Category Archives: Kerri Carpenter

Kerri’s Debut Book!

Hello Waterworld Mermaid Lagoon!!!

I may or may not have shivved a couple of crabs to elbow my way back in here for the release of Kerri Carpenter’s Flirting with the Competition, but there’s not a court in the world that would convict me. After all, you know I’m not missing any of this awesomeness. How could I? Flirting with the Competition is a fab quick read involving hot lawyers, stuck elevators and Jordan. Oh, you don’t know Jordan? Hold on, here’s Jordan:

Flirting with the Competition

Flirting with the Competition

Roll your tongues back up, ladies (and gents). 🙂

I cornered Mermaid Kerri so I could ask her about Flirting with the Competition (out today – go get it!).

OK, I totally teared up and had a few sniffles when I saw the dedication for Flirting With the Competition. You have to share who Nunnie was and why she was right (and she totally was).

Nunnie is my maternal grandmother. When I was about seven or so, I sat at her kitchen counter and wrote a poem. From what I remember, it rhymed and was generally cute. But Nunnie took one look at it and declared that I was a writer. She told everyone in my family that I was a writer and she never stopped believing it – up until the day she passed away at 97 years old. Because she believed with unwavering conviction, so did I.

Now that we’re all reaching for the Kleenex, let’s bring this back to happy land. I want to hear about where the idea for this story started.

*sniffle sniffle* Okay, moving on. In spring of 2013, I was listening to a webinar given by former lovely and talented Mermaid, Robin Covington, who was talking about writing sexy time in novels. (I don’t think that was the actual title.) She said something about utilizing objects in the environment and I thought, what if you don’t have any objects? What if you’re stuck in an elevator? Then I wanted to know who was stuck in an elevator and where they were trying to go. I started writing Flirting with the Competition the next morning. So thanks, Robin!

You realize you are going to be the reason why a lot of readers start fantasying about getting stuck in an elevator. Have you ever been stuck in an elevator?

No, and that’s probably a really good thing because I suffer from a touch of claustrophobia. Although…if I was stuck in an elevator with someone like my hero, Jordan, I’d probably be just fine. Of course, with my luck I’d get trapped with the person who hadn’t bathed in 16 days and started whistling. (I HATE whistling!)

You live in the Washington DC area, is that why you decided to set Flirting with the Competition there? What about the story is true to life when it comes to living in DC?

Secret about Kerri – I set almost every story I write in either DC, Virginia, or Pennsylvania. I’m from PA, went to college in DC, and currently live in VA. Makes research a breeze. 😉

Setting Flirting with the Competition in DC was a no-brainer. People in DC like to work and love to talk about it. In fact, the first question you usually get when you meet someone new is, “where do you work?”

Did you know the ending before you wrote the first word or did you find your way to it?

I knew from that first night that I wanted two enemies trapped together. By the next day I had decided they would be competing for the same job. But who would get the job in the end? No clue. I’m a total pantser (For non-writers: this means I don’t plot out my stories before I start writing) so I came to the ending rather organically. And the ending you’re reading today is actually different from my original version. But I love this one so much more!

What inspired you to write Flirting with the Competition?

I’m a huge fan of reading novellas and I wanted to try my hand at writing one. At the time, I had just finished the 713th revision on a long contemporary romance I was writing and I wanted to do something fun, flirty, and SHORT!

Casting couch time. Who would you cast for Whitney and Jordan?

A lot of writers use actors as inspiration for their characters. I don’t really do that. But if I had to pick…I would go with either Molly Quinn (she plays Richard Castle’s daughter on Castle) or Rachelle Lefevre (who was in the Twilight movies) for Whitney. Jordan kind of looks like Mike Fisher (who plays hockey for the Nashville Predators and is married to Carrie Underwood). But really, any super-hot, super-alpha guy with a heart of gold underneath will do. 😉

Avery and Kerri hanging out in San Antonio this past July.

Avery and Kerri hanging out in San Antonio this past July.

Don’t leave us hanging, what’s next for you?

