It's FIESTA Time

Who knew that it would be such a challenge to stay focused while trying to lose weight???

Food is EVERYWHERE in this town…it’s no wonder why San Antonio appeared as #3 on the top ten fattest cities in the US. After living in this city for over 6 months…I can easily see how and why it reached such a lofty status on this disparaging list. And make no mistake about it…Fiesta plays its part in this cities #3 ranking for sure!

What originally began as a commemoration to honor the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jancito, has grown into a Texas-sized celebration that is only matched by the spirit of its people. This 11 day, 107 event gala attracts 3.5 million people and generates more than $285 million dollars annually. It has now grown into a celebration of this cities’ rich heritage, and this year, Fiesta marks its’ 118th anniversary. While this city-wide celebration hosts plenty of parades, exhibits, athletic activities, and live music with dancing, you better believe that there will be plenty of FOOD, FOOD, FOOD!

Starting with “Oyster-Bake” on opening weekend (yes, that’s right…an entire festival featuring oysters! Like’em fried, raw, baked, steamed or barbequed...doesn’t matter one bit!), and going on to the "Champagne and Diamonds Brunch, A Taste of New Orleans, Fiesta Nueva, A Taste of the North Side, The Chips & Salsa Event, Ole’ Luncheon," and finally what I am sure will become a personal favorite, " A Fiesta Taste of Texas Wine Country!" All of this is BEFORE attending the "Battle of the Flowers, Night in Old San Antonio," or any of the other activities that will have on hand, your typical festival foods like ice cream, funnel cake, turkey legs, corn dogs and cotton candy. Oh, and of course, this IS Texas, so you know there will be plenty of chalupas, flauntas, BBQ tacos, and armadillo eggs for the tasting. Now keeping in mind that there are over 100 events featuring these culinary delicacies…there’s a stomachache coming on, just thinking about all of the food to be consumed.

Now I would love to hide under a rock for two weeks, until Fiesta blows over, but I don’t think that I’d have a job to come back to when it’s all said and done. I have asked before and I ask the question AGAIN…how does one remain focused in the face of temptation??? I suppose I could eat before I go…or try to make healthy food choices and avoid the fried stuff. I could allow myself a little indulgence and make time to work off the extra calories, or I could just take myself out of my misery and hide under that rock!

My first reaction is usually the correct one…

I’ll talk with you again in two weeks!

GOD gave his ONLY Begotten SON...

... Jesus came that I might have life,and have it more abundantly. ~John 10:10 NKJ

He came ...So that I could have pizza and carrot cake??? In a sense...Well, YES, I'd say so!

Clearly, I don't think that GOD intended for me to use his words in this example...but I think it applies here! This week was Holy Week. In essence, It commemorates the last week of the earthly life of Jesus Christ culminating his crucifixion on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday.

For all intensive purposes, it was an exceptionally good week for me...
And as it pertains to our discussion regarding my obsession with food…
it was a manageable week of no regrets. That, my friends, is a good week!

What I mean by that is, that I did as I was supposed to do on most days of the week. I ate right, and got in a decent amount of activity. I probably could have done more, but I think I did enough to not see any plus signs on the scale this week.

Sunday happened to be exceptionally focused day. Got up and went for a walk around the neighborhood before sitting down to a breakfast of apple cinnamon oatmeal, a cup of freshly sliced strawberries and blueberries, a whole wheat english muffin, with a dab of mango-peach fruit spread, a cup of coffee and my Sunday paper. Working down my “to –do” list I inadvertently lost track of time. Realizing that it’s Easter Sunday…surely there is a nice café that is open for what should have been brunch, but is now almost dinner time at 4:00 pm…you think???

I get in my car and drive across town to discover a quaint little café, located near a golf course, and with an adorable, but decent sized outdoor patio, which would allow me to enjoy this fabulous Easter Sunday. After reviewing the menu choices and realizing that I have behaved decently all week… I opt for the single serving sized goat cheese, sun dried tomato & cilantro pizza…and pair it with a fabulous Cabernet Sauvignon! Not only is it a fabulous pairing…but John (my server) volunteers that for dessert… the “14 Karat Cake” with homemade cream cheese icing and a drizzle of caramel over the top... is to die for. They make it fresh daily…and today’s batch was exceptional. Well, I am not much for sweets usually, and will forgo them, lieu of a fabulous glass of noble nectar. But when John shares that they also have a pretty damn good port, that pairs fabulously with this luxurious treat … I am all in!

After my sweet extravagance…my fear was that I had blown an entire week of decent success for one afternoon of indulgence. Probably not what GOD had in mind when HE gave HIS only begotten Son… and I know HE is up there in heaven, just shaking HIS head at what HE'S created in his child here on earth. I know HE’S not surprised or even amazed…and probably thinks it’s pretty funny, but HE knows HIS child…and knows that HE created a “Foodie- Monster!”

