OUT OF CONTROL!

Me So Hongry's BACK and ready to ATTACK! Wait until I tell what guilty pleasure occupied my time and prevented me from posting lately. Here's a hint. I decided to title the post..."Batteries Not Included." Let your imagination run with that.

Soooooo yesterday, I made the decision to return to Weight Watchers. I mean after all my tag line states...

"The Misadventures of a Weight Watchers Repeat Offender..."

Why the sudden return? Plain and simple, Weight Watchers works. Click the link and see for yourself.


You wondering why I quit in the first place? CrossFit. Back in November I started CrossFit and I killed myself working out like a BEAST. 

That's the hands of a CrossFit BEAST!

With the aid of CrossFit I realized my BEAST MODE potential; I executed tractor tire lifts, back squatted 100#, deadlifted 150#.  In addition to my Olympic CrossFit sessions, I ate cleaner by loosely following a Paleo diet.

The gym where I BEASTed at...

Despite my valiant efforts at CrossFit and making positive food choices, results eluded me. The straw that broke the camels back...I weighed in on 12/17/11 and gained 6 lbs. YES, 6  #$@&* POUNDS!! This weigh in frustrated me to no end and I told myself..."Eff It...Eff WW!"

I know for a fact part of the gain resulted from my increase in muscle mass.  I need to post a pic of  my somewhat less jiggly firm arms. I am amazed at the transformation. I actually see the beginning of some muscle definition, or a "cut" as my kids call it.

I look forward to adding more definition. My goal...Michelle Obama arms. I advise everyone to stay tuned for my gun show tickets to go on sale!

Getting back to the subject at hand...

 As of late, my weight loss efforts continue to spiral out of control. And ironically yesterday, 5/17/12, 5 months after my last weigh-in (12/17/11); I decided to rein in the madness and gain some semblance of control. So, I weighed in and guess what? In five months I only managed to gain 4.2 lbs.

Am I proud? No. But given my behavior these past several months, I thought I gained more than 4 lbs...more like 15. So now what? Who knows? When I figure out the "now what" I plan to blog about it. Sorry to leave you hanging, but I am at a loss right now.

Hopefully soon this weight loss fog lifts, and I can view my weight loss adventure with a fresh pair of eyes. Don't worry. I AM like the Phoenix...Oh I guarantee you, I WILL rise from the ashes. Until then, I aim to keep practicing my motto...Persistence, not perfection.

I WILL FOLLOW...

The other day I went through the list of blogs I follow, and I discovered that a majority of the bloggers on my blog reading list  dropped off the face of the earth. As a favor to me, please  leave the name of  your favorite blogs and I WILL FOLLOW!



U2's, I Will Follow...CLASSIC! That tune brings me back to days of fluorescent socks, tight rolled jeans, and mammoth hair and super sized bangs!

When I hear that song it reminds me of the movie, The Last American Virgin (TLAV)! 

Yes, I just dated myself. Who remembers that nostalgic 80s film? I believe I Will Follow plays when one of the characters desperately struggles to raise money for his unrequited love's abortion. The 80s, gotta love it!

TLAV captures the essence of the 80's, and the soundtrack...TOTALLY TUBULAR!<---lol, some 80's slang!

Well, gotta motor<---more 80's slang! Before you motor, what's your favorite 80's movie and/or song? Leave me the name of your favorite blogs. Please and Thank You! Laters!

Bootcamp Day 2...Eye of the Tiger!

On Monday I departed from bootcamp disgusted with myself. I sucked beyond all suckognition. When I work out, I expect myself to not only complete the workout asked of me,  but to execute the activity competently. On Monday I accomplished the bootcamp circuits with as much grace as cow on ice skates.

I AM my own worst critic and hardest on myself. You should hear the inner dialogue in my head.  If I talked to my friends the way I address myself, my list of friends would be little to none.

So...Wednesday, marked day 2 of bootcamp. And in my last post I stated,

 "I refuse to let this bootcamp class make me its b!tch."

Well, I SURVIVED DAY 2, SO WHO'S THE B!TCH NOW! LOL.

