Updates

Sleep diet? Not going so well...well, not bad. I got about seven hours last night. They were good hours though. A deep sleep.

As for watching what I'm eating...I've done well...for a mere two days. But that's a start. Only problem is tonight my parents are taking me out for dinner. Sigh. I mean, that's awesome, but there's always something. And I KNOW my Mom will wonder why I'm not drinking wine with her. Either way, I've already decided what I'm ordering so I know exactly my counts for today. Trav wants to go to a movie after though...and I NEVER turn down Milk Duds.

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In other news, check out the news! Haha. I'm on City TV as part of a series on advertising in Edmonton. Just a wee little part, but still, it's fun. It was funny, the guy who put it all together is actually the son of my high school principal, whom I actually still talk to on facebook. The look on his face was hilarious when I told him what high school I went to. I mean, who else has heard of Grand Trunk in Eburg?

Here's the link to the story. I'm closer to the end of it.

Have a lovely weekend lovelies!

The never ending battle...CONTINUES!

Ugh.

So I weighed my self yesterday. For the first time in a few months. Scary. 125 lbs. SIGH. I miss the days of 110 lbs. Anyway, my weight has been hovering around that range for quite awhile. A couple of months ago I was weighing myself weekly and was down to 118. But when I don't pay attention, and no matter how hard I work out, those few pounds creep back on. In fact, I would say I'm definitely the best shape I've ever been in. I can do way more pushups than before, I feel strong, my lower legs are tight and I'm getting definition in my arms. I work out a minimum of four times a week (doing Jillian's CRAZY videos so it's not like I'm biking while reading a magazine...I SWEAT. A lot.), plus I walk every day and try to squeeze in any physical activity I can. So I need to finally admit to myself - it's my terrible eating habits that are the problem and that stand between me and my ideal body. Before, I could eat whatever I wanted (and I have the most intense sweet tooth ever) because I was active. Now I'm even more active, but it's my metabolism that's changed. So this it. I'm sick of not being at my ideal weight for what, three years? Maybe writing that here makes it official and time for me to make some changes. So here it is:

I will eat better and reach 115 lbs. I will shed fat on my stomach, thighs and butt.

I will do this by following Making the Cut, Jillian Michael's book. When I'm unable to follow the book I will make better choices and eat smaller portions. More fruit. Veggies. Because right now they're non-existent in my diet.

And of course, I will keep up with my workouts because I have noticed their results. It does make a difference.

Ok, I better go back to tracking everything I put in my mouth. Sigh. But to be fair, I will not completely cut out my favourite foods. Moderation. We all know that, right? I just need to be careful with dinner out (my parents are taking me for my birthday dinner on Friday), cake at work and other treats we sometimes forget about. I'm using my-calorie-counter.com. It seems similar to Weight Watchers online program, but it's free. Sweet.

So every Wednesday morning I'll weigh in. I figure it's midweek and just a good time to step on that scale. I'll chart my progress and see where I end up! With the wedding four months away, now is the time to start.

I really hope to reach my goal. I mean I WILL reach my goal. It's been a struggle for awhile now. I just need to really want it all the time, not some of the time. With that, I always think turning to some inspiration is a great thing:

24 on the 24th

On Tuesday I turn 24...but since I'm not the type who can go all out on a week night, I had my bday shindig last night. It was the only night that worked for Trav, and I had to make sure it worked for Tara (I hadn't seen her in almost three months!) Anyway, it was a great time! And so nice to see everyone together and in a good mood. I was a little worried at first though when 9 pm came and no one was here. It always seems to happen that way - people promise to come have a good time, and then you don't see them the whole night. I think of my birthday last year which was a huge letdown, so I was worried to be honest. A lot of Trav's friends couldn't make it, but I still had about 20-25 people here...more girls than guys which was a shocker! We ended up at Cook County. I've only been there a couple of times and never had the best experience, but last night was different. So fun! And a guy Trav works with got us in - bonus (especially since it was where the Brad Paisly after party was...which we hadn't realized until we were there)! One crappy part of the night - my car was towed (thanks to Trav and Ted's bright idea), so I dealt with getting it back today...but it wasn't too big of a deal. Also, Trav was a little too drunk and acting a little, well, like a dink, if I may say so. He apologized this morning and it didn't equal a big fight or anything like that...I'm trying to be better at shaking things off and asking myself if the situation really matters, and if it will change things or make feel better to stress about it or worry. And he seems to be trying to make up for it. He's taking me out to dinner at the Sawmill on Tuesday. 

