My Namaste has been broken..

Bwaaaah!!  Seriously though..it has.  Today was my 3rd day this week of Bikram.  I missed out yesterday due to oversleeping.  My Tuesday was WRETCHED and busy.  I went to yoga, then a voice lesson, then to practice for another rehearsal...then my church gig rehearsal.  I was waaaaaasted, so Namastein' yesterday was out of the plan.  LOL

Antywho, I did Bikram this morning, weighed in (down 5.2 pounds...i shook the beans.) and I did some running around.  I was fine until I got another unwanted call from Sears Delivery service.  (That's for the end of this post.)  Besides that, lemme discuss Bikram.

I'm in love with Bikram.  Seriously in LOVE with Bikram.  I've been practicing at Bikram Yoga Harlem.  I love the studio, the teachers and the environment.  It has been a great experience.  It is a real nice change from my spinning and couch to 5k.  Every time I practice, I feel like I'm stretching my mind and my body to a new place.  Plus, it is helping me a lot with my singing...and that's always a bonus.

What about the heat?  That's been the question I keep getting.  Yes, it is really hot in the room.  It is really 100 degrees with humidity going on.  Gangsta...for the body. I hate to tell you how much I love heat. LOVE HEAT.  I'm a beach person and I can lay out in the sun for hours without dipping in the water.  The heat in class is not a problem.  I love it and I really have to try hard not to close my eyes in savasana....even between all of the poses.  If I lay flat and feel that heat come across my body...sleep calls.  LOL

So....if you are up for a new physical challenge, try it.  I was scared to death my first day, but I've been jumping in hard as my body will allow each class afterwards.

Now....what broke my Namaste...Sears Delivery and Customer Service.  I purchased a new fridge and stove for an apartment that I'm working on in my house.  Well, when the delivery guys got there this past Monday, they "said" that it wouldn't fit through the hall.  Fine. Just Fine.  I spoke with 2 people to cancel the order and refund my money.  Tuesday, Wednesday and Today...I have received calls about a re-delivery and told them to cancel the delivery.  Um....do you not read your computer notes?  Obviously not.  So tonight as I'm sitting at my mom's counter chillin'....I get another call about the delivery.  I don't know what hit me...but I went straight gangster.  What really sent me over the EDGE...when I asked to speak to a supervisor and dude wouldn't connect me.  *sigh*  I will say that I was given his number every day that I called to cancel the delivery.  *side eye*  Needless to say, I will be writing a letter to the president...even though I have totally blasted Sears on twitter today. *double sigh*

Okay...I'm off to do some singing bidness...LOL

...................peace and blessings...and NAMASTE......

the calm before the neurotic storm...

*wave*  Today...was so crazy in so many different ways.  One, I woke up with the worst pain in my leg. *sigh*  I have been waiting for the storm after the calm all week.  Monday, in between spinning, rehearsals and Bikram...I ran to take a shower and slipped in the tub.  I fell back first and my calf muscle banged into the side of the tub.  I was okay Monday, Tuesday and yesterday during Bikram on the  second to last sit up I felt my leg saying..."no more."  Grrr.

About 2 this morning, I couldn't sleep on my left side.  *sigh*  It didn't get better until about 6 and I slept like a rock until 8.  The plan was to go to a 10AM Bikram class and sweat out before weigh in.  Didn't happen.  My leg said..."Boo try it and you will be in a mess."  LOL  I stayed at home and moped.  Moped, Facebooked and watched Bones on Netflix.  Gaah!!

Weigh in...Grr....  I've been trying to do a low meat diet and eating more legumes and tons of veggies.  I gained 4 pounds this week.  Boo! Just Boo!! Needless to say, I wanted to cry.  I've been double dutyin' in the gym...working really hard and doing right.  Then this mess...Gaah!!!  Thass okay, I'm pressing on.

Bikram...  Yesterday, I took my second class and I think I fell in great like with it. Not love yet.  I sweated from beginning to end.  It was hot as all HADES, but when it was done, i felt good.  Really good.  Also, I brought some coconut water and GUZZLED it after class.  I didn't have that strange eye twitch and...did I say how GREAT i felt when it was over?  LOL

Okay...well, it is time for me to put up tomorrow's dinner...curried lentils (yea, i'll learn) and watching me another episode of Bones.  LOL

...............peace and blessings...................

