Hot For The Holidays Challenge ending entry
Mood:  happy
Topic: Notable News

Wow... can this be for real?
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Notable News

Starting Statistics
Weight	198	lbs
Body Fat %	34.5	%
Fat Mass	68.31	lbs
Lean Mass	129.69	lbs
Current Statistics
Weight	193	lbs
Body Fat %	28.7	%
Fat Mass	55.391	lbs
Lean Mass	137.609	lbs
Results
Fat Lost	12.919	lbs
Lean Mass Gained	7.919	lbs
Weight Lost	5	lbs

I don't know if I can believe it or not.... the scale is all over the place too.  I weighed in at 197 this morning.  WTF?  Hmmmm....

Whoosh!
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Notable News

Heading into the last few days of week 3 of OPT, and I'm am cruising along really well!  Hit 191.5 pounds this morning for the first time since summer of 2007 before my trip to Europe.  Of course, if I had to estimate, I'd put myself at about 5% more body fat than I had back then.  Darn you, baby fat.

So far on OPT, I've lost 3 inches and 6.5 pounds.  Pretty damn impressive.  Plus, I've finally lost a half an inch around my thigh which is the smallest its been probably in 5 years or at least since I started measuring before my wedding in 2006. 

Whatever it is about this OPT training design, its working!

Last night I put a pair of capris on that I haven't worn since my bachelorette party... I was so happy :)

 

OPT starts!
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Notable News

Starting a new program today, and its completely kick ass.  Its designed by Leigh Peele, a personal trainer and "Fat Loss Expert," and is really hardcore.

Essentially, its three different sections of training separated by a week of recovery and diet only... so:

weeks 1-3:

1. eating at 35% deficit
2. weight training 4x/week
3. cardio for 50 minutes 3x/week

week 4:

recovery (stretching only) and eating at 40% deficit

weeks 5-8:

1. eating at 30% deficit
2. weight training (in supersets) 4x/week
3. cardio (intervals) 3x/week for 40 minutes

week 9:

recovery (stretching only) and eating at 35% deficit

weeks 10-12:

1. eating at 40% deficit
2. weight traing, full body 2-3x/week
3. cardio, easy, 5-7 days per week, up to an hour

Here goes day 1 !!!!

Big news!
Mood:  energetic
Topic: Notable News

Well, for all those who have linked to and read my blog for its fitness information (and other random tidbits), I'm sorry I have been so distant.  Not for nothing, though...

Walter and I are expecting our first child in May of 2008!  I just had an ultrasound today and here she/he is:

I am super excited, obviously, and have been putting everything but this baby on a back burner since I found out.  I started a new blog just about the baby at:

Hello Belly!

Come and check it out at your leisure.. I have entries dating way back to the beginning :)

In the meantime, keep checking back for trip reports about Prague, Brno, Vienna, and Frankfurt.  I have plenty to say now that all my photos have been appropriately edited!

Sarah's wedding!
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Notable News

Obviously this is ridiculously overdue, but I had to share at some point.  (I promise to be better about updating this blog, but I've had other projects in the works and can't seem to find time for everything!)

Sarah's wedding morning started with us dressing lesiurely and heading out for a quick bite to eat before our hair needed to be done.  Sarah's friend Maria stopped us with free bagels from the downstairs buffet and juices, so we skeddadled with them, stopped at the ATM for tip money, and headed to the salon.  We got there with plenty of time to spare, and I went in the chair first.  Sarah next, followed by Julia, Melissa, and Jana.  All of our hair came out beautifully!  Sarah and I grabbed turkey clubs and headed back to the hotel to do our makeup and get dressed. 

Seeing Sarah get into her wedding dress was a surreal experience!  She looked so gorgeous, but I kept all my tears inside so the old makeup would stay put. 

 

My mom and I laced her up, then we all walked downstairs to meet up with the girls.  Mom, Dad, Sarah, and I drove to the wedding, singing "Going to the Chapel."  Got Sarah over the nervousness and emotions of the moment just for a few minutes.

We arrived with plenty of time at the church, which was easily 100+ degrees inside!  THe ceremony was gorgeous- my cousin, uncle, and several others sang a beautiful song, the minister spoke some nice words, and my poor sister sweated in rivers down her arms.  I tried to surruptisiously wipe it off.  DeShaun had a near accident- he blacked out, and Walter got him sitting in a pew just in time!

