3.2 Miles

So over the last month or two I have been working on trying to run/jog longer and/or faster. Well today I jogged/ran more than half of my workout today, which I found out is 3.2 miles! 3.2 MILES!!! that's farther than I have ever worked out on the treadmill at the gym! I seriously felt so great when I got home, dripping sweat and exhausted but man, did it feel great! I hope someday I can A) run the whole thing and b) do it twice! Day by day, week by week I am trying as hard as I can, I fail constantly but the difference now is that I don't give up after a set back, I just keep trying. I think that's what I have been missing these last few years is the willingness to try again rather than throwing in the towel. I'm thankful for that at least.

The Affect of Depression

So got some bad news yesterday that my grandpa has stage 4 lung cancer. Seriously sad. All I want to do is drink hot tea and watch crappy movies. I hate being depressed. I need to go see him soon. the end.

Quick Update

So after trying that recipe out 2 things happened: 1) the steak was good, but still can't beat my mother's recipe but for only 230 calories, not bad! and 2) the salad was gross. not trying that again!

Dinner

What I plan to have tonight!

Post Sickness

Got sick last night off of some food I got at Olive Garden, it sucks being sick but hey, I lost 2 pounds!

On today's menu, had a bowl of Multigrain Cherrios
then I have an apple
a cup (maybe 2) of Sugar Snap Peas
2 cups of green grapes
2 bottles of water
and a Chicken Top Ramen..i didn't have enough time to make something for my dinner.

I like this new schedule where I work freaking 10 hours a day because once i run out of my food, i'm out until 8pm! Has thought me to eat slower. Which is always a good thing.

Weakness

Chocolate syrup with peanuts and vanilla ice cream...get that within 100ft of me and I am screwed. So baby, GET IT OUT OF THE HOUSE!!!!

A Personal Lent

I am religious and believe in lent, though I didn't participate this year, but I have decided to do it on my own without the religiousness of it (though paying a lot!). So about a month ago I was feeling desperate to lose some weight. I have been going to the gym almost 5 times a week since December and though I was feeling healthier and was more often sore than not I still wasn't seeing a change on the scale. Some say it is because muscle weighs more that fat so I wasn't seeing a difference because of the ratio shift of fat to muscle. I didn't believe that. I knew I didn't see the scale move more than 2-4 lbs because of the crap I was putting in my damn gullet! I wasn't that heathy, i still ate more veggies and fruit than ever before but I still would get those mini donuts or pizza, etc. i would try to eat slower but that didn't work. So finally my work out buddy Yolanda was telling me about my former co-worker Mariah who was doing this diet. You take these drops called HCG, which is sort of a hunger suppressant. I also have to start drinking like 64 floz of water a day! I'll be peeing a lot now! But also my food intake has been severely cut. I eat two meals a day consisting of 4oz of lean meat so today I broiled some chicken with spices for one meal then cooked up 3 eggs. For the other. Then for veggies cut up a mini cucumber and and orange pepper and put 3 teaspoons of olive oil dressing on it then some carrots. I shouldn't have bought the carrots but no point in wasting them. Then for fruit I cut up an apple then put together some blueberries and strawberries. I am hoping this is going to work and I won't get super hungry and mess
It all up. But I was getting to a breaking point and I needed to make some serious changes to get any results! So please keep me in your prayers and keep me accountable!

Starbucks

For as long as I started drinking Starbucks I never liked their tea. It was bland, and boring but it's healthier for you than coffee obviously. With all the whip cream and syrups and milk/creams, it's damn tasty but not exactly what I can have to help me lose weight, but I am starting to have a serious Starbucks addiction. Well the other day one of the girls working there who I have become friendly with gave me a suggestion for a tea, but with lemonade..hmm, "sure" well it was FREAKING YUMMY!!! It is Passion tea from Tazo, it's got all these different favors that I love discovering with every sip. I am just so happy to find something that satisfies my fix without busting my gym workout from earlier that day.

