Pre-Session E

Hey everyone. I know it's been a while since I've added another entry, and I hope you can forgive me. My weight is still bouncing up and down, but I've recently found new inspiration...TWITTER!!! So please follow me on Twitter whenever you can under the name Rainmaker Roxy. As of now, Yoga is back in my life two days a week, I'm still walking tons, I'm behind in my running, still going to Curves 3 to 4 days a week, trying to workout every morning...and that's about the it.


Here's another classic!


Feelin'... sexy, feeling surprisingly sexy.

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I feel like the last two weeks are behind me; got a new haircut, people are giving me more comments about my weight loss, guys are giving me more looks when I walk by, and I'm gaining confidence. This is what happens when you're proactive about your health.


I got some bad news. I had an eye appointment last Monday, and it turns out I'm near-sighted. In 7 to 10 business days, this girl will come with glasses!

And you'd think I'd be upset, but I'm ready to rock those lenses!
In fact, expect some sultry photos with my new accessory sometime soon (so what if I'm a photo whore?).

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Welcome back to the fifth installment of "Workout Buddy Needed," where your input matters.


Goals...we have them. OH BOY, do we all have them.


When I get closer to achieving mine, I feel good. I feel powerful. I feel sexy. I feel exactly like I just described up above...And then I remember that I've got a lot, AAAAAAAAA LLLLOOOOOOTTTTTTT, more miles to go before I can be truly happy (which I guess means that you can never really be happy, but this is a discussion for another time).



You wanna see the list of things I wanna accomplish before I die? Being that my list of non-health related goals numbers in the hundreds, I'll just name my most important body-related ones:



1. Weigh, AT MOST, 155 pounds by March of 2009

2. Moisturize my skin often and tone while losing weight to prevent the appearance of loose skin (eeewww)

3. Sleep on my own bed (or a bed : O ) every night, not an uncomfortable couch

4. Remember to wear my night guard every night to protect my teeth

5. Build my overall strength especially in my back and legs

6. Tone so that I don't just look thin, but strong as well

7. Be able to run a 10 minute or less mile (which I could never do in high school...take that Mr. Gorby)

8. Be able to do at least 10 pull-ups in a set (another attack at Mr. Gorby, my old gym teacher)

BUT! These are just my long-term goals. There are many steps to take and mini-goals I need to reach in order to make my dreams come true.
Let's take this last week for example. All my readers know that I recently had a couple crappy-ass weeks.

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This week, I turned things around. I got back to my calorie counting. I went shopping and stocked my place full of healthy goodness. I hopped back on SparkPeople.com (remember to find me as Rainmaker_Roxy if you sign up) and kept track of my nutrition, water, and fitness progress.


AND, I set a new goal: No eating lunch and dinner in front of the TV (breakfast is ok for me because I usually don't have enough time to overeat then, plus I like to catch the news in the morning)!


I keep reading about the numbing effects TV can have on a person. Your brain activity slows down when you watch TV. You don't even think about the full bag of chips you just scarfed down watching primetime TV.

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So, I've been doing this for five days now. I come home from work, set my laptop and a magazine on my dining room table, set a tape up to record any show I might be missing, and slowly eat my food. In the first two days alone, I dropped all the weight I gained back from those two crappy weeks.


TOPIC OF THE WEEK:



Mini-goals are the plans we make to reach those big life-changing goals. I'm going to attempt to make one each week. Let's make this next one a little simple.



I've been feeling kinky (and not the fun kind) in my back, shoulders, and hips lately. Cold weather is making me stiff. So, my mini-goal of the week is to start stretching every morning when I wake up, and right before I go to bed. Maybe, if I focus my stretching routine, my body will be more prepared for the days ahead.

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So...what's your mini-goal this week? Be as creative as you want. It doesn't even have to be health related.
C'mon! Entertain me!!!

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And let me know how you did next week.

Before you go, don't forget about this week's VIDEO MOMENT. Very related to this weekend of snow:



Workout Buddy Needed Blog 5






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OK gang, hit the showers, and I'll see you next session!
Your Workout Buddy,
Roxy!

