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Goodbye, March. Let’s start things off on the right foot, shall we? Goals: (April) Week 1 Exercise Goals: Note: These are all minimums and, I think, based on my previous exercising regiment, entirely doable. In fact, I think I am capable of more, but I want to see how this first week goes before raising the stakes. Gosh… just setting these goals feels so productive. The truth is, I think I am constantly setting and renegotiating goals in my mind. Each morning (especially in the shower) I make deals with myself about what I will and won’t do that day. Many times the goals I sent in the morning while trying to ready myself for the day are unrealistic… and because they only exist in my mind, it’s easy to toss them aside when the going gets rough. This is different. Not only does writing them down make them feel more official, but you know, it’s that whole accountability thing. Knowing that all of you *know* about them and that you will (ever so gently) hold my feet to the fire if I don’t follow through, makes it more difficult for me to just throw in the towel. Knowing that I have a doctor’s appointment at the end of the month helps too. For some reason, I am always so motivated to take off as much weight as possible in the weeks before going to the doctor. I can remember when I first started seeing this doctor and how I could tell, even though he was encouraging, that he didn’t really believe me when I said that I was going to lose weight. And, after all, who could blame him? I mean, I’m sure he’s seen hundreds of patients who need to take off the pounds and who claim they are going to, but who just aren’t able to make it happen. I’ve been there. And, believe me, I failed dozens and dozens of times before I ever experienced any kind of success. What’s more, I’m sure that my vow, albeit good intentioned, probably seemed like a long shot… after all, all told, I probably had a good 180lbs to lose — and that’s no small feat. Little did he know how stubborn I am. What he didn’t realize (or maybe he did) is that I would find his well founded skepticism regarding my ability to shed over half my bodyweight to be something of a challenge. As ridiculous as it sounds, when it comes to my doctor, I’ve got a definite case of the “hmmpft! I’ll show him!’s” I realize, of course, that this isn’t the healthiest motivation, but at this point, I’ll take whatever motivation I can get. Anyway… tonight I’m gonna party like it’s my birthday — because it *is* my birthday! And then I’m gonna grab April by the balls. Happy Monday, everyone! PS: I’m counting this post as my HYC update for this week! Tag: diet journals
American Idols, leave Mom and Dad Ask the average American man or woman where the household idols are kept, and you’d probably get a puzzled look in response. We modern people don’t shape squat clay fertility goddesses like the pagans in Mesopotamia. Greek and Roman deities are material for art textbooks. Our kids toddle through childhood free of string bracelets some religions believed warded off evil. We’re cool. At least, that’s what we think. But that’s precisely where our idol-worship resides — in what Julius Caesar referred to as the thinking apparatus. Idols? What idols? Though the month of March and its college-basketball madness are about to draw to a close, the NBA playoff cycle is just gearing up. Then there’s the broader array of images that we may select on the glowing, flat-screen altars that claim prize of place in many a home: shall we watch American Idol tonight? Nowhere is this attitude more evident than among children. If you ask boys and girls Who’s your hero? you will get answers like Dewayne Wade, or Hannah Montana or Tiger Woods or even, God help us, Paris Hilton. One child put it this way: It’s different depending on who you ask. Everybody’s got their own superstar. What a sad turn of events for the firemen, police officers, doctors, nurses, missionaries, presidents and mothers and fathers who used to claim first place on the hero list. They’ve been bumped off by folks who more often display flashiness than good character. Some of the famous people show class. Martial arts man Jackie Chan spoke publicly last year about his desire to offer young people a better example by choosing his roles more carefully. Many big names take their near-cultlike status seriously enough to view it as a responsibility. They do their best to use it for good — to raise money for cancer research, for example, or to promote better diet and exercise, or, as with many NFL players, to appear in public service announcements that remind kids to stay in school and work hard at learning. Even so, hero worship today is just as pointless and self-defeating as idol worship of old, which demanded costly sacrifices and complete, unquestioning submission. When people of all ages clamor for expensive items they really can’t afford — and go into debt to obtain them — in an attempt to imitate the physical appearance, clothing, jewelry, even the vehicles the stars have popularized, there’s a problem. In effect, we sell ourselves into slavery as thoroughly as if we had to march off to the local temple with our firstborn. Nor can you simply blame the television. The mindset that we have got to follow the mandates of the famous is reinforced in ways unimaginable even 10 years ago. The culture has changed