** The “Skinny” on Dieting and Exercise

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I am a 43 year old woman who comes from a family of weight gainers. It’s called the “(insert last name here!)-BUTT”! That means we gained it in the rear area first and of course we never looked at our rears so we didn’t see the weight gain until it was too late.

I grew up watching my mother, sisters, aunts and cousins weights go up and down all the time. My mother had a closet full of pants hung in order from size 9 to size 32 and she just breezed through the different sizes, every year, like they were a smorgasbord!

My weight gain came in my late 30’s…luckily I was a “late bloomer” in that aspect. The weight gain was during Christmas one year…I will admit that I had an addition to eggnog and rum (and there are no ‘eggnog support groups’ out there, so I did have to kick this addition on my own…). I mixed and drank that evil drink like a person would drink ice tea with a sweetener during the summer…one after another. To make a long story short…I gained 30 lbs! I also should mention that I never get on a weight scale other than the one trip to the woman doctor every year…I just thought my husband was shrinking my pants in the dryer…denial!

Jumping ahead in time…exercise and diets did not and do NOT work…I don’t care who you are! I had to do something…size 5 to size 12 is not attractive, especially when it all goes to the BUTT area. The only nice thing about gaining weight is that my breast size went from a small A to a beautiful size B!!! But……the larger breasts weren’t worth the risks to my health due to the weight gain.

I have a great friend who is a personal trainer in Arizona who clued me into a way to shed weight fast and safely without a strict “eat this, eat that”. Thankfully, exercise was not a requirement….yippy!

What is this secret? PROTEIN and lots of it!

I start every day with a Whey Protein shake…a minimum of 50 grams of protein (the more, the better!). The whey powder protein is found at any Wal-Mart. Do NOT buy the premixed shakes…they contain too much sugar. Then as the day progresses, anything you eat should contain MORE protein, than sugar content (read the labels folks!). Also, remove as much white sugar and white bread as possible from your meals…throw out the buns at McDonalds and just eat the meat (if you must go there…yuk!). What other foods have good high protein in them you say? Tuna (straight out of the can…don’t add mayo!), oysters, pink salmon, peanut butter, fish, beans, nuts, bacon, eggs, white cheeses are good for you as well. If you crave anything else before dinner time, then drink another protein shake. You should be eating/drinking at least 145 grams of protein per day, always starting in the morning. Add in a multi vitamin, fish oil capsule and vitamin D…at least. Give yourself a week to get use to this high protein diet. You may feel like you are starving the first week, but let your body get use to the change and it will curb your appetite big time!

I STILL drink my skinny white chocolate double shot in the am…I STILL eat a big huge sinful dinner…I STILL drink my red wine etc…but have lost those 30 lbs in just a little over a year. I have now started a few exercise classes at the rec center…why? NOT to lose weight….but to tone up this hot 43 year old body and be ready for bikini season! (and to make people think might be in my 20’s or 30’s…LOVE being carded at the bar!!)

Maybe this is my own personal opinion….but dieting and exercise don’t work to lose weight…they are an emotional rollercoaster ride, that’s all! Change the way you eat NOW and you will enjoy your life the older you get!

HAPPY PROTEIN-ING!!!!

♫ My Heart Still Alive

For lack of blogging motivation, and sticking to a promise I made last month of blogging daily...I'm sharing something I wrote last summer. See how much I love ya'z?

Driving is my heaven, the wheel as my guide
The road tempts me to continue, God holding my hand
Singing aloud to me alone, I cant remember last I cried
My heart starts to scream, my soul is alive

My world seems to grow smaller every day
I would give anything to disappear, fly away
My heart in one place, my mind in another
Just keep my car moving, let my will stay strong
I have to keep stepping, life always goes on

I will learn to forgive, learn to love the things that I cannot heal
Just help me find the courage, to change what I cannot bear
Regardless of pain, unheeding consequence
Don’t let me make the same mistakes that left me broken yesterday

I know I’m alive, enough to feel pain
I’d give anything to feel alive, anything to love again
Lonely has no bounds, no limit to its reach
Every part of me can feel it, it goes soul deep

I realize that I’m not deserted or alone in this fight
My girls, my friends, my God, are still standing by my side
I will win this battle, my strength will be restored
Driving is my heaven, the wheel as my guide

I will learn to forgive, learn to love the things that I cannot heal
Just help me find the courage, to change what I cannot bear
Regardless of pain, unheeding consequence
Don’t let me make the same mistakes that left me broken yesterday

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Whooopa! My track to getting in "Bikini Shape"!