I still struggled but, midway through the class I found my groove. Wednesday's session focused on upper body as well as cardio. The warm up consisted of hamstring stretches and 6 minutes of jumping jack presses, alternating 30 seconds of presses with 30 sec of rest. I chose to use 10# weights for the presses.

Next, the instructor led us through the following circuit:

• upper body exercises with weights
• mountain climbers (Mountain climbers suck!)I filmed this video about 2+ years ago.

• burpees
  

After we repeated the circuit three times we ran 5 rounds of sprints. Upon completion of the 3rd round I peered down at my Polar HRM. I expected to see the number of calories burned. Instead, my HRM displayed WTF?!

Those sprints whipped my ass!  I completed my 5th round of sprints, grabbed my gear and  limped  off the field like a wounded animal.  Despite the obstacles presented in bootcamp, I look  forward to next week's challenges!

I see dead peolpe...

I started bootcamp yesterday with Silverback Fitness. I scored an amazing deal from Amazonlocal. 5 weeks, Mondays & Wednesdays for $39 BUCKS! I saved $111 greenbacks.

Long story short I arrived at the park raring to go. About 30 minutes into the class I encountered  a near death experience.  In my mind I believe I flat lined for a few seconds...I saw dead people.

Last night, my homie texted to see if I survived my first class:

 I plan to return on Wednesday. I refuse to let this bootcamp class make me its B*TCH!

I got the WRITE stuff...

HAWMC Writing Prompt #15:

What's your writing style? Do words just flow from your mind to your fingertips? Do you like handwriting first? Do you plan your posts? Title first or last? Where do you write best?

Despite the sometimes arduous process of creating a blog post, I adore writing.  Truth be told, I aspire to write a book someday. About what?  I played with the idea of penning an expository text about dealing with men and their douchebaggery  mannerisms.


On occasion, I receive comments complimenting my writing style. But what exactly is my style?  I consider myself a "Storyteller."  I design my writing to captivate and entertain an audience. I aim to share my experience complete with descriptions to excite the senses. 

With my writing I intend to tell a story with my words and transport the reader to that particular point in time. An extra added bonus to my style, my posts tend to take a comedic turn from time to time. I never force the funny, it just flows.

In my opinion, the following posts highlight my "storyteller" style (Click the links to read the posts):

• I cried in the car...
• Got MILF?
• IN YO FACE SALESLADY!

When I create, I consider myself an artist. I use words to paint a picture. Words. Words. Words. I regard myself somewhat as a novice wordsmith. I prefer to use $5 words (expressive or creative words) rather than mundane, ordinary ones. Case in point, in the previous sentence I employed the word mundane rather than boring.


As a teacher, I encourage my students to utilize $5 words  and to retire blah, dreary words to the word cemetery.

So to answer the question, do the words just flow from my mind to my fingertips...yes and no. When my blogging mojo arrives on the scene, my words resemble that of a current surging through a light bulb.


However, I periodically experience writer's block. And when blocks occur I stop blogging until the blockage recedes. In the past I apologized for my many writer's block blog hiatuses. Now...no apologies. Rather than force a post,  I made the desicion to blog when I AM damn ready...THIS IS MY BLOG!


Next question, do you like handwriting first? It depends on my mood or the topic at hand.  Oftentimes I brainstorm a post or jot down ideas. If a notion strikes while driving, I record the thoughts with my phone.


Now, to acknowledge the remaining three question. Yes and no, to the query of do I plan posts. I typically write about current events in my life. Every now and then, a "hot button" topic that chaps my hide comes to the forefront of various media outlets and in turn, I write an emotional response, as in the case of the post...I'm about to piss some people off. 

So what came first, the title or the body of the post? This question reminds of the causality dilemma...which came first, the chicken or the egg. In my case, the title precedes the body of the post. On rare occasions, my posts inspires a title.  I strive to create a post titles that peak my reader's interest. One of my favortie post title...Thing I learned from a one-legged stripper.

And lastly, allow me to address where the blogging magic happens. Blogging location depends on my mood. Normally, I blog in my bedroom; however, when the weather permits I revel in sitting on the patio and letting my creative juices flow!

