Biggest Loser: Family Edition

A few weeks ago, I told my mom that I wanted to lose weight. It will be better for my back, better for my health in general and, let's face it, I hate how I look in pictures these days. She presented me with an option, a challenge, so that I wouldn't have to go after this goal alone. She and my oldest sister, Sarah, are going to start their own version of the The Biggest Loser with me. The competition begins tomorrow and will go until June, around the time that my family is coming to visit me in New York. Each of us gets to choose our own diet and work-out routines because we have different lifestyles and bodies (for example, I can't work out much because of my back so my diet will be very important while I work my strength up). We will weigh in using our Wiis to keep track of each other. I have been ordered to take a picture of my weigh-in on my phone so they know I am not lying...I have ordered the same in return. At the end of the competition, the person with the greatest weight loss percentage wins. We decided to go with percentage because we are all different heights, weights, etc. The winner of the challenge will get $100 from each person to go shopping. So the incentive to win has four sides: to lose weight, to be beat them, to win money and to not have to pay money. It's on!


I told Bill about our challenge and he told his mother and they are now in their own competition, though theirs will be based on pounds lost and a bit different. This excites me! I knew he'd be willing to diet with me because he has told me he wants to eat better but now he has the incentive to win. Like me, he doesn't like to lose. So I now have a support system in my house and we are ready!


So what is our diet plan? Well, one of my doctors told me a while back that carbs aren't the best for my back because they cause inflammation in the body. I've also noticed that carbs make me feel heavier and that Bill seems to have some problems digesting gluten-filled foods. The day before I left Colorado to return home, I watched "The View" with mom and Elizabeth was showcasing gluten-free foods from her new book. I was surprised. The foods looked so, so normal! They looked edible yet they were supposed to be better for me. So I purchased Elizabeth Hasselbeck's book "Deliciously G-Free" and I've been reading it since it arrived. I'm not saying we are going to go 100% gluten-free. We are going to start using some of these recipes instead of our heavier gluten-filled ones and we are going to be looking at a lot of gluten-free foods. We are also going to to be going low-carb, high protein and adding in fruits and vegetables. Basically, we are eating healthier. This is more of a lifestyle change than a diet because I don't want to "end" the diet and go back and gain my weight back. 

As for exercise...well, I can't exercise with my back so I am hoping I will slowly build up on my walking time and add in light weights and work my way up. That's pretty much all I can do. Bill is going to take advantage of the campus gym and also start running again. We have a good plan set up and I am excited to see it in motion.


So, the challenge begins tomorrow. I let Bill have what I call "last meals" before we started. This means we ate at some of our favorite places because we won't be seeing them for a long time and we won't be seeing them nearly as much as we used to. They will now be treats and treated as such. Our last treat will be going to All American Burger tonight (if you haven't heard of this place, it's like the mecca of hamburger happiness in Long Island...so yummy but so horrible for you). Tomorrow, the diet begins. I'll be doing weekly updates on our progress. This will be added incentive because I will not only have my family holding me to this but anyone who read this blog. For the sake of my own pride, I won't be putting my weight on this, only the weight lost. Maybe at the end I'll feel brave but until then this will have to do. I'll update on our progress and hopefully find some yummy, good-for-you meals to share.


I guess that's it. Wish us luck!

Tebow: The Answer to a Broncos Fan's Prayers?

Alright, before anyone accuses me of jumping on a bandwagon I want to make a few things very clear. I was happy when we drafted Tim Tebow, I DIDN'T buy his jersey until after I saw him play and I waited not-so-patiently for Kyle Orton to get the boot. Now that we can put this aside, I'll answer the question posed in the title of this blog post: Yes, Tim Tebow is our answer. I don't care if you are Christian or not, this isn't a religious posting, though I am a Christian. If it makes you feel happier inside, pretend the question was "Is Tim Tebow the hope for the Broncos' future?" Happy? OK, good, that's another thing to mark off the list of sensitive subjects and now we can get down to the matter at hand, Tim Tebow.

What a happy draft day it was for me!

I have spent every day that I work with my male co-workers defending Tebow. "He can't throw," "He's a college quarterback," "He's a running back." I've heard all of these comments and I don't care. Tebow doesn't make the calls so it's not really up to him to make the decision to throw all the time. Give the kid a break. The entire week leading up to the Pittsburgh game was full of news commentators and sports critics saying that Denver didn't have a chance of winning. Well, we won! I honestly think that Tebow thrives off of being doubted. Did you see how ampted up that boy was? It was like he drank 20 Red Bulls and went skipping around the field with enthusiasm. That's what I like to see! The only thing missing for me was him waving sparklers in a frenzied manner. He wants to win and prove himself! The poor guy has been fighting to prove himself all season. If he won it was a fluke or a 4th quarter miracle. It can't just be a win, it has to be a win that is up for debate but let's look at the facts. Tebow went 7-4 after replacing Orton. Yeah, Orton was 1-4. The Broncos ended up 8-8 and won the AFC West. I'm not saying this is a rock-star record but it got the Broncos into our first playoff game since 2005. 