It seems that when spring time starts finally unburying its pretty face from the drifts of winter, everyone gets motivated to get healthy, tan, fit, bikini or speedo-ready. That time of year is arriving, and I am guilty as charged. That extra boost of motivation to look good came about a month ago, and as much as im not diligent in my habits yet, I already look 3 pound lighter, two shades darker, and more toned by the week. So, in light of the beautiful weather today, I thought I’d try to help you get motivated, give you some fresh ideas for getting fit, share some of my secrets. ;)

#1. Vitamin B.
Vitamin B is loaded with goodness. These little suckers boost immunity (psh. What vitamin doesn’t, right?), they boost LONG TERM energy, so not one of those rinky-dinky energy shots, but actual real energy that lasts all day. They convert our love-ly carbs TO energy. They health-i-size your hair, nails, and skin. And, for you party animals: a huge secret, they reduce, or completely nullify, all hangover symptoms. Take one pill right before you hit your slumber after playing hard, and you will wake up normal.

Any multi-vitamin has Vitamin B in it, and if you are already on a vitamin regiment, check that before adding more to it. You’ll just lose all that money you spent on that extra vitamin b right down the toilet. It’s my favorite vitamin though, at least these days.

#2. Green Tea!
You’ve heard the hype. Im going to reiterate that hype though. Green tea is huge. It’s been proven better for you even, than just water! The benefits:

*Helpful in preventing all types of cancer
*Reduces high cholesterol levels
*Reduces cardiovascular disease (translated: it’s good for your heart, which is what keeps you functioning at the gym)
*Prevents all types of infections
*Helps reduce and prevent tooth decay
*AIDS DIETING. This is the big one for this blog. It’s been shown that people that drink tea over water during high-exercise times (not DURING your workout, but during your life when it become active) actually burn more calories than people drinking soda (obviously), and even water!

#3. ZUMBA!
I’ve officially been to a Zumba class, twice. It is the most awkward form of exercise ever known to man. I cannot guarantee that you will not feel out of place, awkward, huge, uncoordinated, and lacking rhythm. You white folk, will feel WHITE. Rhythm walks out the door when you walk in. Your arms might as well detach they lack so much dancing ability. It’s one of those things, that you have to do more than once, to really appreciate it.

What is Zumba??

It’s a "dance workout". Latin and International dance to be specific. It’s dynamic, exciting, and hugely effective in immediate weight loss and toning. You burn anywhere from 600-1000 calories per one hour class, and don’t even know it! (Ok, well it’s not completely painless, but fun enough you notice the pain less.) You learn the basic steps of the meringue, salsa, cumbia, mambo, samba, flamenco, belly dancing, and more.

What are the benefits? Ah. I thought you’d never ask!

*It’s infectious. You’re exhausted when you’re done but have such a great beat in your head that you cant stop dancing!
*It’s a core workout, targeting all your favorite places that look the worst, and need to look the best!
*Quoting a website because it made me giggle: "Zumba workout provides for a fantastic sweat!" Ha! So true, though, Im not sure about any sweat being fantastic.3
*It’s impossible not to want to say "WhoaOOPA!" at least once. (My Big Fat Greek Wedding.)


Take a friend. Go at least twice before you discount it completely. It really is amazing.

It’s important to stay extremely hydrated during all diet and workout programs. The more you drink, the less hungry you are, the healthier your skin, and the more "fantastic sweat" you’ll produce!

Eating healthy is ridiculously hard. Not only is it usually more expensive, but you convince yourself that you NEED something that tastes better. I learned something fairly recently though. Healthy food tastes good, at least, when you try the right stuff. Find a local healthy smoothie shop or vitamin shop, and check out their recommendations.

For you local folk in Chey-town, you know we have great places to hook you up with super healthy foods to kick your new routine in to high gear and make it taste good. Places like "Shake It Daily" are lurking near the north gyms. The best place in town for great healthy food (and wheat grass if you dare), is Ruby Juice. Check out their website here: Ruby Juice. Not only do they have great food, smoothies, and prices, but amazing service. If you don’t have immediate fun when you step in those doors, something’s wrong with you and you should go slam a cheezyburger at the nearby grease soaked (amazing) burger place.