When the mood strikes, I blog any and everywhere...when time allows.

How about you? Tell me:

What's your writing style? Do words just flow from your mind to your fingertips? Do you like handwriting first? Do you plan your posts? Title first or last? Where do you write best?

Lesson learned the hard weigh...

And so the HAWMC continues...


Today's writing prompt: Learned the Hard Way...What's a lesson you learned the hard way? Write about it for 15 minutes.

Well one lesson I learned...After I finish viewing Redbox movies, I must remember to place the previously viewed movies in my line of sight. If not, I forget that I rented them, thus resulting in my ownership of a new movie. And let me tell you, I own quite an extensive collection of Redbox movies.

Seriously...a lesson, or THE lesson in life that I learned the hard way (and continue to learn on a daily basis)...

A letter to my 16 year-old self...

Parental Advisory...this post contains profanity.  I want to advise any and everyone to write a post to your 16 year-old self. This post proved to be quite a cathartic experience. 

Dear 16-Year-Old-Me,


        Heeeeey giiiiiiirl!! Brace yourself as I drop a paramount nugget of knowledge guaranteed to rock your world. Get a load of this:

I implore YOU to heed the GOSPEL according to your MOTHER.  Believe it or not, she once walked the earth as a 16 year-old.  You may think your mother talks just to hear her own voice. I believe she intends to help, not hinder you with the information she divulges. Better to be safe than sorry; so, hear me when I say write"LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER!"

Okay, time to get down to brass tacks. I must address this poor body image issue. Oooo, but first... I feel the urgent need to discuss this f***tard you call a "boyfriend."


Trina, what you perceive as love is merely infatuation. In the future that scrub inadvertently decimates  your heart and leaves you to handle the weight of the world on your shoulders. But you prevail...faced with a clusterf***k of adversity, you prevail. Word to the wise, follow your hopes & dreams, not that douche-bag. Imjussayin!


Now, the body image issues. Low self esteem much? Baby girl, mirror mirror on the wall, YOU got the bangingest body of the all. Look at you rocking that cheerleader uniform!

Okay, with regards to your body image issues, first I need to address the badunk-a-dunk...


You know that booty you dislike so much...


The booty that hikes your cheerleading skirt up, making the skirt shorter in the back than in the front... 


Well......you dislike that booty now, but in the future you embrace that booty and become quite the expert and authority on Booty Tooching (not touching, but tooching).

Now let's discuss the twins...


You know, those bazooms riding high on your chest...


Women spend thousands upon thousands of dollars to obtain magnificent warlocks of that magnitude! Be grateful! Rest assure...although your knockers feel like a nuisance, in the future you will embrace the twins, and showcase them with pride.


One more thing before I wrap up this letter...


 Live in the moment. No need to rush growing up. Do you want to know what waits for ALL adult?  Bills, insurmountable responsibility, bills, health hindrances, bills, emotional quandaries, and last but not least...more damn bills! 


In short, I ask that you accept AND adhere to the guidance provided in this letter. You WILL thank me in the long run! Lastly, let me leave you with this...


Savor this time of your life and make lasting memories!


Forever and Always,
Trina


P.S. You need to launch a search, find, and assault the Glamour Shots employee responsible for that picture, specifically that heinous coif.  And that hat with a net! Really?  

I LOVE the boy with the BREAD!

Yes, I do. I love the boy with the bread! 

And that boy that I speak of...none other than Peeta Mellark!  Yes, Peeta Mellark of the Hunger Games franchise.

If you know not what I speak of, you either just landed on the planet Earth or been living under a rock.  Believe me when I say The Hunger Games is the new Twilight. I highly recommend you read the books before you see the movie. The movie stayed true to the book (with a few embellishments), and brought the pages of the book to life!


And...might I add, reading takes your mind off food and keeps your hands busy turning pages instead of digging in a bag of chips. 

So...as most of you and the rest of the world knows, The Hunger Games opened a couple weeks ago. And in keeping with our tradition, the lovely ladies of Morales and myself partook in a night of movie magic merriment.  Meaning, we each made or purchased a Hunger Games shirt and met up for libations & gastronomic provisions. Translations: DRANKS & JUNK FOOD!


