubt it worked off that fudge.

Funkiest Funk has opened the door to ungood eating. Well, it's been good, but not "good for you". I've tried, but pretty much failed for over a week. See Weight above. I'm almost back where I started. Yea. Go me. I realized something though. I'm addicted to my fat. It gives me an excuse to eat sundaes. I told you this is my love/hate relationship with the world of weight. I wasn't lyin.

As much as I try to change, to shed the poundage, I have to admit find comfort and solace in the buldge. I also love to hate it, too. OMG What is wrong with me??!! I have these arguments with my fat. Sometimes I win, sometimes my fat does. Either way, the battle's not too pretty.

I think I need a 12-step. I've admitted I'm fat-I mean I'm addicted to my fat. Step one down. Now I need to change my ways. I need to do something that is anti-fat. I'm not ready to give up food, so I think I'm actually going to have to start being ACTIVE. Ew. Who wants to be my buddy? There's no talking about my shopping, though.

-jafg

Disclaimer:
Please note that this blog is not making light of other addictions such as Alcohol or Narcotics or such. If you are on your own journey of recovery, I sincerely wish you the best of luck.

I'm Calling a Do-Over!

08/17/09

284.6 lbs

Apparently my fat is very sensitive to carbs and hangovers.

As you all know, I socialized last Thursday. I had a fantab time, too. It was fun to get out with friends on the town. And I do enjoy a good adult beverage. The thing is, the more I enjoy a good adult beverage the more I tend to partake of said good adult beverage. This leads to a night of a very happy fat girl who forgets about fat and focuses only on happy. This in itself is not a bad thing. However, after an undisclosed number of shots, 2:00am seems early and the happy girl just wants to have fun!

I also mentioned I am a serious rationalizer. This skill is only sharpened when adult beverages are added to the mix. As most people lose their ability to think logically as an evening progresses, my logic skills are increased 10-fold. It's very difficult to say no to my persuasive spins. Poor friends.

If you don't partake, then you don't know that the night of one too many will lead to a day of dread. The only thing that soothes the pain is grease-house food. Like Waffle House at 2:30 in the morning. If that 2:30 late-dinner-early-breakfast-date is bypassed, well then, it is a must the morning after. Or at some point in the day if one has a job to report to like me. I opted for a great greasy burger and fries (and soymilk) in the afternoon. And oreos. It was good.

I got home Friday night and my hangover had breakfast. Grits, biscuits, potatoes, bacon and an egg. Holy Crap. I didn't eat the egg. It didn't do too well after the first bite so I gave up on that. The grits were awesome. They had just a hint of colby-jack cheese added. It would seem that this would be enough to just do a person in, but my hangover wasn't finished with me yet. It needed icecream to top the evening off. It should be ashamed.

Saturday wasn't much better. I took a 3 hour nap. This is after having potatoes, bacon, and scrambled eggs for breakfast. It turns out I'm very out of practice from playing on a schoolnight. I was still feeling like shite. I don't think the food had anything to do with it. After I woke up, I realized I needed to go grocery shopping. Being in a very unmotivated state of mind, I opted for fast food mexican instead. At least I'd have to walk down The Stairs and back up again for the sin.

Sunday I woke up mopey. There's just no other word for it. Well, after coffee and a smoke I kicked myself in the ass. I realized that I'd have to face everyone on Monday and report all of this nonsense. I also realized that I still had no food in the house. This is not conducive to healthy living. I pulled out the weekly grocery flyers and tore through each of them. That's three stores, People. I spent my yesterday afternoon grocery shopping. There were some really great deals. I found albacore tuna 10 for $10! I got 15 cans. I also got Amy's Pizza for a really great deal! I had that for dinner last night.

I didn't spread this shopping excursion out over several days, I did it all in one big blowout. This means multiple trips up and down and back up The Stairs. I think that paid the price for my food transgressions.

I guess you could say I fell off the wagon this weekend. It's a good thing I'm not on a diet.

-jafg

Soy Joy

08/14/09

283.2 lbs

Hmmph.


I had fun last night! I had pizza for dinner. With pepperoni and sausage and mushroom. My favorite. I didn't gorge on it like I could have. Two pieces with dinner and one piece later as a "midnight snack". I may have had a few cocktails. I didn't drive. You shouldn't either if you partake of libations.

