An Idea.

So according to Blogger, it has been approximately two weeks since my last blogpost.  I was really disappointed with myself when I realized that was the case.  You see, in the past two weeks I've had thoughts EVERYDAY about posts I should write, clips I should share, etc.  But I haven't been. . . and I should be!  Remember this post, all about my summer health agenda?  Well I'm in that same mood again.  Motivated, inspired, ready to work.  And that include on this blog!  This coming semester is going to be madness - 23 credits, plus an Independent Study, Senior Performance Rehearsals, a Senior Seminar trip to NYC, several clubs, dance and theater performances (and rehearsals, obviously) three different jobs, and auditioning for "Real World," post-grad gigs.  Madness.  And the thing is, I don't want Such Ado to get lost in the wilderness and madness that will be my life.  They say it takes 30 days to make a habit, right? The habit I want to make is regular blogging - because I love this creative outlet.  Because it makes me happy.  Because it will be a convenient way for family and friend to follow along on my journey.  And because I want to, damnit!!

So here's the plan, fight fans:  daily blogging.  That's right. Everyday I'm going to put up one new post - whether it be one of my novella length musings, a link to my favorite song-of-the-moment, a Tiny Taut Toned and Tan 2012 update, or a list of things I am grateful for.  Or you know, whatever other random musings pop into my head.  I figure if I can fit in my summer camp job, Aida rehearsal, babysitting, family functions, and my new attempts at a health lifestyle daily this summer, fitting in blogging regularly this fall should be a cinch, right?

This is the summer of reinvention folks.  Time to grab the bull by the horns and start working towards being the Me I believe I can be.  And that means not just healthier and more organized, but more creative and happy too.  Here goes nothing!

Tiny Taut Toned & Tan 2012

Hello there friends!

I can't believe it's Monday again. . . things are starting back up again in my life so soon.  Boyfriend starts his summer classes tomorrow (yay! one step closer to graduation!) and I have my first rehearsal for my summer show. I'm very excited to say that after last week's audition process I got a role in a community theatre (nothing too fancy folks) production of Aida.  We were all informed how teeny tiny eensy weensy itty bitty SMALL our costumes were going to be - especially for us dancing slave girls over here.  Eeeekk!  And of course, the goal is to look as "summery" and "ethnic" as possible since "Aida," is in fact set in Ancient Egypt.  So I was asked to get a bit more tan - spray, self-tanner, sunshine, booth, bed, whatever.  Well there are several reasons why I won't be lying out with baby oil or running to a tanning bed.  The first being you know, skin cancer.  Scary stuff right there and not something this girl is gonna mess with.  The second reason being I tan just like a strawberry: red, bumpy, and freckled.  My Italian/Portuguese/Sicilian/possibly Spanish and/or Brazilian ancestors did not bless me with their tan complexions or burn-resistant skin!  Rather those fair Swedes, ruddy Scots, and pale Brits on my mother's side gave me their genes. . .  so I will be trying some nice, gradual tanning lotions, like the kind Dove & Jergens make.  Probably the CVS brand though, 'cause homegirl's money is all gonna be going to gas. . . .

Now here's the thing.  I'm  not a terrible human specimen.  I am not obese.  I am well within the "healthy" range of any scale, chart, or index you'd like to measure a person's weight and height and body fat percentages against.  My clothes have no "X" anywhere on them.  I am in better health than most of young America these days.  But. . . but I've been in better shape.  And I want to be again.  But I am w-a-y on the large side for dancers (at least the successful ones).  And no, that stereotype isn't just because of looks and aesthetic.  It's because lean, toned bodies are strong bodies and in order to be a truly impressive performer you must have a strong body.  I want that.  I want to be the best at my job, the very best I can be - in passion, in technique, in strength, in charisma, in work, in performance.  I had been using the agents that come and look at our Senior class every fall (eeeeeeeekkkk!  This fall! My class!  HolyLordAboveWhenDidThatHappenToMe?) and the fact that I am genuinely a happier person when I am healthier as my motivators.

Now I have the prospect of being 2/3 nakey on stage singing, twirling scarves, and wearing very heavy eyeliner as a motivator.  And that's coming before the agents.  As in July vs. October.  Holy balls, Batman.

