Day 52 - Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Good afternoon lovelies!
It is thunderstorming here, and my bulldog is hiding in the bathroom, cowering, while Jen sleeps on as if nothing is happening.
Bulldogs are supposed to be tough, are they not? :D
I have spent the better part of my day getting myself organized for the coming academic year.
I am going to be so busy it is not even going to be funny.
Five classes, 15 credit hours, with a total of 55 field hours between them.
My roommate will never see me, and I will never have a social life, because I will always be studying, working at the radio station, or in the classroom teaching/observing.
Cheers.
Oh yes, I have a job at the radio station.
I make audio recordings and write copy of events going on around our listening area, and I make PowerPoint slides of the events to run on our university's TV station.
Will I ever get a decent amount of food or sleep?!
Yes, because I will make time. :)
I got a call from my hospital today, and I am really excited.
They want me to bring Jen in to the geriatric psychiatric unit (code for old crazy people) for dog therapy!
It will be good practice for Jen, because that is essentially what she is going to be doing once I get my own Special Education classroom. :)
I am making a color coded study calendar and a weekly schedule for myself.
I am going to be so prepared that there is no way I will let myself fall behind.
This is going to be the busiest academic year I have ever had, and I have only one thing to say:
Bring it on.
Haha, hang in there and stay strong today, lovelies! <3

Food:
- 1 club cracker (+70 calories)
- 1 sausage sandwich w/ cheese (+420 calories)
- 1 sausage sandwich plain (+350 calories)
- 13 quik taters (+180 calories)
- 1 cup broccoli (+30 calories)
Total: 1,050/1,184 calories

Water: 80/74 fl. oz.

Rain, rain, go away; come again another day. <3

Day 51 - A Secret...Revealed. :)

Hello lovelies!
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, and are having a fantastic Monday so far!
Yesterday was all right.
Went to my cousin's birthday party, had my cake, ice cream, and pizza, and exercised as soon as I got home.
It made me feel tons better.
But I actually enjoyed myself instead of freaking out, which was good.
I am so excited.
My dad opened our swimming pool a couple of days ago, and he said it should be fit to swim in tonight!
More exercise for me, to speed up this fat loss and muscle gain!
I do not use a swimming pool the way most other people use it.
See, I cannot actually swim very well, so I just walk laps in the water.
It is still very good exercise for me, and it loosens my leg muscles up, which is really important.
I do not think I have told you all this, but I have spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.
If you do not know what it is, it is basically when two of four limbs (either both legs or both arms; legs in my case) are abnormally stiff and/or contracted, causing them to be very weak.
There can also be balance problems involved, which I definitely have.
I do have some fine motor issues with my hands and fingers at times as well, but I have complete control over them 99% of the time.
It is caused by brain damage.
I was a preemie baby, born at 27 weeks.
I had bleeding in my brain as a baby, hence the CP.
I am extremely fortunate though, because I can still walk.
I can walk around the house and things and short distances without any sort of aid.
For longer distances, I use a forearm crutch on my right side.
I fall a lot, and am constantly finding new bruises on my legs due to my lack of balance.
It is quite comical, really.
You would think I had it in for myself. :)
I have not known life without my CP; I have had it since birth.
Luckily for me, it is not genetic, so I cannot pass it on to my kids.
My CP is another reason why losing weight and becoming healthy is so important to me.
If I am at a healthy weight, my muscles and joints will not be in so much pain.
Not to mention, it should help my chronic lower back pain.
Yay, nerve damage. >.<
Because I have CP, I have a very special friend who helps enhance my quality of life.
Enter my assistance dog, Jen, from an organization known as Canine Companions for Independence.
These highly trained, specially bred dogs (Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and a mix of the two breeds) know over 50 specialized commands intended to enhance the quality of life of their partner.
Jen can open and close doors, turn lights on and off, carry things for me, pick up things that I have dropped, and so much more.
One of the biggest things she does for me is enhance my mobility by helping me to feel balanced when I am walking.
I have my crutch on my right side and her on my left. :)
She has truly been a godsend.
I can tell you, without a doubt, that I would not have made it through these past three years of university without her.
If you would like to learn more about CCI, visit their website at http://www.cci.org/
Wow, this is my longest blog ever!
I guess when you have a secret to tell, the excitement makes you more talkative than usual. :)
I hope you all have a wonderful day today!
Hang in there and stay strong lovelies! <3

