I taught a class yesterday morning, like I always do on Saturday mornings, and then headed into Fleet Feet Raleigh to moonlight for the weekend (which I love doing btws).
I ran after class, so I was smelling extra ripe, so I decided to jump in the shower after class to spare my coworkers the pain and suffering of having to smell me for 5 or 6 hours.
This is all to say, I wasn’t looking particularly fine on Saturday afternoon.
Midway through the afternoon, I headed to the mecca for health-conscious 20-somethings, moms with tattoos, and people who smell like patchouli.
Duh.
And I was ordering my pizza sandwich, the sandwich that I eat when I’m feeling like pizza but when I know I don’t need it, when this short sorta frumpy guy sidled up to me.
“Just cause you pretty doesn’t mean you can hold up the line.”
[Polite laughter]
“So what do you order?”
I told him with a polite smile glued to my face.
“So what are you, some type of vegan or something?”
And then his creepy friend rolled up and smiled in a creepy fashion.
“Are you a student athlete?” [He looked my body up and down.]
And the conversation went like this, me politely laughing and trying to ignore Dumb and Dumber whilst they looked my body up and down, a body that, I might add, was barely showered and not looking its best.
I can not express to you how painful it was to get looked up and down while I just tried to order my sandwich. Seriously. Can anyone else empathize with me? Can I shop in peace?
I, like so many of you, woke up yesterday morning, and after logging into all the social media accounts, was bombarded by news of ‘The Biggest Loser’ finale.
For anyone who may have been sleeping under a rock, here’s what went down.
Rachel Frederickson was named as the winner of TBL on NBC at the finale on Tuesday night. As of all accounts, she was looking fantastic during the finale episode, and in the months between that episode and the finale, Rachel managed to lose a decent amount of additional weight, and appeared, by many accounts “shockingly thin” at the finale on Tuesday evening.
TBL via YouTube
Off of her previously 260-lb frame, the former athlete dropped 155-lbs, and nearly 60% of her body fat percentage.
via NBC
The responses following the finale ranged from what seemed like genuine concern, to downright evil.
Here are a few of my thoughts on Rachel Fredrickson and her weight loss.
First and foremost, I honestly feel/have felt conflicted about the situation since the finale. Is she too thin? Did she lose too much? Is she healthy? And the reason why I feel conflicted is that there’s really no way to know what’s going on in her head.
Admittedly, Rachel seemed a little disconnected when she gave this interview to Reality TV World, however, it’s perfectly acceptable that she might be considered she’s been in weight-loss land for the better piece of a year. She never directly addressed questions regarding whether she’d lost too much, but does she have to?
When you lose weight, sometimes you lose sight of what you look like, or how other people may perceive you. You see the same girl in the mirror every day, and though she’s becoming stronger, maybe smaller, and fitter, it’s hard to gauge when you’ve gone too far. So, it’s entirely possible that as she’s been locked up in weight-loss land, and really has no sense of what’s going on.
“She obviously developed an eating disorder when she was doing the show.” That may be, but that’s kind of a terrible thing to say and speculate on, especially considered that none of us have watched her throwing up her food, overexercising, or completely starving herself. Yes, she appears extremely thin in the photos, and there is no denying that. However, that’s a a really, truly serious thing to speculate on, and that’s really between her and her doctor. And finally….
I think we forgot something. Rachel Frederickson is a human being who probably isn’t a hermit and read and heard some of the things that were said about her. At this point, she’s gone from probably being criticized for the better part of her life. She was a fit athlete who blew up, weight-wise. That couldn’t have felt good. She worked down to what she felt like was a great goal weight, and is now being criticized for where she is. Would she look beautiful perhaps at 120? Maybe? But again, that’s really between her and her doctor, and not necessarily for me to say.
Like I said, I feel horrible for her, and I truly hope she feels strong, happy, and healthy. Now, tell me, what do you think of Tueday’s finale? Have you ever felt criticized for your weight? How you you think this will change TBL in the future?
When I decided a few months ago that this blog would be a thing-thing, I also decided that I would need to graduate from taking all my photos on the iPhone, and start taking them on a camera. Higher quality, and more permanence.
Side note: I’d really really to get a real camera for the blog, and some real photos taken of me, but we’ll get there when we get there.
So two weeks ago, when I was headed to DC, I begged the husband-to-be to use his camera so I could take a few pictures when I ran up to the Capitol Building and ran around and stuff. He obliged, but before he handed it to me, he said, “Please make sure I get this back in one piece.” OF COURSE I will, why would I not bring it back in one piece?!
So I got to DC and was having a great time until the birthday/dinner party. I asked this guy to take a picture of me and Scott, the host (pictured below)…
Which he gladly obliged by dropping the camera on the floor.
