I went to the gym this morning, where I ran, because I like to torture myself. I’m clearly not right in the head. I go to the gym three times a week, where I deliberately strain, puff, sound like a small rhino on a treadmill, and I can show no positive results. All my pounds are still here. But Couch to 5 is working – I can actually run now during my intervals. For me five miles per hour is running. I am short and I’m dragging two bags of Old Roy in extra weight. Leave me alone. 
***
I was invited to a girls’ night out and we went to see Magic Mike. I really enjoyed it. My favorite part wasn’t the sexy men – although they were quite sexy – but I am a dance junkie and Chaning Tatum did this really awesome dance toward the end of the movie. It was sick.
There is not much of a story, but I enjoyed it, especially since it was my first visit to Alamo’s Drafthouse. Also, the dialogue was really well written.
Also, Entertainment Weekly has an awesome gallery of Magic Mike images.
When Kid 2 found out which movie I was going to see, I was treated to this musical number:
Hey, I just met you
And this is crazy
But you’re Channing Tatum
So have my baby.
I pointed out that there might be some biological issues with him having her baby, but she was undeterred.
Here is a little video for you. We were treated to it before the movie.
***
Nalini Singh sent me an email and the email said, “Hey I’ll give you Archangel Storm in exchange for Gunmetal Magic.” Obviously this is an awesome trade for me, so I jumped on it. And that’s when I realized I missed the Dmitri story, because I was living in the bottom of a deep dark cave that had words STEEL’S EDGE on it. So I got it and I read it! Late at night. It took me two days, because I had to get some sleep.
The book was excellent, as always. Poor Dima. I’ll let you know how the ARC turns out.
***
The book of Doom is turned in, so now I will work on Kate. And that’s most of my news. How was your weekend?
LOL. Kid 2 just made my day with that musical number.
I’m trying to wait until Magic Mike comes out on video to see it, but then I keep hearing stuff like this.
What an awesome swap deal for you and Nalini!! I’m kind of jealous of you both
I watched We Bought a Zoo with a friend this weekend, and really enjoyed it. Made me tear up in a couple of places, made me laugh. I’m going to end up buying it, I just know it!
I hear you on the running thing! Couch 2 5K does work, but I look like an IDIOT running, plus I’m huffing and puffing at my incredibly slow 12 minute mile. Still, I managed to run a 5K without dying, so if I can do it, you can too! Good luck!
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Ugh, my exercise torture starts up again tomorrow morning before the crack of dawn. I’ve been slacking, so I already know it’s going to suck. And five miles an hour is awesome; don’t let anyone tell you differently.
I love the Drafthouse. I love the pre-show, I love the drinks, and I love the food. And you really should be able to have a drink when watching a movie like Magic Mike.
The Couch to 5K program is definitely worth it! Though it took about two months of running before I noticed any weight loss, I started to feel healthier almost immediately.
I appreciate you getting up and going with me. You do twice as much time as I do on the treadmill and I think you are awesome.
That’s great and perfect encouragement! The gym sucks and I would love it if someone thought I was awesome just for showing up.
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Gawwww!!! Good man!!
And good for you for getting on that sucker, Ilona!!
I only run when chased. O_o
I’m with the good for showing up encouragers. I wish my man would give me credit for just showing up!
You really make me miss Alamo. The first one in Houston opened about 2 miles from my house, and I went to it for every movie that I wanted to see for 6 years. I was there 2 or 3 times a month. Nothing like it in Florida so far.
Kid 2 sounds like she’s inherited her parents sense of humor. Congratulations on finishing the Book of Doom, now we can breathe down your neck as you work on Kate. We will be distracted briefly at the end of the month, but then our insatiable appetite for all things Kate will resurface and all your fans will haunt this site waiting for snippets to fall on the floor for us to devour.
I am always impressed when people tell me they run, because i am not a runner. Not only do I have two bad knees, I am just more of a “punch and kick” kind of woman. So thumbs up for keep doing it even though it pulls out teeth
This weekend we had guests over, so I have been baking cakes and generally just been in the kitchen and then of couse played a lot of computer with our friends. It’s funny to play with the people in the same room when we normally are in different cities.
