No, I have not died

Hey friends!  I'm sorry that it's been over a month (yikes!) since I last posted, but as I have no money to fix my computer and no parking pass with which to park on campus...my internet access is about as bad as it's ever been.  So, let's get down to what you all really want to know, since I only have a couple minutes.

Have I been eating well?  Nope. 
Have I lost weight? Nope.
Have I gained weight?  Yes.  I've gained back all the weight I lost last semester, and then some.  A couple weeks ago I weighed 215.  Uberyikes. 
Have I been exercising?  Obviously not.
Am I tired of all of the above?  Hell yes.

I'm not sure what happened, but about a week ago something clicked (again) in my head, perhaps a vision of myself in a pretty bellydance costume doing a solo at our fall recital (I hope!).  Now that my boyfriend and I have moved and the apartment is pretty much put together and I'm pretty much settled in, it's game time.  I eat very well at home - lots of lean meat, fruit, and veggies.  My one downfall is, again, my job.  I tried to get a different job at an archaeology lab over the summer, but they didn't want me.  So now, I have no excuse for eating at work because it's the only job I can get right now and the only one to blame for my bad eating habits is me.  Although I was eating 1, 2, 3 donuts a day for awhile there (no wonder I weighed 215...), I have recently sworn off the baked goods case.  I've started bringing my breakfast with me (usually instant oatmeal), or I choose fruit/granola/milk for breakfast at work.  Lunch is a veggie-laden sammich, which I have no problem eating because they are so freakin' tasty.  Seriously, I'll have to get a picture when I can.  As always, cheese is gonna be the problem, but I did really well yesterday trying not to eat too much and I think I can see the big picture better now.  The cheesey goodness just isn't worth it.  

Getting back on the horse has been pretty easy this time.  I know what works for me, I know what I need to do, and I actually want to do it.  I'm tried of hauling around all this extra fat, and I have a really fantastic incentive to lose the weight.  I recently decided I want to go to grad school in the UK (Master of Museum Practice at Newcastle University, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne).  Although I was already planning to take a year off to save money, I got my grandma to get in on the deal and help me out.  She's going to pay me a dollar for every pound I lose.  After 5 pounds, the rate goes up to 2 dollars a pound.  After 10 pounds, three dollars a pound, and so on until I reach a happy weight and a happy savings account balance.  Since not having to put myself into so much debt by avoiding as many loans as possible means WAY more to me than cookies or donuts, it's so far been pretty easy to stay on track. As far as exercise is concerned, I'm not doing any jogging or anything like that until I get my knee looked at, because it's been really hurting lately.  I do want to get back into bellydance shape for fall classes and that elusive solo, and I figured the best way to develop those muscles is by actually bellydancing, haha.   Bellydancing is great exercise - I've honestly never gotten so sweaty doing anything else.  I've been bellydancing at least half an hour almost every day for the past week, and I've already lost two pounds.  This morning, I was at 213 - you owe me two bucks, Mimi!

Well lovies, I gotta get my butt back to work, but I'm loving your blogs lately!  I've lost a reader, but I'm not surprised.  I only hope the rest of you will stick with me and watch as I actually accomplish some goals instead of just dreaming about accomplishing them. 

Adios!