Tuesday, September 10, 2013

August/September So Far

August was pretty awesome. First of all, I went to New Orleans as an early birthday gift to myself. It was awesome. Don't get me wrong the first night I was there, I was slightly afraid and slightly disappointed, but I got over that very quickly. Also, look at some of the food! Boo Fries! Charbroiled Oysters! Beignets!
Alcoholic drinks!
      
       

So I didn't exercise the first two weeks of August-at all, and I managed to gain three pounds, but you know, it was so worth it. I had excellent food, I was able to go somewhere I'd wanted to go since I was 13 years old and read my first Anne Rice book, and I had good company. I am hoping to go back now that I know the lay out a little better. And just imagine, I gained weight-even with the walking of over 19 miles over the course of 4 days!

So moving on, after that it was my actual birthday, which I celebrated by eating cake (white white chocolate from Nothing Bundt Cakes) and pizza (Mellow Mushroom's Kosmic Karma). I had a good day. After that it was time to get back to the grind, and I was back at working both jobs, and slowly I've been building up to going to the gym three times a week again. I only managed 5 workouts last month, but every single one was a qualifying workout out (600 calories or more). One of them was even a 1000+ calorie work out. So all in all, I'm okay with that.

This month I decided to go a little crazy and go with my brother to CrossFit...

It was intense. I was walking like a duck for two days afterward. It hurt to stand. It hurt to sit. It hurt to lie down. But it was a great work out. It was qualified (600+) but it was painful. That was on the first Monday of the month. I couldn't get to the gym due to said soreness and other things, but it wouldn't have mattered, because by Thursday night I was at home with a 102 degree fever and a cold from hell...in Texas...during the summer. Who does that? Me.

Today is Tuesday. I am finally getting over the cold. I did go to the gym last night, did a qualifying workout, and slept for the first time since Thursday.  So I am better.

This is my long awaited post. Oh, and no, I didn't eat the oysters, I made L1 eat them. :-)

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

FIVE!

I hate to brag, because in the grand scheme of things it's not an amazing feat of anything, but.... I HAVE DONE 5 QUALIFYING WORKOUTS THIS MONTH!!!

This may not seem like a lot, but considering my one-a-month previous mentality, I think it is a big step in the right direction.
This is my reward schedule:


·         JULY 2013 (starting 7/10/13)
o   If 5 (400 calorie) workouts, get extra movie on top of regularly budgeted movies
o   If 10 (5 @ 400 calorie and 5 @ 600 calorie) workouts, get one perk
o   If 10 (600 calorie) workouts, get haircut
·         AUGUST 2013
o   If 6(400 calorie) workouts, get extra movie on top of regularly budgeted movies
o   If 12 (6 @ 400 calorie and 6 at 600 calorie) workouts, get one perk
o   If 12 (600 calorie) workouts, get one hour massage
·         SEPTEMBER 2013
o   If 6(400 calorie) workouts, get extra movie on top of regularly budgeted movies
o   If 12 (6 @ 400 calorie and 6 at 600 calorie) workouts, get one perk
o   If 12 (600 calorie) workouts, get new pair of shoes
·         OCTOBER 2013
o   If 6(400 calorie) workouts, get extra movie on top of regularly budgeted movies
o   If 12 (6 @ 400 calorie and 6 at 600 calorie) workouts, get one perk
o   If 12 (600 calorie) workouts, $75 to spend however you wish
·         NOVEMBER 2013
o   If 6(400 calorie) workouts, get extra movie on top of regularly budgeted movies
o   If 12 (6 @ 400 calorie and 6 at 600 calorie) workouts, get one perk
o   If 12 (600 calorie) workouts, day trip with BFF (and she will go with you!) to casino
·         DECEMBER 2013
o   If 6(400 calorie) workouts, get extra movie on top of regularly budgeted movies
o   If 12 (6 @ 400 calorie and 6 at 600 calorie) workouts, get one perk
o   If 12 (600 calorie) workouts, new high-value item (six months of exercise gets bigger reward!)
·         JANUARY 2014
o   If 6(450 calorie) workouts, get extra movie on top of regularly budgeted movies
o   If 12 (6 @ 450 calorie and 6 at 650 calorie) workouts, get one perk
o   If 12 (650 calorie) workouts, get one hour massage
·         FEBRUARY 2014
o   If 6(450 calorie) workouts, get extra movie on top of regularly budgeted movies
o   If 12 (6 @ 450 calorie and 6 at 650 calorie) workouts, get one perk
o   If 12 (650 calorie) workouts, get new outfit from retail store of choice
·         MARCH 2014
o   If 6(450 calorie) workouts, get extra movie on top of regularly budgeted movies
o   If 12 (6 @ 450 calorie and 6 at 650 calorie) workouts, get one perk
o   If 12 (650 calorie) workouts, get facial or other spa treatment
·         APRIL 2014
o   If 6(450 calorie) workouts, get extra movie on top of regularly budgeted movies
o   If 12 (6 @ 450 calorie and 6 at 650 calorie) workouts, get one perk
o   If 12 (650 calorie) workouts, trip to outlets in Grand Prairie or Allen (your bff will walk around with you!)
·         MAY 2014
o   If 6(450 calorie) workouts, get extra movie on top of regularly budgeted movies
o   If 12 (6 @ 450 calorie and 6 at 650 calorie) workouts, get one perk
o   If 12 (650 calorie) workouts, $75 at retail store of choice
·         JUNE 2014
o   If 6(450 calorie) workouts, get extra movie on top of regularly budgeted movies
o   If 12 (6 @ 450 calorie and 6 at 650 calorie) workouts, get one perk
o   If 12 (650 calorie) workouts, weekend in Galveston (six months of exercise gets bigger reward!)