FACK.
The camera that I’d promised would be returned in one piece was now 100% broken, and I had to figure out how to make it right.
As soon as I got back from DC, I Google it. Camera was discontinued. Great.
Plan B.
I logged into my Amazon, and found that there was exactly one of these discontinued cameras left in the right model and right color. So I bought it and sat in wait.
And waited. And waited by the window until it arrived yesterday.
“Babe I have to tell you something,” I said.
And I pulled both of these out.
I explained to him what I’d done, and that in wanting to make it right, I’d ended up replacing the camera. And luckily for us, the memory card and the batteries were still good, so all of the picture were unharmed. No harm, no foul, and I’d taken responsibility for what I’d done.
Now your turn! What’s the most thing you’ve ever lost/broken?
Total disclaimer: I stole this from Snack Therapy last week. So read this, then feel free to steal it because it reminds me of that sort of LiveJournal (is that still a thing?) sort of old-school blogging. I love it I love it. So here goes!
1. Were you named after anyone?
Yes. I am my parents first, and they named me after this Stevie Wonder single.
My name is actually Cheri Armour, and one of the rough things about getting married is deciding whether to change my beautiful last name that my parents gave me or not. Ah. I’ve got a ton of time to decide, right?
2. When was the last time you cried?
It kind of makes me cry to think about it. But the last time I really cried was when my grandmother died. I cried for real when it was time to lay her to rest. And it was really hard. Let’s move along.
3. Do you like your handwriting?
Yeah duh. I write like a total girl. Wanna see?
4. What is your favorite lunch meat?
I’m a vegetarian. So none, please 🙂
5. Do you have kids?
No. But I think I’d like some. I think I’d be a good mom.
6. If you were another person, would you be friends with you?
Yes. I think I always try to do the right thing. I value that in other people. I hope they value that in me. And I really love my friends. I hope they can see that.
7. Do you use sarcasm a lot?
Absolutely yes. That’s truly how I used to deal with my problems. I do it now because it’s like a second language.
8. Do you still have your tonsils?
I do! I used to get sore throats a lot, but honestly, since I’ve started running, it’s not really been a thing as much.
9. Would you bungee jump?
Absolutely not. I’m terrified of heights. I’m embarrassed at how scared I am of heights.
10 What is your favorite cereal?
I am so boring. I don’t really eat cereal. But when I was a kid?
This.
And this.
These are both things that I enjoyed with my mom as a kid, and I’d probably start crying if I took a bite of either of these two now. It just reminds me of really happy stuff.
11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?
Yes.
I mostly wear running shoes and it’s expensive to just mush them off, and it’s really bad for the tendons in your ankles to mush them off.
12. Do you think you are strong?
Yes. I’m a little girl. But I’m so so strong.
13. What is your favorite ice cream?
I’m pretty lactose intolerant, so I try to stay away from ice cream. I love fro yo, and over the holidays I discovered pumpkin cheesecake fro yo from this place called like Yogen Fruz? Does that sound like a real place or did I make that up?
14. What is the first thing you notice about other people?
Are they nice to other people? Do they treat waitstaff and their mom and their siblings kindly? They do? Okay, we can be friends 🙂
15. Red or pink?
Red on my nails please.
16. What is your least favorite thing about yourself?
I hate that I lose things. I cannot express to you how much I hate losing stuff.
17. Any tattoos?
Wouldn’t you like to know…..
But yes. I have footprints on my back in honor of my singing group, and a little baby turtle. I would like to get some huge colorful pieces after I get married.
18. Do you have any hobbies?
I run. I run so much. I love it. I told someone today that I feel more like myself when I’m running like 30ish miles a week at least. I blog. And I sing. Really well actually. I made the X-Factor one time. I told that story once.
19. What color shoes are you wearing?
Sock colored. I’m wearing some SmartWool socks.
20. What was the last thing you ate?
Apricot Slice, courtesy of a Kiwi friend who came over for Super Bowl Sunday, It tastes like something we eat in Haiti.
21. What are you listening to right now?
Anything by my woman crush. Here’s my favorite Demi Lovato song now 🙂
22. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
You know I own like 20 high-end nail polishes right? Don’t bother asking me that now. I’m wearing yellow now, though 🙂
23. Favorite smells?
I love the way my dog smells. That’s gross, but she’s so comforting. She sleeps on the edge of my bed, and I wake up sometimes and peek down to check on how she’s doing. And she she has not pooped on the floor in like a whole day 🙂
24. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
My sister, Deb. She’s two years younger than I am, but I’m pretty good friends with all of my siblings.