I also had some friendship bread with my midnight snack. And a glass of soymilk. Thank GOD for soymilk. I'm not joking when I say that either. I brought some with me to work this morning. Actually, the whole half gallon. I find it soothing on days like this. It's cool and refreshing.

When I first was introduced to soy milk, I was skeptical. I bucked up and picked up the glass that was poured for me, gave it a sniff, and then took my first drink. It was vanilla soymilk. It was nutty and sweet and just plain delish. That's when I became a convert.

I couldn't get enough. I still can't. I read the ingredient list one day and realized that Vanilla SM has a lot of sugar. Not surprising, just something I'd not really thought about before. I branched out to Plain SM. I don't buy the "light" versions, because they lose the word 'organic' when they add the word 'light' and they also get ingredients I have to "sound out". Hooked on Phonics Worked for Me! Sorry. It just happened. Anyway. I'll opt for less ingredients for more fat or calories any time. Well, I do use Splenda.

I have no real insights on the world of weight today. I think everyone, fat or skinny, generally feels like shite the day after a night of one too many.


-jafg

P.S.
I'm not taking the stairs at work today.

These Flip-Flops Are Made For Walking

08/11/09

281.0 lbs

Stepping on the scale twice is now part of my regular morning ritual.

I haven't mentioned this before but I live on the top floor of my building. It takes exactly 53 steps to get from the first stair to my door. I know because I count them often. I haven't counted this as exercise because I've been walking them long before "this project" and it's never made a dent in my weightiness.

My best friend and her husband helped move me into this place (a blessing from God, I must say). When it was all done, BF Hubbie said "OK. The next time we see you, you'll have a bikini body because of these damn stairs." They've been back three times and, believe me, there's no bikini body here.

I know exactly how much money to spend to keep the groceries to a managable 1-load trip. I also use the totes because you can get more stuffed into them and the handles will go over my shoulders. I try to avoid any extra trips because those stairs just suck. They make the stairs at work look like child's play. I walk down these stairs in the morning and back up them at night when I get home. Sometimes, I will sit in my car and think "Damn. So close yet so far away."

Well, I did something pretty crazy last night. I was flipping through channels and realized that nothing was on TV. Again. [More to Love comes on tonight] Even the reliable syndicated shows were ones I'd seen too many times to sit through again. So, I decided to go for a walk. This means an added trip down The Stairs. Well, what the hell, I want to increase my activity (the calorie consumption thing I learned the other day made me do it). So, I need to find a pair of socks. I look in my drawer and there's one lonely little white sport sock. Hmmm. I obviously haven't needed any for awhile. After digging through the pile of clothes at the foot of my bed-I lack motivation in many areas of my life-I find a pair of sport socks. Woohoo! I put them on and go to grab my tennies.

I know I've been stepping over them for a few weeks. I recently had them for a four-state marathon which I recently embarked on. By marathon, I mean driving from one state to another and then to a third and then back through the second into the fourth then back home. All in 4 days. That's another blog all on its own. I had my tennies with me because this trip involved furniture and big trucks and stuff. Turns out, I wore flip-flops the whole time so I didn't need the tennies. I got home, lived out of my suitcase for a week, and then unloaded everything. The tennies went on the floor. Well, one did, anyway.

I spent 30 minutes looking for my other shoe. I still don't know where the damn thing is. I looked under my bed 3 times. It never appeared. Oh, remarkably, under my bed is very clean. Nothing there at all. Not even a cat toy or furball. I looked under the dressing table. Nothing. I even pulled the suitcase open and, yep, no shoe. How do you lose one tennis shoe?!? I can't make this stuff up, people.

I could have been defeated. I could have just plopped back on the couch and veg'ed. I did not! I persevered! I was now determined to walk and grabbed my flip-flops. Really, these are not the best items to wear when walking for the purpose of walking. Trust me.

I was pretty active for about 45 minutes last night. I had a 5-minute search for socks and lost a 30-minute scavenger hunt for my one tennie. I took 53 steps down to the main level of the building. I went for a 10-minute stroll around the neighborhood parking lot went to the community mailbox and then back to The Stairs. I then took the 53 steps up to my door. In flip-flops. Go me.

