Deciding on What to Write About

When I was nursing, I had a lot of time to think about writing a book. I knew I wanted to write an inspirational and motivational book. I thought of the different kinds of personal experiences one could encounter that might motivate them to want an inspiring book. One of those was being laid off. Hmmm. I wonder if there have been any large layoffs over the past 10 years. I did an Internet search and BAM..I found it..ENRON. The ten-year-anniversary is coming up on December 3, 2011. I can’t believe it has already been 10 years. I started to read some books to familiarize myself with the subject. I read ‘Conspiracy of Fools’ and ‘Smartest Guys in the Room.’ Both these books were written by investigative reporters that compiled tons and tons of data to write those books. I felt they were the most accurate and could give me the basic knowledge about why Enron went down. It made me sick when I was finished. It was awful to see the extent of greed and selfishness that permeated itself within those walls. So many people lost everything and a few made out like bandits. It was a story that needed a happy ending. I decided to write the book about how those who were most impacted by the bankruptcy managed to pick up and build a better life.

Next, I talk about how I found my candidates.

New Challenge - Write a Book

I am ready to announce to my world, I am writing a book. I have hardly talked about before now but now that chapter 1 is finished, I am ready to share my experience. The process leading up to this day has been long and not without its challenges.  So instead of a fitness challenge, I welcome you to walk with me as I attempt to publish my first book, alone.

The idea came when my son was a little baby. I had quit my job to be a stay-at-home mom. I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and forever dreaming up the next big money making idea. It was a source of much entertainment for my husband and friends. To me it was frustrating. I wanted so bad to find success, at least the success I had always dreamed about. For me, all I have encountered is failure. Okay, failure is a bad word, really difficult and life-altering learning experiences. How is that for a positive spin?

In 2007, I closed a business I had developed myself and invested over $100,000 into. It was everything I had saved, everything I had ever owned. It was all gone. I was penniless. I was angry with myself over my inability to build my business. I always felt I was so close, yet so far away from that breakthrough I so badly needed. It wasn’t to be. I realize now it had to happen so that I could become who I needed to be. It was a very humbling experience, but only the first of many to come. It brought me down from my arrogant pedestal and more in line with the normal population. It is amazing to think back on who I used to be and how I used to act. I am surprised I lasted as long as I did, it was downright dangerous.

As I developed into the more low-key me, I met my husband. He completes me and together we are an awesome team. As I make progress, he is my support system and my cheerleader. I am so lucky to have him.

So I welcome you to walk me down my path to getting my book published. Stay tuned!

Day 89: WOW, this is ME...!

Day 89: Wow, this is ME 13 Weeks Later!

When I first started this endeavor, I thought it would only last 12 weeks. I thought I would get all excited, go through this effort and then get back to my old routine. It was about week 8 when I decided it was to be our new lifestyle. I love how I feel, it doesn’t take that much effort and I really enjoy cheat day. Jason has lost 33 pounds, he looks like a new man! Me, I am too small for some size 4’s! The I still have some progress to make (my legs) but I know this is a lifetime achievement. It doesn’t matter if I hit my mark at 12 weeks or not, what matters is that I know someday I will. I am still working out every morning. I feel this alone was a game changer for me. At the end of the day there just isn’t much of me left for a workout. Workouts in the morning refresh me and give me the energy boost I need to make it with less sleep. I hated working out in the beginning, planning ahead really helped. Then, I started planning ahead for other things in my life. All of sudden, I am organized, okay…not totally, but way more than I used to be. I really enjoy what this has done for my marriage. Not that is was on the rocks, but I felt it brought us closer together. We were achieving a goal together, and that felt really good. Sometimes when I look in the mirror I can’t believe that is me staring back. I have hated that girl in the mirror so long, I never thought we would ever be friends!

I must admit, seeing the photos all together, it is very impressive. I am still in shock! It was on my mind but since week 4, I haven’t been in an all fired up mood to get my progress pics taken. This morning I knew it must be done but I was dreading it. I am a perfectionist. My thinking is, if it can’t be perfect, it isn’t worth doing. This has held me back in so many areas of my life. I hate mediocrity and substandard is unacceptable. But this is life, isn’t it? Life isn’t perfect, it is messy and unpredictable. Just when we think we got it figured out, it changes on us. Just like my son. This challenge meant a lot to me but I think after week 8, I got a bit overwhelmed with life. I started my book, and that took over my free time. Once I took care of my family there wasn’t enough of me left to blog about my progress that day. I got into a mode of thinking that what I doing wasn’t hitting the marks I set for myself. I got down and didn’t want to talk about it. Sometimes, if you can’t say anything positive, it is best to keep it to yourself. So, I just stuck to my diet, cheated sometimes, okay more than sometimes, and exercised 5 – 6 times per week. I wasn’t losing weight but I wasn’t gaining. Then last night I had a ½ of a fajita extra than I was meant to, drank a couple too many really good drinks and paid the price this morning: 124.2. I gained a half a pound from last week. From that weight, I am 11 pounds lighter than when I started. I hit my goal weight of 125. I don’t have a goal weight anymore, I just want my body to be whatever weight it wants to be. But weight doesn’t tell the whole story, let’s look at the numbers:

Arms Before: 11 ¾

Arms After: 11

Total Loss: ¾ inch

Chest Before:  35 ¾

Chest After: 34 ¼

Total Loss: 1 ½ inches

Waist Before: 32 ½

Waist After: 28 ½

Total Loss: 4 inches

Legs Before: 24

Legs After: 21 ¼

Total Loss: 2 ¾ inches

Total Body Loss: 9 inches

But sometimes you have to see to believe…