25. Mountain hideaway or beach house?
Bora Bora. I saw it on KUWTK, if you don’t know what that acronym is, BYE. Kidding, kinda.
26. Favorite sport to watch?
Girl, bye.
27. Hair color?
Loc colored. Very brown. Lighter brown on the ends from working at summer camps.
28. Eye colors?
Brown! So dark.
29. Do you wear contacts?
Yes. I wear Dailies, and I really need Lasik because I’m getting blinder by the second.
30. Scary movies or happy endings?
Happy endings. I hated The Breakup.
31. Last movie you watched?
Hm. I watched Girls Season 1 all weekend.
32. What color shirt are you wearing?
A black race top from the Shamrock Marathon, the first marathon I ever did. I almost forgot I had it on, and this sweet girl at run club was like “OMG are you from Virginia?!” No cause I got the worst and only speeding ticket ever there when I was like 19. SO NO. I am not from the state which got me grounded for an entire semester. Thank you though.
33. Summer or winter?
Summer. I live for little tiny jean shorts.
34. Hugs or kisses?
Both
35. Computer or television?
Telly baby! I love Bravo, HLN, and E! I won’t try and make any apologies for that.
36. What book are you reading right now?
Hanson’s Marathon Method. Pretending to read it. Blogging instead.
37. What’s on your mouse pad?
38. What color is your house?
This like weird brown color.
39. What color is your car?
Champagne darlings!
What was your favorite question of the stolen survey? Now answer it!
A few bloggers have done this thing where they set goals for each month, and I think that’s absolutely wonderful. Cause you like, set your goals for the year and a month in, you’re like WHAT WERE THEY!!! So maybe if I make monthly, like achievable ones, by the end of the year, I will be a total wonder-woman with all the ridiculous goals I’ve achieved. That sounds cool right?
Mini Goals for February
Compile all the addresses for the wedding invite list. The weeks are starting to slip away from me and I don’t want to end up like 4 months out with nothing done.
In that same vein, get stuff together for the save-the-dates. That has to happen this month. We’re about 6 months out, and I have a ton of out-of-town people coming. That said, I am so pumped to get married. I cannot wait for how much fun this about to be.
Get to yoga at least once a week. I haven’t been in longer than I’d like to admit, and I need to get back into class. It helps me with my running, and my body loves it. Plus my abs look killer when I do it. Added bonus. Bikinis are out in Target from what I hear, so it’s good to get that stuff in check.
I’ve been really afraid to say this out loud, but this is serious. I want to wake up early at least one day a week so I can work out. Ugh. And I get a latte every time I achieve this goal.
And finally, I need to do this this week, but I need to clean my car. Like a straight up vacuum and Autobell situation.
Okay, so I kept this one short and sweet. What are your goals for February?
I took a little break on Saturday, so I hope you guys didn’t miss me a ton. Happy Superbowl Sunday!
Okay, so this weekend, thus far, I taught a gorgeous Zumba class, took the most killer nap that has ever existed with the dog, ran, and stalked a bartender. Let me explain.
Zumba was beautiful. Class was packed, and it was one of those classes where I sorta felt myself getting emotional because of how joyous the class seemed like they were. I truly, truly hope the class can feel what I’m giving to them.
The Zappos Delivery.
Let me say this. I have ruined nearly every gift that Austin has given me. Not on purpose, but my propensity toward curiosity has ruined everything. When he bought me my Garmin, I bugged him until he gave me the present before dinner on that birthday. During our engagement, I asked so many questions that he started taking his iPad with him everywhere because he was afraid I was going to snoop on his purchase of my engagement ring or on his credit card statement. Good call.
Well yesterday, this box randomly arrived at my apartment.
But Austin’s name was on the package. My antennae went up. I sent him a text.
“That wasn’t supposed to get delivered there! It was supposed to go to the office.”
So I played it cool.
“Should I put it somewhere for you?”
I was hoping it was nothing and he’d tell me to open it, and that’s how I’d know it was a regular package. But he asked me to set it aside for him, and Michael, the best friend, made me swear not to snoop.
FINE! So he’s come to pick up the package, and now I have no clue what it was. More on that, if it turns into anything later.
Moving right along!
How I stalked a bartender.
For weeks, I’ve been trying to hunt down the bartender that made a drink for me last summer, just before we got engaged. It was a toasted coconut martini, and we had it at the place where we had our first date, just weeks now before we got engaged. It was delicious, and I’d like to feature this drink at our wedding.
I called around to the place, the Rockford, a number of time before one of the bartenders told me that the bartender that I was looking for was now working at a different bar. So I changed my running route to go right by the bar where he was working, and chatted with him about the recipe, which he gladly gave me.
