What a week....

A most unusual week, filled with deep emotions. 

On Tuesday, we learned of the death of my wonderfully, funny, generous, loving Uncle.  He was sick for a while and fortunately I was able to have two awesome visits with him before his passing.  This man touched people globablly.  He was a leader in every community in which he lived; father of four wonderful sons, lots of grandkids and great-grandkids.  He leaves the most wonderful & special legacy. 

From this and him, I gained & learned:

- Don't put things off until tomorrow.  Yep as the saying goes, you never know what tomorrow will bring.  I was able to visit twice with my Uncle. Both times, these visits were filled with laughter and good times.  Either him checking out my outfit (seriously head to toe) & how I looked or the discussion on finding me a "fella."  Keep in mind, he was not able to talk so all this took place via facial expressions, body language and a little writing on a tablet. 

- Drop everything for the important stuff; the other stuff will be there when you get back.  I mostly do this around my work.  I have this project or that call; yep, they'll understand and wait when it's really @ the important stuff.  I'm fortunate to have a wonderful biz partner, team & clients.  I did drop the stuff this week and was able to be with my family to pay my final repects to my Uncle (he was buried in Israel) and to visit with my cousins as they began their mourning period. 

- Just visit!  No TV, no computer, no radio - just sit and talk.  I can't remember the last time I did just that until this week.  We spent a couple hours talking & sharing stories/memories, laughing and crying (mostly me, I'm a cry baby).  A warm, close, special time I'll not soon forget. 

What a week!  Sad but inspiring at the same time.  A man so great; who touched so many; who did so many wonderful things for his family & strangers (although he knew no stranger) lives on in our hearts and memories.  Thanks Uncle Benny and may you rest in peace! 

SIMPLE and great!

Oh my, what a spectacular weekend in so many ways and now I get to relive it in this post.  The weather in Atlanta on both Saturday and Sunday was over the top fabulous.  Bright, bright blue sky.  NO humidity.  Prob in the mid 60's.  Perfect weather in every way.  Everyone in the city certainly thought so because the parks were PACKED; kids, strollers, dogs.....everywhere.  It was a very cool site. 

My Saturday was so very great; simple stuff but I loved it.  I started it off with my 9am BodyBlitz class @ Body Solutions and after had coffee w/my cuz.  Can't remember the last time I sat and had a leisurely cup of coffee w/a friend?!  Next up was boxing with Dan!  I'm not a fighter but love the boxing.  Then my fav lunch (chicken salad @ http://cafeatpharr.com/ - if you live in Atlanta and haven't tried it; run there quickly.  You will love it).  More visiting with my friends @ Dora Rae - these sisters are adorable and the jewelry....addicting.  Surprise visit to my neice @ her work followed by a mani and then new dinner favorite.....smoothie!  Now how @ that for a wonderful day!  Simple stuff and so much fun!

I woke Sunday to a beautiful, sunny morning but mucho on the tired side.  I had worked out for @ 2+ weeks straight and was gettin a little tired.  I decided to indulge in a lazy morning and was anxiously awaiting my noon massage!!!!  Every good massage for me is followed by a restful nap so that's how it went.  When I woke up I was so excited to see the beautiful weather remained so on went the running shoes and out the door I went for.............my SIX MILE RUN!!!!  Longest distance ever!  I did it and that's just the beginning!  My official half marathon training has started. 

What a great weekend.  Spent quality time with friends & relatives; had great workouts; new accomplishment - good times!  Really all quite simple. 

Half marathon here I come!!!!!!!!!

I've now said it publicly.  I'm running a half marathon!  There I said it twice now!  Prior to today, I've mostly shared this with my co-workers and my coach.  I'm going to do this! 

A couple months ago while reading More magazine, I read @ their half marathon.  It's in April, in NYC, course is CENTRAL PARK.  Hmmmmm, I was actually on an airplane when I read it and immediately decided, THIS IS MY NEXT GOAL.  I registered, booked my flight, got myself a run coach and I started lite training 3-4 weeks ago ("just keep running" he said).  I trained yesterday with my coach (more on him to come) and my official training begins tomorrow.  I got my 10 week training plan yesterday and now it's real!!!!

