iwant2beaskinnybitch

 Project Skinny Bitch Launch Time 48 hours and counting.

Although I am very confident about the success of my new lifestyle, I am experiencing some cold feet.  I have put my plan out there for all to see.  I have to really do it this time.  Am I really going to live without McDonald’s sweet tea and chips and cheese?! 

The whole thing just seems crazy right now.  What was I thinking? 

I have been drinking sweet tea from either McDonalds or Starbucks pretty much non stop for the last two days.  I have prepared and eaten several forms of nachos.  For dinner (Fam is out of town) I got Applebees Nachos Nueavas curbside today.  I ate a bag of spice drops last night.  Last week I covered my Chinese cravings.  Tomorrow was supposed to start the pizza an pasta marathon but I am feeling really bloated and fear I will miss my window of Italian food before  Project Skinny Bitch begins. 

Rubbing my belly and contemplating my situation as I review my post so far  have come to remind myself that I am in control of the whole thing.  I am choosing to trade certain foods for others.  I am not a victim or a prisoner, I am a doer and a shaker.  Well, maybe a jiggler, but same thing. 

Nobody says I can never have nachos again, but I choose to not eat them until I reach my goal and plan out the PSB maintenance program.

My popcorn timer is going off. Gotta run!

Thanks scaredy cat for the nachos pic!

Okay most of the plans are put to paper.  I spent 35 years insanely happy and healthy and the last 5 negative and ugly.  I don’t want to spend the next 30 years this way, I don’t want to go out this way, and I don’t want to be remembered this way. 

Why do this online?  It’s not original and no one really cares about your plans.

Good question.  I am going about it online because this is where I make my living.  If I make PSB a daily blog it will keep my health and nutrition goals in front of me.  I’ll be more likely to do butt squeezes while I type and less likely to much on the thin mints in my drawer. 

Any other questions?

Will there be pictures?

Heck no!  Maybe later.  For now, though, I don’t even like to be seen going to the mailbox much less floating around in the blogosphere!

Project Skinny Bitch, for me, is about making positive changes where negative ones have crept in. It is about stepping away from the computer and making time for me.  It’s about helping my Family become more independent and successful.  It’s about having more fun with my Family as my time becomes better managed and abundant, and my confidence returns.

What kind of changes will you be making?

• Eating habits.  It will begin with a return to the foods I was eating during my 30 day vegetarian challenge at www.goveg.com.  Then there is a plan to remove an item/food group each week.  Also incorporating a little bit of the MUFA principles.
• Exercise.  I love to workout but dropped my routine 5 years ago because things just got so busy with the adoption and I wasn’t prepared or organized enough for the overnight change. 
• Sleep habits.  I often get ZERO to 3 hours of sleep.  Sometimes I’m trying to get caught up with work or housework and sometimes I’m just too worried.  My energy is low and my skin and bags around my eyes is a concern.
• Time management/organization.  I have some tools I’ll be using to keep myself, the Fam and the house running smoothly, leaving plenty of time for help with homework once school starts, family fun time, and quiet adult time.

What instigated this change?

One day in February I realized that the elements that once caused chaos in my house were no longer present, yet the chaos existed.  The kids were happy and adjusted in their new home and thriving.  But I was still stuck with the 60 extra pounds, house needing maintenance, and piles of “stuff” just everywhere.  My attitude changed that day and I began looking for alternative jobs (i hadn’t had a real estate check in months yet I was still spending time and resources working it) that made better us of my time.  I started reading again.  I think it was just the awareness that I no longer had to sacrifice so much for my Fam.  In fact, I really never had to.   Had I more direction and organization then, I might not be in this position today.

Then in May I read the book Skinny Bitch and suddenly I had direction to go with my new found motivation.  The authors crass language and tough love were exactly what I needed. 

That was months ago.  Why the delay in action?

