What Would Robin Wear

What I wore to the Wedding this Spring*

2011-05-11T10:26:00.000-04:00

Every Spring it would seem that I am in a wedding or have a wedding to go to. The problem is always-ALWAYS finding a dress to wear!

This year I had planned on wearing my Ralph Lauren long red dress. It is very conservative and well boring. So I ordered this clingy purple dress from Macy's and alas, it did not arrive in time for the wedding. Of course it was last minute and who knew UPS doesn't deliver on Saturdays?? This is the dress I ordered. She looks like me and is curvy like me but I never got this dress!!

So I ran out to JC Penney, I knew they would have dresses on sale after Easter. I tried on about 100 dresses. I have a very difficult body to fit. I am tall and very curvy. Hard to find a dress that will not look like a tent, hide my arms which I abhor, and accentuate my small waist.

So after 100 tries and three different sizes (all dresses are sized differently according to the fit model) I found my dress!!! It is a Jones of New York dress with a cinched in waist, halter type neckline, and is just below the knee. I decided to wear hot pink wedge sandals with a 4 inch heel. I also had my matching hot pink Coach purse. My friends also had on super high heels. I love those heels.

Yes it is black but it is OK to wear black to a wedding now. It has embellishment on the halter and yep it's sleeveless. BUT since I do not like my arms, I wore my mini shrug. Every woman should have a mini shrug. I have four. A sweater, a wrap, a mini, and I have them in all colors. I buy them whenever I see them on sale. Last year in Florida I think I bought 3, they were six bucks at Ross!!

Here is my dress, I hope you can see enough of it to get an idea of what it looks like. And yes, I marvel at how small it is. I still can't believe I can wear it! Look at my friends dresses also, great examples of what to wear to a wedding.

AMP and the start of my liquid diet-AGAIN!!!! I gained four pounds!!

2011-04-25T12:04:00.001-04:00

Well-haven't been doing so well with my diet. I decided to give my body a rest and have not been to the gym in two weeks.

I will start again today. I will do forty minutes on the elliptical and 20 on the bike or treadmill. I will begin weights again next week.

I am a very motivated person, do not mistake my motivation for obsession. While the two hold hands, there is too much I have right now in my life to have this mistaken for obsession. I am so close to finishing my Master's as an Intervention Specialist for anything to get in my way. I am also going to start my reading endorsement this summer. I have no plans to finish that this year, and beleive me I could get it all done, but I would not have much of a summer. And I really want to relax as much as possible.

I am drinking my morning protein shake. It is strawberry AMP Whey Protein. Three scoops of the powder is 60 grams of protein. It is the MOST disgusting thing on the planet. It will take me at least an hour to drink it. It is flat out nasty. All the protein drinks are nasty. I can tolerate the Adkins shakes the best. Strawberry or chocolate are OK. They only have 15 grams of protein so I have to drink too many a day and they are uber super expensive. So the AMP will give me the protein I need in one nasty tall disgusting glass....Trust me this crap is not delicious at all, it's gross. BUT-it will keep you from losing muscle and hair. And a bald Robin is just not attractive at all....

I am also taking the Mega Green Tea Dietary Supplements. They make me slightly hyper, but that is a good thing I think. I have zoomed around the yard and the pool is open and it looks amazing...painted the shed bar, the doors-raked, mowed, I didn't stop for two weeks. I cannot take them after 3 in the afternoon or I do not sleep. So I take one for breakfast.

Since I took two weeks off the gym, I have gained four pounds. Yes four pounds in two weeks. With all the birthdays and parties this month. I do believe it is the beer consumption. Even though I only drink Mich Ultra, it is just a waste of calories, but nonetheless much needed fun and relaxation and above all; LAUGHTER with my friends!

I have to get this four pounds off me, and try to jump start this stubborn body of mine, this week is not going to be a good week for me, so I would advise you all to stay away....LOL!

I have a wedding on Saturday after my exams...this should be a very difficult week for me...thank God the wedding is up the street from my house...no food and mass quantities of beer are NOT a good combo for me.

Excerise and the Gym?? Beer after a workout?? Sugar??

2011-04-13T12:37:00.001-04:00

I am seriously considering giving up the gym till the fall. You all know I workout often and hard, but it doesn't really seem to have any affect at all on my weight loss. I work so hard in the summer outside, I figure I would save some money and cancel my membership. Any thoughts out there?? I will miss my cardio, but I will be working outside, just not as hard. My fear is that I will get out of my routine and not ever go back, and since I do not have a doctor that guides me, I may do what ever I want - like before. I do need lots of support, I just didn't realize how much I needed until now. I will have to find something or someone that can help me in that area. My PCP is so busy it would be impossible. So maybe I will try and find a new dietitian here in the Cincinnati area. I have to have someone to be accountable too. I damn well know it too!

Heck-- I spent three hours in the torrential downpour on Monday cleaning the front garden. Wet leaves are heavy. My legs are super sore from pulling weeds...My roses are doing well. I love roses, yellow-my personal favorite. Red--passe, over used, ORDINARY! I love flowers. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM....where is my Prince charming (or his brother) that will send me flowers, just because? OK so I watched Cinderella yesterday while out with my study group!

Anyway, my friend (the tall gnome) told me that after a hard workout, you should have a beer. It is actually better for you than water, Gatorade, etc. Like she had to twist my arm at all for that. The downside...it's kinda weird to go into a drinking establishment in the middle of the afternoon and have a beer or two. But it was fun, and we don't do that often.

Read the article on beer after a workout...I am so HAPPY about this! I know it would get the HUGE KAPOSH from the doctor world, but at this point...who cares! It's summer! (ALMOST)

http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/health/water-may-be-the-drink-of-choice-to-rehydrate-after-working-out%2C-but-one-type-of-alcohol-is-better

As for sugar! It is really really difficult to give up the poison sugar. The only thing I miss about it - ice cream. But I just freeze low carb yogurt or ready whip, cool whip etc. I want to grab a cookie, or slice of pie sometimes, but not because I want it, but because it is a habit of a life time. I cannot stand the taste of it at all anymore. I can't even drink a diet coke. It's like syrup. Yes, it was hard the first year of no sugar, but then it just became very easy. I do not crave it, nor do I want it-EVER! It's hard at Christmas with all the chocolate and fudge etc, but again, I only want it out of habit, not because I have a taste for it.