I have a full-length contemporary romance called, The Best Kind of Love, coming out with Soul Mate Publishing in December. (See above – those 713 revisions totally paid off.) I’m also writing another novella where two people get stuck in a confining space. Any guesses where I’m putting them this time?

 

Thanks Mermaid Kerri! So everyone go out and grab your copy of Flirting With the Competition! Short blurb and buy links below.

*** Giveaway Alert***

Kerri would love to give one lucky person a $10 Amazon gift card. Lots of fun stuff to buy over at Amazon – like a debut novella perhaps. 😉 To enter, all you have to do is answer the following question in the comments by midnight tonight. Winner will be announced in the comments tomorrow morning.

Question: Who would you love to be stuck with in an elevator?

Flirting With the Competition

The sexiest things happen in confined spaces…

Lawyers Whitney March and Jordan Campbell are interviewing at a prestigious law firm. For the same job. And Jordan is determined to win, despite his sexy, capable, and fiery rival. But when the elevator they’re sharing comes to an abrupt stop, they’re stuck—together.The only thing they have in common is determination to get the job…and an unexpected and escalating attraction. And it’s only a matter of time before these competitors indulge in a very sexy little connection between floors.

You can buy Flirting with the Competition here.

Visit Kerri’s website here.

Or Tweet her here.

Or “like” her on Facebook here.

 

Guy Day: Model pooch Harry Carpenter swims with the mermaids!

Fishy friends, did you hear that? Talk about cat-calls, that whistle I just heard has left my ears ringing. Simmer down, ladies. Simmer down! But who can blame the many fans of our Guy Day guest today, the fabulous and furry, Harry Carpenter? Not me. Harry put the catch in ketchup and the hot in hot dog. Spend two minutes with him and you’ll understand the trail of hearts left in his waggling tail’s wake. Did you know he holds the title of World’s Cutest Dog? Yep. Totally holds that title. Which is why I was elated to nab his first ever interview! Wanna know what makes him even more adorable? The love he has for his mommy, our very own Kerri Mermaid, who is about to be a published author. He should be here any second now to gush about her. Word is he likes to work out every morning to keep those long arms and legs in tip-top shape so I’m sure that’s what’s keeping him … Oh, there he is! “Harry, over here, over here!” OMG. He swims! Cutest doggy paddle ever. Please enjoy our little chat…

Upsidedown Harry

Carlene Mermaid: Hi Harry, it is an honor to have you here in the pond! And I have to thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to come talk about your favorite thing in the whole world, your mommy! So tell us, what is your favorite thing to do while Mommy is writing?

Harry: I love Mommy! Sometimes Mommy likes to write by long-hand, whatever that means. I love to try and eat her pen. I like to jump all over her and wag my tail in her face and try to get that magical pen-toy she moves all around.

Laundry

CM: Does she listen to music while she writes and if so, do you enjoy it? If not, who do you wish she would listen to while she writes?

Harry: I love music! Mommy always has music on when she writes. She listens to lots of different people but she said she likes to be able to zone out when she writes. So she puts on Lady Antebellum, John Mayer, Paul Simon, and sometimes the soundtrack to Field of Dreams. Then I go to sleep in my bed that is right under her desk.

CM: Be honest Harry, do you ever have to fetch your own dinner when Mommy is super busy with writing her fabulous books?

Harry: I love dinner! No – I never get my own dinner. Mommy always gives me my yummy food. Sometimes she adds pumpkin to it. I love pumpkin! Mommy likes to cook her own dinner too. She loves being in that magical food room. When she’s in there, I like to lay on the soft rug right where she stands. So fun!

Fav Harry2

CM: I know your mommy does not like the writing cave. Why do you think this is? Do you like caves?

Harry: I love caves! Mommy likes to go to her writing CASTLE. She says caves are grosssauce. I have a cave under Mommy’s bed. Mommy calls it my lair. She’s funny. I like to take things from around our house and horde them in my lair, like insoles, pens, tissues, my toys, bones, Mommy’s socks, magical pens. I can put a lot in there!