Sorry

I've been so bad at blogging my progress lately. So I'll keep it simple, this is what I ate today:

1 banana apox 150 calories
3 packets of peach oatmeal - 390 calories
1 whole pack of Valley Fresh Steamers -210 calories
a small plastic bowl of chips with salsa - approx 210 calories
1 Godiva dark chocolate truffle - 45 calories
about 2 or 3 cups of a Cesar salad - let's say about 230 calories
and 1 cup of milk - 90 calories
add in about 2 water bottles.

I also burned 400+ calories between the bike and treadmill after I ate the banana

so i ate about 1325 calories, but burned 400, so roughly 925? I suck at math but that seems goo to me.

What Am I Missing?

SO, my husband has said that he can see a difference in my body but I can't see it. Why can't I see the change?

Gym Break

Its been hard lately for Yolanda and I go get to the gym together at the same time. I've been able to get there a few times when I'm not working at 8 or 9 but for some reason we haven't been able to get together. It sucks. Really Sucks. I've been trying to get things together and eat less, doing better but then I'll eat ice cream at night with a ton of nuts and drown it in chocolate syrup. So yeah, i'm still struggling. But I do feel healthier by going to the gym on a regular basis now rather than once or twice a month..or every few months. I don't know why it's so freaking hard to get the gym working out and the eating right to go together! Any suggestion??

Smoothies

Its been a while since I posted,  but I have been so busy with moving, and painting and starting a new job. But now that things  have slowed back down a bit, this are getting better. I have started drinking smoothies in the morning, i buy a packet from Safeway for the chocolate banana and it's YUMMY! and i plan to try out the Strawberry one soon and even my favorite that is a home recipe, a banana, orange juice and spinach! it's really delish and good for you. Also the last time I went shopping I bought this bag of mini peppers, had a few for dinner to night, they're surprisingly sweet! I am glad that I am starting to find healthier food that I can actually enjoy! That's a good step in the right direction. :)

"Go Get Some!"

Those were the words I read in a text from my buddy Yolanda when I asked her if I should still go to the gym yesterday night even when she had to cancel to go tend to a family emergency. So, I went. I was there for almost 2 hours! I lifted, I stretched, I burned, I sweated, and I kept going.

I did weight training for 45 minutes, and I have started doing the stationary bike for a different kind of cardio. It seriously kicks my butt and makes me sweat and not to be TMI, but makes my boobs bounce like I've never seen! It was intense. Even after a hard workout upstairs I went down to the treadmill and did 37 minutes on it burning OVER 400 calories (415 exactly)!!!

I felt great when it was over. What kept me going was envisioning what I am going to look like thin, what it's gonna feel like walking into my 10 year class reunion as a new person and holding my new camera equipment that my hubby promised me if I got down to my goal weight. I just had my eyes closed, my tunes pumping and just kept going! It was a great feeling. I hope I can keep this up! once I get to 179 I'll be even more jazzed!

Football Games

I have discovered that going to football games at my in-laws are a bad idea. NOTHING but junk food. I managed to get some veggies in but there wasn't many. I was there all day watching 2 games (2 GAMES!!!) so I had no choice but to eat what they had! I hate when I get stuck in situations like that.

Every 2 Hours

SO, I was talking with my friend Tesha and she told me that her personal trainer friend told her to eat every 2 hours to keep her metabolism up. OF course not eating huge meals or anything, like fruit, or a salad, etc. So last night I put in an alarm in my phone every two hours from 8:45am to 8:45 pm. I find that I like it. I am more aware of what and when I'm eating. Sure being home all day and not at work helps, but still, I like it. Hopefully it works for be because lately, honestly, I have been really doing awful with my eating and gained a pound or two.

I may have been stuck for a few days in the house because of the stupid snow but today Yolanda and I got out butts back to the gym and since it was so dead there we got some one on one time with the trainer and she told us that we're doing great with out core work but we need to work more on our cardio and high intensity workout. By the end of our little session, I was so sore and almost limp! I LOVED IT! I can't wait to try it for the first time from the beginning tomorrow! IF I can keep that up and this 2 hour eating, in 6 weeks I'm hoping to actually see a difference. I have been told that I do look different but I don't see it. I hope I can see it soon, I am honestly getting a little discouraged.