Food:
- 1 strawberry Special K bar (+90 calories)
- 1 stuffed quesadilla Lean Pocket (+170 calories)
- 1 graham cracker (+70 calories)
- 5 honey wheat pretzel twists (+55 calories)
- 2 hot dogs on bun with mustard (+600 calories)
- 1 club cracker (+70 calories)
- 5 saltine crackers (+60 calories)
- 1 push up (+90 calories)
Total: 1,205/1,320 calories

Water: 80/74 fl. oz.

Exercise: 150 twisting crunches, 150 regular crunches, 150 jackknives, 100 reverse dumbbell curls, 100 regular dumbbell curls, 100 dumbbell flies (each arm) and 50 regular pushups

I figured that as long as I am revealing secrets, I might as well show you what I look like. This was one of my senior pictures, taken in 2008. Me and my JenJen. <3

Day 50 - Weigh In

Hello lovelies!
A wonderful Sunday to you all.
First things first.
A couple changes have been made to my blog and username.
Since I am trying to be healthier and get away from Ana before I get in so deep I cannot get out, I will now be known as Princess Perfection instead of Ana's Addict.
My blog name has changed to reflect that, and so has my blog address.
It is now http://princessperfectionx3.blogspot.com. :)
Another important bit: today is my weigh in.
Last week, I was 150.6 lbs.
Today I am 148.0.
This is major progress.
A 2.6 lb. loss the healthy way.
This shows me that I do need to eat more if I want to lose weight, as opposed to starving myself and gaining weight.
The loads of exercise I am doing are helping that, too.
I can tell that I am gaining muscle and losing fat.
Everything is becoming firmer and more toned.
I am definitely excited. :D
Today is my little cousin's third birthday party.
My family is planning on having lasagna beforehand, and then eating food at the party!
Guess who is not eating lasagna and saving all of their calories for the party?
This one.
And I am going to indulge today.
I am going to allow myself to have cake and pizza and ice cream, and ENJOY it.
This is going to be a huge challenge for me, but I want to show myself that I can have a day where I let loose every once in a while, and it will not kill me!
I have stopped weighing myself every day.
I only weigh in once a week.
Every Sunday.
And every Sunday, I will be adjusting my calorie and water targets for the coming week, based on how much weight I gain or lose.
I am also thinking about adding 25 more repetitions to my exercise regime every two weeks.
Do you think this plan sounds good?
I really, really appreciate all the support I am receiving from all of you; it is literally what keeps me going.
I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your weekend!
Hang in there and stay strong lovelies! <3

Food:
- 1 tossed vegetable salad with 1/4 cup light Italian dressing (+103 calories)
- 2 slices pepperoni pizza (+362 calories)
- 1/2 cup ice cream {cookies and cream} (+150 calories)
- 1 piece cake with buttercream icing (+450 calories)
- 1/2 cup pineapple (+39 calories)
- 1/2 cup strawberries (+25 calories)
- 1 cup broccoli (+30 calories)
- 5 honey wheat pretzel twists (+55 calories)
Total: 1,214/1,320 calories

Water: 78/74 fl. oz.

