Project Shapety Shape

[ahinton]

Hi Alistair, whatever I'm supposed to think or say in response to you I have no idea.  I feel like, at this point, there's simply some kind of intellectual hooping going on and I think it's probably best if I put that towards another endeavor.  Have your opinion, think your thoughts, post your posts, do your things.  Fine.  That doesn't mean I will or won't post here anymore but it has at least sufficiently removed me for now from what I was doing.  Congratulations or not, whichever applies.

I can't imagine that either applies, actually - but I trust that it will not mean that you decide not to post here - although I can see that you already have done so, so that would appear to answer that question had it been a question. I'm not quite sure what "intellectual hooping" is, but I'd nevertheless be somewhat surprised if, whatever it may be, it's been going on in this thread...

In any event, I don't think we've "fallen out."

I'm quite sure that we haven't!

Best,

Alistair

[ahinton]

As it turns out, I immediately am deciding to post something different in this thread, which I admit *seems* to relate mostly to women, but is pertinent to this thread and anybody with some awareness in life, in my opinion, and very much worth a watch for performing artists (since it seems that female pianists these days are becoming something like models).  I guess I am just suddenly extremely passionate about all of this!

Oh, it's not just the pianists; what about the violinists?! I might even be tempted to wonder if some aspiring young violinists might question whether they'll ever make it if they don't or can't end up looking like (insert the name of your choice here) as plastered all over a CD booklet, music magazine cover or whatever; it's all ridiculous, of course - but there's a lot of it about, to be sure...

Best,

Alistair

[m1469]

Well, I'm sure that's true.  One thing that has become excruciatingly apparent to me in the last couple of months is that my own presence at the instrument will *never* be small and tiny.  Ever.  I didn't really 'get' the fuller extent of what that means in my world until recently, when I made short videos of myself awhile ago and realized that my presence is very noticeable and that I need to just be OK with that.  I realized that I've been holding myself there as though I need to be small and petite and that everything about how I am at the instrument needs to be that way, too (including aspects of my sound).  In that respect, there is nearly nothing I personally could do about the fact that I won't look like Valentina Lisitsa, or Lola, or most of the women I see at the instrument.  I won't act like them, either.  My sheer physical presence alone is quite commanding, and that helped me realize even more of what kind of music is inside of me.  I think there's a reason I'm built like this.  There's more to all of that, but that's been something in itself.

Sometimes I've noticed in videos of women playing the piano, who are not exactly tiny, is that they become to themselves how they wish to be perceived, through the music they play.  There's nothing wrong with that, per se, but I've noticed that often the sound will be "small and beautiful" ... like they think women are supposed to be in general.  I'm huge inside.  HUGE.  And, even though in my playing I want to be stylistic and I don't aim just to be huge necessarily, nor do I wish necessarily to be just harsh or whatnot, I certainly have felt the need to embrace something more about the concept of myself as a musician/pianist.  I can't just neglect my athletic tendencies nor the fact that I am physically very strong and capable of sounds that don't fit the general perceptions of women.

Along with that and what you mentioned, though, I'm suspicious that it's not only the musician's who might think like that, but perhaps the individuals within the world whose job it is to market the musicians, as well.  That's *part* of where that inclination comes from on the part of some individuals.

[ahinton]

Well, I'm sure that's true.  One thing that has become excruciatingly apparent to me in the last couple of months is that my own presence at the instrument will *never* be small and tiny.  Ever.  I didn't really 'get' the fuller extent of what that means in my world until recently, when I made short videos of myself awhile ago and realized that my presence is very noticeable and that I need to just be OK with that.  I realized that I've been holding myself there as though I need to be small and petite and that everything about how I am at the instrument needs to be that way, too (including aspects of my sound).  In that respect, there is nearly nothing I personally could do about the fact that I won't look like Valentina Lisitsa, or Lola, or most of the women I see at the instrument.  I won't act like them, either.  My sheer physical presence alone is quite commanding, and that helped me realize even more of what kind of music is inside of me.  I think there's a reason I'm built like this.  There's more to all of that, but that's been something in itself.