I have been preparing all along.  What I don’t need is another diet to fail or lose weight quick scheme.  I’ve been juggling those for about three years.  I am developing a lifestyle change.  Something I can live with and not feel deprived over.  I know what it takes for me be healthy, I’ve done it before.  And now I’m doing it again. 

Starting August 1.

I have been hearing that the days of high impact workouts and expensive home workout equipment are over.  I completely agree and disagree.  They all complement eachother and as exercisers I think we just need to switch back and forth every now and then. 

My favorite workout of all time is TURBO JAM.  My first workout video was Jane Fonda when it was brand new.  I was still in High School then and I haven’t stopped enjoying using them since. 

Callanetics was good but got old to me.  The same goes for the whole Buns of Steel and THE FIRM series.  I still get the itch for Tae Bo on occasion so I keep that one handy.  I tried Hip Hop Abs and did not enjoy it because of the music.  The rapping of “Shawn T” is not what was promised to me on the infomercial.  Speaking of music, that brings me to my all time favorite aroebic workout… TURBO JAM! 

If you aren’t familiar, Turbo Jam is a cool mix of strenth, concentration, and dance.  Here are some things I love about it…

1. Chalene Johnson, the instructor is cute and sassy without being annoying.  Her voice and commentary complement the workout instead of distracting from it.
2. The music is appealing and timeless to me!  So often the music in these workouts is so cheesy!  Turbo Jam’s music pumps you up with the energy to keep going.
3. Plenty of variety with the Cardio Jam, the muscle pump, abs, and mini workout for when you’re short on time.
4. The usual cast is enjoyable and not distracting.  They are there to work out, not look cute.  Although they accomplish both!
5. The moves look kind of intricate and fancy and you feel really cool doing them, but they are actually very easy. 

As much as I love my Turbo Jam, though, every couple weeks I shake it up with one of my two back to basics, functional workouts. 

1. Cindy Crawford’s first workout
2. Kathy Smith’s Functional Lower Body Workout

These workouts are kind of old school.  I imagine if going back to basics really becomes a trend, though, there will be a host of new functional workouts to emerge. 

Both of these workouts stand the test of time doing variations of exercises you learned in gym class, weights, and lifting your own body weight. 

As far as equipment goes, I haven’t splurged for one yet, but I don’t think a good quality treadmill will ever go out of style.

Something else that will probably not go out of style is the workout based on the mind-body connection.  As a society we are only going to continue and grow in numbers in our fascination with and pursuit of Eastern Wellness, New Age, Metaphysical, and in harmony with the planet philosophies.  Regardless of “trends” different forms of Yoga and Pilates will complement exercise routines for a long time to come.  (My faves are Denise Austin Pilates and Ali McGraw Yoga!)

If something really innovative and exciting ever comes along I will probably try it.  Until then, my trend is a little bit of everything. 

I have been dabbling in vegetarianism to meet my goal of being happy, healthy, fit, wise, calm and strong by the time I hit 40.  (5 months away!) I did great with my foray into vegetarianism but something was missing from my nutritional plan.  I think I found it!

You have seen the FLAT BELLY DIET everywhere, but do you know what it is?  The nutriotional experts over at Prevention magazine have discovered that certain fats, the good ones, prevent dangerous fat from gathering around the belly.  This is interesting.  Belly fat is not only linked to muffin top, bikiniphobia, and can’t-zip-your-pants-itis, but a host of other more life threatening physical and mental conditions as well.

What are these magical good fats?  Monounsaturated Fatty Acids.  Or MUFAs. How do you get MUFAs?  Through these delicious sources…

1. avocadoes

2. olives

3. oils

4. nuts

5. chocolate

Are you jumping up and down for joy? I did.

The actual fat belly diet has you eating four small meals per day that equal 400 calories.  Part of that 400 calorie allowance must include one serving of MUFA. 

If you want to lose a lot of weight fast and you have the time and resources to keep up with all their recipes I really think it’s a good diet.  But I am not looking for a diet, I need a lifetime change in the way I eat and it has to be something that satisfies me, even though I may have to sacrifice.  “Forever” is a long time to not eat chips and salsa, man. 