Exercise: 150 twisting crunches, 150 regular crunches, 150 jackknives, 100 reverse dumbbell curls, 100 regular dumbbell curls, 100 dumbbell flies (each arm), 50 regular pushups

What is your scale telling you today? <3

Day 49 - Good Morning Starshine, the Earth Says Hello

Hello lovelies!
A fantastic Saturday to you all. :)
I cannot really think of much to say today.
Haha!
Small triumph at breakfast, which makes me happy.
My dad made these breakfast apple bite things, which looked really good, but I am glad I had the sense to check the calories in them before I caved.
4 bites for 290 calories!
I do not think so, thank you very much.
So I had a ham and cheese omelet instead.
I am satisfied, and it was only 210 calories. :)
I hope we go shopping or something today, I need to get out of here!
My weigh in is tomorrow.
Tomorrow, we will know if eating more is what works for me, or not.
I will be adjusting my water intake and calorie intake based on tomorrow's weigh in.
I am excited, yet nervous.
Not to mention that I have my little cousin's birthday party tomorrow.
Hello pizza, cake, and ice cream.
Sigh.
I think that is the only food I will be eating tomorrow.
I guess we will see how tomorrow goes.
Still watching Supersize vs. Superskinny.
So much motivation!
Oh, and AJ/Miss Obsession, you were totally right about Super Skinny Me; LOVED it! :D
But anyway, time to go figure out if we are doing anything today.
Hang in there and stay strong, lovelies! <3

Food:
- 1 ham and cheese omelet (+210 calories)
- 1 club cracker (+70 calories)
- 1 chicken, bacon, and cheese Lean Pocket (+280 calories)
- 1/2 of a 12-inch pizza sub with sausage (+358 calories)
- other half of sub (+358 calories)
Total: 1,276/1,467 calories

Water: 80/76 fl. oz.

Exercise: 300 twisting crunches, 300 regular crunches, 300 jackknives, 200 reverse dumbbell curls, 200 regular dumbbell curls, 200 dumbbell flies (each arm), 100 regular pushups

I do not regret my sub at all. The whole thing is around 715 calories, and I am planning on eating the other half later. It is SO good, I am so glad I saved up my calories for this! :D

Kate and Louise from Super Skinny Me... :) <3

Day 48 - It's the Weekend Again

Hello lovelies!
A very splendid Friday to you all!
Yesterday went very well indeed, I can only hope that today goes just as well.
I do not think I am doing much today, seeing as my mom just paid bills, so no shopping trips today!
I am probably going to clean a little bit.
I have to clean my carpet once a week because Jen likes to shed everywhere.
I am not concerned about staying under my calorie target today even though it is the weekend.
I know that I am in control of whatever I consume, and I have the right to say no to food I do not want.
Now, if only my family realized that and stopped trying to shove junk in my face...
They are always trying to tempt me with it.
Like last night, my sister bought ice cream because she was craving it.
Both she and my mom asked me if I wanted some.
I said no.
I am honestly surprised they did not just bring me a bowlful.
That is what they usually do.
Yes, let us make the fat girl fatter, even though she is trying to lose weight and become perfect, shall we?
Let us try and sabotage her, because we are jealous that she is thinner than we are and making more progress.
That is honestly what I feel they think sometimes.
But they are girls.
It is a girl thing.
I guess I will just have to deal with it.
I am watching episodes of Supersize v. Superskinny again for some motivation and inspiration.
Hands down, one of my favorite motivational tools. :)
I have said it before and I will say it again:
You Brits are brilliant, and I love you!
Haha!qui
But anyway, off to begin my day!
Hang in there and stay strong, lovelies! <3

Food:
- 1 roasted chicken drumstick (+140 calories)
- 1 can Dole pine-orange banana juice (+100 calories)
- 16 scoops chips (+80 calories)
- 1/4 cup salsa (+30 calories)
- 1 panini roll (+180 calories)
- 1 portion Philly steak (+250 calories)
- 1/2 cup Velveeta cheese (+320 calories)
- 13 quik taters (+180 calories)
- 1 caramel apple popsicle (+70 calories)
Total: +1,350/1,208 calories

Water: 80/76 fl. oz.