My friend is trying to give up soda (pop) and it is killing her sometimes. I keep telling her it is liquid SATAN. She is doing well, but sometimes, she just wants a Coke with her Skyline. LOL, it is funny but I understand how hard it is to give that up. I assure you, it gets easier, I promise!! Hang in there everyone!! We can do it..

PS>....I am about to throw my scale out the window into my pool which is all sludge and disgusting leaves and watch it sink to it's death. Therapeutic..I will of course go buy another one, but today it will feel really damn good!

I found an old picture---YIKES!!!!

2011-04-05T12:24:00.000-04:00

So yesterday I was looking for some photos for my teaching portfolio, and I came across some photos from about four years ago. I cannot believe that this is me. I just cannot freaking believe this is me. It doesn't even look like me. I have posted some photos. My friends came over from Wales to stay with me and we were all over town taking pictures. I will as of today STOP being so hard on myself.

I am so hard on myself sometimes, but I think, I have to be. I have to stay motivated to be healthy and to try to lose the rest of this weight. I worked out yesterday with the weights and man my arms are sore today. I do arms on Monday's for about 30 minutes or so and then I do an hour of cardio. I try and do MWF weights and as many cardio days as I can. It is difficult with school work and teaching on Tuesday's and Thursday's but I do the best that I can. I usually go to the gym on Monday, Wednesday evening, Thursday and Friday. Three days of weights and cardio and the other day just cardio. It's difficult. Has my scale moved..........nope. NOPE-NOPE NO...no..it has not. Frustrating.

I am thinking again about getting a personal trainer so that I stay focused on my weight lifting, but dang it's expensive. AND the last time he had me lifting WAY too much weight. So I will seriously consider it and see what I can do. This is so hard to figure out sometimes all by yourself. To get so far and then stall for so long is sometimes more than I can stand. But I find these pictures, and I think I looked sick. I am so much healthier now and I am trying to focus on that. It helps to have the support and encouragement from my friends and family. They always tell me I look great, and I am doing well.

My nephew has recently adopted my military philosophy on food (ok he is worse than I ever was) and exercise and has lost 68 pounds. He is super serious (obsessive like me)about his diet and exercise and has reached his goal weight (he is 18-sigh) and now is concentrating on his body fat. He is lifting to change fat to muscle. He is sort of a super genius and will probably be a surgeon, doctor, or biochemical engineer. So he thinks that my body is lacking creatin. Hmmmmm....I may have to buy the supplements, I mean what do I have to lose right? I take vitamins everyday! Multi, B12, calcium with vitamin D, and DHEA for hormone control. What is one more right? It's worth a shot I think.

Here are my photos...feel free to comment...I can't stop looking at them!! I will TRY (try is the operative word here) to stop with the self loathing and beating myself up all the time, but it is difficult after a lifetime of doing so..

What do I eat when I go out to eat???

2011-03-31T11:26:00.001-04:00

I get this a lot. What do you eat when you go out? Most people think that if you change your diet and lifestyle, that you cannot ever go out to eat. Heck, yes you can!

When I go out to eat, I try to stick to things that are not fried, not loaded with dressing, or high is carbohydrates. So if I go out to eat to a restaurant, I will have salad with chicken, steak, tuna, etc...and the dressing on the side. The salad dressing is a killer, it will up your caloric intake by the thousands if you are not careful. I will also eat chicken breast, steak, fish, or any kind of meat. I usually ask for a salad if it comes with fries, or pasta, or a potato. Most restaurants will substitute a side salad instead of fries.

Well what do you do when you are driving and the only food is fast food? This is difficult. When I drive to Florida, I can't stop at a restaurant every time I am hungry. It would take days to get there. And the snack foods (my snack foods: beef jerky, apples, yogurt, popcorn, etc) just aren't cutting it. If I have to drive through, which I HATE, I will get the salad with meat, chicken wrap, (Wendy's has a baked chicken wrap, 200 calories, 20 carbs) chili, or I will get chicken fingers, no ranch, or sauce. I use mustard for all dipping, those dressings are so caloric. Yes, there are low calorie dressings, but they are gross, I do not like them.

I have food rules; no sugar, no processed foods, no pasta, and little to no bread. AND-if it has corn syrup in it, forget it!! I try my darndest not to have snack foods in the house. I do not like white bleached flour. It is in everything! In America, our food is highly processed! Look at the label if you cannot pronounce the words in the ingredients, it's probably not a good idea to eat it. Look at the American slices of cheese, it is a chemical in a plastic sheet and we eat it in this country like crazy. So I try my darndest to not eat overly processed foods, like white bread, it is like glue. Pasta that is made with white bleached flour, is soo not good for you. I don't like pasta anyway, so it wasn't difficult for me to give up.

Of course, as my father always quotes; "Everything in moderation Robin." I have found that I am not that girl. I cannot moderate, or control, or have the willpower to NOT EAT some of the foods that are high in fat, sugar, or calories...OK, so all the tasty stuff...SO-I have eliminated them entirely from my diet. I haven't even eaten a piece of chocolate in over three years, and once you stop you will not miss it. I do not crave sugar at all any more. It is gone, and if it's in something, I can't stand the taste of it.

I think that in my mind I justify this by saying; "I have eaten enough cakes, chips, cookies, pies, pop (liquid Satan) macaroni, pastas, etc. in my life, I do not need to eat it anymore." I have had enough and so has my poor body. My body loves sugar and carbs, as soon as I eat them, I gain weight. Immediately, I gained four pounds on my vacation in Texas. It is gone now, but man it makes me hysterical to see the scale go the other way...YIKES!!

I try everyday to be as healthy as possible. Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I do not. If I average it out, I have more good days than bad, and that is what matters.

I try to stick to 1200 calories a day as close as possible. I try the rule of sixties; 60 minutes of cardio - straight cardio, no machine hopping, 60 grams of protein, and 60-100 (I try to stick to 60, but it varies daily and not over 100) carbs a day. I have a deficit in my calories, but my body will not let the rest of this weight go. Frustrating beyond belief! But, I keep plugging away at it. I love the exercise. It makes me feel successful, that I am at least trying!

