First, before I forget, if you’re in the L.A. area on Saturday afternoon, I’m having my book launch party for SHADOW OF BETRAYAL at the Mystery Bookstore in west Los Angeles. It starts at 5:30 and should go on for an hour or so. I really hope you can make it! Here’s the info:
Mystery Bookstore
1036-C Broxton Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
310.209.0415
I’m also off on a book tour starting on Monday, hitting San Mateo, CA, Portland, OR, Seattle, WA, San Diego, CA, and Phoenix, AZ. For more info, check out my booktour.com listing.
Now, a little bit of encouragement to some of you out there. This isn’t directly related to writing, but it will help you with it. I know. It’s helped me. Feel free to ignore.
I’ve been walking around for several years with a little too much extra baggage around the waist, if you know what I mean. And not just the waist. My neck, my face, my arms, my legs, all were sporting more flesh than necessary. Well, I finally decided to do something about it last April, and since then I’ve lost nearly forty pounds. You read that right, but please don’t congratulate me. That’s like congratulating the klutz who backs into your car, but then makes sure it’s fixed properly. Sure it’s nice he got it fixed, but if he’d been paying attention in the first place, it would have never happened.
I’ve been wanting to loose it for a long time. In fits and starts I would try, and then give up. But this time I wasn’t going to let that happen. And I have fellow author Jeff Shelby from our friends over at First Offenders to thank for it. You see I read a post he put up last spring where he said he’d started running again, and had lost 25 pounds. I realized then and there that I needed to just do it.
I’ll admit right here if I weren’t writing full-time, my weight loss would not have been as dramatic. I’m exercising more than I could have when I had a full-time job, but that doesn’t mean it would have been impossible. So don’t let that stop you. Find the tool that works for you and use it.
The one that worked for me, surprisingly, was my iPhone. See, I found this free application called Lose It! It helps me track my calories and my exercise. It’s exactly what I needed. I even look forward now each day to filling in what I’ve been eating and how much exercise I’ve done.
The results have been wonderful. I have more energy. My back doesn’t bother me. I sleep better. One slight problem (a problem I’m happy to have) is that I’ve had to buy some new clothes, because my old clothes fit me like a tent.
Anyway, I thought I’d share in case any of you out there could take motivation from this just like I took from Jeff. By the way, thanks, Jeff! I owe you big time.
So, ‘rati, any tips? Methods that work for you? Ideas?
Congratulations anyway 🙂
Brett, I’m biting my tongue and trying not to shout congrats to you – because it is an amazing achievement. After giving birth to two babies in 18 months (I know, I know a tad crazy…) I have double excess baggage. I turn 40 in September and last month started on my Fit at Forty trail. Your post arrived at the perfect time, when my mind started messing with me this morning and started to tell me I have such a long way to go, wouldn’t it be easier to give up? So, in honour of your excellent achievement, I will put the Nutella away and have a piece of fruit instead. Thank you!
It seems ridiculous, but when the electronic trainer on my WiiFit says, "Great! Keep it up!" I do.
I lost 25 pounds with the help of Weight Watchers and dog-walking, but in the 3 months I’ve had the WiiFit, averaging 30 minutes a day doing yoga, aerobics, and strength training, I’ve lost another 12 pounds and am feeling and looking better than I have in 10 years.
Brett,
my treadmill did it for me. I dial up the incline and walk for about 2 1/2 miles every day. Without altering my eating (or drinking) habits one whit, I lost 17 pounds over about 8 months. Now I have to toss out half my wardrobe!
Brett, a weight loss blog from one of our male members? I’m delighted. True equality has been reached here at Murderati. Now I’ll have to come see you in San Mateo just to check out the results. And buy that fabulous book, of course.
I agree, Brett, you need something motivational for weight loss. I know when I start a program, if it’s the least bit difficult, logistically speaking, I will find an excuse not to do it. So far, I’m holding my own by 1) walking daily, 2) eating a -healthy- snack before I feel like I’m starving and will eat anything, and 3) avoiding the ice cream section of the grocery store. Okay, No. 3 is the biggest one.
I’m going to try to get up to your launch party on Saturday. On Sunday, I’m having my own book launch party – I’ve never been to one, so I’ve been totally winging it. If you’re in the Orange County area, stop by the Backs Community Building, 201 N. Bradford, in Placentia. I’m having the launch for Freezer Burn (my debut novel) there because in the book, that’s where they find the first body. Anyway, I may come to yours on Saturday and realize I’ve done it all wrong. Do I look stressed to anyone?
Gayle
http://gaylecarline.blogspot.com
First, thanks for the nice thoughts.
Alli, glad to be of assistance. That was the whole purpose of this post. I got the motivation from someone else, so I’m passing it on.
Jena, I’ve heard good things about WiiFit. Will have to give it a try sometime.
Tess, congratulations to you! That’s awesome!
Louise, would LOVE to see you in San Mateo next week! I really hope you can make it.
Gayle, first of all, congratulations on your debut release! If you can make it up, great. But please don’t judge my launch party with what is the norm to do. I have no idea either, and just wing it, too. Ultimately it doesn’t matter. As long as you’re happy…it’s your party after all!
And, Dusty, I meant to say thank you to you first!!! Perhaps some of that weight loss is in my brain.
Well done you! I know you’ve been struggling, and despite your desires I do applaud you. I can’t wait to get going on some exercise again myself.
40 lbs is awesome! Since I’m a mom, I’ll just say "great job" instead of congratulations. Better? I’ve been doing the same thing, but online at gyminee.com. You can track your food and exercise there if you don’t have an iphone. Now, I’ve stepped it up a notch and am in the second week of PX90. If you’ve got an hour a day to workout (you can even do it on tour in the hotels) this has kicked my butt, but I’m seeing results already! Okay done, I sound like an info-mercial. 🙂
I quit drinking while increasing my exercise, including jogging 2x a week. So far so good. Only been doing it 2 months, but my clothes are getting looser on me, so I think it’s having an effect.
Brett,
Great job. 40 lbs is an awesome feat. MY motivation is my own secret, but it’s gotten both my wife and I back into the garage to use our elliptical machine. No loss just yet, but I know what you mean about feeling better. You just have more energy and a more positive outlook/disposition when you exercise regularly.
Oh, and I’m flying through THE DECEIVED at the moment. Ass-kicking stuff, I tell ya. And well done on the weight loss again!!!
I can attest to the fact that Brett looks fantastic. Especially in his underwear.
Oh, wait. Sorry. I was thinking of Sakey.
But Brett looks good, too.
Congratulations, buddy. You’ve inspired me to get off my fat ass, too.
good luck brett,,,,keep up the good work…remember you have to plan to keep iit off. that
is the very hard part….i know.