Barbie Perkins-Cooper, Author

Tag: exercise

  • Weight Watchers and “B-L-T’s” — NOT Exactly What You Are Thinking!

    Weight Watchers and “B-L-T’s” — NOT Exactly What You Are Thinking!


    Dearest Readers:

    Yesterday was my normal ‘Weight Watchers Weigh in Day’. The meeting I attend is held in South Carolina, and I feel it is the best meeting with a great group of weight watchers. Together, we compare and share our ups and downs. Our tragedies. Stresses. Triggers. Disappointments. Most of all, our accomplishments. Our group meeting consists of a rather sassy group of women. We laugh and make so much noise before the meeting, it is no wonder men do not stay. I suppose we make just a bit too much noise for them. Our leader has to shout a boisterous “Hell-LL-OOO” just to get us moving, quiet and motivated for her speech!

    Working as a writer out of my home, I do not have many social activities, with exception of our karaoke night and the events we attend as a couple at the Elks Lodge. One thing I have learned is I do need more social contact and I need to remain active. And that is why Weight Watchers meetings work for me!

    Dreading the meeting, I sauntered ever so slowly to the shopping center where the meeting is held. I had a deep conversation with myself, anticipating another weight gain. Arriving, I listened to the energy inside the meeting area. Stripping my jacket off, removing my sparkling rhinestone sandals and the I-phone in my pocket, I found my membership card and got in line. I glanced to the left, where the magic mirror is. This mirror is a full-length mirror that shows how losing 10 pounds makes your body look. I stared at the image in the mirror, still remembering how I looked when joining Weight Watchers. That was 35 pounds, and many, many inches ago! The woman I saw in the ‘magic mirror’ looked differently. Smaller, with a few curves. I inhaled, recognizing that the woman in the mirror was me!

    Stepping on the scales, I glanced at the number the receptionist recorded. Our receptionist is extremely talented with keeping either a loss, or a gain, secretive. She smiled at me, handing my card back to me. Reluctantly, I opened it. Another gain. Only .06 of a pound, but still – a gain. I stumbled over to that magic mirror again, smiled and walked away. “Next week, I will lose,” I whispered – to myself. “I am so sick of these gains.”

    Today, our subject to discuss was “B-L-T’s.” No, not what you are anticipating! “B-L-T” at Weight Watchers is an acronym for “Bites…Licks…and Tastes,” not a Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato sandwich!
    That got me thinking…How many times this week have I sampled a Bite…Lick…or Taste and failed to count it???

    My husband and I eat out every week. I manage to cook in the early week, and I NEVER cook on Friday’s. Would you like to know why? I confess…years ago when we moved to Charleston, my husband was a struggling contractor. Every Friday, after he got paid, he felt – shall I say – generous? On one Friday afternoon, after I was in the kitchen preparing a homemade-from-scratch pot roast, with all of the vegetables and delicious seasonings to make it delicious, he came home from a frustrating day, wanting to know what was for dinner.

    When I replied “Pot roast,” his sharp, abrupt response was, “Oh no…I’m not eating that shit tonight!”
    My temper wasn’t as controlled then as it is today and before Julia Sugarbaker existed on TV, I was definitely considered a Steel Magnolia, not a Southern Belle. I spun on my heel, glared at him, deciding it was best not to react, but to kill him with kindness. I walked over to the stove, turned the burner off and said, “You know…You are so right…Today after slaving away in the kitchen for the majority of the day…just to have the perfect dinner for you and our son, you are so correct…we deserve a hot meal, not made from my hands and recipes…but a nice HOT meal in a restaurant…so you are correct…we ARE NOT EATING this meal tonight…and effective today, I shall NEVER cook on a Friday again!”

    I slipped pot holders on my hands, grabbed the pot roast and threw it in the trash.

    I stormed out of the kitchen, ignoring my husband.

    With exception of Christmas, I have not cooked on any Friday since that day, and I never will, so dining in Charleston restaurants is something we do every week. And, when dining in these restaurants, it is difficult to count the points with Weight Watchers easily because most of the local restaurants are not listed on the e-tools in my cell phone. Also, sometimes, I have the tendency to nibble – just a BITE, LICK OR TASTE.

    I haven’t been counting these B-L-T’s. My mistake!

