A lady with attitude

I like ladies with attitude and one of my favorites is the lovely P!nk.  She really kicks some booty on the charts - her voice is so distinctive and powerful and her videos are always so much fun to watch.  She is a talented dancer which is evident in every video and live performance.  She also is super fit.  I mean look how quickly she bounced back after having her child.  She works hard at everything she does - plus she has wicked awesome hair!  Wish I worked in an industry where I could dye my hair all sorts of colors....

Here are a few videos of hers that I think you all will like.  First up is "Try" - apparently this video is controversial back in the US.  I just think it is awesome.

Next is a song that I think is really powerful.  It is somewhat related to my earlier post about drinking - I am happy to say that I have stuck to my guns.  I declined several drinks last weekend and last night as well.  Anyway - I hope that you will all enjoy the next song, "Sober".

And now for something a little bit more fun.  "Get This Party Started" - it was an anthem while I was at university and I danced my buns off to this song on more than one occasion.

And now for another song that I really identified with and still do to some degree.  "Just Like A Pill" is a bit dark and powerful.

Working on working out

In order to get under 200lbs this year and into a pair of size 14 jeans I have been working on getting fitter.  I am tracking my food, tracking my workouts, and also cooking a bit more at home.

I have been tracking my food three different ways – I am using Spark People, Weight Watchers Online, and a paper tracker.  This may be overkill for some people, but I have found that having to update the three different spots has made me be more vigilant.  I actually DO write stuff what I have eaten either right before I eat it or within an hour of eating it.  And that is massive progress!

I have also been working out every day in one form or another.  On Mondays and Wednesdays I work out with two co-workers at the small gym at work.  I basically do 35mins or more on the treadmill at a speed of 3mi per hour.  That may not seem like a lot to most people, but for me at over 280lbs I have to say that it is fairly impressive.  I have also been doing the Leslie Sansone dvd “Walk Away the Pounds”.  I have been doing the 1mile walk without weights and I really REALLY find her too perky.  But I do get sweaty when doing the workout so that means that I am actually burning calories. 

I am sort of active on Pinterest (name a woman that doesn’t enjoy that site) and I set up a board called “Health Stuff”.  On it I have been posting workouts and healthy eating tips.  Thanks to other folks pinning things I found an excellent site called Back On Pointe.  It is written by a dance student and has several different workouts  on it.  I have printed out a fair few of them onto index cards and I pull one out on the days that I don’t do the dvd so that I get extra calorie burns in during the week.  I still hate exercising, but I am doing it.  I am also discovering new exercises.  I have yet to do some of them, but I am trying to learn how to do them.  Things like burpees, Russian twists, planks, and star jumps.  I thought a star jump was a jumping jack, but it turns out that I was wrong.  Check out YouTube if you want to learn how to do these exercises.  I will post some of my preferred or more challenging workouts that I have attempted in a few weeks so that you can try them out too.

As a part of the Bat Fit movement I have been dancing at least 15mins every day as well.  I am not tracking the dancing as a workout, but it is another step to being fitter.  I recommend everybody dance a little every day.  It really does perk up the spirits.

My hubby and I going to try to cook at home every meal for a week.  This will be really hard for us as this town can have anything delivered at any time.  Also getting groceries is a pain the behind as you have to go to twelve different places to get ingredients.  So I am setting up a meal list, figuring out the ingredients that need to be purchased, and then sorting out the stores that I need to go to in order to find everything.  I have a feeling that there will be a fair amount of pasta and rice, but sensible portions of course.  I will also try to have a good amount of protein for every meal as I have found that it really keeps me more full.  I am also going to be really upping my vegetable and fruit intake.  I eat way too much bread and fried foods.  So I am trying to retrain my brain.  Sadly I always tend to fall into the trap of eating junk whenever I feel bad or bored.  So now I need to make myself crave more whole foods instead of the processed junk. 