Uuuhrah.... :/

So...I haven't blogged in a minute.  Lessesee what happened was...LOL  I went out of town for over a week with the mom (drove to Chicago), learning 2 operas and just life.  LOL  I did fall off of the wagon for a bit, but got back on last week.  I've noticed how serious my determination this time...because my fall off time is not that long.

I skipped a couple of weeks....blah....and when I weighed in last week it said I had gained weight.  *shrug*  I'm not surprised.  I'm such a mid-western/southern girl trapped in this chubby NYC body.  LOL  I ate biscuits..tons of biscuits, home fries, fried chicken, tons of macaroni and cheese and then some.  ROFL!!  But I came back with a vengeance.

After last week's reality check, I got back on the wagon and this week at weigh-in I lost 6.6 pounds!!  Go me!!!  I'm very proud of myself because I'm over 20lbs. down.  I'm looking forward to the next 10lbs.

Now...I love these Monday Friend Making Monday's and...even though I'm a few days late, I'm still doing it.  Bwaahaaa!!

In the Kitchen....

So the plan was to do better about blogging this week.  Didn't happen.  Grr!!!  There is a lot of stuff poppin' musically and I'm grateful, but I feel like I'm neglecting my blog. *sigh*

Last week was good weight wise.  I lost another 3.8 pounds.  YaY me!!  I feel more focused with each day.  I've even been very religiously working on the Couch to 5K program.  Additional weight loss has helped there as well.  And...my favorite accomplishment of last week is tackling the damn Cybex machine.  I don't know if I've blogged about my hate of that machine.  I've made it through a few episodes with it...and survived and a ton of sweat on da FLOOR.  *Amen*  LOL

Well as with every Monday...I have to do All the Weigh's Friend Making Monday Meme.  I just LOVE this thing weekly.

Well...LEEESSSGOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

....and so because umm....Friend Making Monday

Woozer....an unplanned hiatus for a week...oops.  Things have been whirly.  After last week, I decided that I would be more focused about couch to 5k and this time, I'm feeling more better about it.  For example, I did it this morning and my legs are stronger and I don't feel like I could kick someone when I'm done during the spurts.

Last week, I went to my weigh-in and I'm now officially 5% down.  Who is pumped??  Moi!!  I'm looking forward to the next 5%.  I feel good and I even feel better supported singing wise.  I can't see where I'll be by headshot time at the end of September.

Since I've had a really exhausting day from singing and gymming and just living and it is just 6 something pm...I'm going to do my weekly love...Friend Making Monday from All The Weigh....

Quiet and Madness...wrapped up in ONE!

Tiffany over me singing!  LOL

A four day hiatus from the blog was SO not the plan.  Ooops.  Man...things have been whirlwindy.  LOL  My mom is out of town and I'm house sitting.  Lemme tell you, running 2 households and 2 sets of pets is no joke...on top of my crazy schedule.

I can say, house sitting for the mom has been a treat.  One, because my mom is surrounded by musicians, I can practice anytime of the day and as long as I want....and I get to doggy sit her ornery and funny dog Tiffany.  Tiffany is a 12 year old Shorkie (Shitzu and Yorkie).  She's old, but feisty and funny.  She keeps me and the mom's cat Socks on our toes.  LOL  Plus, nothing is funnier than me trying to do my CheLean exercises that cause me to be on the floor.  I was doing some chest presses and she came over with her brown eyes and long eyelashes to give me that...what in the HAYLE are you doing look.  Then she laid down and made it difficult to do them.  Bwaahaha.  Oh pets.

In other news...I can't remember if I said I lost those 2 pounds I gained last week.  LOL  There's so much going on I can't remember. Gaaah!!  I feel good and like disciplined.  It is really strange.  Everyday I see myself more focused, more stronger, more determined.  It is a nice feeling.  Makes me happy.  Even if the scale isn't moving, I see myself thinning out.  Like I put some pants on yesterday and this ugly override thing I had on my thighs...gone.  It makes me happy...and even more focused.

Well, I'm getting the side eye from the mom's funny dog.  Yea...she needs a walk.  I hope you all have a great day!!

...........peace and blessings.........................

Two Points...For real??

i was reading through this week's weekly weight watchers book and in the middle they have an article called "the active life".  now on the second page of this article there is a fancy bubble with the exercise rx....  The first sentence says....

