Book News: The Summer I Lost It

I received a couple of really exciting notes yesterday. Not only did I get to see what the book is going to look like, I also got to read a couple of reviews. It finally all seems real! And I don't know if I could love the cover of the book any more than I do! It is totally Natalie-esque! I think it is printed, and now I'm just waiting to get my copies. I am so damn excited!!

honestly...how great is this?!?! that's my name on there!!

As you can see, on the back cover it references "Kat". I named the main character Kat (her full name is Kathleen - after my granny) so it could rhyme with my name. I was planning to use "Nat Fat" (the name affectionately given to me by the kid on the bus) as "Kat Fat" in the book - but honestly can't remember if we did or not. Things were gone over so many times I honestly can't remember who/what is in it!! =) We were originally going to have her going to FC, but then decided to write it with her at home and doing it on her own. I feel like that worked a lot better, and will make it easier to relate to. I hope the young ladies out there enjoy it!

This has been a fantastic and interesting experience - and I am so grateful for it! I want to give a HUGE SHOUT OUT to Shannon Zigmund who turned EB onto my blog, and ultimately made this opportunity possible for me. I am eternally indebted to you.

Shout Out: Katie

There are a lot of times that I wonder if anyone is out there. If what I am rambling about is finding someone, and speaking to them in some way. If it is helping someone else realize that they aren't alone. That their struggle with weight, although their own personal struggle, is not something only they deal with. I get comments occasionally. There are people who interact on our Facebook page. There are people who follow me on Twitter. I love all of these more than you know.

I have been slacking on my entries lately. I was going through a period of self-doubt. I wasn't sure if me sharing what I'm going through was helping anyone. And not just you guys out there...but me. Was spilling my guts on how much I struggle at times helping? Is allowing the world into my head and heart doing anyone any good? Should I have advertised it to everyone I know on Facebook and Twitter and all of my friends and family? Or is it just providing ammunition to those that don't struggle with a similar issue? The people that don't understand why I fall off the wagon...frequently. The people who don't understand why I don't just eat well, and go to the gym every day - without fail. I was really having an internal battle over whether or not to continue with this.

And then last week I got my answer. I received the email below. I can't explain how much it meant to me to get it. I am so excited for Katie. She stuck to it, and is sticking to it! And she's improving her life! It might not be at the rate she'd like - let's be honest...it NEVER goes as fast as we'd like! But she's doing it! And I am so proud of her. And the fact that I could have helped, in any way, is just so......amazing.

So I'm going to continue. I'm going to keep being honest about what I'm going through (like the bag of Cheetos I had this week, and finshed). I hope you guys will continue to stick with me. And I hope you'll update me on how your life is going. Because I need you guys, too. You motivate me. You remind me that I'm not the only one that has ever wanted to rip their FUPA off and beat the shit out of it because they're so frustrated. You help me.

And Katie - SHOUT OUT to you! For sticking with it. For sending me that email, when I really needed it. And for being one kick-ass broad!

Here is the email:

Just thought I’d let you know…it’s been about a year-ish since I started reading your blog and I’ve lost 25 lbs. It’s only 25 lbs and I’m still in the same size of clothes (because I apparently have to lose 80 before I move a size) but then again, it’s 25 lbs!!! Your blog is truly helping me. I figure I’ve got nothing but time, so however long this takes me to lose, that’s how long it takes me. I’ve learned from your blog that I’m not the only one struggling and that I just have to get back on the horse. That it’s okay to have a bad day, week or even a couple weeks…I just have to keep going.

Anywho…rambling….

Have a good day!

Katie

Shout out: Sue

This week has been fantastic. Honestly. I have had moments where I was so exhausted, I was sure I could sleep 20 hours a day if given the option - but overall it has truly been a great week. Here are a few of the factors:

• I made it to the gym every day
• I survived my increased weight lifting withYC
• I got the lawn raked...well, everything except the spot with the mystery skeleton. I may have to recruit my visitors next week to help me.
• I got the plants trimmed back, and everything else that needed to be put away for winter, put away.
• I actually ate within my calorie range. ALL WEEK!!! This counts as a small miracle
• I have cooked nutritious lunches for YC all week (because my poor Vikings lost against the Packers) and didn't make him violently ill. WIN!
• I feel like I am really getting things moving along with my book (shout out to EB for her never-ending patience with this first-timer)
• I honestly believe this is going to be the greatest week of Mission 101, yet! I can feel it!
• I am up to 220 followers on my Facebook page. Awesome.
• I had a sore throat last weekend, and it went away without turning into a full-blown, won't-go-away-no-matter-what-I-do, I-think-I-might-be-dying cold!

