Everything is Uploaded

Back to basics for real now, thank goodness. The last of the last-minute touches are done, and things have been sent to the editors. Let's hope nothing comes back for a second go-round.

Today I got a haircut. This is the haircut (it does not look like this on me):


Jean Seberg, A Bout de Souffle. Isn't she gorgeous?

It's summer here, and hot, and if I'm going to keep walking/biking to work, I have to sport a short hair cut. I don't look at all like Jean Seberg, but few people do, I imagine. I figured, what the heck...if I can't be winsome and pixie'ish, at least I can be cool. So I had it chopped. It's only hair, after all. It'll grow back (eventually).

Tomorrow I'm back on the bike trail, and into working out again daily.

I actually can't wait.

Happiness is a Sleek Cat

Wouldn't it be cool to be a sleek cat? I think that's my new goal. My cat, who is sitting right next to me now, is lovely like that. I'd like to be like him.

Right now I'm kind of a Garfield cat, lumpy and full of lasagna (not really, but feels that way).

So ... I got everything I needed to done Sunday/Monday. It came at great expense. I didn't move from my computer for two days except to stretch and sleep.

My right wrist is swollen, and my thumb cramps when I try to type. Too much use.

This is going to be brief then, but I'll be back. It's going to rain tonight, and I don't care, I am going to bike anyway. I can't stand another day sitting on my you-know-what. If I bike home in a downpour, so be it. Won't be the first time.

Can We Hug?

It's been quite a while (for me) since I posted to this blog, or had the time to read up on everyone else.

I've just caught up on South Beach Steve's promotion (yay Steve!), Beej's determination to reach his 150-lb goal (wow..so impressive, what can one say other than, duuuuudddee...), Peridot's overnight adventures at petrol stations (and a 4-lb loss, thank you very much), Lori's pearls of wisdom (on handling "cheat" days), Kimberley's love of yoga, and Beth's brave and honest blogging (and darn fantastic writing, really).

Guys, I've missed you so much!

Things are winding down with my project (whoo hooo!). I should be almost done with one final push Sunday/Monday (please deadline gods, make this happen).

I am VERY pleased that I can adapt to the shifting demands of my life and not gain weight. And, truly, despite not having my regular schedule and diet these past few weeks, I haven't gained weight.

That to me is just astounding. It's a combo of having accepted I need to move somewhat every day -- walking, biking, etc -- and cutting down what is "normal" for me to eat. Plus an acceptance that overeating because I'm stressed is simply NOT going to help me.

However, even though I haven't gone crazy with this project, I have not been able to focus on my weight loss and long-term health. And I really think that this is the last time I overload myself with work so much that I can't be sure I'm taking care of what I need to every day.

What's the point, really? In the final analysis, I am happier when I take care of myself. I can still take freelance projects, but I need to cling to sharp reminders that there are things that matters more than money: health, and family, for starters.

Ain't that the truth?

Still...here....barely..

Two vicious attacks of the strange heartburn/acid reflux thing that every once in a while flares up and just slays me.

It's like Mt. Vesuvius. I'm going through my day, minding my own business, and then suddenly --- eruption.

Owwww. It really hurts.

Had it twice this week. It's a sign of several things I suspect:

1) I'm a little too stressed
2) I've changed my diet away from what I usually eat
3) I am definitely getting older

Can't wait for this project to be over so I can go back to what I usually do. It's been far too long.

And the Consensus Is...

everybody's busy!

Wow, we are a productive crew, aren't we? Churning away at our lives, we are.

Every once in a while as I look up from my enth hour of sitting at the computer I wonder what I would see if I got on the scale at that moment.

Then I shudder, and look down, and continue on.

I don't feel like I can lose weight if I'm not focused on it. So having this extra project is making me nervous just because I can't put all my energy into wondering how many calories are in this and how many calories I might have burned doing that.

But maybe that's a good thing? Could be I obsess too much sometimes, right? Anyway, I am biking to work and then some everyday and watching those portions (most of the time) and we'll see how it shakes out when the project is done.

On another note, while I'm working away, I have a nagging philosophical question I'd like you all to debate: Skinny Jeans. If they still fit when they come out of the dryer but loosen up later, is it really fair to say they've gotten bigger?

I can never tell if the true measure of my skinny jeans is how they feel right after they've been washed or after I've pottered about in them a bit.

Discuss amongst yourselves and get back to me, if you can.

Thanks!

Freelancing

Hi guys,

I'm plugging along trying like crazy to finish a freelance project that threatens to overwhelm me soon if I don't focus. I've noticed that it's very hard to stay on the ball with weight loss if it's not your sole goal.

I'm cruising along, pretty much doing my usual routine, just using all my extra energy at the end of the day to work on this project, hence my relative silence.

Biking to work, hitting the gym as much as possible, watching the calories (but a few little bobbles here and there).

Hope to wrap this project up soon -- in the next few days. Then it's back to business as usual.

How you all doing?