See how amped he was?!

Where's the sparklers Tim?

It's been a long, lonely road for Broncos fans these past few years. I'm not saying we were the saddest team in the NFL but we got close. Then we got Tebow. If anything, this gave fans hope. Then us fans waited...and waited....AND WAITED until we finally got to see what he could do. Now, we are in the playoffs and we took down the Steelers. Still, they doubt him. If you look at his stats, I understand a little bit. His career completion percentage is a 47.3% which is pretty meager no matter how you try to paint it. However, he threw for  316 yards in the game against the Steelers and it finally felt like they were letting him do his job, whereas it's felt like they have been restraining him for quite some time. I'd also like to point out that someone has to CATCH the ball, not just throw it. Let's take a look at the whole offense when we have problems, including the play calling, not just the quarterback. 

"See? This is what happens when you

believe I can win!"

So tomorrow the Broncos face the Patriots and, once again, Tim Tebow will be called into question by millions. Well, for this Bronco fan, all I have to say is that he already proved himself to me. I hope they win but my support of Tebow isn't contingent on it. Whatever happens, I hope in the off-season that they take Tim aside and work with him because I see a lot of potential in him. This is our future, Broncos fans, don't screw it up by doubting him over and over. Remember our hero John Elway? He went 4-6 his first year with a completion percentage of 47.5% (and, side note, the highest his completion percentage ever got in a season was a 63%). He needed time and so does Tebow. Give him the time and let's see what an amazing quarterback he can be. Go Broncos! Let's kick some Patriot butt!

My helpful references:


http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElwaJo00.htm
http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13200/tim-tebow
http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/13200/tim-tebow


Pictures: 
http://www.nflpassers.com/its-official-tim-tebow-is-the-new-broncos-starter/
http://behindblondiepark.com/2010/08/30/tim-tebow-causing-a-buzz-in-denver/
http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120109/SPORTS/201090310/Tebow-Broncos-stun-Steelers-by-scoring-first-play-overtime
http://www.northjersey.com/sports/Broncos_Tim_Tebow_stun_Steelers_in_OT.html
http://www.myspace.com/thepigdaddy

Goals NOT Resolutions

I've never done New Year's Resolutions. I don't like them because I know if I make them I will just break them. New Year's Resolutions to me are like assigned reading lists: no matter how much I want to read the book on the list, it's required now so I really don't want to read it. The same thing goes for "resolutions," once they are put on paper I don't want to do them. Even if I wanted to lose twenty pounds or exercise more or whatever, it's now on a list and that takes away some of the appeal. I've always decided to make goals for myself instead but still I don't always follow through. Well, my friend Kortnee has inspired me to write down my goals because of her latest blog. So, call me a copycat (and then I'll call you five years old) but here's my list of goals. I figure if I write them down (or type them up) then I can be held responsible for them. 


Here we go:


1.) I am going to finish editing and adding to my novel from NaNoWriMo (ReWitched). 


2.) I am going to submit my novel to at least 4 publishers.


3.) I am going to finish one short story a month and put it up for sale on Kindle. At the end of the year, I am going to compile the stories into an anthology and add a new story and put it up for sale. (This one may look ripped from Kortnee's list but we made the goal together so it works.)


4.) I am going to start seeing the chiropractor at least once a month. You see, I have been putting off my visits, saying that we could use the money for something else. It's true, the bills add up but so does my pain. So, I am going to start making sure I go frequently to keep my back in shape. 


5.) Bill and I already decided to start eating better. I am going to add to this and say I am going to cut down my portion sizes. I have a bridesmaids dress to fit in for November. More importantly, my back needs less weight to make it feel better. My goal is 30 pounds or 2 dress sizes (not sure which will come first).


6.) I am going to finish my novel Everything You Want, a novel I have been working on for YEARS and have in my head and need to transcribe to paper. 


7.) I am going to do my back stretches before bed at least four times a week. I am thinking Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday so that I have a break in between. 


8.) I am going to read at least one book for pleasure a month. This is huge when you have a large pile of assigned reading...have I mentioned I hate assigned reading?


