Testing The Limits

In the past five weeks, I've quietly returned to pursuit of my fitness goals, which I identified in 2004. During that time, I lost 30lbs in 14 weeks through a combination of exercise three times a week (once a week with a fitness trainer), food journaling and a target of 1700-1900 calories a day. I continued to work out and watch what I ate throughout my move back to Texas from Seattle and throughout the Summer of 2004. However, since I've been back on the road with "Evita", I slipped back into old habits. There are a number of reasons, but none of them are good excuses.

By the time I got to Costa Mesa last month, the stress of the road and being alone so much contributed to a weight gain. When I say, testing the limits, I'm referring to the waistbands, zippers and velcro of my costumes:) It got so bad, that I couldn't sit in the costumes without cutting off my circulation. My costumes were made for me for the 1998-99 Tour of "Evita" and I am the only one who's ever worn them. I take great pride in maintaining them and I was damned if I was going to succumb to my lack of willpower and ask our wardrobe supervisor to let them out!

Almost six weeks ago, I cut out ALL desserts. I'm not someone who does things in moderation ...all or nothing is my style. The trigger was a dessert that my friend Mary and I ate on our first day in Costa Mesa. We had deep-fried raviolis filled with melted Snickers bars and vanilla ice cream. It was enough to say, Enough is enough and I'm not talking Streisand and Summer:) I also began exercising again, as my body has adjusted to movement I do in the show.

Today, I went to the gym with our resident director Kim (who's been filling in for another dancer for the past month). We've been friends for 14 years. Kim works as a fitness trainer and Pilates instructor in New York. Her goal was to help me get my heart rate up. She had me do 40 minutes on the treadmill; we did some weights and I've done several sets of sit-ups today. I appreciate the support.

Since Costa Mesa, I've lost 12 lbs just from the diet modifications and my costumes are fitting me again comfortably; but I'm going to continue to pursue fitness goals. I think I'll try for the 20 lbs I didn't take off from the original 50 lb loss goal. Regardless, I feel the burn and it's a welcome feeling.

Instead of testing the limits of my costumes, it's time to test the limits of my willpower and endurance.

Testing The Limits

In the past five weeks, I've quietly returned to pursuit of my fitness goals, which I identified in 2004. During that time, I lost 30lbs in 14 weeks through a combination of exercise three times a week (once a week with a fitness trainer), food journaling and a target of 1700-1900 calories a day. I continued to work out and watch what I ate throughout my move back to Texas from Seattle and throughout the Summer of 2004. However, since I've been back on the road with "Evita", I slipped back into old habits. There are a number of reasons, but none of them are good excuses.

By the time I got to Costa Mesa last month, the stress of the road and being alone so much contributed to a weight gain. When I say, testing the limits, I'm referring to the waistbands, zippers and velcro of my costumes:) It got so bad, that I couldn't sit in the costumes without cutting off my circulation. My costumes were made for me for the 1998-99 Tour of "Evita" and I am the only one who's ever worn them. I take great pride in maintaining them and I was damned if I was going to succumb to my lack of willpower and ask our wardrobe supervisor to let them out!

Almost six weeks ago, I cut out ALL desserts. I'm not someone who does things in moderation ...all or nothing is my style. The trigger was a dessert that my friend Mary and I ate on our first day in Costa Mesa. We had deep-fried raviolis filled with melted Snickers bars and vanilla ice cream. It was enough to say, Enough is enough and I'm not talking Streisand and Summer:) I also began exercising again, as my body has adjusted to movement I do in the show.

Today, I went to the gym with our resident director Kim (who's been filling in for another dancer for the past month). We've been friends for 14 years. Kim works as a fitness trainer and Pilates instructor in New York. Her goal was to help me get my heart rate up. She had me do 40 minutes on the treadmill; we did some weights and I've done several sets of sit-ups today. I appreciate the support.

Since Costa Mesa, I've lost 12 lbs just from the diet modifications and my costumes are fitting me again comfortably; but I'm going to continue to pursue fitness goals. I think I'll try for the 20 lbs I didn't take off from the original 50 lb loss goal. Regardless, I feel the burn and it's a welcome feeling.

Instead of testing the limits of my costumes, it's time to test the limits of my willpower and endurance.