[Not that girl]

Hi girls! I've been gone for a while. I fell off the wagon and made some negative progress, but I'm back to change all of that.

Cliff's notes of the past few months: I quit my job, moved into an apartment by myself, returned to school to finish my bachelor's, and changed my major. (Typing it out makes it seem a lot crazier than it's felt.) I moved to South Orange County (yeah, The OC), and, needless to say, it hasn't been amazing for my self-confidence to be surrounded by tan surfer chicks (ok, I'm exaggerating a little, but you know what I mean).

I realized that living by myself has cons as well as the obvious pros. I'M FREAKING BORED. So I decided to do something I never thought I would: post an online dating ad. I like the idea that you can be attracted to someone by what they say and not by what they look like. I didn't post a picture, but I made it clear I wasn't a stick figure, and I still got a lot of positive responses, which was pleasantly surprising.


This brings me to my return to the forum: I met a guy. Well... I haven't actually met him, yet, but my cell phone minutes are disappearing faster than I ever thought possible, and the plan is to meet soon. He seems perfect for me, and that's really scary. AND he's a freaking doctor (and that wasn't his opening line! how do you not try to use the MD as a pick-up!?!? he didn't even tell me until I asked, and even then he under-played it). So he's cute, smart, funny, me in boy form, and worst of all.... in-shape. I'm freaking out here, ladies. I mean, I was up-front in my post that I've got some wobbly bits (thank you, Bridget Jones), and he was still interested, but now I can't help but want to be in shape and sexy for him (and me, so I can feel amazing at the beach next year).

So I'm coming back to you ladies for support and advice (and all around fun girl chat), and I'm back on the cardio path. My problem is that I refuse to give up good food. I mean, I've given up Del Taco and loads of other fast-food chains (which was hard because I live in the city that houses the Del Taco world headquarters, and has the requisite number of chain locations), but I love love love food. I don't see myself ever sticking to something like counting calories or cutting carbs, so I'm working more on portion control and staying active.

I've found that watching Sex and the City or some other girly type show really keeps me motivated while I'm working the elliptical. Any other suggestions for staying entertained while working out?

Ok, that was longer than I intended it to be, but I hope it was slightly entertaining. I'll see you girls around. =)

[scarahjs]

That is great you are getting motivated. I am with you on the food thing. I can't give up foods I looooove. I just try to eat smaller portions of them. I know if I didn't eat them at all I could lose weight alot faster, but then I seem to binge or get too crazy about foods I can't have. Good Luck with your man and your weight loss!!!

[Jelbb]

Lol, you moved to the OC? That's crazy. In my mind, Orange County only actually exists in the context of the seasons of DVDs on my shelf.

That's AWESOME about MD Hunkfest, I certainly hope that the big meeting goes well! When are you planning on doing that? I've got a handful of friends who've met their significant others online, so while I know there can be a major stigma about it, I've always had a bit of faith in the online dating.

And.. ahh, you like me, are back again and wanting to be sexay in time for the guy. You should join Laura (RedPorcupine) and I. Her boyfriend lives in NZ, and mine in Ireland (aka., far away), and yours lives on the other side of a cell phone, so we should all keep each other motivated to get sexy before we see the boys!

I wouldn't worry too much about whether you're counting calories or not. It can get a bit redundant, and it only works for me if half of my food comes out of a box with nutritional info on the side, because I'm bad at estimating how much I'm eating and how many calories that equates to if I'm not expressly told. Portion control combined with cardio sounds good! I'd just say that you don't have to say no to the yummy foods ALL the time, just make a conscious effort to indulge in them less than usual. Saying no a few times a day when you otherwise would've gone for it, cuts a surprising number of calories!

GOOD LUCK, and STICK WITH US!!!!

[Chele615]

When I am on the elliptical at the gym, I find that watching "Law and Order" with the subtitles on really makes the time go by quickly. I think it's because of reading the subtitles.

[JulieJ08]

Originally Posted by Jelbb

Lol, you moved to the OC? That's crazy. In my mind, Orange County only actually exists in the context of the seasons of DVDs on my shelf.

Hey, I grew up in the OC, but that was before it was "The OC." Believe me, the whole county isn't like that

[Jelbb]

Lol, oh, I know, I wouldn't stereotype an entire area because of a TV show.

But any county that enjoys as much sunshine and surf as yours seems rather fictional to someone who lives in a firmly land-locked area with a good 5 months of snow a year at least.

[JulieJ08]

Originally Posted by Jelbb

But any county that enjoys as much sunshine and surf as yours seems rather fictional to someone who lives in a firmly land-locked area with a good 5 months of snow a year at least.

Oh, I'll give you that.