Pre-Session D

And here's another pre-session before I start my new entries. I have broken my first grand for fundraising for my half marathon with the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, but now it's getting down to the wire. I have a little over a month to raise about $3,000.00 more!!! If you want to help out, visit my donation page: http://www.active.com/donate/napa09neohio/napa09MGluckl

And do it now!!! I have to raise the money because I've officially recommitted, and they've already registered me for the run. My ass is officially on the line!

Anyway, enjoy the blog!


My head hurts.
My boss is out to get me.
I slept wrong and can't move the right side of my body.
My damn crush is clouding my mind too much.
I had a bad dream, and now I'm worried.
My internet stopped working.
The weather is too lousy to leave the house.

Excuses, excuses, EXCUSES!!! Excuses to skip that workout, and excuses to eat that extra piece of chocolate.

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Welcome back to the fourth installment of "Workout Buddy Needed," where your input matters. The last week and a half has sucked; sucked the big one.

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I've" been lucky enough to use every excuse listed up top this week. Even better, I ate that extra dessert, and I skipped a Curves workout...maybe two.

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On the other hand, I did get to workout at home a lot more (not an equal balance, but it kept me from sitting on my ass all week).

Take a look at my so-called "home workout studio" in this week's video moment:

Workout Buddy Needed Blog Video #4


Anyway...MY POINT IS: A sucky week or two should not be enough to completely spoil your life's plan.

I'll" admit, I weighed myself this morning, and over the last two weeks, I have gained, GAINED, almost two pounds. And I'm pissed, PISSED, at myself for letting myself go when I was on a roll. If I could name one of my weaknesses when it comes to losing weight, it would be that I keep on falling into my old comfortable (harmful) patterns when things get rough. I sleep in too late to feel productive. I eat right before I go to bed. I let myself fall asleep on the couch instead of on my comfy, supportive bed. I eat too much sugary junk, convincing myself that I'm getting it out of the way before tomorrow...I think you get the point. Things get bad, and I turn to the easy comforts.

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Little by little, I try to break this pattern. You know what really makes me feel better? Beating the crap out of my punching bag. Screaming at the top of my lungs. Running like my life depended on it. Venting out all of my problems to my closest friends.

So here's the TOPIC OF THE WEEK: The last couple of weeks were about love. Now it's time to get angry!!! Look deep inside yourself. What pisses you off?

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The first thing that pops in my head is people who try to take advantage of my hard-working, dedicated nature. Just because I will work hard and quick doesn't mean you can be a lazy bitch or ass, slack off, and have me doing your damn share of the work for you!!! You try to weigh down on me, but I am more than my weight!!! (I enjoy venting!)

Can't open up like that right now, that's ok. Tell me how you deal with that anger. How do you release it? How do you let it go? What can you do to stop the anger from driving you crazy?

OK gang, this was one hell of a workout! Hit the showers, and I'll see you next session!
Your Workout Buddy,
Roxy!

Pre-Session C

So, I'm training for this run for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. It's a half Marathon, and I have to raise at least $4,300.00 in order to participate. As of today, I've broken through my first grand!!! YAY!!! If you'd like to contribute to my fundraising efforts visit, and get your peeps to visit either my Facebook group "For a Good Cause! Gluckle's Run for Crohn's and Colitis!!!" to learn about the many different ways you all can help, or visit my donation page:

http://www.active.com/donate/napa09neohio/napa09MGluckl

And now, here's another classic:

COLLARBONE COLLARBONE COLLARBONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, maybe not the body part some of you dirty-minded people were hoping I'd be talking about today. BUT...my point is that I can see mine. It's funny the little things you notice when you focus in on yourself.

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Welcome back to the third installment of "Workout Buddy Needed," where your input matters. Before I started losing weight, I could barely see my neck under my double chin, and now I can see my collarbone sticking out more and more every week...it's like I'm a human being...a human being with an actual skeleton and everything.

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So this week, to keep this progress going, I've upped my workout. I've decided that stretching every morning before I get out of bed is very important.

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(Oh yeah, I can so do that...)

I've also been making sure that I take two big sips of water from my big water jug when I wake up. Both of these actions have helped wake my ass up everyday this week. Also, on days I don't go to Curves, I try to fit in at least 15 minutes of exercise on my stationary bike, or/and a few of the strength training exercises I learned about from Spark People (www.sparkpeople.com) .
Remember, if you decide to try this website out, make sure you use "Rainmaker_Roxy" as your referral friend.