So I am embarking on a little venture I'm calling Tiny, Taut, Toned, & Tan 2012. (If nothing else, I am good for some alliteration eh?).  My goals are as follow:

1.) Get down to a size 2/3 (I am currently a 4/5) in pants

2.) Loose 15 - 20 lbs.  I knowIknowIknowIknow thats the same amount EVERYONE and their mama wants to loose but seriously guys!  My comfort weight is about 15 lbs lighter than I currently am, I've been there before, I can maintain their, my Physical Therapist/accidental personal trainer even approves.  I'm GOOD I swear.

3.) Have a stomach I am proud of.

4.) Earn back my toned dancers legs.  I've been heartbroken  by the toll my hip injury has taken on my strength, let alone my appearance.  I have lost enough to the sad being that assaulted me - I will not loose my strength or my self-esteem to him as well.

The promise I am making to myself is:

Once a week, I will put up a blog post about the steps I've taken to be healthier that week.  This isn't a diet, this is my lifestyle and I want to keep myself honest.  I will weight myself twice a week and record it, so I can see my progress.  I will eat clean - you don't need a lecture on what that means.  I will forgive myself for being less than perfect.  I will "exercise" in some way everyday no matter what, at bare minimum taking a 30 minute walk.  No, my rehearsals will not count.  I will laugh more, because it is good for you.  I will sleep earlier and rise sooner.

Do any of you have summer health/fitness/weight loss goals?  Share in comments or link back to your blog so I can follow your journey too!

Weekly Gratitude 7/9

Hell (my little corner of the blogging) world!  I know Weekly Gratitude is usually on Fridays, but I've had a busy week!  So I apologize for my tardiness - better late than never, no?  So without any further ado, here are somethings I've been blessed with this week:

*Childhood friends.  I know my friends are often mentioned on these lists, but this week I am grateful for that handful of beautiful individuals who have literally been with me my entire life.  We don't talk as often as we should, and we see each other less.  But when we do speak, we understand each other.  And when we do see each other, we truly see each other, for the people we were (even as babies!) and the people we've become, and the people we've always wanted to be.

*Warm days!  Woohoo with the nice weather!

*Thank you for such an awesome boss.  We're really working together to make our summer schedule a success and bring healthy habits, fun, and new chances to our kiddos.

*I'm so grateful for the chance to be part of such an amazing, beautiful, and love filled wedding.  To the Artist & the Marine:  all the love I have and all the blessings I can ask for are sent with you into your new life.

*Thank you for a Boyfriend who remembered which girlie movies I just had to see, even when I forgot.

*I'm grateful for a day in the pool and the sun with some of my favorite boys, and a night of fireworks to follow it up.

*Fireworks!  Beautiful wonderful fireworks, all week long.

*Speaking of fireworks, thank you for my blessing of being born in this country.  Yes, it is flawed and young and headstrong, like the international teenager it is.  But America is also free and strong and rich.  Blessed beyond measure and protected by some of the world's finest troops. 

*Thank you for the birth of this nation, which we celebrated this week.

*Thank you for another nation joining the ranks of freedom: congratulations to the people of South Sudan!  And happy birthday to the world's newest country: We're very excited to meet you.

*Thank you for the chance to see one of those fine troops again: one of Boyfriend's best friends (and in many ways, his big brother) is home for a visit until he and his are shipped across country to their new base.

And with that I say goodnight moon, goodnight stars, and goodnight fellow bloggers. 

Busy Body.

This:

(via)

And this:

(via)

And this, too. . .

(via)

Is what I'm working on.  Remember "The Resolutions 2011" my online list of New Year's Resolutions? Well, I've been really working on an all of them this year (yay!) and one of the things I've been really serious about is my fitness.  First of all, it feels better to be in shape.  Second, it makes me better at my job/intended job as a performer.  The stronger your legs, the higher you jump.  The better your cardio, the easier you breathe on stage.  Pretty simple stuff, right?  Third, this is a shallow industry: when you're on a stage, those lights are really harsh. . . and it can be easy to judge.  Film - of all kinds - semi-permanently freezes your appearance forever.  So it better be good.  People want to look at pretty people, and while I think cultivating the inside is more important than polishing the outside - that intelligence, kindness, patience, humor, and class are more important than abs, highlights, and pouty lips - the manicured outside is part of the job.

