Feeling the heat

Man, it's been a rough few weeks.  I've been in and out of this stress frame of mind, and I've felt alternatively crazy and focused, kind of like a kaleidoscope.  Things twist and turn, and just as soon as they look like they are starting to make sense, they suddenly don't again.  I'm almost at the point of just throwing my hands up in the air with it all.  I told a friend the other day that I was going to totally disable auto correct on my phone and just start accepting whatever gibberish it decided I was typing or saying and send it along, so everyone else can be just as confused as I am.

Still fat, but
not AS fat.

I finished up the Summer 1 semester computer course with a 99.  I was happy with that, and so was the lecturer.  She was pretty awesome for the whole course.  Now I'm starting an English course, to prove I can communicate in the written word of my native language.  Why?  Because so many years ago when I started university originally, I tested out of English composition.  But my new school doesn't recognized those kinds of tests, so I have to take the course now. *sigh*  It's like Hemingway stuck his head out of some smoky, booze scented study like a resentful groundhog and now I'm stuck with six more weeks of drudgery.  I am so looking forward to Fall when I can actually sit in a classroom again.

I've finally crossed the 50 lb mark on my weight loss, and I'm quickly approaching 60!  I've really not managed well with my stress eating, even if I have avoided gaining, I really had hoped to have achieved more by this time of the year.  But, most people would be happy averaging 10 lbs a month, so I guess I should be as well.  I am really motivated by some truly HARSH fitness "gurus".  I wish I had the money to pay for them to be my trainers, as just supporting the way they motivate people would make me happy.

• James Smith is based in Sydney, and is an awesome, vulgar, not ripped but fit, long legged, kiss my ass trainer who doesn't put up with bullshit or talk it.  Yes, he goes overboard, but it's just the kind of words some people need.

• Justine Lichtenstern is a San Diego based consultant that runs a closed Facebook group for women that I follow.  I am in it as a "chubby lurker", because I don't really feel good enough to participate--I am not small enough to lift like most of the women in the group YET.  But I love the banter, and the debunking of myths and the presentation of SCIENCE to prove the methods of eating and exercise presented.  She's kind, but she's the Iron Glove on the Velvet Fist type of kind.  Smack me again, Justine.  I need it.

• Starting Strength is a philosophy by Mark Rippetoe, a trainer out of Wichita Falls, Texas.  While mainly appealing to male bodybuilders, this system promotes a no-nonsense simple plan based on five basic lifts that keep your workout simple and teach you good form and don't waste your time.  It also keeps equipment simple.

• Train Untamed is another San Diego based gym.  The main guy I follow is Alan Thrall, who, is only able to be understood if you can appreciate humor and strength.

So the plans for next week are to get ahead on the English class, get the house organized, keep up with the momentum on weight loss, and find a way to enjoy throwing my hands in the air.