So I have had this totally awesome week, and then I got the icing on Thursday. There is a lady named Sue who works at the WAC. She wears Packer earrings, but is otherwise delightful. =) Anyway....I was walking by the front desk to go get my bag to go home, and she flagged me down. She gave me one of the new long-sleeve t-shirts they had just gotten in. Why, you ask? She said because I work so hard, and she was really proud of me! (I'm sure I was looking at her with my mouth hanging open at this point) Now how does that not make your week?!? I kind of wanted to give her a hug.

I couldn't figure out how to turn it the other way.... I am dense.

This is just one more thing to add to the ever-growing list of reasons why I am going to be sad to leave the WAC. I have been a member of LTF for years. I think their gyms are great, but I am truly going to miss the WAC. It is smaller, it isn't the zoo that LTF is at all times. The people that work there are fantastic (and no - I'm not just saying that because they give me things! They really are!). I knew I was going to miss YC - but now I think I am going to be so sad to leave all of them! Maybe I can form better relationships with the LTF people when I get back - oddly enough, I guess you do form better relationships with the people at the gym when you actually go....that's weird.

For YC's final meal (because the Vikings will hopefully win the next one!) he is having:

• Greek Chicken Pitas (recipe from my LA Weight Loss cookbook. I forgot how much I LOVE THEM)
• 1 chicken brat (because he loved them)
• Mac & Cheese (I guess he likes it?)
• steamed broccoli

I hope you all had a great week, and have a better weekend!

shout it out, baby!

I have rediscovered my love of the shout out. (I totally forgot - - I love shout outs)  Be honest - you hear the term "shout out" and you know something great (and by great, I mean typically ignorant) is coming.  They are typically brought to us courtesy of professional athletes and rappers (shout out to: their hometown, God, their girl, their posse, Disney Land, their dog , Fruit of the Loom for always keeping them supported, etc)  I have used them throughout my first attempts at blogging, and it must be stated - I LOVE THEM!  In honor of my last day at work [for a MONTH (shout out to the Retrofit Companies) (see how fun that is!???!??!)] I figured I should do an entry with all of my shout outs to date....

• Shout Out to the restaurants of Eagan.  I hope you are able to withstand the dip in sales, now that I will no longer be frequenting your establishments. 
• Shout Out to Mother Nature.  Please give me great road conditions so my 21 hour drive doesn't turn into a 30 hour drive.
• Shout Out to everyone who has sent me letters and emails.  The support and kindness I have received was not only unexpected (undeserved) and overwhelming (in a really good way).  Which brings me to...
• Shout Out to putting yourself out there.  It is a little terrifying (and a lot mortifying) to let the world (a bit of an exaggeration, I understand) in on your inner-most thoughts and feelings - but I am telling you - it is TOTALLY WORTH IT!    
• Shout Out to my co-workers.  Thank you for taking care of all of my crap, so I can go get myself fixed!  You are all fantastic!
• Shout Out to Mitz (my cousin-in-law and friend) who made me a really fantastic "vision board".  I will be taking it with me, and studying it every day!
• Shout Out to JaLisa (my car).  May our travels together be quick and incident-free.
• Shout Out to George & Willy (my sister/roommate Mackenzie's kitties).  Meow away, and be as naughty as you like.  I won't be able to hear or see you!
• Shout Out to my brother-in-law Ken.  He and my sister Wendy (who has to love me, she is my sister) are helping fund this endeavor.  It is unnecessary - but beyond appreciated!  You rule.
• Shout Out to my friends.  You have indulged me on my farewell tour.  You are awesome, and fun, and supportive, and kind and, and, and.... I feel like you are all going to help me be better.  I love you all.
• Shout Out to my family.  I have the most phenomenal grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, cousin-in-laws, etc.  I know I can count on all of you to help keep me on track!
• Shout Out to the "Fat Intervention" group.  Mom, Dad, Wendy & Mackenzie - I love you, too.  I also appreciate the fact that you love me enough to go through something really unpleasant - just to take care of me.  (P.S. Wendy- this is WAY bigger than making you hand over your baby and go take a shower)

I can't believe it is already here!  Just about time to depart.  Do you have any shout outs?