the windchill factor today in chicago is -40ºF, coldest day in 10 years. i am dying. i hate winter so much. can't wait til i move to arizona where the average temperature this week is 70º & sunny. i pretty much just die in the winter.

1) it's cold, so you're always shivering.
2) you have to wear 50 million layers, so you have to waddle around & can't really move. what used to be a 5-minute walk is now a 10-minute waddle.
3) the snow turns to slush, which makes everything slippery, so you fall every 5 seconds.
4) it's even cold indoors, no matter how high the heat is up.
5) you can't just ride your bike anywhere or "run" to walgreen's to pick something up... you must wait 15 min for a bus, and then it's always even more crowded because no one wants to walk in the cold.
6) the city turns black & white. i miss colors.

why does cold exist?
-alyssa

1) this is a quote from last christmas: "why do we spend money we don't have buying things no one will use for people who don't need anything?" - wise words from my pastor.

2) I'M GOING TO SPAIN IN JULY :] and perhaps some of my french friends can visit me while i'm there. that would be amaaaazing.

3) my diet today was non-existant after breakfast. i feel so huge. i guess we all have to let loose a little bit for the holidays, but i feel so guilty about it. i had such good willpower until today, ugh! but tomorrow is a new day.

4) "benjamin button" is amazing (and sad!). go see it!

-alyssa.

so, i'm on a diet this christmas break. normally i cringe at the word diet. it represents stages in my life where i've lost a few pounds only to put them back on again (plus more!) in the following weeks. it represents hating turning down delicious food.

but this time, it seems different. both more unhealthy and healthier at the same time. for the past few weeks, i've convinced myself that once christmas break hit, i'd go on a diet & work out every day for the whole month.

i'm aiming for some real results here. like... shocking results. like "wow, i can't believe you lost all of that weight over christmas break" results.

but i'm not going to starve myself. i promise: i will eat food every day. nutritious food. i'm just going to seriously limit the intake & try to eat as healthy as possible. and since my family is here to feed me, everyone can rest assured that i will not deprive myself of nutrition. i will not always be hungry. i will not have an eating disorder, though sometimes i completely understand why girls have them, & even though it sad, i can't judge them one bit.

i just have to get off all of the weight that i've gained in college... you know, the freshmen 15. and then another 15 would be nice. losing 30 pounds in 30 days sounds dangerous, i know. no one has to convince me. but i've wanted this for a long time, and i'm just hoping that this month, i'll be able to make it happen... and then keep the weight off. maybe 30 pounds in unrealistic. maybe i should shoot for 20. but i'd rather fail than to never try.

it's going to be hard. but i have a strong willpower, and i've done very well yesterday & today. i have brand new running shoes & the will to do this. and most importantly, i have family & friends who will keep me accountable to eat & not slip into starving myself! (phew!)

there's so much more i could write, but this is already long... feel free to ask any questions! i know some may be concerned/ judge, but i have nothing to hide, so have at it.

-alyssa