After the ceremony, we all headed towards Plimouth Plantation for the reception, after waiting close to 30 minutes for Walter to get the car ready.  Apparently he was decorating with ribbon, but the ribbon had wire in it.  He had no scissors, so he cut the ribbon with his teeth.  My husband has some sharp teeth I guess!  While waiting, I dropped my digital camera, loosening the casing (I went to Best Buy the next day and bought another).

We tried to take a few photos at a gorgeous garden by the reception hall, but got rained out after just a few minutes.  Sarah and Petr mostly stayed dry!

At the start of the recption, Sarah and Petr were announced directly after completing a Czech tradition of breaking a plate and sweeping up the shards together... very touching, symbolizing cooperation in marriage.

The whole night was a blast- great food, fun music, funnier dancing, and polka dancing!  Polka dancing is a good workout, let me tell you!

I was so happy for my sister, and there were so many beautiful moments that one single blog post cannot express my happiness or how gorgeous the whole event was.  All I can say is that two months later, I am still happy.

Major Events Indeed
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Notable News

Okay, I'm finally back after a long hiatus.  Sorry to the 5 people who read me regularly- Mom, Chuck, the Michelles, and Joana

 I have had a crazy month and of course, in typical Jamie style, here is what I've been up to:

1. My little sister got married!  Yes, we had an amazing wedding at Plymouth Plantation on July 8th.  I finally finished editing those photos a week ago (there were about 700), and will post a few in the coming days.
2. The Europe Trip!  We went on an amazing journey to the Czech Republic, Austria, and German from July 9th through the 23rd.  I loved every second, but again, glad to be home and in my own bed.
3. Baby making!  I officially stopped taking the pill in July, and while we are not exactly trying yet, we're not, NOT trying.  Aiming for a summer 2008 baby... girl, if I have my wish.  Prenatal vitamins are really not too bad, you know.
4. 1 year wedding anniversay 8/11/07!  Yeah!  Walt and I spent the weekend in Boston dancing and eating out, shopping, and napping.  It was fantastic!
5. Salsa dancing- I'm still taking my weekly lesson, and averaging 1-2 nights/week social dancing.  I am steadily improving, and am feeling really comfortable dancing with people of all levels now.  Still hate dancing with much shorter guys, but that's part of the deal unfortunately.

I promise to post lots of details about the wedding, the trip, and the other myriad events in my life... now that my head is finally above water!  Glad to be back

Turning over a spring (new) leaf!
Mood:  lyrical
Topic: Notable News

Todya starts my 28 day prep-for-Prague mini-Challenge with my BFL tracker Glamazon team.  My personal challenge will be to get my eating back under control, as I am really enjoying the little snacks here, the chocolate chips there, the yummy after-dinner ice cream cone Thursday, the mini-sundae at Herrell's yesterday... the list goes on!

Enough of that.  For the next 28 days, I am going to blog my meals, my exercises, and my experiences and see if I can hone in on what makes me succeed.  So, for today:

Dietary Intake: 

Water: 15 cups

Breakfast: 2/3 cup eggbeaters with spinach and a sprinkling of feta, oatmeal with cinnamon and craisins

Snack: all natural protein bar (1 small oatmeal cookie- whoops)

Lunch: salad with 1/2 cup cottage cheese, sunflower seeds, oil and vinegar dressing (<1 tbsp) and an apple

Snack: protein pancakes

Dinner: two BBQ skinless chicken drumsticks, 1 cup spinach, 1 apple, 1/2 oz cheddar cheese

Exercise:

25 a.m. cardio, moderate pace, on elliptical (HR 130-140)

20 min cardio (combo wave and bike), moderate pace (HR 130-148)

45 minutes UBWO

Thoughts:

Today was a great day, actually.  I ate clean (with the exception of that oatmeal cookie), and worked out hard.  I really enjoyed my a.m. cardio, but I have to make really sure that I get in a full 7-8 hours of sleep if I'm going to make a habit of it.

