I decided to jump on the lent bandwagon with my girls Fatbridesmaid and Question for Dessert. I've thought hard about what I would like to sacrifice/accomplish in the next 40 days. I'm not a religious person, which isn't necessary to mention, but I like challenging myself to try something different, to be better.

Instead of announcing my Lent goal, I thought I would let my recorded actions here on the blog do the talking for me and let you guys figure out what my goal is/was. Starting today for the next 40 days I'm going to do one thing everyday that will help me achieve my weight loss goals, for every correct answer left in the comments on any day during Lent will be entered into a drawing to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card (funded by me, not Amazon) and a gift package of local foods/products from my current hometown Floyd, Virginia (USA-only entries please).

Hint: My Lent goal will not be overly obvious.

It's been an off week for me, and I'm okay with that. It started with a trip to the dentist on monday where I sat in the chair for over an hour to have three fillings put in right in a row. Pretty thankful for that, but when did tooth colored fillings get so expensive? Almost $300 for three. I need to take better care of my teeth. That's not to say that I don't brush, I just don't really think about it after my morning brush. That's an expensive habit not to have.

They questioned what I drink, soda? sweet tea? no and no. A good habit I'm actually consistent about: drinking water all the time.

Then I got sick. It kind of snuck up on me Tuesday. I was feeling fatigue and my throat was scratchy. By the time I made it home, I just holed up on the couch  while a fever took it's course. This has gone from my throat to my head and now I'm still fighting a cold and fatigue.

I was supposed to go to WV this weekend for a jewelry open house, but with being sick and the 10+ inches of snow that came down Friday night, that did not happen.

And finally put our first bid on a house. Truth be told, the most exciting part of this house for us is the extra studio space we would each have. His a 20x30 steal building for his recording studio and mine a converted garage with a sink and lots of light. It even has a front door with a doorbell to the "studio". As for the rest of the house, it needs work. It was built in '74 by the same guy living in it now. If I met this guy randomly I'd give him an old issue of Domino just as an FYI that people aren't putting moss green carpet in their homes anymore. Or those creepy craft-show faceless children that some people were putting in the corner of their porches in the 80's.

He doesn't understand that while yes people are moving to Floyd, rich people seems to be the rumor, we are not them or that desperate. His asking price would be a huge ripoff for us considering the work, yet he is not coming down on his asking price by more than a couple of inches. What's wrong with people?

If I met him I'd say "hey mister Q, do you think that if you, oh I don't know, cleaned your SHOWER, and picked up all your crap (there are clown masks on the wall, i wish i were joking) and maybe put in new carpet, and a stove, and a new roof then yes ask what you are asking minus 10k would be reasonable, anything else is an insult to basic real estate intelligence." But, that won't happen so I say it here.

And that is the current status of our home buying. Unless his realtor knocks sense into him, it's time to start looking again. It's slim pickings in these parts.

I am 3 lbs. away from this months goal and have not had the energy to exercise all week. My little GoWear Fit armband tally looks like someone who hardly ever moved this week. Small activity spikes to the bathroom or getting dressed. I've not had the energy to cook so I've been eating little more than frozen pizza, albeit not overeating...silver lining!

So this post isn't to complain, just to reflect how sometimes things don't happen the way we plan and that's okay. The truth is, I needed to slow down this week. To do nothing and be okay with that. I'm ready to get in the shower today, put on clean clothes and keep going.

I have so many posts coming:

1. My goal for Lent

2. My two week GoWear Fit Review

3. A ton of product reviews

4. My end of the month weigh-in

And just getting back in the swing of blogging daily again. So here we go...

Oh! For those who have been asking I will be debuting my jewelry online tomorrow at 8am I will put a link here and on twitter (@thetokenfatgirl or @lorriebee). Thank you for your kind words about my necklaces!

I filled out my meal planner last night with meals using ingredients we have in stock. We had a rosemary lamb roast (made by Josh's dad) with roasted potatoes the night before and I decided to cut some of it up with onions and mushrooms and make a frittata of sorts in the skillet. I have to admit it was kind of gross in a good way. It was edible, but not delicious by any means, mostly because of the strange arrangements of ingredients. Essentially reheated meat and vegetables with eggs poured over. But, it was filling and nutritious. Onward.

I spent my day off catching up on household chores, mostly laundry and returning emails that I forgot to eat until almost 4 pm. Isn't it weird how some days we seem to be hungry all the time and others we just don't care? I ride those waves as they come. I had a bunch of errands to run (bank, post office, library, store) so instead of following my meal plan we ate out. And I'm okay with that. I simply moved my meals around so that the food would still get used throughout the week.

