Mo Livin' Large

"I think in terms of the day's resolutions, not the years'."

~ Henry Moore

So I realize this post is a little late in coming all things considered as here we are in mid January and I'm just getting around to writing a post regarding resolutions (or as I'm calling them this year: declarations!). But there's been quite a bit of noise in my head as of late and getting everything out and down on paper or typed into something has been a long time coming (and truthfully, it's still not even done; my head is a very noisy place to be right now). But I wanted to shake some stuff loose and here it is.

Mo's 2012 Declarations

For starters, my parents instilled a sense of social responsibility in me at a very young age. With the exception of groceries, it's been drummed into us to use "the little guy" whenever possible. Frentz and Sons Hardware in Royal Oak or True Value Hardware in Mancelona always got our business (I also recommend Busy Bee in downtown Detroit at the corner of Gratiot and Russell). Shop at farmers markets. Buy gifts at craft fairs. The list goes on and on. And sadly I realize I've gotten away from that. So I vow that this year, I'm going to use "the little guy" whenever possible.

I'm going to make more use of Etsy to buy gifts if I'm not buying from The Strawberry Hill or TobieGirl Creations. I'd love to say I'd shop at local boutiques for clothes, but being plus-sized, most local boutiques don't cater to a larger woman except for the plus-size resale shop Have Hips in Clawson (if you haven't already been there, go! They've got good stuff starting with size Large and up). And as far as groceries are concerned, we have some really great local grocery stores, but I'm also going to make a more concentrated effort to go to farmers markets. Whether it's in Royal Oak, Eastern Market in Detroit, or Cherry Street Market in Kalkaska (check out their online store; their preserves are out of this world and I love anything from Alden's Mill House), I want to support local farmers.

As long as we're on the topic of groceries.... As I mentioned in Monday's post, this past weekend  I found out Preston has a new dating interest. I was at my mom's house beginning the arduous task of packing up stuff I still have at my mom's. So as if the news about Preston wasn't bad enough, I made the mistake of stepping on the scale I found behind my bed within minutes of finding out.

Thank God my mom and sister weren't home when I read THAT number.

So that number was 260. Don't you love my honesty? And as long as we're being honest, admit it.... My number makes your number look just a little bit better, doesn't it? So in light of my weight being what it is, as well as the fact that I don't like the way I look, add in that my knees hurt going up and down stairs, well yeah... it's time to lose some weight. My plan right now is to use my old Weight Watchers Momentum program as a) I already have it on hand and b) I have about 10 WW cookbooks with the old Points program information.

Losing weight of course implies that I'm going to need to exercise. I hate exercise. Unless it's a nice, leisurely stroll around the block, I usually don't like it. And then I discovered Vixen Fitness. I equate Vixen Fitness as "a feminine movement studio" whose sole purpose is help Mo release her inner vixen (and yes, that's their motto as well). I originally found the fitness studio when I was looking for a belly dancing class. I took one and had a lot of fun, but I haven't taken another; I think I may start a full series in March. I'm in the middle of my "Sensual Movement" series though, which is a lot of fun despite having difficulties with my "sexy face."  I'm also signed up for a lap dance workshop in early February and want to sign up for the strip tease workshop in late February.

Why all of these "erotic" fitness classes? Well, feeling sexy has a lot to do with confidence. And confidence it would appear has more to do with a man finding you attractive than your actual "attractiveness." No joke. I saw an article about this earlier this week but of course I can't find it now. So in addition to my Vixen Fitness classes, I'm starting to read more of the books that cause my family to proclaim me the most self-helped girl in America (if you ever see my bookshelves, you'll understand). These books include How to Be Adored by Caroline Cox and Seven Days to Sex Appeal by Eva Margolies. Just a side note... if you're ever in need of a quippy self-help book, hit me up. Chances are I own it. Anyways, I'm hoping to improve my self confidence and make those around me green with envy.

Not really, it was just a good lead into my next declaration.

For 2012 I really want to work harder on developing a greener life style. While I can't always afford to buy organic meats and vegetables, I can afford greener cleaning and beauty products. This fits in nicely also with my stand against testing cosmetics on animals. The problem with this little vow though is this lifestyle can be a costly one. So I'm trying to find products that are kind to Mother Earth, animals and my budget. It's not necessarily an easy task.

While all of these declarations are things I'll be working on adapting as part of my ongoing lifestyle, there are a few things I need to work on immediately.