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Update # 132496798754654654

The Summer Slimdown Challenge was an EPIC FAIL. Only two people besides me were serious, the other two weren't in any way, shape, or form, so I ended up dropping out of it. However, on my own, I have:
  • Started carefully watching what I eat, and monitor it using MyFitnessPal. 
  • I have started trying to take at least one mile walks every couple of days, and track it using MapMyRide.
  • I have *tried* to continue working out on my own, which is more difficult than it sounds. I have also bought a heart rate monitor to help accurately count my calories burned/time worked out. 
My lovely pal L1 has made me a reward schedule that lets me reward myself when a certain number of qualifying work outs have been done. My bike is up and tuned and ready to go, so soon. It's also, as I have mentioned before, Texas Summer, so the rides are limited to early mornings/weekends, because I have no intention of suffering a heat stroke.

Cheers!

Monday, May 13, 2013

Summer Slimdown Challenge 2013- Casino Style

Goal is 13% weight loss.
Buy In: $25
Winner: Full Pot
Start Day: May 13th
End Date: September 1st
Weekly Weigh In: Sundays 
 
A couple of my coworkers and I made a bet, better referred to as a challenge, to try to motivate ourselves to get healthier. We each have a ways to go in regards to weight loss (anywhere from 20 to 60lbs) and we each have our unique challenges. I suppose I am the closest to my goal, so my difficulty is not weight loss but toning and getting "in shape," turning my fat into muscle to reduce my weight. My coworkers will have an easier time losing weight, but they also have more weight to lose. We each face personal hurdles, from lack of desire to modify our diets, to lack of motivation to move and exercise. We're hoping having money at stake will help.

I'll post updates on here over the summer to let you know how that in particular is working out. 
Hoo Rah!

It only takes one...

...bad experience to derail someone from a goal, regardless of whether it's fitness related or not. I admit I have quit exercising several times before just due to lack of personal motivation. However, the last time I quit had several factors.

The one that stands out the most is that one person in particular took it upon herself to make me feel like crap because I wasn't working out when she thought I should be working out. Keep in mind at the time, I was adjusting to a something new at work, the person I was supposed to be working out with was injured, and my mom was still here. So my time was a bit more limited than usual, and that particular day I was already tired. So when this person asked if I was going to the gym, I said maybe later. The last thing I need was her sarcastic "uh-huh," implying that I was lying. Honestly, if that was the only way she could think of to motivate me, it backfired in a big way.

Another thing which usually holds me back is that I don't like gyms. I understand that about 60% of people go to seriously work out. It's the other 40% that tick me off. The ones that go just to chit chat, or to walk around and look "fit." Let me clarify: they don't look fit, they just look like jackasses. Why? Because they are basically saying "Look at me, I look better than you," and most of the time it's not even true. To me it's already stressful going to the gym due to previously mentioned body issues, I don't need some peacock prancing around making me feel worse.

Yet another thing is the lack of desire to adjust my diet. I don't particularly care for veggies (other than broccoli, potatoes, corn, and basically the ones that don't really count) and I usually will pick convenience over health. I have slowly started changing that. Today I am proud to announce I haven't had any sort of take out food since last Thursday. I've had cereal or Jimmy Dean's biscuits for breakfast, a sandwich or homemade meal for lunch and dinner. This is a big step for me!

The last thing is one of the biggest things that hold me back: the fact that I find it harder to work out alone. I would rather work out with someone else because it makes me work harder and push myself further; it has nothing to do with the other person, other than that their presence makes me show up and work. However, the last time it didn't work out. The person I was supposed to be working out with injured herself, and she already has issues of her own. A few weeks after the injury I asked how the working out was going, and it did not end well. I have another friend that I sometimes go cycling with, who is usually in better shape than me, and his mocking also doesn't help. Stuff like this makes me want to give up.

I am not going to though, because this is about me, and getting to where I need to be to be HAPPY. I think a lot of my issues would be resolved if I could learn to accept my body, and right now I am just not at a point where I can. Learning to love myself is a process, and it's going to take time. 

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

And so it begins....again.

