Thursday, January 26, 2012

well, it WAS Wednesday...

Today just got so busy! But I'm still awake, so it is still Wednesday, right? RIGHT!

I'll be brief: I didn't make it to my goal of four pounds. I'm concerned I'm not eating enough calories, and I'm looking into upping my intake- I think I might be at less than 1000/day right now. I need to be shooting for 1200, minimum.

I lost one pound this week. Which, while still a success, is a bit disappointing. Or was, until I tried a different measurement.

As most of you (probably) know, I work almost full time in a costume shop.  I've also acted for the department the shop is in, so I have, in the shop, a measurement sheet. It was taken 14 months ago.  Today, feeling down about my weight loss or lack thereof, I measured my waist. 35. Then, I got out my measurement sheet from 11/2010. Checked my waist measurement... annnnnnnnd: it was 38 3/4. That's right, nearly 4 inches off my waist in just over a year.

I felt pretty great about that!

Hope you're all having a healthy, happy, creative week!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

goodness, how quick a week flies

well, the best laid plans of Charis often come crashing down. I have a whole bunch of posts in my head- does that count?


Anyway, time for a fitness update, yah? It's Wednesday!

Well, this week was slightly better. I went to the gym several times- although, not quite enough. Still going to Yoga and Yoga Sculpt, which I am loooooving. And it is killlling me!

Also, I'm down 3 pounds this week, which puts me almost back to where I was after week One.

And finally, and possibly more exciting, I realized this week that I need to lose 4 more pounds and then, I will be at my thinnest adult weight EVER.

What a goal! Next week? Let's find out!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

A battle of wills

This week wasn't as good, friends.

In fact, much to my consternation and di,sbelief (and frustration!) I have GAINED four pounds.

I do NOT understand! My only logical explanation is that Yoga, like dance, is going to build muscle mass before it trims fats. I don't actually know if this is the truth- anyone got any knowledge about that?

It's frustrating, to say the least, to have gained back some of last week's success. I've been eating well, managing my portions, and I did go to that Yoga Sculpt class last week, in addition to Yoga yesterday and cardio on Monday and again tonight.

So eventually, it'll catch up, right? Because I'm eating very healthy, and I'm working out like crazy. (for me!) I tend to eat very healthy, and I maintain my weight and even lose very slowly without any extra working out, so I KNOW the work outs HAVE to catch up with me. Right?! No way of getting around it, my body is going to trim down.

Once it realizes I have dug my heels in, and that this time, it can't fool me into quitting!

Monday, January 9, 2012

All Natural Hair Care

I have, in my opinion, very pretty hair. It is, in fact, my favorite physical feature. That being said, switching hair care products is a Big Deal in my life.

So switching to not using Shampoo? Color me terrified. But I have done a lot of research. I have read tens of blog posts about how much healthier the writers' hair was, and how lovely it felt, and how freaking CHEAP their new routine was.

"Ok, self." I thought. You can do this. What do you have to lose? Ignoring the part of me that was screaming "YOUR HAIR! WHAT WILL IT DO TO YOUR HAIR?!", I etched the little shampoo bottle, and mixed up the batch of "shampoo". Here's the first recipe I tried:

No 'Poo Shampoo

1- 3/4 warm water
2 tablespoons baking soda
a few drops peppermint and orange essential oils.

That's it! I mixed together, and used part of it on my head the next morning.

The results were... questionable. At best. It's been almost a week, and I'm still not sure I can handle this. My hair is dry, tangly, and funny feeling. It isn't...oily, necessarily... it just feels... funny. I was reading today that it doesn't work as well unless you do both parts at once (the second part being the apple cider vinegar conditioner) and so maybe I'll go buy some of that and give the pair a try. I've used the vinegar rinse before, and was pleased with the result.

In the meantime, I am trying to stick it out for two weeks. That seems to be a turning point- takes hair that long to adjust and stop over producing oils. That's 8 more washes, give or take. *deep nose breaths*

I'm trying... and I'll keep you posted!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Winter Bathroom Makeover Part 1

Hey friends!

You know how I mentioned I was redecorating my bathroom? Well, I have started it! Just LOOK at what I made the other night:



Yep, I made THAT! It's for the shampoo I've started making. Wanna know how? Read on, loyal readers!