More next time regarding the evolution of my taste in music and its connection with dance. :)

Finally... 12 weeks done!
Mood:  silly
Topic: Notable News

I am going to win Mega Millions tonight!
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: Notable News

Tonight I played the Mega Millions for the first time.  My numbers: 5 17 18 21 and 25.  Those are the winners, people. 

Just you wait!!!

In memorium
Mood:  sad
Topic: Notable News

We all miss him so much already...

A rose by any other name... will still look pretty...
Mood:  happy
Topic: Notable News

Sarah and I have been virtual shopping for bridesmaid dresses for her upcoming July wedding.  Having similar tastes sure helps.  We are thinking pinks and purples, but here are the two dresses we have seen thus far that we like best:

and this one, also in pink or lavender shades:

Here's my sis in one of the (nonchosen) dresses she tried on a few months back.  Isn't she gorgeous?

Glad tidings, good cheer, etc.
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: Notable News

My sister, my little sister, is getting married!   The date is set for July 8th, 2007, and she's planning on having it at Plimouth Plantation!

Also on the docket, is a family trip to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, where my sister's fiancé Petr is from.  We also plan to tour Brno, where some of his family still live. 

I plan to take two weeks off from work, and hopefully, we can check out a few more countries while we are there.  Christmas will be different this year, as we're all saving our pennies for this trip.  Hey... who wants new PJs when Europe's calling?!

The Meaning of Life
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: Notable News

Yesterday, my sister-in-law Rukaiyah, and her husband Frank brought her son into the world.  Baby Israel weighs 8 pounds, 7.5 oz. and is 21.5 inches long, with a big 'ol head!  And he is beautiful!  Walter, Crystal, and Frank helped coach her and I took photos, since I am the family photographer.  While watching this miracle happen, I couldn't help but think about my own future and fortunately, the experience didn't turn me off having babies of my own.  It did, however, lead me to some conclusions about how I want my own kid's birth to happen:

1. Give me the drugs.  No need to be a hero, all births are natural, etc.  I don't want to be crying my eyes out and cursing my husband the whole day.
2. Be demanding if need be.  Kayah asked to walk, she asked for a ball, she asked to stand, she asked for her four family members to be present during the birth (policy said only 2- they were "stretching" it to four).  She only had one of those requests fulfilled- and that was for the four of us to be present.  The health care workers are there to make the birth comfortable and safe, and her feelings were not fully respected.
3. Stretching is a must.  When you see the position they want you to get in... wow.  No tight hips allowed.
4. Eat as much as you can before you go to the hospital.  Poor Kayah finally ate about 9 p.m., after being in labor since 8 a.m.  I'm grumpy when I'm hungry- can you imagine adding labor onto that?  I'm gonna have me a HUGE meal before I go through all of that.
5. Have only the essential people there, and invite everyone else in the next day.  The first few hours are incredibly precious.
6. Have someone there to take photos who knows how- I was able to capture it all!  The first diaper, getting weighed in, EVERYTHING! 

Okay, so I've got the fever... but I think I'll wait just a little while longer.  Sorry, Mom :)

 

My HUSBAND (!) is starting up again!
Mood:  happy
Topic: Notable News

I love it when Walter is "on program" with me... he's getting back on the fitness band-wagon with me this week!  I have been a busy little bee, prepping all his fav foods and helping him get ready for the resurgence.

Of course, I'll be cursing him in a month when he has already lost 20 pounds!

Letting go of the gluttony
Mood:  cheeky
Topic: Notable News

My wedding and honeymoon were fantastic, and I'm almost completely back on track now as far as getting back in the gym and such.  I'll be blogging a whole bunch on my wedding blog in the next few days so refer to that for what's been going on the past two weeks...

 My fall is looking like fun!  I'm taking another Spanish Class (Intermediate Spanish 1) starting September 7th and am going to pick up yoga again on Tuesday nights for more of a holistic balance.  Cardio and weights will start up full force on Monday with the start of BFL Challenge # 3 for the year.  I had lost about 20 or so pounds, but who knows where I stand now since the honeymoon (lots of fine dining and desserts)!  My goal is for a 15 pound weight loss this fall to get my into the 170s...

 Stay tuned...life is good!

