Challenge Week 6-9 Results + More

It has been too long since my last challenge post. I've been slacking lately. Mostly because I was sick for about two weeks, but also because I didn't have much to say. I've still been plugging away at my workout schedule, and even doing better at eating healthier, but my results are still stagnant. Right now I am sitting at a total weight loss since the very beginning of 4 lbs. Now, it doesn't really seem like much, but... well, to be honest, to me it doesn't sound like anything. I attribute that 4 lbs. to getting my hair cut. There is good news though, however small, but I think my clothes are starting to fit better... ish. I'm going on vaca next week, but I plan to keep up on my cardio. Hopefully I can talk my dad or one of my brothers to jog with me lol If not, at least the dog can't say no, right?

On another note, my 2012 Making Strides against Breast Cancer ended up being a beautiful day! I walked with my niece and nephew. We did the entire 3 mile walk, and had a lot of fun! Here is one of the pics of the crowd I took. After such hard work I thought I the kids deserved some frozen yogurt! I must say it was the perfect way to end the day.

Apparently we didn't get enough walking in, so the fam and I went to a nearby orchard the very next day to get first pick on pumpkins! It was lots of fun, and wayyyy too hot! I'm seriously ready for fall, and it takes to long to get here. It's October and I'm tired of 90 degree temps. I did take some pretty shots of the orchard though. You can see how insanely long the apple aisles are. With a wagon full of pumpkins it took ages to walk the whole way lol

I'm also finishing up my first love story. If you follow me on FB you probably already know that I am working on it and I've only got one chapter left to write. There's no cover for this one yet, and I am still ify on the title I've chosen but I hope its an enjoyable read for everyone.

On top of that I'm still working on Devour. I know a lot of people are patiently awaiting the third book in the series, and I'm working hard to finish it. I want it to be the very best it can be. But, I can firmly say I am 3/4 of the way through the first draft. :o) The story has taken on a life of its own as most of mine tend to do, but I like the way its going. My fingers are still crossed for a December 1st release. It's later than I had originally planned, but I want to give myself enough time to work on it. There are so many processes involved and I don't want to skip any of the important steps.

The good news though is that I am working on some excellent swag. Stuff that I've never personally done before and I hope that by offering something unique it will help draw people to the release event when I have it. In the past I've had trouble with events and I hope that things can go smoothly this time around. That's all for now! I need to get myself a slurpee and get back to the laptop and finish this new book!

2012 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

My friend and I at our first making strides walk

It is hard to believe that is has been a year since my very first Making Strides event. I'm excited to do another one and hopefully I'm in better shape this time around. I truly believe that these walks make a big difference by helping spread awareness but by also showing support. I'll be walking for my mama Janet again this year, and I'm excited because a few days afterward I'll be flying out to visit her.

 Since 1993, 8 million walkers across the United States have raised more than $460 million to help fight breast cancer through Making Strides events. In 2011 alone, 1 million walkers across the country collected more than $60 million to help fight this disease.

This year I've named my team, Steppin' 4 Boobies. If you'd like to make a donation, learn more about this wonderful organization, or if you're interested in finding a location in your area just check out this link 2012 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Challenge - Week 5 Results

No good news today, but no bad news either. I must say I am becoming a bit disheartened by this whole challenge. After 5 weeks, I expected to start seeing some results, yet I feel I've done all this hard work with nothing to show for it. Maybe doing the old-fashion exercise and healthy eating method isn't enough? I started this wanting to stick to the natural way of doing things but I'm starting to believe that isn't enough. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to have a little extra help from some kind of weight loss supplement. A few years ago I tried SlimQuick and liked it. I'm thinking I'll give it a try starting tomorrow and see if next weeks results are any better. This journey is quickly becoming more difficult than I realized. I thought I prepared myself for the toll it would take on my body physically, but I didn't prepare mentally at all. I don't know what to do to fix that but I'm determined to try. There are many days that I want to give up this challenge, and there are days where I am still desperately holding out hope that the pounds will start disappearing. For now, the blubber has won this battle, hopefully I win the war.

Last week results - 2 lbs lost
This week results - 2 lbs gained

The Broken Destiny Book Trailer!

I am super exited to be a part of Carlyle Labuschagne's book trailer release! 

The cover is absolutely gorgeous, and I've been dying to read this book! It would look oh so pretty on my bookshelf :o)

This amazing new sci-fi series begins with The Broken Destiny: Book One of The Broken Series. Ava's People have been exiled to Planet Poseidon, where through a series of horrific events, Ava discovers that their existence has been fabricated by The Council, And She has a Destiny that could save them. Her Soul is a secret weapon that has been lost to an ancient race. To fulfill her destiny Ava needs to go through a series of "chances" that will reveal her true purpose. Throughout her journey she will become what she hates in order to save the ones she loves. And through it all she will find herself - for that is her Destiny, to rise above the fall. 

The story continues in the next riveting book Evanescent  - due to release late 2013.

Prologue 

All my life, I had searched for something, something I thought I ought to be. I felt like I was living someone else’s life, waiting for the awakening of my own. I felt like an empty shell burning for life. That was, until the day I lay dying in the prince’s chambers. I could no longer feel the pain from the tear in my gut. The only sensation left was a hollowed-out feeling that I had made a huge mistake in assuming that taking my own life, would have stopped the ancestors’ spirit from raging out. I had given up. I didn’t want to see myself killing the ones I loved. I was the Chosen one, but I threw it all away for what I thought would save a life. Could you end a life to save a life? I did, and I have regretted it ever since. I realized then that things like me are not meant to exist. What had been missing my whole life? It was I. To find myself, I had to lose myself in the worst possible way. The consequences of my actions became the legend of The Broken.

Now here's your chance to watch the trailer! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrzzv7L2uNQ&list=HL1346873306&feature=mh_lolz 

Want to know more about Carlyle and the Broken Series?

Website  http://www.carlylelabuschagne.com/index.html 

Twitter: @CarlyleL

Goodreads  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12537426-the-broken-destiny 

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carlyle-Labuschagne/189835811074342?bookmark_t=page

Blog Makeover!

Finally!

No more boring stock image blog for me :o) I'm so excited! 

My blog has at last received the facelift it so desperately needed, 

thanks to the uber amazing Najla Qamber.

She's seriously fantastic!

I've even got my own button, which I've never ever had before. Totally cool!

Feel free to grab it and share it on your blog :o)

Challenge - Week 3 Results

No good news this week. I'd like to tell myself that my few days of weight lifting attributed to my results, but I just can't believe it. In fact, I know what caused them. It was my poor choice, while succumbing to the stress of having a broken water heater for 3 days.

I went to McDonald's. No, I'm not proud to admit it. The sad thing is, I don't even really like McDonald's! I know! What the heck was I thinking? If I was going to break the rules I should have at least gone some place I enjoyed. Sigh.

Despite my lack of self-control, I still went to the gym, but only 3 times this week instead of my usual 4. I cut my cardio in half, down to 30 minutes, and do another 30 on crunches, leg work, abs, etc. I guess I need to just keep chugging along, and maybe, eventually, I'll start losing again.

:o(

This weeks results = 1 lb. gained

Cover Art Coverage

I came across this fun post about some new covers and wanted to share my favorite of the bunch. (shown below) What do you think? I would definitely pick this one up off the shelf. 

Stop by All Things Urban Fantasy and find your favorite.