I'm excited, nervous, amazed and speechless to some degree.  This is a big goal for me, fitness wise.  I guess in some ways bigger than losing weight because I never set out to lose 50 lbs.  I started at 25, then went to 40 then 50.  Now, I'm chunking off the entire goal at once.  WooHoo!

My co-workers are running the GA half marathon the week before mine so it's kinda fun around the office.  Linda (my co-worker) is running her first half and she trains with the same run coach.  She got her training plan yesterday too.  Last night we talked and I think we were both a little dazed by it all.  She's awesome; fast, strong and an inspiration to me.  She's always right there telling me "YOU CAN DO THIS."  I'm excited that I'll be in town for her half and will be along the course cheering her on.  I learned from weight loss, gotta have the cheerleaders!!

So the half marathon training begins.  WOW! 

Feelin good, lookin wonderful?

Definitely feelin good, working on the lookin wonderful! The lookin wonderful is a WIP, yep work in progress!!

It's amazing how for a girl, ME, buying a new lipstick can really brighten my day. I love it! I think I get this from my mom. She loves to buy a new lipstick. So I stopped by Woo and picked up a new (Plā) Beauty lipstick.....Spell On Me. I just love the names of all these lipsticks & glosses.

For those that read my blog, you may remember (Plā) Beauty because Stephanie and (Plā) Beauty got into Bella magazine (click here and scroll down to bottom of page). If you aren't familiar, definitely check out Stephanie's story on Facebook. It's worth the read and then think that she got into Bella magazine!!!! Very cool.

If you are working on WONDERFUL; try a new lipstick! It's simple, can be cheap (or pricey) and often works WONDERS!!!!

What's your mantra?

I read a great Runners World article today that nailed what I've been thinking to myself.  Now for my MANTRA?!  What's it going to be?

Check out some of my fav lines from the article or read the entire article for yourself.

To achieve your running goals, powerful legs and big lungs aren't enough—you also need a strong head. Doubts and distractions can derail your attempts, but a well-chosen mantra can keep you calm and on target...... An effective mantra addresses what you want to feel, not the adversity you're trying to overcome...."

Oh my gosh.....a must read!!!!

The stars & the moon aligned.  In the right place at the right time.  Good karma. 

It happened yesterday.  Such a cool thing happened in bringing two people together. 

Several weeks ago I met a really neat woman, Stephanie, who recently started her own cosmetic line, Plā Beauty.  We hit it off immediately and have kept in touch over the weeks as her products debut.  Not only has Stephanie started her own line but a portion of her proceeds are going to a charity very near and dear to her heart - Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA).  Stephanie & her husband lost their first child at 18 days old and CHOA was there for her then and now, so she is taking the opportunity to give back. 

That is cool enough on it's own but it gets better.  I subscribe to a daily email of national reporters looking for material.  Across my screen, I see an Editor looking for her story - Look Good, Do Good - Beauty Products With Charitable Benefits.  I of course submit my new friend and the Editor loves it.  Off they connect and hopefully this will land a place in the new magazine or online for sure. 

But.....the most incredible and heartwarming part of this story is.......the name of the magazine is BELLA.  The name of my friend's child that she lost at 18 days is BELLA. 

Best of luck to them both!  Whatever comes of this connection, it's something I'll never forget.

Sometimes you need a little push....

Check out my guest post...........Sometimes you need a little push and support to achieve your weight loss goals

Bucket list

One week ago, my religious community lost one of its members to the dreaded "C"  after only being diagnosed six weeks prior.  I did not know him personally, would see him in synagogue but we never spoke.  Apparently many did not KNOW him as he led an incredibly private and awesome life. 

He kept his illness and the terminal nature of it completely private.  We were all stunned when we received the news of his passing.  Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to know him during his life but in his passing and through the eulogies, I came to know and admire him.

He was very successful; both professionally and personally.  Climbed the corporate ladder from sales to CEO.  He was very philanthropic around the world and he often gave anonymously.  What a son; did his mother's laundry & grocery shopping and didn't even live in the same state?!  Took his mom to gala's only after having someone come in to do her makeup! 

