CONFESSIONS OF A FAT GIRL

I've Got The Sick

Home sick: Day 2

I guess it really began on Saturday night. I was getting these little dizzy spells. They did not last long and I felt just fine on Sunday morning. But by Sunday night, I was groggy and cranky. I went to bed early (there is some gravity in that - I NEVER go to bed early). 

When I woke up Monday morning, I couldn't swallow without pain and my ears - especially my right - HURT. I was incredibly dizzy. I emailed my office and went right back to bed.

I woke up a couple more times but in truth, I actually slept til 4:00. 

I'm slightly ashamed to admit that. Who the hell sleeps til four in the afternoon?

Unfortunately, I woke up this morning feeling only a little bit better but still with the dizziness. My right ear was still aching. Hello, ear infection. 

Do you know any grown women who get ear infections? This often? I'm so lucky. 

I forced myself out of bed a little earlier today, though, and tried to have a more normal day (and by "normal" I mean I sat on the couch and watched TV while playing a lot of solitaire on my laptop). Enter a couple doses of antibiotics, chicken noodle soup and some cranberry juice...

I think I might actually feel human again. 

Not my most profound blog entry but just thought I'd share. :)

Antioxidants Tutorial

I have a Pinterest problem but the good news is, I find things to steal for the blog:

Awesome Deal Today via @Groupon and @Healthy_Choice

Check it out, microwave-meal-lovers! Today on Groupon, for $9, you get 5 Healthy Choice single-serving meals (up to a $21.95 value).

I love this. There was previously a 10 meals for $16 deal but it sold out already. You have to sign up for an Albertsons club card but no biggie there. 

Anyway, just thought I'd pass it along. Click here to redeem.

 

 

Keep Smoking. Forever.

Who saw this blog entry title and was like "WTF, dude?"

So I got this study e-mailed to me entitled "Quitting Smoking Enhances Personality Change." My first thought? Shit title. Because what does it enhance? The moodiness? The frustration while trying to give up an addiction? Your need to sit in front of the fridge and eat everything you can get your hands on? 

Enhance negatively or positively? Get it togeher, University of Missouri.

Does it shock YOU that addiction changes your personality? It did NOT shock me. 

This is my favorite part:

In the study, MU researchers compared people, aged 18-35, who smoked with those who had quit smoking. They found that individuals who smoked were higher in two distinct personality traits during young adulthood: 

• impulsivity – acting without thinking about the consequences
• neuroticism – being emotionally negative and anxious, most of the time 

I mean, I coulda told you THAT. But I can also tell you quitting has not changed those sttributes in me. I am inherently impulsive and neurotic. Smoking has nothing to do with it. 

U of M, talk to me when you have found a revolutionary way to quit smoking without turning into a raging lunatic sans patches, pills or magic. Thanks. 

Original Source: http://munews.missouri.edu/news-releases/2011/0912-mu-study-finds-quitting-smoking-enhances-personality-change-2/

Wipe it Off

I am guilty of taking horrible care of my skin.

I've been incredibly lucky (I am now realizing there is no way to write this post without sounding profoundly vain). In high school, I had very few run-ins with acne, getting only one or two pimples around that certain time of month. And I almost never washed my face, except in the shower. 

As I got older, I established a little bit of a regimen, washing my face before bed or something. Later I added moisturizers, finally settling on one I liked to keep using... Sometimes I use a night cream. 

My mother got me into wipes, though -- they have been my favoritest thing. They are perfect for a lazy S.O.B. like me. And then I slap on some lotion and poof! 

I'm not expert - I am also not a role model. LOL. I just wanted to explain so you would understand my delight to find these wipes from Specific Beauty on my BlogHER goodie bag:

They say they're exfoliating. I don't really know about that but they're textured so I feel like they're getting all the crap off my face. They don't smell and they don't leave me feeling dry and/or sticky. And they don't make me break out anywhere, which is more than I can say for the last wipes I used, from Korres. 

My mother, who still has pretty flawless skin, still uses these, which I also like, from Comodynes:

Go out and buy some wipes. Tell me what you think. It's pretty rare I do a product review unsolicited so you know I'm serious - they're great, I promise. 

 

It's a Wrap

You might not know this about me, but I am accident prone.

It's quite true. As a child, I endured numerous ankle sprains and twists, bumps, scuffs and bruises, and I broke my right arm three times. 