    After having lunch with two of my Weight Watcher buddies, I came home to record my points and to read my weekly reader. I have decided, I must count everything that goes in my mouth this week, and since the meeting, I have. Recognizing that these BLT’s could be sabotaging my success, I am determined next week will be a loss. After all, my new treadmill is working me hard and I am an active, determined and feisty woman.

    I suppose I learned a valuable lesson yesterday at the meeting. Those scoops of peanut butter I have been sampling have not been counted. Yesterday, I found myself wanting just a bite of peanut butter. When I considered it would be a bite I would need to count, I turned away from the pantry!

    Proud of myself, I recognized how damaging those ‘B-L-T’s’ are for me…and now, I will post a little note on the pantry door, and on the fridge. “CAUTION – B-L-T’s ARE SABOTAGERS!”

    Thank you Weight Watchers and my Weight Watcher buddies! Next week, I will share my results. Let us hope I will have success!

    And now, Nordy, my NordicTrack awaits!

  • Weight Watchers Continues For Me…It’s a Lifestyle Change!


    Dearest Readers:

    It is 2pm on the Eastern coast of the United States of America. My body lacks all forms of energy today from a lack of sleep last night. All Hell broke loose last night in the wee hours of the morning. Hearing thunder, I awoke, rolled over and struggled to drift back to sleep, but it didn’t happen. The blinds were closed. The room was dark, until the lightning flash danced along the skyline. Sandy Bear snuggled closer to me. I heard Shadow whining. He was asleep on his pillow, guarding the house, so I decided to slumber to where he was to comfort him and bring him back to the bedroom. Normally, he would rush towards the back door, but when I opened the gate, he rushed to the bedroom. Opening the door to the bedroom, Shadow leaped to the bed and was snuggled on the pillows before I could slide inside the sheets. He whined again. I moved closer to him. “Sh-h-h, boy. It’s OK. You’re safe. Just go back to sleep.”

    I rubbed his ears and stroked his back. His tight body grew limp. I heard and felt his breath. All was safe and sound, with exception of me. I turned the TV on, listening to early morning news. The weather forecaster said the storms started at about 5am. I corrected him. “It was earlier than 4am, you fruitcake.”

    Never did I fall back to sleep. Dragging my body to meet the day, I slid out of bed. All was quiet along the home front now. The storms were gone, but sleep — something I need desperately, didn’t happen.

    At 9am, I rushed to my Weight Watchers meeting. Of course, today is like many of the weigh in weeks lately. Up one pound. Down the next. Up .02…and down again. Today, up one pound. “Rats,” I said, taking my booklet back. I stopped to glance at the mirror. You’ve seen the type, the one that makes you look 10 pounds lighter. I was wearing a navy pair of shorts, a ruffled aqua blue top that hugged my waistline, and I smiled, while smoothing the shirt along my newly formed curves. “OK,” I said. “At least all of the exercise is working. My waistline actually has curves now.” I smiled into the mirror, hoping no one was noticing me.

    Sitting down, I found myself in deep thoughts. I get this way whenever I am exhausted. “Yes,” I said. “You’ve gained a pound. Accept it, but never accept that you have curves again. Finally!”

    It’s been a three-year struggle for me to achieve my goal weight. Never did I believe I would actually buy clothing that hugged my waistline as I do now. Nor did I believe I would buy shorter dresses with a waistline, but I am!

    I have discovered on this Weight Watchers journey that losing weight is more than a number. Now I wear clothes in much smaller sizes, and much to my surprise, my shoe size is smaller! Whenever I focus on the number that I weigh, Yes, I get discouraged, and when I do, I remind myself that this is a lifestyle journey for me. Who cares how long it takes me to achieve my goal. I intend to do it, and I will!

    Leaving the meeting, I drove home, played with the pups for a few minutes and scuffed my bare feet back to the bedroom. I needed sleep.

    For two hours, I watched TV. Never did I sleep. I suppose tonight I will slumber to bed in hopes I will sleep, and I hope and pray that if we must have storms, they will arrive before the middle of the night.

    Next week I hope I will share good news that I have lost a pound or two; nevertheless, the inches are falling off of me and I am thankful. Think I’ll take an extra moment next week to stand by that mirror again — just to see what losing ten more pounds will look like. Yes, I have a smile on my face now. I’m truly beginning to like what I see!

