Is Happiness Overrated? Thoughts?

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Busy Is No Excuse

Every day is like ground hog day anymore. I don't know if that is what happens when you are on the cusp of turning 30 in 8 months (not that I'm counting), or if that is what happens when life become too hectic and/or routine, or when you just feel like you constantly get the short end of the stick. What a sh*tty couple of weeks. It's like the same old sh*t just keeps getting bigger and bigger by the hour, and unfortunately I don't have a pooper scooper that can handle it all in two scoops.


So lately things have been going down the sh*tter. Over the past two weeks I have been occasionally eating sh*tty, have gotten sh*tty news, my horoscope is sh*tty, got a flat tire, sh*t, and got something sh*tty all over one of my favorite shirts. I don't know if you got the memo but this is going to be one sh*tty blog entry ...lol.


So my traveling from Cleveland to Cincinnati has come to an end until Thanksgiving. While I've enjoyed my frequent trips to the southern part of Ohio, I'm glad that I'm not driving that much for a while. Driving just takes it out of you, and when you are doing it alone, there is only so much to talk about with yourself, only so many songs on your iPod to sing, and only so many rest areas you can visit in a four hour time span. The occasional Prime Outlet stop is in order to see what kind of deals the Coach and Gap outlets have, and I have yet to still stop at Grandpa's Cheesebarn, which I may just take some leisure time on the weekend and drive down to Ashland, where the world's friendliest people live, and see it... though I'm convinced that the world's friendliest people don't live in Ashland.


The one thing I've noticed when I make trips to the nasti 'nati is that people tend to meet up for lunch or dinner, and I got to thinking about how often that takes place. Granted, it's easier to work in a meal here and there and catch up with people, but many of my trips to Cincinnati have every meal consumed with getting together with people, catching up, and we part our ways until the next time. Now not that I'm against that because I love fine Cincinnati cuisine, especially when it has anything to do with a three way and/or some Montgomery Inn ribs, but I wonder what it is about food that makes people gather. I plan to ponder more on this question. The trips were so much fun and I'm sad they have come to an end for the time being. I got to catch up with a ton of people!

So after being away for five days it's back to the routine. It rained every single day in Cincy, and then what do you know, I came back to more rain. I love fall but hate it at the same time. I love the fall clothes, shoes, accessories, crisp weather, apple cider, hot chocolate and tea, but hate how most days are cold, rainy and dreary. It just sets you in that Debbie Downer mood. With that comes being unmotivated to work out and get stuff done. BUT I haven't let the somber weather seep in to my bones! Work outs have gotten a little more intense. I now do 20 minutes on the bike, 20-30 minutes on the treadmill, 10 minutes on the elliptical, and then 10-15 minutes of weight machines. Now that I have gotten paid for the month (Woo Hoo!) I'm going to get my copy of the Jillian Michael's 30-day Shred! I'm quite excited about this as I've heard many, many good things about this DVD. I've also been doing water aerobics with my neighbor Andrea, and we've been hitting the gym daily. We are beasts of the east! On Wednesday alone we did 2 hours of activity - 1 hour in the gym and 1 hour of water aerobics... what you got to say about that Jillian Michael's!!!!

Water aerobics is quite the work out. I'm getting my ass served to me on a platter by people who are probably older than my mother. Some of these ladies have been doing this for like 6+ years. They are water warriors! Water aerobics is more physical than people think. You're using body parts and doing exercises you don't think you could do in the water. When you get out of the water you feel like you've enter the Strong Man competition... your arms, legs, shoulders, abs all feel the burn. Next up on the training circuit is Zumba... Thick Chick has highly recommended this and use to be an avid Zumba'er.

So on my quest to skinniness does anyone else have any suggestions on DVD's, classes, work outs, routines, and/or exercises?

The New Kid in Town

Hey, everyone! I am a new guest blogger here on "Who's The Phat Girl." Just call me Thick Chick.