I'm eating a little bite-size Twix right now. But one thing has nothing to do with the other.

-jafg

The Jiggle In the Middle

08/05/09

286.0 lbs.

I had a fantab low-fat taco salad last night. I did use lean ground beef, normally I'd use ground turkey breast, though. I had a small helping of organic blue corn chips, fresh tomatoes, and yummie romane lettuce. It was great! I even made my own taco seasoning which did not include salt so I can control my sodium intake. This is important since I've noticed that my ankles can get a little poofy at times.

This disturbs me. Of all the parts of my body classified as poofy, my ankles have never been one. I don't know if it's because I'm "getting older" or if it's because I've never been this weighty before, but the fact still remains that the ankles are growing at times. I am trying to drink more water and hope that less rides in the elevator are helping.

Speaking of poofy parts and more movement, I want to talk about walking down the stairs. All of us "fat girls" are proportioned differently. Some are top heavy, some have more junk in the trunk, some are just plain packed in from head to toe. I'm of the latter persuasion. To top it off, I've got a lot of jiggle in the middle. Like that? I just made it up. Pretty cute if I do say so myself. I don't know about the rest of you, but I have to look down when I walk down the stairs. It isn't a pretty sight. My jiggle takes on momentum and by time I reach the bottom, I feel like I could be knocking into both sides of the stair rails! Not literally, but damn, close enough. When I laugh I have that bowl full of jello. I love laughing! I hate jiggling! Egad, what a dilema! I let laughing win out every time, though. I enjoy it too much. Back to the stairs...I will keep walking the stairs. I can't wait till I'm looking down and see just a slight vibration. This side-to-side stuff is just awful.

I watched Fox's "More To Love" again last night. I haven't yelled more at the TV since Wes was still on "The Bachelorette". Like, really. My blood pressure is going up just thinking about this show. First of all, my heart is going out to most of these young women. I really am saddened that they're so young and have so much sadness from being overweight. I'm fortunate to be able to have a healthy self esteem and still be "another fat girl" (I want to lose weight, remember?). Someone should spend some time with these ladies and show them that worth does not come from the size of your ass. Or the amount of jiggle in your middle. It's part of what makes you 'you', but it isn't who 'you' are. There's a difference! Bonnie is great. I'm not a fan of her Kat Von D style (I think only Kat Von D rocks that at an A+ level), but she is very comfortable in her skin. Go Bonnie! That's what it's about! Alright then, enough of the Rant.

Oh yeah! I started a Twitter account! Follow me @another_fatgirl. Then you can learn about my daily fights with Mr. Pibb and Snicker Bar. These are mean folk.

It's pretty ugly in my world.

-jafg

Sweet Defeats

08/04/09

286.2 lbs.

Yeah. The weight-truth sucks sometimes. I recently visited some friends at the beach and was given a starter for Amish Friendship Bread. If you don't know what it is, you're missing out. If you do know what it is, then you know my predicament. Once you make your first loaf you're hooked. It's awesome. You can add nuts, different flavors, and pretty much make it anything you like. I just made some banana walnut version of it. OMG. It's to die for. On top of that, the local grocery store had my favorite ice cream pints on sale for $.99. Less than a dollar a pint, People! I bought 2. Okay, 3. Over the course of the weekend I've consumed ice cream (only one pint) and freakin' awesome banana nut friendship bread. This is not part of healthy living.

I'm also on a budget. A tight one. It's difficult to shop healthy and cheaply at the same time. The trick to really good, healthy eating is the number of ingredients in a pre-packaged food item you may be buying. The more ingredients an item has, odds are the less likely it is to be healthy. This is true of the "diet foods" as well. But...have you ever noticed how the less ingredients something has the more expensive it is to purchase? Herein lies the rub so to speak.

I'm a fan of locally grown products. I'm a fan of organic products. These are actually more expensive to purchase than their counter-parts. On some things I won't budge. I will only buy organic soy milk. Fortunately, most stores now have 'store-brand' organic soy milk so I'm pretty good on that. I really prefer to buy eggs from hormone-free, vegeterian-grain-fed chickens. Occasionally, I will break down and buy the cheaper ones, but only when I really have to watch every penny.