To stay healthy and lower your risk of chronic disease, we encourage you to set a goal of 14 activity PointsPlus a week - an average of just 2 a day.

For those who aren't WW-ites...points are how we work.  It's easy for me and not for others.  I like to cook and eat my own food and I can do that.  Points are even judged for our exercise. It just depends on how intense you workout.

So...I was flipping through the book during yesterday's meeting and I chuckled out loud.  My leader asked what made me laugh and I replied "Fourteen points a week for exercise?"  She looked at me and with her fabulous southern drawl said..."Honey, YOU ignore this."

LOL  Normally on a good week I earn about 104+ points in exercise. Seriously and i try to challenge myself to break the previous weeks number.  I'm competitive with myself.  I make it my goal to get at least 40-55 minutes of cardio done....5 to 6 days a week.  Some days I even double up my duty.  Like Tuesday and Fridays I do Zumba in the evening and Monday and Friday mornings I do Spinning....in addition to the elliptical and the treadmill.  This is not even including my weight training and other types of fumbling/exercising that happens. So...14 points?  LOL

Other than this funny...life has been rather normal.  I did weigh-in...gained 2 lbs. (Haaa...2 the magic number this week.)  I'm not mad.  I had an awful week...the ups and downs of wheat and the lack of exercise (only 41 points. bwaaah!).  I feel good and I'm looking forward to an interesting week coming up.  Looking towards lots of singing, exercising and living a fun life.


......peace and blessings........

Couch to....Jesus keep me near the cross....

Pepper napping...

Haa!!  Sometimes I tickle myself, but honestly this Couch to 5k thing makes me call Jesus...LOUDLY...all the time.  Today was no different.  I had to get up early cause I was heading to the doctor to check on my blood pressure.   I hit the gym at 7:45AM, call the po-lice cause the world is coming to an end if i'm in the gym before 10am, and started on the beginners week of Couch to 5K.  I can't seem to get off of the first week of this program cause it is taxing and I feel like death every time.  Antywho...I pressed on.  When I got to the 3rd run segment, I heard someone singing "i ain't gonna let nobawdy turn me roun', turn me roun', turn me roun'".  In all honesty, it was what I needed to hear at that moment cause I was about to give this minute the finger and walk.  The slay down...when I look to my left to figure out the voice, there was this big ole white man who look like he was a linebacker for the Jets.  Seriously.


So how was your 4th?  Mine was good and quiet and calm...just what was needed.  I went to BJ's and Target, gymmed with my friend, and did my ChaLean Extreme.  I movied with the mom...Madea's Witness Protection and then headed home to cook.  I ate REALLY well and tracked and felt really good.


Yesterday...well...LOL.  I didn't eat so well.  Well, lemme rephrase that.  I ate too much.  The mom and I went to our weekly meeting (I lost a pound and she lost 1.8), then she said she wanted to go to City Island.  I LOVE seafood so I couldn't turn down that offer.  At the restaurant I ate white bread and a white potato with my lunch.  I haven't had either one in over 5 weeks...and to be quite honest, I've been feeling amazing.  I can't wait until I can shake the white sugar....but I have a reckless sweet tooth so I keep praying.


Anyway, when you are constantly eating smaller meals, when you eat a huge one....you feel the difference.  Lord knows I did and then I panicked.  Haaa!!  I drank so much water when I got in that I was up half the night running to the bathroom.  


Oh well, I'm off to grab a cat nap...and most likely my 14 year old cat, Pepper, will join me.  Besides needing it because I didn't sleep well...but I have plans to go to Zumba at 6.  Originally I was gonna do Cardio Kickboxing...but I ain't feelin' driving downtown it at the moment.  Bwaah...  Cardio is cardio ain't it?


Until later...


....peace and blessings.....

Ugh...and LOVE!

off to spinning for the 1st time in a minute

Ugh is for modems breaking down.  Gaaah...grrr...pish-posh.  This past Wednesday i knew my modem had bit the dust, but i couldn't convince myself that it is real.  Sometimes i wonder about my sanity. *shrug*  I finally exchanged it yesterday and lemme say...TWC was a mess.  ROFL...a mess.  Needless to say I waited, cause I'm typing this.


So on to the loves....