Some info on me...I am a 25-year-old gal looking to get into shape and start living a healthier life. Since graduating college a few years back, I have consistently gained weight and now am about 40 pounds overweight. I danced and played sports throughout my childhood, highschool, and even college, keeping me in a healthy weight range and allowing me to eat just about anything I wanted. Well, not anymore, hence here I am, telling you all my lifestory.

I thought I would start my time here on this blog with an article I read this morning. Like Em, I have been feeling really sluggish and tired lately. Studies show that a lack of sleep and being tired can make weight loss harder and some people even experience weight gain - no fun. The article discusses some of the most popular sleep issues and how to deal with them. Hopefully the info here helps some people recognize any sleep issues they may be having and the solution to them, aiding in a better night's rest and thus, a healthier them.

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100244255&gt1=31036

Multivitamins: How to Pick the Right Supplement

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm feeling pretty sluggish these days, even with all the healthy lifestyle changes I've been making. I never thought that a multivitamin could help maintain my engergy. I found this article from fitness about picking the right one for you. Thought it was a good read for anyone looking to add a multivitamin in the mix if they already don't.


Multivitamins: How to Pick the Right Supplement

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Losin' Big

I can't go to bed till I blog about the Biggest Loser... what a premier! First off, Tom and Jillian are beasts and I don't think I've heard the "f" word bleeped so much since a Dr. Dre and Snoop Dog video. If I had them yelling at me daily to shut the **** up and get up the ladder there would be no questions asked! Secondly, I hope everything is OK with Tracy. That was some scary sh*t. I couldn't imagine (well sort of) if I lost all total body function like she did. Some of these people have the most compelling stories. If this season doesn't kick some people into high gear then I don't know what will. Abby should be a poet or book writer... she has the best lines ever. More than ever this season really hits a nerve with how we as individuals can lose touch with ourselves, and how we sometimes are quick to blame situations or experiences on why we are the way we are. Granted, it's those situations that do help to define us, but it's not what we are. People are so much more than a story and appearances, and that is one reason why I like this show. It really shows people that if you put your mind, heart and soul into something that you really, really want that it can happen.

Enough of my "making you feel all warm and tingly" inside talk. I'm off to bed. Got to prepare to bust out graphics like I've never busted them out before.

I Wish The Clock Had A Fast Forward Button

This day is dragging butt. I felt like I got hit up side the head with a mack truck this morning. I thought eating healthy and exercising was suppose to give you more energy... is there a Surgeon's General Warning or advisory about this?

Tonight starts The Biggest Loser, and I can't wait to watch. The only thing that bothers me is I wish this was under normal circumstances (i.e. the people are actually living their own lives...). I would kill to have all day to do nothing but focus on working out like a feen and getting my butt kicked by Bob or Jillian.

Fall shopping is fast approaching and I don't want to buy myself anything new till I've lost 20-30 pounds. My goal this week is to drop 5 lbs. like its my job. That way I can reward myself big time by the end of the month and won't feel bad about adding to my already extensive wardrobe. I already have the items picked out I want to buy... sad I know... I must admit I do have a minor shopping problem with clothing and accessories. Since moving to Cleveland I've given away, no joke, roughly 12 bags of shoes, clothes and accessories. There are some snazzy dressing ladies out there now! I should just open my own second hand shop.

I need to get back on to my crafting soap box. I really enjoy designing jewelry and knitted items. I'm working on some skeleton key necklaces that are all vintage inspired (and use vintage beads, chains, etc.), and am working on the "Emilie Scarf." I have this cream chunky scarf I wear with anything cream I own, and people always ask if I made it, but I didn't, but now I know how to make it! Pictures to come soon!


I'm kinda getting sick of eating the same ol' same ol'. I need to get Emerilized with some BAMmin' recipes. Anyone have any healthy recipes they would like to share that are delicious and nutritious!?



So far today I've indulged in...