Alright, I think that's enough goals for one post. I wouldn't want to overwhelm myself. Thank you Kortnee for giving me the added kick I needed to put these down. I am thinking I will do blogs to follow my progress on my weight loss. I will also keep everyone updated on my writing. Until then, I hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year! In 2011, I made great strides to being the person I want to be. I moved, I enrolled in graduate school and I did something very important to my health: I let go of a lot of resentment that I was holding in for a few people. I stopped letting them have control over me. So that was 2011, I hope 2012 leads to even more growth. Here's to 2012 being a great year!

Oh and I am going to the beach more...

That's not a goal, it's a reality. :)

I love quotes so here are some quotes to push you toward whatever goals you want to accomplish this next year. Feel free to share your goals in the comment box (I always love to hear other people's goals).

"You can decide right now that negative experiences from your past will not predict your future."

-Terri Cole-

"When it comes to the future, there are three kinds of people: those who let it happen, those who make it happen, and those who wonder what happened."

-John M. Richardson, Jr.-

"Losers live in the past. Winners learn from the past and enjoy working in the present toward the future."

-Denis Waitley-

"The important thing is this: to be ready at any moment to sacrifice what you are for what you could become."

-Charles Dickens-

"It takes a deep commitment to change and an even deeper commitment to grow."

-Ralph Ellison-

"No one is in control of your happiness but you; therefore, you have the power to change anything about yourself or your life that you want to change."

-Barbara de Angelis-

(Thanks to these sites for the pictures:

http://www.maurilioamorim.com/2011/08/becoming-a-change-agent/

http://www.ideachampions.com/weblogs/archives/2011/04/1_it_is_not_the.shtml

http://jonesbeach.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=100058)

Books as Art

I've always considered literature to be works of art. Now, artists are taking this idea to a whole new level. Artist Guy Laramee carves books into sculptures and make amazing 3D landscapes. Here are some pictures of his work from his duo series The Great Wall and Biblios:

Now, the art lover in me is seeing these pieces and marveling at how beautiful they are and wondering how Laramee created them. However, the book lover and author in me is going, "What did you do to those books!?" This especially happened when I saw the sculpture that said "rare books" in the description, meaning rare books were used. Take a look:

These are really cool but I don't think I could tear apart a book. The nerd is me is screaming right now. What do you think? 

My New Addiction: Once Upon A Time

Once Upon a Time is ABC's new Fall show that airs on Sundays at 8/7 central. I don't have cable yet (haven't gotten it since the move) so I was really disappointed that I would have to miss this show since I'd been looking forward to it since I saw the preview for it in the summer. Luckily, I recently found that ABC has all of the episodes on their website. I had thought they only did this for the reality shows but I am so happy that they are putting these up because now I can catch up. I started watching the shows two days ago and am already almost caught up.  In fact, I have one show left until I have to wait for new episodes like the rest of the world. The reason I caught up so quick is that this show is purely awesome!

I am a huge fan of fairy tales. I studied the works of Grimms, Hans Christian Andersen and more in college and I always love a good modern twist on the classics. Here I must emphasize the word good. A good twist pays tribute to the classic while creating a new entity. Once Upon a Time does this! I was excited yet skeptical when I saw the previews, now I am sold. The story centers on the idea that the Wicked Witch, in her revenge against Snow White, put a curse over the entire realm of fairy tales that sent them into a realm where there are no happy endings, aka the modern world we live in. This sent all of the characters to a place called Storybrooke, Maine. The only hope of breaking this curse comes in the form of Snow White and Prince Charming's daughter, Emma, who was sent to this realm magically before the curse hit. Now all of the characters are trapped in this small town with no memory of their former lives unless Emma can break the curse. She isn't aware of where she came from either and is less than convinced when she is told this tale from her long lost 10-year-old son (given up for adoption) who has tracked her down to break the curse. He found out about the curse in his fairy tale book and, though everyone tries to convince him it is just a story, he is determined to free the characters from the realm. Are you still with me? I promise it's not as confusing as it sounds. Once you start watching, you pick up what you are meant to know and are slowly given the rest of the information.

(Emma)

The show transitions from the fairy tale land and to present time Storybrooke seamlessly and each realms' stories mirror the other's. Also backing up this show is a great cast. Ginnifer Goodwin plays Snow White and what's great is that Snow White isn't an ordinary damsel in distress, she pretty much kicks butt! Jennifer Morrison plays Emma, the one who is the hope for the characters even if she doesn't want to be. Lana Parrilla plays the Wicked Queen and does a great job of portraying evil but an evil that you know has more to it than just the stereotypical bad-guy personality. Robert Carlyle plays Mr. Gold, aka Rumpelstiltskin, and he is convincingly creepy and crazy yet humorous to the point that you want more. There are so many good portrayals in this show that I could go on and on. I will mention one more though. Jared Gilmore plays Henry, Emma's 10-year-old son that she gave up for adoption at birth, and that young boy does an amazing job! He keeps up with the adult actors around him and is adorable.