    Who knows. Maybe one day I’ll actually get gutsy enough to take a selfie and share it. Oops. I said maybe! I still have difficulty taking pictures as a ‘selfie.’ I suppose I’m just not willing to share selfies with the world!

    Have a great week. Now if only — I COULD SLEEP!

  • The Top 10 Workout Songs for June 2014


    Fort Wayne, IN – June 1, 2014 – This month’s top 10 list provides a succinct argument for the dominance of electronic music on the pop charts. To put this into perspective, consider January of 1992, when Nirvana’s album Nevermind famously replaced Michael Jackson’s Dangerous as the number one album on the Billboard chart. This unlikely feat marked not just a change in fortune for Nirvana, but signaled a larger change in folks’ tastes.
    Skipping back to the present, the last month has seen the release of new singles by Katy Perry, Coldplay, Jennifer Lopez, and a collaboration between Justin Timberlake and (fittingly) Michael Jackson. As was the case in 1992, each of these chart toppers has been replaced by a newer act in a previously overlooked genre. To that end, none of the folks above made the cut in this month’s list—as the majority of the votes went to club rockers like Avicii, Afrojack, 3LAU and Bright Lights.
    Like fashion and film and most other cultural goings-on, music is cyclical. So, DJs won’t be replacing pop stars entirely—not permanently at least. Moreover, there’s plenty of room for outliers. The changing musical landscape doesn’t seem to have hurt Pitbull or Imagine Dragons—both of whom turn up in the list below. But, if it seems like dance music has a near monopoly on the airwaves these days, this month’s playlist is proof of that change.
    History and context aside, there’s a lot to be excited about here. Plus, if there was ever a time for huge beats and raging synths, it’s the summer. So, check out a few of the high energy highlights below, grab a few favorites, and take them for a spin.
    Here’s the full list, according to votes placed at Run Hundred–the web’s most popular workout music blog.
    Clean Bandit & Jess Glynne – Rather Be – 122 BPM

    Crazibiza, Dave Aude & Vassy – Hustlin’ (Radio Version) – 124 BPM

    Janelle Monae – What Is Love (Walden Radio Edit) – 127 BPM

    3LAU & Bright Lights – How You Love Me – 128 BPM

    Afrojack & Wrabel – Ten Feet Tall – 126 BPM

    John Legend – All of Me (Tiesto’s Birthday Treatment Remix Radio Edit) – 128 BPM

    Avicii – Addicted to You (Albin Myers Remix) – 128 BPM

    Ariana Grande & Iggy Azalea – Problem – 103 BPM

    Imagine Dragons – On Top of the World – 100 BPM

    Pitbull & G.R.L. – Wild, Wild Love – 120 BPM

    To find more workout songs, folks can check out the free database at RunHundred.com. Visitors can browse the song selections there by genre, tempo, and era—to find the music that best fits with their particular workout routine.

    Contact:
    Chris Lawhorn
    Run Hundred
    Email: mail@runhundred.com

  • Top 10 Workout Songs for May 2014


    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

    The Top 10 Workout Songs for May 2014

    Fort Wayne, IN – May 1, 2014 – This month’s top 10 list contains a healthy mix of perennial favorites and relative upstarts. Chart regulars like Shakira and OneRepublic both clock in with their most recent singles. At the same time, Ed Sheeran and Christina Perri are making their first appearances in the top 10—him with some uncredited assistance from Pharrell Williams and her by way of a Passion Pit remix.
    Whether you’re looking for the comfort of something familiar or a boost from something new, there should be a song or two below that will pop you into a pair of sneakers.
    Here’s the full list, according to votes placed at Run Hundred–the web’s most popular workout music blog.
    Skrillex – Recess – 105 BPM
    Ellie Goulding – Beating Heart – 128 BPM
    Christina Perri – Human (Passion Pit Remix) – 119 BPM
    Naughty Boy & Sam Smith – La La La – 125 BPM
    Ed Sheeran – Sing – 121 BPM
    Shakira – Empire – 80 BPM
    Mystery Skulls – Ghost (Solidisco Remix) – 124 BPM
    Calvin Harris – Summer – 128 BPM
    OneRepublic – Love Runs Out – 121 BPM
    Childish Gambino – Sweatpants – 80 BPM
    To find more workout songs, folks can check out the free database at RunHundred.com. Visitors can browse the song selections there by genre, tempo, and era—to find the music that best fits with their particular workout routine.

