Eating Chocolate…LOSING Weight and Feeling Great!!

Most of my blogs until now were regarding my children and their activities.
For a quick note this one is about me!
I have struggled with my weight for quite sometime. You know the Roller Coaster diets…eat and gain; don’t and you lose an ounce if your lucky?
Well I have decided to change my way of thinking…I’ve decided that what I need to do is start eating “REAL” food. Not the toxic stuff you get in the store and at fast food markets. Real Food does not have  preservatives,  herbicides or pesticides. Just “REAL” good food.
Since starting on this journey in only six short days, I lost 6 pounds and 2 inches off my waistline.
Those “skinny jeans” are calling me to come back to them again….hmmm; not that I’m looking at them right now but in a week… I can see the possibility where before I could not.

I would love to show you how simple losing weight really is.  It is a known fact, we operate under the knowledge we have obtained from ads, commercials, and other resources that tell us to exercise, eat right, get enough rest and you will lose weight.   Following a plan of action may work for a while but the weight returns.  You have followed through with the program, you have stayed on the exercise regiment, ate moderate amounts of food, yet the pounds remained or you lost and gained them right back.

In my search to find what would work for me, I have learned some amazing facts.  I would love to share them with you.  If you would like more information on what I have learned, send me an email or look up the facts on my website listed below.

I’m sold….. eating chocolate never “FIT” so good….I think I will go and have a piece…care to join me…

It is the Darkest before Dawn AMTC week part 4

Saturday dawned with a bright sunshine andVictoria’s outlook was much better.  Amazingly so was mine.  After our prayer and a good nights rest, we were refreshed and ready for the day.  Today would not be as hectic; most ofVictoria’s showcases had ended.  She had one left to do and that was Fashion Runway

This morning’s seminar was “What you need to know about Interview Day”.  I decided that I would attend the seminar in the event; she did receive a call back.

 At this seminar, they discuss the Do’s and the Don’ts of the industry.  We as parents were once again cautioned to not take the lead in any of the interview process.  We were told that the child or young actor/model is the one they want to speak with.    We are to stand to the side and watch and listen as our children give answers to the questions they will be asked. 

 In some cases a child maybe asked to come to LA or to NY for a photo shoot.  In each case they were to answer “Yes”.  Logistics could be worked out later.  During an interview, you never say No, or I can’t.  You wait for your parent to make that decision at a later date.  No agency is going to want you to stop everything and pack up next week.  There will be schedules to make, producers to hire, film crew to get in place and so much more.  It will take time to get everything ready for your trip, so while you are planning the trip they are planning the purpose for your visit.  There were many other things discussed at this meeting including the writing of “Thank You” cards.  Saying “Thank You” can go a long way in this industry.  AndVictoriaalong with all the other performers were taught this during our training.

 9:00AM- Fashion Runway- this is the final showcase forVictoria.  In this showcase she dressed in hippie type clothes, mixed in with pink cowboy boots.  She wore a pink shirt with an emerald green skort that had peace signs and other things on it like words that read love, peace along with leggings that had similar symbols on them.  Over the pink shirt, she wore her denim blue jean jacket.  Her hair was pulled back from her face in a pony tail toward the side.  In this event, the contestants would once again, walk the runway, pose, do their side to side stance, turn, look over the shoulder and walk off.

After this event, there was another “Call Back”.  Being hopeful once again, we made our way to the board.  As we stood there watching and listening, the numbers started to be called out.  Once again, number 31 was not on the list. And once again her friend Weston made the cut.  My heart sank.  I did not know what to say at this point.  I was really downcast.

On the way back to our room, Mari hadVictoriaand I decided that I needed to have some time alone.  I stopped and sat down on one of those same benches that Victoria and I had shared the previous evening. 

 As I sat there, I cried out to the Lord, as to; “Why did He bring us this far only to have her hurt.”   “What was the purpose in us being at this event anyway?”  “How come they could not see the Jewel they were passing by?” When I got the room I asked her to lie on the bed while she watched TV.  I knew that she would fall asleep because she had been up so late the previous evening. 