How to: Etch a Glass bottle

Materials & Tools
-glass bottle of your choice (or container, or whatever)
-Armour Etch Etching Cream. Available at craft stores. Cost: about $12 (but it is enough for LOTS of projects!)
-masking tape
-exacto knife
-permanent marker

Step One:
Make sure bottle is clean and dry. Take a strip of masking tape and stick it firmly to the surface you want etched. Using your nail, a butter knife edge or a credit card, make sure your tape is really and truly stuck.




Step Two:
Using your permanent marker, draw out your shape. I made an "S" because it is a Shampoo bottle.




See how mine is a liiiiiiiittle  sloppy? That's fine. Don't sweat it.

Step 4:

Using your exacto knife, carefully cut out your shape. Here's where it is very important to be neat- any sloppiness will show when you're done!







Step Five:
Open your Etch Cream carefully. BE CAREFUL! If you get it on your skin, the bottle says to CALL POISON CONTROL. PLEASEPLEASE PLEASE be careful, and use gloves if you're sloppy!  The cream is thick-ish. It won't drip if you're careful.  Now, using your paintbrush, layer that paint on there like crazy.  Don't be shy! Fill in the shape completely.






Step Six:
Let dry about 7-9 minutes. Just said it aside and wait. Remember not to touch! (This is a great time to make your shampoo if that's what you're doing!)

Step Seven:
Wash off under hot running water.  This gets rid of the etch cream AND the tape, so it is perfect!

Behold! Your magical etching powers! THINK OF WHAT YOU CAN DO! THE POWER! THE THRILL! THE...


right. Enough. Well, have fun anyway
till next time-
<3

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Weekly Fitness Check In

Hey everybody!

Remember when I decided to get in a real shape and get skinny? I have an update:

It is WORKING!

I am pleased to report that I have lost (drumroll please!)



NINE pounds this week.

That's right. NINE. As in not five, not seven, but NINE.

I am so encouraged. Curious? Let's chat about it.
Firstly, I have cut pop. I'm not perfect yet, but I am doing much better about drinking Soda. I have switched to coffee, but I'm not drinking pop.
I have also upped my water intake. I'm trying to get up to 72 oz. a day. Right now I'm at about 48-50 oz., which I feel good about. 
I've also (almost) stopped eating out, and when I do eat out, I try to opt for healthier options.
I've started a morning core regiment. Every morning, first thing, I start my body by working on it. It changes occasionally, but typically, it includes crunches, reverse crunches, burpees (my new favorite) and a bicycle crunch. The first two days were agony- but it is getting easier! 

I've taken up Yoga - which is WAY harder than I thought it would be. I really like it so far, though. I'm starting a Yoga Sculpt class tomorrow, which I'm both nervous and excited for. 

I've also gone to the gym several nights in the last week. This is the hardest one. So busy. So way too busy that by the time I get home at night, I am EXHAUSTED. I'm working on it though. 

But regardless of the shortcomings of my week, I lost nine pounds! I'm so excited! Stay tuned as I move forward on this journey- it's gonna get good!

<3

Monday, January 2, 2012

New Year, new me, new you

Hi loves-

I know I'm a titch late on the New Year's post, but well, you know, timeliness. Ah well.

Tonight, I just wanted to take a second and ruminate on how 2012 will be different for me. I want to really focus on me this year, so I thought I'd start here. Firstly, there's my new commitment to physical health and fitness, and finally shedding the last of the weight. I'd like to post here every Wednesday on that. Just to keep myself accountable, and to support those of you that might choose to make this journey with me.

I'm also really committing to simplification. Making my own. Eating well. Paying Cash. Believing in love. Letting it go. Realizing how BIG the universe is. To start the ball rolling on that one, this month I'm pleased to present:

A Very Simple Bathroom Redecoration!

Starting tomorrow, I'm going to start updating and changing my bathroom so that it is prettier, cleaner, Greener, simpler and more, well, me.

The best part? I guarantee it will cost less than $50. I'm aiming for less than $20. So keep your eyes open for that one! 

And then, we move onto my closet, which is a never ending source of problem in my life.

At the same time, I need to start building a dress for my sister in April. And I'm doing a show, starting a second one and going on tour. 

Hahaha, a simpler year?

Yes.

I hope you'll continue to read a long as I follow this crazy road to see where it goes. To close tonight, I'd like to share a very familiar poem- one of my all time favorites. I'm choosing to follow the road less traveled, and that is making all the difference.

 Two Roads diverged in a yellow wood,                                   

And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;       
 
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,       
 
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.        
 
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.-Robert Frost