Sometimes I've noticed in videos of women playing the piano, who are not exactly tiny, that they become to themselves how they wish to be perceived through the music they play.  There's nothing wrong with that, per se, but I've noticed that often the sound will be small and beautiful ... like they think women are supposed to be.  I'm huge inside.  HUGE.  And, even though in my playing I want to be stylistic and I don't aim just to be huge necessarily, nor do I wish necessarily to be just harsh or whatnot, I certainly have felt the need to embrace something more about the concept of myself as a musician/pianist.  I can't just neglect my athletic tendencies nor the fact that I am physically very strong and capable of sounds that don't fit the general perceptions of women.

Along with that and what you mentioned, though, I'm suspicious that it's not only the musician's who might think like that, but perhaps the individuals within the world whose job it is to market the musicians, as well.  That's *part* of where that inclination comes from on the part of some individuals.

m1469 - please stop worrying yourself about this. Go listen to Martha Argerich or Donna Amato if you are worried. It just doesn't matter. Rakhmaninov was enormous - in most senses - expect his presence at the piano, which was about as undemonstrative as he was tall. One's presence at the piano is really only "large" if what one does at the piano is large; the physical appearance is not what matters at all.

To play certain piano repertoire one does indeed need to be athletic and strong, but if the way in which you play it is as it should be, no one listening gives a twopenny damn about that, because the sounds and the sense are way beyond all such considerations. This is an important reason why all this cr*p about women pianists, violinists et al in terms of how they look on of off stage is at best a distraction and at worst a profoundly unwelcome manifestation of a mere commercial agenda.

Best,

Alistair

[m1469]

Well, I'm not *exactly* worried about it, it's just something I'm sorting out.  Whether people like it or not, stereotypes exist AND, within the musical world, even the Classical musical world, people definitely DO judge based on appearance, that's the reality.  That doesn't mean one thing or another necessarily, in my life at this point.  I mean, I've been sorting related issues out for most of my life, so this doesn't necessarily feel entirely new or something to me.  It's simply something I feel I have to for sure come to terms with, is all, and to allow myself to be fully comfortable in my skin.  I'm obviously still working on what that even means to me, but I think I'm getting there!

As a side note, I am not feeling sorry for myself, I'm simply aware that there are certain ways that I don't look or sound, that's all.  I do believe enough in other people to eventually feel as though my sound is worth being heard (that's a work in progress, too  , but I'm getting there eventually ).  But, as a necessity in life, I have reached a point for a number of years now where I do in fact think of myself as a beautiful person -- at least in the way that I don't think of myself as generally an ugly person   (I do have my days and lessons to learn, of course!).  But, that is very difficult to explain in a way that would come off entirely correctly.  To put it more the correct way, I don't believe in 'looks' just in the physical sense, it is something much more to me.  A long time ago I realized that I spent a good portion of my life thinking I was ugly, and then a certain portion realizing that there were at least some individuals who were attracted to me and thought I was "pretty" but that, either way, I didn't want the way I look, per se, to get in the way of people actually knowing who I am.

I don't truly know why it is all so difficult (and I mean, why is that confusing for me or anybody else?)!  Anyway, intellectually I know that it's popular and perhaps necessary to think along the lines of "I don't care what people think, I'm going to do my thing anyway" but that doesn't mean I automatically know just exactly what 'my thing' is, you see?  I guess THAT'S what I'm figuring out still, and I think that figuring that out tends to give courage and a sense of inward strength to an endeavor.  Sometimes I'm there, sometimes not.  But, somewhere in there I do believe in myself to at least get it sorted out and move forward and maybe even to do the thing, in due time .

[thalbergmad]

A long time ago I realized that I spent a good portion of my life thinking I was ugly

This is absurd. I had to have a pacemaker fitted when you posted a photo a couple of years back.

You are a stunning woman and your writings here clearly demonstrate that you have a heart the size of a giant thalburger and a certain warmth that compels one to engage you in conversation.

However, I was beginning to find this thread slightly disturbing. I had a vibe that you were almost trying to punish yourself for something and perhaps trying too quickly to become something or someone that was simply not you.

