Checking Myself Out

Get your minds out of the gutter people! When I say "checking myself out" I meant I google'd myself. Wait...that still sounds kind of dirty. But you know what I mean. I have been on the job-hunt trail lately - so I was curious what people would be able to find on me if they were looking. I figured on most of it: I have a facebook page, you can find me on Twitter, you can see I'm on LinkedIn, I write a blog...yadda, yadda, yadda....but there was one link I didn't expect to see.

It went a little something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Natalie-Kath/e/B0052XMDZK

this screams professional - right?

HOLY CRAP YOU GUYS!! MY NAME IS ON AMAZON.COM!!! I'm not going to lie! I was somewhat stunned!! I had absolutely no idea my book would be available through Amazon until January! And Amazon even has a place to do a bio and stuff in an area called "Author Central" - which I now, apparently, qualify for!! OMG!!! Now I just need to get a usable picture - because I'm not sure they'd care for this pic of me with my "sexy bitch" goblet.

This was just one of the many fantastic things going on this weekend! I may not have done a ton for my physical well-being (I was a gym slacker, but did get to do one beginner Zumba class on Monday) - but I did a crap-load for my emotional well-being. I spend the entire day Sunday on a deck overlooking Lake Minnetonka with a ton of awesome people, and then got to hang with family and friends on Monday. The weather was GORGEOUS, and I even have a bit of a tan to show for it. It is Monday night and the best description I have for myself right now is "content". This weekend was so great!

So now that I got to enjoy the most perfect weekend, it's time to get back at it tomorrow. I'm going for 10 miles on Tuesday....and I know I can do it.

What's the most shocking thing you found out when you google'd yourself?

Holidays Are Tough!

This time of year is particularly brutal for those of us trying to mind what we eat, and maybe shed a few pounds. Just looking at the endless treats with butter as their main ingredient (seriously - - take a look around the table...it is in EVERYTHING!) will make your waistline expand! I just send up a thank you to the wonderful person who started putting spandex in all pants and jeans, and I count myself lucky to be hitting this holiday season while in one of my "motivated" streaks. If any of you are like me - you have periods where it is nearly painless to eat well and get your rear to the gym, and others where it might take a firing line to get you to do it.

For the last couple of months there has been little or no question that I will head to the gym 6 days a week. Not counting my 4 sick days, where breathing was an effort rather than a right, I have been diligent. A few weeks ago I added "Phase 2" (eating healthy) to my plan - and it would seem the experts are correct. The weight has been coming off. Somewhat quickly. I lost 10 pounds in like 2.5 weeks. That is pretty good for me, and is probably playing a pretty significant role in my ability to stay on track. Success breeds success? I think so. 

Like most people who are trying to adjust themselves to their, still somewhat new, healthy lifestyle - it can be stressful to be out of your element for any amount of time. I have been back home for over a week now. Staying with my parents or one of my sisters. Trying to not completely take over their space, while simultaneously taking care of myself. It is tough! I have great friends who have taken me to the gym with them, so at least that part is easy. But as usual, what I am throwing down my pie hole is the biggest issue. Food is always my biggest challenge. (Pizza still calls to me in the night, and he is a persuasive little guy!) But my family has been super-supportive, and even allowed me to make a "light" meal for our Christmas gathering. (I think we may have started a new "healthy" tradition!) I am still a total spaz in the kitchen, but I have realized it isn't as difficult as I've been making it. I am just a person that needs to prep everything before I start, otherwise I get overwhelmed in a hurry.

My goal for this holiday is simple: eat the things I truly enjoy, and give myself a break. I tend to beat myself up because I ate more than my daily calorie intake goal allows. It is two days. Two days is nothing. (The problems start when I turn that into two weeks!) I am going for a guilt-free holiday season, and I think I've done well enough this week for my brain to agree to that.

Monday is back to reality. Back to the gym. Back to vegetables. I hope you all had a great holiday season! Now let's buckle back down! =)