I'm sure my teachers were suspicisous but really, I was just a gigantic klutz. 

It should not come as a shock to you, of course, that I am the proud owner of several arm braces, wrist guards, crutches, a cane...

After the accident in October, I found little helped. Thank goodness for an excellent physical therapist. But even still, I am left with some back and neck pain. And even more uncomfortable, I have lost some feeling in a couple fingers on my left hand. And I get ahrp pains down my left arm. It's completely unpleasant.

So I would like to thank the lovely people at Wellgate, who kindly sent me a wrist support/guard made just for women. I find it to be far more flexible (I love memory foam) than your average brace, but it still gives me support and keeps my pain at a minimum. Which is fantastic. I keep it at my desk at work now and slip it on when I get REALLY sore. It's maervelous. Two thumbs up from this blogger. 

Also? It's not ugly. 

Extra special thanks to their physical therapist, Megan, who offered this tip to me, because when you're heavy, it's not at all easy to get into an exercise routine:

“... Being over weight or obese increases one's risk for developing osteoarthritis as well as heart disease and cancer. Aqua aerobics or biking are the safest ways to jump start or continue a cardio program and burn fat and calories without increasing risk of damaging your joints for this population.”

I mean, I DID just buy a bathing suit, so.... 

 

Down to Earth Dieting?

I loved these two user comments regarding Valerie Orsoni's new book, "Le Personal Coach," on Amazon.com:

"It's not just what you wear, it's how you wear it."

"A big part of looking great is feeling great."

Her program, by the way, is "#1 in France" and let's be honest, the French know how to live...

But I'm jumping all over the place here. You have no idea what I am talking about!

When a friend asked me to review this book, I quickly agreed because I seldom turn down friends, but I was pleasantly surprised by the book itself. It's not your standard, boring, textbook-ish dieting guide. What arrived was a charming, compact (176 pages with big font), heavily illustrated guide to improving your lifestyle. I enjoy its perspective, which is more acommodating of someone with an actual life, who is not just living to diet. 

For example, there is actually an exercise tip you can use ON YOUR CELL PHONE, which makes me wonder how that will play out when I get pulled over... "But officer, I was only exercising..."

But seriously, it's no pills (YES!), no GYM (Um, hello? LOVE.), 15 minute exercise routines, and a guarantee I personally approve of, NO SWEATING. 

It's a really fun, easy book and if you are into this genre (I know a lot of you are - don't lie!), you should pick it up. 

Her actual program, for the devout, might be worth a look, too, though it costs. But it's not gonna scam you like Lindora and it's not gonna annoy you like Jenny Craig. (Yeah, I'm bitter. I admit this.)

And her blog is also worth a read - it is equally charming.

All of that aside, this woman is an acclaimed personal coach, in amazing shape, and has personality to boot -- having survived a brain tumor and cancer. You go, Valerie. I hope you continue to kick ass for a long, long time. I wish you every success and happiness. 

 

Today is Not a Healthy Eating Day

So let me tell you about my week. I was ON IT. I was eating pretty well (as in healthy), not snacking, a little exercise, a little rest. I was feeling sort of good about it. 

But dear lord, I just had to accept today would not be a healthy day. 

For the first time in ages, I found myself with a block of time where I had nothing to do. Let me be clear: That's a GREAT thing. I have a chunk of time right now to sit on the couch, catch up on TV, blog and actively continue to NOT do the dishes (my roommate is so patient - he should probably just start throwing them at me). 

So this morning, at a breakfast for women in social media (LOVE!), I had a pretty nasty breakfast...

Did I say nasty? I meant delectable. Frankly, the chorizo homefries at BLD are pretty unbelievable. The rest of the food was only so-so after that. And no, I did not finish it. (Calm down, portion police.)

And after running a couple errands and jumping up and down in my apartment (I really did -- ever since the accident last October, I get bizarre impulses to move my legs like a frantic person), I plopped down on the couch, clicked on yesterday's Oprah and felt sick to my stomach. 

And tonight, I'm babysitting (I know, right?) so I smell pizza in my future. 

Eh, it's okay. 

It was so exciting to be at this breakfast this morning, though! A completely fabulous group of ladies as obsessed with social media as I am! 

To those ladies: I look forward to seeing you again soon.

To BLD: Your chorizo homefries are out of this world.

To my tummy: I'm so, so sorry. Please stop punishing me now.