First, I need to get the rest of my stuff from my mom's house. This includes books, clothes, my computer, and my cats (yes, my poor cats have been cooped up at my mother's 3-story, 1800+ sq. ft. house instead of my 900 sq. ft. apartment). Once that's accomplished, then I plan on moving my crafting things over so I can make my beautiful handmade cards (more on that some other time). And finally, I need to start saving up for a dining room table.

That's going to take awhile.

But all good things are worth the wait, correct?

“Gossip is just news running ahead of itself in a red satin dress.”

~ Liz Smith

My thoughts have been rather scattered lately so I decided to embrace it and write a post based on the more interesting tidbits running rampant in my mind.

• I was getting my hair cut and colored on Friday when a young girl in high school came into the salon. She had white-blonde hair so damaged no amount of shine drops or deep conditioner could make a person believe that was her natural color. Her pretty baby blue eyes were rimmed in thick black eyeliner and her lashes coated in layers of mascara. Is it any wonder my hairdresser and I both shuttered when she proclaimed loudly that she loved her Playboy Bunny hair since The Girls Next Door is her favorite tv show? Really? Mass media has no better role models to idolize than the housewives and bunnies we see on what passes as reality tv?
• Remember Anthony? Well, I saw him a few times throughout December when I required his assistance with a few projects I volunteered for at work. We definitely flirted, he grabbed my booty once, and we kissed each time we parted company. The funny thing is, even though we were also texting, I never made any huge overt advances towards him and the last time I even sent him a text was on Christmas when I wished him a chaste Merry Christmas. So imagine my surprise when I checked my phone the morning of New Years to find a text from him containing a picture of the woman he'd been dating over the summer feeding him whipped cream from the can. Thank goodness they were both dressed but really? You felt it necessary to send me that picture why? I know you're all wondering if I sent him a response. I did. It simply said, "Happy New Years to you too. Looks like you had fun last night!”
• I made my first offial nook® purchases this week. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah for book club and Mindy Kaling's Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (and other concerns). I've started Kaling's book and find it quite enjoyable so far. I'll follow up with a review of both and other books I've enjoyed at a later date.
• Bad news about my nook® though. I found out on Friday when I was purchasing a cover that my Barnes & Noble member discount has absolutely no bearing on nook® purchases. Crapola.
• ReTodded has made a reappearance in my so-called life. Jury's still out as to how long he'll be around or if he'll be allowed to remain around even. Although just for the record, he did get new dentures.
• Preston and I text occassionally but that's about it. I also wished him a Merry Christmas via text only to get a response hours later that he was out hunting having done "the family thing last night." He's hot, smart, and funny to be sure but do I really want to involve myself with a guy who's that into hunting? Not that I'm against hunting, because I'm not. In all honesty, I actually find it sexy (more on that some other time perhaps). But no joke, it's Christmas. You should be spending it with friends and family. At lease that's my take on the holiday; we'll see what 2012 holds for me on that one.
• Finally got around to seeing Twilight: Breaking Dawn this weekend. I enjoyed it, which is more than my friend Ginger can say, but I also agree with her in the point that the movie needn't have been dragged out into two segments. It's not Harry Potter epic length by any stretch. Spend less time with these artistic shots and dragging out scenes and you could fit the entire book into one movie. Of course, there's less money to be made that way but you'd also irk your non-teen audience less. Pros and cons.
• As part of my annual weight loss resolution, I enrolled in a fitness class. Vixen Fitness' Sensual Movement series. It starts next Sunday and requires exotic dance shoes, which I bought on sale through Lovers Lane. I'm also trying to build my self confidence but how can you feel self confident if you feel clumsy and even a little gauche all the time? So I'm hoping this will help.
• And I'm still trying to write down all of my 2012 Declarations. I'm not making Resolutions this year, I'm making Declarations. I was tempted to call it the 2012 Bucket List, but yeah, that just didn't sound right.

So that's it darling readers. All of the thoughts floating through my head that I thought may be of interest to you but none of them being long enough to stand on their own as an individual blog post.

Something to look forward to.... A blog post regarding everyone's favorite coworker: IGOR!