The show is from two of the writers from LOST, Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsi. I never watched LOST but that show managed to last for a long time so I am hoping Once Upon a Time lasts for a while. It's already been renewed for the rest of the season, new episodes begin in January, so I am hoping it stays around for at least a few years because the lighthearted humor mixed with some serious points creates a nice blend that I like to watch. If you like fairy tales, you should like this. Don't get too busy examining them to see if they match up (although, so far, I am finding a lot of similarities), just enjoy the show...I know I am!

Evil Queen

Mr. Gold

Henry

Snow White

Ebook Release: "Sparkly Retail Death"

My second short story, "Sparkly Retail Death," is now available for purchase from Amazon. It can be read on Kindle or on the Kindle app for iPads, PCs and MACs. Thank you to Kortnee for all her hard work editing and to Neil Wells for my awesome cover! Thank you also to my wonderful support system for pushing me forward with your encouragement. Bill, mom, dad, Sarah, Gabe, Kortnee, you are a few of these wonderful people and I can't tell you how much it means to have you behind me. (These are just a few, there are more. Sorry if your name isn't listed.) Thank you also to my followers on here, twitter and facebook for the ongoing support.

Story Description: (Short Story) Jeff has been working as a manager in a retail store for the past two years. Every day is a struggle as he works with rude customers and dim-witted employees. There is finally hope for him when he receives a call to interview for his dream job but, when he is faced with a night of working with his two worst employees, this hope might prove to have arrived too late.

Hope you enjoy!

Tales From an Insomniac

Once again sleep has decided it doesn't like me. I don't know what I ever did to sleep. I was faithful to it, I even took naps often! I enjoyed sleeping in, rolled up nice and warm in my comforter. Sleep and I had a great relationship. Then something happened...sleep left me and ran far, far away. Well, if you want to get technical about it, I was in a car accident and was cursed with Stress-Induced Insomnia.


For a while this meant that I wouldn't get to sleep until about four or five in the morning and I'd often only sleep a few hours due to pain. Slowly the lack of sleep built up against me until I was becoming a bit of a mental nutter butter. This is when I was put on sleep meds...ones that didn't work. I tried a bunch of over the counter medicines that didn't work and was then introduced to Ambien. Ambien worked, it knocked me out cold but it also didn't allow me to wake up very well. I was a zombie for half of the day and, if I had to be up by a certain time, it was worthless because of how incoherent I was. I started refusing to take it so that I could make it to appointments on time which then led back to, you guessed it: NOT SLEEPING. This is when one of my doctors suggested Melatonin, a natural sleep medicine. 


The Melatonin worked. I would drift slowly off to sleep, stay asleep and wake up feeling mostly refreshed. The only problem was I had to make sure I got a good eight hours of sleep in so that I wouldn't have troubles waking up. I used the Melatonin long enough to ease my sleeping pattern into a more normal time of going to sleep around midnight...still not normal, but better. It seems I am now stuck in this pattern as I now don't usually take my Melatonin. I got tired of calculating when I would have to be up and now I just suck it up and sleep when I can.


I know I need to start taking my Melatonin again but I hate set bedtimes. I also hate pills of all kinds and I tend to get a lot done in the middle of the night. Tonight I wrapped presents and a few weeks ago I decided to randomly clean the bathroom. My wonderful boyfriend sometimes wakes up surprised because he didn't hear me do things (like clean the bathroom). Anyway, I sit here again missing sleep. I love sleep. Sleep just doesn't seem to love me anymore. I was the child who could sleep through a tornado and fall asleep within minutes. I can still sleep through a storm, it's getting me to sleep that's the issue. 


Now I sit here thinking that I should just take a pill...but then I might not wake up early enough to finish my to-do list. Maybe I'll just start taking them again tomorrow and suffer one more night. I accept that the insomnia is partially my fault now but I don't feel like correcting it tonight, not when I've gotten so much done.


*In my midnight wanderings I found some fun stuff. There's a comic below and here is a website that lists poems about insomnia. Some of them are kind of funny, some are a bit depressing so read with care.*

(Thanks Paulette for the cartoon.
Click it to enlarge it.)

And if anyone is curious this is a site on Insomnia cures and treatments...I may be reading some of this.