While he gave generously and quietly, these stories are wonderous but there is one that sticks with me more.  Following his diagnosis, he was asked if he made his bucket list.  He simply replied, "I LIVED my bucket list."

Allen Brill, CEO/President of Rolex USA - may you rest in peace.

The day after, the day after

Friday is one of those days going down in "the worst of" category.  While I won't spew the details - what's the diff really and it would not be right to mention names w/o permission (no Michael Phelps video here), let's just say how disappointed and sad was I!!!!

Have you ever had an idea(s) and you worked HARD to negotiate, pursuade, argue, convince someone else of it - using proven analysis, proven past results, expert opinions - and the person just says basically nope won't work.

I tried my very best.  I gave it everything I had.  I was physically, emotionally and mentally spent, worn out.  So yesterday, the day after - I worked out hard, purged some emotions (frustrated, sad, disappointed), fell into bed and woke this wonderful Sunday morning ready to take on new challenges. 

I'm blogging @ this not because I had a bad day, I didn't get my way or any of that.  That happens to us all; it's what we do after that makes the difference.  Two things helped me alot and that's why I'm blogging:

1.  The friendship and light touch of others - say what you want @ Facebook but on Friday night I put up a simple posting - "awful day."  The kind and supportive comments I got from friends near and far meant so much.  They probably had no idea their gestures would mean that much but they took the time to send thoughts & love my way.  Reach out & touch someone; you never know!

2.  Calling on my body to help me out - I'm so recent to exercise, I'm learning how awesome the human body is to be there for you when you need it.  I started the day with a pretty tough BodyBlitz class, gabbed with friends for an hour and then my one hour personal training session.  I pushed myself beyond my limits (actually in tears during shoulder presses).  After PT, I ran errands, had a nice lunch, got a manicure and 10 hours later from when I left my house, I jumped into a hot shower and dropped into bed.  I was again spent, worn out but what a difference.  This time, not a ball of emotions but a calmness and perspective that I needed. 

In my 50 years of never exercising, I never knew how my body could be there for me.  My "go to" was Xanax to calm me down and a sleeping pill to put me out so the next day I could wake and do it all the same.  That ship has sailed!  No more!!

No guru talk from me just fortunate & grateful to have learned over the last couple years how to use my body to rid the crap and be more positive and productive!!!!

Before and.............AFTER

Jomal - lost 22 lbs in 3 months!  Congratulations this is spectacular!  Check out these Before and AFTERs. 

How awesome does he look?!  Jomal is a fellow Body Solutions person.  He is a wonderful, inspriring guy - happy, smiling and always greets me with a big hug.  He's quite famous too.  He is one of the winners of the Body Solutions "I'm in Love with a Loser" contest and his story is being followed by Fox News.  Jomal's wife submitted his name and I think he had mixed emotions in the beginning but now I'm thinkin....he's lovin it!  The whole family must be lovin it!!!

I remember meeting Jomal his first week.  Dan asked me if I had any "words of wisdom" and I can remember saying - "cheese is not a diet food."  Jomal was like "oh no"!!!!

We've all come a long way.  Jomal and I talked the other day that going crazy on eating no longer was the same.  We know when to WALK AWAY.  You know my life and lifestyle have changed; I think Jomal's has too.  Way to go dude.  So proud of you! 

When you lose weight, Jomal and I both experienced that people say "you've lost so much in YOUR FACE."  When and WHY didn't anyone tell us our faces were so fat. I'm starting a group/club, maybe even a FB page :-)  FORMER FAT FACES..........This is the club to join!!!! 

One person can change the world!

Today was the 7th annual Day of Beauty!  (http://www.mydayofbeauty.net/) Words can't describe this spectacular day.  Photos can't really either, at least not MY photos.  They didn't turn out so hot but there were photographers there along with the local news so I'm hoping it'll be on TV. 

Again this year, I got to "man" the massage room.  So much fun.  We had @ 12 massage therapist volunteers and they stayed busy.  The local news reporter interviewed one guy, James I think, while he was getting his massage.  It's hysterical.  The reporter was laughing so hard she could hardly ask questions.  I hope that one makes airtime. 