My shirt: I blinged it myself! 

Since I like to feed my clothes instead of my mouth, YES...I ALWAYS eat with a bib.  

We never do anything half-ass. And we go "all out!" My mom graciously made party favors. What's a party without favors?

We even held our own Reaping! The winner received a gift bag chocked full of the Hunger Games goodies! 

 

But guess who won the reaping...wouldn't you know it, "The Girl on Fire!"

By far the highlight of the night...Rose's ensemble. She arrived dressed as Katniss complete with a bow and arrow. When Rose decides to do something, she commits. 

And now the..."I think you need to close your drink tab pics!"

And thus concludes my Hunger Games show-n-tell. How did you usher in new franchise?

And by the way, this post serves as #7 for the WEGO's HAWM Challenge. The topic for post #7: FREE CHOICE! Yes, technically today is Day 12, but you know me...always the rebel, never following rules. 

Take a look, its in a book... AND, my SUPAH power REVEALED!

For those of you not familiar, I grabbed my post title from one of my favorite shows I watched as a kid. Take a guess...


That's riiiiiight, Reading Rainbow!!



So, why the Reading Rainbow reference? Weeellll,  a few weeks ago I made a promise to myself (ONCE AGAIN) to blog more consistently, and once again I broke that promise (SURPRISE, SURPRISE).


Instead of plugging away on my laptop blogging, I find myself curled up in a corner any & everywhere with my nose stuck in a book, well  in this case, stuck in my iPad...reading, reading, reading!


Every now and then the reading bug bites and I get the fever...the fever for a mind altering great book. Reading relaxes and transcends me to another world. AND it helps to take my mind off food and eating.  


Well my friends,  I NOW find myself immersed and transcended into a NEW trashy paranormal world filled with sensual, brooding, tenacious vampires. I am captivated by J.R. Ward's the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series. If you own a Nook or use the Nook app, I can lend you the books to read. Let me know!


So, tell me...what are you reading, just finished reading, or plan to read?


Moving on...


So, last month I mentioned I planned to participate in the Health Activist's Writing Challenge. Well, I missed day and 1 and 2, thanks to my weekend reading coma.


Today's topic...

If you had a superpower what would it be? And how would you use it?

Well, I already have a superpower...the power of FABULOUSNESS! Fabulousness comes from within, and my inner fabulousness provides me the ability to transform the ordinary into utter fabulousness.


Take for instance this, plain-Jane Cinna Hunger Games tee.

I purchased this shirt online for a Hunger Games party I attended. When the shirt finally arrived, I felt like it needed a lil something extra. I tapped into my inner fabulousness and...

With my trusty hot fix tool and several bags off crystals, I transformed my ordinary tee into total and complete...FABULOUSNESS!

Check me out...rocking the ish outta my shirt!!

And my best example of my FABULOUSNESS manifested...
 

Here you see two handsome young men.

Insert FABULOUSNESS and...

Yes. It took two to tango to create these dapper young fellas.  BUT...when my partner's mediocre DNA intermingled with mine, MY DNA contained the FABULOUSNESS factor which over powered his inferior genes ultimately...resulting in the two creative, talented, awe-inspiring dancers you see pictured below:-D

Believe it or not everyone possesses the power to be fabulous. I often think about starting my own business as a FABULOUSNESS Coach...lol. My goal, help others tap into their inner FABULOUSNESS and SHINE!

You know, now that I think about it, I may need to order myself a cape. And for those of you who "know" me, you know I would actually do it...order the cape.

Well, my friends, I bid you adieu. I must GO and spread my FABULOUSNESS with the rest of the world!

So, if you had a superpower, what would it be? And how would YOU use it?

Right Hand Red, Left Foot Yellow...

So, the other day my mom and I scored a most A-MA-ZING deal from Urban Dealight. For those not familiar Urban Dealight sends daily deals to subscribers based on your city of residence.  

The best thing about sites like Urban Dealight, it gives cash strapped people such as myself the opportunity to try new experiences at a discounted price. Okay, getting back to the deal we scored...