 

Waiting

CM: I also know that your mommy is prone to getting great story ideas while out on your walks. How do you feel about this? Are you ever asked to help her remember any of it?

Harry: I love walks! Mommy gets lots of ideas while we’re walking. I don’t know if she needs help remembering them because I am very busy chasing squirrels and birds and saying hi to EVERY person and doggie I meet. I love everyone! Sometimes we take walks with my BFF, Koda. While Koda and I stalk squirrels I hear Mommy brainstorming with Koda’s mommy. I love her too!

 

CM: Your mommy cracks me up on a daily basis. What is the last hilarious thing she said to you?

Harry: I love Mommy! She IS funny. Let’s see… She told me that if I didn’t stop taking the magazines off the coffee table and eating them that I would be in trouble. That’s so hilarious because I have Mommy wrapped around my little paw and we both know it. That’s why I give her lots of kisses. See how cute I am?

love my mommy

I’m so proud of Mommy for getting published that I made this sign!

published

Be still my beating heart. Fishy friends, Harry has pens to chase but word in the pond is that he’s got a couple extra minutes to spare for some head scratches and tummy rubs. Big thanks to his mommy for letting him swim with us today. And CONGRATS, Kerri Mermaid. Your dream of becoming a published author in romance fiction comes true in three short days. I love you, Hero, and your little doggie too. 🙂

Fishy kisses,

Carlene Mermaid

 

 

Learning the Hard Way

Nov 14 RWRI received my issue of the latest Romance Writers Report yesterday (the November issue), and was thrilled to find inside its hallowed covers not only an article featuring our very own Kerri Carpenter, but a mention of the Waterworld Mermaids blog as well…WOOHOO!

The article, by Laura Kaye, is called “Getting the Call, Despite Ourselves.” Kerri, along with other seasoned romance authors such as Mindy Klasky and Jill Shalvis, volunteer some of the mistakes they made on their road to publication.

It is never easy, this thing that we do…even when it seems like we’re getting cake, we know that we’ll be running marathons to work those calories off somewhere down the line. Some of us get lucky on that first break, but even those of us who did still pay our dues at some point.

Kerri explains in the article that her path to publication took seven manuscripts and thirteen years…and that she wished she had known more about the writing community and what it could offer her before she tried doing it all on her own.

But that’s not every writer’s tale. Your mileage WILL vary.

My first publication was a Cinderella story–the manuscript that someone else submitted for me on my behalf, without me really knowing, the call I almost didn’t get because I had included zero contact information on the document. Thanks to years of being Teacher’s Pet in school I had at least been intelligent enough to put my name in a byline.

But it’s been an uphill battle ever since, one that includes economic collapse, government shutdowns, lost orders, unrenewed contracts, publisher bankruptcy, and Maurice Sendak dying on the day my first novel was released.

Oh, yeah…and then there was that time I accidentally responded to a forwarded email instead of the person who *sent* the email, and I accidentally told an editor exactly what I thought of her editing style. (It was not kind. It was, thankfully, brief, and fences were carefully mended after an overseas delivery of very expensive chocolates.)

<sigh>

Writers, if you haven’t screwed up yet in publishing…don’t worry. You will. One of the most poignant–and to me, the most meaningful–quotes I took away from the RWA conference this year in San Antonio was Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ comment: “You WILL embarrass yourself at least once, at every conference.”

And WOW is that so true. I’m here to tell you that right now. Nobody is perfect. It’s what you do after the gaffe that defines who you are.

Like all the other mistakes, you just have to own it, embrace it, forgive the person you may have injured in the process…and above all, forgive yourself. Then move on, because if we don’t keep moving, we die. Like sharks. It’s just the Way of the Lagoon.

So, I’d love to hear if you’d like to share…what are some of the publishing mistakes YOU’VE made?

Kerri Carpenter, RWR Nov. 2014

Congrats, Kerri!

 

Please Don’t Pass the Salt!

This is Month 10 (10? Can you believe it!) of my made-up Sparkle Plan. What’s the Sparkle Plan? Check out the first post here.