Forever is also a long time to commit to eating meals of 400 calories.

What I have decided to do is continue to create some simple, nutritious, meatless meals for me and include one MUFA serving.  And of course some hummus.  It may not be a MUFA but it is a MAMA LIKE.  I don’t want count calories or fat or anything else.  I obsessed over that in my 20s.  In my 40s I will be wise enough to judge my portions without using math and nutrition counters. 

BTW my life change project launches August 1st.  I know it was supposed to launch the day I started this blog but I was naive and unprepared.  Without plan their cannot be action, right?

So what do you think about the MUFA revelation?  At a time when we’re all trying to be healthy and an age where we feel we must sacrifice for everything we pursue in life, it is nice to find some things that we love that can actually help us along our way. 

Remember, though, everything in moderation.  Although GOOD fats, these still are fats and over consumption will have the opposite of your desired results. 

Eat, drink, and have MUFA!

Super cool avocado eyes pic compliments of The Tidal Rabbit at Flickr. See other pics at the link below…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thetidalrabbit/2379137120/

I am not kidding here.  I flew out of Detroit to Orlando last week on Spirit Airlines and on my return flight, which was dreadful, the captain actually called Spirit Airlines the “leader in low class flights.”  Not everyone caught it, but we, the rowdies at the back of the plane, heard it loud and clear.  The statement actually brought a bit of enjoyment to our otherwise miserable experience.  I’m done flying Spirit and here is why.

First of all, I live in Flint, Michigan and we have our own super convenient and wonderful airport there.  Bishop Airport it is called.  I don’t fly that much so I don’t collect points or have a favorite airline.  As long as I fly out of Flint I am happy.

Then along came all the fuss over Spirit Airlines $9 fare club.  Hubby and I joined thinking that we’d catch some $3 fares to someplace like New York that we could have a spontaneous long weekend getaway.  We never got around to that, of course. 

We decided to take the kids to Orlando this summer, though, and found some good prices on Spirit Airlines so we booked it.  Here’s the thing though… by the time we paid luggage fees and seat charges for 4 people two ways, how much money did we really save? 

The margin of savings was not enough to cover the inadequacies of the airlines.

1. The Spirit section of the Detroit airport was a wreck.  They are re-doing it I guess which we are understanding of, but did it have to be sloppy?  The staff was unfriendly, too.
2. The flight crew was snooty and rude.
3. We had to pay for our soda and any snacks we wanted.  What ticked me off the most is the prices were so ridiculous.  They weren’t just trying to cover their costs or avoid losing money, they were making FAT profit. 
4. Our flight was running behind and long and it was full of screaming babies.  Not the airlines fault, I realize, but it was not helping matters. 
5. In addition to the ridiculous upcharges for luggage,  seat assignation, and snacks, we were asked to clean up after ourselves to help Spirit keep their costs low.

OMG!  I thought that was going to be the most memorable part of the flight until those famous last words, “Thanks for flying Spirit Airlines, your leader in low class flights.”  Now I suppose that he probably meant to say, low COST flights and just misspoke himself. But I think he got it right with his actual remarks.  Goodbye Spirit.  I’m keeping my wings at Flint’s Bishop Airport from now on.

What parent has the time or resources to go to rock concerts?  I sure don’t but I do miss those days.  I was fumbling around at StubHub the other day to see if Madonna would be doing any touring in my area.  She IS from Michigan afterall, but she has snubbed us before and it looks like she’s doing it again. 

Now I promise I am not cheating here but I am going to add a link to another blog where I wrote about this very thing.  I am practicing some linking up and cross promoting and stuff and where better to screw up than at another of my own blogs? So click here and we’ll find out together how ridiculous much her tickets cost and whether or not I am getting good with my linking and blogging skills. 

Next time…. My 100% originality is back with a venting rant about Spirit Airlines!  Grrrrrr.

This is off topic I guess except if you consider that this blog is about me and I am a Realtor sooooo…. if I stretch it I think I can use it!