I Love/Hate Snow

I am torn. I love snow, the look of it, the peacefulness of it and it makes me feel all warm and cozy. I however HATE IT that I am scared to drive in it. Its been 2 days now since I've been to the gym and I am feeling the affects of it. I'm more negative, more lazy and my eating habits have gone down hill. I need to get out of here but we are already up to at least 8 inches and it's STILL falling. I drive a little Bettle that will for sure get stuck in it and can't handle the ice. But I miss my treadmill, I miss my buddy, I miss feeling good about doing a great workout, I MISS ALL THE ENDORPHINS, and I miss that confidence boost I got every time. I am stuck, i say I'll do a workout at home but I know that I won't. I'll either put laundry away, clean the kitchen then sit on my butt doing crafts and watching "How I Met Your Mother" on Netflix. I love you snow, but I think we need to break up. I need to live in a warmer climate. Now if only I could convince my hubby that we should move to California...that will be as easy as doing quantum physics. Blegh.

I now love my new snack! I have 4 of the crackers only 80 calories then a wedge of the cheese. I originally did 2 but after trying this the cheese goes a LONG way. ITs YUMMY and it's healthier than Ritz and cream cheese. Go get some!

 

Water

I have been trying to drink as much waster can I can lately, still not quite as much as is daily required, but still more than I use to. But my question is, how do you get rid of all that water weight??

Being FIT!!

Today at the gym I asked my trainer why I haven't been as sore when I work out. Was it because I haven't been pushing as hard or was it because my body is getting use to it. Well I was happy to hear from the trainer that its because my body is getting use to it and "congrats your getting fit!" felt really good. I have been pushing myself a lot lately and I feel awesome even in the middle of losing my job. I have more energy and feel happier from all the endorphines. I love this working out!! Also I am now weighing myself on sundays only so not to be discouraged when I don't lose a pound in a day. I am looking foreword to sunday!

lace up

I have decided that when I have the money it's time I get some new shoes. Mine just aren't cutting it anymore. They are like 6 years old and my dog has recently decided they are his new chew toy. So it's time for an upgrade. I was thinking about getting me a pair of these:

I have heard very good things about the Vibram Five Fingers shoes. ITs like walking without shoes! They are great for your feet, balance and back. Got a hefty price on them $110 dollars but if I plan on getting my tubby butt in shape and running every day (like I have been) it's worth the investment right?? So we'll see. Maybe in a month. But I am ready for some better shoes, it's way past time.

Top 10

I saw this on Pinterest (LOVE YOU PINTEREST! HOLLA!) and wanted to share with y'all.

My "Routine"

So we all kind of have routine's when we go to the gym. Everyday I do the treadmill, mostly because I'm not a fan of the elliptical, I feel I am too short for it. I also don't do the bikes because also too short and I feel it's not doing enough for me. But what I love about the treadmill is the incline. I start off at 0% at like 2.5mph and from there I change it up a LOT. I'll do 0% incline at 5.6mph, just straight running then suddenly go to 2.6 or 3.0 mph at 15% incline. Sometimes I'll just stay at 2.5mph and just increase the incline every 2 minutes (normally on for a half hour to 45minutes). Basically I just keep my heart rate up and by the end want to be sweating and have burned at least 200-400 calories. Let me tell you, I feel GREAT when I'm done! But that's just cardio, and you can't tone and lose weight on that alone.

When doing my strength training I got a few things I do and they have been kicking my butt! I like to sit on a big exercise ball or one of those balance balls (where they cut off the bottom) and while holding a 4 or 6 lb ball turn from side to side 20 times. Then i raise the ball over my head and do that 15 times. then I do just 20 cruches. I do that 3 times, or 3 reps. After that I stand up, put a resistant band around my foot and pull my foot back 20 times for each leg (for butt toning) then after that I sit on my knees and raise my leg 10-20 times on each side (also butt toning, i want a killer ass!). Then I do this move that my work out buddy Yolanda showed me, it's like a push up but harder. You get in the position of a push up, but stick your butt higher in the air, then leading with your pelvis lower to the ground but leaving your arms straight. This move I do 10 times. So i do the band, the leg lifts and the, whatchamacallit 10 times, do this for 2 reps.