Still looking for pictures...OMG some of them I just cannot believe are me...I will try to garner the courage to post them.

HOLY CRAP---I OVERDID IT IN THE GYM BATMAN!!!

2011-03-30T17:24:00.001-04:00

OK~ so today I high tail it to the gym early. Well, early for me. I had a protein shake before I went, I had my Gatorade, IPod, sweat towel, lock etc....

I get there and totally talk myself out of doing my weight training because my shoulder is killing me. It still hurts from where I fell in the hallway at school and it popped outta socket--long story that..

Anyway today I warmed up on the bike for 15 minutes level 7, interval training, I did about 4 or 5 miles in 15 minutes. Pretty good I think to myself. So I hop on the elliptical, interval training, for 30 minutes, I PUSHED MYSELF HARD---kept my HR in the 160's. I got off and went to the treadmill. I only meant to do 15 minutes up the hill at an incline of 10, but I wasn't paying attention and I either did 30 or 40 minutes....I was watching the Miami Housewives (ew not my favorite) and listening to my Ipod and boom, I was not paying attention, it said I had 10 minutes left and I am not sure what the heck it started at, usually 60 minutes..

So I was exhausted and I promised me Da I would stop after for lunch. He went to Frisch's and I had a chili. Liquid meat I call it. He was loading my laptop with the new Latin Spanish software so that I can continue to practice my Spanish -I somehow lost my Rosetta Stone...sigh. Anyway we are a huge coffee family and after the chili, my Da gives me a cup of coffee. I drank a couple sips and had to go sit in the big chair, not feeling good. So after about an hour I felt better and decided I would have my coffee...ut oh...my poor belly got so sick. I mean I know better than to have coffee and chili at the same time. Holy gas pain Batman...I had to leave to come home, and I wanted to hang out a while but I felt like I was gonna puke so I came home and took some antacid. I am feeling better now. This snow does not help nor the cold. OR lack of sun, I mean come on Cincy another week of rain??

Anyway yes I know I over trained today but not on purpose. AND note to self; never eat chili and coffee together...bleck...so today I have only had about 300 plus calories and I feel so miserable I doubt that I will eat anything else today. OH I feel awful...but back at it tomorrow...

Back in the GYM***

2011-03-29T19:37:00.000-04:00

Today I was back at in the gym. I did straight cardio today on the elliptical. That is sixty minutes straight. My target heart rate for a woman my age (acording to Dan the personal trainer) is 143. I get up to 143, then I PUSH myself till I hit between 160 and 172. I don't stay at 172 for long, maybe five minutes then I bring it back down to the 150's.

I do interval training so my HR goes up and down. I like to push to see how high I can get my heart rate, but it's never been over 172.

I am eating well. Still sticking to the 1200 calories, low carb-high protein diet. Today I went to Sam's and bought some Adkins shakes, not my favorites, but they will do. I like the strawberry above all else in the protein shakes with no sugar. It tastes pretty good. But only 15 grams of protein, most of them have 30 or so but the last box I bought was spoiled, bleck.

I did have a little bit of fruit today which I usually do not eat, or I will eat an apple if I am hungry in the evening. I haven't had much protein today either. I haven't figured out my calories yet, but I think I am way under and I know that I burn almost 1000 calories on the elliptical.

All I can do is try..try try try...still trying, not giving UP! But man, sometimes when that stupid scale doesn't move for six months and you work this hard, I feel so defeated!!!! (insert curse words here)

March 26th Saturday!! Diet Detox!!!

2011-03-26T13:59:00.000-04:00

Well I have been doing VERY well staying right around 1200 calories. I have been so busy this week I haven't had time to breathe let alone eat a lot.

I have found that the more I eat a certain food, the more I crave it. I have this broccoli addiction right now. I buy the huge bag at Sam's of the broccoli steamers and they have 45 calories per serving, well there are only three servings in a bag and I eat almost the whole bag...so good! So now all I want to eat is broccoli.

I also bought a HUGE jar of pickles at Sam's (guess where I shop--LOL). Those little dill gherkins get me through the crunch craving I have. I need crunch specifically at night, so I get a plate of pickles, sometimes I dip them in mustard. My substitute for chips and dip.

I do eat popcorn but I try not to eat it all the time because then I want it all the time. So once per week or if a good movie is on. OR I am watching all the season's of Californication, The Tudors, or Mad Men. Yes I bought all them and am highly addicted. I just wish I had the time to watch them all...sigh.

School is a nightmare. I wish I were done, yes I know I am close but I am on overload. I need yet another vacation, the stress is horrible.

I haven't even had time to go to the gym this week. My body thanks me, trust me. I get in there and I just GOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I can spend up to 90 minutes on the elliptical straight if I wanted to. BUT, I only do sixty minutes, then I get off. I have added weights which I hate but I do, and I can see the difference in my body. Of course I haven't lost a pound, but I was assured that it would happen in six to eight weeks. That is the MOST frustrating thing in the world-THAT DAMN SCALE! It just doesn't move, although everyone and I mean everyone told me last night that I looked thinner? How is this possible? I guess the muscle tone is becoming more apparent or my hair is just longer...HA!!

I just keep plugging away at it, I WILL NOT GIVE UP----I WILL GET SOME MAD NINJA DIETING SKILLS!!!

Will post pictures of me from previous years soon if I get the courage to go into the garage--eekkk, boxes in there that I never unpacked. There is a small pathway through the middle. If I go in I may not find my way back out. I sorta stuff things in there and then slam the door....LOL.

Day 2 of my 40 Day Journey!!!

2011-03-24T11:53:00.000-04:00

Well---March 23rd, I didn't do so well. I only ate about 500 calories. It was a super busy day. I swear as soon as I landed in Cincinnati on Monday I have NOT stopped. I am exhausted already!

I had a yogurt for breakfast. Then I had to go teach and my advisor was coming to observe me and I was so nervous I couldn't eat. So I got home around 5 and had some chicken salad on a bed of lettuce and I could only eat a little. The dogs got the majority of that, yeah they eat lettuce, weird!!

