The Lighter Side of Weight Loss: Chapter Twenty-nine

The Lighter Side of Weight Loss
By Sandra Warholic Seeley                         

                                                                                             
Chapter Twenty-nine

Happy New Year to all!

As WW members, we are encouraged to take time for ourselves. Well, 2020 is giving us one extra day to do just that. I’m trying to decide how I want to spend these 24 hours. Should I take them all at once or spread them out over the year? If I spread them out, that’s roughly 4 minutes a day (according to my math challenged brain). I really would prefer to have 5 minutes each day just for me. Is it a felony if I steal some time from Jim Croce’s bottle? And where did he get it in the first place?

I just discovered that there is actually a catalog called “Time for Me.” They claim to be dedicated to the art of well-being. I like art, well-being and shopping. Put a tally mark in the win column for me! Time and money well spent, especially since I am now wearing a smaller size.

My New Year’s Resolution this year is actually more achievable than my Resolutions involving weight loss from the last 73 years (I started attending WW workshops while still incubating. I hatched as a plump little chick, resolving to do better the next year. Look how that’s working out for me!) So this year I’m taking a Leap Year of faith and resolving to lose a few pounds each month until I reach my goal and to devote more time each day for serious writing. (Don’t worry, I’ll still be writing fluffy stuff too!) Since writing is my passion, I’m vowing to spend more quality time with me every day.

It’s now Day 2 of the new year, and I haven’t broken my resolution yet. Yesterday, I submitted my first article to “Taste of Pittsburgh” magazine. I don’t know if they will use it, but after applying for the job of freelance writer, taking an online writing test, completing a “curveball” (editor-in-chief’s word for it) phone interview and speaking several times with the CEO/publisher/founder of the magazine, I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

I also submitted “The Lighter Side of Weight Loss: Halfway to Goal” to Dorrance Publishing Company. They accepted it, but the downside is they want me to assume all costs of editing, publishing, marketing, etc. In my writing dreams, a publishing company gives me a huge advance and I lose more weight in order to look good on the back cover of my book and to look stunning at Barnes and Noble book signings. Now I have questions. Did anyone from Dorrance even read my manuscript? Would anyone buy my book? Should I start a Go Fund Me campaign to finance over $3,000 in publishing costs? Anyone care to donate?

Making time for me also means that I’m going to continue working on my fictional novel. The protagonist is a fifth grade girl dealing with the serious consequences of bullying. This future best-selling hardback is halfway finished (like me). I just realized that food has been bullying me for many years. The next time this happens, I’m going to tell an adult.

Now for a few other time for me activities that I’m considering attempting. You just may see me vlogging on Connect or scoping on Periscope. I need to check my bravery meter first. I’m not sure if I have the courage to be in front of the camera.

In the song “Seasons of Love,” we are told there are 525,600 minutes in a year. How do you plan on measuring your year? I’m resolving to take more of those minutes for me. I’m also claiming a NSV (non-scale related victory) since I haven’t eaten anything in the time it took to write this chapter.

Until next week, be selfish with your time and be happier!

Sandra Warholic Seeley - All my life, and half of someone else's, I have lived in a humorous place called Earth. My muse is a tiny menehune from the island of Oahu in Hawaii where I lived for a year. Ernest Hemingway once sat under the exact same coconut tree where I did most of my writing. I'm also a sensitive to criticism Virgo who loves to get paid for writing and speaking funny stuff. Even though my mind is filled with volcanic ash residue and I'm still finding sand in my shorts, I will continue to write until my muse retires or I run out of pretty blue drinks, whichever comes first. Don't be bashful, email the author.