Phase One. Day 14

Today my roommate and I made it through phase one of the South Beach Diet.

I'd like to tell you that it was easy, but it certainly wasn't. But I do feel great. I'm not sure how much weight I lost last time I weighed I was down 9.5 lbs, but we'll see tomorrow for the final count.

I have no idea how it works, but I really have lost a lot of belly fat and that is exactly what they said would happen. The results keep me motivated and help me to say no to the treats around me.

Tomorrow I begin Phase Two! Carbs are back in, as is fruit. I'm a little bit nervous to see how my body will react. The weight loss slows down to a healthy amount during phase two. Closer to 1-2 lbs a week.

For anyone who is considering the diet here are a few of my thoughts. Don't feel guilty for not feeling hungry. I wish I drank more water during phase one, and slept more. Watch out for your fat servings. I cheated a bit because I would sometimes have almonds and natural peanut butter in the same day. I didn't feel guilty because of how healthy I was eating, but looking back I wish I had been better about that.

I can't wait until tomorrow. I'm going to eat some carbs in the morning.

Love

via pinterest

I read this and loved it. I needs to be share. via

JOHN E. STEINBECK

A Letter to His Son, New York, 10 November 1958

Dear Thom: 

We had your letter this morning. I will answer it from my point of view and of course Elaine will from hers.

First -- if you are in love -- that's a good thing -- that's about the best thing that can happen to anyone. Don't let anyone make it small or light to you.

Second -- There are several kinds of love. One is a selfish, mean, grasping, egotistical thing which uses love for self-importance. This is the ugly and crippling kind. The other is an outpouring of everything good in you -- of kindness and consideration and respect -- not only the social respect of manners but the greater respect which is recognition of another person as unique and valuable. The first kind can make you sick and small and weak but the second can release in you strength, and courage and goodness and even wisdom you didn't know you had.

You say this is not puppy love. If you feel so deeply -- of course it isn't puppy love.

But I don't think you were asking me what you feel. You know better than anyone. What you wanted me to help you with is what to do about it -- and that I can tell you.

Glory in it for one thing and be very glad and grateful for it.

The object of love is the best and most beautiful. Try to live up to it.

If you love someone -- there is no possible harm in saying so -- only you must remember that some people are very shy and sometimes the saying must take that shyness into consideration.
Girls have a way of knowing or feeling what you feel, but they usually like to hear it also.
It sometimes happens that what you feel is not returned for one reason or another -- but that does not make your feeling less valuable and good.

Lastly, I know your feeling because I have it and I'm glad you have it.

We will be glad to meet Susan. She will be very welcome. But Elaine will make all such arrangements because that is her province and she will be very glad to. She knows about love too and maybe she can give you more help than I can.

And don't worry about losing. If it is right, it happens -- The main thing is not to hurry. Nothing good gets away.

Love,

Fa

Confessions

Just a few thoughts running through my mind this fine Thursday afternoon.

- My roommate and I decided to the South Beach diet. A good friend of our lost 35lbs on it so we thought we would give it a try. I will let you know when we're done with phase one how much we've lost but I'll just say I can already see a change in my body. It's not a low-carb diet, it's more of a healthy lifestyle.

- I cannot wait for baseball season to begin. I miss it so much I want to cry. Despite my great disdain for the Boston Red Sox, I'm trying to organize a trip to Boston to see the team. How to do with without spending $?? I pretty much just need a place to stay... Know anyone in boston?

- I love pickles now. And I wish I was eating sugar free pudding right now... mmm....

- I am thinking about running the Colorado Ragnar... As in we're just trying to get a team together for it.

- I feel incredibly blessed right now. Just remarkably at peace with my life. God is Good.

- The highlight of my weeks right now are going to my 11-year-old brother's basketball games on Saturday. I usually keep score for my dad. I just love to watch the little guys improve. Today I realized they only have two games and then a tournament left and I got a little bit sad. At least it'll be followed up with their baseball season.

- I want something to train for. I have some lofty goals as far as this whole South Beach thing, and I'll admit that I've never been so committed to something. Granted, it's day 10 and that's not all that long but I feel great. I haven't had sugar in that time, and I've said no to just about everything I couldn't imagine being tempted with. We have a cheat day planned on my roommate's birthday in March.

- I've been listening to French music all morning. To get myself ready for spring!

Hunger Games

Can't wait for the Hunger Games movie in March? Me neither. Until the movie is premiered here are a few things to tide you over.

The Tumblr called Capitol Couture is fantastic. It is written as if the books are real and it focuses on the story line, as well as the fashion we'll see in the film. Read the site's masthead:

Whether you're a Capitol fashionista seeking inspiration for your latest look or a District citizen tracking rumors about the Tributes and other celebs, Capitol Couture is the only place to turn for pictures and news reports on the fashion, trends and lifestyle that make Capitol living so grand.

Sorry, the site takes forever to load, but it's still pretty great.

Also, EW has an exclusive photo of the costumes for the tribute parade. I can't wait to see them on fire.

Via

Looking Forward To...

Spring Training!

Unmask

Go Denver

As an avid football fan, and a born and raised Denver Bronco follower I cannot let what the Broncos have done this season go unnoticed. Denver is in a fuss about Tim Tebow, you think you hear about him all the time everywhere else... puh-lease.

Let's go Broncos!

photo via The Denver Post

The Bent Noodle

I love my momma. We had a most delicious dinner together. My family loves this little local restaurant called The Bent Noodle. Great Italian food!

We started off the night with one of my faves.

A Test

Just when you feel like you've made some good progress, you've matured, grown and acted like an adult, just when you feel like you've overcome some great weakness or tendency to choose wrong... Life throws you a curveball.

Forgive the vague references here but some things have to stay private...

Why is it that this time around, when people are creating drama around me, people are now looking to me as an example or at times a solution. My natural inclination is to not give the drama any time, for that is exactly what drama wants more than anything. But perhaps, this time I'm in a position where I lead, I lead by word and by deed and people are looking to my example to see the best way to react. Here's a little secret... I have no idea what to do (don't tell anybody).

Then another situation is thrust in front of me. One that is deeply personal and really pulls right at my recently patched up heart strings. I can choose the higher road, which requires a lot more of me. Or I can get petty, fight and argue. And I'm not sure what I want to do. I know what I'll end up doing, but how I'm going to get there... I'm not sure.

I had to go back and read this and this for help.