Here is the deal.  I am in pursuit of happiness, health, serenity & success.  You know what keeps getting in my way?  My job!

I used to love it.  I still love my bosses and (most) everyone I work with.  But with the market so bad, the finances a mess, and all the houses being repos, it is pretty depressing.

The worst part is the buyers.  They almost all start out the same.  Happy, excited, a little nervous and fun to work with.  Unfortunately no matter how much I tell them that the selling bank is going to be difficult to work with and will drag the deal out for months, they insist upon going that route. 

Everybody’s looking for a deal in real estate right now.  Who can blame them?  But they truly are not for everyone.  If you are on a time crunch at all, don’t even think about it.

Everyone involved with the bank and their title company will be rude.  They won’t return phone calls and we’ll end up feeling helpless and frustrated. 

I explain all this ahead of time, even citing examples.  Not only do they proceed, but by the time it’s all over, and they’ve suffered tough negotiation, delays, and questionable practices, they are MAD AT ME!

When it comes right down to it, the buyer’s agent is the one stressing out with the buyer and trying to hold the deal together while the out of town lender and over worked title company agent enter into a spitting match with each other. 

I understand that the frustrated buyer needs somewhere (some one) to direct his anger.  I get that. But I am only human too and it takes a toll on me. 

I think I will design a new form to be presented along with the buyer’s agency contract.  It will include details regarding my skinnybitch campaign and quest for health and happiness, as well as include a waiver freeing me of being the target for displaced foreclosure anger. 

Do you think that will help?  Have you had any experience dealing with bank foreclosures?

Oh man I LOST IT today!!! I broke my vegetarian run and failed my 30 day challenge.    I am so disappointed because it could have been avoided if only we had some food in the house.  Just a little hummus would have done the job.

Reasons we don’t have any food…

• Today is Tuesday.  We are going out of town for the 4th of July on Thursday.  I just didn’t see the point in shopping when we have enough odds and ends to get us through.
• We return to town on the 7th, then leave for Orlando on the 10th.  Reconfirms my point… half of what I buy will not get eaten and will go bad before we get back. 
• We are going to Orlando!  I wanna buy stuff!

Now listen, I am not depriving my family.  There is plenty of cereal and mac and cheese and chef boyardee and eggs and salad fixens for them.  But there is nothing that satisfies me.  The nouveau vegetarian.  No peanut butter to fight a craving, no hummus for my cucumbers.  Just raw veggies.  No bread for a vegetable sandwich or tortilla for tofu fajitas.  No Organic  vanilla chai or carrot juice.  Just plain raw veggies. 

I tried to eat them but without my few exotic splurges, I can’t get satisfied.

Without thinking, I took a bite of a little meatball from my daughters spaghetti and meatballs today.  I was upset for a sec but immediately shook it off.  It was just a tiny bite, it was unintentional, I didn’t count it. 

As the day went on I became more obsessed with eating something.  I had some peanuts.  I drank a mountain dew. (not on my “diet” but not breaking my oath.)  Girl scout cookies couldn’t even satisfy me. 

I was toast.

I am not proud to say that I went to the cupboard, grabbed a can of chef boyardee and ate the flesh and noodles right out of the can!  “Crazed” is the only way I can describe the scene.

I am sick to my stomach now and  know I’ll be even more sick later.  To top it all off… it tasted like crap!  I’m still not satisfied!  I’ll probably ravage the house some more when I am done with this post but I am happy to realize what it is I am really hungry for.

Cucumber and hummus.

Ordinarily when the cupboards are bare I crave something like chips and salsa, cheese, bologna… something like that.  But my body is actually now craving the good stuff!!!  This is such a positive step that maybe I am not upset about the slip up at all.  Maybe it is an important step in realizing the good changes that are happening to my body. 

Visually there is some pudge melting off my sides and my clothes fit a little better.  My arms are firming up again.  And now my body no longer craves junk!

I will never run out of hummus again!