We all have our taste preferences. Mine happens to lean – like Leaning Tower of Pisa-lean – toward salt. When confronted, I will always pick chips over ice cream, popcorn over chocolate, Cheese Nips over, well, anything.

My favorite pizza is with extra cheese and anchovies.

I like bread and cheese and wine and SALT!

See where I’m going? Yeah, my body figured out I was on a downward salt spiral and so did my doctor.

Kerri Carpenter

My Mermaid Avatar is clearly on a no-salt diet!

Doctor’s Orders: KNOCK IT OFF WITH THE SALT.

But kind of in a more serious way. Like a “you’re actually sick and swollen” kind of way. So I have been put on a low-to-no salt diet.

The plus side to this heinous act against nature is that I’ve dropped four pounds in a week. The negative side… Very. Long. List. Alas, I know I can do this and I’ll come out healthy, sparkly, and salt-free on the other side. Even if I’m a little cranky-pants in the meantime.

While I’m pondering killing anyone with so much as a speck of salt on their food, I thought I would give you an update on the Month 9 Goal of saying one nice thing about myself. I liked this goal! It’s fun to complement yourself and once you get started, it’s kinda hard to stop. Here are some examples of nice things about me from the last month:

I’m having an amazing hair day.

I look really cute in my Steelers outfit.

Damn, I’m a great writer.

My eye makeup is outstanding today.

I’m like the best cook ever!

Join me in the comments. Do you prefer sweet or salty? (And anyone with low-salt recipes, please share!!!)

*I am not a doctor. Obviously, since I’ve eaten so much salt that a real doctor had to intervene. Mmmmm, salt… Hence, always consult your own physician before embarking on any fitness or eating plan.

 

Priorities

I’m in a funk.

I know! Not the way you wanted me to start my Month 9 Sparkle Plan post. But since I promised to be honest during the Sparkle Plan, I have to talk about my funk.

(What in the hell is the Sparkle Plan? It’s all about my weight loss and getting healthy journey. Check out the inaugural post here.) Kerri Carpenter

While pondering my funk this past week, I realized three things. 1. I do not make myself a priority. 2. When trying to get healthy (losing weight, being more active, whatever), you have to make yourself a priority. 3. I’m kinda mean…to myself!

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to go for a run or attend a Zumba class but have gotten waylaid. My dog needs my attention or a friend calls. The laundry won’t do itself and I NEED socks. I’m on a writing deadline. I have a blog post due. The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell movie is on. (Just kidding. Well, not really. But kind of.)

Also, I’ve realized over the course of the last nine months that my problem with weight loss rests mostly with food. I really, really struggle with my diet. That makes it extra sad when I’m finally on a roll with eating but then my dog needs my attention or a friend calls and needs a calorie-laden girls’ night. The laundry won’t do itself and that means I can’t get to the grocery store to buy healthy food. Takeout is soooo much easier. (And fattier.) I’m on a writing deadline and I stress eat. The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell movie is being re-aired. (Just kidding. Okay, seriously, we all know I’m not.)

Some of the things ambushing me are good excuses, but they’re still excuses. When you want to get healthy, and you’re really serious about it, the excuses have to go.

As for being a total d-bag to myself, I really don’t know when and where this started. But I do realize it’s getting worse, almost like I’m having my own personal roast every single day. This really came to a head the other night. I was at a baseball game and one of my friends said I had to say one nice thing about myself by the end of the night. It took me wayyyyy too long to come up with something. One little thing. A tiny little compliment. And I was stumped! (In the end, I decided I was having a really good hair day, in case anyone was wondering.)

And that’s when I realized that making yourself a priority includes being kind to yourself. How do you expect to feel positive when you’re berating yourself? Or in my case, coming up with harsh insults set to early Nineties R&B songs.

So I’ve decided that my goal for the next month is to prioritize myself and stopping being a jerkface to Kerri. I’m not setting any goals about working out or not eating after a certain time. Instead, I’m keeping it simple. By the end of every day, I have to say at least one nice thing about myself.

