Michelle Styles's Blog, page 21
January 23, 2012
TAM Continuity L2 and a new story challenges
Right I have started Level 2 of TAM's continuity and Tracy really does work your legs...and your arms.
Level 1 was a brief and welcome respite. It gave me a chance to learn the new Dance Cardio. It is very much Hippo Dancing 2.0 as my eldest would say but I am enjoying it more. Tracy continues to work you hard. One of the things I do like is that there is only one of her. You are not looking at advanced and beginner moves. The advancement comes from the new levels and your body is constantly challenged. You don't have to think -- I can't face seeing this particular dvd one more time! Every 10 days the MS changes.
I have started my latest story and am looking back at my notes for Shackled to see if I did anything differently which contributed to its more completed form. The big thing I noticed was that I started with fleshing out the backstory far more rather than going for the appearance. Even though the back story did change a bit, I still was solid on the character's inner values. Knowing the inner value means that you know how the character will react and what is important and why. My deadline is 1 April and s
Level 1 was a brief and welcome respite. It gave me a chance to learn the new Dance Cardio. It is very much Hippo Dancing 2.0 as my eldest would say but I am enjoying it more. Tracy continues to work you hard. One of the things I do like is that there is only one of her. You are not looking at advanced and beginner moves. The advancement comes from the new levels and your body is constantly challenged. You don't have to think -- I can't face seeing this particular dvd one more time! Every 10 days the MS changes.
I have started my latest story and am looking back at my notes for Shackled to see if I did anything differently which contributed to its more completed form. The big thing I noticed was that I started with fleshing out the backstory far more rather than going for the appearance. Even though the back story did change a bit, I still was solid on the character's inner values. Knowing the inner value means that you know how the character will react and what is important and why. My deadline is 1 April and s
January 21, 2012
Shackled to the Viking accepted
My editor phoned yesterday to say that Shackled to the Viking's tweaks were fine and the book has been accepted. She is really going to try for the title. So fingers crossed.
In case anyone was wondering it is a Viking warrior v Anglo Saxon lady tale set in North Yorkshire in 876.
My editor thinks my enjoyment of writing the story showed. And the next story is also supposed to be a simple premise as well so that I can go into greater depth with my characterisation. Sometimes I do get too convuluted for my own good.
Obviously no date for publication yet. I suspect it will sometime in 2013.
It is back to the Victorian era for my next one and thus lots of beautiful dresses. There is just something about a full skirt. My youngest has been dispatched to the Lit and Phil for the fashion books that I use. And I've been busy reading about the Great Exhibition. My deadline is 1 April.
In case anyone was wondering it is a Viking warrior v Anglo Saxon lady tale set in North Yorkshire in 876.
My editor thinks my enjoyment of writing the story showed. And the next story is also supposed to be a simple premise as well so that I can go into greater depth with my characterisation. Sometimes I do get too convuluted for my own good.
Obviously no date for publication yet. I suspect it will sometime in 2013.
It is back to the Victorian era for my next one and thus lots of beautiful dresses. There is just something about a full skirt. My youngest has been dispatched to the Lit and Phil for the fashion books that I use. And I've been busy reading about the Great Exhibition. My deadline is 1 April.
January 17, 2012
Revisions in, TAM Continuity begun
Friday brought my editor's thoughts on the work-in-progress Shackled to the Viking. My editor has promised to fight for the title so fingers crossed. Anyway, the revisions were short and sweet. Three minor points of clarification. I finished them and sent the revisions in on Monday.Now fingers crossed that my lovely editor thinks it is enough.
As I wait, I have started my next one (due 1 April -- what was I thinking?) It is a Victorian. It is nice to get back to pretty dresses! One part of my job that I love doing is researching the dresses. Personally I love how the nipped in waists look as opposed to the high Empire/Regency waist. I know other people are just the opposite. What is good that once you do hit the late Georgian period, many more textiles have survived. Trying to discover exactly what people wore in late 9th cnetury is fraught with difficulty.
