The Sun Also Rises...eventually

Before I left for Spain (about a year and a half ago) I started reading The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway.  It must have been on some recommended reading list.  I think I probably read about 10 pages before I left and then didn't pick it up again until I was home for winter break.  After restarting at least 3 times I finally finished that darn book.  My opinion of it: ehhhh. 

 

It was interesting just to see how different Hemingway's writing style is from today's authors.  It also had some pretty good information about bull fights.  But really, it was one of the dullest books I've read.  I can't understand how Hemingway wrote this love story between Lady Ashley and Jake but really the only things that happen in the book are they go to bar, drink and watch bull fights. 

 

I'm watching the movie version tonight.  A little fun fact courtesy of IMDb trivia, the film received bad reviews because of the slow pace.

8 hour diet: Week 2 Update

This week, following the lack of success of week one, I decided to change things up this week.  I did still pretty much stick to the whole eat whatever you want in the quantities you want, but I did try eat more fruits and veggies (mangos where 10 for $10 at the Kroger this week!!!). The biggest thing I changed was that instead of restricting my eating to 8hrs a day for only 3 days a week, I did that for everyday of the week.  I also got more exercise this week.  So here are the results.

 

Weight: 151 lbs (Starting Weight: 153.5 lbs)

Waist:  30 ins (Starting: 31 ins)

Bust: 38 ins (Starting: 38 ins)

Hips: 37.5 ins( Starting: 38 ins)

 

 

8 Hour Diet: 1 Week update

I have been on the 8 hour diet for 1 whole week now and this morning I weighed in at....153.5lbs.  That's right, I weigh exactly the same thing I weighed a week ago.  As much as I would love to say I told you so,  I just can't do it, at least not yet.  Honestly, I think I took the whole eat what ever you want thing a little too far.  I ate foods like potato chips and ice cream that I would not have normally eaten. It really is a miracle that I didn't gain weight. 

 

So, this week, I'm sticking to the whole 8 hrs thing but I'm going to try to stick to things that are a little more normal in my diet and see if that makes a difference.

New Semester

Today was the first day of the spring semester.  After having to change a couple classes around my classes this spring are Spanish cinema, Italian language through film, Art History (medieval-modern), Spanish American Civilizations and Introduction to Literature.  At first I thought this was going to be an easier semester, but after going to class today I think I was probably wrong about that.  I will be doing a lot of reading and writing this semester.  It's going to be a tough semester but it is nice to say that I am really interested in every single class I'm taking.  I mean, films, books, art.  What more could I ask for?  Oh yeah, learning foreign languages and cultures!!! I cannot wait to get started watching films and reading.  In fact, the first movie for my Spanish class is on it's way to me through Netflix. I am sure I will be sharing more about what I'm watching and reading very soon.

The Year of Try: The Eight Hour Diet

So, earlier today, I wrote I nice long blog post about  The Eight Hour Diet and how I think it stupid but I going to try it because I think it's stupid and I want to see for myself whether it works or not and then I accidentally deleted that post. Because I have other things going on and I don't want to waste my time, I'm not going to rewrite that whole post so here is the general idea:

 

You eat what you want, how much you want, how often you want during an 8 hour time frame and then you don't eat at all during the other 16 hours of the day.  You are allowed water, coffee and tea (you can use small amounts of milk and sugar) during the sixteen hours that you're not eating.  Exercise is optional, except for 8 minutes of any activity in the morning, and you only have to follow this plan for 3 days a week. Follow this plan 3 days a week for 6 weeks and apparently you could lose up to 20lbs. 

 

Does this sound like hokum to you? Because it sounds like hokum to me.  Do you remember about a week ago when I said that my word of the year was "try"?  Do you remember when I said that if I catch myself saying that something is ridiculous and won't work, that I was going to try it?  Well...I'm starting this plan tomorrow. Here are my starting measurements and a couple of starting pictures:

 

Weight: 153.5 lbs

Waist: 31 inches

Hips: 38 inches

Bust: 38.5 inches

 

 

Most of the examples from the book of people who lost 20lbs in 6 weeks are people who were about 300lbs to begin with.  Seeing as I weigh half of that (and assuming the diet works) I cannot expect to have the same result.  With that said, if I lose 7lbs or more, I will proclaim to the world (or at least the people who read my blog) that I was wrong and that the Eight Hour Diet is not hokum.

 

The Year of Try: Salmon Jerky

I always seem to find something new and interesting at Trader Joes.  Today I stumbled upon Trader Joes Wild Salmon Jerky and I decided I had to try it.

 



Not surprisingly it is nothing like beef jerky, but still very tasty.  It is very fishy and sweet and it still has that flaky fish texture.  Give it a try some time!

Earning my Sleep

So I got back to Lexington early Wednesday afternoon and then spent the next few days getting 10 hrs of sleep a night only to wake up and sit on my butt, watching tv shows that I've seen a hundred times.  I have not unpacked. I have not cleaned my apartment. I have not left my apartment for any other reason but to get my mail.  I have not taken down my Christmas decorations.  I have been sitting around in my pjs all day because honestly, those are the only clean cloths I have and I'm too lazy to get up and do my laundry. 

 

I've been telling myself that this is an "unusual" situation because it's the last week before classes start and I want to relax so I'm well rested for the new semester.  Truth is, this is not unusual at all.  In fact, this is pretty much what every weekend looks like for me.  Even during the school week, I go to class, come home and do as little as I possibly can.  I never do anything unless it is absolutely necessary.

 

It's time to change that.  I'm sick of going to bed at night, fusing with the sheets and blankets because I didn't make the bed that morning, and laying there thinking that I've done nothing to earn my sleep and feeling like my biggest accomplishment of the day was watching the entire first season of the Big Bang Theory. 

 

My goal for this year is to do at least one thing EVERY day that makes me feel like I've accomplished something.  This could be anything from cleaning my fish bowl to making a great dinner to starting an assignment the day it is assigned instead of the day it is due.  Just one little thing, that is not something I have to do like go to class or buy groceries,  that leaves me fully satisfied with my day.

 

What are your goals for 2013?