Finally, we grab the weight ball and do 2 reps of 20 lunges. After all is said and done I am sweating like a pig. I feel great though that I did it even if there is a part of me that wants to quit, having a buddy, let me rephrase that, a CONSISTANT workout buddy, that's simply priceless! She makes it fun and gives a little healthy competition. I can't believe I never had one before and oen that was also just as committed as me. This is my year people, my year. I'm gonna be fit, thin and healthy and even more sexy for my hubby! Heck yeah!!!

Checkin In

So it's been a few days since I updated. Been busy going to the gym and recuperating from having sore muscles. For real, I can't remember being so sore all the time, but just means Im doing something right, right? Just lesson learned, coughing after doing massive abe workout HURTS!

So anyway, I am so excited about this new dip my brother found at Costco. It's greek yogurt dip and it's YUMMO!! check this out:

Its delish and is only 50 calories in 2 tablespoons, so you can enjoy that with a few whole wheat crackers. Great little snack that won't break the bank. Try it!

This have been..emotional.

I am at a boiling point with my day job. I won't go into all the details but let's just say that the more things get tense and frustrating the more I have seemed to, reach out for goodies to fill that. Normally I am pretty good at saying "NO" to my residents when they offer me goodies, but not in the last week. Heck, not in the last day! I believe I had like, 4 or 5 pieces of chocolate. I also had Taco Bell yesterday. I'm back up to almost 183!! :(

I hate that over the years I have become an emotional eater, I use to be the opposite and didn't eat anything. Which is how I lose 25 lbs in a month and a half. Anyway, so lately I have been failing at my daily challenge to say "NO" to tasty treats and "YES" to being healthier. I have been going to the gym daily (minus yesterday, just an awful awful night before) and with Yolanda going too it's been really nice.

I need to stop being such a pansy girl and get over all this emotional eating crap. When I want to eat something full of sugar and calories, grab some nuts or fruit instead. When I want to drink pop, grab water. When I want to give in, just want away. And most importantly, I NEED TO FIND ME A NEW DAMN JOB!

I'm all dressed and ready to go to the gym, sucks that it's like 31º outside, but thank God for the gym!

Join In the Fun!

So today was so crappy and raining out that I honestly didn't want to walk outside. Neither did Yolanda, so I finally took her to my gym and she got a 10 day free trial. This should be fun. So now we got even more motivation to lose weight. We got the beautiful outdoors when it's not craptacular out and now the gym that has all this great equipment to use whenever we want, 24/7/365! I am very excited to see where this will go.

now if only i would stop eating all that damn chili just because it's cold out. :P

Cold Thighs

So for the last week or so I have been walking almost every day in the morning with my friend aka cubby buddy, Yolanda (pictured below)

Its great, she's crazy like me and so we have a lot of fun walking and talking together and acting like totally ghetto black chicks (despite be being a super white bread girl). But this morning she had left her phone at a friends house. I had hopes that even though she didn't have her phone that she would still show up at our normal time. Nope. I later got a text from her after she got it back that she had to take her dad to a doctor's appt. Which is way more important, her dad isn't well.

Anyway, so even though I had hopes of her showing up without any conformation, I still went. I told myself "just because you don't have the ok from her doesn't mean you shouldn't do it for yourself!" SO, I got dressed and headed to our normal spot. We normally walk on the Olympic Discovery Trail from from The Railroad Bridge Park to the road in Carlsborg then head back. But this time I was alone with just me and my music, so I went to the airport and back! Check photo below for idea..

I'm not quite sure how far that is, maybe 5 miles round trip? I need to get one of those counter things that tells you how far you walk. So little to say I feel GREAT having done that! But someday this will be my goal:

I don't know if Yolanda would be down for that, but we'll see, maybe someday after we have each lost 20 more pounds?? Someday..But for right now, I'm happy what I've done, even if it was freaking 40 degrees outside and I was so cold I couldn't feel half my body. It will warm up eventually.