Guess I’ll get up in the morning and do my best to work off the damage…or at least, I hope so!


Happy Easter~

An Enchanting Week End???

I am not ashamed to tell you when I've failed...so let me just start right off by saying...I FAILED BIG-TIME!!!

Friday night I decided to visit my friends at my favorite sushi restaurant, Osaka's. I don't think I am wrong when I say that this place is my 2009 version of "CHEERS!" It holds a special place in my heart because, being new to a city and having the entire restaurant staff befriend you...well that makes it pretty darn special. Needless to say, these were in fact, my first (non-work related) friends in Texas.

I digress for a moment to share with you, research shows on average that a person stops at a fast food drive thru, or orders take out, 3-4 times per week. Since I consider sushi...my version of fast food... My friends at Osaka's can usually count on seeing me at least 1-2 times per week. With the stresses of work, I had not visited my beloved restaurant in over two weeks. And while I can say that it's nice to be missed...it's probably not good during LENT OBSERVANCE!!! Hugs, kisses & smiles are usually considered standard practice for long absences...please know for future reference that at Osaka's, they do all that...and send you SAKE ON THE HOUSE!!! For those who remember that I gave up alcohol for Lent, sending me sake was probably not the best gift one could receive. To top it all off...one of the bartenders was experimenting, and apparently was awaiting my arrival, so that I could try his version of a “Sake-Rita.”

How could I possibly say “NO” to the man who loves to feed me...and the man who loves to serve me??? Saying “NO” seems like a slap in the face for those who so affectionately professed their love for me...RIGHT??? (Ok...I realize that was a bit of a stretch, but I think you get the picture!!!)

Feeling guilty about my collapse...the next morning, (after apologizing to GOD for not holding up my promise, less than 2 weeks before Easter) I got up and started my trek to Austin. My Texas Girlfriend and I were in compliance when we mutually agreed to partake in activities that involved more than just moving a fork or a glass. This Saturday, we would climb "Enchanted Rock!" It is second in size to Georgia's Stone Mountain, and Indian Legend has it that this rock is haunted. But the actual truth is, when it cools at night, it makes a creaking noise. Although it takes the better part of an hour, this pink mountain of granite ascends 500 feet up to its summit, where climbers are rewarded with magnificent vistas of Texas Hill Country.More than half way up the steep terrain, sweaty, hot and completely out of breath, I managed to musty up enough air to jokingly complain to my girlfriend...

"Are we there yet???"

Much to my surprise, she manages the energy to turn completely around...and re-works her ventilation to respond...

"But just look at how far we've come!"

Right then and there, I knew that there was a lesson to be had...but I was too sweaty & out of breathe to figure out what it was...but I hoped that once I got to the top, I could figure it out! Since I had 250 feet still left to climb...I figured that was plenty of time!

Well we got there … and were pretty damn proud that we made it to the peak…our zenith, our pinnacle!

It wasn’t until my Sunday drive home that I realized…”When it comes to weight loss…I’ve still got a long way to go!”

Sure I’ve had some ups and some downs…some challenges and some successes. This is my life. There are always going to be obstacles. There will always be a temptation, a set back, a joy or a pain. There will always be a fork in the wheel.

I think that is the way it was meant to be. After all, how will we ever know how strong we are? Can we appreciate the ups of life…if we haven’t experienced the downs? I believe that our level of happiness can be directly proportionate to the level of disappointment or failures we face. This was the first Lent Observance in which I didn’t accomplish what I sent out to do…and yet it was the most eye opening experience yet! Why??? It wasn’t about the alcohol as much as it was that I was looking for clarity…I needed answers! Despite my failure…I set an expectation…and in return, I got just what I needed, even when I didn’t deserve it!

Go Figure?!?

I guess it was an “Enchanted Week End” after all, huh???

Enjoy!~

A Challenge For Accountability

I was deeply moved by all of the positive feedback to last week’s blog on "Spring Training." It seems as though everyone is catching some form of Spring fever…and last week must have hit a nerve. Most expressed a connection to the spirit of the blog’s content, and almost all were drawn towards action in some form or fashion. While inspiration is where it all starts, action is essential to making "IT" happen. Kudos to you and the action you took this week!

One of the most inspirational responses came from a very dear friend, whom I thought, was already living his professional dream. Yet, he was drawn to take his aspirations even further…


“That was exactly what I needed, [He writes.] I’ve been thinking about going
to law school…but was discouraged about the LSAT requirements. I went out
and bought a few LSAT books, and it’s not as bad as I thought. I must confess
I had negative thoughts about my chances of getting accepted into law school. Your blog and Gandhi’s quote have given me inspiration. Now I’m going to put
it all on the line and pursue my dream…”


Now that’s success in action! This was a huge breakthrough and I am so proud of him! Although an incredible pursuit, he’s got a long road ahead of him. He’s taken the first step…inspiration. Now he’s working on his action plan…necessity.