Like most women, to me you are an enigma.

Thal

[ahinton]

Like most women, to me you are an enigma.

You can have variations on that...

Best,

Alistair

[m1469]

(...) a giant thalburger (...)

mmmm ...  

Ok, but really, thank you Thal, that is very kind of you to say these things.

However, I was beginning to find this thread slightly disturbing. I had a vibe that you were almost trying to punish yourself for something and perhaps trying too quickly to become something or someone that was simply not you.

This is hard for me to understand, actually, but I believe you that this could be your perception.  Generally, though, when I really decide to do something, I am very committed to it, and so yes, striving to do these things daily is part of the commitment.  But, I certainly don't feel I'm striving to do or be anything but myself!  Anyway, compared to my actual athletic days, when we'd have practice for 3-4 hours a day and running and running and running, after having had an hour of weights during the day, and all of that on top of me having *actual* eating disorders, I really don't see how what I'm doing right now would give off a disturbing impression along those lines.  Being active and "traveling light" are very much a natural part of how I see myself and that's just that.

As a side note, if being marketable is something to consider, I actually do consider myself to be potentially marketable --playing/music aside-- but I feel it will have to be more or less in my own way.  And, other people will need to see it that way, too.

[thalbergmad]

As a side note, if being marketable is something to consider, I actually do consider myself to be potentially marketable --playing/music aside-- but I feel it will have to be more or less in my own way.  And, other people will need to see it that way, too.

EXACTLY

[m1469]

EXACTLY

[thalbergmad]

Today I went out to the travelling food van and purchased something called a "Swedish Hottie". No idea how many calories, but my mouth is still on fire.

Next week I have off work, so it is time to chuck me bike in the back of the Thalmobile and head for the flatlands.

I wonder if there is anything on at the Snape Maltings. I fancy a bit of Culture.

Thal

[goldentone]

Come on Dougs, tuck in.

Thal

Like the blue carpet.

[ahinton]

Today I went out to the travelling food van and purchased something called a "Swedish Hottie".

You sure it was a travelling food van from which you purchased this?...

Next week I have off work, so it is time to chuck me bike in the back of the Thalmobile and head for the flatlands.

I wonder if there is anything on at the Snape Maltings. I fancy a bit of Culture.

There's a new(ish - from last year, actually) work for piano and orchestra by Elliott Carter played by Aimard and conducted by Oliver Knussen that I'm sure you'd love; I don't know if the composer will be there for you to tell him so, howeer...

Anyway, have a good time in Suffolk (with or without any Swedish Hotties).

Best,

Alistair

[m1469]

Well, that's it.  Starting tomorrow morning, I'm getting back into posting in this thread.  I honestly, at this point, don't give a mustang's tail who else posts what in this thread, I just absolutely need to start doing it again!  I actually did take another photo of a month after my last one, we'll see if I actually post that.  Even though I feel slightly silly about this entire thing, what I am currently doing is most *definitely* NOT me, and I *hate* it and I absolutely have to do what was working.  For some reason this thread was extremely helpful for me  .

[goldentone]

Well, that's it.  Starting tomorrow morning, I'm getting back into posting in this thread.

I'll be ready to roll at 5:15 am!

Not really.

[ahinton]

I honestly, at this point, don't give a mustang's tail

I've never even seen one of those!

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

I've never even seen one of those!

Judging by some of the dishes you knock up for yourself, I am amazed you have not eaten any.

Thal

[Bob]

*Bob notes how important prepositions are.*

[m1469]

I'll be ready to roll at 5:15 am!

Hey!  Where were you??  

I'm just going to ever so quietly sneak in and post in the most annoying (yet strangely helpful for me) fashion:

Menu for today:

Breakfast:  None (unless you count yesterday's overload as part of today's calories)
Lunch:  Salad and a Turkey Frank in a bread slice  (400)
Snack:  Watermelon (100)
Snack:  Diet Pancake (left over from my olden diet days) w/a tiny PB and choco syrup (150)
Dinner:  Salad, a cheeseburger, and grilled peppers (500)

Total:   1150  (this is lower than tomorrow will be)


Workout:

Tricep lift:  25lbs.  ♪♪♪

Took a decent walk w/doggy ... cut a few blocks short by rain.