Ladies and gents, spring is upon us. It’s time to bust out those New Years Revolutions to look fabulous. Im sure I missed plenty, do share your routine too! Im always looking for ways to improve my progress!

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Men Are Like Cars

I was going to attempt a plain ol’ blog about Vitamin B today. Something light. And interesting. Unfortunately, another dramatic blog has entered my mind, and I cant help it. Apologies all around.

Before I even get started, regardless of how it sounds, this blog is not about one particular person. It’s not about my relationship status. Or who’s in MY life. It’s just something that I’ve been rolling around in my head for a few days, and Im finding the more it visits my mind, that more and more people can relate.

Men Are Like Cars.

You can look at it basically, like...they call come in different makes, models, colors, style, sizes, build, athleticism (which can easily be compared to miles per gallon wink, wink ), etc. Some prefer healthy fuel to keep them going, some aren’t picky. Most of them, drive better, depending on who’s doing the driving (or who’s along for the ride). Some like to show off, others prefer to be nonchalant. I would be willing to bet...more than one guy has sprung in to your mind just then, eh? If not, go eat some lunch, come back later. This might take some stretching of an awake imagination.

Let’s go a little deeper than basic. Basic, is easy.

Men in Relationships Are Like Cars.

The first 5000 miles or so of a new car, is absolutely heavenly right? Every turn that comes along, you rant and rave to whomever is with you (or maybe just the fantastic stereo system and perfectly gripping steering wheel), how it feels so great. How it maneuvers exactly how you need it to. Helping you get to where you need to go, with you at every turn. Helping life feel a little more smooth. Not to mention, it smellsfantastic. All your friends envy you. Whatever they have, is no longer up to par, could use improvement in some way, and is always asking for more attention-the level of maintenance getting higher at exponential levels.

I think you know where Im going with this.

I’ve got this new car, see. This new ride. And, like I said above, is step for step with me at every turn. He makes life feel so much more smooth when he’s around, and a lot of time, even when he’s not. He’s saying all these wonderful things (man oh man, is he good at it), looking at me like im his favorite piece-a candy. The way he smells, drives me bonkers. I show him off. I brag about him. I talk him up. I take him for a drive (no wink, wink), whenever possible. My friends are envious. Not because of who he is, but because of what we’ve got. The "newness"

Now, when you look at men like cars. It might give you some appreciation for your current situation. Confession: I have a less than pretty, slow, dirty car (literally, not him). The oldest car I’ve ever personally owned. It does as good of job as any at taking care of me and my angels. But Im so envious of my friends with nicer vehicles. But the best part about my car? It’s paid off. It doesn’t cost me a thing. There’s no risk of losing it. It’s comfortable. I know that, when the rest of the world falls to pieces, it wont. Sometimes though, it needs one of those awesomely smelling new car smell air fresheners though. That newness, to come back, and remind me, that what I have, can actually be better, if im willing to look past some of the small stuff-the fact that it doesn’t shine as bright, smell as good, or compliment me as much as it used to.

Conclusion:

You’ve got an awesome car, whether it’s new or old, it may just need a new air freshener. "Comfortable", "Safe", that "Im here, when the rest of the world falls to pieces, there’s no chance in me being gone" feeling, only comes with old, familiar, rides. Both new and old, have their benefits. No doubt, there’s no way I’d trade what I’ve got for an older model, or one of my old rides...but regardless of where it goes, it will leave me envious of those that are safe. Just like you will envy mine’s smell. wink.

Yours Truly,
Nomz

PS. Vitamin B blog may visit later today. If not, soon, I promise.

It could be worse

It’s about that time of the year again. Winter is supposed to be gone, but is hangin’ on by his fingernails while complacent spring just waits for him to finish his dramatic departure. C’mooon, Spring! Grow a spine; kick him out and begin your warm healing!

So, it’s about that time of the year again. I’m threatening to wear my flip-flops, though I know full well that my toes will freeze and fall off in ten minutes flat. I’m getting that spring fever, cabin fever, you name it and I’m experiencing it. Ugh. The worst thing is that along with these yearnings for green grass and tulips is my tendency to be discontented and whiny. Forgive me if this spills over to my blogs; it soon shall pass.