Breakfast: Special K protein drink in chocolate (190 calories and 5 grams of fat)


Snack: nada

Lunch: Fajita Nachos with onions, chicken and cheese. Ate most of the topping, and about half the chips with some salsa. Didn't even touch the rice or beans (guesstimating 700 calories and 20 grams of fat)

Snack: Banana (100 calories)

Dinner: nada

Snack: Kemp's individual serving of fro yo strawberry 'n cream parfait
(160 Calories and 1.5 grams of fat)

Water: 6 glasses

Exercise: 3 miles (6152 steps according to the pedometer)

Go PINK!

The Race of the Cure has come and gone. I'm totally looking forward to this becoming a yearly thing for me to do. What a great event. Betty's Busty Buddies were a hit. It was quite amazing to see all the people who came out and ran/walked/supported this cause. You can never know the magnitude of something of this nature (or cancer in general) until you see all the "In Memory" of signs on peoples backs. It just breaks my heart to see multiple people on the "In Memory" bib sheets on people's shirts. I think sometimes we think "oh it can't happen to me...," but it can. One can not underestimate the big bad monster called cancer. That is why it is important to take all precautions that are necessary. That is why I'm encouraging women to use the buddy system in their monthly self-breast exams. I'm sure I'm not the first one to think of this, but I think using the buddy system would make the exams more fun.

Check out the pictures from the Race for the Cure on my facebook page.

After the race on Saturday, we went out for my friend's 30th birthday. Part two of Break yo'self Dancing took place. I have no idea why I think it is a good idea to drop my entire body as low as I can go. My legs burned the whole day on Sunday, and I'm sure it showed at family breakfast the next morning. At least I got one hell of a work out all day on Saturday. But of course that was followed by a little late night munching on pizza... my splurge for the weekend compliments of the adult beverages.

Today I walked with my neighbor Andrea. We walked about 3 miles all over P-ville and then I came home and did a ton of different arm and leg exercises with my weights. Oh and I only lost 1 lb. this past week. I'm kicking it in super gear this week for sure. Today I didn't eat too terrible, but here we go:

Breakfast: nada, bad I know...

Snack: nada

Lunch: we went to Bravo! for a lunch meeting and I got Pesto Tortellini with Roma tomatoes, onions and sun dried tomatoes with spinach and cheese tortellini in a pesto sauce. Since Bravo! doesn't have any nutritional facts anywhere, I'm going to have to guesstimate this. It was a smaller portion than the dinner portion, so I'm going to guess like 800 calories and 25 grams of fat (I have no idea though)

Dinner: 1/2 cup of Edemame and a California Roll (total, 500 Calories and 10 grams of fat)

Water: 5 glasses

Exercise: walked 3 miles and reps of various arm and leg exercises with 8 lb. weights

Running in Jeans

I know I've been on a sporadic blogging schedule the past two weeks, and I promise to get back to blogging once a day starting next week. Tonight I did my usual 3.6 mile walk, and as I'm walking I notice this guy jogging in jeans... that's like riding a water ride, getting soaked, and having to walk around in jeans in like 100 degree humid weather. I wouldn't think jeans are the most flexible yet breathable fabric to jog in... especially for a guy. I would think in someway that would be equivalent to chestnuts roasting on an open fire (yup... I went there...).

So I'm really excited for the Race for the Cure in Cincinnati on Saturday. My sister, her two friends, my grandmother (a breast cancer survivor) and I will be walking in it. In honor of my grandma's struggle and journey with Breast Cancer, I designed a t-shirt for the event (see left). In a way it's kind of surreal to go to something like this. You never get the full affect of a disease that affects thousands of people a year until you do an event like this. It's quite overwhelming to say the least. With all the research I've been doing lately, and preparing for this race it makes me wonder... if I got tested to see if I was a carrier for the BRCA breast cancer gene, and found out that I was a carrier for it, would I be able to face the options that lie ahead. Let's be honest, no one wants to bear the thought of losing a body part, especially "those" body parts. How would I live without Thelma and Louis?

I guess guys would ACTUALLY have to look at my eyes then. This is one reason I'm on this healthy lifestyle journey.

