3rd Day Back on the Blog

So far so good...as I am still seeing good progress thus far - down 3.5 lbs. in 2 days. I don't want to jinx it though or scare it off, so read this blog in your whisper voice. I have to say when I do things right I tend to do them well and see progress, I just have to be consistent. Sadly, consistency is the problem...I allow too many obstacles to keep tripping me up on my journey to healthdom. I could ask the "why, oh why?" question, but why? That would just being self-defeating in the overall picture. I know why...life just happens, and I just need to make strong, smart choices as they come...that's all...right?...HA! Oh well, I always go with the motto, "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again." Thus I will keeping going, and keep trying until I do it! And if you think about it, if you're trying, then you're already doing...think about that.

On the opera front: Rehearsals for "Emmeline" at Dicapo Opera are going very well, this is going to be an amazing show. I really adore what the stage director has and is doing with this opera...it's truly inventive and beautiful, not to mention very physical. He's got the lead soprano (who sings sooo beautifully) rolling around on the floor, with her head hanging over boxes and sitting stark still in a chair whilst she sings throughout the show...not to mention that the ensemble is practically choreographed in everything they do...it's been a meticulous rehearsal process, but very fruitful...Again, this is really going to be quite an amazing and visual show...not to mention the great singing talent within.

On the fitness & nutrition side: I'm feeling a bit tired due to only 5-6 hours of sleep a night, but that will be remedied as soon as we're done with the production on Sept. 13th. Other than that I do feel pretty good and energized considering. I'm sure it has to do with the healthy eating and how often I'm doing it. Eating Organic has been really positive thus far.

Here's today's log and stats:

Weight: 153 lbs.

8:00 am - 2 medium organic hard boiled eggs (152 calories), water, organic decaf skim milk latte w/2 tsp. agave nectar (milk 110 calories + agave 28 calories)

Supplements: Multi-Vitamin (Trader Darwin's Women's), 1200 mg Calcium w/200 IU vitamin D (10 calories), 595 mg potassium gluconate, milkthistle.

11:00 am - 1 medium orange (62 calories) & 15 raw almonds (105 calories)

1:30 pm - Chicken w/veggies in a spicy basil sauce over brown rice (350 calories) & steamed veggie dumplings (150 calories)

2:30 pm - Workout: 1 hour of moderate walking

4:30 pm - Coconut water (65 calories)

6:30 pm - Organic Quinoa (127 calories) & Organic Red Beans (110 calories)

8:00 pm - Coffee w/skim milk (110 calories)

Total of 1351 calories

Total of 7,000 steps today

Have a great day folks!
-Bex

And the Progress Continues

Alright, the first day "back at the blog" went well I think. I maintained my online "journal" and accomplished everything I set forth yesterday. Now to keep the momentum going. All we can do is take it moment by moment, day by day...a lesson I've learned the hard way. If you're an absolutist (like me) about things, you may find that if you don't bend, then you may break. Unfortunately, I've been known to be a little hardcore/strict on my diet and then have one slip up and be like "F#@K it , I already messed up the day, I might as well enjoy the rest of the day, week, month, year"...you get the idea. So the plan is to make good decisions when they come and not beat myself up if I have a few mis-haps or unplanned things come into my life...besides you can always burn a few more calories if you eat a few more than you planned.

On the opera front: I had a quasi-terrible coaching yesterday. Last week the allergies hit me hard and gave me a little laryngitis, thus Monday being my first vocal day back, I didn't feel I did my best singing...on the positive though, I did get through all of "Emmeline" memorized (which is saying a lot, due to the score's difficulty).

On the weight progression: I am on the right track and already 2 lbs. down from yesterday. I look forward to when the scale will say 10 lbs. down and my clothes say 2 inches in :) I think I'll see great progress in the next two weeks. I just have to continue to eat clean, watch my calories, and work-out almost everyday.

Here's today's fitness/nutrition log:

7:30 am - 2 medium organic hard boiled eggs (152 calories), water, herbal tea (lemon rose)

Supplements: Multi-Vitamin (Trader Darwin's Women's), 1200 mg Calcium w/200 IU vitamin D (10 calories), 595 mg potassium gluconate, milkthistle.

10:30 am - Organic Decaf Coffee w/organic half & half (100 calories) and half of a 0% organic plain yogurt (50 calories) w/stevia extract

1:00 pm - Organic Quinoa (127 calories) & Organic Red Beans (110 calories)

Baked Organic Cherries (54 calories)

Water

2:30 pm - Workout: 1 hour of moderate walking

3:30 pm - Organic Chicken Vegetable Soup...mmm (170 calories)

Baked Organic Cherries (54 calories)

5:30 pm - Decaf Coffee w/half & half (110 calories)

7:30 pm - Orange (62 calories) & cup of organic skim milk (110 calories)

End of Day Stats:

Total of 1109 calories

Total of 11,000 steps today

Have a great day!
-Bex

Back on the Blog

I know, I know...I've been terribly neglectful to this poor old blog, but things are about to change. I'm going to utilize the "Not a Fat Opera Singer" blog for exactly what it indicates...the not fat part and the opera singing. Let me catch you up with the goings-on's in my life.

Opera: I received a last minute contract from Dicapo Opera to cover Harriet Mosher and perform in the women's ensemble in their new production of Tobias Picker's "Emmeline". We will perform in NYC from Sept. 10-13 and then take the show to Szeged, Hungary to perform in the Mezzo Television Opera Festival & Competition Nov. 15 & 16. In December, I will sing my first Musetta in La Boheme with Opera Manhattan and I'm up for several other contracts with other companies for the rest of the year, but am waiting to hear back on those.

Weight Loss: I've lost 10 of the almost 30 lbs. I gained last winter, and now I will lose the remaining 20. Now that my toes have healed (oh yeah, I had some toe mis-haps, fractures, toenail issues...long story) I will start my cardio and sculpting regiment and will continue to keep my diet lean, clean and pumping (I've gone organic and gave up sodas and chemicals). The plan is to do a daily log on here to keep myself honest and accountable. I have to admit that when I keep a journal, I keep the weight off...it really seems to help. So, here goes...sorry if it's TMI and a bit boring, but at least you know I'm being proactive about it ;)

Starting weight 156.5 lbs. (ugh!)

8:00 am - 0% Greek yogurt w/packet of Stevia (90 calories)

Herbal Tea (Lemon Rose) & Water

Supplements - Calcium w/D (1200 mg-calcium, 200 IU-vitamin D, 10 calories), Potassium Gluconate (595 mg ), Trader Darwin's Women's Multivitamin

11:20 am - 15 Sundried Almonds (105 calories), 3 organic prunes (60 calories), & some organic baked cherries (54 calories)

Water

1:40 pm - Organic Quinoa (127 calories) & Organic Red Beans (110 calories)

Water

2:30 pm - Workout: Guerilla Cardio, 30 minutes on treadmill (5 minutes warm-up, 20 minutes HIIT in 1 minute intervals, 5 minutes cool down) Highest Heart Rate 181, fastest running pace 7.0, lowest walk pace 3.5

4:30 pm - Organic Quinoa (127 calories) & Organic Red Beans (110 calories)

Water

5:45 pm - Grande Decaf coffee w/skim milk and some 1/2 & 1/2 (220 calories)

6:45 pm -1 orange (62 calories) & 2 oz. raw organic cheddar cheese (220 calories)

7:45 pm - 2 cups organic skim milk(180 calories)

End of Day Stats:

Total of 1413 calories

Total of 13,000 Steps Today

Have a great day folks.
-Bex