This working out and eating better is a struggle, but it will be worth it.  This is a total lifestyle change and it’s something that a lot of people are doing so I know it’s possible.  How long it takes for me to get it to be a way of life….well, that might take a while, but I think I can get there.

Be well,

       Buttercup

A voice like honey

Okay, this week it is all about Darius Rucker.  First he was in Hootie and the Blowfish - you can't tell me you haven't heard of them?  He has since gone on to have a successful country music career.

Hootie and the Blowfish - "Only Wanna Be With You"

Darius Rucker - "Come Back Song"

The man's voice is like honey! Hope you enjoy.

Rockin' Ladies

Today's Audibles brings to your ears some rockin' ladies.

My first offering is Lacuna Coil - an Italian rock band.  There is a male and a female lead, but she tends to be the main singer.  I think that this video is hilarious and the fact that they can poke fun at themselves is great.  I appreciate that they are singing in a foreign language (for them) and I admit that their lyrics in their music are fascinating. 

Lacuna Coil - "I Like It"

And for something a little bit different - the Mediaeval Baebes.  I saw these ladies live at the Maryland Renaissance Fest a few years ago and they are amazing live.  I was unable to find a live version of this song, but this is one of my favorites!

Mediaeval Baebes - "Ecce Chorus Virginum"

Let me know what you think!

A Decision for 2013 - For Me

This year I am working on things for me.  While what I hope to accomplish this year may reap some benefits for others around me - gifts that I make, a happier me to be around - I am doing it for me.  This may seem selfish to some, but honestly, I am afraid that if I don't get myself right this year that I may be in trouble in the future.

My obesity affects my health and how people treat me.  I know I am treated differently due to my vast size.  There is most certainly fat discrimination at work in all of the social and work things that I am invited to or excluded from.  In the past I have compensated for these hurt feelings by drinking.  This made me more "fun".  But if I drink too much then my dark side comes out - I get angry, depressed, and occasionally embarrass myself.  I have been abstaining from alcohol in recent months to avoid becoming like some of my family members (there is a history of substance abuse amongst some of them).  New Year's Eve saw me a bit inebriated and I fell over my own feet onto my butt and side.  I have a horrendous bruise on my upper arm and one thigh. And some bruised pride as well.  I also did the calorie calculations and I drank about the same amount in a few hours that I should eat in a day.  Frightening!  Over 1,400 calories in liquids is a scary number.

So I have made a decision.  A simple one, but one that I needed to make.  I am limiting myself to four alcoholic drinks a week and a maximum of two drinks in a day.  Yep - twice a week I can have two drinks or four times a week I can have a drink.  But no more than that.  That will limit my calories to about 600 calories on alcohol at the most in a week out of  9,800 calories for a week.

It's a small thing to do, but I think that this will help me tremendously.

I am also being diligent about my calorie tracking - my intake and my output (intentional exercise).  This is the start of a new me - a more together me.

Audibles - inaugural post!

As this is my first Audibles post I thought I would introduce you all to some of my favorite music.  My musical leanings are scattered, but I tend to lean more towards music with guitars and big vocals.

First up is what my hubby and I would have danced to if we had had dancing at our wedding.

Bella Morte doing their version of Earth Angel.

Next up is the group Apocalyptica - heavy metal on the cello!

This is a live version of "Path" by Apocalyptica.

My heavy side is about to show...more.  I love this group's guitar riffs and the vocals are mesmerizing!

Disturbed's video of their song "Prayer".

Here is a song that makes me smile every time I hear it.  It reminds me of family car trips and of my southern roots.

Alan Jackson's "Chattahoochie".

The final bit of music to tickle your fancy is a mash-up that my hubby introduced me to.  I can't get this song out of my head sometimes...

The complete mash-up title is "I Want A BulletProof Dancer".

Each week I will post a song or two that I like.  I hope that some of these are things that you will like.  Or maybe you will discover something you had never heard before...