1. I've survived 2 days of Couch to 5K.  Last Thursday was my first day.  I've been using the Skimble app....which is amazing when i'm in the gym.  Yesterday was harder than the first day, but i heard that was the case.  IT DOESN'T matter...i'm pressing on with this running business.  i feel so...amazed and proud of myself.
2. ChaLean Extreme...okay...love, love.  The 40 minutes don't seem like hell.  As much as i loved the woman who was my trainer, i don't feel bored or crazed with it. Looking forward to LEAN muscles in 90 days.
3. Spinning...  This past Friday the plan was to go to Zumba.  I woke up late and said..."self...you are going to do something different."  Self went to spinning.  The first 15 minutes i wanted to quit.  Then i remembered...i had to.  JUST HAD TO!  i took my eyes off of the clock and pressed on.  The next thing I knew she said this was the last hill climb and we would be cooling down in a minute. Go.me.
4. Food wise...i'm killing.  i know i'm killing.  LOL  my body knows i'm killing and i never feel like i've missed out on a meal.  Nothing like eating healthy and feeling good.
5. Weigh in wise...i'm down 13 lbs via Weight Watchers scale.  The other day i woke up and i was down 15.  LOL  I'll go with my scale...it inspires me to keep pressing on.  ROFL

Okay...off to watch the rest of Extreme Makeover: Weight loss Edition.  Looking forward to a healthy week and tons of practicing...

.....peace and blessings....

Back on the grind...

Hey...*waving*  I can't remember when I last wrote...right now, i don't care.  Just know...I'm back.


Last week after some mental back and forth, I decided that's it.  Seriously.  That's it.  This weight has GOT to go.  It would be helpful career wise and clothing wise...since I LOVE vintage fashion, but honestly, I want it gone for health reasons.  The excess baggage gotta go.  My major goal is to have 40 lbs. gone by March 2013.


So, last Thursday, I walked back into Weight.Watchers and dragged my mom with me. (She has weight to lose. The doctor told her to get on the grind as well.)  Besides my mom, my 2 dear gay friends are the only ones who know...well, and whomever reads this blog. 


How did my first week back go?  Actually it went well.  When you refocus and approach things with a different mindset, you don't see the negative.  You see the final outcome.  I know you're wondering how I did my first week... I lost 9.2lbs.  Seriously.  I was like gagging.  LOL  Did I share at the end of the meeting during celebrations?  No.


Why didn't I share?  I'm at the place now...see my product.  I'm not talking about it much, just see my hard work.  What did I do differently than any other time?  I tracked.  Every day.  I tracked.  I cooked and tracked.  Tracked and I cooked.  LOL  I didn't cook that differently...just my portion sizes.  I had tootsie rolls, cookies, cakes, fried chicken and all the rest of crap i like.  No matter what, I tracked.


On top of tracking...I exercised.  And starting this past Monday, I've been doing a 2 day grind.  I'm calling them Round 1 and Round 2.  Round 1...it is whatever I want to do...like elliptical, yoga, zumba, kickboxing, riding my bike on the green way, etc.  That's my round 1.  Round 2...well, that's my new thing...treadmill fluctuating incline, but my speed is increasing.  I want to run.  Bottom line...straight up.  That's the plan with round 2.


Well this is a mouthful and I plan to keep blogging.  Not going to say it will be daily, but it will be at least weekly.  I'm gonna leave you with this message from my WW leader today.

Peace and Blessings.....

So...it is what it is...

I went to weigh-in today.  I've lost 0.6.

So if you round it off that is closer to 1 pound.  LOL  I'll take it.  Oh yea, I'm doing Weight Watchers.  I'm not finding it a struggle.  I am actually finding it easier than I have the 4, 5, or wait...6 times I've tried it.  LOL  I'm even incorporating more fruit into my diet.  I can't begin to tell you how great I feel.  In total since July 15th, I've lost almost 10 lbs. (YaY me!!)

My mom said today...yes, she is doing it with me...that she was proud of me.  I've gone 14 days...no bread or rice and 45+ minutes of exercise a day.  I'll take my 0.6 loss.  It takes a lot of determination and constantly talking myself off of a "sugar/rice/bread" bridge. 

I press on knowing that I'm going in the right direction and even without scale numbers...I have lost back fat.  Hey...a woman can't win them all, but she will take what she can get!!

Peace out!!