So I went up to see a friend and took my G2, my protein shake and the Bacardi. Bacardi has zero carbs and only 60 calories. My G2 only has around 50 per bottle and zero carbs. So a new drink is born. Trust me, I have had better drinks but for the caloric intake...this is awesome. I call it the Rockin Robin. Compared to the beer, this puts my calories around 200 (I had two) instead of my beer intake at 1200...I do love beer!!

It was good to laugh with friends. Of course they lectured me about my 40 day plan, I listened, I tried to explain but most people just do not understand. I am not doing it solely to lose weight. It is more of a plan to get myself back into the correct frame of mind. If you have ever tried to lose weight I think you know what I mean. It is to focus on maintaining my diet. I have changed my whole entire life, the way I eat, exercise - everything. This is helping me focus on staying on the correct path. I call it a detox it is not just about food!

I guess when I start to remember stories of how cruel people have been to me in my life, I get emotional. I was telling my friends last night about my experience with the school nurse in the 7th grade. We had to go in for a physical with her each year (not sure why). I was about 5'7 or so, maybe 5'8 and weighed about 142 pounds. I was 12 or 13 at the time. The nurse told me I was 40 pounds overweight and a myriad of other horrible things. Like I was unhealthy for a 12 year old. She told me she was calling my mother about my weight problem. I was humiliated. Thinking about this now, I was not overweight at all, I was just tall. Yes most girls at 12 are small, as in around 5 feet 80 pounds, but that was not me. I was 7 inches taller than most of my friends and if I would have weighed 100 pounds I would have looked sick..I still to this day do not understand why that nurse was so cruel to me.

So today my plan is to eat a little more, I need to stay at 1200 calories and I am finding it very difficult to do. It's either all or nothing with me, I need to map out a plan of what and when to eat and stick to it.

My 40 Day Detox!

2011-03-23T12:33:00.000-04:00

This is really hard for me to share, but I am gonna do it anyway. I do not let people inside my little world, but I think this is theraputic for me and I am tired of explaining myself to the masses...so here is what I am doing for the next 40 days...and WHY you ask...because I can!

I know that people get hysterical when I talk about going on a liquid diet. I have tried so many different diets, fads, workout till my body is exhausted, starve, I have done it all. BUT, I have not lost a pound in six months, haven't gained one either, but my poor confused body is in STALL mode.

I have lost 130 pounds in three years, I am proud of that, I worked hard for it and I will not let anyone take that from me. BUT, it is frustrating, humiliating, and overall just flat out insane that I haven't lost any weight in six months. I work so hard at my weight loss. Do I give up? Hell no!

I went to Texas-The big "D" last week for much needed rest and recuperation from the stress of my Master's program and the overload of coursework, teaching, and mayhem that is my life. I shopped, I ate too much Tex-Mex food, and overall let myself relax. I didn't take any workout clothes because that is all I would have focused on, working out. Instead I let my body heal, rest, eat, drink, and be merry!!

On my way home I decided to pray for guidance on my weight loss journey. And that is how I decided to do the 40 day detox. Heck if Jesus can fast for forty days, I can do liquids for forty days right? I will stick to the rule of 60! Sixty carbs, sixty protein, sixty minutes of exercise (I do ninety-30 minutes of weights 3 days per week).

I have coffee with half and half for breakfast, a boiled egg and a yogurt. For lunch I will have a protein drink and then another at 2. I will eat tuna, or drink a shake for dinner as well. I try to stick to 1200 calories a day but so far, I am around 960. I will eliminate carbs from my diet almost entirely. With the exception of beans in my chili, I eat a lot of chili, I am from Cincinnati, love the stuff!!! I call it liquid meat!

Why do I torture myself you say? I get this a lot from everyone. I think when you grow up with a weight problem which becomes the focus of who you are; you continue to focus on it. I remember being six and being so much taller and so different from the other girls that even the six year olds would comment on my size. I became sort of a freak. I retreated into myself, I was shy-I withdrew, I watched TV, I loved art, I did not care about the classmates. I just ignored them! My imagination, art, and fabrics became my solace. I taught myself to sew when I was 2 (that is what my mother said) but I think I was four, I remember making Barbie clothes for my dolls. I loved beautiful fabrics, the feel of the machine, it gave me purpose. My grandmothers, and my mother all sewed, but I had to teach myself. It gave me something positive to do and to be. So that is what I focused on when I was little. Sewing, art, being invisible, which is hard when you are the tallest girl in school.

It doesn't make me angry it makes me who I am today. Independent, focused, kind, compassionate, and sympathetic to those who are different. It makes me an amazing teacher and gives me an understanding of who I teach.

So my first day, was OK. I get really hungry at night, I am trying to not eat after 7 but man that is hard...I can already taste the ketosis in my mouth. My body is going into ketosis, ugh, make sure you have gum!!! Bleck....more on the morrow...

Here is my Texas picture from last week....this random cowboy came up and hugged me (loved it) so I stole his hat! HA!!

LOSE IT WEBSITE!!!!

2011-02-20T14:42:00.000-05:00

I am pretty careful about my diet. I eat a low carb high protein diet. I do eat small amounts of fruit, veggies, and occasionally double protein bread. I go to the gym regularly. I tend to be a cardio junkie and primarily workout on the elliptical, the recumbent bike or the treadmill for about 60 minutes a day.

My weight loss has stalled for about six months and it is the single most frustrating thing in my entire life. So I consulted Dr. Awesome (Dr. Dirk Rodriguez) and we discussed adding weights three days a week into my routine, along with the cardio for 60 minutes.

I now workout my arms on Mondays (light weights, more reps, as in 15 pounds 50 times in sets of three, 20, 20, 10) my legs on Wednesdays, and my back/core on Fridays.

I thought I was very careful with my calorie intake, but I have found I have gotten very slack in keeping track of what I eat and when. I eat small meals about 5 or six times a day, but due to the cold and winter, my water consumption has all but disappeared from my diet. I have found that I am drinking way too much caffeine and not enough water. So I have cut down on the coffee/tea (I don't touch soda-EVER-liquid Satan I call it) and upped my water again to as much as I can possibly consume. I am dehydrated and I had no idea. No wonder I am tired, have a headache and I am a complete and utter GROUCH!!