There were so many kids & young adults with their teachers & aids.  Special Olympics girls swim team, public schools, transition centers, supervised adult living facilities and probably some I missed.  They got their hair colored (one guy got red & blue, another gold), haircuts, makeup, manicures, waxing and of course massage. 

Ruby the clown entertained along with Jessica (love her from Lululemon) and another Hawks dancer.  Lest I not forget the DJ too. The place was rockin!  The food was unreal - Twisted Taco had taco bar, burgers, hot dogs, ribs, cakes, mini cupcakes, cookies, bagels, chips, candy and fruit!  Something for everyone!!!!!

All donated and volunteers!!!!  Some of my blogging friends came and I got to meet them F2F.  That was so cool (and thanks)! 

So....how does this all come together?!!!  There's only one girl I know that can make all this happen and that's the founder and organizer.........Gloria O.  This is her labor of love and the Day of Beauty brings so much joy and happiness that you must be there to truly experience it.  It does not fit into words.  It was a SPECTACULAR day and I can't wait for next year!! 

Great job Gloria!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love, Loss and What I Wore

Last night we saw the Ephron sisters' (based on Ilene Beckerman's book) off Bway show.  It was really great.  Small theater (wish we had those in Atlanta) where every seat was good.  We were on the third row and my mom was able to hear it all.  The two known stars in the show (at least known to us) were Brooke Shields and Doris Roberts (Everybody Loves Raymond).  They both look fabo!

The show in essence is @ what you or those you love (mom, grandmother) were wearing, attempting to wear, hoping to wear at dfferent events in life.  Wedding, mastectomy surgery, shopping @ sizes 4/10/16, in the fitting room and nothing fits, the little (or not so) black dress, everything black, boots, high heels and flat shoes, granddaughter playing dress up in your clothes, bra shopping, the handbag (this was hysterical) and more.  At the end of the show, Doris Roberts shows you how to draw a simple outfit and inside the playbill is a blank page where you can "Draw A Picture of Yourself" in your favorite clothing item. 

The show was great - funny, sad and very enjoyable.  It got me thinking.  So I'm up early having my coffee (mom's still sleeping) and thinking about events in my life and what I was wearing.  My favorite outfits aka "my uniform" and the occassions.  The "uniform" for the largest part of my life was black pants, white tshirt and very oversized black top or sweater.  The bigger the better on the top - to hide the ridiculously fat ass!  Things changed last year and if you read my blog you know all about that. 

I remember my lucky top when I started college - always wore it on test day.  I remember the black suit I wore to my dad's funeral.  For some strange reason when packing for that trip, at the last minute, I threw in my suitcase a black suit.  Not exactly clothing needed when going to a summer wedding in Florida.  You guessed it, my dad died unexpectedly and I wore that black suit.  I remember arguing with my mom and crying because nothing fit.  That happened in the store (my parents owned a clothing store growing up) and at home.  There were alot of crying fits.  I remember the lime green bridesmaid dress I wore one time only for sure.  Although I can't remember what I wore yesterday, I'm having fun recalling the events, what I was doing and what I was wearing.  My mom always taught us, the clothes don't wear you, you wear the clothes.  But the clothes and all that goes with them do make the great stories! 

What do YOU remember?!  What are YOUR great stories?!

The most amazing weekend.......

I'm back from NYC and my head is spininng (again).  It often does this after a school (IIN) weekend.  This past weekend was the most outstanding.  My mind was really opened up for lots more research and experimenting.........

We heard from so many incredible people - all who are not just experts in their fields, more importantly all these people are TAKING ACTION. 

Some were former IIN grads - a NYC public school principal from The Marie Curie School in NYC who is changing the world one school at a time; a teacher/mother who started Wellness in Schools; an attorney who's daughter spoke @ a hearing on school lunch programs.  Incredible, inspiring - all of them. 

We also heard from some well known experts - WOW!

John Douillard - Dr. Douillard has been teaching Ayurvedic medicine, natural health, fitness, and nutrition internationally for 22 years.  I knew nothing @ the concepts of Vata, Pitta and Kapha and boy do I have some interesting research ahead of me.  I have an Ayurvedic questionnaire if anyone is interesting in finding out where they fall. 

