LOVIN' OUR BODIES Fun Friday

Woo Hooo! Another week is coming to an end. Does anyone have anything fun planned for the weekend? I'll drag the family out for another bike ride, and if it ever stops raining I'm sure we'll play in the pool.

I still haven't found anywhere to take line dance lessons. I think my husband's secretly relieved. He just loves the idea of me running off to dance with a bunch of boot scootin' cowboys every week. He's not buying the whole "research" excuse either. LOL

I've started doing David Kirsch's leg and butt routine three days a week. It totally kicks my bootay, but I love it. After the first workout, I had to go buy a new medicine ball because the naughty little wiener dog chewed a hole in the one I had. Now if I don't lock him out of the room, he stands on me trying to get the new ball while I'm working out. Anybody want a wiener dog? :)

So how are you playing this weekend?

Lovin' Our Bodies Hump Day

Ok, today's the day I remind you that you're in a magic place. If you've been strong all week, keep going! If the week didn't start off the way you wanted it to, you can still turn it around.

Here's to success all around for a fabulous group of ladies!

Does anyone need a boost? If you do, just let us know. That's what we're here for.

LOVIN' OUR BODIES Motivations

I hope everyone has a nice Memorial Day. It's the beginning of another week around here. Isn't it amazing how time flies?

I'm going to keep it simple today with just a couple of quotes that I like, and that will hopefully give you a little motivation this week.

"I think it's the end of progress if you stand still and think of what you've done in the past. I keep on." - Leslie Caron

"Yesterday I dared to struggle. Today I dare to win." - Bernadette Devlin

Keep checking in. You're doing great, and remember the occasional setbacks are part of the journey. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Look at what Cindy made me!

How cool is this? Thank you, Cindy. You're a sweetheart!

LOVIN' OUR BODIES Fun Friday

It's Friday! Maybe we can all check in today and just catch up a little. I know it's been a hectic week for me, and I'm sure it has been for some of you too.

My fun exercise for the weekend is walking. I know, I know, that's what I always do, but I haven't been able to walk at all this week because of the non-stop rain we've been getting. I've been stuck doing the elliptical every day.

So what about you? How has your week been? Any accomplishments or setbacks you want to share? Any big plans for this holiday weekend?

Ann, can you please email me at wendi@wendidarlin.com? I don't have your email address.


We're on Twitter: #lovin'ourbodies

1st Review for Devil's Advocate!

I got my first review for Devil's Advocate!

5 Blue Ribbons "...Wendi Darlin delivers a steamy romance and heart-pounding suspense that will only leave you wanting more. She paints a grand story about tightly knit friendships, true love, and healing old wounds. She describes the setting beautifully and in accurate detail, and her selfless hunky hero had me wishing for a devil of my own. DEVIL’S ADVOCATE is a must read and I can’t wait to get my hands on her other HELLS BELLES releases." - Pamela Denise, Romance Junkies

To read the whole review, click here.

LOVIN' OUR BODIES Motivations

Hi, ladies! It's Monday again. There's no special guest this week, so you're stuck with me. :)

I have THE ULTIMATE NEW YORK BODY PLAN by David Kirsch. I've never strictly followed the "plan." But I like to use some of the exercises illustrated in the book, and I do see results from them. I also like the way Kirsch takes a three-pronged approach to making-over your body: Diet, Exercise, and Empowerment.

The cover of the book touts "Just 2 weeks to a total transformation." I know there's no such thing as a true quick fix, but I also know that seeing results quickly will motivate me to keep working. If you're like me, you might like this book.

From Chapter 1: "I believe that total transformation is possible by adhering to certain tenets. Self-acceptance and self-love are paramount and help contribute to a sense of wellness and, if you will, soundness of mind and soundness of body...We can embrace our life and the circumstances surrounding it. Change isn't necessarily a bad thing, although it can be scary. Choose to change the things that truly matter. Learn to focus on the positive, and be grateful for all your blessings."

One of the things I take from this: Remember why you're working so hard to improve your body. Health, first and foremost. But also, quality of life. The better you feel, the happier you and everyone around you will be. And the people who love you just might have you around a little longer. Also, I can admit, when I look better, I feel better. I'm too vain to not let my appearance affect every other part of my life.

Here's a motivational quote that I love:

"If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can't, you're right." - Mary Kay Ash.

Truer words have never been spoken.

How was your weekend? Do you have anything new planned for this week? Are your goals changing? (Not that they need to.) Are you happy with the strides you made? Do you need us to help you in any way? Remember that's what we're here for.

Twitter trending topic: #lovin'ourbodies

LOVIN' OUR BODIES Fun Friday

So Friday is fun day! We've earned it, right? Exercise doesn't always have to be tedious. And the more we exercise, the higher our energy level becomes. So as we get in the groove with these great habits we're developing we'll probably catch ourselves doing things we haven't done in a while or just haven't been in the habit of doing.

Does anybody have any fun movement planned for today or this weekend? I think I'll take the wiener dog to the park. He loves to run. I don't necessarily like chasing him, but then I don't really have a choice do I? :) I'm also planning to play in the pool with my son. Who knows that might inspire me to swim laps. I haven't done that in a while.

Ok, now 'fess up. Who's going to be dancing in front of their computer? Or doing the tango while folding laundry? Or signing up for line dance lessons? Oh wait, line dance lessons...that's me! As soon as I can find a place that offers them that is.