I found the Georgette Heyer biography interesting. Apparently she didn't believe in women working outside the home and so didn't think it right if her heroines did.
Last Tuesday I started the Tracy Anderson Continuity. It has meant learning a whole new Dance Cardio and I am getting to grips with it on the 7th day. It is the Hippo Dance 2.0 as my eldest son calls it. He was told tough -- I do it for the results, rather than performing in public. The MS work carries on from Meta and I am really trying to focus on the muscles and the cross vectors, the push-pull thing. I had to laugh when the Times was going about Tracy Anderson devotees at the Gloden Globes showing off thier shoulders and lack of bingo wings. My arms have certainly improved. COntinuity has bonus arms with wrist weights. I have just used my ankle weights. As a result of my eldest's complaints I have started doing MS, bonus arms and then 2 lots of the Dance Cardio. It makes more sense and I'm not getting the exhaustion I had when I last tried doing the MS first. So progress.
Next Thursday my PHS column Secrets of the Fit and Fab begins. It is one thing to lose the weight but it is quite another thing to keep the weight off for any length of time. The column is to keep me motivated as it were.
My eldest two are back at uni and the house is quiet. They both seem settled which is good.
I shall try to be a better blogger as this has had a lower priority as of late.
As I wait, I have started my next one (due 1 April -- what was I thinking?) It is a Victorian. It is nice to get back to pretty dresses! One part of my job that I love doing is researching the dresses. Personally I love how the nipped in waists look as opposed to the high Empire/Regency waist. I know other people are just the opposite. What is good that once you do hit the late Georgian period, many more textiles have survived. Trying to discover exactly what people wore in late 9th cnetury is fraught with difficulty.
I found the Georgette Heyer biography interesting. Apparently she didn't believe in women working outside the home and so didn't think it right if her heroines did.
Last Tuesday I started the Tracy Anderson Continuity. It has meant learning a whole new Dance Cardio and I am getting to grips with it on the 7th day. It is the Hippo Dance 2.0 as my eldest son calls it. He was told tough -- I do it for the results, rather than performing in public. The MS work carries on from Meta and I am really trying to focus on the muscles and the cross vectors, the push-pull thing. I had to laugh when the Times was going about Tracy Anderson devotees at the Gloden Globes showing off thier shoulders and lack of bingo wings. My arms have certainly improved. COntinuity has bonus arms with wrist weights. I have just used my ankle weights. As a result of my eldest's complaints I have started doing MS, bonus arms and then 2 lots of the Dance Cardio. It makes more sense and I'm not getting the exhaustion I had when I last tried doing the MS first. So progress.
Next Thursday my PHS column Secrets of the Fit and Fab begins. It is one thing to lose the weight but it is quite another thing to keep the weight off for any length of time. The column is to keep me motivated as it were.
My eldest two are back at uni and the house is quiet. They both seem settled which is good.
I shall try to be a better blogger as this has had a lower priority as of late.
January 9, 2012
Tracy Anderson Meta Completed
I have finished Meta with a total of 18 lbs lost. Over all since starting TAM, I have lost 38 lbs.I am now a UK size 6/8 (US 2/4). Bring on Continuity!!!
January 1, 2012
Happy 2012
Wishing everyone who reads this a Happy 2012. May the new year bring peace, joy and fulfilment to your life.
My big resolutions are
1. To maintain my weight (this is the first time in a LONG time it has not been to lose more than 20 lbs) There is a terribly sad statistic that the vast majority regain ALL of their weight plus within a year of losing it. That is not going to happen to me!
2. To organise my priorities better and remember that I have only so many creativity apples. If I give them all away, there will be none left for me.
3. To make all my deadlines.
My big resolutions are
1. To maintain my weight (this is the first time in a LONG time it has not been to lose more than 20 lbs) There is a terribly sad statistic that the vast majority regain ALL of their weight plus within a year of losing it. That is not going to happen to me!
2. To organise my priorities better and remember that I have only so many creativity apples. If I give them all away, there will be none left for me.