So I found this website that helps me track everything and the best thing about it...it's FREE!!!!! I just started using it and already I know what and how long it will take me to lose the rest of my weight and just how many calories a day I need to consume.

Give it a try....http://loseit.com/index.jsp#Home

I also have a fondness for beer. I love it. Dark, light, pilsner, lager, craft...all good. So I have to be VERY careful about the beer intake. I usually stick to the ULTRA light beer with 2 carbs, but sometimes a girl has to have a good beer too. So I am eliminating it from my diet for the next month and lets see how my weight loss goes....I have nothing to lose....

Winter Skin

2011-02-20T14:30:00.003-05:00

My friends are always asking what is the best face mask to help with dry winter skin. For me, I use a simple aspirin mask to slough off dry winter skin. It's cheap, its easy and you probably already have it in your cabinet.

In Ohio the dry furnace air, extreme cold and wind make my skin dry, lifeless, and dull. I looked around for a simple at home remedy that would help to take off all that dry blotchy skin.

This winter, I use a simple cheap dollar bottle of aspirin, a cheap bottle of lemon juice, and some cotton balls to help with my dry skin.

I pour the aspirin in a small bowl then cover them with the lemon juice. When it breaks the aspirin down to a paste I take mix it with a spoon.

Then I take my cotton balls or rounds and smear it onto my face. I rub it in with my hands to exfoliate the dead dry skin. I leave it till it starts to dry and get hard. I also use this on my hands, and my lips. Then I wash it off with warm water and moisturize my face. I like to use a little bit of baby oil (I have very dry sensitive skin) and lotion. I combine them together to moisturize my face and hands.

My hands and face are so soft and my skin has a new glow. I only do this twice a month. On the opposite weeks I use baking soda and warm water to keep my skin fresh and healthy and I moisturize everyday twice or three times a day. I do like the blend of a little dash of baby oil and regular moisturizer together, they seem to work best for my dry sensitive skin.

**NOTE: If this combination burns, try to use less lemon juice. Do not overuse, and do not use if you have a skin condition such as eczema. Always ask your doctor or Dermatologist.

EASY WAY TO INSERT A CORSET IN YOUR JACKET FOR A BETTER FIT!!!

2010-12-19T14:50:00.030-05:00

For my birthday my sister took me shopping. I of course love Macy's, so off we went. I found this ruffled jacket, INC brand. They only had one! And it was of course two sizes too big. So--I bought it anyway, knowing I could taylor it to fit my figure.

I was shopping around on www.Etsy.com and noticed these stunning jackets with a corset up the back. I knew I could do this in about 10 minutes. These jackets were selling for well over a hundred dollars.

The corset accentuates the waist and pulls the jacket tight to show off a curvy figure and it would look perfect for this ruffled jacket that was too big.

First I had to go find the metal corset bracket hooks. I found them at Walmart in a packet of four for .78 cents each.

I place the jacket flat on my counter island in the kitchen. This is where I do all my cutting.

I arrange the new hooks on the back, then mark the spot with sewing chalk.

I snip the chalk marks with the tip of the scisors.

I used a grosgrain ribbon to attach the hooks to the jacket. I sew the ends together first so it's easier to attach to the jacket.

I stick the ribbon through the new hole and stich the hole closed.

I decided to use six hooks. I stiched all six of them in. It literally took me 10 minutes to do.

When I finish I start to thread the ribbon through the new hooks.

And wha-la it's done and it fits great. Although that corset gets a lot of attention. It gets untied, and retied often from cheeky people pulling the ribbon. It's a fun way to make your jackets, coats, and shirts fit.

This is what I wore to my friends Christmas party this year. We had so much fun.

MY NEW COAT!!

2010-12-19T11:12:00.032-05:00

A couple months ago I saw this ruffel front coat at Macy's, I was in love. It was INC and extremly expensive. $199 to be exact! So, I decided to wait for a sale! When I went back to get it, POOF-it was gone! So I came home and searched for it on Ebay. Not only did I find it, it was only 30 bucks-brand new! So I bought it!

The only problem with the coat is that it has hook and eye closures. It was impossible to fasten those little hooks into the small eyes,and they wouldn't stay closed.

Sometimes I seriously do not understand what the designers are thinking. So I decided I would put a zipper in it.

I buy all my sewing hardware and thread and such at Walmart. A 24 inch zipper is $1.29 at Walmart. At the fabric store they are about four bucks. Make sure you buy a sports zipper, one that seperates at the bottom.

To start I lay the coat out flat and try and figure a way to install the zipper. I do not want to open all the seams and put this zipper in, I want to do it the easiest, quickest way possible.

The ruffels on the front of the coat are tacked/sewn down, so I have to open the small seams using the seam ripper.

Opening the ruffel placket will allow the fabric to lay flat and it will hide the new zipper seam.

I turned the coat inside out so that I can see where I can place my zipper.

I am going to place the zipper directly over the hook and eyes. I do not have to remove them as they will not be in the way of the new zipper.

I lay the zipper on the coat and start to pin the zipper down, while the zipper is still zipped.

Make sure you place the pins in the right direction. They are easier to remove when the ball or head of the pin is facing you. As you sew you can slide them out easier.

I unzip the zipper and I can now sew down the zipper.

Next I have to change the sewing machine foot to the zipper foot. You have to use a zipper foot in order to get close enough to the zipper to sew it down.

Next, I slowly stictch the zipper down and remove the pins as I go so the zipper stays in place.

In about 10 minutes I am done and look at my new seams.

I have to hand stitch the front ruffel placket back down.

And I am done. You can't even see the zipper.

The finished product. At my friends annual Christmas Party!

The Wedding Rehearsal Dress****

2010-07-04T22:43:00.008-04:00

In my quest to find a dress for the wedding, I also wanted to find one for the rehearsal dinner. Even though the rehearsal dinner was "casual" I really wanted to feel good about what I was wearing. I am typically not a jeans and tee shirt type of girl, or a pair of khaki shorts and a polo. I love to wear pretty femine clothes and this is the dress I found at Macy's.

