Once again...back into the breach...

In October 2009 I was heavy. My weight had slowly piled on after I retired from performing. I was exercising...a lot...but I also drink too much wine. And while I eat organic, healthful food, it's always just a little too much.

So...for the first time in my life I really dove into a new lifestyle. Mark and I had a cruise coming in January 2010, and I did NOT want to be heavy on that trip. Extra weight acts like a big wet blanket on my self esteem and mood. I knew I needed to get it under control.

I started counting calories, using the app called Lose It!



I stuck with it. I also exercised at least 6 days a week. I was a machine. And I lost 26 pounds in 3 months. I felt amazing...better than I thought possible.

The cruise was good. I was able to deal it on an emotional level much easier coming from a place of health and fitness.

Once the trip was over I slid a little. I started drinking a little more, but I was still controlling my eating.

Then, Molly Bell and I were invited to do BECOMING BRITNEY at CenterRep in the fall. This led to a dumpster full of busy. The priority was getting things done and dealing with frustrations. By the time we started rehearsals in October I was running on nothing but stress and intent. At that time I was still (mostly) keeping it together health-wise.

Once we opened the show I reached the tipping point. I was on the road with a long commute...my eating schedule was interrupted...and the show itself, while a huge success, put everything on hold.

When the show closed I was still in one piece. It had been challenging, but it was over. Then I got sick. I had a baaaaad cold for 3 whole weeks. And my folks were visiting. And then it was Christmas.

And then, like a shark chomping into chum, I got a taste for NOT keeping control. After the intensity of the musical and the holidays it felt good to let go. Just a little.

Uh huh.

Now, a year and a half after I started by path toward that better me...I'm basically back at square one. I'm still healthier than I was back then...but my weight is back up. I'm tempted to blame it on the surgery in February, and I DO think that has SOMEthing to do with it. But I know what I need to do. And I'm once again there.



Since I was last on Weight Watchers they've changed the program. My mother has lost 52 pounds on the new system. So...I re-upped. I'll try Weight Watcher again for the next 3 months. With my new birth certificate in hand and surgery under my belt, I need to see how it feels to be that more powerful and confident creature. I need this.

Ugh...I hate this part. THE START.

And she appears once again out of the mists…(or maybe not something THAT dramatic)...

I hadn’t really intended to abandon this blog. I just…waited.

I promised someone I would post by today, but this day came too fast and I don’t have anything brilliant prepared.

Divas For Life took place on Monday. It was the SEVENTH ANNUAL!! Wow. It was wonderful, and I’ve spent the next 2.5 days putting the video clips together. And now, suddenly, it’s Friday (Friday / Gotta get down on Friday).

Here’s my clip from the show:



You can see more clips here

I will write more soon.

A new BRITNEY video....

I just finished this.

Divas For Life 2010...

Here's my performance from this year's DIVAS FOR LIFE benefit concert. I hate looking at myself on video, so I could go on and on with a bunch of insecurities...but I won't.

Enjoy!

One more garden update...

I think this blog has become only about growing things and healthy endeavors...at least for now...

The strawberries are fantastic. They are small...but we get about 1 per day...and it's like an explosion in your mouth (in a good way).



The tomatoes are growing and one is finally turning red. I have a feeling we're not far from being able to enjoy them.


The yellow squash is growing too. There are 2 or 3 small squashes. We're not sure how large we should expect them to get. I think I'm going to pick and use them for dinner tonight.


I wish we had more space. There's nothing like growing and eating your own food.

Yet another garden update...

There's so much going on right now...and nothing I can write in this public forum.

Instead, here's an update on our lovely garden:

We've had about 15 strawberries do far. Delish!



No tomatoes yet, but lot of flowering so any day now.



And look at this zucchini plant!! Flowering like mad too!

Balcony garden update...

I've had no time to blog about anything...but I wanted to post updated pics of our balcony garden.

Strawberries (we ate our first one yesterday!)


Tomatoes


Zucchini


And a mama dove who has made a nest in one of the hanging planters. We don't think the babies have hatched yet