Manic Monday Conference Prep

So sorry I didn’t post over the weekend, but I’m still recovering from one conference and getting ready to head out for the Space Coast Book Lovers Conference next week. Did I mention I’m also on deadline and trying to finish #4 in the South Beach Security K-9 Division spinoff, tentatively titled Danger in Dade. As you can see from these photos, my office is a mess as I get ready! Things are definitely a little crazy so my playlist for today begins with Manic Monday by The Bangles. LOL! Hope your Monday is calmer.

Conference Prep

Difficult Ups and Downs in Weight Loss

It’s been a couple of weeks since I posted on how my lifestyle change was going. It’s been a couple of weeks of an assortment of events that made being active and eating healthy hard to do. But I’ve pushed on and tried to maintain my new changes as best as I could and the result is that I’m down another two pounds for a total of 29 pounds lost since I re-started my journey after the pandemic. That means I’m past halfway to my goal! Yeah! The one thing I haven’t been able to do is get back to strength training. Sigh. I must do that since building muscle is so important now that I’m older and because that muscle helps boost my metabolism which in turn would help me lose weight as well. If you’re on a journey also, share how you’re doing and any tips for succeeding. For me it’s tracking my calories on my Fitbit app, making sure to get 10K steps, and 30 minutes of cardio every day.

weight loss

Believing Anything is Possible

I’m a weird sort since while I’m a realist, I also believe anything is possible if you believe in it enough. For me, believing in getting published eventually led to selling my first book. When I retired my goal was to publish with Harlequin again and here I am, writing for Harlequin Intrigue! Now I’m believing in getting healthier and losing some weight and so far, it’s working. 16 pounds down and 35 to go. Yikes! 35 more. It seems like so much but I believe I can do it so I will. What about you? Have you set your mind on doing something? P.S. – If you want to read my latest romantic suspense books for Harlequin, please visit https://amzn.to/3ZonQrf.

Proud Mama Moment

I’m having a proud Mama moment on this Motivation Monday! I’m so happy for my daughter who just released her latest novel – Matching Set. It’s a prequel to her Amazon Bestselling Seoul Searching. Matching Set was also a #1 New Release in its category and if you love K-dramas, please take a moment to check out these two books. They are delightful romances that also teach you Korean while you read! I am so proud that my daughter followed her dream to write books where you could learn a language while falling in love. You can learn more about the books at https://amzn.to/3HObIZy.

korean language instruction

Manic Monday Seeking Motivation

Waking up to a list of things I’ve got to get done and I’m working up the motivation to tackle them all as I sip on my morning coffee. For starters, I have to get to work on #3 in the South Beach Security K-9 Division spinoff. I actually have some news on that! My editor advises the tentative publication date for the series is Summer 2024 and you’ll be able to read all four books back-to-back. On another note, I’m the Conference Chair for the Liberty States Fiction Writers Conference and I’m working with the board and a fabulous group of members to finalize everything for the conference. It’s going to be a good one and if you’re an aspiring author, we have great workshops to help you with craft, business, and promotion. If you’re a reader, pop by the book fair on Saturday, April 1, 2023, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. Admission is free and you’ll be able to meet quite a number of fabulous authors, including me! LOL! For more information, please visit www.lsfwriters.com. For more information on the South Beach Security series, please visit https://amzn.to/3GYWSAo.

Monday motivation

Special Valentine’s Gifts

I know Valentine’s Day is at least a month away but since I decorated the house and I’m a romance writer, I’m already looking ahead to that day. Thinking about what I’d like, and since I’m trying to be healthier which means I should avoid the whole chocolate thing, how about my favorite food? “What is that?” you ask. Eggs. I love eggs. Any way you want to give them to me. Plus considering how expensive they are lately, it’s probably a pretty good investment on hubby’s part! LOL! What about you? Do you love eggs? Do you have any special wishes for Valentine’s Day?

valentine's day

Let’s Get Going for the New Year

I plan on trying to get healthier in 2023 and one of the things I am going to do is make an actual plan. The first step is to set reasonable goals and here they are for starters:

    1. Get up and move every hour when I am writing.
    2. Try to get in at least 10,000 steps a day.
    3. Get back to doing some strength training even if it’s only a few cable pulls, kettle bell swings, or deadlifts.
    4. Eat healthier, especially more fruits and vegetables.

To stay honest with myself, I’m going to write it down and also track what I can with the new Fitbit that hubby got me as a Christmas present! If you want to also track what you’re doing, you can get a free weekly workout planner at https://www.experimentsinwellness.com/weekly-workout-planner/. This website also has a free weekly meal planner and offers new workouts every week at their Facebook Page.
P.S. – If you have a moment, please take a look at my new romantic suspense series, South Beach Security, at https://amzn.to/3i2QOgy.

exercise