Okay, now, people are welcome to embellish and otherwise polyphony the moses outta this thread.  In fact, I plainly invite it!

[thalbergmad]

Like the new haircut

[m1469]

.

[ahinton]

Judging by some of the dishes you knock up for yourself, I am amazed you have not eaten any.

Then continue to be amazed, with my compliments!

Best,

Alistair

[ahinton]

Okay, now, people are welcome to embellish and otherwise polyphony the moses outta this thread.

Polyphonying the moses sure leaves those mustangs way back at the starting post! I hope that I have at least some ability where polyphony is concerned, but quite where I'd feature Moses in the exercise of it is something of which I have to confess to being entirely uncertain; never mind - Schönberg might have understood this notion and, as he didn't write (but perhaps wish he had written) in Style and Idea, "keep your Aaron"...

For all that I may not be inclined to do a whole lot of the kind of activity that most people understand as exercise, I've made a mental note to exercise care when considering the use of the term "con calore" in a score, just in case anyone familiar with my all too frequent typos thinks that I might accidentally have omitted an "i" therefrom...

Best,

Alistair

[Bob]

That does kind of look like a fox tail.   You didn't seriously shave your head did you m1469?  There's something off about that pic though....

[m1469]

Yeah.  I shaved my head.  All that's left is a mustang fox-looking tail.  :-  ACTUALLY, my hair got raptured away   -- what's left is God's sense of humor shining through.  Good ol' God  .

[ahinton]

Yeah.  I shaved my head.  All that's left is a mustang fox-looking tail.  

It's as hard to believe that you would have done such a thing to yourself as it is to imagine a good 9or even not so good) reason why.

ACTUALLY, my hair got raptured away   -- what's left is God's sense of humor shining through.  Good ol' God  .

Nice one! That said, however, God - and/or whoever might have been responsible for such rapturing - didn't do the job very well if abit got left, surely?

And there I was, just getting around to remembering the a mustang's tail is the sight of the exhaust fumes emanating from such a vehicle...

Best,

Alistair

[m1469]

I don't see anything emanating there, so I guess we'll have to use our imaginations, but I wanted to save that photo for this post, so what I'm about to type is more or less tucked away amidst it.

I think I'm doing well not posting everyday here, it was like that one day was enough to get me back on track, but now I'll post again today anyway.


Workout (currently in the works):

Bench:  95 lbs.  ♪
Situps:  150/6 sets  ♪
Squats:  120 lbs.
Leg Curls:  37.5 lbs.  ♪

PLUS, a hike today .

Menu:

Breaky:  Two English Muffins with stuff on them  (300)
Lunch:   Pasta w/1 egg, salad (400)
Snack:  Homemade semi-sweet choco PB cup  (250)
Dinner:

Total:

[ahinton]

I don't see anything emanating there, so I guess we'll have to use our imaginations, but I wanted to save that photo for this post

This must be a tailless version, then...

Best,

Alistair

[m1469]

As it turns out, I immediately am deciding to post something different in this thread, which I admit *seems* to relate mostly to women, but is pertinent to this thread and anybody with some awareness in life, in my opinion, and very much worth a watch for performing artists (since it seems that female pianists these days are becoming something like models).  I guess I am just suddenly extremely passionate about all of this!

I think I'm borderline being "over it" with this.  I realized that this has been going on for Centuries, all that's changed over the years are technologies, and maybe some details in what might be defined as "beautiful".  But, the fact that pores get photoshopped out, and that women are made slimmer ... well, I realized that's nothing new!  A portrait painter, for example, actually does an impression of the person they are painting, and in many cases purposely flatters the person they are painting, by doing exactly the same sorts of things that it is complained about what happens on photoshop.  Even figures that were cut from stone are characterizing particular impressions of beauty, strength, etc..  

OK, with technology these days, the images are perhaps more pervasive, and perhaps therefore the kind of pressure is ... different, but people have always been aware of whatever they consider beautiful and not.  Hey, I honestly am not positive which is worse, corsets, getting ribs removed, or starving oneself more than should be?  