David Wolfe - He's leading the Raw Foods revolution.  David is considered one of the world’s top authorities on natural health, beauty nutrition, herbalism, chocolate, and organic superfoods. You wouldn't believe the smoothie he made in class - I'm clueless and again lots more research to do.  I need to get my "jing" going! 

David Katz - "Act with feet & forks not stethoscopes & scalpels"!  He's international authority on nutrition, weight management, and the prevention of chronic disease; internationally recognized leader in integrative medicine and patient-centered care.  I expected a typical MD approach and was pleasantly surprised and pleased - check out thefuntheory.com and rfrk.com.  More cool stuff.

I'm sure anyone that reads this can see why my head is spinning and I'm psyched.  This was the best school weekend and it reinforces that I'm doing the right thing for me in continuing my education around nutrition/healthy living and pursuing my Health Coach passion! 

It's a TWO POST day....

Not often does this happen so today is one of those rare occasions.  Today was a wonderful, beautiful, sad, inspiring kind of day.  So many different things & emotions..... 

I was up early; the sun was coming out and it looked like it was going to be a pretty day.  I had a quick, yummy breakfast - whole wheat bread, topped w/cottage cheese and a slice of swiss cheese on top - in the toaster oven to warm/melt the cheese and toast the bread + a banana.  Yummie!!!  Waited an hour and then out the door for my morning run.  I ran through Piedmont Park as the exhibitors were waking up, having coffee and beginning to set up for the last day of the Dogwood Festival.  It was quiet and wonderful.  I had to cut my run/walk short because I was going to my uncle's unveiling today.  That was my next stop.

My uncle died of Alzheimer's last July and today was his unveiling.  It was family only and ironically his grave lies beneath an apple tree - this was his favorite.  My cousins said the appropriate blessings and then.........my niece spoke.  She is 21 years old, high functioning down syndrome.  I always love and admire her but today she spoke with ease and grace and it blew my mind.  She said what everyone was thinking but too teary to talk.  She loves to color and created a book in her grandfather's memory.  She read her book.  First a letter to her grandfather where she described the "team" of herself and her grandmother and hopes he was doing OK.  She's a riot!  Her next letter was to G-d thanking him for having a grandfather such that she had.  This was signed "your partner."  Strip away all the pretensions, apprehensions and BS and this is what you have....a caring, loving soul.  I'm still teary!  And lucky to have such a great kid around! 

I recovered from the unveiling, ran home to conduct a Health History with a fellow blogger volunteer.  What an incredible experience and THANK YOU (you know who you are and I won't use your name cause didn't get your permission)!  How cool is it that you can connect so much with someone you've never met except online in the blogging community.  I accomplished my "school work" but more importantly I got to know someone new.  It's so cool!

Next I had to get back to the Park quickly before closing because I saw something on my a.m. run that blew my mind and I needed to take a photo............so here it is!!!!  FRIED CANDY BARS.  WTF is this?  Come on, this is disgusting not to mention so bad for us.  I so wanted to ask them how many they sold but it was so crowded.  Not sure if the crowd was buying the cheesesteak, fluffy fries or the fried candy bars?  Either way, can you imagine this crap going in your body?!  I was so traumatized by it, I had to come home and have a vodka!  Now we're talking!!!!!

The Beauty of the Beast

The Beast being the Internet that is...the WorldWideWeb!  When did you become aware of the Internet? 

In 1999, I was the head of HR for a company that was acquired and all our corporate office employees (including myself) were loosing their jobs.  At the time, I remember hearing talk about job postings on "the Monster Board."  I really didn't pay much attention.  Six months later, I returned to Atlanta and began working with my now business partner.  Note:  In 1991, this guy had a McInstosh (yep, now what we simply call Apple) computer on his desk.  No one else knew what it was but he did all kinds of cool stuff.  You can tell where this is going.....he introduced me to the WWW (handheld devices too - we had Palms back then).  He said you have to subscribe to Mindspring; it's the coolest, newest provider.  OK, I didn't go the AOL route and went with Mindspring. 