This dress is not typically something I would wear, again it is very short for me, I prefer my dreses below the knee, but it is summer and my workouts are starting to shape my legs more and more. I am getting more comfortable with a little shorter skirt. But not too short. In the winter I would wear black leggins under this dress and a super high heel. And I always, always wear jewelry. It is very important to wear jewelry. It can make your whole outfit. Check out my dress,it is not something I would usually pick out, but I am trying to be more creative and adventurous.

I have a close up so you can see my necklace, it was a huge sterling silver chunky necklace with amber stones. It matched perfectly and everyone commented on the stunning match. It made my whole outfit.

AGHHHHHHHHHH YET ANOTHER WEDDING!!!!

2010-07-04T10:07:00.039-04:00

This July will be the sixth wedding I will be involved in; always a bridesmaid, never a bride. I am seriously fine with that (almost all of my friends are now divorced) but it is exhausting being involved in all these weddings. In the past six months I have been in two weddings.

This July my friend Alice is getting married and this time we were allowed to pick our own dresses; as long as they were black. I was so excited, and then I suddenly realized, OMG I have to pick out a dress.

Most women will tell you how hard it is to find a dress and a black dress at that. It is nearly impossible. Designers just do not make dresses anymore as no one really wears dresses. Most designers make separates, shirts, jackets, skirts, etc. Which would have been fine to wear for the wedding, but I really wanted a dress. Well I found one, but it was two sizes too big, the only one left, and it was an A-line cut. (see post about dress styles, shapes, and cut) I have a very curvy body (still trying to accept my curvy body, and figure out what will work and not work) and I am very tall at 5’9. To put an A-line cut on my frame is difficult. Most of the dresses this year have a very full skirt, and if you have larger hips and a smaller waist this type of full skirt can make you look huge. Or feel like you look huge.

So I found my black dress, and now I am going to alter it and cut it down to fit my body. I am seriously a “girly-girl” and I love all the rosettes and flounces that are in fashion now. So I had to have this dress. As you can see below the dress is just too full on the bottom, it’s a little short for me, but when you are tall and the average American women is 5’4, the designers will cater to the average or standard height. I could have added length to the dress but it is so ornate on top, I didn’t want to have too much going on with this dress. Keep it simple… I love the top of this dress and it is the reason I bought it.

The first thing I did was of course, try the dress on, I knew it was too big on the bottom. I laid it flat out on my huge dinning room table, inside out.

See how the corner of the dress comes out to a point? I am not sure what the designer was thinking but this dress is too full for anyone unless you are a size two, and even then you have to be careful, too much fabric or clothes that are too big, make you look big, frumpy, and can make you look sloppy. I had to learn that you cannot hide under a tent, accentuate the curves and wear clothes that fit you.

I am going to cut that corner off, just like I do with jeans. It is a simple fix. How much do you cut off, or how do you know how much to cut off? I take the tape measure and lay it from the waist to the bottom of the corner. That is how much I know I can cut off. I always pin the dress and then try it on first before I ever cut it.

I am going to cut off 5 1/2 inches from the bottom of each side of this skirt, and taper the cut to the waist. Slowly getting smaller as I reach the waist. My goal is only to take in the bottom of this dress.

I pin my dress and try it on, to make sure it's not too tight or too loose.

When I know it's the right fit. I sew the new seam, I try the dress on again, then I cut the excess fabric. Make sure you leave about a half an inch of extra fabric so you can zig zag the new seam closed.

I like to have a double seam, and then close with the zig zag stitch so the fabric doesn't fray.

I have taken about 12 inches off the bottom of this dress.

And wha-la a BETTER fitting dress. You will see some photos of me at the wedding reception at the incredible Fleischmann Estates (yes the butter people) in Indian Hill, Ohio. It has been restored to a center for the Arts and is now called Greenacre's and displays artwork for sale, and has many classes for students. If you would like to see more of the property and are in the Cincinnati area, check it out (link at the bottom).

www.green-acres.org/GAF_sitepages/GAF_MAIN/GAF_MAIN-Home.html

This is my friend Alice, one of the most amazing teachers, friend, and mentor I could ever have. I was glad to be a part of your day my friend!!! Don't we look like Barbie and Skipper???

Spring is here time for Capri's********* Change your pants into Capri's

2010-03-28T14:03:00.032-04:00

I love to shop and I love a sale. Recently I bought 5 pairs of Calvin Klein jeans at the cleance sale at Macy's. Now I know-5 pairs of jeans??? But they were 11 dollars and a couple pairs were 23 dollars. These are 80 dollar jeans normally. I knew I would alter them to fit me. Boot cut to straight legs, and alter the waist to fit as listed in my pervious blogs, but I also wanted to make a couple pairs of capris for spring. Sometimes I will buy pants on clearance or even in petite's and cut them into capri pants or even shorts. It is cheaper than buying capri pants. I mean where can you get a pair of Calvin Klein capri pants for 11 bucks??

First I put the jeans on and decide how long I want them. I like mine to hit right below the knee, or a little longer so I can wear them to work.

Next I lay them out on the table and cut off the leg where I previously marked it.

I lay the cut leg on top of the other leg to measure and then cut it off.

Next I zig zag the the the unfinished hem so it doesn't fray.

Now I am ready to hem. I usually do a 1 inch hem, so I measure and pin both legs.

I match up the legs to make sure they are the same length.

And I am done.

Mind the GAP-Do your pants gap at the waist??

2010-03-25T22:21:00.020-04:00

For a woman finding a pair of jeans that fit is almost impossible. Especially if you have a curvy body. I am talking a smaller waist, bigger hips and well, junk in your trunk. What usually happens for me is that I can get them to fit everywhere but in the waist. I hate when my jeans gap in the waist at the back. I swear I could fit a pillow down there. If you have a smaller waist like I do, this is a huge problem for you, specifically when it comes to jeans. I have the hardest problem finding jeans that fit, not only in length but more importantly in the waist. So I find jeans that primarily fit in the hips, rear, thighs, and are long enough for my 5'9 frame. So to fix the gap at the back of your jeans, there is a simple fix and I will show you how to do this.