Come on, inspire us! It'll put a smile on your face and ours. :)

Nice n' Naughty Thursday

I blogged over at Nice n' Naughty Authors today about the little Cheater Cheater Pumpkin Eater in my house. www.nicennaughtyauthors.blogspot.com

Follow me on Twitter! twitter.com/wendidarlin

LOVIN' OUR BODIES Hump Day

Hello, ladies! Wednesday is kind of a magic day if you're struggling to stay on the wagon. If you got off to a rough start at the beginning of the week, you can begin today and still end with a successful week. If you've managed to meet your goals so far this week, you can pat yourself on the back and keep cruising toward the finish line. See, it's magic!

Monday, Ann said it's been easier for her to stick to the plan she laid out for a successful career than it has been for her to dedicate the discipline required to exercise the way she wants to. She said it much more eloquently than that, but I believe that was the gist of what she said. I think that's true for a lot of us. We're pulled in so many different directions, the easiest things to let slide are the things we're doing for ourselves. But think about it, when we're happy with ourselves we're easier to be around and we have more to give to the ones we care about. Being healthy and happy isn't selfish, but sometimes we have to be a little selfish to protect the time we set aside to do that for ourselves.

Here are a couple of quotes I found, that I thought you might like:

"Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world." - Lucille Ball

"You don't get to choose how you're going to die. Or when. You can only decide how you're going to live. Now." - Joan Baez


Are you feeling good about your progress this week? Do you need us to give you a little boost?

Release Date Announcement

I just found out BACK AT THE RANCH, Cowboy Games 2, will be released next Wednesday, May 20th. I'm a little excited and a lot nervous about this one. This is my first m/m romance, and even more nerve-shattering it's my most requested sequel. I'm hoping it's the story all the readers of Cowboy Games want it to be.

BACK AT THE RANCH is for everyone who fell in love with Garrett and Clayton. Thank you all for asking me to write this story.

LOVIN' OUR BODIES Motivations

Hello, Ladies! Happy Monday! This week's motivational quote comes from Mr. Romance 2009 1st Runner Up, Stefan Pinto.

Stefan passes this along to you all:

"Successful people turn dreams into goals. They stop dreaming about what they would like to do, and start on how to get it done. And this takes determination, discipline, patience and perseverance."

I'm posting that on my bulletin board.

Stefan writes fitness articles for the Miami Fitness Examiner, and he sent this link to one he thought you might enjoy. http://bit.ly/4ytiRT

I recommend signing up for his newsletter too. It's packed full of great, informative stuff. And whip over to his website, www.pintofactory.com when you get a minute, the man obviously knows what he's talking about when it comes to fitness. But believe it or not, he wasn't always built better than Adonis. You can read about his personal fitness journey here: http://www.stefanpinto.com/hello/?p=1271


So how is everyone doing? Any successes or not-so-successful moments anyone wants to talk about?

For anyone just joining us, we can also keep in touch on Twitter via trending topic #lovin'ourbodies

Group Motivation Starts Now!

Welcome to Lovin' Our Bodies! Most of you already know this group was inspired by some of my author friends who have recently decided to increase their fitness level and/or lose weight. Lovin' Our Bodies is a motivational group to offer encouragement and support as we all work individually to keep ourselves healthy. Anyone with similar goals is welcome to participate.

To keep us organized, I'll post an update here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. You can feel free to check-in any time on any day. Share what's working for you. What isn't. Anything at all about your journey. This is your group. We're in this together - GROUP is the keyword.

Here's our new post schedule:

Monday - Lovin' Our Bodies Motivations. I will share some motivations I've found, and from time to time I will invite some fitness experts to offer advice and encouragement for all of us. All of you are always invited and encouraged to leave comments for one another.

Wednesday - Lovin' Our Bodies Hump Day. This is the day we help one another keep up the momentum. The better half of the week is behind us and we're on the downward slide for a really successful week.

Friday - Lovin' Our Bodies Fun Friday. This is a day we make an effort to do something fun that will also get our hearts pumping. Dancing, playing, taking the dogs to the park, whatever you want to do for however long you want to do it. This will remind us to enjoy ourselves and our bodies and put a smile on our faces. And it will be great to share our antics with each other, don't you think?

This group is a work in progress. I'm sure we'll find things that don't work and new things that do, and we'll go with the flow. We'll discover our way together. Suggestions are always welcome and encouraged.

I am not a fitness expert and I don't pretend to be. So the focus of this group will be on encouragement and support. Any advice that I post here will be from expert sources. I may share personal experiences with you, but always listen to your own body and of course, follow your doctor's advice.

Are you ready??? Introduce yourself if you want and feel free to say what you're hoping to gain from this or where you need the most encouragement. Anonymity is ok, but I think you'll get more out of the group if you comment, even anonymously.

On Twitter, we're #Lovin'OurBodies and I'm twitter.com/wendidarlin

RT Gift Basket Winners!

I had the honor of meeting some fabulous people at the Romantic Times convention in Orlando. Two of the absolute sweetest were the winners of the gift baskets I gave away. Congratulations again Marriette and Yolanda! It was such a pleasure to meet you both.
























Yolanda Smith

























Mariette Gonzalez



Follow me on Twitter! twitter.com/wendidarlin