That's my story, I'm sticking with it.

[ahinton]

I think I'm borderline being "over it" with this.  I realized that this has been going on for Centuries, all that's changed over the years are technologies, and maybe some details in what might be defined as "beautiful".  But, the fact that pores get photoshopped out, and that women are made slimmer ... well, I realized that's nothing new!  A portrait painter, for example, actually does an impression of the person they are painting, and in many cases purposely flatters the person they are painting, by doing exactly the same sorts of things that it is complained about what happens on photoshop.  Even figures that were cut from stone are characterizing particular impressions of beauty, strength, etc..  

OK, with technology these days, the images are perhaps more pervasive, and perhaps therefore the kind of pressure is ... different, but people have always been aware of whatever they consider beautiful and not.  Hey, I honestly am not positive which is worse, corsets, getting ribs removed, or starving oneself more than should be?  

That's my story, I'm sticking with it.

I think that much of this makes good sense; my only caveat would concern your last sentence, on which I'd be inclined to note that individuals can at least have some control over whether or not to choose to become involved in any of those three things...

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

But, the fact that pores get photoshopped out, and that women are made slimmer ... well, I realized that's nothing new!  

Indeed it is nothing new and it will continue, but it concerns me that impressionable girls might think that the kind of perfection that one sees in magazines is obtainable and kill themselves in the attempt to copy photoshopped models.

A couple of years back, the firm I work for was asked to produce a catalogue for a well known adult clothing company. I was amazed what we were asked to do with some of the photos of their models. The less said the better perhaps.

Thal

[ted]

What sort of shoes do you people wear while training, or for that matter for any active everyday wear ? During the twenty years I played competitive tennis I wore plain canvas shoes like those on the right. Twenty or thirty years ago, fashion suddenly changed and everybody began wearing the sort of shoe on the left, bigger, heavier, more strongly reinforced and supposedly more supportive. Even these particular ones are not as heavy and soft as those most people wear.

To cut a long story short, I have gone back to wearing plain, light, thick canvas sandshoes and my feet, ankles and legs feel much better and stronger for the extra work. I do wear arched insoles as I have had flat feet for decades, but just the cheap sort you can buy for $20.00 in the supermarket will do. I conjecture that wearing big, spongy, fashionable, "supportive" and expensive shoes actually weakened my muscles and tendons and caused some of the problems they were supposed to prevent.

Of course everybody laughs at me and remarks about how I must be too hard-up to buy decent shoes, but who cares. The results of wearing them for the last few months have been too obvious to ignore. It is also a curious fact that only one outlet in this country now sells them, and only on the internet. You can get a cheap, flimsy, ill proportioned version in the shops but they wear out too quickly.

[oxy60]

I remember those canvas shoes. They were specified for gym class. At one hour use a day they almost lasted the school year. New year, new shoes.

Today I buy brand name running/walking shoes and wear them all the time. They last about a calendar year when switched between two other matching pairs. I only buy brand names in the US. In other countries I buy whatever feels good and hope they last a couple of months. The number of counterfeits and knock offs make buying the real product difficult.

My dress shoes are made in the UK but I only buy those in the US because the shops in the UK won't stock all the sizes made by the company so I can get a proper fit!

[ted]

These particular canvas shoes last much longer than a year for me now but back in the days when I played intensive hardcourt tennis I used to wear the soles through in a season. My training these days does not involve heavy pounding on the soles. I might walk hundreds of miles but it isn't hard on the soles, and unlike expensive shoes, their uppers are tough and my big toes do not wear holes in them.

I do not have "dress" shoes or "dress" anything these days. Fashion and appearance never bothered me at the best of times, but since reverting to these plain old shoes the improvement in my strength and agility has been very obvious. I suspect it concerns the necessary use of the whole foot with the canvas ones, whereas soft shoes allow you to plop your whole weight down on the heel and get away with it. Of course, if you are a serious distance runner, the situation is entirely different, and you would need purpose built footwear for that. I have always been a complete dud at running except on the tennis court

[m1469]

I think I've currently got some asics that are ... 4 or 5 years old.  I could really use a new pair!  I use those when I do my walks, but when I've been lifting (which hasn't been for ... awhile  ), I even wear sandals, sometimes  .

