The Book Lady Blog

The other day when I was cruising through our local book store (favorite pastime!) and I noticed a big Shrek display.  There were Shrek books, dolls, coloring books, movies and action figures.  Now – Shrek is near and dear to my heart – and with the last installment of the series “Shrek – Forever After” just released in the movie theaters on May 21^st – I was glad to see so many Shrek items – especially books.

My four year old nephew has loved Shrek since he was two – and will always climb into my lap for another reading of his now battered Shrek books.  My favorite Shrek moment has to be from last Halloween – when I dressed my husband and me up as Shrek and Fiona.

My poor husband (after 5 years) is now used to my love of Halloween costumes – it started when I was very young and my mother would create and sew our costumes weeks in advance.  I have loved dressing him up each Halloween for the costume parade at school, and frankly – I think his students have come to expect him to be something spectacular each year (we have set a precedent – after all)

So when a commercial recently aired for “Toy Story 3” and I said, “Guess who you are going to be next Halloween” he just smiled because he knows that my imagination has already kicked in and the only thing that would top Shrek might be Buzz Lightyear!

I have been a big fan of the show, “The Biggest Loser” since the very beginning, with Season One.  Having struggled with my own weight issues, I have cheered on the contestants and followed their journeys.  Last season I actually auditioned, having made a video tape and attended a casting call.  Although I received several encouraging emails from the casting directors, I didn’t make the cast for Season Ten, which started filming yesterday.

I did, however, receive an email that said that they were filming the first episode of the new season here in Los Angeles, and encouraged people to come down and be a part of the show.  Well, I pulled on my athletic shoes and joined a few hundred other people yesterday at Venice beach, and we had a blast not just watching the taping, but actually participating in a workout, that included pushups in the sand, jumping jacks, and a stair stepping challenge, complete with Jillian Michaels yelling at us.

I am proud to say that I completed the 500 steps up and down (in the sand!) and although my knees, ankles, and feet are a bit swollen and sore today, I’m proud of the accomplishment and feel exhilarated after yesterday’s experience.

So, armed with multiple “Biggest Loser” books – I am ready to take on this challenge to lose the weight and get healthy, and who knows – maybe there is a chance to make it on Season 11…..