Weight loss and law school…I couldn’t help but to parallel our two challenges. Although the end results are different, I realized that the course that we must take to achieve our goals, is in fact, the same. I couldn’t help but ask myself…what could I do to encourage him to stay the course? How does one maintain focus and stay motivated through one's entire jouney? My answer…ACCOUNTABILITY!!!

It is unusual for most to make commitments to others and not keep them. We extend ourselves to our family members, our children, even our bosses...and we usually follow through with the best of intentions. Yet, we usually find it's okay to break a promise to ourselves and deem it acceptible. Well...It's not! Hold yourself accountable to your goal, maintain your focus, and allow others to help you get to where you want to be!

1. Publish Your Goal
Whether your have a weight loss challenge, a professional quest, or a personal achievement to accomplish…make it known! Make a pledge to yourself, and put it in writing. Place it some place where you can review it every morning, and ask yourself…”What action will I take today towards accomplishing my goal?” Then do it!

2. Surround Yourself With Like-Minded People
Birds of a feather…flock together. Research shows that fostering healthy relationships can help you to not only achieve…but also maintain your goals, regardless of what they are. Don’t be afraid to share your goals, or even to ask family and friends to support you in your efforts…while you do the same for them in return. Remember that you reap what you sow. Sowing good seeds can only help you to achieve great harvest.

3. Find A Mentor
Seek out someone who has already achieved what it is that your trying to accomplish. Not only will they be flattered that you sought them out, but chances are they will be willing to share their trials and tribulations in an effort to help you avoid the same pitfalls. They will be equally as eager to share their successes.

4. Form Your Own Support Group
Find a partner who shares your struggle, and agree to support one another. Since we are talking about weight loss, maybe its a workout partner you need to stay accountable to. If your struggle is with cooking, find someone to do healthy recipe swaps with, and agree to exchange once a week. If you are reading this blog, then it was probably sent to you by someone who really cares about you and has a vested interest in your success. Pay it forward and pass it along to someone who you know may possibly get something out of it. Share the tips and inspirations that you use to achieve your goals.

We all struggle with something. How we react to that struggle can mean the difference between success and failure. Our freedom of choice is our power to succeed. It is my hope that there is something written here every week that will both challenge and inspire you to be the person you were truly meant to be.

That is my prayer for you!

Much Love~

Spring Training

Spring is one of my favorite times of the year. March 20th was it's first day…and in only three more months, summer will be upon us.

When I think about spring, my mind instantly goes to that place where tree and flowers are beginning to bloom and rebirth begins. The cold and dreary days of winter are almost behind us and life becomes warm, fresh, and vibrant. And for all that this season represents, before our eyes is the perfect example of what this period can really mean for us as individuals. This season only happens once a year, and it is the perfect opportunity for renewal, rejuvenation, and transformation to occur for anyone looking to make changes within themselves.

So, how do we get there?

First, Know Your Motivation- I have a friend who has a picture of himself in his old college football uniform, beside his bed. He looks at that picture every morning before he gets up. For him, it‘s his stimulus. It’s the first thing he sees, and that vision stays with him all day long. Another friend just became a Grandmother for the first time, and she wants to be able to play with her grandchild without sweating like a pig or getting winded when she runs down the driveway. (Those are her words…NOT MINE!) Keeping these powerful motivations front and center makes it easier to be strong when faced with temptation. Sheer determination will help to face challenges head on.

Secondly, Set Realistic Goals- When you’ve got a lot of weight to lose that large number can be overwhelming. Instead of concentrating on a number, set a goal unrelated to the number. Maybe the goal is to move more this week. Pick an activity, and do it every day. Perhaps, you cut down or eliminate sodas and drink more water. Want to eat healthier foods…cut out that trip to the drive thru, or aspire to eat more fruits and vegetables. (And no, French fries don’t count!) Whatever it is, start small and perfect that habit before moving on to something else. Taking on too much change at one time can set us up for failure and cause us to lose our motivation.

Lastly, Think Positively- One of my favorite Mahatma Gandhi quotes is... “If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. When I believe I can, then I acquire the ability to do it, even if I did not have the ability in the beginning.” Once you’ve made up in your mind that you can achieve something…YOU CAN! Reflect on what you can do…not what you can’t. Make it a daily habit to say something positive about yourself and at the end of every day…recall all of those things you did RIGHT! Remove any negativity and self doubt and surround yourself with positive people who support your efforts and care about your results.