Sigh, exercise is a pain. I learned a new mindset about exercise when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 4 years ago ( I am 41 now). In my teens exercise was about performance, mostly how much I could lift. In my mid-twenties and early thirties exercise was about my weight. Now it is about my health. I have found it much easier to stay motivated when you don’t measure you success in pounds.
I need to get back on the treadmill my own self. But ours is in the garage, where it is currently lava degrees Farenheit. So I’m putting it off until the fall.
I loved the Dimitri book. I think it was my favorite of hers so far! And I am counting days until GUNMETAL MAGIC.
I am so impressed that you can go and run at the gym. I struggle with getting enough exercise. Gyms aren’t my thing, so we got a dog – a really active one. Nothing gets you out of bed in the morning like a 60-lb body landing on your gut and a wet nose in your face. =o)
Funny you saw Magic Mike. I always picture Matt Bomer (the guy on the far left in the pic you posted) as Kaldar Mar when I read the Edge books. Works for me. It really looks like Kid 2 got her parents’ sense of humor. I love it!
The weekend was good. I re-read Magic Bleeds and Magic Slays. I have to tell you that I find your awesomeness awesome. Thanks for sharing your imaginations with us! I can honestly say with all sincerity that I clench your writing to my heart. Clench, I tell you. Clench.
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Weekend was mostly good as got caught up reading the Nathan Lowell series you recommended. Well was good up until I realised I couldn’t get the last two books as not out as ebooks yet sigh.
Have you tried listening to the last books in their podcast form? They’re free and was a nice change of pace switching from reading to listening.
I will admit to never having listened to a book
Must give it a try.
I am a medicinal exerciser — that means I exercise every day because it is good for me, not because I love it.
I try really hard never to run. I look like an idiot and at family gatherings people still prance around and say, look, I am running like Julie! Argh!
Maybe I’ll try couch to 5 to 5K.
I’m trying to train for a half marathon and it is rough. I find it hard to remind myself why I want to run at all. I actually tried to go see Magic Mike with some friends this past weekend and found out the theater was canceling it to show Singing in the Rain– with no real explanation just that they had to show it. It was really bizarre.
Also I’m really jealous that you are getting an ARC of Archangel Storm. I read all of Nalini Singh’s books I think after a rec on your blog. Thanks for mentioning it on your blog- now they are must reads for me
Keep training! I know why you want to run…to cross the finish line! And it is SO WORTH IT!
I haven’t done a marathon since before my first child was born but I have the itch again. Nothing like it. Distance runners are the most supportive people ever. Pick a big race. They are more fun and have better support (as in, they don’t run out of water. Usually.)
When I went to the gym to lose some weight, the trainers or whatever you call them there told me, just going to the gym simply doesn’t work. They told me that losing weight depends 70% on my diet. They told me I could lose weight by changing my eating habits but not going to gym, but going to gym without changing my eating habits would take a looong looong time of dedicated daily training.
I thought when they said changing my diet, they meant switching to bunny food. But when I went to a consultation it was a lot about eating regularly, at which time of day to eat which kinds of food and avoid which other kinds of food, eating balanced meals and stuff like that.
So, if you are trying to lose weight, you might want to check out this kind of stuff too.
When I first started going gym, I was told that by my trainer too!!
I told her I started gym so I could continue to pig out at dinner time…which for me is somewhere around midnight.
My trainer threatened to stalk me so she could talk to my parents and set a bed time for me. What sane 17 year old has a bed time?
:O When they tell you to change your diet, but you’re a total foodie who loves your carbs like I do…don’t argue with them. Just nod and run so it looks like you’re planning to change your lifestyle.
YAY for exercising! Good for you for keeping this up!
Also……….. no chance you guys are doing a book signing for Gunmetal Magic? *insert huge puppy eyes and/or Puss-in-Boots’ eyes
We got a break from the heat this weekend so we actually got to spend some time outside. Baby decided to sleep at night too, so I feel more like a functional human being.