And don't forget! Just because Sheila won the $25 Visa Gift Card for referring so many new fans to the Mo Livin' Large Facebook page doesn't mean I don't have anything else to give. Every week in January I have a $10 Starbucks gift card to give to my Fan of the Week. Simply comment on my posts, like a post, or even share a post with me and you can be the Fan of the Week! 

an·noy/əˈnoi/Verb 1. Irritate (someone); make (someone) a little angry: "your cheerfulness annoyed me"; "rock music loud enough to annoy".

I've been a bit crabby this week. Mostly because I'm sunburned and can't sleep because I can't get comfy because I'm sunburned. It's a vicious cycle, I know. So rather than trying to come up with the mental clarity to write stuff, it's going to be a randomized post.

• My family has a cabin on a beautiful inland lake outside of Kalkaska. It's relaxing, it's comfy, but watch out for the coffee mugs. Apparently my grandfather and dad find washing the mugs a bit strenuous and have been simply rinsing them for God only knows how long (Mandi, you wonder why I'm not in a hurry to have you come up. Now you know.)

• Sunburns hurt. And they blister. And if you pop a blister accidentally, you can unwillingly cause your coworker to gag when you have to peel your shirt away from the blister.

• I will always be an all you can eat mosquito buffet.

• One nice thing about sunburns. Any other complexion issues you have on your face are negated and your skin appears "glowing and dewy" when you go to work with no make-up on.

• I find bald guys sexy. No, seriously. I think Rick Harrison on History Channel's Pawn Stars is sexy as hell (bald, smart and funny? Give me some of that!). We were discussing my fetish at lunch yesterday when our creepy IT guy Chester, out of nowhere, asks me, "Naturally bald or manufactured?" Really? I swear if he comes in with his head shaved I'm going to quit my job.

 

• I've been divorced for six years now. A few months ago, my sister ran into Dipshit. She says
  he looks like a catfish now.

• My aunt, my cousin's wife and I all agree that the men in my family all have bird legs.

• I met a new guy I'm sort of interested in. As suave as I'd love to pretend to be, I'm not and my insecurities regarding my looks came into question. His text message back to me was "Well, get over it. :) Every guy likes a girl who likes herself. Cuz if you don't like you how do you expect others to like you." We all know he's right, but even he admits it's so much easier said than done.  
   
  
  
• Finally got around to reading Katherine Stockett's book The Help. LOVED IT! The cadence of  some of the characters took a page or two of getting used to, but the story was well written, held my interest, and didn't wrap up everything nice and neat. Plus, it gives one reason to pause every now and again. Can't wait for the movie! 

• My weight loss project has fallen to the wayside. So much so that I enjoyed not only a Potbelly's Dream Bar with my lunch today, but also a slice of the Chocolate Raspberry Torte I brought to work to celebrate my divorce yesterday. This was on top of the sushi and Baked Potato Soup I had. 

• I inspired so many of my girlfriends with my post about the merit badge book I found for "grown up girls" that we started an adult girl scout troop. Our first meeting is Tuesday!

And that's all the news that's fit to print today.

"Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes,...

... and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world." -  Ada Louise Huxtable

So here we are, July 1st. Exactly six months left of 2011. Which makes it a great time to set goals for the rest of the year, which feeds perfectly into my plan of completing certain things on my bucket list.

For those who didn't know, I grew up being a Girl Scout. I had just started the second grade (which
would have made me a Brownie), and went all the way through high school (which would have made me a Senior). So imagine my surprise one day when I was wandering through Borders and spotted "You Can Do It! The Merit Badge Handbook for Grown Up Girls" by Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas. So one of my six month goals is to complete six badges in six months (yeah, that's one badge for every month). On the list of badges I'd like to complete so far is:

•  Be Your Own Boss: Several months ago, my friend Amanda and I started Monet Cards. Unfortunately, neither of us have been taking it that seriously. So in an effort to be more proactive, I'm combining my little card company with my badge goal.
• Exercise Your Options: It's a fitness badge. I thought it only fitting (pun intended) since I'm trying to lose weight.
• Be An Author: well, because I like to write. And someday, I hope to be something of a novelist, not just a blogger.
• Know Your Best Cellars: One of my bucket list items that I want to tackle first because it's relatively cheap as opposed to say, traveling.

Still not sure about the other two badges just yet.

Another goal I'm attempting between now and December 31st is to get down to 200 lbs. I'm weighing in at 244 now, so six months may be a little aggressive, but really, when you think about it, the only thing I have to lose is the weight, right?