I worked on two things while eating out: being mindful or choices, eating what I truly wanted, and eating slowly. I chose steak, salad and half of a baked potato. I cut off the wobbly bits from the steak, used 1/4 of the dressing, and stopped when I was full.

Random: I purchased a stability ball to use as a desk chair at work. I heard somewhere that these were good better balance and posture and it might be cool to do random exercises on it during my break. I highly suspect this will raise some eyebrows, but I'm prepared. Let's hope I don't fall off!

 I found a Pilate's DVD that I'm going to try this evening when I get home from work, do you guys have any experience with Pilate's?

I'm working on more printable PDF's for my store this week as my personal need arises. I'm looking to make an exercise sheet next, but I'm still trying to decide on a layout and what to include.

Let me know how your meal planners are going, I'd love to see them!

Today I am sitting here drinking a green smoothy as refuge against holiday baking. The other day I had oatmeal cookies and did Jillian's workout and the day before tae bo. And that's how it's going. My plan from my last entry, it's safe to say, will not go into effect until after the holidays and I'm okay with that.  All I ask of myself for the next week is to exercise, be mindful, have fun and blog.

I have a lot of new goals for the new years that I will post as soon as I finish my list. But, I have a resolution too. To stop blogging about what I am going to do, but rather, what I am doing. when I don't do something it only makes me feel worse and I just don't want to go down these cycles with myself. Of blogging about what I want to do, not doing it then not blogging because I feel bad for not doing it 100% perfect. I aim so high that I miss the point of the every day tedium and enjoys of getting healthy.

I'm going to stop beating myself up for not blogging so much in 2009. I did a lot. I did a lot that I'm proud of. I had a great year, and I know that 2010 will be even better. I know those pending goals from 2009 will happen in 2010. I know I will be healthier. I feel it coming.

I've been thinking a lot about how I am going to lose this weight and why. Something I've spent three years doing here except for one thing. I've never evaluated a diet plan and how it meets my needs. I need to lose weight, this is a fact.

I know that I need: rules, accountability and flexibility in a program in order for it to work. Having a list of foods that are always off-limits no matter what does not work for me, nor does counting points or calories. I know what foods make me feel bad and what gives me energy, I know what is too much and what is enough. I know how to lose weight, but I always play the game and get on board with anything that is put in front of me. But what if I make my own rules?

This is what I came up with:

Rules, Flexibility, Consistency and Accountability.

High Energy Food that is non-addictive:

Meat: chicken, beef, seafood, pork

Vegetables: All except potatoes

Grains: 100% whole grain pasta, bread and crackers, oatmeal

Beans: All beans and legumes

Fat: olive oil or nut oils

Dairy: Eggs, 1 serving of milk or cheese daily

Nuts: unsalted walnuts or almonds

fruit: 1-2 servings

Low Energy Food:

Refined sugar, flour, starchy, processed carbs or empty calories.

Flexible day: One day a week of my choosing for eating favorite meals out etc. In order to enjoy this day I must exercise at least 45 minutes.

Basic rules: Eat high energy foods majority of the time, in the amount of satisfaction. Follow guidelines when eating out unless if is a flexible day of eating. No calorie counting is required, but keeping a food journal is for record keeping. I must weigh in once a week and subtract amount lost from total weight loss goal tally (goal: 145 lbs lost)

Flexible exception:If you choose to eat a low energy food item in moderation IE: one cookie, one serving of potatoes, one white flour roll etc. Add 30 minutes of cardio to the day for each serving consumed.

Exercise plan:

6 days a week of at least 45 minutes of cardio. One day for rest is permitted except for flexible eating day. 1-2 days of strength training.

I had not checked in with my list of goals for the year since, oh, January and was surprised to see what I actually did and didn't do. Mostly surprised with what I did do. Here is the list:
Work in a new environment at least twice a week (IE: library, coffee shop etc) - I did this a couple of times while I was still working from home. I went to the library and found it to be way too loud (I'm anal) and distracting for me. Eventually, I got a job and work in an office.

Start making at least $1**.00  dollars a day on a regular basis (at least 5 out of 7 days) - I think this answer could go in the "things I shouldn't share" category, but I tend to be an open book and not care about this sort of thing. I did meet this goal, although not in the way that I had planned, or maybe hoped for.