Very happy to hear that you turned in the book. Hope you’re having fun with Kate 6!
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**SIGH** It was my turn so I had to work this weekend 8-4 each day. But at least I get 2 days off now in the week, tomorrow and Friday. Looking forward to cleaning the house, doing laundry and going grocery shopping.
On a better note I saw MM on the day it came out for girls nite out. Cant wait to get it on Blu Ray when it comes out for my own. I adore Channing Tatum…..
Ilona, thanks for this post. I had never heard of couch to 5k before. I’m going to give it a try, as I really need to get moving. Thanks so much.
Garf is right. If it’s about losing weight it’s the food, food, food. Though working out makes me feel fantastic! A few years ago I used to force myself to go to the gym, it used to be like going to the dentist – painful but essential. Also, the treadmill was so-oh boring. Then I discovered group exercises. They are great!! Those classes and eating very well has helped me lose 55 lbs in the past couple of years.
I would suggest a group class like Zumba or kick boxing or dancing!! An hour of doing something fun and looking silly goes by quick and you’ve burned 800 calories to boot!
You live here in Austin and you just finally went to the drafthouse? You’re missing out!! Besides how awesome it is to have people bring you food and drink refills, you gotta check out the Master Pancake Theater. We went to see the latest one at the Ritz this weekend, and it was awesome!!!
http://drafthouse.com/series/master_pancake/austin
I was drinking water when I read the musical rendition… water all over my keyboard.
I am furiously, frantically, feverishly knitting a shawl and a cap for my mother in law. We found out she had 3 spots of cancer (3 different places) none metastasized. But she’s on the other side of the country, we can’t afford to visit her, and she’s having all the spots removed via surgery. That is A LOT of surgery in 3 very different places. So I’m hoping that a snuggly warm shawl and a beautiful super soft chemo cap will make life a smidge better.
Best wishes for your MIL! I KNOW she’ll love the cap and shawl!
OMG!!!!!!! I think I have died over that video – the ending has keeled me and they want to remake Dirty Dancing!!! O_O
And woot on finishing Steel’s Edge
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I missed girls’ night and Magic Mike due to having surgery, but I hear it was entertaining mostly due to the rowdy girls in the group. This theater serves alcohol, so picture 8 stressed out IT professionals, all but the 2 designated drivers toasted before the movie beginns, and the mega giant tub of popcorn that goes flying. They kindly got video to show me of that part.
Magic Mike was awesome (some of the strip dances were so funny b/c of their cheese factor). I’m going to borrow Step Up from the library because it has Channing Tatum dancing. The personal trainer at my gym said that cardio isn’t enough to lose weight, you need to do weights too – increase your muscle mass, increase your metabolism – then you’ll be able to get rid of the extra weight and keep it off. He recommended a weekly plan for me – Day 1 cardio, Days 2, 4, 6 weights (with days in between off to rest from the weights). Start with a circuit for two months, then move to free weights and more complex weights. Keep changing your training routine and you’ll see results faster. I love all of your books. Cheers!
I never lost weight when I used to go to the gym, but my endurance increased so I just decided that was the best it was every going to be. It sounds you’re from that same mold.
Our weekend was spent painting the interior walls of The Folly, as we call it. It’s a wee writer’s cottage in our backyard. The spouse custom-installed the combo a/c and heating unit and now we’re going to do the ceiling and floors. This has been a FOUR month project and I’m at the point where I’m constantly muttering “Are we DONE yet?” But when it is finished it will be my office and will teach me to leave the damned work out there instead of spending most evenings at the computer. Yeah, I need to set boundaries. Hard to do when you’re a Scorpio, it appears.
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Thank you for asking about my weekend! Last week I totally enjoyed the Solar Clipper series you recommended and am now rereading them a bit slower because they were AWESOME. Also, did you know Baen Books sells eARCs? Which I guess totally works, because I bought that ($15), and I’ve already pre-ordered the hard back ($$$) for when it comes out. So they get extra money from me and I get to read it!! Win-Win! So this weekend I also read “Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance” by Lois McMasters Bujold. Mahhh-haa-haaa!