    Contact:
    Chris Lawhorn
    Run Hundred
    Email: mail@runhundred.com

  • Happy Anniversary to Me, and My Membership With Weight Watchers — And Screenwriting


    Dearest Readers:

    Good afternoon. How I hope all of you who watched the Oscars last night enjoyed some mesmerizing acceptance speeches. As a screenwriter, I’ve always dreamed of attending the Oscars, but so far — that dream is not reality; nevertheless, I still write screenplays — even IF I haven’t sent any of them out for representation, competitions, or possible options in a few years. I suppose you could say I got a bit perplexed and stopped marketing them. Shame on Me! This week, I plan to start the research for representation. After all, two of my screenplays have won awards. I simply must get my butt glued to the desk chair and get busy. No one can get a screenplay optioned or sold if it collects dust in a file. Silly Me!

    Today is a day of recognition for me. A day I must appreciate since on this date three years ago, I joined Weight Watchers. Walking into the meeting I wished to place a bag over my head so no one would recognize me; instead, I hung my head and did not make eye contact. My heart palpitated when I stepped on the scales and I wished to crawl into the woodwork. The Weight Watchers leaders stopped me from leaving by sharing encouragement, letting me know that ‘we all have walked in those shoes. Welcome to Weight Watchers.”

    And so, my journey began. To those who read my blog on a regular basis, you will recall at the next meeting, I hopped on the scales, convinced I had lost weight. OK. I’ll admit it. I did lose weight. Only .06 of a pound. I was furious. I jumped off the scales, collected my things and rushed to the door. My leader stopped me. “Don’t be discouraged,” she smiled. “Remember…every weight loss is a loss.”

    I sat down, still hanging my head. Now, three years later, and 36 pounds less, I am happy to say I am still with Weight Watchers, celebrating my anniversary today. No, I haven’t achieved my goal — YET. As a matter of fact, I haven’t established a goal yet. I have committed to making Weight Watchers my new way of life. A 100% lifestyle change. When my friends inquire as to when I will quit Weight Watchers I smile and say, “Never. Weight Watchers is my new and improved lifestyle change and extended family. I have made many friendships there and I cannot quit.”

    I suppose my friends are surprised. See, they are accustomed to me getting discouraged and quitting — just like I did with screenwriting.

    Yes, it has taken me three years – or 36 months to lose 36 pounds. I will not share the inches and clothing sizes I have dropped simply because I have not kept my measurements. My neighborhood Goodwill store does appreciate when I drop bags of clothing by, and I’m certain Goodwill shoppers have enjoyed getting new clothing — many items with the original price tags still attached. Silly me. Rarely do I try clothing on when shopping — until now.

    Glancing at a few pictures of me taken two years ago, I am amazed at how different I look. I was fearful that my face would sag and wrinkle, but it hasn’t. I work out on a daily basis and I do my best to maintain my body and face with daily facials and skin care. Yes, it could be considered boring to some people, but for me, this is my regular routine, and Weight Watchers is truly a routine and ‘weigh of life for me’ — no pun intended!

    Many of my friends have said that they would’ve given up long ago with Weight Watchers. I cannot. I can see a real and true accomplishment on my part. While I do give the credit to Weight Watchers, I do realize that somehow I found the courage to enter that meeting on March 3, 2011, and somehow, I have remained while I continue to achieve the unpublished, unshaped goal I have recorded in my memory for myself. Fortunately, my brain does not have a microchip, so no one can hack or attack my goal. Will I achieve it? You betcha! And when I do, my blog will be the second in command to read all about it! Just stay tuned, Readers!

    Today, I have learned something new. A few years ago, I made files of all of my screenplays, filed them, and closed all of them away in a file cabinet and said, “I quit.” Closing all of my screenplays away in that cabinet will not help me to achieve my dreams. Research. Marketing. Revising. Sending queries…all of these baby steps just might be the best roadmap to help me. I credit Weight Watchers with my newfound confidence. After all, to lose weight one must work hard to achieve weight loss goals and to maintain the weight loss. To get a screenplay optioned, one must establish goals, a plan…baby steps to reach for those stars!