Yes, I’m a creep, but I got what I wanted!
Finally, on my run, I caught sight of this. I think they’re calling these “knit bombs” and ladies around the city are knitting and decorating the trees, bus stops, and bike racks. Do you guys have anything cool going on like this in your city? Cause I’ll tell you what, this definitely put a smile on my face while I was plodding through a few rainy and cold miles.
So I’m pumped, I’m expecting a pretty decent crowd for the Superbowl. Who are you going for this evening? The Broncos, the Seahawks, or Bruno Mars? What are you drinking? And what are your plans?
This absolutely adorable ball of light came into our lives a few weeks ago.
Between her, my husband-to-be, and my orange cat, I’m not really quite sure where more joy could come into my life. But with that absolute bliss, comes all the work of having a dog. And now, it kind of makes sense why, when we all were kids, our parents bitched and moaned and complained whenever we asked for a dog. And here it is.
I’m in love with Coco, but she is like having a little being to care for. Here’s why your parents wouldn’t let you get a dog as a kid. They didn’t want to do all this stuff.
You have to have that dog on a regular food/bathroom schedule or they will poop on your floor. I love this dog. But if I don’t wake up early and walk her, feed her then walk her, leave on my lunch break and walk her, and promptly walk her after I work, I will have a poopy surprise on the floor.
Your dog is expensive! Luckily, when my precious fur baby came to us, she was fixed and was already microchipped, which can cost you close to $300. But between her food, her clothes (yes, little girl wears a jacket), and her snacks, I spend extra money on her each week to make sure that she knows she is loved, and is allowed to have treats.
You have to vacuum multiple times a week to keep fur from getting everywhere. Coco sleeps on the edge of the bed, and rolls around on the carpet all day. In order to prevent the situation from becoming a hoarders stinky house situation, I’m vacuuming constantly, and making sure that fur isn’t collecting in every crevice of the house. I’m also really really excited to buy a house with my husband-to-be that doesn’t involve carpets because at least I can roomba fur, right?
You have to pick up poop with only a bag between the poop and your hand. I live in a beautiful apartment complex, and in order to be courteous to my neighbors, I take little baggies out with me when I walk her, and pick up her poop when she goes. There’s really almost nothing more disgusting than watching your dog squat, then scooping up her hot, steaming poo with your plastic hand.
But despite all this hard work, I cannot stress enough how much joy this dog has brought to my life. But Mom and Dad, I totally get it.
I dedicate this post to none other than Bravo Andy. If you know anything of me, you know that I love Bravo, and Bravo Andy is seriously my American Idol. I think we were separated at birth, because our senses of humor are strikingly similar. But I’m going into far too much detail about my Jewish brethren, let’s get on with it! At the beginning of each broadcast, Andy does his “Here’s What” segment, which involves him telling us what three things he’s obsessed with that day.
So here’s what!
1. Butter London Nail Polish in Pimms.I have been looking for a good quality yellow polish for a long time, and I just haven’t found the right shade for my skin tone. I finally researched, and found this color on Amazon. Once I found out that Ulta carried the polish, which runs at $15 a bottle (whew!) I bought it last night, and gave myself a much-needed mani. The color is gorgeous, and is bringing a lot of sunshine to an otherwise crappy weather situation.
2. The Netflix app for iPhone. I have been a big fan of Netflix for a long time, however, I figured something really really cool out. Yesterday, after I taught Zumba, I was dreading having to run 5 miles for marathon training because I just wasn’t comfortable doing it outside. A lot of the trails and side roads are still really icy here, and I didn’t want to risk slipping and injuring myself. So I got the bright idea to download the Netflix app, and watch a movie while I plodded through 5 miles.
I’ve seen ‘Flight’ before, but since I’d liked it so well the first time, I decided to watch it again. The movie is fantastic. Seriously. The previews were a little deceptive, although the story is based around this pilot, the plot deals more with addiction and less with flying than you’d think, though this movie seriously has one of THE best flight scenes I think I’ve ever seen. But if addiction interests you whatsoever, please watch this.
3. This dog.
Coco is the tiny girl wonder who came into our lives a few weeks ago. She’s an absolute doll, and I’m having a blast spoiling the heck out of her. We’re still working on potty problems, but honestly, nothing makes me happier than waking up in the middle of the night and peeking down at the edge of the bed to see her curled up. She is SO good. If she doesn’t stop crapping on my floor though, I’m gonna cook her for dinner!
I kid! She’s great!
So, on this icy Friday, what three things are you obsessed with? Feel free to send me pics of your dogs too, you know I love a good dog pic 🙂
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