Baen is awesome. Love their Webscriptions. I believe that they were into ebooks before ebook readers were cool. And take a look at Eric Flint’s Prime Palavers in the Free Library, http://www.baen.com/library/prime_palaver1.asp.
I had forgotten that I had bought Wen Spencer’s Tinker books from them. They’ve set it up, so that I can easily get the books to my Kindle. And they’re a great source of free fantasy and science fiction books…all with the authors’ permission.
I really want to see Magic Mike, but the friends who want to see it all live far away in Texas. So sad. I am however jealous about the ARC. Sadly I worked this weekend, but I made reservations for my trip to Singapore so it evened out.
Congratulations on Couch to 5K. I tried it and never progressed enough because I could always make the excuse that I needed to work. However, I discovered zumba which helped. When I started my new job a few weeks ago I decided I needed to commit to some sort of daily activity because I was working from home and sitting much of the day. So, I started the elliptical pretty much 12 out of every 14 days along with zumba. I am down around 6 lbs in the last month which is shocking but nice. Of course, there is nothing more satisfying than being comfortable with walking 3 miles home instead of waiting for the bus and still getting home before the bus shows up at the stop you would have gotten off at.
My husband, who used to loathe all physical activity, did the Couch to 5K, and ran in a night-run 5K in February where they gave us glow sticks, and people roller bladed with us blasting 80s music. He had so much fun, he did another 5K and now wants to do a 10K! But running isn’t for everyone. I have done competitive volleyball, track, soccer, dance, and of everything, my best and hardest workouts came from Taekwondo. You should try it! Its great for adults because it strengthens your core and improves your balance, something must adults start to lose as they get older. You may even have a better understanding of certain moves for fight scenes!
Can’t run anymore because of bad knees, one kind of facing the wrong way at the mo.
Just a little. (Skiing and contact sports) Happy cause one of people I cast in my indie film has not vanished from the face of the earth as previously thought. Other than that spent most of weekend doing chores and battling for Canadian democracy on twitter.
Ilona I highly recommend Bikram yoga. You will hit both mental and physical well being in one shot. It is tough at first though…because of the heat. But it is worth it.
Wow, that is an awesome exchange…. I’m big Nalini fan and Dimitri’s book is my favorite from Guild Hunter series, but, her Psy/Changeling series is driving me insane with curiosity, last book opened so many questions…
Just keep on running, results will show…
my friends are partial to singing this when drunk:
Hey, I just met you
And this is crazy
But I’m on bath salts
And your face looks tasty.
My friend saw Magic Mike and said that she was disappointed because they tried to make a story out of it. I think she just wanted naked men for 2 hours =p
Also, I recently started to eat more produce and less dairy (cheese, milk, ice cream…my weaknesses) and started going to the gym with my girl friends (more social than exercise) and i’ve lost 10 lbs!! on one hand yay, but on the other hand, obviously my diet before had was really horrible =p
We are still sweltering in the upper 90′s to 100, so I am taking my daughter and the visiting niece and nephew from Florida to our local INDOOR water park!!! Air conditioning ftw!!! Combined with swim lessons this morning, that means no time for the grocery store until after I can inflict the small horde of grandchildren on my mother later this afternoon! ::chuckle::
btw, finally had time to DL Magic Dreams, hopefully I can read some while the kids swim this afternoon!
O.O I have two sets of edits. It’s 100 something out. I hate running inside, but I’ll have to. I can’t run 5mph, but I can do 4 miles now, so hey.
My weekend? We had four kids at Cedar Point. My brain is mush. I also have a 9/1 deadline.
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ROTFL! That video was a hoot! Kid 2 makes me laugh because yeah….Channing is missing a couple of parts to have her baby….lol….Sounds like you and Nalini made a great trade (I’m patient …I’ll wait)
I enjoyed Magic Mike until I realized that one of my former students looks just like him.