3. To make all my deadlines.
December 21, 2011
Sometimes life gets in the way
This blog has been neglected recently I have been attempting to finish my Viking. Many apologies.
My first draft is now done and I am on editing. It has potential and I really want to make it stronger (plus a bit longer as I am under the required word count by a few thousand!) I am really excited about it. But it is a small of matter of polishing amking it sing. The character arcs have to make sense.
In Tracy Anderson Method news: I am on Level 8 Day 4. My continuity is backordered (boo hiss). My fingers remain crossed that I will get before I finsih the Meta portion. Otherwise I will be repeating levels 7,8 & 9. I am currently using ankleweights for the MS work and can really feel it in my legs. The 2.5 lbs ankle weights give an added pull and burn to the leg lifts.
My weight has dropped slightly but I remain within my green zone. I have done a ton of reading on nutrition. Elizabeth Lipiski Digestive Wellness (4th edition) is very good. Tracy seems to have used a variety of good digestion techniques to try to get people's bodies to absorb the nutrients. There is a theory that we overeat and have cravings because our bodies fail to digest the proper nutrients.
The Times had a piece yesterday that pointed out that lutein is particularly good in fighting wrinkles. Kale is full of lutein. Spinach, watercress and red papers are also good but not as good as kale.
My children are home from university and the house is full again. My eldest objected to my exercising so early so I have compromised and now do the MS before the DC so he can sleep. I don't like it as well but obviously my endurance has improved a bit as I am not falling asleep at 9 pm!
My first draft is now done and I am on editing. It has potential and I really want to make it stronger (plus a bit longer as I am under the required word count by a few thousand!) I am really excited about it. But it is a small of matter of polishing amking it sing. The character arcs have to make sense.
In Tracy Anderson Method news: I am on Level 8 Day 4. My continuity is backordered (boo hiss). My fingers remain crossed that I will get before I finsih the Meta portion. Otherwise I will be repeating levels 7,8 & 9. I am currently using ankleweights for the MS work and can really feel it in my legs. The 2.5 lbs ankle weights give an added pull and burn to the leg lifts.
My weight has dropped slightly but I remain within my green zone. I have done a ton of reading on nutrition. Elizabeth Lipiski Digestive Wellness (4th edition) is very good. Tracy seems to have used a variety of good digestion techniques to try to get people's bodies to absorb the nutrients. There is a theory that we overeat and have cravings because our bodies fail to digest the proper nutrients.
The Times had a piece yesterday that pointed out that lutein is particularly good in fighting wrinkles. Kale is full of lutein. Spinach, watercress and red papers are also good but not as good as kale.
My children are home from university and the house is full again. My eldest objected to my exercising so early so I have compromised and now do the MS before the DC so he can sleep. I don't like it as well but obviously my endurance has improved a bit as I am not falling asleep at 9 pm!
December 10, 2011
Winner (s!) drawn for 7 Dec Take A Break giveaway
I was so excited to see over 450 entries that I have drawn two names for the Take A Break gift box.
Venetia Atherton and Elizabeth Pawson. I have sent emails and look forward to sending the prizes out.
If your name wasn't chosen, all is not lost. ALL entries go forward to the grand prize draw on 23 Dec for the kindle.
Many thanks to all those who enter.
Venetia Atherton and Elizabeth Pawson. I have sent emails and look forward to sending the prizes out.
If your name wasn't chosen, all is not lost. ALL entries go forward to the grand prize draw on 23 Dec for the kindle.
Many thanks to all those who enter.
December 7, 2011
Harlequin Historical Advent Calendar Dec 7 giveaway!
Today is my day for hosting the Harlequin Historical Advent Calendar!To enter Take a Break Gift Box (includes a signed copy of your choice of one of my books, tea mug, tea, and biscuits) giveaway:
Please email contest@michellestyles.co.uk with the answer to What year is To Marry A Matchmaker set in? (hint read the excerpt) Please put Advent Calendar 2011 in the subject line.
