Tuesday, February 23, 2010

A new challenge...



...is in store for me. With changes in career, education and LIFE coming up, I've decided to start transitioning this blog for dual purposes: to help me journal about parts of my life and to keep me accountable for the goals I will set for myself.

I have a habit of pretty much doing whatever I want, which is great for personal freedom but terrible for getting things done, for coming to terms with my weaknesses or for challenging myself.

I'm hoping that the next several months will help continue what I have learned thus far: I am only limited by the doors I close on myself, I can change what I do not like about myself and about the world and I have the ability to ask for help when I meet obstacles. Whew!

So, first challenge: Respect and take care of my health and my body. I am prone to over-eating and to self-indulging. I also have a huge appetite and a habit of matching my boyfriend's amount of food, meal for meal. Finally, I really like to sleep, sit on the couch, watch TV and go out to eat and drink. This adds up to a lot more jelly than I'd like. And not the "I don't think you're ready for this jelly" jelly, but more like "I ate too many Jelly Bellies" jelly.

I am more tired than ever, my moods are swinging like crazy and I really don't like not fitting into my clothes. That's the vanity part talking.

As many of you know, I am finishing my master's degree in public health and have been accepted to medical school. I will begin my new, exciting academic and professional career this coming Fall. However, I cannot become someone who claims to be an expert in health and tell others to practice preventive health without being as healthy as I possibly can myself.

Thus, a new challenge for the coming months.

First Step: Start tracking where I am now. Without knowing who I am today I'll never be able to make a plan to change that nor will I be able to track from where I've come. Therefore, I have become a member of LiveStrong.com, an excellent site for finding like-minded people, for tracking weight and eating habits and for setting personal goals. I have been logging every single piece of food I put in my mouth for a week now. Already learned: My favorite Jimmy John's sub is over 900 CALORIES! Guess that's out...

Second Step:
Seek Professional Help. I have an appointment this week (7:30AM!) with a personal trainer and nutrition expert in order to get an idea of what it might cost to have a personalized plan and coach to help me along. Although I used to be an athlete and have been self-motivated before, I think it's time to take a really close look at my regimen (or lack thereof) now that I'm in my 30's and have a job that REQUIRES me to sit for 8 hours straight.

Cross your fingers...she sounds like a real butt-kicker. Which is good. Because my butt is really starting to look like it hasn't been kicked in awhile.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

I've got a bad romance...




...for Lady Gaga. Maybe it's because she reminds me of Madonna or because she's just weird and different and making a splash in pop music - I don't know, I just heart her.

Since I believe I was a pop princess/Broadway star/cool rock chick in my former life, Lady Gaga possesses the trifecta that makes me envious: She writes excellent pop melodies, she wears things I could never pull off and she is, my dears, a rock star.

As there are so many blogs dedicated to the Lady already, I thought I'd post the interesting covers that have exploded all over YouTube. Below, my "Bad Romance" favorites...

Just cool (I love it when guys do girls' songs and vice versa)...



A nod to my a cappella sistahs...



Another ultra-cool rendition...



And of course I have to give some props to the Filipino kids...



Are you inspired to go to that Open Mic now? I am...

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

This is what I feel like today...




A little whiny. A little bad-hair day. A little tired. A little guilty for being inside my own head for so many hours and for (always) procrastinating. Peace out.

Monday, December 14, 2009

No sequin love...


OK, I KNOW that sequins are totally "in" right now, especially for the holidays. I just want to say that I, myself, will not be participating in this awfully tricky trend. Sometimes, you just have to appreciate a trend for what it is, realize that it's not for you and then rationally decline that fashion invitation.

Did I fool you??

I'd like you to think that I was so reasonable about not jumping on the sequin wagon but alas, I have not been. With visions of looking ultra-cool by mixing flashy with something basic like a band t-shirt or beater tank, I tried on sequin mini-skirts, tank tops, dresses, shorts (yeah, I know), t-shirts...all in vain as I twisted and turned in the dressing room to somehow MAKE it look flattering.

But I am sorry dearies. Much like gold lurex or jumpsuits, bedazzled clothing will never look right on me. The effect is much less I-look-like-a-model-who-doesn't-care and much more I'm-a-lumpy-mermaid-on-a-night-out-on-the-town.

Kudos to those of you who can pull this off. I'll be the one on the other side of the bar looking envious. And slimmer than I would have otherwise :)