so completely, so quickly, that bewildered, exhausted parents struggle to keep up. Too often, we quit trying and let the kids charge forward into this modern new world. We’re still trying to figure out how to program the remote control! The news that DVD video recordings will soon be replace with a new format called Blu-Ray doesn’t generate the same excitement for me that it does for my offspring. I still feel deep irritation about the wider world’s refusal to spell even a simple word like Blue correctly. The new idols are not interested in good grammar or spelling or the life of the mind. I suspect they’re not even interested in their own idolhood. The driving force behind the posters and endorsements for everything from snack foods to sportswear is a greedy economic machine that depends on materialistic consumers for profit. To keep making money, the machine has to continually persuade people (the younger the better) that we need things we really don’t need, and that if we only keep buying, we, too, can share in the so-called Good Life. How can anyone make it stop? The wider world is too big to reshape, but every parent can hold the line firmly right at the front door. It doesn’t require extreme measures. You don’t have to cut the feed line from your little satellite, or pitch the television out the door. Sometimes all it takes is turning the thing off. Next, deactivate the powerful, mind-altering messages that sneak into the house. I’m not advocating heavyhanded censorship here, just parent-guided interpretation. Talk about what our everyday idols say and do. So you heard the girl wonder of pop music is in rehab? What’s rehab, Mom? Why do you think people act like that, kids? Did you hear what happened to Michael Vick, son? What would you do if your ‘friends’ offered to help you bend some rules? These conversations don’t have to be lectures. Ashort conversation on the way to school, or over a Coke goes a long way. What is it about these air-brushed, glossy people that appeals to your children? Is it the perfection of a diva’s appearance that your girl longs to imitate? Does your son wish he had the physique or speed of a professional athlete? Or is it the popularity and approval and ease these chosen ones enjoy that has captured the hearts of your children? Do they know much of what they see is smoke and mirrors? While you clean away some of the false shininess these bad examples display, present alternatives. Tell stories from your own childhood and the everyday people you admired. Give your children the inside scoop on the neighbor who’s a decorated veteran or the law enforcement officer who helped rescue an accident victim. Speak often and clearly about men and women who are worthy of admiration. History is crammed with amazing examples of strength, bravery, honesty and honor. Parents, we need to get into this battle and fight. If I stand silently by while my daughter admires a confused, substance-abusing pop star, I forfeit the right to be surprised and dismayed when she copies the behavior. If I fail to inject realism and responsibility into my boy’s dream to be like the sports superstar of the day, even while he fails English, I have helped ease him into a life he views as second-rate and deeply disappointing. Asurprising thing happens when you take even small steps into the idol arena: your kids will welcome your presence. Next thing you know, the name at the top of the hero list may be “My Mom” or “My Dad.” American Idols leave Mom and Dad Tags: American Idol 2008, American Idol 2008 Results, American Idol cast, American Idol contest, American Idol contestants, American Idol Final, American Idol final 12, American Idol rankings, American Idol reality TV show, American Idol Results, American Idol results show, American Idol scandal, American Idol top 10 Finalist, American Idol Top 10 Rankings, American Idol Top 5 Contestants, American Idol Top 5 Finalists, American Idol Top Five Finalists, American Idol top ten Finalist, American Idol voting, American Idol winners, David Archuleta American Idol, real tv live, results show, TV Recap, vote American Idol Related posts
Tag: top diets
I just needed some major help. I have an older son, 9 yrs old. After I had him, I worked out once a day and used Xzenedrine, when it had the ephedra. I lost 40lbs and kept it off. I was a very happy camper. 7 yrs roll around and I had another baby. I now weigh 225 lbs and I am 5 foot 3. Yes, I know… Please… I have never been a skinny person and really don’t want to be. I am a woman who adores her curves. I was okay in my size 10 and very flat stomach. I ware a size 16 which I hate. My tummy makes me still look like I am having a baby (3-4 months). I have gotten to the point I don’t even like looking at myself in the mirror. I WANT OUT OF THIS BODY! I just recently bought some Lipo6 and someone told me to stack in with some Vasopro. Now I am new to the whole supplement taking thing (when it comes to stacking). Summer is coming and I just want it off. I have put it off for way toooooooooo long. IF, there is anyone out there who can help me put a good supplement plan together that will maximize, fat and weight loss.. please help me. I love working out, so I don’t mind that part. I just need that boost. PLEASE, PLEASE, help me get my sexy back!!! Thanks, Tag: diet journals
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03/30/2008 