To get an additional entry please like the Michelle Styles Romance Author page on Facebook. All entries will go forward to the Grand Prize draw for the Harlequin Historical Advent Calendar to be held on 23 Dec. The Take a Break contest will be drawn on Saturday 10 December but I will continue to accept entries for the grand prize until 22 Dec.
Full details of the Harlequin Historical Advent Calendar here.
December 5, 2011
The Tracy Anderson Method Meta Omni: L6 Day 4 -10: digestion
Today was a measuring day and basically my measurements remained the same. Given that I had a bad Friday and ate 2 slices of chocolate cake. I was reasonably happy. I have been snacking too much on peanut butter and apples as well as handful of raisins. I am in full writing mode as my deadline looms.
It is about being in for the long haul. I do have to get a camera cord as I have reached the 60th workout and need to take pictures. My arms are much more sculpted than before and my abs firmer. I have come to realise how much of this is a journey and that my body will continue to shape up and change.
Because I am seeking to understand why Tracy's Lifestyle Menus worked so well for me, I have been doing a lot of reading about nutrition and digestion. It is also to help me formulate a workable maintenance plan. The theory of the gut as a second brain is one which is gaining prominence. There has been a lot of academic research which does show that moods etc are affected by what you absorb.There are reasons for cravings. And it is possible to reset your body. This is what Tracy's diets are attempting to do. Being over weight/a slow metabolism is often a function of your digestive system not working as efficiently as it could.
I have started reading Patrick Holford -- Improve Your Digestion and will probably go on to Elizabeth Lipiski. As I did suffer from gall stones and had my gall bladder removed, it is a subject which interests me greatly. I also know that I have so much more energy when I am eating in a way which really babys and pampers my digestion. It also has given me advice on how to stave off cravings when I am writing. And why certain food stuff work better than others. I was interested to read about oatmeal(porridge) and how that does contain gluten and can cause cravings in some people. For me, I used to find that after eating a huge bowl of porridge at 8 am, I was starving by 10 am. If on the other hand I eat a steamed apple combined with blueberries, I'm not hungry until 1 pm. Apples provide a different sort of carb than oats. I am beginning to understand the importance of eating slowly and making sure that my food is well chewed, rather than rushed. Digestion starts in the mouth.
As anyone who reads this blog knows -- I am determined to keep the weight off and stay within my green zone. I am NOT going to become one of those people who gain all the weight plus back. TAM workouts are the foundation but I have to understand in my own head the reasoning behind the diet and see how I can apply it.
On Wednesday, it is my day for the Harlequin Historical Advent Calendar. There will be a couple of bonus ways to enter. The grand prize is a Kindle Fire.
It is about being in for the long haul. I do have to get a camera cord as I have reached the 60th workout and need to take pictures. My arms are much more sculpted than before and my abs firmer. I have come to realise how much of this is a journey and that my body will continue to shape up and change.
Because I am seeking to understand why Tracy's Lifestyle Menus worked so well for me, I have been doing a lot of reading about nutrition and digestion. It is also to help me formulate a workable maintenance plan. The theory of the gut as a second brain is one which is gaining prominence. There has been a lot of academic research which does show that moods etc are affected by what you absorb.There are reasons for cravings. And it is possible to reset your body. This is what Tracy's diets are attempting to do. Being over weight/a slow metabolism is often a function of your digestive system not working as efficiently as it could.
I have started reading Patrick Holford -- Improve Your Digestion and will probably go on to Elizabeth Lipiski. As I did suffer from gall stones and had my gall bladder removed, it is a subject which interests me greatly. I also know that I have so much more energy when I am eating in a way which really babys and pampers my digestion. It also has given me advice on how to stave off cravings when I am writing. And why certain food stuff work better than others. I was interested to read about oatmeal(porridge) and how that does contain gluten and can cause cravings in some people. For me, I used to find that after eating a huge bowl of porridge at 8 am, I was starving by 10 am. If on the other hand I eat a steamed apple combined with blueberries, I'm not hungry until 1 pm. Apples provide a different sort of carb than oats. I am beginning to understand the importance of eating slowly and making sure that my food is well chewed, rather than rushed. Digestion starts in the mouth.