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After a week of changing up my routine, I had this huge burst of energy over the weekend. Plus, it was a beautiful day on Sunday...the perfect day to start running...of course, it started snowing again on Monday, so I can forget about running for some time now.

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But this burst of energy brings me to this week's video moment:Workout Buddy Needed Blog Video #3


(Too much energy + not enough time to use it = this video, and yes, that mirror is very unstable...not my bedroom...)

So here's the TOPIC OF THE WEEK: It's a love-fest!!! What do you love about yourself? This can be body parts, strange talents, personality quirks, anything! And yes...feel free to be dirty-minded if that's what makes you happy. In order to change what we don't like about ourselves (for example, my weight), we must be willing to love ourselves first...love yourself enough to change for the better.

So let's be narcissistic today!!! Focus in on your favorite qualities. I'll get us started. Other than the emergence of my collarbone after its long hibernation under flab, I love my eyes, my understanding of the world around me, my determination, my love of music and singing, my lips, my hair (it's improved a lot over the last few years), my ability to grow my nails really really quick, and my dimples.

Alright, now it's your turn. Show us that you love yourself. Flaunt what you've got! Post pics if you want. Don't be afraid to love the amazing and unique creature that is you!

OK gang, hit the showers, and I'll see you next session!
Your Workout Buddy,
Roxy!

P.S. The results of my Curves weigh in...from weigh-in to weigh-in I've lost about 4 pounds!!! Now, it's time to focus because I'm almost under 220. So excited!!!

Pre-Session B

Hey all!

So here's the deal. Currently, I'm working on fundraising for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundationn of America. I'm running one of their half-marathon's in Napa, California, and I have to raise at least $4,300.00 in order to go.

Want to know how you can help? Visit my donation page for more information: http://www.active.com/donate/napa09neohio/napa09MGluckl

Right now, I'm busy fundraising and working on my next new blog, but to keep you guys motivated, here is the second installment of my blog from MySpace:

Welcome to the second installment of Workout Buddy Needed, where your input matters.

It's been one hell of a week. Don't believe me?

Check out this week's video moment, and listen to how tired I am. Tip of the moment: DRINK YOUR WATER!!!

Workout Buddy Needed Blog Video #2


Anyway, today is a better day. I drank plenty of fluids yesterday, and getting out of bed was a lot easier this morning...not exactly easy, but easier. I walked a long distance in the cold and snowy rain, but I feel good. I watched "The Biggest Loser Couples" and I feel motivated. I'm ready for the week to go on.

I must give a shout out to my friend "Friendly Ferret" who turned me on to a website dedicated to helping others reach their fitness goals - SparkPeople.com -

It's absolutely amazing. Not only am I tracking my food consumption and calorie burn with more ease, but It's making it a lot more fun...It's kind of like myspace for fitness. You can even make friends with other "spark people" (find me as Rainmaker_Roxy) and develop a profile page of your own. Check it out today...after you read my blog!

So back to THE TOPIC OF THE WEEK: Water!

It's important to drink plenty of it (be careful though cause there have been recent stories of people being stupid and drowning themselves by drinking too much water, no offense to the dead, but why, seriously why?).

Anyway, we've always been told that we need to drink 8 - 8 oz cups of water a day to get the amount of water we need to properly function. However, studies have shown that this is not quite true...most of us actually need to drink more, especially those in America, the overweight capital of the world.

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Why do I say this? Because the amount of water you need to consume is actually based (mainly) on how much you weigh as well as your activity level.

Want an idea of how much water you should drink in a day?
Visit About.com's Hydration Calculator

I bet when you watch this, you'll have to pee...

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All I can say is that I definitely feel more awake and present in my life when I drink plenty of water.

So how do you get your daily dose of water? I love water, plain and simple, but I know plenty of people who can't stand the taste (or lack there of). Are you one of those people? How do you make sure that you drink plenty of water everyday?

Don't forget that we all need you to participate! Spread the word, and tell your friends!!!

Something to look forward to next week: the results of my next weigh-in at Curves...oooooo the suspense is killing me!!!