I found Trav's receipt for my birthday gift! OH NO! It was totally an accident - seriously. I was cleaning up and found a scrap of paper and there it was! He seems very excited to give it to me and now I know why - he bought us a session of dance lessons for the wedding! That just made me melt (especially because that's just not something Trav feels totally comfortable with but he's doing it anyway...). I don't want to ruin his excitement of my excitement though, so I'm not going to let him know I know. I only need to hang on a couple more days. How sweet...I just wish I hadn't found the receipt! What do you think - should I be honest or play along? That's why boys need to not be so messy. Girls are naturally sleuths and boys THINK they're sleuths.

I had to go out this morning to get my hair done (took me forever to get the appointment so there was no way I was canceling.) I made it! It was tough and I certainly didn't look my best (I slept with my makeup on...I don't think I've done that in like a year!), but it ended up being fun when I found out my stylist Joanne is engaged! She showed me her dress and everything - she's just so adorable. I feel totally surrounded by wedding planning right now. Speaking of which, I found a reading for our ceremony I'm in love with! I teared up when I read it, and I read it to Trav this morning, and it just feels so right. Travis and I aren't religious at all...I don't want to say we're anti-religion, but we want to ensure there's no reference to God or a higher power or anything like that in our ceremony. I'd love to share it with you, but I have to post that after the wedding...I don't want to ruin every surprise!

Last wedding thing, I promise. I want to use a typewriter as the guestbook. Basically we put in nice paper, people type their messages, and then after it's all said and done, we roll the paper with everyone's messages into a scroll, tie with ribbon, and tada - a forever keepsake. And it seems to make sense since I'm a writer who essentially types all day, every day. The only problem is I can't find a typewriter!! I thought I would know someone with a cool typewriter, but no luck yet. I don't want to pay shipping (I checked ebay and it's ridiculous...vintage typewriters are heavy), so I'll keep my eye on kijiji. If you know of an awesome one somewhere, please let me know!

Enjoy the rest of you weekend...that's what I'm going to try to do!

No Dieting?

I say that I don't do diets, but I'm attempting to try this one. We should ALL try this one!

The Sleep Diet

My last few attempts this week didn't go too well. Trav wouldn't come to bed last night, and it was 11:30 (he's obsessed with drawing garage suite plans - more on that later.) Once I got in bed, Hank wouldn't stop panting, and then I was just wound up. But, attempt number three tonight! I will get 7.5 hours of sleep!

Believe it!

Here's the latest and greatest recipe I'm digging - chocolate cake in minutes and virtually, no clean-up!! Careful, it's so easy it's dangerous. Enjoy! 5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE 4 tablespoons flour  4 tablespoons sugar  2 tablespoons cocoa  1 egg  3 tablespoons milk  3 tablespoons oil  3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)  A small splash of vanilla extract  1 large coffee mug  Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well.  Add the egg and mix thoroughly.  Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.  Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

ENGAGED...again!

Image courtesy of etsy.

My bestie Tara got engaged on her trip to Mexico! I just spoke with her last night...she was so calm when she told me I didn't believe her! I still can't believe it!! So exciting that we're both planning a wedding! A coworker of mine also got engaged a couple of weeks ago...wow.. And Tara plans to have a destination wedding, so that means hot beach for me!

Congrats to Tara and Matt.