Exercise: 150 twisting crunches, 150 regular crunches, 150 jackknives, 100 reverse dumbbell curls, 100 regular dumbbell curls, 100 dumbbell flies (each arm), 50 regular pushups

Today: thinspo and reverse thinspo from Supersize v. Superskinny. I give you superskinny Yasmin and supersize Darryl. <3

Day 47 - Compulsion

Hello lovelies!
I hope your Thursday is going wonderfully so far!
Yesterday was all right...until dinner time.
My dad was going to get pizza, but the power was off in town, so he decided to get Chinese food instead.
And I went along with it.
Got beef and broccoli with fried vegetable rice.
And I ate the entire flipping thing.
I hate it when I lose control like that!
So I spent the rest of the night alternating between exercising and chugging water.
I find that when I drink water, I do not get hungry.
That is how I stay out of the kitchen at night time.
Speaking of water, I FINALLY hit my water target last night!
I was so excited. :D
I do not have much to do today.
It will probably be a repeat of yesterday.
Blog, eat, drink, read, Facebook.
Repeat.
Yeah, my life is so exciting in the summer time.
Haha!
Anyway, off to go find something to do!
Hang in there and stay strong lovelies! <3

Food:
- 1 Yoplait Light Strawberry Shortcake yogurt (+110 calories)
- 1 ham and cheddar Lean Pocket (+270 calories)
- 1 graham cracker (+70 calories)
- 16 scoops chips (+80 calories)
- 1/4 cup salsa (+30 calories)
- 2 chicken drumsticks (+280 calories)
- 5 boiled red potato halves with butter (+332 calories)
- 1 cup pineapple (+140 calories)
Total: 1,312/1,334 calories

Water: 80/76 fl. oz.

Exercise: 150 twisting crunches, 150 regular crunches, 150 jackknives, 100 reverse dumbbell curls, 100 regular dumbbell curls, 100 dumbbell flies (each arm), 50 regular pushups

Thought I would give you all a little treat today. Introducing my assistance dog from Canine Companions for Independence, CCI's JEN II! Pictured here on our graduation day, February 16, 2008; one day after my 18th birthday. We have been a service team for three years now. She is my best friend! <3

Day 46 - Serenity

Hello lovelies!
A very happy June to you all. :)
I am feeling really good today.
I am calm, peaceful, and content.
I do not know why, but I am not complaining!
I really need to start sucking it up and actually hitting my target water intake every day.
I usually get about halfway there and decide that I am tired of drinking water.
Well, no more.
June is going to be my month, thank you very much. :)
I really need to go eat something.
I woke up at 11:30 today, got on Facebook, and jumped in the shower.
Some guy is supposed to be coming to look at our air conditioning today.
So naturally I put on my mascara, lip gloss, and perfume.
This is just how I get.
If I know I am going to be seeing people other than my family during the day, I have to put on my makeup and perfume or I do not feel right.
Is anyone else like this?
I feel really vain, but maybe it is just a girl thing.
Anywho, time for me to go decide what to eat; I can have 1,600 calories today. :)
I am so hungry!
Haha!
Hang in there and stay strong, lovelies. <3

Food:
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese (+100 calories)
- 5 saltines (+60 calories)
- 1 chicken, broccoli, and cheese Lean Pocket (+260 calories)
- 1/4 cup salsa (+30 calories)
- 16 scoops chips (+80 calories)
- 1 graham cracker (+70 calories)
- 1/4 cup indulgent trail mix (+200 calories)
- 1 order Chinese beef and broccoli (+660 calories)
- 1 serving fried rice (+363 calories)
- 4 oz. raspberry lemonade (+65 calories)
Total: 1,888/1,600 calories

Water: 78/76 fl. oz. [WIN!]

Exercise: 300 twisting crunches, 300 regular crunches, 300 jackknives, 200 reverse dumbbell curls, 200 dumbbell curls, 200 dumbbell flies (each arm) and 100 regular pushups.

Guess who is not eating anything else? Frickin' Chinese food. :\ I guess I know what I will be doing the rest of the night. Chugging water and exercising til I drop. Cheers.

So very beautiful... <3