Open a craft/art related etsy shop- yes! I did this: www.forgottenfinds.comand oliverjewelry.etsy.com  they are both works in progress, but I they have been huge source of inspiration and happiness in my life.

Send thank you cards for all gifts received- wow! I'm surprised at how bad I was at this, I'm still sending out wedding thank you cards. very bad manners.

Send at least one handwritten letter a month- again, very bad at this too. I think I sent two or three letters out this year and felt very weird and vulnerable writing on paper.

Improve both blogs (Token Fat Girl, Beautiful Layers) with daily posts, improve writing and grammar- I can't say I've done much to improve my writing on grammar, but beautifullayers.com is very close to how I've always wanted it to be visually. I wish I would have been more consistent over here though.

Become debt free from credit cards, work on paying off student loans- This partially happened. I'm still working on both, they are considerably smaller and my score has greatly increased.

Once credit card debt is paid off, generate enough income to comfortably afford an office/creative space outside of home- This is still a long-term goal of mine. For now, I'd be happy to live in a space that supports working from home again in a more sane environment. Our house is way too small for us both to work out of.

Read 100 books of my choosing-I know for sure I did not reach this goal. I think I read about 15 novels and the rest were self-improvement, craft books, cook books or creative know-how books in general. I really would like to read more novels next year.

Lose 110 pounds (a little over 9lbs a month)- I don't know whether to laugh or cry about this one. Did not meet this goal, not even close.

Document life/the year in a scrapbook, daily activities photos etc. celebrate the year through visual art journaling- I really wish I would have done this more consistently. I was given a very nice wedding scrapbook and plan to put together something over the holidays to look back on over the year.

Get a passport- Did this! Now, I need to get one with my new last name.

Find volunteer work at least twice a month- I volunteered approximately 10 times this year.

Finish the self-esteem workbook- did not do this.

Become more proficient in Illustrator cs3 and photoshop cs4-I become more proficient in indesign and added a few new skills in illustrator and photoshop.

Become more proficient with digital camera and taking better photographs-somewhat. My natural lighting photos are much better, its the low light photos that are terrible. I think this has to do with my lens though.

Work on paintings and illustrations daily, develop style- I worked a lot of painting and illustration techniques. I participated in a figure drawing class for about 8 weeks at the beginning of the year.

Make 75 pieces of artwork- Did this!

Perform at least 50 random acts of kindness- this one is humbling and I honestly wish I would have done more for others this year. I'm going to make this a reality by the new year.

Take a dance class- Nope, not this year.

Take an aerobics class- I took tai chi and qigong

Learn to plant an organic garden, document first home-grown meal- I planted a flower garden (and built the bed myself) we also planted sage, parsley and tomatoes which I did eat. Next year I would like to do it right.

Paint kitchen cabinets gray- did not do this and probably never will as we plan to move in 2010

Paint trim in house- same as above

Paint an accent wall in the living room- same as above

Take a really good self-portrait - i did not do this, but I want to before the end of the year

Completely organize office and creative space- I did this! I will post photos online

Join/create a book club- did not do this

Get health insurance - did this, still rooting for single payer health care. We can do better, America.

Go to the dentist- I went at the beginning of the year to have a filling replaced. I plan to have an examination in January.

Get a physical- frightening. haven't done this yet.

Be more picky about those I invest time and emotional energy in- more positive/ambitious/supportive people- I think I focused more on how I let others influence me

Join/create cooking club (online or local)- no! but soon!

Go one month without eating out- end the month with a fancy dinner-haha I hope Josh doesn't read this : )

Go to one public art event a month- This happened maybe 6 out of 12 months

Do not buy any clothes in current or larger sizes, clothing may only be purchased if needed in a smaller size- I purchased only my current size or smaller. I have a couple of pairs of size 20 jeans that -barely- fit. I donated all of my size 24-26 pants

Hand make all Christmas presents- half and half

Use only fabric bags when shopping-this one was hard to stick with! I always found myself without a bag. I need to leave them in the car. When I do carry them I feel like a do-gooder which can be a good thing or bad, either way I did it more this year than last

Go to at least five concerts/live music events-I saw the Avett Brothers and went to a couple of concerts that I volunteered at

Keep a gratitude journal- Did not do this, but not a bad idea.

Randomly send a nice gift to someone anonymously (3x)- okay, i should totally do this, but I think sending unmarked mail is illegal these days. I could put random gifts on my co-workers desks, which could be fun for the holidays.

Recycle through clothing every two months-donate to goodwill, remix old clothing- i did this!