Join me in the comments. Offer up one nice thing about yourself. I dare you!

*I am not a doctor. I’d say that’s great because I’m literally not smart enough to be a doctor, but that would conflict with the whole positivity thing I have going on in this post. Hence, always consult your own physician before embarking on any fitness or eating plan.

 

Isn’t It Romantic

(Sparkle Plan Update: Yes, I am still on my Sparkle Plan. But I thought I would take a month off from talking about it. All is still well – I’m starting to do run/walk intervals and getting back into lifting weights. Stay tuned for a bigger update in September.)

Spoilers ahead – you’ve been warned.

I consider myself a romantic.

I write romance novels. I love happy endings and riding off into the sunset and candlelit dinners and long walks on the beach, and flowers, and getting dressed up to go out on a date. Which reminds me, I have these new, totally cute pants that would be great for a date. But I digress.

You know what else I like? Movies.

But recently, I realized that none of my favorite movies are romantic movies. My two favorite movies oscillate between The Empire Strikes Back and Office Space. Both have some hints of romance, but neither can be considered A romance. Furthermore, the usual “romcom” staples don’t tend to make my heart go flutter-flutter.

Pretty Woman

Laughing like a loon….

For example, I would never consider Pretty Woman a romance because I’ve never been able to get over the fact that, oh, I don’t know, she’s a HOOKER! Sure, it’s all romantic and swell when a super-rich guy can whisk you off on a private plane to see an opera after he put a glamorous and expensive necklace around your neck and you laughed like a loon. But you’re still a hooker.

Are my standards too high?

Then there’s Legally Blonde. One of those movies I’ll always watch when it comes on TV. Is it a romance though? There IS a romance but besides knowing Elle and Emmett get together in the end, they never kiss or go on a date. Besides, the scene that really gets me going is when Elle totally wins the argument over former-love Warner in class. Then Professor Callahan says, “I believe you’ve just won your case.” Yes! #winning

You bet I won my case! Plus, my resume is pink and scented!

You bet I won my case! Plus, my resume is pink and scented!

Frustrated, I Googled “romantic” movies. Here’s my thoughts on some of the Internet’s choices for most romantic film (in no particular order). Mind you, I’m not saying these aren’t good movies, just that they aren’t romantic in my eyes.

Titanic – everyone dies and really cold water.

The Notebook – old people, death and Alzheimer’s.

Ghost – he’s, um, A GHOST! Can never have a happy ending unless she also dies.

Romeo & Juliet – are you freaking kidding me? Double death!

West Side Story – see above, same movie as R&J but with singing and dancing.

Dirty Dancing – we don’t know what happens *after*the summer and abortion. And if Baby gives up her Peace Corps dreams that’s just lame.

Gone with the Wind – Dude, come on. Awesome flick, unhappy ending.

Casablanca – um, they don’t end up together! Also, Nazis scare me!

Grease – have to become a slut to find true love.

I will confess to enjoying and being quite smitten by a lot of scenes within the above movies. So really, maybe my problem is the endings? Because in romance writing, we have to conclude with a happily ever after or at least, happy for now. Kerri Carpenter

All of this pondering leads me to the real question. Am I *not* a romantic after all? You be the judge. In the meantime, PLEASE leave some romantic movie options for me in the comments below.

 

Mermaids & Friends: Larynn Ford

Can you believe it’s August already! We, Mermaids, are spending extra time splashing around the lagoon to cool off and enjoy this last month of summer. So we thought we would invite one of our friends to join us today. Let’s welcome, Larynn Ford!!!

Besides being one of my fellow Soul Mate authors, Larynn has a new release, Rescued, she’d like to talk about. Plus, she’s giving away one copy – details below. Take it away, Larynn….

**************************************************************************** Continue reading

Give Me a Break!

It’s Month 7 of The Sparkle Plan, my made-up diet and wellness plan. Can you believe it! Check out the inaugural post here to find out what it is.