As she was going to sleep, I busied myself with packing our suitcases.  I could not look at her without crying.  I was really sad for her.  I had to do something to get my mind off the events of the day.  She had poured her heart out going to practices, dress rehearsals and practicing at home, writing out her “Thank You cards to give to those who were going to give her a “Call Back, she had done everything she was supposed to do only to have her heart crushed yet again.  Why Lord? 

In my thoughts I was ready for the week to be over.  It had been a very long and tedious week.  We had not been promised a call back, neither had we been promised that anyone would like her.  But the Mother’s heart was not prepared for her daughter to get rejected yet again.  But for the sake ofVictoria, I would pretend that I was alright and that everything would be fine. 

 Today I was so tired I decided that I would skip the other seminars. 

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I wanted to letVictoria have some free time and play with some friends.  She had her “SHINE” book that all performers received and she went around obtaining autographs of her favorite stars. 

 Among those who were starring at shine for the first time were also some stars that have started on their path to the top.  Gabbie Rae was present for signing her book along with Tim Urban, Adrian Kali Turner; Charles Michael Davis; Dajalynn Sanchez; Erin Beute; Nicole Smolen; NoreeVictoriato name of few.

AMTC part 3 Hectic, Fun filled, Fast paced, a time when your faith is tested.

Friday was an extremely busy day for us.  We were up by :6:00; dressed and out the door by 8:00 AM. 

The first Showcase today was “Cold Read”.  Once again they handed out the script the day before so all children inVictoria’s age could read over it and get familiar with the words. 

 Victoria was able to read her script without any problems in the room.  When it came her turn for reading it on set, I think she got a little nervous.  She held the paper in front of her face which caused her to look at the paper more than she needed to.  She was reading the part really well when it happened, she looked up causing her to lose place. 

When she did this, she ad-libbed a line that was not there.  This was not a bad thing because in the acting classes she took prior to the event, she had been taught the phrase; “I meant to do that”; but there were others in her group who had memorized the script and won more points. 

 I was very proud of her for her fortitude and courage that it took to remain on stage and not lose her composure.  Once she had exited the stage she came running to me crying because of the mishap.  I tried to console her, the best I could but she felt she had blown it.  My sister and I took her to the local ice cream shop and bought some ice cream as a way to bring comfort to her pain.  But being the actress she is, she quickly recovered and was back to her self in no time, and ready to get on to the next showcase.

 11:45 AM“Photography Runway” this is where each contestant wear the AMTC  shirt and dark denim jeans.  They walk the runway and stop on the X at the end.  In this runway, they do what is known in the industry as “slate”.  If you are a child under the age of 12, you walk to the mike, state your full name and age.  Then you do a quick pose and walk off to the side, wait for someone else to come up and do the same, then come and take your place as you exit the stage.  This is the only Runway Showcase where you are allowed to speak.  All other runways, you walk, pose, do your stance and return to the back of the runway.  She executed her turn perfectly and spoke her lines with confidence.

 From here, we join Aunt Mari on the ship for lunch.  Mari and I decided to share an appetizer and Victoria got a children’s chicken with chips.  I had a lime in my drink and Victoria wanted it.  I told her that I would like to keep it for myself and she could ask the server to get one for her.  As the server passed the table;Victoria said Ma’am Ma’am; excuse me please; May I have a lime please?”  Such manners; was the response from our server.  Yes Ma’am you may.  She came back with about 3 limes on a small plate. Victoria ate them and then inquired if she may have a few more.  This time our server came back with a cup of limes and had written on the side of the cup; “Victoria’s Lime Bucket”.  She had won the heart of our server.  We would later see this happen over and over as the week progressed.