    Stay tuned! And now, I must get back to research so this week I WILL start my marketing strategies. I think watching the Oscars last night opened my eyes, especially while listening to some of the most compelling speeches I’ve heard at the Oscars in a while.

    See you…at the movies…and one day…who knows…maybe the Oscars! Wouldn’t that be an amazing dream to achieve! As my dad told me years ago, before his death in 1999, “You must reach for the stars to seek your dreams.” Thank you, Dad. This week, I start reaching for those amazing stars once again!

  • Sh-h-h…Listen to the Mesmerizing Sounds of Quiet, and Fog Horns…


    Dearest Readers:

    Morning has broken and when it did, I cringed. My head was pounding with another dreadful sinus headache. Glancing outside, I noticed this morning was covered with another blanket of thick fog. If you read my post from yesterday, you will recall I planned to walk the Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge today. That will not happen. Charleston is expecting severe thunderstorms today, so I will not take a chance…not with these headaches. Today will be a treadmill day!

    Listening to the sounds of quiet, I hear fog horns in the distance, along the harbor. Oh, how I welcome those musical sounds. The long hum…hum… Sometimes, there are five fog horns sounding. Other times, there are three. I can just picture the ships gliding along the harbor. Hum…Hum…Hum. Hum…Hum…Hum…Hum…HUM! Those musical notes are so delicious to hear.

    Suppose I’ll hop on the treadmill now, to beat this headache out of my head. Have a great weekend, readers.

  • Inspiration on a Dreary Day


    Dearest Readers:

    This morning, I awoke before anyone in my neighborhood was up. At least, I say that because all houses within my community were dark. Not a light on anywhere, with exception of the street lights. I let the dogs outside to potty, reminding them they must be quiet. “The neighborhood is asleep,” I said. Sir Shakespeare Hemingway nodded, prancing off to find his special tree. Sandy Bear pranced around to find his spot. Prince Midnight Shadow danced around. Hank, my smallest schnauzer stood by my side. He does not like to be too far away from me, especially in the dark of night. I stopped to look outside. The skyline was extremely dark. I could hardly make it out, recognizing there was a thick blanket of fog outside. I stepped outside, walking around a bit, feeling the moisture of fog kissing my face, misting my hair. I listened hoping to hear my favorite musical sound of fog horns. The world outside was quiet. The dogs rushed to join me. They do not like the darkness of night, or the fog. Silly guys!

    Another night of insomnia left me exhausted, so I rushed my special friends inside, telling them goodnight. Since it was still the middle of the night, I chose to go back to bed. My head was pounding with another sinus headache. Turning the television on, I replayed the events of the Sochi Olympics, hoping the sounds would allow me to drift off to sleep. Tossing and turning, I recognized I would probably miss my Weight Watchers meeting. I simply cannot cope when I have a headache and I am not exactly good company to anyone when a headache pounds like a hammer inside my head. When morning broke, I crawled out of bed, brewed coffee and decided to write for a bit. Instead of writing, I stared at the computer screen.

    Seven days ago, the City of Charleston was cold. Many residents did not have power. We, within our community, were blessed. Never did we lose our power; however, today, I recognized I was fighting with depression once again. I could not process or organize my thoughts to write, and I was focusing on the darkness of a foggy morning while awaiting to hear the fog horns.

    Later, I decided to write once again, rereading about 20 pages I’ve written this week. Looking outside again, I noticed bright sunshine and something I haven’t felt in a while due to the extreme temperatures we’ve had recently in Charleston. I chose to go outside with the dogs. The warmth of the brilliant sun hugged my body and I realized I was allowing depression to captivate me. I was not fighting like I do on most days. Depression runs in my family. My mother fought it all of her life and my grandfather was treated with several medications that our family refused to discuss. I suppose my family considered depression as a silent illness. I laugh now. Most of my friends fight depression. Maybe that is why they are my friends! Who knows.

    Today, after a serious discussion with myself I realized that I had to find a way to accept depression, and to be grateful for life. Remembering the brilliant words of my grandmother, I recognized that I was focusing on the negative aspects of life, and not — LIFE. Right on cue, I chose to listen to life, hearing a welcomed sound of a bird chirping in a tree. I haven’t seen many birds lately. Normally I see mourning doves, cardinals and Carolina wrens. Lately, I’ve seen nothing.