[Not that girl]

scarahjs - Food has always been a downfall for me. I'm not huge on sweets and chocolate, but I love a good gourmet pizza or italian dish. Thanks for the encouragement. =)

Jelbb - I'll admit that I've never actually seen the show. I know, I know. I just can't do it. I definitely could use your guys' support with the sexay thing. The guy and I don't have a definite plan, yet. I'm hoping soon, but I'm also hoping not so soon so that I have time to work on myself before he sees me in person.

As far as the food control goes; living by myself has given me the chance to only keep foods in the house that I know I should be eating. I try to psych myself up before going grocery shopping so that I'll only buy things that I know should be in reach when I'm home and hungry.

Chele615 - That's really good advice! =) Law and Order is the perfect show for that, too, because if you have enough channels, it's perpetually on.

JulieJ08 - Amen to that. Are you still living here? The winds today were crazy.

[Jelbb]

Not That Girl:
Well, here we are, baby! Keep on trucking with that healthy eating, because you, me and Erin are gonna be sexay in no time. Not that we aren't already.. we're just all gonna be sexier.

How's the diet going? What kinda healthy foods ya keep in your house?

And.. the show's actually not that bad. I really enjoyed it up until the third season. Watch the first season just for the sake of saying you have. It's worth it, I promise.

[luvja]

Jelbb - We do live in the OC - Ontario Canada.

Not that girl - You snagged a DOCTOR? Holy crap. Lucky girl you. lol. I'm with you on the NOT counting calories thing, I don't, never have. Just watch what you eat, and exercise, and you'll be fine.

[JulieJ08]

Originally Posted by Not that girl

.JulieJ08 - Amen to that. Are you still living here? The winds today were crazy.

I'm in L. A. county now, but my parents are still in the house I grew up in, so I still visit O.C.

[Not that girl]

Jelbb - Of course we're already sexy! Our boys aren't stupid. =)

I usually keep a lot of salad in the house. I've grown very fond of fat free feta cheese for that. I also love love love the Steam Fresh veggies that you can pop in the microwave and have them come out perfectly quickly. I've been using my Foreman grill a lot lately, and branching out to more fish. Mostly, I've been trying not to eat out of a box. I didn't used to cook at all, but I just got a set of pink kitchen ware, so it's been motivating for me. Whatever works, right?

And ok.... I'll... netflix the first season. I can't believe I just said that. I WILL NOT watch The Hills, though, so don't even try. =)

luvja - I know, right?? I still can't believe it. It's helpful for me, as well, because I'm finishing up my Bachelor's before applying to med school, so it's been perfect to be able to talk to him about the process and have reassurance about a lot.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who can't stand the thought of counting calories. =)

JulieJ08 - Ah, I'm exactly the opposite. I grew up in LA county, and my mom still lives out there, so I trek out there a lot. Hope you're away from the fires. =)

[Jelbb]

Not That Girl:
THE HILLS? I'm sorry, I just threw up in my mouth a little... *look of revulsion*
Let's not you lump me in with THOSE girls, aright? I've never seen The Hills, or Laguna Beach, I've never watched Grey's Anatomy in my life. My normal shows are like.. LOST, Prison Break, Dexter, etc.

Trust me, if the OC was a giant pile of crap, I'd probably tell you it was a giant pile of crap.

The third and fourth seasons are giant piles of crap. But sometimes you get addicted to the characters, so you keep watching anyhow. Watch the first one either way. You live in the OC and haven't SEEN the OC? Psh. If they made a porno series about Canadian people, I'd be all over that shiz just cos I could be like, "Yo, see that polar bear in the background? I know him."

Also, fat free feta cheese? Uhhh... YUM??? That's awesome, lol. I'm the same kinda way, I'm trying to cook more from scratch as opposed to eating boxed foods. We'll see how it goes, lol. Huzzah for washing dishes.

Luvja:
LOL, oh dear god. Ontario Canada. The OC. That's so laughable. I love it tho, I never noticed that before, how oblivious am I?

[Not that girl]

Jelbb - Ok, ok, I'm very sorry that I assumed you were one of them. I will admit to watching Grey's Anatomy, but I work in a hospital, so that's ok, right?

I love love love LOST and Dexter. And you hate doing the dishes? You're absolutely perfect. Will you marry me? I promise I'll do the dishes. I love doing the dishes. I find it very relaxing. Light a candle, put some Alanis on and do a whole sink of dishes. What a perfect Saturday night. =D (Yeah, yeah, I'm a loser.)

[Jelbb]

Not That Girl:
I'll marry you in a couple of years if and when it becomes evident that Irish boy won't do it. As I'm sure it will, as he is a huge commitment-phobe.

I love love love LOST and Dexter as well. So I will refrain from discriminating against you based on your Grey's Anatomy-watching. I can't say I totally forgive your watching it, even with the hospital excuse. Though, you had better be watching Scrubs, then lying to me and telling me that working in a hospital is actually like that. ...oh, how I want it to be like that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldZoJvY5i1I

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........................................please come do my dishes for me .............