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Thursday, May 31, 2012

A re-committment to fitness and health



Over the last two years, I've gained 10 lbs.  Overall, that doesn't seem like a lot, but on my small boned frame and 5'2" height, it really show in my hips and thighs.  I'm not happy with the way pants look on me now and I'm not totally comfortable physically either.  This is a picture of me two years and 10 pounds ago.  At the time I was teaching belly dance and CPR at a local gym.  One of the perks was a free membership and because I was already there, it was so easy to work out frequently.  When I returned to school full time, I was also working for the ambulance company as a patient evaluator, competing in ballroom and doing volunteer work.  Something had to give; I chose to give up the gym, the CPR teaching and belly dance instruction.  I loved all of them, but they seemed at the time to be the lowest priority.  I certainly was not going to give up ballroom competing or my dream of achieving a Master's degree.
Dancing has always helped keep me active; but it doesn't provide enough cardio.  During my ballroom lessons, we stop and start and slow down to perfect technique, so there is much time where I am not active enough during a lesson.

This is how I look now, with the extra weight.  I've always had the curvy hips, butt and thighs...but this is more than I'm used to, and my proportion is off.  I don't look my best.  Marcel, my dance coach, took this picture of me before our lesson today.  I wasn't terribly concerned with my outfit; I just needed comfortable clothing that moves with me.  I had no clue how unflattering this outfit looked.  I felt perfectly lovely walking out the door.  Of course, I'm not accessorized and usually I am, but for dance practice, it's not good to have dangling earrings or a long necklace whipping around.  This picture is my wake up call.  I need to start working out with the same intensity that I did before I began my Master's program.  I need to lay off the "three C's" that I have a hard time resisting; chocolate, chips and cheese.  I want to look like I did in my belly dance photo above.  I am committing to start today.  I want to use this blog as motivation to work harder and better at getting back into shape.  I hope that by making a commitment here, I will have to be more accountable.  





This is the lovely ballroom studio where I spend several hours per week.  Often, people wander in and out and watch lessons.  I want and need to look my best. The better I look, the less distracted I am by extraneous issues that aren't directly related to the act of dancing.  I am rededicating myself to fitness and healthy living.  I'm 51.  It's time to start taking better care of my body inside and out.  Today is the day.







Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Accessorizing a beautiful necklace with three outfits!


I fell in love with this beautiful blue cameo and pearl necklace.  I'm considering purchasing it and I wanted to see if it would be versatile enough to pay the $175.00.  Except for my wedding rings, two pairs of gold earrings and my watch, all of my jewelry is costume jewelry retailing under $100.00 per piece and most of it was way below that.  I love jewelry, but I like to get frequent use out of it and I don't want to have too much of it that I don't wear often.  I don't have a large collection and I prefer not to.  This would be my statement necklace and a piece that I would not tire of or give away.  I need to wear it frequently and continue to adore for many years.  It love it with all of these outfits....and I think I can configure many more.  Hmmmm.....
Accessorizing a beautiful necklace with three outfits!


Sunday, May 27, 2012

Black and Ivory; Black Base


I've posted two wardrobes that feature black and ivory.  I can't tell you how much I love this combination.  I could switch my entire wardrobe to black and ivory and be satisfied.
This wardrobe post features a black base and the other an ivory base.  Each piece was selected because of the curve friendly cut.  Everything nips in at the waist to define an hourglass shape and minimize any unfriendly bits in the middle.  I've introduced a touch of gold in this wardrobe to dress it up bit for evenings, however, every piece except for the shoes and evening dress are work/daytime friendly too.  I would rotate in the shoes from the ivory based wardrobe to dress things down a bit.


Black and Ivory; Black Base


Black and Ivory



This is the ivory based black and ivory wardrobe.  The other black and ivory post is black based.  All of these pieces are daytime and work appropriate except for the bustier.  I am narrow in the shoulders and could not pull off the bustier without the shrug for balance.  I don't wear strapless tops either, but I love this piece, so I think I would be comfortable with the shrug over the top.  I threw in the batman top for whimsy and a more casual feel.  I typically don't wear tee shirts....they are too boxy and tend to fit too tightly in the hips and bunch up at the top.  This one has a nice curve friendly cut and is a little longer, which skims the hips and lengthens the distance between the hips and bust to create a nice balance.
Black and Ivory