The Diet - Food Style Change

Tuesday evening this week I attended a class - a weight loss program at my gym.  My doctor recommended strongly that I join some program in order to lose weight and reduce my cholesterol.  It took me a few months to come to terms with the fact that I had to do this, make a dramatic change in my eating habits.  So, I joined the HMR program.  http://www.baptistmilestone.com/weight-loss/

Phase 1 is 13 weeks.  3 Shakes, 2 Entrees (made by HMR), and min of 5 fruits and veggies.  Believe you me, I am eating more than 5 fruits and veggies.  You want all the food you can get.  No breads, no sugar, minimal caffeine, and stay in the box - no cheating!!  It is about 1250 calories.  I can drink more of the shakes if I'm hungry.  The goal is to break the bad habits, and dig right in to teaching your body not to crave unhealthy food. 

It is a regime change for me.  No to much a diet, but rather a Food Style change.  After 20+ years of eating what I wanted, it is time for self-control. 

This will not be easy.  But, I know it is time.  Join me in praying for strength and endurance!  Thanks.

Question of the Day: "Are you married?"

Do I have something written on my forehead, which says, "This woman is single.  Talk to her about marriage?"  It started this morning with the Hertz bus driver.  The initial questions were general enough - I expect ones he asks just about everyone who climbs on his bus wanting a ride from Hertz drop off to O'Hare - How are you?  Where are you heading?  Where are you from?  And then the surprise bonus question - "Are you married?"  Now my standard reply to that particular questions is, "I haven't met Mr. Right, yet."  To my surprise the conversation continued.  Roosevelt (the driver) told me, "not to worry.  It would happen.  I was young with lots of time left."  As I got off the bus, he reminded me, "Make sure you marry someone who will take care of you.  Even better, a partnership where you take care of each other."

Fast forward through my day.  6:00pm I'm home crashed on my couch watching a movie and there is a knock on my front door.  At the door is a salesman - Ahmad ? - who is part of a Fresh Start program selling magazines.  Side note - I get suckered into these buy 3 magazine deals about every 10 years.  So, it was time :o)  Anyway, Ahmad was all kinds of nice and a mouth filled with flattery.  (Oh yes, I know this is all part of the sales pitch.) In fact, he offered to marry me on the spot once he knew I was single.  Ahmad assured me that I was exactly his type of woman and that my freckles (which I believe he also called tiger stripes) were "cute."   I laughed, bought the 3 magazines, and wished him well on his life journey.

So, I want to know, is there something written on my forehead?  Because two times in the same day feels a bit excessive to get the "Are you married" question.  Oh well, I hadn't been asked in a while, so perhaps my standard answer needed some practice and polish.  Who knows perhaps Mr. Right will be asking the question one day soon :o) 

P.S.  I learned today from Ahmad that I have an accent.  Guess after listening to the drawl of the average Kentuckian, my fast paced "California Girl" manner of speaking sounded pleasing to his ear. 

Bucket List: Buy A Car by Myself

Strike this off the bucket list - buying a car by myself.  Today, this was accomplished.  Balding Civic was traded in for a 2012 Ford Fusion.  I didn't haggle as much as probably I should, but I got more money than expected on my trade in, I am below the monthly payment target I set for myself, and my cover has excellent coverage - warranties and maintenance for several years.  Oh and 0% APR and now down payment - Ford is making way for the 2013 model.

I felt like crying a little when I drove away and left Balding Civic parked by the curb.  14 years old in June, 215,990 miles!  Oh my.  Road trips, commutes (I do not miss the I-15 corridor), traffic jams, long drives without cruise control, and the mini-road trip with the Martinelli kids asking about the funny knob things in the back (aka the handles to roll down the windows!)

Thank you, Balding Civic, for the memories!

The Bucket List

The Bucket List

So, I've been thinking about Bucket Lists lately.  No nothing terrible is going on.  I am just more of a talker/ planner instead of a doer. I want to change -  to switch from being a talker only.  Making "to do" lists help me stay on track at work, and I figured a bucket list would serve the same purpose in my personal life.

The List (subject to change - removals and additions)

• Hike Half Dome in Yosemite
• Get a tattoo
• Check out the TT race in person on the Isle of Man (I just watched an HBO special and HOLY SMOKES this is something I need to see in person)
• Spend a week in Paris (perhaps after the TT race????)
• Take a cruise starting in Portugal with ports of call throughout the Mediterranean (This is my DREAM vacation)
• See the Nutcracker Ballet with a LIVE Orchestra
• Experience a play on Broadway
• New Years Eve in New York City
• New Years Eve someplace exotic (destination TBD)
• Drink Guinness at the source in Ireland
• Go to a classic rock concert (could I travel back in time to the late 80s??)
• Fall in love with the right guy
• Vacation on Turtle Island
• Buy a new car by myself (silly, perhaps, but I am intimidated by doing this on my own)
• COMPLETED July 7, 2012! 2012 Ford Fusion (The Silver Knight)
• Lose 135-150lbs (there - it is out there in black and white).  Goal weight 140-155lb
• Start, own, and run my own consulting business - Goal:  Helping American Manufacturing compete on a global level.  (Yes, I believe it is possible.  Everything DOES NOT need to move offshore.)
• Own my own house
• Find an artistic outlet I love
• Learn to Box (Actually in process)
• Ride rapids (preferably in some type of boat)
• Hot Air Balloon Ride
• Wear a bikini (just once - with my fair skin someone will have to COAT me in sunscreen)
• Teach business strategy (goes with the consulting business)
• Visit a rainforest and ride one of those ziplines
• More to come . . .