Workin' On My Fitness

When I started this blog, I was in the middle of my third week of a new (for me) fitness and nutrition program called Kinetix. I found out that my work offers this program for free to its employees, and I have since witnessed several colleagues who have achieved noticeable results from participating in Kinetix. I was definitely skeptical at first, since that's how I always approach "dieting" when I'm trying to get in shape and be healthy. But, I'll be the first to admit that I've really let myself go over the years, ever since graduating college...wait, back that up...I'd actually say I checked out on fitness when I started college. It's easy to do your freshman year, and I definitely got my freshman 15 like many people do. From there, I didn't really monitor what was going on with my bod, and as my figure got fuller ever so slowly, and a lot of my clothes stretched with me, I didn't even realize the changes much.

Now I'll also say that I'm a huge advocate for gorgeous, curvy, full-figured ladies and I believe women should feel empowered and comfortable in their bodies, no matter their size or shape. For me, however, there was no reason that I should have gotten to this point. I was raised eating a lot of healthy, organic, whole foods and the majority of what I ate did fall into those categories. But, there were all those other times when I'd seriously mow on a block of Maytag blue and water crackers, chomp through an entire bag of Terra chips (seriously, those bags are so small!), and down latte after sugary latte (what Starbucks employee doesn't?) without giving it a second thought. Oh, and don't even get me started on my weekend brunch ritual of pan-fried garlic potatoes doused in ketchup and Sriracha sauce. Now that I've finally started to do something about it, I'm realizing for the first time in a long time, that I can't just eat whatever I want, and not work out regularly, and expect to look and feel comfortable in my own skin. I had started to feel so disconnected from my body, that it didn't even feel like my body anymore. I wasn't really living in and through myself, and I was denying myself experiences and happiness because I was basically living outside of my body--avoiding it, ignoring it, pretending not to hate it.

That all sounds uber-depressing, but I assure you I've done a complete 180 after four weeks in this Kinetix program. I'm not usually one for fad diets, although sometimes I think it would be lovely to pop a magical fat-burning pill and melt away the pounds while barely lifting a finger. I think someone might actually manufacture that product, but I'm pretty sure the major side effects include death, so I'm taking a more practical approach. I wanted to get myself on a plan that really worked for my lifestyle and my personality type. This program combines a specific nutritional plan (with a wide range of yummy food choices) with a fitness component that you do six days a week. It sounds extreme at first, but then you find out that you work out for just 30 minutes a day, Monday through Saturday (resting on Sunday), and alternate weight training and cardio every other day. The program is totally doable for me, since I can just hop over to the Kinetix gym after work, do my workout with my coach, and then get on with my evening. I'm just so impressed with how organized the program is, and since we're keeping track of our workouts and our nutrition, they provide us with a journal to document everything. I'm one of those people who is freakishly addicted to making organizational lists, so this method works brilliantly for me. Plus, at the end of the day and week I can actually see my progress and feel good about hitting all my targets.

Now that I've completed the first four weeks of the initial eight week program and I'm feeling really motivated and energized, I have exciting news to report. We just took my BCAs today, and my printout showed that I've lost 7.3 pounds of body fat and gained 6.6 pounds of lean muscle! Even though my weight has virtually stayed the same, those changes with body fat and lean mass speak volumes to me about how my body is responding to this new regimen. I'm definitely excited to continue on with this and see where it takes me. I've been telling myself for years how I want to eat healthier and get back into shape, and I've listed off all of the amazing things I want to do "once I get in shape." Well, now thanks to Kinetix, it looks like I'm actually going to get to do those things on my list sometime in the (hopefully near) future. As long as I keep my dedication and concentration, you'll be seeing me lounging poolside in a sexy bikini in no time.

For anyone who's interested in learning more about the program, visit Kinetix online.

And now for a cheesy music moment that I feel really speaks to what I'm experiencing right now:

Spring Concert Calendar

WOWIEWOWIEWOWWWW! I'm just expressing my excitement about all of the kickass shows that are coming up this spring in Seattle. My concert attendance over the past year has definitely dwindled down to a pathetic and sorry state, as I've been wrapped up in other things. Plus, who can blame me if the ticket purchase convenience charge is half the price of the actual ticket itself? WTF?

Anyway, part of my resolve for change this year includes doing more of the fun, exciting things that I want to do. Going to shows (musical performances, theater, art, etc.) has always been a passion of mine, so I'm commiting to letting myself experience the awesomeness that is the Seattle music scene.

So far this spring (March counts as spring, right? It's been sunny in Seattle for weeks now!) I've got the following lined up:

March 6 at The Crocodile
Handful of Luvin' and Benjamin Doerr

March 27 at Paramount
A Prairie Home Companion
with Garrison Keillor and special guests Brandi Carlile and The Wailin' Jennys

April 9 at Nectar Lounge
Little Dragon and VV Brown

April 15 at Showbox at the Market
Florence and the Machine and Holy Hail

...and more to come!

I'm particularly excited about Little Dragon, as they have become my new obsession (see YouTube video for "Feathers" posted below). Yukimi Nagano is beautiful, soulful, and amazing!