[m1469]

I want to start eating better again!  I want to concentrate on natural foods.  I just put a cup of dried black beans and a cup of pinto beans into a pot to soak overnight ... I'm excited about it ... haha ... I'm excited about beans! 

Anyway, right now in my life, I feel a little like the state puff marshmallow (wo)man.  :-

[goldentone]

I want to start eating better again!  I want to concentrate on natural foods.  I just put a cup of dried black beans and a cup of pinto beans into a pot to soak overnight ... I'm excited about it ... haha ... I'm excited about beans! 

I like pinto beans, and black beans are even better!

*Adds some fajitas to the menu*

[m1469]

I like pinto beans, and black beans are even better!

*Adds some fajitas to the menu*

Woo!  Yeah, I'm going to cook them up today with some cumin and other spices ... maybe some chipotle (the spice of the month here).  Then, I think I saw a green pepper in the fridge, and I'm pretty sure we have an onion ... and then some chicken (and tofu if I can't handle the chicken!).  So, either "tacos" or fajitas are definitely in order!  I'm going without the cheese, too.  I think I need to set some ground rules for myself for a couple of weeks ... almost no cheese and extra dairy (like maybe twice a week), only one straight carb serving per day (potato, bread, tortilla, pasta) ... and little or no chocolate and extra sugar.  That may sound strange and uninviting to others, but sometimes I just need a good, strict change in things to get myself straightened out!

PLUS, I already did a set of leg curls, bench press, and situps today.  AND, I'll make a point of going on a walk this evening!  I just need it in my soul .


*practices like the dickens!*

[m1469]

Well, things are going well!  I ate great yesterday and the day before, I'm doing really well today, and I feel a bit as though my state-puffedness is getting less!  Woooo!  Get away state-puff!


Ok, I've only done one set of lifts and situps ...

[m1469]

I did my workout today for the first time in weeks.  It felt *so* good and the most difficult thing was the tricep lift, for some reason.  I guess those muscles have been the quickest to turn to mush!  Pretty soon I'm going to start organizing my meals and my entire life better  !

WOO!!  

[m1469]

Woo, yeah!  Just finished my dinner salad, on which I put mexican flavored tofus cumbles, and ... well, a bunch of veggies and some homemade beans ... mmmmmm!!  I ate like a champ today!!

Here's what I ate:  

Breakfast:  Two toasted breads with a little butter and honey
Lunch:  A vegetable, garlic naan pizza
Snack:  "Frozen" banana w/2T of chocolate
Dinner:  Some raw veggies as an appetizer, then a lettuce salad with the stuff I mentioned above.

I still need to finish my weights for the day, I'll take doggy on his usual walk, and I got my hair cut and styled and I think I might just be ready to put on a great, silky green dress and take on the world  .

*Still have lots of practicing to do*

[ted]

I am pleased you are keeping up the good work, m1469. As I say, my continuing to post in this thread would be far too monotonous, but I do keep an eye on what everyone else is doing, don't worry about that. At the last count I have trained for at least an hour, both resistance and aerobic, about 600 of the last 700 days more or less, in addition to walking five or six hundred miles a year (sounds better than it really is) and mowing my kikuyu grass by hand. I think that's near enough for sixty-four. When summer comes I'll add some swimming.

[m1469]

Well, I haven't been doing that great until the past couple of days.  I did the best when I was posting here everyday.  I've just started with weights again, after a good 6 weeks off from even touching them (though I'd often have good intentions).  I haven't truly lost strength, but the arm-oriented lifts were a bit more difficult than before I stopped, and have actually given me a sense of having used those muscles again!  So, really, I'm truly only two days back on my wagon, and doing really well, but it helps to be posting right now!  But, you know, I am inspired by your post .