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OK gang, hit the showers, and I'll see you next session!
Your Workout Buddy,
Roxy!

Pre-Session A

This Blog is a work in progress right now...although I guess you can say that about every blog until the blogger either gives up, or dies...

And on that happy note, here's what you need to know:

Here, I go by the name Roxy. But that is not my name.

I started to blog in 2007 on MySpace, but my privacy settings only allow my friends to view it, so I'm busting out into the actual blogging world.

Why do I even keep a blog? To remind myself that my health is important to me, to inspire myself to continue down the path of weight loss, and maybe even to inspire others.



So that's it. That's how this begins. And in celebration of the beginning, I've decided to post all of my old blogs from MySpace so that you guys can catch up. So here it is. Number 1:(hopefully my video comes out, if not, well that's for my next post)

Welcome to the first installment of "Workout Buddy Needed", the blog where you are my workout buddy and your input matters.

Before we move on to the topic of the day, I wanna let you in on why I'm starting this blog...a history, if you will, that led to the creation of a blog based on fitness.

The skinniest points in my life...besides my early childhood...would have to be my senior year in high school after being on weight watchers for a year where I weighed about 185 pounds, and right now. With my weight fluctuations, I actually grew about an inch and a half since high school, my weight has evened itself out nicely, and I currently weigh 225 pounds.

So how did the change happen?
Sometime during my junior year of college, I decided to make a few changes in my diet. First, I cut out carbonated beverages, which wasn't as hard as I thought it was gonna be. Then, I cut out caffeine (not including chocolate, like I'll ever do that) except for once a month. Over the last year and a half, I have eliminated all caffeinated beverages from my diet. I had one large cappuccino about six months ago, and my body got the shakes, and I got really nauseous. Good riddance!



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After changing my diet little by little, I started to take trips to my college's gym, and I took up yoga. After I graduated from college, I had dropped 15 pounds.

Then fate came around and dropped off a coupon for two free weeks at Curves, a fitness chain created for women who struggle to fit fitness into their lives...and HEY!!! I'm one of those women.
I fell in love with the exercise routine right away because it was simple, and yet intense, enough for me. Plus, all of the women who work there are good at inspiring me to come back [ok...I'll admit, I miss checkin' out the hot guys at the gym, but I'm getting over it...I'll check them out between workouts ; ) ]
After a month on Curves, I started the curves diet, which is very scientific and kick starts your metabolism...and it worked! On the Curves program, I've lost an additional 35 pounds and over 25 inches all over in about 7 months. Not to mention, I feel stronger in my day-to-day activities.



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Now, let me point out: I'm not creating this blog to promote Curves...I do more than just go to Curves to push myself toward my fitness goals.

I walk a lot...mainly cause I still don't drive yet...I have yoga and cardio videos I use at home, and I use a punching bag and stability ball from time to time. In my case, Curves was just what I needed to get more organized in this area of my life...

SO, OK! That's the history, but I'm still about 70 pounds away from my goal weight. Now, you're probably asking yourself:

What the HELL is the whole point of this blog?

Not only do I wanna share some of the knowledge I've gained about fitness over the years through experience and reading countless fitness magazines, but I also want to see what you know that I don't. Be my inspiration, and I'll try to be yours. This is how we become workout buddies...as cheesy as that sounds. So, let's get this blog started:

Topic of the Day!!!

Inspiration is key to attaining goals, which is very true in the fitness world. I watch shows like "The Biggest Loser," and when I had cable, "Celebrity Fit Club" and "Workout" because they inspire me to get off my ass and go to the gym, or even to search for other activities to lose weight. I read the success stories of men and women who actually won their fight against fat because it makes me feel like if these people can do it, then so can I. I talk and write about fitness because it reminds me that I am full of passion when it comes to my health.

So what inspires you? What do you do to keep yourself motivated? What prevents you from throwing in the towel and eating that big bowl of ice cream at 3 o'clock in the morning?

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If you have examples that don't pertain to fitness exactly...please share them anyway. The more people who get involved with this blog, the more chances we all have to be successful.

OK, hit the showers, and I'll see you next session!
Your Workout Buddy,
Roxy!

Here's your video moment (Not the best quality, but it will do):

Workout Buddy Needed Blog Video #1







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