In the meantime, I’m going to think of all the things that could be worse. A lot worse. Hopefully that will make me feel better. :)


I could be living here:



Or here:



I could have an ugly baby:



I could like sports:



I could be a little more of an airhead:



I could be married to one of these guys:



I could have been on the receiving an of a horirble prank:



I could have this job:



I could have this dentist:




And, last but not least. I could live here:



Okay, my attitude has been adjusted. Now, if only I could adjust everything else around me :)



-Sazaran

♫ Reclaiming Myself...My Journey To...

Seems the way my life is going is making a few people uncomfortable. Actually, now that I think about it, it kinda always has. I’ve thought about that pretty hard, trying to figure out exactly why that is. I’ve come to a few conclusions.

#1. I live LOUDLY. As in, I make mistakes, I take risks, I’m afraid of very little, and rather than covering up this stuff, I shout it out. Hiding it gives people something to dig for, and talk about. At least if you talk about it after I’ve put it out there, it’s not gossip, it’s fact.

#2. I like things complicated. Things coming easy, isn’t really my way. I’ve decided, that the things that are worth risking everything for, don’t come easy. If you want big rewards in life, you’ve got to take big risks.

#3. It’s my life. I think that’s the big one. No matter how much I make you uncomfortable, or make you watch me make myself uncomfortable, or convince you that you could live it better, it’s mine all mine. Selfish I know. Im also the only one that has to live with the consequences.

So, in this loud walk of life, I’ve decided to take a few more risks lately.

A. I changed my hair color. I went darker than ever, shorter than normal, and "risqué" as it was so eloquently put. It’s going back to blonde soon, don’t worry.

B. I am trying to lose weight. NO IM NOT FAT. I know. But I don’t want to wear my new bikini and have it wave at everybody saying "oh hi! I’ve had two kids!". That’s all.

C. I got a new bikini. Ha. My sister had to help me get in to, and out of it, Im lacking that much girl. Oh yeah, and she bought it for me. In celebration of finding my inner girl I think. And because she rocks like that. See:












D. I am joining the local trap club. My best friend has been begging me for years, and I’ve given her every excuse in the book why I cant. I have no good ones this year. For those of you that don’t know what that is, she’s balancing out the inner girl with the outer boy...we get to shoot big guns at flying objects (eeeee!)! Pictures to come.

E. I play dodgeball. Ok, I’ve played once (twice counting tonight), and plan on going regularly. I surely don’t remember it being such a blast. It’s worth the 40 mile drive to spend time with one of my best friends and using the muscles I forgot existed, since you know, they’ve been useless since, like, 3rd grade.

F. Im letting my kids make a mess. A blog on this will follow soon. Im just saying, life is entirely too short for me to take my anxiety and stress out on them. In fact, their little messes with diaper cream on stuffed animals and marker on my walls, and tearing out pop-outs outta pop-out books (which I’ve always hated anyway), give me a new outlook on life. We should all try to be so bold.

G. I am not washing my hair every day. In fact, I wash it about every three days. Something I’ve always tried to do, but have since been convinced by a good friend with beautiful hair, that this is for sure the way to go. Don’t worry folks, I shower every day, my hair just doesn’t get as much attention. It’s already healthier, my showers are shorter, and im saving money by using less of the ridiculously expensive bottled goodness. Check out her blog, I think it will convince you too: Teh Reese! She, obviously, is my motivation for the blog title today. I heart my Reese. :}

H. I love to blog. Im sorry I was a slacker last month. My creativity has been reborn I think, and I will try to keep this going at least once a day. Let me know if there’s anything you want to hear about!

Yours Truly,
Nomz

Does Mother Nature Pull Pranks?

Well, as Job so eloquently put it...

"What I have feared most has come upon me."

I'm pregnant... due date: November 14th, 2009.

Lord, help me.



Seriously... this is NOT the kind of April Fools joke I like. So, I'm freaking out just a bit. Not sure if Nomz could tell, but I've been a little "not normal" these last few days.

So, that explains the vomiting, weight loss and super mood swings (sorry, babe!).

I just need a few encouraging words. I don't think I can handle another delivery like the last one! :-\