Something I'm really happy about is my success level.  When I left for school last fall, I weighed around 135 lbs (my heaviest weight ever), was wearing a dress size 8, and pants around a 6.  I had made headway all year, loosing a little here, firming up a little there, progress, progress, progress. . . then when I got home almost a month ago, I finally made that big "Bam" break through.  Since I've been home, I dropped a pant size (I can fit back in my size 2s!  They're not quite comfy enough to wear, but they zip and I can move around) and since last spring, I have lost several dress sizes - I went to the mall the other day, and I swimming in the size 6s I was so proud of squeezing into just a few months ago!  I know that isn't biggest-looser weight loss, but a dress size or two is a lot, especially on a petite (I'm 5'2) frame.  Overall I've been feeling pretty good about things, and I thought I'd share some of my motivational images - as well as why I've had less time online - with anyone who cared to know.

Hope all is well in your worlds, lovely people! 

Five Hundred, Twenty-Five Thousand, Six Hundred Minutes

It's been one year. . .

Twelve months. . . 

8, 765.81277 hours. . . 

It's been eight weeks on a couch.

A summer spent on physical therapy, tears, nausea, and relearning parts of my own body.

It's been two semesters of holding back in dance classes.  Of explaining to guest instructors why I must modify their choreography.

It's been dozens of sleepless nights, fueled by pain.

It's been countless attempts at the most basic of exercises: a push up.

Innumerable muscle spasms.

Five prescriptions for five different painkillers: none that worked.

Two medical complications.

One nerve blocker.

A list of fears and what-ifs that is longer than I care to count.

A thousand supportive smiles and encouraging words from loyal friends.

The best specialist this side of Dr. House

One amazing Physical Therapist.

Two slings.

Four ice packs.

Three procedures.

And it has been 525,600 minutes since my shoulder surgery.  Since I gambled on the one thing that might -  that would maybe - give me a shot at pursuing my dreams.  That could stop the spasms, the dislocating, the pain, the numb fingers and the twitching forearm.  I know many people have overcome more than this: and that I haven't even overcome yet - I am still six months away from knowing if the procedures even worked.  But I am here: one year in.  One year later.  One year stronger.

And I thank God for that.

A Certain Rhythm

I've been done with school for about two weeks now.  Unfortunately, I didn't walk into a summer job.  Most of my teenage years I was "employed," in the family business - I also did a few summers at a local farm.  I enjoyed that work quite a lot, actually: it felt good, productive, better than waitressing or fast food or being in doors all day.  However, last summer I had my major surgery (it was actually a few procedures all rolled into one) and I was on bed rest for almost two months (I was stubborn and couldn't sit still that long).  Since that took me out of the work force, I couldn't apply for a job: I had hoped by the middle of the summer I might be able to work, but that was unfortunately not the case - I was in physical therapy right up until the week I left for school, just trying to be whole enough to dance.  This combination of events is why there is no steady summer employment waiting for me when finals ended.  However, in a few weeks elementary schools end and summer camps begin, and I have some work opportunities there.  I also teach: women's fitness, self-defense, private lessons.  I don't make a lot, but I get by.  Again, though, not until June do I have the chance to really begin working.

I was relatively pleased, however, to look back at the last two weeks and see I hadn't been entirely unproductive.  My days have developed a certain rhythm.  There is working on the disaster area that is my new room: it's a combination of everything I bring to and from college, the items my mom brought with me during our forced move, and other assorted things that no one was sure what to do with when they forced moved in. . . and my room was the most available space!  It's pretty well sorted now, as I spend part of everyday cleaning, going through belongings, sorting out what stays, whats given away, and what just needs to be tossed.

Then there is cooking: I love to cook and the luxury of making most of my meals is one I will never take for granted again, living on caf food.  I've been regularly experimenting in the kitchen: rasberry glaze, fresh hummus, chocolate cake, omelettes with various veggies.  Exercise is always in the mix, my 100 morning and 100 bedtime crunches, hand weights, going to the gym for a run.  I've had time to play online: retooling my blog, chatting with friends, compiling lists of DIY projects for my new room and for the space I'll be sharing with one of my best friends next year.  Watching reruns of favorite shows and brand new movies with Boyfriend.  Playing with the dogs.  Practicing, practicing, practicing, practicing - I miss my daily dance classes fiercely.

So while I haven't been working, and it's been rainy and blah (never a good thing for motivating me!) I do feel as though I've been able to maintain some level of productivity.  What about you, bloggers/followers?  What do you do when you don't have to work?