Got Bike?

Well I do! I picked up my new bike yesterday afternoon. I have to admit that I'm a bit afraid of it. I have never ridden a road bike before, and I haven't been on any kind of bike since I was in college. I'm nervous, but if the weather is permitting, then I'm going to try to take it out for a ride on the lake this Saturday morning. I've got my helmet, padded short, water bottle, and repair kit. It's everything that I can think of for now. I'll post pics of myself with the bike, if I can convince a stranger to take them for me.

I tried another belly dancing dvd last weekend. I looked completely ridiculous again, but it's to be expected. I'm going to stick with it b/c its still pretty fun.

Let's see...what else has been going on? Did I tell you that I entered a competition to be on the cover of a Curves cereal box. I'll post my entry below. It's not the most heartbreaking, sob story ever, but I think that it's pretty good. Wouldn't that be awesome?!?! to see me on your next box of cereal. Anything is possible.

Here it is:

I am not a work in progress. I am a completed masterpiece, and I am so proud to be me.

I recently heard a commercial that stated "I am NOT a work in progress". These words really rang true for me, as I have spent so many years trying to be something better than what I already am. Although I did not grow up as a Double C..."chunky child", I certainly did not have the best eating habits. I can remember making a Burger King whopper with a Strawberry/Vanilla milkshake my afternoon snack in the 8th grade. My careless snacking and unwise food choices stayed with me throughout high school and college. Around my sophomore or junior year in college, I began to take note of the weight that I had put on. My diet was certainly catching up with me. While I spent more time in the gym than before, I hadn't curbed my poor habits, so the results were lack luster at best. As I look back, I can see how my half hearted efforts were slowly chipping away at my self-esteem. I was spending all of my time thinking about my body and what I wanted it to become. Every piece of food that I put into my mouth (both good and bad) was analyzed and agonized over. However my lack of discipline undermined all of my efforts, and kept me in a perpetual state of dismay and disappointment. I was never satisfied with who I was and how I looked, but rather constantly hoping for the day that I would be new and improved. This cycle continued for several years after college, when finally inspiration came into my life. I took ownership of my body and my future, and I finally began to act responsibly. Slowly my eating habits turned around, and I got involved in exercise activities that I enjoy...like yoga and bit of pole dancing (shhh...don't tell anyone). Now when I look in the mirror I feel like I am glowing. While I'm not necessarily the hottest woman on the block, I'm the hottest woman in my eyes. I eat right and exercise because that makes me feel good, not because I'm not good enough 'as is'. I love being me..right now...just the way that I am, and that is an AWESOME feeling!

Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...it's been awhile. My apologies all. I've been working pretty late nights and will continue to (at least through December). I just have not had the time or the energy to post, but I will definitely try to do better.

I can imagine that the sheer fact that I haven't had time to post will tip you off about my diet and exercise. Honestly...this has not been a month of which to be proud. My exercise has been...ok. I've been getting in at least 3 workouts per week, but I am not always getting in four. I did get exercise equipment for my b-day (3, 5, and 8 lb weights, 2 bellydancing dvds and weight lifting gloves), which I have absolutely been putting to good use. However my eating...OUT OF CONTROL!!! The snacking is my major problem. I am making good decisions at meal time. However, in between meals I am not turning down the sweets that are free flowing at the job. Everyday I tell myself that I am going to do better, but so far it just hasn't happened. I'm going to try to go grocery shopping this weekend. Maybe if I have my own healthy snacks already with me, then I can just eat that when I have the urge to eat, rather than the sugary/fattening snacks. That is supposed to help, but ultimately it will have to come down to me being more disciplined. Unfortunately, discipline is not one of my strong points.

On a happier note, I believe that my gym is supposed to open at the end of this month. The Oct 1st date got pushed back to Nov 1st, so lets cross our fingers that they stick to that. I hope to be able to head there directly from work at least 2 days a week. I figure that if I can get there twice a week after work and once on the weekends, then I only need to get in one or two more workouts at home on my own. Until it open, I have been doing what I call 'zone training'. Basically, since I have only had energy (and time) for about 10-15 mins of exercise in the evenings, then I use my weights to only work 1 area of my body. I rotate between abs, arms, and legs each day. I do 4 exercises on the 'zone of the day', which works the muscle, but is fairly quick. I know it isn't much, but when I am getting in at 8:45 or 9pm and need to be in bed by 10pm...it really is all that I have to spare. Plus, at this point I am so tired that I fear I would just completely opt out of working out when I'm trying to get in 30 mins or an hour. This will have to do until my schedule lets up. I can do my full workouts on Fri, Sat and Sun.

Guess what else...I BOUGHT A BIKE! Ok, it isn't the greatest time of the year to make the purchase since the weather is changing, but I had really been wanting to try cycling. It's more gentle on the knees, and it generally seems enjoyable. Plus living 5 mins from the lakefront, I should be taking advantage of my resources. Plus my conscience really seems to enjoy it, and I wanna be able to share that with him (I'm kinda stalkerish like that). Anyway, it should be getting delivered soon. Check it out!