Last month, I set a new mini-goal of getting more sleep. For the most part, I did it. The results? I felt amazing! Then came this past weekend…. (Insert ominous music)

This past Friday was July Fourth. Besides being my favorite holiday, it was also a long weekend, and an early birthday celebration for yours truly. Lots and lots of fun events occurred. There was pool time, fireworks, BBQs, happy hours, baseball games, and little time for sleep or exercise.  Kerri Carpenter

Even while I was having SO MUCH FUN, in the back of my mind, an annoying little voice was nagging me to death about exercise and sleep and the fact that I wasn’t doing enough of either. Plus, said obnoxious voice was reminding me that I was about to go on vacation for a week and then go to a big writer’s conference where I will surely also not get enough sleep or physical activity.

AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

My BFF has told me for years that I’m too hard on myself. I never really paid much attention. But when a new friend also starting saying the same thing to me, I thought maybe they’re on to something.

This Sparkle Plan journey has been tough. I’m trying to do a lot – workout, eat right, get enough sleep, all while still enjoying everything else in life. But I’m constantly worrying about my circumference and fear that it’s growing. I’m worried about getting injured again. I’m worried about not achieving the goals I set back in January. Worry. Worry. Worry!!!!

So perhaps it’s time to admit that I am hard on myself. What’s the point of doing all this work if I’m not going to enjoy myself? And really, who wants to be hard on themselves on vacation? I can still enjoy the beach and my conference without eating like a piggy. Right?

Mini-Goal of the Month: Enjoy myself!

Let’s chat in the comment section. How do you find that balance between healthy living and having fun?

 

*I am not a doctor. We should all consider this a blessing since I really don’t care for sick people. Or whiny people. Or that hospital smell. Or science. Hence, always consult your own physician before embarking on any fitness or eating plan.

Mermaids & Friends: Samanthya Wyatt

Welcome to another edition of Mermaids & Friends. I’m so excited to have this author with us in the Mermaid Lagoon today because not only is her new book, SOMETHING MORE, amazing, but she is a fellow Soulie. That’s right, we’re both authors over at Soul Mate Publishing. Welcome, Samanthya Wyatt!

Hello Kerri. Thank you for inviting me to the lagoon. I’m so excited to be here on the very day my book, Something More, is to be released.

Tell us a little about your writing journey.

Ever since I can remember, I have loved curling up with a book. When I was young I wrote poems and short stories. I signed everything UNKNOWN AUTHOR. I guess even then I feared rejection. When I graduated, my life changed. I married a military man, traveled across the US and abroad, then settled in the Shenandoah Valley and had a family. My children were in high school before I started writing again.

About fifteen years ago, I wrote to Catherine Coulter and was amazed that she wrote back. I couldn’t believe it. She was very encouraging and told me to join RWA. She said to write everyday even if it was only one sentence. I am a RWA member, joined several chapters including Contemporary Romance Chapter, and I’m a member of Savvy Authors.

I started writing again. I entered a lot of contests, workshops, and made some good friends via e-mails. I finally finished my historical romance, the first of a trilogy, and I completed a contemporary romance “Something More”. I contacted more publishers, sent my MS to editors, and continued to hope. A pitch opportunity with Savvy Authors resulted in two books being published. An editor asked for my contemporary, and another asked for my historical. Both books will be released this month. I’m over the moon.

How exciting! Tell us a little about your current release: your inspiration, main characters, setting, etc.

Something More

Something More

On his way to an important meeting, a light flirtation turns into more than Matthew expects. The alluring beauty does not need his money, and makes it clear she does not need him.

Carrie trusts no man. Until a pair of mischievous eyes melts her defenses, and has her second guessing her convictions.

Infatuation and excitement spark a journey of passion and forbidden emotion where two people must overcome their earlier convictions to find an everlasting love.

Why did you choose to write in this genre? Have you ever written any other genre? Do you plan on doing so in the future?