    Perhaps I haven’t noticed the beauty of nature lately because I’ve permitted myself to become incubated inside my home. On gray days, I’ve looked outside, deciding there was only grayness in life, nothing more. However, this afternoon, I discovered a much-loved and lost sight I haven’t paid much attention to, until today. Walking outside to get the mail, I noticed my tulip tree is blooming and the Carolina Jasmine is budding.

    Yes, spring is in the air and I embrace it with passion. I want to wrap my arms around the freshness and beauty of springtime and never allow it to leave me. I cannot wait until the lawn dries out enough so I can rake the leaves, prune the Lantana and watch nature returning again. I haven’t walked on the Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge since September 2013. If tomorrow is a reflection of today, I will walk the bridge, finding the freshness of an ocean breeze kissing my face, the warmth of sunshine, and most of all, I will find inspiration again. After all, it is the little things in life than mean the most to me. The scent of aromatic flowers. Roses. Sunshine. Good, loyal friends. A stroll on the beach, and a long walk on the bridge. I can hardly wait to embrace my inspiration tomorrow morning. Life is around me. I must embrace it with open arms!

  • To a New Year, New Beginnings, Goals and Promises – Learning to Move On


    Dearest Readers:

    My last post, Saturday, January 4, 2014 was written with a broken heart after we lost our precious Maltese, Shasta Daisy Shampagne. To say it has been a stressful, depressing and an almost unbearable week is an understatement. I have caught myself bursting into tears as the sea of grief rushes over me once again. Nevertheless, after losing many loved ones, friends, and family members, I recognize that life continues. Just because we have lost someone so special does not cause our lives to stop. We awaken in the morning. Demands of life still need attention. We still must pick up the pieces and “Move On!”

    I must say, I am a bit proud of myself and how I have dealt with the grief and emptiness that Little Miss Shasta Daisy left. Shasta lost the remainder of her eye sight last year. I am convinced she counted the steps to where the water bowls were, along with the pillow she loved to rest on. This pillow is located next to my desk. Daily, she curled her tiny body by the pillow, and when she was thirsty, never did she whine for me to carry her to the water bowl. She was a feisty and most independent little girl. She loved doing things her way! Today, her pillow and blankie rest by my desk. I haven’t found the courage to wash her pillow or the blankie. Our newest little boy, a Maltese, named Toby Keith has adopted the spot, pillow and blankie as his comfort zone. Funny. Never did he claim this territory as his until Monday of this week. We were blessed to be the foster parent of Toby in early December after Shasta became weaker and weaker. As I’ve written before, Shasta’s seizures became more violent in December. Christmas Day was her worst. The amazing thing about Shasta is after a seizure, after Phil and I decided we should consult with our vet once again about her, Shasta chose to prove to us that she was still our little energizer bunny. Mornings after she suffered a seizure, she would go outside to potty and to walk around the back yard, as if to say, “See…I’m OK!”

    We did not call the vet. I am convinced that little Miss Shasta Daisy chose to leave us on her terms — after she was certain we would be ok. Maybe she and Toby communicated, and maybe Toby convinced her that all would be OK. I am convinced animals communicate, to us, and to each other.

    So, while it is a New Year and we had to build new goals, promises and beginnings, I am learning to move on. Yes, I miss Shasta, and I certainly miss my precious Prince Marmaduke Shamus; although, our home is filled with the love of our precious four-legged children. Together, we strive to make each day a new and good day. Yes, at times, I am sad, but I am learning to work through the grief. After all, life continues.

    Today was my first day back at Weight Watchers after the holidays. Let’s just say, during the holidays I was a most naughty girl. Just before Christmas, I broke the plateau and I was so proud to accomplish that goal. Attending parties, I found myself craving Christmas cookies. I asked Phil to get us a few Christmas cookies and when he brought them home, I continued to eat and eat those blasted temptations until I was furious with myself. Then, I decided to do a bit of Christmas baking. My mistake! Going back to Weight Watchers, I hopped on the scales — gaining four pounds. I missed the next meeting — intentionally, and I continued to binge. No matter what I said to myself, I could not stop eating desserts.