Bouquets

I went back to my hometown (I guess you could call it that) this weekend to meet with the local florist. I didn't know what to expect, Evansburg being a mere hamlet and all, but she was fabulous! So easy to talk to and totally in line with my vision. And she complimented my taste, which never hurts...

I had a semi-idea of what I wanted, but now I think we've got it worked out. I will be back in a few weeks to see the test-run bouquet...I'm excited! I didn't think flowers were so interesting, but playing around with them and discovering different combinations is really similar to other creative things I like to do. Anyway, the bouquet will be primarily made up of dahlias, peonies, freesia, and lisianthus. They'll be in coral, orangy, fiery colours. Should be pretty!!! I just need to figure out what to tie it with...

GAGA! Babies and ladies.

I'm ashamed. This is not keeping up with my goal to post regularly! So here we go. Back on track and I'm not going to worry about the past month too much!

Overall, things have been going well. Aside from Derek (which still doesn't seem real) and the Evansburg shooting (the father and son are neighbours/friends of my parents), things are moving ahead as always. I'm busier than ever (do I always say that?), which seems strange now that I have no exercise classes happening and I'm not teaching dance during the week anymore. I guess a lot of extra time is put towards wedding planning, and just trying to spend some more time with friends. And getting shredded! Ha ha. A friend of mine passed me along Jillian Michaels "30 Day Shred" workout DVD. I was skeptical...but my God! Amazing workout. Amazing. I don't think I've sweated like that in other exercise videos, or even classes I've taken at the gym. And get this – it's only a half hour! Trav tried to do it with me the other day, and he had a lot of trouble! I've also got three girls at work doing it too, so we all discuss our progress. I've been at it for about a month now, and am definitely noticing I'm much stronger now. Twenty-five pushups (and these aren't the girly ones!) are no problem, whereas before I struggled to get out ten. She focuses on doing these intense circuits that work upper and lower body at the same time, so you're sweating during that, then you have to bust into intense cardio. I know, I sound like an ad for Jillian, but I swear, she's my new girl crush. I love The Biggest Loser too. She just gets it. I do have to admit though, I haven't shredded since Thursday. I'm going to SYTYCD at Rexall tonight, so I'm gonna kick my own butt tomorrow and move onto level three! Hmmm...I'm a dork, aren't  I?

I love that Jillian admits she sweats it out in the suana before doing a photoshoot, saying, "Do you think I look like that naturally?! Ha!" Glad she keeps it real...

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In the meantime, I've been going out a bit more...and it's been celebrity themed! I had a good time at SAMAN...although she's an awful DJ! I feel like even I could've been a tad more interesting. And how I wished Lohan would've make an appearance! I also went to my sister's "Celebrity Scandal Party," where we were all instructed to dress up like a trashy or infamous celeb. I went as Posh, and my sister as Lady GaGa. She certainly stole the show! There was also LezLo, Mushy Fatone, Brit Brit, Whino...(love all my Perez terms?hehe)

Above: Natalie as GaGa. Below – most of the group. Notice my baby? It's Britney's, but she kept losing it, so I decided it was Posh and Beck's son Romeo. I kept him the whole night...until I got home and Hank chomped into him! Not to fear, Romeo's head is still intact.

Saturday night, I was supposed to be part of an Asian entourage for a coworker's friend's drag night. Her friend's fiance does drag every once in awhile, so I had my dress and painted lips, and was ready to go! Until of course, I got to the bar, bent over to pick up some dropped money before I got in, and RIIIIIIP. My dress ripped so my entire azz was showing! All of it! So I caught the bus (which was creepy walk downtown at that hour let me tell you), went home, and made Sidekicks and watched Project Runway. A stupid night, but then again, I do love Project Runway!

I have much more to tell you...but I suppose I better actually get some work done! I've got a few deadlines coming up. Thanks for listening to my blathering...happy Monday night (and do something fun – Mondays don't have to be blah!)