Form and function: a worthy challenge

(Find it on Etsy)

My sister just emailed me this amazing find from Etsy and asked me if I could try to make one. Since I've just recently taken up ceramics (again) I think it will be a great challenge. Of course, I don't want to completely steal this artist's unique idea for a serving platter, but in general I think this is a really functional piece with a gorgeous sculptural element.

I'm thinking I'll have to throw a larger shallow bowl and a separate smaller "dipping" bowl, and then slice the top down diagnonally on the large one, and slip and score it to connect to the smaller bowl. Glazing will be interesting...I'd like to keep a basic, light color so it won't interfere with the sleek design. So, here you have it--my next art project/goal/challenge. If and when I complete this, I'll post the pic of my own. Thanks for the inspiration seastar!

Not-So-Exciting Friday Night

It's Friday night, I'm home in my condo (because there's really no place I'd rather be right now) and there are exactly two things on my mind:

1. Catching some MUCH needed zzz's. Side note: I had my Friday night on Thursday night--went to ceramics class from 6-9 and then met up with a group of friends at a bowling alley for my friend C's last night in Seattle before she moves to San Fran. Couldn't let that party die...we bowled our asses off with those shimmery rainbow balls, took a shit-ton of hilarious pictures, danced around to the 90's music they were playing because it was a crappy bowling alley, and grabbed each other's boobs and asses all night (what can I say, we all love the female anatomy and have no shame when it comes to jokingly molesting each other in public). Anyway, after all that, getting into bed at 1:30 (I was the first person to leave, and the first to have to wake up today) and trying to wake up at 4:45 a.m. for work does not happen. Literally, I slept through my alarm by an hour, and got to work 30 minutes late after bolting up out of bed and getting ready in approximately 2.5 seconds. So all in all, I'm thoroughly exhausted and crave sleep.

2. How to clean an oil spill off of a concrete garage floor. Seriously, it's been on my mind for the past few days, ever since my property management company sent me a letter telling me I had to clean up the oil spill in my parking space or else the entire universe will come crashing down to its bitter end. First of all, they should be asking the "mechanic" at Grease Monkey who did my last oil change why he didn't clean up enough under the hood before I drove away (my car may be old, but she's not the one that's sloppy). Second, I suppose I should know the condo by-laws by heart now having lived here for almost two years, but I don't live in my parking space, so therefore a little oil spill doesn't really frost my cookies too much. Of course now that I have a deadline to clean up what has been made out to be an oil spill that rivals that of the Exxon Mobil fiasco, I'm frantically Googling for ideas on the most efficient quick fix. Ehow and Wikihow alone provide myriad suggestions for how to clean this effing thing--so many that I don't even know where to begin. Mostly, it's beginning to bug me that something so small and insignificant is making me feel like I'm somehow lacking in one of the major skill sets of adulthood. It also makes me feel lacking in that I don't have someone in my life who knows about car related stuff who cares about me enough to schlep on down to the auto supply store and clean up my catastrophic oil spill for me. If I did, I'd be sure to reward her greatly afterwards. But since I don't, I guess it's another life lesson to be learned.

But for now, now that I'm through with my whining about the situation, I'm going to crawl into my downy bed, curl up in the fetal position, and drift off to sleep. Then tomorrow, when I'm well rested and refreshed, I'll put on my big girl pants and proclaim "Out, damn spot!".

Oh, and one last thing (a feather for your dreams):

Look + Listen = Love

This awesome song and video by Delphic has been playing on repeat on my computer for a while now. The lyrics really speak to me...

Wanting meaning, wanting more than the same things
Wanting everything, just to start at the ending
I found another face to show
Just because what you say is what will go

...and the video is mesmerizing. Just look, listen, and love:

2010: A Change Odyssey

So, here I am 56 days into the new year, my self-proclaimed "Year of Change," and I'm playing hooky from work so I could sleep in, make brunch, and sit at my computer in my basketball shorts and Hanes undershirt while sipping a mug of decaf Sumatra. In all seriousness, I did wake up (when my alarm went off at 4:30 a.m., mind you) with the mother of all headaches, and promptly called the sick line at work to inform them of my absence. Six hours of sleep and three Tylenol Extra Strength fast-release capsules later I woke up feeling the need to do something productive with my day. Hence, starting this blog.

I attempted to start a blog a little over a year ago, and after getting 3 posts into it, the poor thing was abandoned somewhere out there on the interwebs, my words floating freely with no one to read them. Hell, I don't even know if anyone will be reading my blog this time around, but I feel like I need this outlet. This is the space where I'm going to chronicle my thoughts, ideas, rants, successes, failures, and questions. Since I am bound and determined to increase what I call my "happines quota" this year, I am going to write about my experiences and attempts in doing just that.

All in all, whether this blog garners a following or not, it is my intention to provide a somewhat humorous account of my odyssey through 2010. Will I succeed in making the changes I want to make? What predicaments will I get myself into along the way? How many licks will it take to get to the center of my theoretical Tootsie Pop? We'll just have to wait and see...