As anyone who reads this blog knows -- I am determined to keep the weight off and stay within my green zone. I am NOT going to become one of those people who gain all the weight plus back. TAM workouts are the foundation but I have to understand in my own head the reasoning behind the diet and see how I can apply it.
On Wednesday, it is my day for the Harlequin Historical Advent Calendar. There will be a couple of bonus ways to enter. The grand prize is a Kindle Fire.
November 29, 2011
Harlequin Historical Advent Calendar
Win a Kindle Fire! The Harlequin Historical Authors Holiday Giveaway is back. In the spirit of an Advent calendar, the authors are giving away daily prizes and a Grand Prize of a Kindle Fire. Play every day for more chances to win.
The Rules:Each participating author will have an activity planned on their website for their special day. You may be asked to comment on a blog, find an ornament, or visit a Facebook page. For each d ay you participate, your name will be entered into the Grand Prize drawing. At the end of the month on December 23, one day from the calendar will be randomly selected. One of the entrants from that day will then be randomly selected to win the Kindle. The more days you visit, the better your chances!My day is 7 December and there will be a Taste of Northumberland bunch of goodies up for grabs.For international readers: THE PROMOTION IS OPEN TO U.S., UNITED KINGDOM, IRELAND, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, AND EUROPEAN COUNTRIES WHERE A KINDLE MAY BE SHIPPED.Official rules and eligibility
Participating AuthorsNovember 29 - Michelle WillinghamNovember 30 - Elizabeth RollsDecember 1 - Charlene SandsDecember 2 - Diane GastonDecember 3 - Annie BurrowsDecember 5 - Elaine GoldenDecember 6 - Barbara MonajemDecember 7 - Michelle StylesDecember 8 - Deborah HaleDecember 9 - Marguerite KayeDecember 10 - Lynna BanningDecember 12 - Carol TownendDecember 13 - Blythe GiffordDecember 14 - Julia JustissDecember 15 - Terri Brisbin December 16 - Ann LethbridgeDecember 17 - Bronwyn ScottDecember 19 - Sarah MalloryDecember 20 - Kate BridgesDecember 21 - Amanda McCabeDecember 22 - Jeannie LinDecember 23 - Grand Prize Drawing
The Rules:Each participating author will have an activity planned on their website for their special day. You may be asked to comment on a blog, find an ornament, or visit a Facebook page. For each d ay you participate, your name will be entered into the Grand Prize drawing. At the end of the month on December 23, one day from the calendar will be randomly selected. One of the entrants from that day will then be randomly selected to win the Kindle. The more days you visit, the better your chances!My day is 7 December and there will be a Taste of Northumberland bunch of goodies up for grabs.For international readers: THE PROMOTION IS OPEN TO U.S., UNITED KINGDOM, IRELAND, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, AND EUROPEAN COUNTRIES WHERE A KINDLE MAY BE SHIPPED.Official rules and eligibility
Participating AuthorsNovember 29 - Michelle WillinghamNovember 30 - Elizabeth RollsDecember 1 - Charlene SandsDecember 2 - Diane GastonDecember 3 - Annie BurrowsDecember 5 - Elaine GoldenDecember 6 - Barbara MonajemDecember 7 - Michelle StylesDecember 8 - Deborah HaleDecember 9 - Marguerite KayeDecember 10 - Lynna BanningDecember 12 - Carol TownendDecember 13 - Blythe GiffordDecember 14 - Julia JustissDecember 15 - Terri Brisbin December 16 - Ann LethbridgeDecember 17 - Bronwyn ScottDecember 19 - Sarah MalloryDecember 20 - Kate BridgesDecember 21 - Amanda McCabeDecember 22 - Jeannie LinDecember 23 - Grand Prize Drawing
