Monday, March 26, 2012

Monday, March 19, 2012

Funny Monday



It's a good thing I don't drink any more...


It's a good thing I don't drink any less either...

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Something to think on...

For my Cheerleaders who are also on the same journey as myself...

One thing you may be facing as I am, is that you want to look nice and put together yet, you find your wallet just can't accommodate such drastic changes in your wardrobe.  You don't want to go out in sweats all the time (a hold over from being bigger and trying to hide that nasty fact...doesn't work) and you want to be stylish, yet how do you do it without busting your budget?

I will say up front that I am spoiled, where I live we have a number of consignment shops that cater to the plus sized woman.  Just in case you don't know what a consignment shop is, I'll explain.

A consignment shop is where you take your gently used clothing and the shop sells it for you on your behalf and you get a portion of the sale (usually it's a 60/40 split) so if you take in a pair of jeans and the shop sells them for, say $10.00, the shop gets $6.00 and you get $4.00 (or the other way around, just depends on how the shop has it set up) and if you're really lucky, you can get store credit at a higher price (say store credit for $5.00 instead....so you can shop in the store for what you just sold) so it just depends on how the store owner has their personal policies in place.

Some stores will have it set up that if after a month the items don't sell you can come back and pick them up and be on your way or you can sell them to the store for a flat rate.  Again, it just depends on the store.  For some stores they will buy the clothing outright and resell them at a marked up price (think Plato's Closet) which is fine, but I think you probably don't make as much on the clothing.  However we're talking about purchasing here, not selling.  Although, keep the selling in mind, we'll get back to that.

What I've been so fortunate for is that where I live, there is one of these shops and I've established a rapport with the owners.  As it turns out, The Wonder One used to work with the owners' husband many years ago!  Talk about your small worlds, eh? lol  They both (the owner and her husband) are very honest and forthright and helpful.  If you ask for their honest opinion, they'll give it to you.  If you don't want to know the truth, don't ask them!  The great thing is, I've gone in there with $30.00 in my pocket and walked out with a darn near full wardrobe!  The selection is and always has been great.  So I would recommend looking in the yellow pages (yes, an actual phone book) to see what you have in your area and frequent the shop.  You'll be amazed at what you find.  The best part?

As you lose weight on your journey, you can take your gently used, well cared for items BACK to the shop to resell and repurchase other smaller items.  It's what I've done.  I've also bought some very nice leather winter coats there as well, so don't rule it out.  My style is such that I'm not into overly trendy clothes as it is, and when I go to buy clothes I look for clothes that don't scream a specific time period.  That way the clothes can stand the test of time and can be worn for many years, either by you, or others who would maybe purchase them after you.

Just something for you to think on Cheerleaders. 

Hope it helps.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Seen along the path during last night's walk...


This goose had a mate but I couldn't get a picture of the two of them together.  They were just walking around and across the path in front and then behind us as we walked past.  Yes, I said as we walked past.  They took hardly no notice of us and kept right on going.  I asked The Wonder One if he wanted to have some fun and run with them, but he said no.  Personally I think he may have been fearful that they would've bum rushed him, lol.  They were laid back when we were just walking by but I think if we'd been running or running towards them, it would've been a different story entirely!

It's Wednesday...

Good Morning Cheerleaders! 

Sorry my posting has been so lean this past week and I have to tell you up front, it most likely will be for the next week or so.  The reason being is that I got a new job and it's keeping me busy and on the run.  When I get home at night I'm exhausted and darn near falling into bed! 

I did get a good walk in last night with The Wonder One and I'll post the most adorable pic I took on that walk later this afternoon when I get home from work.

But right now I'm sure you're wanting to know how I did this week, right?

Well, I have to say, I'm sort of disappointed.  The reason being is because I was certain I was going to be a loser.  In a good way of course.  But I wasn't a gainer either (in a bad way, natch!) so for that I'm glad.

Looking back on the week, I didn't get to work out like I wanted to because I worked so much (both jobs, back to back on some days) and my Weight Watcher plan wasn't followed to the point as I would've normally liked because of the time crunch.

As I get used to this new adjustment, it'll just be a matter of figuring out what it'll take time organization wise to make it all work together.  The first step in it all was that last night The Wonder One showed me a really nice fitness path right next to where the new job is that is 1.2 miles so that is REALLY good for a start.  I can get that done right after work most days before I even get in the car and then BOOM my workout is done without even a second thought. 

Thank GOD for The Wonder One!!  I love that man!

Monday, March 12, 2012

Just a few tips from one of my pals...