Dashing Lords and pirates seemed so romantic, so my first book was written in the historical genre. One day I was playing around to get my mind off edits and I wrote a scene with two women bantering back and forth. I had so much fun and the words seemed to flow. So I ended up writing my first contemporary Something More. Modern day women have more freedom, and my wit seems to come out more with contemporary. I have started several stories including a hunky fireman series. Station Eight. Can’t wait to get those published.


Who is your favorite character in your book and why?
I love my hero, just because hunky men are sexy and dark hair has always been my favorite. However, I love a strong heroine and Carrie is strong. Her assistant may deserve a book of her own. And her friend is a no-nonsense, anything goes sort of girl. I guess I like all my characters. I’m so indecisive. About everything in my personal life, too. It takes me forever to pick out a pair of shoes.

What do you do in your spare time?

What spare time? LOL. I keep the road hot. I go to soccer ball games, baseball games, cheer competition, or just babysit the wee ones. Can’t wait till July when I retire.

Any final thoughts you’d like your readers to know about you or your books?

I enjoy penning a story with strong characters, a bit of humor, and active scenes.I invite you to lay the worries of the world off your shoulders and get lost in the pages of a romance, where you embark on a journey with the hero and heroine, become involved in a dream, plunge into a world of fantasy, live an adventure your heart can share.

 

Thank you so much for joining us today, Samanthya, and good luck with your book!

Bonus: The interview’s not over yet. If you would like to read more of Samanthya’s thoughts on the writing process and a special excerpt from Something More, hop on over to my website here.

If you would like to learn more about Samanthya or either of her new books, please visit her webpage. You can also find her on Facebook, Goodreads, Amazon, and SMP Authors.

Being Tired & YouTube

Happy Month 6 of The Sparkle Plan, my made-up diet and wellness plan. Check out the inaugural post here to find out what it is.

Last month I was beyond happy to report that I lost 9 pounds! (Check out that post here.) So how many pounds did I lose this month? A big fat ZERO! While I didn’t gain any weight (hoorah!), I did gain some perspective on the importance of sleep. Kerri Carpenter

A bunch of doctors say a bunch of doctor-like stuff about the importance of sleep in regards to weight loss. I am not a doctor so I won’t bore you with all that hormone crap. Here’s the basic idea. You need to sleep. If you don’t, you will eat like a pig and gain weight. True story.

Why is sleep tied to losing weight? I don’t know. Again, not a doctor. But here’s what I do know. This past month I haven’t been getting enough sleep. I have, however, been running at least twice during the week and once during the weekend. I’ve been going to my Zumba class on Sundays. I’ve been doing at least two arm and ab workouts a week. I’ve mostly been eating healthy food. And yet… no weight came off.

So new mini-goal for this month. I am going to sleep. Even if this means I don’t get to watch whatever summer reality show I’m currently obsessing over. (I have a DVR.) I am going to sleep. Even if this means I have to put the book down. (This will be hard.) I am going to sleep. Even if this means I have to stop snuggling with Harry. (He will hate this.)

The second thing I want to talk about is this new little website – I don’t know if you’ve heard of it – that shows all kinds of different videos. You can watch them on your computer, on your phone, on your tablet, pretty much everywhere. They call it YouTube. I don’t know if it will last (yes, I’m being sarcastic) but in the meantime, I’ve discovered all kinds of great workout videos.

My favorite YouTube channel is currently Blogilates. She is GREAT! I actually found out about her through my bible – People magazine. There are super short videos that target every muscle imaginable. Plus, really fun music while you’re working out. Bonus – you can do these workouts anywhere as long as you have a phone, computer, tablet, etc. No more excuses! (A favorite Blogilates video is below.)

So while YouTube has been saving my workouts from getting boring, Mr. Sand Man has been a no-show. That’s why this month, I’m going to him. Ready for my beauty sleep….

Let’s chat in the comment section. Do you get enough sleep? If so, please share how you do it!

*I am not a doctor or anything close to a doctor. I really don’t like hearing about hormones secreting or being secreted. I also just realized I detest the word secrete. Hence, always consult your own physician before embarking on any fitness or eating plan.