And finally, as mentioned above, I'd really like to get Monet Cards up and running and off the ground and keep the stock a bit more up to date and current.

So what about you? Any goals you're hoping to accomplish now that it's summer?

"Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie."

Thank you, Jim Davis.

Hello. My name is Monique, and I'm an emotional eater. I also eat out of boredom, because I like the taste of food, and, in a sense, it's an addiction. And then of course, I eat because it's a necessity. Given the amount of diet programs, self help books, pills, supplements, DVDs, machines, etc., I'd be willing to go out on a limb and say that overeating is by far the most popular coping mechanism, as compared to say drugs or alcohol, people, women especially, turn to in times of stress. Anyone with me on that?

Doesn't matter. It's my blog post so I'll just keep going with this.

The problem with having a food addiction, rather than say a drug or alcohol addiction, is that eating is necessary to sustain life. I mean sure, you could go the Matrix way and eat gelatinous globs of amino acids but honestly, who wants to do that? Especially when food is sooooo good but oftentimes it's the actual yumminess of food that triggers the urge to overeat.

It's such a vicious cycle, overeating, and yet so unavoidable because again, you need to eat. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Changing your eating habits is difficult for many reasons. Sometimes the food is tasteless. Portion sizes aren't large enough to be filling. You may take drastic measures to lose weight by eating nothing but grapefruit or cabbage soup. And all of these things can trigger binge eating, or falling off the wagon so to speak. As can eating out with friends. You know you should order the salad with grilled chicken and the fat free balsamic vinaigrette, but man does your friend's cheeseburger and onion rings sound good and the next thing you know, you're having, "what she's having." 

Eating healthy can also prove to be expensive, especially in winter months when farmers markets and farm stands aren't open. Sure, you can eat "seasonal" but really.... In the winter when root vegetables are in season, who likes the actual taste of rutabaga (aside from my grandpa Jack), let alone all the work that goes into preparing it? Buying organic in theory is wonderful, if you have the paycheck to allow you to do so. But in these times, the 2 for $1 boxes of mac and cheese is a far more economical option than the two pints of grape tomatoes for $5. And don't get me started on free-range chicken prices versus Tyson. Just don't.

Vicious, vicious cycle.

I posted wayyyyyyy back in January that I was going on a diet. I'm happy to announce that I have managed to lose (and not find again) 13.2 pounds, and accomplished my 5% weight loss goal! With summer here, I'm able to resume my favorite form of exercise: walking. So while I embark on my next 5% goal, which is another 13 pounds, I'm adding in a second goal.

I used to be able to walk 3 miles in 45 minutes. Now, I walk 3 miles in 70 minutes. Obviously, I've got a lot of time to shave off. So that's my secondary goal. During July, I'd like to knock 15 minutes off my time, and walk 3 miles in 55 minutes.

So, dietary goals are to lose another 13 pounds, and walk 3 miles in 55 minutes.

Now, on another (somewhat diet) note.... I have been trying new recipes up the wazoo. And for the most part, LOVING them. I recently discovered Gazpacho. Have you tried it? It's like eating liquid salsa. Mmmmmm.... So is it any wonder that I'm in love with Weight Watcher's Gazpacho Salad? Great alternative to tossed salad, and it keeps for quite a few days in the fridge. I made it on a Sunday and took it to work for four days as part of my lunch. Try it. Almost guaranteed to love it as long as you like tomato chunks in your salad (reader, you know who you are!). Nom nom.

 

It's Oh So Quiet

So I've been really quiet lately, I know. There's been a few reasons for that but the two most outstanding reasons are that 1) I'm too afraid to step on a scale, and b)  work has been keeping me super busy.

Why am I so afraid to step on a scale? Well, I admit. My eating has been out of control. Every single lunch last week was take out, and I had carry out for dinner at least twice as well. And snacking on Better Made BBQ Kettle Chips doesn't help, though I've also been snacking on beef jerky as well (3 PointsPlus for a 2 oz. serving - totally worth it to me). Some lunches were salads, but loaded down with feta, blue and American (National Coney Island's "cheddar") cheese, and there was no low-cal dressing added (not that I couldn't have, just that I didn't).Then there was the Hudsonville Michigan Deer Traxx gallon of ice cream with the Sander's Fudge I consumed over the course of the week before last (never let it be said that I don't support Michigan companies). Various splurges at Starbucks and Biggby, and a $15 purchase at the Macy's candy counter on Saturday have rounded out this food frenzy.