First lay your jeans out flat on the table and look at the waist.

Now turn them inside out and match the middle belt loop in the seam of the seat to the belt loop on the right.

Pin the belt loops together so they don't slip around. Now I know that my waist is about three inches too big. I know because if you pull the waist tight on the side when you try them on you can figure out how much excess is there. It is usually about three inches for me. So, I am going to place my dart in the back of the waist about 1 and 1/2 inches on each side for a total of three inches. So I measure and then mark with my marker where I need to begin my dart.

Lay the ruler from the top of waist band which is 1 1/2 inches in and place it diagonally to the top of the pocket seam on the jeans. It needs to taper slowly otherwise it will pucker. See photo...

You are ready to sew. Make sure you use a couple pins so the seams remain straight and flush. Sew a straight line. Do the other side of the belt loops the same way.
Cut away the excess fabric and zig zag stitch the cut seam so it doesn't fray.

When you are finished your new tappered waist should look like the photo below.

And the finished waist should look like the photo below.

And finally a closeup of me with no gapping and when I sit my underwear not showing, is just priceless.

Taper Jeans from Boot Cut to Straight Legs**

2010-03-25T21:16:00.036-04:00

Straight legs are in so I am always flabergasted when I can never find anything but boot cut jeans. I don't live in Texas and do not wear big ole cowboy boots so I find boot cut jeans just do not fit my style and I don't like all that fabric flappin around when I walk. Sometimes they are so flaired I feel like Shaggy from Scooby Doo. So I make sure that my jeans fit in the hips, thighs, and are long enough, then I taper them to straight cut jeans. Not super straight from the 1980's but just straight with no flair.

Here is a photo of the before flaired Calvin Klein boot cut jeans.

The first thing I do is lay my jeans flat inside out. I make sure the seam I am about to taper is on the inside seam and the seams match up and are straight. I measure across usually about three inches in from the inside seam.

I mark three inches in with a marker. And pin where my three inch taper begins.

To taper the boot cut jeans to straight legs, you lay a ruler diagonally to just below where you knee is at the inseam. (See Photo)Then mark the line with your marker.

Do both legs the same way.

I am now ready to sew. I follow my line on the sewing machine with a straight stich. I then try them on inside out to make sure they are not too tight.

If they are a good fit, I cut the excess material off.

Next you need to finish the edge that you just cut so that it doesn't fray and unravel. I use a zig zag stitch.

And wha-la straight leg jeans.

A Simple Alteration for Elastic Waist Pants***

2010-02-03T14:21:00.001-05:00

Before I can show how to alter clothing, you have to know how to use the sewing machine. There is a great series on the internet;

http://www.ehow.com/videos-on_5328_use-sewing-machine.html

Once you learn the basics, how to sew a straight line, how to thread your machine and bobbin (the single most important aspect of sewing is threading the machine, once you have this mastered you can thread any sewing machine) and which needle to use with which fabric you can move on to more complex alterations. There are thousands of videos on the internet that can show you how to thread a sewing machine and how it works.

Tip: I usually never buy a new sewing machine. I have in the past for hundreds and hundreds of dollars and been very disappointed in my purchase. I pick up most of the ones I have at local flea markets or yard sales. Most people do not know how to thread a machine and assume it is broken. Once you master threading the machine and learning about the tension knobs, you will know if the second hand machine is actually broken or not. You can buy a very nice used machine for around $20-$100 and up.

The most I have ever paid for a used sewing machine was right around 60 dollars, and it was never used and came with the carrying case. A nice new sewing machine usually cost’s around $300-$1000 and up depending on the brand and what you are using it for. If you are not a second hand shopper, a nice Singer Machine from a local Department Store is usually around $300-$350.

How to alter a simple pair of elastic waist pants.

1) I always try on my pants and look at them in a full length mirror. I turn them inside out, then measure with my hands how much fabric I want to take in to make the pants fit so they don’t slide around when I walk in them. You know where the crack of your pants is going diagnolly because they are trying to twist around your body. Eeek!

2) I measure the fabric is on both sides with the measuring tape. Before I take the pants off, I pin the waist and below the waist a few. Once you get used to sewing you probably won’t need to measure with the measuring tape, you will just know visually how much to take in on each side. Try not to stick yourself with the pins, it hurts like the Dickens.

3) Lay pants flat on the table or floor, inside out. Measure the amount (mine are usually between two inches on each side to go down one size, two inches on each size to go down two sizes, this varies per person) of material to be sew and removed. Use pins and a yard stick, or a measuring tape, to help make your lines straight. Also make sure that the waist is even from the front to the back, otherwise you hem will be uneven when you sew it. Keep your fingers away from the needle, ever sewn your finger on a sewing machine...I have and it hurts for weeks.

4) I always begin at the top at the waist band and sew through the elastic waist band (don't pull or stretch it) down in a straight line towards the hem of your pants. If you cannot sew a straight line make sure you use pins or white chalk to guide you. As you sew remove the pins until you get to the hem. Make sure to go very slow so you do not break your needle.

5) Repeat on the opposite side.

6) I always try my pants on again just to make sure I have taken enough in on both side and I do not have any puckering of the seams. Ok so this terrible picture, and I would not typically wear this shirt with these pants, but I wanted to show the actual seams so that you could see them. And how much actual fabric I am removing.

7) Cut away the excess material making sure to leave a little extra so that you can zig zag stitch the ends of the seams closed. (also known as the selvage) Zig zagging will prevent the edges from unraveling and ruining your garment. If you have a serger, this whole process is done quickly and easily, if you don't try this method.

8) Try pants on again to make sure all seams are closed and the stitching is complete.

This is a quick and easy way to make your pants fit as you go through your weight loss stages. It takes me about 10 minutes to do. It will take you much longer if you are a new sewer. Take your time sew very slow at the beginning. Sometimes my new sewers use the foot pedal like a gas pedal, slow down. If you mess up you can remove the seam and start over. You have nothing to lose since the pants didn't fit when you started.

