Last Day

Today is the last day of my 18 week journey on the Optifast program. Tomorrow I will be fully transitioned back into the world of "real" food. I'm NOT transitioning back to how I used to eat, mind you. That world has changed drastically. I now eat veggies and fruits every day. I plan my meals out a week in advance and stick to a basic food plan of eating healthy, natural foods. It's more time consuming, but I know I'm getting a truly balanced diet and I feel great about that.

I will continue to eat the occassional protein bar from the program (because they are VERY tasty and have actual vitimins in them). But I'm going to try a couple of weeks without the shakes as meal replacements and see how my weight loss continues.

I've been very happy with this program. So far I've lost 45 lbs. I've lost 6 inches from my waist and 6 inches from my hips. My BMI dropped 9 points. Not too shabby.

I also achieved another goal I set for myself in starting the program. I am able to run.

But like I said, the road doesn't end here, just the program where I meet with the doctor every week. I still have weight to lose and goals to meet. But I feel that this program (while controversial to some in its liquid nature) set me on the path to make the right choices from now on.

And I'm ever so glad that tomorrow I get to have sushi again! (in moderation)

Men on Childbirth

Ever hear a group of men talk about childbirth when a woman isn't involved in the conversation? It's hysterical. Most of the men I've been listening to (the web developers I work with) have children, so you'd think they'd have a better grasp on that whole thing. But, no.

Actually, I'm just plain surprised men even talk about it.

Lessons from Preschool

I hope to make this a regular installment here as I glean new bits of information from my nephew. I think the wisdom learned in preschool is invaluable.

So I asked Nephew last night, "What did you learn in preschool yesterday?"

His response was, "Um.....when you pick a booger out of your nose, you need to wash your hands afterward."

See? Invaluable.

That concludes this edition of Lessons from Preschool.

Other strange things about my new company...

The Executive VP/CIO's (Chief Information Officer) bio says he holds a music degree ... and received certification in IT from the Chubb Institute of Computer Technology.

Now I'm sure he knows his stuff...but that's a strange education credential for this level of a job.

I might also add that on my first day on the job when I met this gentleman, he was walking around the office wearing a hard hat. We aren't anywhere near a construction site. Odd.

Overheard in the Office

"How can our address be 611 5th Ave? We're on 5th, it should be 5-something."

Sunday Morning Video

Grabbed this from YouTube. It's last night's opening to Saturday Night Live. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler as Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton. Very funny!

A Few Quotes from my Nephew

Last night I hung out with my sister and her kids...as I typically do on Wednesdays. Nephew was totally on his game in his usual hilarity.

His first quote that left me a bit speechless was:

"Webgal, are you shrinking?"

At first I thought he was talking about my height and was joking. But he asked again and I finally figured out it was in regard to my weight. I think he may have overheard somebody say something about my weight loss and this is what triggered the comment. The kid has a crazy-good memory.

The second quote came at Walmart. We went there to get a few supplies and he bugged us the entire time to go to the toy area. Like every 5 seconds. But...due to his being a little loud and little disobedient in the store (thanks in part to my being there and his showing off), my sister decided not to visit the toy aisles. As we moved toward the front of the store to check out, Nephew said, "Where are we going? They toys aren't this way." My sister said we weren't going to visit the toys today and that he doesn't get to see the toys every time we go to the store. Well, naturally you can guess his reaction. Melt down. He started crying those big, fat tears. Then he said the quote:

"But I need the toys and they need me!"

I couldn't help but start laughing to myself. What a sense of drama.

A Little Wednesday Cuteness

Awwww....

Charitable Ignorance

Yesterday I blogged about attending a United Way rally. Well, yesterday afternoon I got to overhear a conversation at work that made me a little irritated. A contractor was asking other coworkers how much they were going to contribute. Naturally, nobody answered, because that's kind of a personal thing. But after he asked he went on a rant about how he feels its all wrong that companies "strong-arm" people into donating to the United Way.

I don't think they strong-arm anybody (or at least in the companies I've worked for). I think they present info that you can choose to ignore or engage in.

This same man* went on about how he thinks it's ridiculous to give money to these organizations. His quote, "I take care of me first. I think people can give money when they have it to give, you know after you put your kids through school, your mortgage is paid, and all that." He then went on to say how the United Way isn't important and it doesn't matter if anybody gives money.

I was kind of stunned by this. Now, I know many people don't choose to give or give in other ways. That's everybody's own decision. But to say that the United Way doesn't matter and to make people sound like fools for giving is downright ignorant? I think these agencies do a lot of good for a lot of people. Hopefully he never has to learn why the United Way exists.

*Of course, I already have issues with this guy, because I previously heard him in a conversation about how cats are thoroughly expendable animals. That particular conversation nearly drove me to break my no confrontation rule, as that made me quite angry.

My Nemesis

I attended a United Way kickoff meeting today. Guess what they handed out in the goody bag? That's right, my nemesis. The dreaded peanut butter cup. The wonderful/evil pillows of succulence that are my achilles heel.

I shall not be tempted.

Realtor Woes

I picked a realtor to sell my house based on how great of a job she did on my last sale. Sure, she was on maternity leave for six weeks of the time my last place was on the market, and switched real estate agencies, but she sold it. And if I needed anything (info sheets, for example), she was on it.

That was then. This is now. It's almost two months since I listed and she still hasn't delivered her own info box to put out a few of the 10 info sheets she gave me originally. Instead, I went out and bought one on my own. Now all of those 10 info sheets are gone and I've requested more. And I still haven't gotten them.

She has told me on numerous occasions that she would be dropping off the box and info sheets, but then she doesn't follow through, or even let me know why she hasn't until days later, and after I ask her about it.

Yesterday I emailed her, yet again, to find out the answers to my questions and she has yet to reply back to me. This is getting old.

If I ever sell this house, she stands to make a nice commission, plus she'll get money on the home I subsequently purchase. I think I should bet a little better service than this. I've been too nice. I don't think it's fair to have to be held to a contract for an agent who clearly doesn't find my business important. What's more unfortunate is that this contract is for one year.

I'm so frustrated that I want to de-list. However, I also toured the house I want to buy yesterday, so I want that even more than my desire to de-list. So I'm stuck dreaming for my realtor to suddenly and magically become interested in selling my home.

*And before anybody tells me to just tell her what I think, I should inform/remind you that I'm not someone who does confrontation well, and to me, that is confrontation.

Long Friday Afternoon

This has been a particularly long Friday afternoon. I think I've learned my fill on this new job for the week and my brain is starting to reject further work. I've been looking forward to getting a run in tonight so that's also making me more anxious to get home.

I'm finally to the end of the interval running. Tonight is my last one. I run 10 minutes, walk for 3 and then run for 10. Then my next run is 25 minutes straight (and so on for the next few weeks until I'm at 30 minutes or more). I'm not scared since I tackled my 20 minute run last week.

This has been an off week. I only lost 1 lb. I know the reasons why: not enough water, not enough food, and not enough exercise. I know it's an off week. I'm back on top of it. And heck...if an off week leads to only a 1 lb loss instead of a 1 lb gain, that's great news!

Well, I'm going to start shutting down my work computer. Yay! I hope everybody had a fabulous week. Maybe I can come up with an interesting blog this weekend. I'll be spending some time with the niece and nephew, so I'm sure something funny will happen...

Um....

Somebody please tell me why I'm watching the new 90210. And man...Brenda looks old.