Our mental processes are sometimes more powerful that the physical actions we take on to achieve our weight loss goals. Even before we step foot in the gym, or put that first bite of food in our mouths, the decision must be made to SUCCEED! Our self-image and our habits tend to go hand in hand. Change one and your will most certainly change the other. I truly believe that this journey is a mind, body and soul experience, but without the motivation for achievement, this passage to renewal, rejuvenation and transformation is doomed for failure.

Summer will be here before I know it, but I refuse to let the rebirth of spring just pass me by without taking advantage of all that it has in its midst.

Enjoy~

The Buffet Affect

If I didn’t know it before, I can now firmly say with confidence, I am an emotional eater.

This week I was faced with an unfathomable truth…My best simply wasn’t good enough.

It’s a crushing blow. To give 100% of yourself and work diligently on a task, only to see the fruits of your labor yielding an immeasurable failure. I gave it my best effort. Never once did I consider that my best wouldn’t be good enough.

Overtaken by a tsunami of emotion, instinctively, I wanted to make myself feel better. I didn’t want to cry, or think, or even talk it out. Instinctively, what I really wanted was to sear up the colossal sea scallops I just bought the day before, and serve it on a bed of creamy, cheesy, slow cooked polenta. And yes instinctively, I wanted to open up a bottle of a chardonnay-viognier blend, whose buttery -sweetness would be perfect to compliment to the richness of the polenta, while drawing out the luscious, sweet tenderness of the scallops. YUM!!! And considering this purchase of glorious nectar was made just days before my vow…I couldn’t wait to partake in its magnificence. Yes, that was EXACTLY what would make feel better…even temporarily.

But, for a split second, I thought about the words of Warren Buffett…


“I don’t look to jump over 7-foot bars; I look around for the 1-foot bars that I can step over.”


And just like that, before I knew it…I was changing into my workout gear and heading for the gym! For 60 minutes, I tuned out the world and sweated to the sounds blaring from my ipod. I didn’t think about what went array, or what I could have done differently. Yet, when I was finished, I’ll admit I was exhausted…but surprisingly, I felt better.

Being successful isn’t always about conquering the biggest challenges…it’s about constantly growing and overcoming the feats that I can manage. And sometimes it means re-thinking my approach. If I always do, what I’ve always done…then I am surely bound to see the same result. I guess that applies to more areas of my life besides weight loss.

The next morning…I came up with a new approach to my 7-foot bar. I don’t know if this will work either…but I am bound and determined to give it my best shot!

Much Love~

The Law of Motion - A "Love Month" Précis

“To every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”
- Sir Issac Newton

We put our strategy into action and execute to the best of our ability. We are driven. We are determined. We are focused. The self-proclaimed “Month of Love” had begun. But despite our best intentions, things don’t always turn out the way we plan. Life throws us a curve ball or two, and we find ourselves back where we started… discouraged, distracted and unmotivated. Yet, through it all…if we are lucky enough to see it…somewhere in there…is a lesson to be learned.

During the month of February, I had a plan and was willing to take action. I promised that I would put myself first. I was motivated to take charge of my need to exercise, as well as my want to make better food choices. I planned to work fewer hours and achieve more balance in my life.

In the précis of February, it turns out that despite my best intentions, I worked more hours during this month than ever before. I was too tired to wake up early for my workouts, and opted to sleep in, so I could go in early to labor endlessly. In retrospect, I would call that an opposite reaction…wouldn’t you?

But here’s the lesson: When faced with the challenges of stress and long hours, the normal reward would have been a fabulous meal with an equally fabulous bottle of wine. This time I was more mindful of the choices I made, and opted for bubble baths instead of food. Meals for the week were planned and prepared instead of grabbing the first thing that was quick and available. The Observance of Lent brought about my giving up my beloved “noble nectar of the gods!” (Now there’s an opposite reaction I didn’t expect!) As a direct result of just being cognizant and fully present…I lost 11.4 lbs! Not the result I originally set out to achieve…but a glimmer of hope nonetheless.

"To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction???"

For every objective I failed to meet…there was an unexpected consequence that resulted in the positive. Not only was I able to recognize my “Pleasure Principle,” but I was also able to understand that just maybe, it is possible to “Teach This Old Dog a New Trick” or two! March is here…Spring is just around the corner. Taking into consideration that I wasn’t able to tackle the challenges I set for myself in February, I think this is where my focus should remain for March. It is afterall, the month when trees and flowers begin to bloom...and rebirth begins again. I will not be discouraged. I will not be defeated. I will pick myself up, brush myself off and refocus once again. I refuse to lose sight of the fact that “The best times of my life have not yet been lived!”

For the record, I did purchase my Amethyst, whose sole purpose was to ward off negativity and celebrate “Love Month”. Looks like its working! .

Enjoy!~