Plan thoughtful/creative wedding, Get married and go on honeymoon with Josh- yes!!

Plan weekly menu’s and stick to them for at least 12 weeks out of the year- I am a very bad planner! i did not do this

Visit a new city- asheville and frederick!

Learn to make a pinhole camera and make a series of photographs- not yet, but josh got me a kit to learn how.

Create a themed series of artwork, look into having a show (this includes 100 pieces of artwork goal)- I sold at a craft fair, that was about it

Find unique ways to make money- start a business venture (IE: creative consultant, such as renaissance creative services like photography, illustration, design etc) - I made a few banners for online friends and started my two etsy shops

Read “how to talk to anyone” (can be included in 100 books read goal)-not yet and I still don't know how to talk to anyone

Complete artists way 12-week book workshop (this can be included in the 100 books goal)- nope!

Make an effort to spend time with new people at least once a month- sort of, but not entirely.

Hello, its Friday! I hope you all are getting ready for a nice weekend! I'm going out of town tomorrow, but wanted to let you all know that sign ups for my workshop are ending on Tuesday Feb. 22nd at noon (EST). If you want to reserve your spot please send me an email: tokenfatgirl@gmail.com. The workshop begins March 2nd and goes on for 6 weeks and is $40. Here are the details:

This idea came to me out of frustration for the lack of magazines and resources out there for curvy women. All magazines seem to focus on stick-thin women who are leading fabulous lives, so where does that leave the rest of us?

Each week my workshop will provide you with:

- Personalized fashion consulting. I will provide you with a list of clothes and outfits that are right for your body shape. These ideas will fit your personal style and budget, some of them you may already have in your own closet!

-Schedules on how to look and feel your best in only 6 weeks (including weekly assignments and projects)-Plus size fashion remixes (how to wear any outfit at any size)- Weekly Printable outline
- Delicious and healthful recipes
- Printable grocery store lists
- Weekly (online) Meet & Greet cocktail hour with workshop members
- Plus size outfits on a budget
- Curvy gals closet essentials
- Curvy gals guide to interviews and landing your dream job
- Daily inspiration and motivation to achieve your goals
- How to look and feel hot at any size
- Top curvy gal fashion finds and resources
- Ways to meet other curvy gals
- Tips for starting and maintaining a successful blog
- Beauty routines and tips
- Self-esteem boosting articles and stories
- How to dress for your body type
- Advice on dealing with curvy gal related stress
- Tips for gaining new friendships and strengthening your current bonds
- Tips for the single curvy gals, how to embrace the single life and how to find a man (if you're looking)
- Sex & The Curvy Gal: Tips and advice that will make you blush
- Bi-weekly Q&A chat
- And much more!

**Please Note: This is an online workshop, based in a private blog. You will be provided with a link, login and password on the eve of March 2nd. When appropriate to a project I will provide you with printable sheets to accompany the workshop to keep in your binder.

** A three-ring binder is suggested for success in this class.

** You will receive a link to our private blog with login information on March 1st.

** This class comes with a $10 off coupon on a personalized blog banner for your blog made by me! Details in workshop.

** Class Fee is $40, which is about $6.50 a week. This covers all information provided, graphics, and daily work I put into making this workshop unforgettable!

** There are limited available spots, I will keep this workshop manageable enough that I can communicate with each person individually.

** Check out it through etsy.com I will send you the link as soon as you email me.

This workshop is a labor of love for me and truly believe you will love it too!

If you have any questions please email me: tokenfatgirl@gmail.com

A few days ago I was contacted by a representative of General Mills letting me know about a new campaign aimed to help eliminate hunger in America by pledging to lose weight with the Pound for Pound Challenge.

I've talked about this before, and have always felt that weight loss can get very self-involved so naturally I felt like this was an excellent way to lose weight and give back.

General Mills has joined forces with The Biggest Loser and Feeding America to motivate people to get fit for a cause. For every pound lost General Mills will donate ten (10) cents, which is equal to one pound of groceries, to a locate food bank in your area.

There are three ways to participate in the Pound For Pound Challenge:

· Pledge to lose weight at www.PFPChallenge.com or www.biggestloser.com.

· Mail-in the Pound For Pound lids and seals from specially-marked General Mills products. For every lid or seal mailed in, General Mills will donate 10 cents to Feeding America. Brands with the Pound For Pound lid or seal are included in this press release.

· Donate directly to Feeding America by visiting www.PFPChallenge.com or www.biggestloser.com.