Because it's helpful for me, I'm going to list my food from today:

Breakfast:  1 hard-boiled egg, one toast w/butter and honey, some berries
Lunch:  Low Calorie Mexican salad and a carrot.
Snack:  frozen Banana w/chocolate (I *might* be nearly ready to be done with the banana part)
Dinner:  A naan, onion and mushroom pizza (just parmesan cheese)
Snack:  Another hard boiled egg and some more berries.

[m1469]

WOOO ... I lost 2.2 lbs. overnight  .  I stepped on the scale yesterday morning for the first time in ... I'm not sure how long (a couple years?).  Not easy on the eyes for me, but I'm glad I did!

*powers ahead*

I won't lose that much everyday, and I'm not aiming to, but it's not unusual under the circumstances of making an initial adjustment.

[pianowolfi]

A nice little ride from this afternoon. Not that this was the only one, I did several of these lately. My goal: I'd like so badly to fit again into my fancy black concert suite

[sunshine_keys]

Just did W2D3 of C25K (couch to 5k). Rockin it out!

[m1469]

A nice little ride from this afternoon. Not that this was the only one, I did several of these lately. My goal: I'd like so badly to fit again into my fancy black concert suite

Cool    Last night I did an extra 45 minute walk, in the dark, crying my eyes out, while listening to music ... I counted it as a run because of the emotional exertion and tension release .

Just did W2D3 of C25K (couch to 5k). Rockin it out!

Whaaaa???




OK - This morning I am *almost* 5 lbs. down from my initial weigh-in.  That means I am only 1.2 lbs away from my this-Sunday goal.  I'd also like to fit into my favorite concert dress/outfits, plus some great jeans and shirts ... and something new, perhaps .

[goldentone]

My Shapety Shape Situation:

I am not overweight, but I have acquired a certain *kind* of fat.  So I actually would like to gain more natural fat, but this stuff needs to go.  So it's not a mere weight issue.  Do you think it stems from diet? From lack of exercise?  I have enjoyed high standards in this area all of my life, and I am committed to being Shapety the rest of my Lifety, especially for when I have a Wifety.  

What would you recommend, Miss Shapety Shape?

[Bob]

There's not any big mystery to it though is there?  Exercise more, eat less.  Exercise a little even if you can lose weight to be healthy and eat healthy even if you don't need to lose weight. 

Yet somehow... My fat became unraptured.  *Bob says while going for the chips.*  The fat appears to come and go at will.  I'm just on the heavier side now so it should soon tip in the other direction.

[m1469]

My Shapety Shape Situation:

I am not overweight, but I have acquired a certain *kind* of fat.  So I actually would like to gain more natural fat, but this stuff needs to go.  So it's not a mere weight issue.  Do you think it stems from diet? From lack of exercise?  I have enjoyed high standards in this area all of my life, and I am committed to being Shapety the rest of my Lifety, especially for when I have a Wifety.  

What would you recommend, Miss Shapety Shape?

Get a good teacher  .  Ok, but really, I don't know!  Like Bob says, it's not a big mystery, generally.  I'm definitely no pro at knowing types of fats ... but, I do know that diet plays into it, even if you're not overweight.  I mean, some people seriously eat junk food for their meals, and consistently, yet they are not officially overweight ... and probably this doesn't help with that.  But, there are also ways to target tricky spots in exercise.  I'm definitely not at the real stage of targeting the tricky spots yet ... I'm still in the let's really find the tricky spots first, phase.

My fat became unraptured.

haha ... yeah, mine did, too, from before.  Generally, I'm not real thrilled *at all* with the extent of my current unrapturedness, but I'm pretty happy with the direction that things seem to be going at the time, though.  I haven't been *perfect* since I made the initial adjustment, but I've been pretty good about just eating a nice balanced diet and only about 1500 calories a day.  And, this is the first time I've been weighing myself while making only an adjustment in intake and not just being on some official diet plan.  For me, it's a milestone in my life to get it sorted out (I mean, the deeper issues, too). 

I think I'll take a walk with doggy and listen to my vocal coach speaking my librettis.  I still do not walk under the spider tree, and I had a dream about a HUGE hanging down spider, the other night!  I hated it.