 5:00PM Group Improv:  This is a funny category where the MC gives you a phrase or a title and you have to be “spot on”.  You do not have time to think about what you are going to say, you just talk. Victoria was too inexperienced to take part in this category so I had Mari take her to the room for a quick rest before her final showcase of the day.

 This showcase was moving right along and everyone was having a wonderful time, until the MC made the announcement that a parent was needed in the back.  Then he came back to the mike and requested that we all join hands as he said a prayer for a young contestant who was in distress. 

 They stopped everything to pray for this young girl who later we found out was in a life and death situation.  As it turned out, her heart had stopped and she had passed out in the hallway prior to going on stage.  An associate of AMTC  came  down the hallway when he felt this urge to go down the side hall.  Upon seeing the situation, he began CPR on her and was able to get her revived until the medics arrived. 

 Later it was announced that she was stable and doing well in the hospital.  She would later be having more tests to see what happened to cause the trauma.  Also when they inquired as to how she was doing; they were told that she is doing fine but she is really mad that she did not get to do her group improv.  Upon hearing this, one of the judges told AMTC; I will personally travel to the hospital and take a video cameraman with me along with another performer and allow her to do her skit in the hospital room.   Now that is quality and integrity that you can support in a company.

 7:45 PM Swimsuit runway this category is one of the largest of any AMTC event.  Each contestant lines up in the back according to their number and then they come on stage and walk to the front, stand, pose, and move side to side, turn with a quick look over their shoulder walk back to the side of the stage.  This was the main runway that Victoria had been waiting for.  She did extremely well in this category.

 Then it happened:  CALL BACKS would take place starting at 10:30  tonight.   This Call Back would be the first of several more.  One reason for the early “Call Back” is the agent or agency maybe on a time schedule and may have to leave early.  This was the case with the agency doing this Call back.

 Everyone was eager and there was much excitement in the room as everyone crammed into the hallway.  If you did not know any better you would have thought you were at the NYSE.  I felt like I was being pushed, shoved and pressed on all sides, as more and more performers came into the hallway.

 Tensions were high, and expectation was in the air.  Everyone was talking, laughing and bubble among the group of contestants. 

 But wait, the noise level is so high; no one can hear what is being said.  The person reading the list was finally able to get everyone quite so he could be heard.  He started with the smallest numbers and the list grew to the largest number.  As we stood there in anticpatiction of a Call Back for Victoria, we were in high hopes.  However, as the Lord would have it on this particular night, there was not one.  After all the names had been called out, everyone started leaving the area to go to their rooms.  But there was some good news in the list of those Called Back. Victoria’s friend that she had trained with and worked long hours with was on the list.  Yes, we had heard correctly, Weston had made the first list.

 We were excited for him but as a Mom, I felt the agony of defeat for Victoria.  As we were leaving the area, she looked up at me with her little sad eyes and said; Mom, They didn’t call me back.  With all the intestinal fortitude I could get and with a straight face, I looked at her and comely said, Yes Honey I know.  Although, my heart was breaking for her, I had to hold my composure and not allow her to see me cry.  There were some benches on the side of the path back to the room where I asked her to stop and sit down with me for a moment. 

 As we were sitting there, the Lord gave me the words I believe to comfort her aching sad heart.  I looked at her and I said, “Victoria”; “I know that you did not receive a “Call Back” tonight but I want you to know that they do not know the Jewel you are and they have no clue as to what they lost when they did not select you.  You are my Jewel and you are a Jewel to God.  He knows what is best for you and He has your best interest in His heart.  There will be other Call Backs and you have an opportunity to get in on one of those.  Here, let’s pray and that is what we did.  We held hands there on that bench and said a prayer to God, asking that He would heal her heart and guide her steps in the path that He has designed just for her. AMEN.

 Still somewhat down, we made it back to our room.  As I lay there in bed that night it was all I could do not to burst into tears.  My faith was being tested in regard to why she was not selected.  I was fretful but still trying to keep things in perspective. Only a Mom can know the heartache of watching their child face such disappointment.