    “It’s the holidays,” people said. “Enjoy yourself.”

    Thanks so much for your encouragement! Then I realized, I was the one out of control. After all, no one was forcing these delicacies on me, but myself! Naughty…NAUGHTY — OH SO NAUGHTY GIRL!

    Now, my scales were reading a 10 pound gain. I was ready to jump off the bridge I was so angry with myself. I had a serious talk with myself and hopped back on the treadmill. After all, if my life was spinning out of control and I was gaining weight, shouldn’t I jump on a treadmill to stop this craziness?

    Today was a good day. I am proud to say, the scales showed a loss of two pounds. Yes, even when life is spinning out of control and I am depressed from watching my precious friend Shasta fading away…even when I felt my life was losing its balance, I am happy to say, I have rejuvenated myself…after many tears and discussions at my special window. Today, I am moving on with life, goals, dreams and promises made to myself. Today is a new day. A new beginning. I have started the new year with a two pound loss! Thank you, Weight Watchers! This holiday season taught me something special. I have always been described as a strong, independent and opinionated woman. Yep. That is me. However, when a craving enters my brain, I become weak. Because of the weight gain, I have discovered that I must get back in control. I have lost 36 pounds, thanks to Weight Watchers. How many inches have I lost? I haven’t a clue, but my body is changing, along with my attitude about food. I must remember to be strong, independent and eat healthy. Yes, there will be times when I am tempted. At parties…dances…and other special events… Now, I must remember, I hold the key. I have the strength. I have the courage. After all, no one is spoon feeding me. When temptations occur, I will think twice! And then, I will think again…and AGAIN!

    Rest in peace, Little Miss Shasta Daisy Shampagne. You were such a blessing to rescue and to become such an amazing loving part of our family. Watching you and the determination you had taught me that life must go on and with each day, we must continue to make the most of each day…Just like you did, precious Shasta!

  • Losing Weight, the Weight Watchers Way


    Dearest Readers:

    If  you read my posts on a regular basis, you might recognize I haven’t written much lately about losing weight. Why? That’s an easy question to answer. I have been stuck in a plateau — for 12 months, bouncing back and forth, trapped inside a spinning wheel, my body refused to drop below a loss of 35 pounds. Inches lost? Many. Until about a month ago, I refused to measure! I worked out. I tracked my food intake. I was so careful; nevertheless, my body applied brakes, refusing to lose just one more teeny tiny pound. At my weekly Weight Watchers meetings, I listened to friends sharing their weight loss, while I sat in a corner near the back, so angry at myself that I contemplated quitting.

    BRAKES and EXERCISE!

    I missed my meetings. If my morning wasn’t starting on a positive note, I stayed home from the meeting, telling myself that the next week would be so much better because I was confident I would have a weight loss. Laugh. LAUGH. Laugh!

    The next week, a weight gain. The week after that, a small loss…and so on. I read articles. I told myself that this too shall pass. I jumped on the treadmill. Maybe I could do ten minutes on it. When ten minutes got easy to this asthmatic woman, I chose to continue the treadmill, increasing the minutes from 10 to 20, then 30…35. A few weeks ago, I actually accomplished 60 minutes non-stop on the treadmill. Dripping with sweat, I screamed. I was euphoric! Oh…My poor four-legged children were not happy with my scream, but they did seem to appreciate their mommy working out while they napped.

    I was certain the additional workout would do the trick. It did not. At my doctor’s office, I discussed my situation and how my body had simply stopped in limbo, refusing to allow me to lose any more weight. He nodded. Maybe you should try the Medical Weight Loss programs at the hospital. MUSC has one. I researched those options when I got home. I did not want to succumb to shots, pills or anything so extreme. For me and my self-worth, I wanted to accomplish my goals — shall I say it — MY WAY!

    ONWARD

    Today is November 21, 2013. Plans are all set for Thanksgiving next week. My husband and I are visiting a close friend for Thanksgiving so food should not be such an issue; however, today at the Weight Watchers meeting, our leader, Kathy, passed out paper plates. She had us look and select our chosen foods on a pretend buffet. I jotted my food choices down and went back to my chair to calculate the power points, discovering that the Thanksgiving meal would set me up for total destruction. My total power points for Thanksgiving will be a whopping 33 points. OUCH! I have decided that I will be most careful on Thanksgiving and I will only eat a bite of each food choice, and if I should weaken, I will simply tell myself that tomorrow is another day! That is one of the most important lessons we, the members of Weight Watchers learn…When we fall off the wagon, we stop. Regroup…and begin our journey once again. We do not beat ourselves up, or discontinue our journey. We move on! And On… AND ON! ONWARD!!!