I know that for the newbie going to the gym, you wonder "Newbie...should I wear make-up?  Would I be taken seriously in my workout endeavors?"  So I turned to a friend of mine for some answers and this is what she had to say on the matter...


A big thank you to Kendyl S. for her giving me permission and the chuckle this video provided.  (Sorry but I never laughed so hard at the line...."You're not there to be healthy, you're there to get a date")

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

It's Wednesday...

Hey Cheerleaders!

We got something to cheer about!

This week's efforts and diligence brought forth some results I'm proud to say......that I'm a big fat LOSER!

I lost 2 pounds this week!  WooHoo!  Taking my grand total to 40 off and I'm down to 246!

YaY me!  Even with Aunt Flo in town to pay me a horrible visit (the bitch) and the need for chocolate overran all other sane synaptic firings in my head, it seems as though getting my shoes laced back up made the difference.  Which let's face it.  I knew it was just a matter of time that I was going to have to start really working back out again.  I had to.  You eat everyday, you should workout in some form or another for at least 20 minutes everyday.  At least that's how I look at it.  So I'm off to a good and practical start.

Give me time, I'll be buying clothes like my inspiration dress!

My wallet will be in tears....so will The Wonder One, lol.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Discovered...

So today while I was working out I was continually inspired once again by my dream dress.

lol Yes, I am not one to be easily dissuaded from this one.  So once I was done with my workout I went back to Banana Republic to see if maybe it was in the store.  Turns out it was!  Oh my GOD!  It does exist Cheerleaders!  *SWOON*

Of course it's not in my size...grrrr....but that's okay.  I can live with that, hence why I am calling it my inspiration dress, lol.  I do have to say though that I have to give props to the model in the print campaign.  She wears the dress well.  The rack that it was hanging on, did not do it justice at all.  I explained to the sales girl how the dress inspired me to keep walking and she explained that it sold out extremely fast online and that was why it wasn't showing up online.  So please forgive the photograph, the store lighting sucks butt.  That and the dress just does not hang well on a non human form.

I can not WAIT to be able to go into any store I want and pick what I want off the rack and buy it.  This is the sort of thing I'm going to start using for inspiration to keep me moving.  What do you think Cheerleaders?

Mad Med Inspiration Dress to keep moving

Monday, March 5, 2012

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Something I discovered today along the way...

The Wonder One and I went walking today and I got 25 minutes logged.  YaY me!

The one amazing thing that I learned during my walk, well, make that two things I learned....

A. I learned that when having killer cramps, a good walk will help with the pain better than any pain killers I've tried (besides Vicodin of course!  Because let's face it, Vicodin is my friend....).  I mean seriously, I have cramps that would stop an elephant and leave him whimpering for his mommy in a pool of his own piss and vomit.  They are THAT bad.  I talked to the OB about a variety of different options, he felt they weren't right for me and felt the only right one is the pill he put me on.  Yet it does nothing for my cramps, which are still killing me.  Grrrrr.

Oh yeah, the other thing I learned during my walk today...

2.  I love walking at the mall.  The one where I go walking at is pretty easy.  You walk hugging the wall and do a lap on each level (there are two of them) and you've just completed a mile.  The thing that will motivate me to walk?  Looking at the gorgeous clothes as I pass by!  Apparently the show Mad Men on AMC is a raging success.  So much so that this spring is going to see an influx of design in fashion and beauty.  Estee Lauder has a couple of items inspired by the show as well as Banana Republic has this one dress....oh this one dress....but anyways, it is enough to get me to the mall to walk my butt off. 

If for no other reason than to have no more back breaking cramps and to see that dress.....funny odd note...when I went to find the dress for you all to drool over it as much as I did, lo and behold, it's not there!  You read that right, it's not on their website.  I scoured that site left, right and center to find that dress figuring if they are having it in the print campaign they very well can't be having just the men's clothing for sale and not the ladie's dress?  Right?  I dunno Cheerleaders.  Go take a look here and look for the man and woman and the dress I was drooling after was the cream colored boat necked dress with the sage green sash.  Don't wrinkle your nose just yet.  Wait till you see it!  It's gorgeous!

Friday, March 2, 2012

Blasting in my ears right now...

Found this young lady by total happenstance (love when that happens!)  Enjoy!


Never really paid much attention to this particular artist until I started watching The Voice this season. I really enjoy the premise of the show so much more than American Idol.  At least on The Voice no one is made fun of or mocked.  Over on AI some contestants are destroyed while on The Voice they are at least built up and given constructive criticism.