My shameless product plug for the week are Boca Burgers... I LOVE these things. I bought the tomato/pizza burger and the spicy black bean (which by the way, isn't spicy but still tasty). They range around the 120 calorie mark and 4-6 grams of fat. I know what you're thinking... how can that be any where nearly remotely good. Well I'm living proof that they are. They are quite flavorful, juicy, and they will get you a serving of your fruit and veggies for the day. What else could you ask for!

Drum roll please... today's chef specials were as follows:

Breakfast: Nada (I know bad...)

Snack: low-fat granola bar

Lunch: Spicy Bean boca burger (120 calories and 4 grams of fat) with a 1/2 cup of Edamame (100 calories, 3 grams of fat), a slice of Colby Jack cheese (80 calories, 7 grams of fat), whole wheat English muffin (110 calories, 1 gram of fat) and a small banana (70 calories),

Lunch Damage: 480 calories and 15 grams of fat

Snack: Kemp's frozen yogurt parfait (230 calories, 9 grams of fat)

Dinner: went to the Donner's and had Fajita Nachos (guesstimating 800 calories and 20 grams of fat)

Total Damage: 1,600 calories and 44 grams of fat (little high on the calorie intake but low on the fat intake)

Exercise: walked 3.6 miles

Water: 5 glasses

Challenger for my readers...

What do you eat? What are your favorite foods or meals. Show me what you're working with and upload your picture comments with some of your favorites!

Cute Boys are Like Dove Candies...

as good as they may seem they always end up being bad for you! First and foremost I want to apologize to my readers for being MIA the past several days. I've been traveling, getting my promotional materials done, and a bunch of other things I will not bore you with. BUT on a side note, I did lose 10 pounds! CHICKA CHICKA! I'm pretty stoked, because the scale initially lied to me and said I only lost 5, and then the next day it said I lost 10. Any who back to my thought...

This weekend I rolled back to the 'nasti for a hot minute, and to my surprise (and dismay) my mom had bought Dove candies. Up until this past weekend I haven't had any candy. I was trying to come up with logic thinking as to how cute boys and Dove candies are similar. Here are my thoughts. Feel free to add your comments or add to the list.

• Both can be pretty good looking, smooth, and have nice things to say. It's all in the packaging if you ask me. At least with the Dove promise messages on the inside of the wrapper you won't be waiting for an answer or a telephone call.


• Both are quite enjoyable, until you realize how bad they actually are for your well being.


• Both, in some way, can add baggage to your life. Moderation is the key.


• Both create some sort of chemical release in your body.


• Both can make you feel good and bad at the same time. That's why its good to practice will power.

I'm sure you're wondering if I indulged in some Dove candy... the answer is yes. It was my cheat for the weekend, but I only like 4 over the course of 3 days. I did eat really well though which I'm giving myself props for. I had grilled chicken and veggies one night for dinner and the other night I had two mini-turkey sliders and a salad. Lately I've been notorious for eating like one meal a day, which I'm going to blame on my schedule last week. I didn't go to bed until 2 a.m. practically every night, and was running errands until dusk so that left no time for walking. This week I have to make up my walking for what I missed out on over the past 4 days or so.

Today consisted of:

Breakfast: Yogurt parfait with strawberries and granola

Snack: n/a

Lunch: we went to the donner's for lunch... I'm going to have to guesstimate on this again... I had a half of a quesadilla with sour cream and guac, rice and some chips and salsa (700 calories, 20 grams of fat)

Snack: n/a

Dinner: Veggie burrito bowl with black beans, corn, tomato, and less rice, sour cream, cheese and guac. I have to go grocery shopping so it was this or a 100 calorie pack of Oreos. I'm going to guess that this was mucho calories... and we will leave it at that.

Exercise: walked 2 miles and rode the stationary bike for 5 miles

To My Readers...

I promise to update tonight... I've been so busy that busy can't even keep up with how busy I've been, but of course that's no excuse to not keep this updated. BUT I will say I've lost 10 pounds in a little over two weeks! Totally stoked about that!