Battle @ the scale...

So, I guess I will always have a battle with the scale. My weight issues are never really ever going to go anywhere. As my naturally slender mother puts it, "You will always have this battle, Stephanie, you just need to know how to live with it." (Sigh) Such is my life.

Last week, my newest issue of Shape Magazine came in the mail. I read it cover to cover. Typically, this does not happen, because I get bored halfway through (or hungry). I was really inspired by this idea of eating smaller meals every three hours. And so, began the newest twist in my weight loss journey.

Also in this issue, the idea of having hot water in the AM with lemon to help get rid of the toxins. I'm not sure it does that, but it does get me started in a way that coffee never could. Mind over matter, you ask? Perhaps. But nevertheless, I am improving.

This plan has worked so far. Since starting this program on Tuesday of last week, I lost 4.8 lbs. Not too bad considering I didn't work out or do anything other than focusing on my eating, which I will most likely continue to do for a while. I might even keep myself trained before my European vacation. But that Europe trip is a discussion for another time.

Here's to hoping I can keep this up!

Friday!

Another week comes to a close here at Sterling Commerce/IBM. I have had a long week, not filled with anything all that exciting. I am dreaming of my weekend, filled with rest, football, a clean apartment, and FOOTBALL. But of course, I am at work, just finishing my low calorie lunch and thinking to myself that I miss eating yummy things and being surrounded by people at work... enough people to actually go out to lunch with on a Friday.

But, I am very excited to have the football playoffs to focus on. Even more impressive, or perhaps, something to keep my attention is that the Steelers are playing. So I will definitely be focused on that this weekend.

The good news is Europe is basically booked. Now the waiting begins, and making sure I have everything I could possibly need for a week and a half on a continent I've never been too, and seem to have a nervous stomach about traveling too...

Work, Drinks, and Baseball...

It's been a long week. Three webcasts this week. Two live, one with an analyst, and all three hosted by yours truly. I deserve a drink, a spiffy drink too. I'm in a dress, which makes me even more awesome, right?

Well, Melissa and I are going to go for a drink and dinner this evening for some much needed friend time. I'm not sure what I have really been up to other than working and alcohol. Perhaps that is a sign? Paging AA...

Seriously though, baseball is taking over my life. Not even necessarily the Giants, however they are a very large part of it. But all baseball. A's, Giants, Anneli's Red Sox team. I love it all.

As for everything else, I am getting out of this joint early today, and I could not be happier about it.

Today's favorite quote was from Jon Miller (Hall of Fame Announcer for my San Francisco Giants)...
"I'm not that kind of person... but DON'T cross me."

Blue Cheese Chicken Burgers

Since I didn't have class or straight-up studying to do tonight, I opted to cook myself dinner. Since I am trying to be really good about what I am eating, I consulted my food bible, the Weight Watchers app. I have to say, I was pretty proud of these six point burgers, that are meant to emulate chicken wings. I did burn them a bit using my brand new grill pan, but they were still moist and delicious, and had a Cajun flair to them.

Totally unrelated, I found Manischewitz Mandelins (aka soup nuts) at the store today. They are quite yummy and low in points. Yay for me! Also picked up a copy of Shape magazine to give myself some added motivation.

With doing all of this, I am down 4.8 since January 23rd. Woot!

Feeling Accomplished

I had had it with work mentally today, so instead, I decided to organize my desk. I am pretty please with the results. I guess overtime + midterms = Stephanie needs to clean.

Anyways, here is the finished product, and now you know where I spend 40 hours every week.

It's been a long while...

So, I just had an epiphany that I should really start using my blog again. My laptop went down on me in December, and I guess work has take the priority. Work, work, work. Who would have ever thought I would become a workaholic. But alas, that is what I am.

I've also been looking at advancing in my career. How best to do that you might ask? Well, the answer seems to be pointing me towards Business School. Right now, I am seeing if I have the stomach for it. Take an Intro to Business class at the College of San Mateo, a local JC that seems to fit my needs for the moment. Side note: It is amazing to me how some things never change. I have been out of college 5 years, and I thought students would be on their laptops in class, professors would email you their lectures if done on a PowerPoint. But no, write furiously, and don't listen to what I have to say. Just write, write, write. Seems counterproductive to me, but what do I know. I only have my BA, and am apparently, a glutton for punishment. Thank goodness I am on the semester system, I don't think I could handle quarters at the moment.

In another avenue to keep myself busy, I have started attending Toastmasters with Erica to try and up my public speaking game. Occassionally, I have been known to stutter, and not be able to completely construct what I want to say in a way that makes sense to the listener. So alas, I am going to better myself by doing this.

Trying not to overprogram myself, but I feel like I need to do some things so I don't become a complete hermit. Maybe a workout class a couple of days a week is next. We shall see.

I'm also trying to be serious about weight loss. I want to be at my goal by my 30th birthday. Which still seems far off, but clearly is not. I will have to get it in gear. I've been doing this since the beginning of this month, and have already lost 4, and am feeling rather productive about it.

As for everything else, I am taking it a step at a time, and hopefully this blog will kind of help me a little bit on my journey, so I am not internalizing it all the time.

I guess I won't be flying into Johnstown...

So, I officially booked my trip for my annual grandmother vacation October 15-20th. Yay! I enjoy the time to relax and not worry about much else other than spending some quality time with family.

I thought I might fly into Johnstown until I saw this article in the Post. The WASHINGTON POST.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/2009/09/demint_calls_for_an_end_to_mur.html

My mom's quote was quite classic and of a quality caliber...

"Good to know that Johnstown is ready for attack. You know that if any disaster happens that Cambria and Somerset are ground zero. History tells you that."