Before and After Pictures

2010-02-01T18:35:00.001-05:00

Everyone has that photo, the one where you go, “Oh my God, I cannot possibly be that fat, I don’t feel that fat.” The one when you know you need help, more than any diet, exercise, or joining a gym can give you. This is my photo, it is Christmas 2006 and I am standing with my sisters and my sister in-law. Of course they made me crop them out, but you can see what I looked like before my weight loss.

My after picture was a gift from a friend of mine, a glamour shots session. She gave it to me for my 40th birthday and I never used it until I started this blog. In October of 2009, I went in for my session and really just had fun. I already knew I would hate every photo because I hate photos of myself, so consider my sharing here a gift because I really do not like to “put myself out there” so to speak.

My third photo, another photo where you go “what the heck was I thinking dying my hair blonde, am I nuts?” This photo I found on my dad’s camera and I think it is so funny I have to share it. This photo was taken again, at Christmas in 2003. Christmas is usually the only time I will take a photo. I wanted to share the physical difference the weight loss shows in my face.

What is a Mickism??

2009-11-17T10:57:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had one of those friends who always make comments (in a funny way) about something you have on? Well, I do and his name is Mick. I have known Mick since I was fourteen. We went to high school together and have remained friends since.

Mick and I have a great time joking around with each other. He is well aware of my love of fashion and likes to point out something he considers weird, too trendy, or that someone in OHIO is going to have a hard time pulling off. He truthfully loves to tease me and finds ways to do so, this is one of his ways. His favorite item to pick on me about is my zebra stripped silk sweater. I thought I was the height of fashion and he took one look at me and burst out laughing……the man called me Serengeti for eight hours….of course I laughed till beer came out my nose, but needless to say, I do not wear that very often anymore and never around him.
I once wore a blue ruffled shirt and I was dubbed "What are ya Prince" and he sang Little Red Corvette every time I looked at him. Then came the Pirate! A beautiful white ruffled blouse with french cuffs, as I walked down the stairs to the party thinking I was making a grand entrance, he blurts out "ARGH MATTIE". Everyone should have a MICK!!!

So now I have clothes I call the Mickism's. Clothes that are too fashion forweird to wear…

My Daily Workout Routine

2009-11-09T13:03:00.000-05:00

Everyday I drag myself off to the gym. I usually go about 10 in the morning right after my pot of coffee, or my indulgence in Starbucks. Instead of taking a lunch hour, I take a morning workout hour and eat a small lunch at my desk at noon instead of going out to lunch or eating in our cafeteria. It is a plan that works for me. I know I am not motivated enough to go before or after work, so I had to find something that worked for me.

I have been working out daily for about 15 months. I started walking in my regular clothes for 15 minutes and I could barely do that. I gradually worked up a little each day adding a minute until I got to 30 minutes. Then I started to change into gym clothes and workout as long as I could. I would even go twice a day. Morning and afternoon for 15 minutes each session, then up to 20 until I got to 45 minutes. So now, I go everyday for 45 minutes of straight cardio, and I love it. I never thought I would ever utter those words, but I do. I have more energy, more drive, I hardly ever get sick, and I just want to go in there get it done, and move on.

I discovered that after a year on the treadmill and watching Ellen every day at ten, that my weight had plateaued and that I do not work out as well when I watch the LCD in the gym.

So with the help of the Nazi trainer here at work, I started the Elliptical and the Arc machines. The trainer actually stood there and watched me, or shall I say, made me do at least 2 minutes on the Elliptical before she would leave. Then it was ON! I had to build myself up each day. I started at 2 minutes and gradually worked five minutes longer each day until I got to 30 minutes, then 45.

I started to bring my Ipod to the gym and discovered that I work out harder, faster, and longer if I listen to music rather than watching TV. I now share my workout list with other people in the gym. The faster the music the harder I work. I try and get my heart rate up into the 150's and as I get stronger and more aerobically fit, it becomes harder to do.

So, each week I try and increase my incline and my resistance so I can achieve my cardio workout for 45 minutes every day. Check out my play list...

YIKES! It’s my Birthday . . .

2009-11-05T11:50:00.000-05:00

It is that time of year again where I have to participate in my birthday. Every year I attempt to let it slide past without anyone knowing, but it NEVER works. So my quest is to find something to wear that I look good in (always a miraculous feat). I also want an outfit that is remotely comfortable. Sometimes the two just do not hold hands.

The Disco Scene . . . Really?
This year I will be 41 and my single girlfriends are dragging me off to some crazy place to dance. Hopefully with handsome men, lots of drinks and a laughing, goofy night in general.

Fit Makes All the Difference
Since I have lost soooo much weight, I am usually very self conscious about what I wear. I have a horrible habit of buying clothes that are my old size, that are too big, and really look like I have on a bag. My friend Le-Le told me I was like a kite, if she tied a string to my leg the wind would blow me away. Yep, my pants were that baggy. So now I take a very HONEST person with me when I shop and buy the size that actually fits. Not a little big, not tight, but a good fit--regardless of the size on the tag. Fit makes all the difference in the appearance of your figure. Plus, no more tugging or adjusting when you stand up or sit down.

Robin's Tip: To get the perfect fit from pants "off the rack" I sometimes have to buy the bigger size and take in the pants in certain areas--the waist, butt, or legs for example. Click on the video (coming soon) to see how I do this. If you do not sew, find someone who does. If you can learn how to sew a very straight line, you will be able to improve the fit in your problem clothing.

Color Makes You Shine
Another important thing for me when picking out something to wear is color. I know what colors look good with my hair, eyes, and skin tone. I choose reds, bright blues, purples, and my favorite--black. Those are my basic color palette. I can also wear others like whites and browns, but I always choose tones that are in my color palette. Make sure you have the correct color palette for your skin tone.

Robin's Tip: Check out the website: http://www.colormebeautiful.com/seasons/index.html to find out which "season" you are and which colors make your hair, eyes, and skin stand out. I am a "winter" and I stick like glue to my color palette. You can also get the book Color Me Beautiful (by Carole Jackson) at the library.

Help Me Choose An Outfit
Click on the outfits below to see which makes me look great. Then cast your vote. Check back here next week to see if I wore your outfit!

Remember: "There are no ugly women, only those that do not know how to make themselves beautiful."--Christian Dior

YIKES! It’s my Birthday . . .