My plan of attack this week is just to get back on track. Slow down and begin eating mindfully again. Start bringing my lunch to work again. And to drink water like it's going out of style (with all this snow we've had, I should just take a glass outside and fill it up!).

And to get back on the scale. The only thing I have to fear is.... well, fear itself!  :)

A little something to go along with my title.

 

I'm Shrinking!

Last week was a tough week, not going to lie. Between having the stomach flu and a few things going incredibly wrong at work, it was "just one of those weeks." Which is why my blogging has been nil, zero, nada. The bad news: this week seems to be picking up where last week left off at work. The good news though....

I, incredibly enough, am down to 250.2 pounds. This means I have a total weight loss of 7.2 pounds!

The irony to this statement is that I have absolutely no idea how I did it. My Weight Watchers membership is not getting used nearly as much as it should be, nor am I exercising (exercise is one of the most evil words in the English language IMO). I am, however, trying to be as conscious as I can of what I'm eating and drinking as much water (or water-based beverages such as tea) as possible.

Bringing my lunch to work has fallen to the wayside a bit but when I do make the effort, it's usually a frozen entree of the Smart Ones or Lean Cuisine variety. I fill it out with a piece of fruit, a serving of vegetables, and a light string cheese stick.

Lately however I've been eating lunch out quite a bit. Thankfully, this usually involves Subway and if television has taught us anything, it's that at Subway, you can eat fresh! The extra 2 Points it costs me to add cheese to my sandwich is worth it to me (for the time being), and I'm starting to transition myself from "Italian" (read as white) and Monterrey Cheddar to wheat. I also forgo the chips and get soup, which if you've not tried either of Subway's soups (Chicken Noodle or Creamy Broccoli and Cheese), I wholeheartedly give them two thumbs up. We also do Potbelly's quite a bit (Mushroom Skinny with extra 'shrooms) and Jimmy John's (Thursday's dinner) was an Italian Night Club Unwich (all the sandwich fixings wrapped up burrito-style in a romaine lettuce leaf).

Believe me, these are major break throughs for me (did I spell that correctly? Should it be threws?). Especially considering that Wendy's is just two blocks from Subway with their Double Baconator burger. Yes, double. Bacon. Burger.

So dear friends, that's how my first two weeks has gone. I'm very excited! I also want to share that my first weight loss goal is to lose 5% of my overall weight, which would be to lose 13 lbs. for a (mini) goal weight of 244 lbs. This week's goal is to drink more water (or water-based) beverages as I've been severely dehydrating myself by only consuming about 40 oz. of liquids per day lately.

Next week's goal: to start exercising. Ugh.

Oh! I also wanted to share this article I found on Yahoo! yesterday. Apparently, I'm not the only person who is using blogging for weight loss!  :)  Oooooo..... what a title for a book!  ;) 8 Amazing Blogger Weight Loss Transformations

Happy New Me! (or Year of the Mo as I like to say!)

Being the daughter of a teacher and a student myself for 17 years, my new year always seemed to start in September rather than January. With my dad retiring after 40 years, and myself being done with school for the better party of 15 years now, January has once again rightfully established itself as New Year.

As is the resolution of many people, my first and primary goal is to lose weight. It's been a VERY long time coming, but I am truly dedicated for what I'm guessing is the first time ever to this endeavor. This has much more to do with the stiffness and aches and pains I'm waking up with these days than any real "fitness Epiphany," but better late than never as they say.

So without further ado, I've decided to put the Weight Watchers membership I've been paying for for the past few (seven) months to use and get on with it. I've also vowed to make this journey public. I need to be held accountable for my actions, and so you, lucky people that you are, get to be the ones I confess my sins to (for the record, I haven't confessed since 1989 when I made my confirmation which is probably why I haven't been struck by lightning yet). 

After a rather daunting shopping expedition to every woman's favorite store (Target) last night, I returned home armed to the teeth for this latest adventure. Smart Ones' were on sale 5 for $9 (and for those of you Southeastern Michigan locals, Hollywood Market has Lean Cuisines on sale 5 for $10), Kashi bars were on sale, and scales were on sale. Like I said, armed to the teeth.... Anyhow, I stood on my brand new scale last night and weighed in at (a whopping) 257.4 pounds.

Challenge accepted.