But I find as I’m getting older, that I’ve been eating an entire meal and snacking. So of course, I’ve gained weight. Nothing terrible, I’m still skinny enough that when I mention [...]]]> I’ve always enjoyed eating snacks rather than sitting down to eat an entire meal. Nothing heavy—popcorn, nuts, granola bars, the occasional chip.

But I find as I’m getting older, that I’ve been eating an entire meal and snacking. So of course, I’ve gained weight. Nothing terrible, I’m still skinny enough that when I mention that I need to lose weight people remark, “Lose what? Your mind?”

But I know I need to lose a couple of pounds.

And I’m simply going to walk it off.

Walking helped me lose (most) of my pregnancy weight and it’s something I enjoy, especially when I get to go outside. (I have a few walking DVD’s that sustain me during bad weather.)

I refuse to set myself up for failure by saying that I won’t eat this, or I won’t touch that. Food-wise, I plan to:

1. Drink more water.

2. Have a fruit and a vegetable with every meal.

3. Eat more whole-grains.

4. Take my vitamins. (Everyday, not just when I feel like it.)

That, coupled with walking is all I’m going to do. (Don’t get me wrong, I plan to lift some weights here and there. Got to keep those arms toned. Thanks a lot, Michelle Obama.)

I still plan on indulging myself with a sweet treat now and then, but I think if I include more of the good stuff, I won’t feel so bad about eating the bad stuff.

I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

As a writer I can be a heavy weight to carry. What I mean is, writers need so much from other people–we need admiration, praise, encouragement–we need so much from our family and friends that I can only imagine what they think of me.

As a hairstyist, I’m used to rejection. [...]]]>

Source: everymantri.com

As a writer I can be a heavy weight to carry. What I mean is, writers need so much from other people–we need admiration, praise, encouragement–we need so much from our family and friends that I can only imagine what they think of me.

As a hairstyist, I’m used to rejection. It’s part of the business. If someone doesn’t like their hair, you tell them to pay up and keep moving. (Don’t worry I wasn’t that tough.) I rarely took my work home, I simply shrugged it off.

Being a new writer feels just like when I started doing hair. I’d come home beaten and bruised, confidence smashed to pieces. But after a long talk with my parents I would get back out there, day after humiliating day, until I perfected my look and got people to come back to me. I depended on my parents to tell me that I was talented and that, with practice, I would succeed.

The same goes for writing. I have enough rejection letters that I could wall-paper my living room. And I have to admit, some days I feel beat down, depressed, and just plain ‘ole not good enough. On those days my husband   scrapes me off the floor and reminds me to keep pushing, keep fighting, soon the story I want to tell will be told. He gets me to change my perspective and continually reminds me that I’m a published author. So many people cannot say that.

I know I’m a heavy load to carry sometimes. (Alright all the time). But the more I learn about writing the more the dialogue switches to internal. I’m learning to pick myself off the floor, to tell myself that I am good enough. But for now it feels good to know that someone has my back, and can carry me when the going gets rough.