I'm trying to buy ingredients for meals to prepare at home and trying to be healthy while doing it. Here's some pointers. Sweet potatoes are better for you than white potatoes and are just as filling. Brown rice has all the fiber retianed while white rice doesn't. Frozen veggies are cheaper than fresh veggies most of the time and you get more bang for your buck. Veggies from the frozen food section really aren't that bad unless you're buying the ones with the cheese sauce. Speaking of cheese, the firmer the cheese is the healthier it is, also (that's true for "female health" as well). With the exception of goat cheese and feta; these aren't too bad in moderation. Moderation is the key. [Insert annoying cliche' alarm, here.]

A good grocery list is a lot like core-wardrobing. You get maximum variety with minimum ingredients. Pick up a few light-cooking magazines. Maybe invest in a healthy cookbook. Read the the ingredient lists and figure out which repeat themselves most often. Taylor those to your tastes and there ya go! You've got a start for a week's worth of menus.

I'm fortunate enough to live in an urban environment where I can shop at several stores that are close to where I live. It's important to review the grocery flyers you get in the mail or in the paper. Figure out where the best deal is spread your shopping over a few days. This is awesome for me because I'm never motivated to go out and get what I need. It's so much easier to just pick up dinner on the way home. Especially when I can buy a pizza that's already cooked for about $7 (I won't say where to avoid any temptations tonight). Or a burger for that matter. Or Bar-B-Q. See, I'm already moving in the wrong direction.

Okay. So, I have been taking the stairs! Only a few times has the elevator been used. One time I was going with someone else and just used the elevator with them (next time I'll be stronger) and the other time I was really freakin' hot from being outside for lunch (southern heat has high humidity) and just plain took the lazy way up to my workspace. I'm being honest! Give me some credit for that!

I still have ice cream in my freezer. I can't imagine I'll part with it down the drain either. I'm going to have to incorporate more movement into my daily routine because of this. I can say that the next batch Friendship Bread I make will be brought into work and shared with everyone else's hips. What are friends for, anyway?


-jafg


P.S. I have my first real follower! Thanks, Peace Turkey, for the words of encouragement! Congrats on the gym membership. You're a stronger woman than I am.

From Shoots and Ladders to Elevators and Stairs

07/31/09

weight: 284.3 lbs

That's from Wednesday. I haven't weighed myself since then. It looks like I've lost about 3 lbs since I started this. Maybe accountability even on an anonymous level really does do good!

So life's been a bit busy over the past few days. I haven't written since Tuesday which means that less than a week into this I've already started slacking off. Great. On a somewhat related note, I do have one comment on my blog-WooHoo! I have a reader! Motivate-Motivate-Motivate!

I did some research this week and watched Fox's "More to Love". It's a plus-sized--boy--meets--lots'o--plus-sized--girls reality/dating/love/show thing. Really, it's a train wreck waiting to happen. I occasionally get sucked into the world of reality dating shows. I watched ABC's "The Batchelorette" this past season. I totally hated Wes. He finallty got kicked off; the bastard.

Anyway, the point is, while everyone ends up making out on these shows, it doesn't happen on the first night. This guy had the cajones to make out with two girls on the first night. One of which while he was sitting next to another girl! Talk about lack of self-respect. It's one thing to lack self-esteem, ladies, it's another to lack self-respect! Just because you're insecure about your weight DOES NOT mean you have to mac on some loser. The show is supposedly about finding your life-mate. Meh. Yeah, right. I'll keep on watching though.

On to why I write today. I have the opportunity to get a little extra "not even trying" exercise in at work. I work on the second floor and take the elevator most of the time. I smoke so there's some up and down action going on during the day. (That sounds a lot worse than I meant it to sound. Sorry Mom!) It occurs to me that I am passing up the chance to burn a few extra calories and maybe shed some of the back-side. I really think about it a lot, truthfully. I think about the stairs when I am heading down in the elevator, heading back up in the elevator, have coffee in my hands, running in from the car when I first get here.... Actually, I run up the stairs quite a bit in the morning. Every second counts. I've decided to start using the stairs no matter what. Coffee is not an excuse! I need to move on to the next phase of this social experiment. ACTION. First we have MOTIVATION. Now I need ACTION.

I think I'll start on Monday.

-jafg