Getting cut :)
Mood:  loud
Topic: Notable News

How to determine your stripper name
Mood:  bright
Topic: Notable News
1. Use the third letter of your first name to determine your new first name:

a = Fantasia
b = Chesty
c = Starr
d = Diamond
e = Montana
f = Angel
g = Sugar
h = Mimi
i = Lola
j =Kitty
k = Roxie
l = Dallas
m = Princess
n = Heidi
o = Bambi
p = Bunny
q = Brandy
r = Sugar
s = Candy
t = Raquelle
u = Sapphire
v = Cinnamon
w = Blaze
x = Trixie
y = Isis
z = Jade


2. Use the second letter of your last name to determine the first half of your new last name:

a = Leather
b = Dream
c = Sunny
d = Deep
e = Heaven
f = Tight
g = Shimmer
h = Velvet
i = Lusty
j = Harley
k = Passion
l = Dazzle
m = Dixon
n = Spank
o = Glitter
p = Razor
q = Meadow
r = Glitz
s = Sparkle
t = Sweet
u = Silver
v = Tickle
w = Cherry
x = Hard
y = Night
z = Amber



3. Use the third letter of your last name to determine the second half of your new last name:

a = hooter
b = horn
c = tower
d = fire
e = thighs
f = hips
g = side
h = jugs
i = shock
j = cocker
k = brook
l = tush
m = sizzle
n = ridge
o = kiss
p = bomb
q = cream
r = thong
s = heat
t = whip
u = cheeks
v = rock
w = hiney
x = button
y = lick
z = juice


Mine is KITTY SWEET BOMB!!!

Eye hate torture
Mood:  energetic
Topic: Notable News


I finally did it. I went and got contacts. Is it just me, or are the people who work in the field of Optometry masochists?

First, a woman with about 15 pounds of gold jewelry on took down all my information and led me in to the eye exam room. She puffed that stupid machine in my eye (and had absolutely NO sense of humor about it), and then read my prescription wrong off my glasses.

The optometrist herself was a teeny tiny Asian woman. Of course all I could think to myself was, "Gosh, maybe I can be reborn as an Asian woman because they are really thin," when I remembered that they are very prone to osteoporosis (a hunchback is sooo passe) and eat all those dried mushrooms and lychee fruits and -gag- RAW fish. Cooked fish is bad enough. No wonder they are skinny.

After my eye exam and my contact brand was chosen, I walked out into the waiting room. The Gold Non-Smiling lady turned to the other woman sitting at the desk and said, "Do you know how to do a contact fitting?"

The other woman (let's call her Sweetie, b/c she was) sort of shrugged, and said, "Um, of course." Not the most confidence-building answer, but I was determined to give her the benefit of the doubt.

So, we sat down and they proceeded to start instructing me on the cleaning process, how to tell if the lens is right side out, etc... I have trouble holding my eyes open right from the start. I am sweaty, hungry, and irritable. I have not eaten since 2 and its now 6:30. She offers to demonstrate on herself, and goes to pick out a lens to try on her eye.

15 minutes later, she's still demonstrating. She has not put it in yet. By this point I'm nearing despair. If Sweetie can't put in a god-damn contact, how the hell am I going to?

Finally, Gold lady comes in and relieves Sweetie, as her shift is over. Gold lady is decidely more experienced, but barks command after comand at me. "No! Hold your eyes open wider! Do not take your finger off your eye until I tell you to! That's not right!"

By this point, my eyes are red, itchy, watering, and I'm nearly ready to throw in the towel. I take a deep breath, and FINALLY the contacts are in.

Gold lady says, "Okay, now we take them out and put them in again."

WHAT?

This morning I put them in in under 7 minutes. I guess I'm a faster learner than I thought.

Shout outs!!!
Mood:  energetic
Topic: Notable News
Two very good friends of mine have started blogs, and I hope you all pop on over to check them out and tell them I sent ya!

Karen is such a beautiful friend, I always feel so warm and happy in her presence. Not only is she hot, but she is really intelligent, caring, and independent. Back off men, she's taken. Here she is enjoying a nice mango lassi with yours truly:


Chuck is the husband of my best friend Jaime. He's a very mysterious sort- the kind of guy who is both complicated and simple, funny and serious, straight yet out there. I really look forward to learning more about him. Here he is with his bee-yu-tee-ful wife: