Getting Back In The Saddle

Wow, it's been quite a few weeks since I blogged.

Life is always busy, but book deadlines took over my life...and I'm still not finished. Currently working on my February '10 release - Trail of Kisses. At first, I got stuck trying to tell the story, then writing madly, but not really going anywhere with the story. Lots of teeth gnashing, wringing of hands, hair pulling (bad habit of mine). I had to go back to the basics. Who are these characters? What makes them tick? Slowly I was able to flesh them out, packing on more backstory and gaining an understanding. Doesn't mean that the story telling is any easier, but at least, I'm understanding what and why things are happening.

On the Jenny Craig front, I was losing pounds, slow and steady, until I went off to Chicago for spring break with the kids. In that four day span, I ate at various restaurants for all meals, in addition to shoving nacho and cheese in my mouth at the movies, etc. The two temptations I said no to were desserts and alcohol--and after feeling umcomfortably full, I didn't want anything else. But I'd already done some damage, even without those calories.

At weigh in, my low .4 weight gain was counted a success because I worked out like a demon. I knew that I had veered off track for two of those days and I worked out with a brutal intensity for three days.

Once I got back home, I returned to the basics. I even had a writing conference last weekend and didn't have any cravings at meal times, and didn't want to try anything too calorie laden. The difference between the two experiences was the environment. At the conference, I had friends who were very supportive of my efforts and even suggested food items and didn't push when I said no.

So at weigh in today, I had lost 4 pounds and I'm .8 pounds away from one of my personal milestone.

Here's to a good week.

Michelle

Goal: 80 pounds to be kicked to the curb 19 pounds lost

Lead Us Not Into Temptation

The word Temptation is defined as allure, bait, enticement.

Every day we face temptation in different forms. We readily rationalize why we need to cut corners to reach that goal. Often, our frustration, sense of entitlement, or let's call it as it is, greed get us in trouble with our vices.

All around us, we see the effects from the person who extends the temptation and by the person who acts upon the bait. At the end of the day, you have to ask-- Was it worth it?

In the writing life, you get tempted to take the short cut to publishing by hooking up with shoddy people. They recognize the hunger in your eye and will mix up a batch of their potion to lure you in where you sign away your rights, write for next to nothing, or bind you into a terrible contract. My suggestion is to do your homework, check references, sleep on it. Because that mud will feel awfully deep once you've taken that first step.

My writing career started as a hobby. I enjoyed creating stories, but had no real desire or dream to be a career author. By the time, the bug hit me, I was among many friends who were being published for the first time. I witnessed the realization of their hard work and dreams to get to that point. I buckled down and learned. There were false starts, wrong turns, and near misses. But I'm not the type to quit. Instead, I worked harder. When I finally sold in 2002, I was ready for the hard work necessary to keep on writing and being published.

As I eye the next level, there are temptations out there to sway you from your journey. New sub-genres are popping up. The temptation is to run toward the new thing. Publishers, good and bad, are keeping their eyes on up and coming authors. But that's where a good agent can step in and do the vetting that an eager author may choose to ignore. Hardwork got me here and hardwork will keep me here. No short cuts.

On Jenny Craig, each week, I face a myriad of temptations. Someone may innocently suggest that I partake of food because they don't want it to go to waste. Or I head to a party where booze and rich treats are definite attendees. Then there are the moments of stress, which you can't seem to avoid in a day, much less a week. Stress = Food.

Again, hard work comes through for me. I have to exercise every day, with a goal of 5-7 days a week. 30 mins as a minimum goal. No two days are alike. Back in the day, I wanted to be a bodybuilder, so I know how to exercise and I know my body.

I stick with the menu. If I'm going off the menu, I already have a back-up plan. I don't wait until I'm in the situation (if I'm aware in advance) to figure out what to eat. Fruits, vegetables, and water have bailed me out when I think that I need more food.

Staying focused. Staying positive. Your mind can be the worst saboteur. I don't waste time beating myself over past mistakes. Every day is a good day. I look in the mirror and fight against being critical about the obvious, instead, I celebrate the roominess of my pants, the lightness of my body, the smile that erupts at the end of weigh-in.

Temptation won't disappear. But I'm slowly building up my defenses.

Michelle

Goal: 80 pounds to be kicked to the curb
12 pounds lost

My Twilight Weekend

TGIF!!!

I'm excited because it's the end of the week. Just got back from San Diego and I can catch up on some much needed rest this weekend. I've got a fab pool party to attend at the Queen of Romance's house. I can't freaking wait to hang out and chit chat with everyone.

But there's another reason that I'm happy for this weekend.

I'm a Twilight fanatic!!!

I saw the movie - loved it. Then read the book - loved it. Then saw the movie, one more time...then saw the movie, one more time.

Tonight on Comcast, they are going to show it at 12:01 a.m. Guess where I will be.

And let me not hog the moment, my daughter is a fanatic too. So we are quite a pair. My son and hubby don't quite get it, but no one asked them to get it. So...

My daughter has a framed Twilight poster. We pre-ordered the 2-disc movie. I bought the picture book of the making of Twilight. And I just got the director's pictorial journal of making Twilight. And we have the book series.

I was thinking of having lit candles, for effect, when we watch tonight, but candles and accidental fire give me the heebie jeebies. So we'll just have to have the lights dimmed.

Have a Happy Weekend, Folks!

Michelle

Goal: 80 pounds to be kicked to the curb

8 pounds lost

Rushing Through Life...I Confess

Today as I was on the commuter train heading home from the day job, I had a moment to reflect. Well, what really inspired the reflection was the moment the train pulled into the station, how the commuters lined up as if there was a race to the parking lot.

I wondered why did we rush? I understand having to get to the babysitter's. But sometimes, I think we rush...well, just to rush. The feeling to go fast, be in the top three, be at the front of the line have become habits.

On an average day, here's my journal of the rush through life.

I wake up at 5:45, but stay in the bed until 6:10. Then I jump out of the bed and hurriedly put on my workout clothes. I'm in a rush because I want to get at least 30 mins of exercise in. And I have to leave the house by 7. So I'm up running to the bathroom to put in my contacts. One day I'll get that darn Lasik surgery. Perform the necessary bathroom duties and then head down to work out.

At 6:45 I stop whatever I'm doing for my workout. I stand in front of the open freezer, pulling out my Jenny Craig food. Then it's time to dive into the laundry basket for clothes that were washed, but never made it upstairs. Now I'm running because I've got to fix my salad for my lunch, pack the fruits for my snacks. It's now about 6:50.

Time to race to the shower. By 7, I'm dressed. Hair is on the wild side, but I'll get that a bit later, like before I jump out of the car to head for the train. Now I grab my duffle bag, shove in the food and pocketbook, before running to the car. At this point, I'm so hot that the cold temperature doesn't penetrate. I throw everything in the backseat and race my daughter to the bus stop. Now the bus used to come for 7, then it was 7:05, now it's more like 7:10. But I sit at the bus stop with her and we chat. I like chatting with her in the morning for those few minutes. But as soon as the bus turns the corner and becomes visible, time to kick her to the curb and head to the train station. Adrenaline has to pump again.

Now the train station and commuters are a funny experience. The train is not the Metro, but the commuter train. So the riders are basically the same people I see on a daily basis. Many of them bond. And this bonding mentality also translates to territorial behavior. They stand in the same spot, sit in the same basic area, etc. I love to get there early and then go and stand in the spot that I know they treasure. You can see the looks of consternation because now they have to stand a few paces away from that treasured spot.

The train comes and those who have stood there the longest feel that they should get on the train first even if the train doors didn't happen to stop in front of them. So a bottleneck at the doorway occurs as we clamber up two different steps and then head in the same direction. And in 90% of time, there are enough seats for everyone. But a mad rush down the aisle seems to be the name of the game.

Then when we get to the final stop, the race is on again because it's a power-walk off the train, out the station, and into world. And you know it doesn't end there because our work lives, especially in these stressful times, tend to be tense and hurried.

Now that I've joined Jenny Craig, I pull myself away from all the hustle and bustle to enjoy my meal. It's my oasis in the busy day. Because guess what - the world will continue to rotate, people will still be swarming around me, so why not take the hour to eat and savor the food. I take the time to let my mind calm down. And when I'm at home, I allow my dinner to last as long as possible.

Maybe I'll be able to reverse the habit of rushing. Maybe. No promises.

Michelle

Goal: 80 pounds to be kicked to the curb
7 pounds lost

My Guest Blogs This Week

Hey folks,

I've blogged at Pink Heart Society on the Magical Ingredients of A Romance Novel and at Author Sound Relations on The Romance Novel--What The Doctor Ordered.

Stop by and post a comment.

Have a great week.

Michelle

What's There To Be Happy About...?

In the past week, my senses have tuned in to the various stimuli around me. I call these moments, my navel-gazing phases. As I continue on the journey with my BFF Jenny Craig, I am keeping track of foods, emotions before and after I eat, cravings, etc. I'm also looking at the triggers that bring them on.

What I've noticed is that we are a society with lots of neuroses. We're a fountain overrun with addictions, legal and illegal. Food addiction is up there on the list. And how did we get to that point? Well, as I ate my large salad to ease the hunger pangs before eating the main course, I watched TV (yep, another addiction). On one commercial break appeard three incentives to overeat. Pizza Hut advertised buying a pizza for a penny with a large pizza. Even if you only wanted one pizza, the incentive to get the second for a penny is hard to ignore. Then it was Red Lobster. Can't remember what the offer was, but it involved lobster tails, a boat-load of shrimp, and those cheddar bay biscuits. Then it was KFC advertising what you can get for only a small price. How about clogged arteries. You can see how we can easily become victims with the proper stimuli to rev our cravings in maximum overdrive.

As part of my JC routine, I go onto the online community where support with others walking in my shoes also share their experiences. But in that same community, there is a lot of negative thoughts swirling. As with any addiction, it's not only the physical body that needs re-programming, the mind and soul can do with some attitude adjustment. JC can only do but so much, short of hiring psychotherapists to sit with the consultant on the weekly visit. Again paying attention to my stimuli, I know that I need to run far from such negativity. I don't classify a rant or the occasional doldrums as major issues. This sticky, gooey bad vibes comes through every thought or sentence, or even action. And when I leave the company of such people, I feel down. My mood has altered. I've labeled those people --energy vampires. Avoid for your own mental saftey.

As I re-program my brain with healthy food choices, I have to protect my space against those who aren't in their happy place. But this isn't new. I do the same with my writing. I can be around writers who are in a dark place because of a variety of occurrences that they have deemed failures. The pep talks, being a sounding board, or a willing ear just doesn't seem to bring them from that dark place. My suggestion is to get professional help. The stigma against seeking therapy is fading. I don't think it's any different than going to the dentist or doctor. It's another part of the body that may need fine tuning.

But I'm a proponent about protecting your space. I fill my life with great friends and supportive family. I count my Blessings, learn from my mistakes, take risks, and enjoy all that comes my way.

And you should too.

Michelle

Goal: 80 pounds to be kicked to the curb
6 pounds lost

Me and My BFF Jenny...Craig, That Is

Jenny Craig came knocking and I finally answered. They have parading a variety of celebrities in upbeat commercials. I guess, in a way, they must have worked because each one -- Kirstie, Valerie, Latifah, Phylicia -- shared their accomplishments with sincerity and a winning personality.

Meanwhile I was trying to workout on a regular basis, trying to follow other programs, trying to do my own portion control. But maintaining a regimen proved to be difficult. And the weight continued to plaster to each body part like annoying static cling with amazing frequency.

Now that I've entered the 40's, good health is paramount. Otherwise I could descend into illnesses that could make the next phase of life difficult. I want to feel energize, fit comfortably into those narrow airplane seats, and wear fashionable summer outfits.

I signed up for the Lifetime/Maintenance program. I knew walking in that this was for the long haul. I will have my one-on-one consultations, which I much prefer over group settings. I'm not shy with sharing my info -- look at this blog -- I just don't want to spend the time listening to folks talking about their issues. It's the Leo part of me.

I've set my goals. I have my food. And I'm all ready. In addition to the food, I'm working out at a minimum of 30 mins on the treadmill or other type of cardio. For Lent, I'm making it a goal to do 5-7 days a week, with 3 days of weight training. And successful completion in April will be a wonderful hot stone massage and a bouquet of flowers to myself.

I'll post my various milestones. Hopefully someone will be inspired to take charge of her life.

Goal: 80 pounds to be kicked to the curb

Michelle