I enjoyed the dude that plays Alcide. *Snort*
I adore Nalini. She signed my Ipod, which is no longer signed. The picture will last a lifetime though. Now, why don’t I have any pix of you and your other half. Oh, that’s right, you were swamped by your other fans at RT! (We love you, squeeeee!) *Tucks shirt back in*
I dunno. Perhaps I really have turned into and old f**t, but I would have enjoyed the video more if the girl didn’t look to me as if she was 12 or younger. On the other hand, some of my coworkers look like they’re 12 too.
Tasty movie. And I love Kid 2′s rhyme. Total jealous of you and Nalini Singh. And isn’t Dmitri’s book wonderful?!? After I read it, I went back and reread the others, and then read it again. Wow, what continuity and character development! I totally do the same when you put out a new book…and sometimes just because I have a yearning.
Had a hot, hot weekend here in Baltimore. For the past two or three weeks, there are many days where it’s been in the upper 90 degrees, humid, and the heat index is over 100 degrees. Did no garden work but water the tomatoes. Housework can wait too. It will still be there when it cools down…
The way I deal with the “running” exercise thing is to go early in the morning when there are far fewer witnesses. In addition I am somewhat co-dependent as I know my neighbour will be waiting for me (and she relies on me to go as well) so the guilt is what gets me out of bed.
Lol, “fewer witnesses” is definitely one of the reasons I run in the pre-dawn darkness. And I agree that a running buddy keeps you honest. Mostly.
Oh my god your kids are so good. Yhe dirty daning skit was awesome!!
I thought Magic Mike was lots of fun and a pretty decent story. It’s about time we women get some eye candy. And don’t forget Matthew MC lives right there in Austin.
I wish I could pay someone to exercise for me but get the benefits.
Thanks so much for the laughs watching the parody of dirty dancing. I about peed in my pants with laughter. I made my hubbie watch with me, he was equally laughing as much as I me or more. Hard to tell who was. Anyway, thanks for the laughs and looking forward to reading you new book.
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lol@ kid 2. I figured there wasn’t much of a story with Magic Mike, but part of me still wants to see it for the umm… cinematography. yep. that’s right.
Huh many of my friends said Magic Mike was bad. Btw just today I found this hilarious cut ups from Star Wars The Star Wars cast sings Call Me Maybe (I guessed that’s the song Kid 2 sang) and I remembered your post, I thought you might like this)) http://youtu.be/dBM7i84BThE
Exercise does help with weight loss through increased calorie burn, which means you have a few more calories to work with; but if you go to the gym regularly and just look around at the *other* people you see there every day, you realize that, duh, you have to do more than exercise.
It doesn’t help that there are SO many different opinions on optimal diet out there. However, more and more studies are showing that low carb/low glycemic is actually the way to go. More protein, quality fats (guacamole, nuts, oils, and some dairy) more whole foods, tons of veggies, few or NO grains, moderate dairy, whole fruit in moderation, no fruit juices, stay away from sugars when possible. Cut the glycemic load and you stay satiated longer and you burn calories longer instead of spiking.
The other key isn’t so much portion control, but mindful eating. Most of of shovel food like somebody is going to snatch it away from us. Take a bite, put the fork down, chew, take a breath, pick the fork up, use the fork, and then take another bite. This is the killer for me, it is surprisingly hard to not be prepping your next bite while you are chewing, swallowing as fast as you can so you can grab that next bite that’s waiting on the fork.
And as for Magic Mike, I actually went a second time just because I wanted to watch the dancing again. I agree, that commando dance thing he did was incredible. Now I have to rent Step Up. He’s a big guy, and it’s nice to see a big guy who is so graceful and balanced in his body, Mmmmm.
That vid was hilarious! Thanks
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I had the same problem with my pilates. Didn’t show at all. Then I spent the money to talk to a personal trainer dude and he said you’re supposed to switch up your exercise every three months!! To confuse your muscles! Amazing, right?
Ilona, keep it up!!!!!!!! Despite the self torture, keep running! I hope you come to love it eventually…..if only so at some point you can a) run in circles around annoying people and say “ha! Look at what I can do!” b) escape from potential stalkers and serial killers or c) experience the ecstatic runner’s high. thanks for being an author!!!! The Ilona Andrews duo is my absolute favorite!
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