I started with emails, junk mail, online shopping and quickly moved to research (for work and play) then directions, phone numbers (not sure when the printed phone books went out) and online bill paying.  And now is it just about everything - movies, TV, music, phone calls (VoIP and Skype), networking (LinkedIn, Yelp, Facebook, MySpace of the days ago), blogging and the list goes on. 

Is the world sort of getting smaller?  Recently I reconnected with an old roommate.  I hadn't talked to her in 30 years.  It was amazing to catch up.  I'm on LinkedIn, FB and I love Yelp.  A couple people found me on Yelp and have reached out to connect on some stuff.  People I probably would never have known otherwise.  It's SO cool.  My niece was in Israel for a couple months.  I kept up with her on FB and was more connected to her than her parents.  They were always shocked I knew what their daughter was doing in Israel.  I kept saying the Internet....!!!!

I'm curious how others use the Internet in cool ways.  How do you use it?  What is next for us? 

Everything's coming up roses........

Can you hear Ethel Merman as Gypsy Rose........if you want to feel great for a moment or two, check out this tune....guaranteed! 

Starting here......starting now.........clear the decks.....you'll be swell.....you'll be great.......lucky star is due......you can do it.....we can do it........light the lights.......nothings going to stop us til we're through.....everything's coming up roses!!!!

While I've had a cold and a case of the blue's, there are so many "roses" from the week:

• Gloria from Day of Beauty won yesterday's Points of Light award - recognizing her for outstanding work and impact in our Atlanta community - Yippee
• Body Solutions' team exceeded their St. Baldrick's fundraising goal and had their heads shaved last night - Yowy Kazowy
• My best friend got a new job after many months of searching for the right opportunity - WooHoo
• I scheduled my first counseling session (requirement for my nutrition program) - Very excited
• I ate two pints (I think that's the size) of Jamoca Almond Fudge and didn't gain a pound! It was yummy too - one was w/coconut milk and the other soy - Sicko

So whilst I got the blues, life is good.  My eating ain't so great this week and I'm shocked to share that I have not exercised in ONE WEEK.  I'm not feeling so good @ either of those but Gypsy Rose says.......starting here...starting now.....!!!  Tomorrow's a new day.  I know it'll be good to me cause right now........everything's coming up roses for me and you!!!

Haha, I can't talk........

While that makes so many people happy, it's really a setback when trying to get things done like...... my work, appointments, etc. 

The cold turned into an infection and laryngitis.  So I'm here. At home.  Not feeling so grand.  Why do these feelings lead me to CHOCOLATE.  Yep had two choco cookies today.  I loved every minute of eating them but I have to admit, I was sick after.  Not used to that...........

It feels so weird to be sick.  I haven't had a single cold since I began my good health journey.  That's over 14 months and NO cold, NO swine flu, nothing.  I'm lovin that.  I just need to knock this out and get back to it.  Lots to do of which I'm really excited.

Thanks for the get well wishes and Drew for encouraging me to FEED THE COLD!  

First day of the New Year...started w/a thud....

.....but she rallied!!  OMG, I can't believe what I ate today not to mention, I feel sick now.  It started with Hoppin John (this year couldn't pass up the oppty for luck and money) then a bag of chinese noodles (the crispy fried ones) courtesy of my bro's chinese restaurant, pistachio nuts (what the &^%$# were they doing in my house) with a couple WW choco bar chasers.  All while watching Julia & Julie.  I loved the movie AND it was the inspiration I needed.  Perfect timing!   So after my nap (I'm a great napper) I went to the gym for an hour workout. 

The bottom line this year and every year is we all fall off the "program" occasionally and when we do, sometimes we have to LOOK for inspiration to get us back on track.  We are lucky when inspiration finds its way to us but if not, go looking for it.  Today I was re-energized by Julia & Julie.  They were both so committed to their passions that in spite of obstacles and their personal meltdowns, they rallied and kept on going.  Never giving up!  Julia Child even had the support and encouragement of someone she didn't know and only kept in touch with as a pen pal (for those too young to know what that is, google it). 

Inspiration, motivation and energy is often in places you'd never have guessed so be open to it and if it doesn't come when you need it, go find it.  It's there for you, just email me! 

I hope the New Year brings you good health, great times and meaningful relationships.  Happy New Year!