Women Who Kick Booty!

There is something about women who kick serious butt in movies that makes me really proud. I can hardly kick my leg higher than my shins, my punches look more like upper-cuts and if I was actually given a weapon to use, I would probably just run and cry. No, I am not even an adrenaline junkie enough to try skydiving, or ride on the back of a motorcycle. I won't even go rock climbing! But somehow, I still feel a major connection spark when I see women in movies beating up the villains and doing crazy action stunts. I think to myself "I could totally do that." And let's be honest—I can't.
But I leave the theater filled with so much excitement for all the things I actually can do. I feel like these amazing (made-up) action, adventurous women lend me a bit of their gusto. If she can do backflips off a building while it's exploding, then there's no way I can't finally finish organizing my basement this weekend. Or how about this one: If that girl can speak seven different languages and work as an under-cover spy, then why couldn't I figure out how to use that ice cream machine and rock it?!
So when a movie like SALT with Angelina Jolie comes out, I am ready for action. The more imaginative, the better. The higher the kicks, the more deadly the scenarios and the more far-fetched the action scenes, the better I am for it. I hope you girls are as excited as I am. If Angelina can look amazing as a blonde and brunette in the same film, then maybe I could look sexy in that bob haircut I want after all.

Over the Hump

Can I first say how fast April flew by? Wow! I can’t believe it’s already May—almost summer—and we’re halfway done with our 60-day challenge! Even though I still have a long way to go, I am feeling great with the progress I’ve made and the changes I see(no matter how small they might be).

My clothes are fitting better each week and I’m more motivated to go for a run or hit the gym everyday. I’ve also noticed my new, healthier diet is having me feeling lighter and more energetic. Instead of feeling sluggish and ridiculously full after a huge pasta dinner, I feel refreshed and content after a nice piece of fish and salad.
This isn’t to say that the whole process is getting easier—because I can assure you it is not. But the power of results and a positive attitude are infectious and overwhelming. I know I need to work for every little bit of change I want, and that is perfectly OK with me. I’m ready for the challenge and can’t wait to see what the next half of our challenge will bring!
To the gym!
Dana

As Time Goes By

As more days pass and the starting point of 60 days gets further and further away, the ending day seems to be approaching even faster. At first I was pleasantly surprised with the results showing on my scale. After a few initial lost numbers, though, it seems I’ve hit a plateau. That can’t be right, can it? I thought that only happened when you’re tying to lose the last five pounds, not after the first five.
I think it’s fair enough to say right now that I’m a little frustrated. I’ve been doing a decent job with exercising on a regular, if not daily, basis and I’ve been trying to eat much healthier. But there is still not as much of a change as I’ve been hoping for. Even so, it is still weight lost and not gained – which is always an accomplishment in my book.
I am not discouraged. Not yet, at least. I will continue with my exercise and healthy diet, but I might have to up my intensity a little sooner than I was predicting. With six weeks to go, I really have to buckle down and I know pretty soon I will be glad I did.

Dana

Blush and the City Party!

Get excited—I mean REALLY excited! Blush is throwing a Blush and the City Party to celebrate loving life, your girlfriends, good food, shopping, makeup and of course, Blush!

Bring your friends out to this swank party you won't want to miss!

Sorry I've Been Out!

I am sorry to all of you for not writing over the past few days, but I came down with pneumonia. Pneumonia!!! I know, I can hardly believe it myself. It's awful. I am back at work now, though I am not really feeling quite up to par yet, but I promise I will be back with attitude and sass in no time :)

With Love,

Tova

Not so hump day

Since I have started on this health plan, I have noticed some changes:

1. In just one week, it's already gotten easier. During the first few days, I felt as if I went into withdrawal from sugar, which left me feeling tired, cranky and annoyed that I couldn't eat my nightly bar of chocolate or steal some chips from the pantry. But I pushed through, and it seems the overwhelming desire for bad foods has subsided a bit—finally. It's awesome. 

2. I am more in-tune with my body. This brings up both good feelings and a bad feelings. On one hand, I notice every ache and pain, and every muscle that tightens. Laughing is a challenge after a day of crunches. Stairs are like an obstacle course after a night of lunges. But on the other hand, while I was in my hot yoga class this morning, I could feel my lungs expand to their fullest capacity, and I had a moment of total body consciousness that magnified the  strength I posses. It was a fantastic feeling.

3. Energy is flowing. I feel more awake, more creative and more, well, just more. I have energy to take on activities I would roll my eyes about a mere seven days ago, and I can now wake up at 5 a.m. without excessive whining. In just a week of eating healthy, it's a very noticeable change.

4. I am smiling more. I am quite a happy person anyways, but I had noticed a drop in my joy and excitement for my day-to-day activities over the past month (I blame the wedding stress).  Health and fitness has given me the extra oomph and boost I needed. I feel more positive, which in turn is making others act more positively to me. What a spectacular power that gives me to take on all of life's challenges!

5. My body is beginning to change. No, I have not stepped on the scale yet. I'll do that this Sunday and see if there has been any movement on my number—but even if there isn't, I hope I'll be happy. Why? Because my body is already tighter and leaner looking. Not by a ton—there are no overnight miracles to report about, but my clothes are fitting a little better. Hey, every little bit counts and I am excited to see any change at all!

I hope that all of you who are beginning a health journey or taking your health commitment to the next level are feeling these changes as well. When you notice them, take a "yay me" break and relish each mini-achievement! What have you noticed today? 

The beginning of my journey

The beginning of my journey:

As Tova stated in yesterday’s blog, I have decided it’s time to get serious about my weight-loss goals. So, last night, I reluctantly got out one of my favorite bathing suits (a blue bikini I had bought six years ago) and tried it on. Needless to say, the results were less than great.

I’m not a fan of taking pictures of myself in any kind of revealing way and it was extremely difficult to press the 10- sec. self timer on my camera and stand vulnerably in front of the lens to snap a few shots. I didn’t even suck in my gut like I normally would, or stand in any kind of flattering position. It was just me—all of me. I knew my weight had gotten out of hand, but viewing the pictures enforced that like a hard slap in the face.

I could come up with all the excuses I wanted: It’s the end of the day so my body is heavier; I just ate a lot of soup, so my stomach is bloated; the lighting in this room is really awful; etc. But the truth is simple—I’m not where I want to be. I’m not as active as I once was and I’ve loosened my strict eating habits to include all of those yummy carbs and fats I often crave. And even though I really did not want to take these pictures of myself, I knew it was a vital step in accepting where I am now and what actions need to be taken for me to slim down and get comfortable in my own skin as well as that little blue bikini.

So here we are: Day 1 and I couldn’t be more excited. With perfect weather and warmer temperatures coming, I am motivated and ready to take actions into my own hands. Let the 60 days begin!

Dana