Sunday, July 12, 2009

Jewelry! 242

Hey guys! As promised here are some photos of (some) of the necklaces I've been creating. I made 10 this weekend alone (these are 5 of the ones I've made this weekend. I've made about 25 so far, sold two-- just to people I'm showing them to at work/ or over the 4th when I saw some of my family). I'm working on creating a website to sell them on..
I took these photos today but wouldn't you know as soon as I got set up outside the clouds came out (this makes for a less than desirable shoot-- but overall I think they turned out well). The initial photos I took inside and they turned out too dark (hence why this has been so long in coming) It's taking me some time to come up with the photos and formatting them/ naming them (I'm trying to come up with cutesy names for each one-- I bet this will get more difficult as time goes on since at this point they are all one of a kind beauties) . I wanted to give you guys a special sneak preview. Let me know what you think!

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Phantom Fat!

I heard on the radio that there is a "disease" called phantom fat. This is really the same idea as a phantom limb (where people who have lost limbs still have phantom feelings for that leg, where it may seem to itch or hurt etc as if the limb were still there). Well the idea of the phantom fat is that even after people lose weight they still perceive themselves to actually be fat-- you worry about all the same things that you used to when you were over weight, like knocking things over, being too heavy to sit on certain things, thinking you can't fit into clothes, being too wide to fit in seats etc. They said that this "phantom fat" typically occurs in people who have either lost significant weight in short period of time (typically those who have had bariactric surgery) or people who have simply been overweight for a long time.

This makes me wonder if I might actually have this when all is said and done. Even now I don't really see that much of a difference in myself from where I started. Having been overweight my entire life--- I wonder how I will perceive myself when I hit my goal weight (which I've never weighed that little in my entire adult life). Not that phantom fat is really a serious matter it's just really being accustomed to how your body has functioned for a long time.

In this same news report they said that people who have lost weight are actually more self-conscious or self-aware than people who are overweight that have never attempted to lose weight. I think it's also interesting that they stated people who have lost a lot of weight are also more conscious of what they look like than people are in thin. I would probably assume this has a lot to do with being aware of what you look like now and what you looked like THEN. Looking at where I'm at when I hit my goal weight and comparing that to what I looked like at my heaviest is motivation enough to keep going to the gym and make sure I keep the weight off!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Just a Little Work Out Tip 240.5

I recently heard on the radio that when you're working out you should try to sing as loudly as you can. What this basically does it tighten up your abs while you work out. Since I work out at a gym, I didn't think people would appreciate me singing at the top of my lungs.. so instead I basically lip synced.

Having being in choir for a few years I know you're supposed to sing with your gut, basically pushing down your diaphragm-- as I lip synced I pushed as if I was singing really loudly and let all the air come out as if I was singing just avoiding using my voice box. I have to say it actually worked really well. I've been having a really hard time getting my stomach to be sore, even with the ab crunch machine at the gym-- and this actually did the trick! Try it out! If you're brave enough to sing at the top of your lungs while at the gym, please let me know the reaction of your fellow gym mates :o)!

The best way to bring work out cheer is singing loudly for ALL TO HEAR!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Dance Your Ass Off -242

I don't know if any of you have had the chance to catch Oxygen's new TV show, Dance your Ass Off. I actually find it to be quite entertaining. The premise of the show is basically Dancing With the Stars (minus the stars) combined with Biggest Loser. While admittedly I don't watch either of the afore mentioned shows, the general idea is the same perform, lose weight or GO HOME!

Each week the contestants are given a "theme" of dance and with a professional dance partner they rehearse all week. Each conestant weighs in at the beginning of the week and then again at the end of the week. Constestants are scored based on the percentage body weight lost + the average score given by the 3 judges-- the contestant with the lowest score goes home!

I think it's genuinely pretty interesting. Through the week each contestant has access to a doctor, nutirionist and professional dance partner. The daily routine includes work outs and 2 hours of dance (so it's no wonder some of these people are losing 10+ lbs in a week). This is weight loss the RIGHT way-- and I think that's awesome (and it looks so fun too!!)
Although so far I really like the show, my biggest pet peeve reamins with the host, Melissa Jaret who it is obvious they have stuffed into a gurdle (being a plus sized woman herself). What kind of message is it that the host of the show is overweight (while all contestants themselves are losing weight and she remains the same) AND the fact that not only is she plus sized but they try and make her look smaller by smoothing out the problem areas and stuffing her in to skin tight dresses.

The other beef I have with this show is the costumes designed by "professional designers" are incredibly skimpy. All women are in short shorts or short dresses/ skirts and with the exception of ONE woman and ONE man-- the guts are fully exposed. While I understand the logic behind this (the less clothing the more we can see "progress")-- I think it's a bit degrading and distastful. Although I suppose if you're competing to lose weight and WIN 100 grand, you don't mind sharing your weight and your body with the entire world.Anyway give it a try-- tune in and see what you think. The show has really inspired me to consider joining a dance class for exercise-- something I've actually been thinking about on and off for a few years.-- who cares if I lack rhythm-- lol.