    Last week was a busy week for me. Phil and I were in Murrells Inlet, performing for the Elks Lodge. I think I had the correct mindset during our trip and I am happy to report that this week was the best week I’ve ever experienced with Weight Watchers. Much to my surprise, this week saw a decrease of 3.6 pounds for me, and a total weight loss of 36.6 pounds! Goodbye Plateau!

    WHAT DID I DO TO CHANGE THINGS?

    Beats the heck out of me. This week, much to the credit of severe insomnia, I have been too exhausted to work out. I have tracked my food intake faithfully, and I started calculating my calories. Yes, I know, Weight Watchers does not count calories, but I was desperate to break this 12-month vicious cycle! I found an App titled Lose It so I downloaded it to my iPhone.  Now, not only do I track my food on Weight Watchers, the Lose It program calculates the amount of calories I eat. At the moment, I calculate less than 1600 calories daily. According to this program, I could hit my goal in September 2014, based on my current history and my exercise routine.

    GOALS ESTABLISHED

    Losing weight is such a tedious, time-consuming task and when we hit a plateau, we could easily just throw in the towel and give up. For me, that is no longer my style. I made the commitment to lose weight the Weight Watchers way and if I had to change things a bit to make it work for me, it is worth the struggles — at least for me. I have a goal weight established and I am confident today I will accomplish that goal. Today was filled with encouragement for me. Next week is Thanksgiving and I have much to be thankful for, including the weight loss, not to mention the inches and dress sizes I am losing. I have much to be thankful for. Good health. Family. My precious four-legged children who warm my heart daily. A devoted husband. OK…I admit he drives me crazy and he could cause me to binge, but now, I ignore his PTSD attitude and MOVE ON!  I have a few Good friends, and so much more. Much of this is due to Weight Watchers. The friends and acceptance I have made is to the credit of my first step into the doorway of a Weight Watchers meeting. I will never forget how devastated I felt, especially when slipping on to the ‘confidential weigh-in.’ I wanted to place a bag over my head so no one would recognize me. What I discovered is something I never imagined — acceptance and encouragement. Everyone at Weight Watchers has walked in the same shoes.  They have been just as discouraged and fearful as I was, and now, we take it one day…one week…one month…one loss…at a time. Regardless of how long it takes to achieve goal, we are still — WEIGHT WATCHERS.

     

  • Top 10 Workout Songs – November 2013


    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

    The Top 10 Workout Songs For November 2013

    Fort Wayne, IN – November 3, 2013 – This month’s top 10 list pulls evenly from the worlds of rock and pop. On the former front, you’ve got bands like Bastille, Imagine Dragons, and NONONO. On the latter, you’ve got dancefloor divas like Lady GaGa, Rihanna, and Katy Perry. Somewhere in the middle there are cross-genre collaborations that pair DJs like Zedd and Steve Aoki with rockers like Linkin Park and Paramore’s Hayley Williams.

    Here’s the full list, according to votes placed at Run Hundred–the web’s most popular workout music blog.

    Lady GaGa & R. Kelly – Do What U Want – 99 BPM

    Rihanna – What Now (Firebeatz Remix) – 128 BPM

    Bastille – Pompeii – 127 BPM

    Pitbull & Kesha – Timber – 130 BPM

    Katy Perry – Walking on Air – 128 BPM

    NONONO – Pumpin Blood – 121 BPM

    Zedd & Hayley Williams – Stay the Night – 128 BPM

    Linkin Park & Steve Aoki – A Light That Never Comes – 116 BPM

    John Newman – Love Me Again – 126 BPM

    Imagine Dragons – Demons – 90 BPM
    To find more workout songs, folks can check out the free database at RunHundred.com. Visitors can browse the song selections there by genre, tempo, and era—to find the music that best fits with their particular workout routine.

    Contact:
    Chris Lawhorn
    Run Hundred
    Email: Admin@RunHundred.com
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