I am trying again. I'm starting off with modifying what I eat first. First big change: Breakfast. We'll see how it works out.

Friday, April 26, 2013

Body Issues

Everyone has a right to feel about their body in whichever way they feel is correct. Someone who is at their ideal weight might look in a mirror or feel too skinny or too fat, while someone considered overweight might be the most confident person in the world. It is never okay to tell a person how they should or should not feel. We all are entitled to an opinion, but it is not our place to force them on anyone else. You can think that someone should dress or act differently, but ultimately it is their decision, and it is what they feel comfortable in. You have no say. Until you have experienced what they have been through, what molded them into who they are, you have no right to tell them what they can or can not think of their bodies. Your doctor can recommend things to improve your health but they can't force you to do anything you don't want to.

 For some people the treatment they received growing up might make them defensive, leaving them with something to prove; these people will deliberately do what they've been told all their life they couldn't do. For others, it makes them gun-shy and vulnerable to critique. Some few escape unscathed and survive to view the world through their own unique perspective. Depending on the circumstances, I know I fall into all of these categories.

I know that I am not ugly. I know that I am not fat. I know there are others with more severe issues with weight as well as issues with self esteem or self-image. However, that does not mean that you get to tell me that "oh, you're not fat, you can wear this or do that. I weigh this much and I do it." My personal issues are obviously not yours. You haven't had to go through what I have, so I don't appreciate your attempts to belittle my experiences, or brush off my fears as if they were inconsequential. It is not your place.

And frankly, it pisses me off.


Monday, April 1, 2013

Run for the Riders



This weekend I completed the Run for the Riders, a 5K benefiting the All-Star Equestrian Foundation. It was very fun, and I had a great time with the team I walked with. I met some very interesting people, and overall had an excellent time. I walked the entire thing, which was a first, since I usually tend to jog a large portion of it. Anyway, here's to a new month, and more successful endeavors.

 

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Stole this from a CrossFit Page...


I saw this on a friend of mine's fb page, and it really hit home about how I look at working out and life in general. I keep saying it over and over again: KARMA!
 
It pisses me off.

It pisses me off when I walk into a box, the workout is ending, someone is struggling to finish and people are just sitting around watching, or packing up to go, or worse... gone.

Yeah, you've finished the workout, but guess what, your friend and partner over here, they haven't. This person who you see 3-4 times a week, more than your family, more than your friends...

This person who shares in some of your greatest triumphs...

They are still struggling.

So what the hell are you doing dis-interested, checking your facebook posts and inane work emails.

Put down your damn phone, get a little closer and step back into the game. You're not done yet.

This person is part of your crew, your new family, and you know what, they could use your help.

This person who is experiencing the same awfulness you just went through is in the middle of that dark place.

Your encouragement helps them pick the weight back up.

Your attention focuses their energy.

Your yells drive them forward.

You should care about this person because they will care about you.

You should cheer for this person because they will cheer for you.

And you should be in the game until its over for everyone because that is how its done in our CrossFit community. Each and every one of us, newbie, veteran, competitor, deserves to be pushed by their neighbor.

Get over there, start cheering, and stop pissing me off.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

I work out!

I took two weeks off, due to work, injuries, and then the resulting sickness from work-and-family related stress. While I might not have been exercising, I was eating better. I would like to announce something very important and life altering:

I have found a salad that I like.

*Cricket* *Cricket*

Okay, I am not a salad eater. Or a vegetable eater in general. I also don't like fish, or meat very much. So all in all my diet usually sucks, but I am slowly trying to eat better. I have discovered that I don't like iceberg lettuce, but that mixed greens with ranch and croutons and hard-boiled eggs are very tasty. :-)

I went to work out yesterday, burned 286 calories on the elliptical, and then did crunches, steps, and push-ups. I wasn't extremely motivated so it was only a fifty minute work out, but it was better than not working out at all.

I am also trying to use the My Fitness Pal app on my phone, with my daily intake at about 1200 calories a day. Has it worked? Kind of, as I am a lot more aware of what I eat and drink. I am slowly, SLOWLY, learning to eat healthier, but please keep in mind, gentle reader, that I was raised on REAL Mexican food, and old habits are hard to break. It is a work in progress.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Injuries

I mostly managed my goal last week. I worked out Monday and Wednesday, and went to the class on Saturday, so I got my three workouts in.

Let's talk about the class shall we?

First of all, it's an amazing class, and one that I think all women should take. It's called a RAD class, which stands for Rape/Aggression Defense, and its goal is to teach women basic moves so that they can escape/survive an assault. I had taken it once before and while it was a physically and mentally stressful class, I felt like I got a lot out of it.

When we started working out about three weeks ago, L1 stated that she would like to learn to punch, and I suggested she take the class. She asked me to take it with her so I did, because everyone can use a refresher from time to time. What I had forgotten was that the instructors tend to single out the repeaters and be a little more forceful with them... so lets just say I got the full impact of the course. I also managed to injure my wrist, and I am now covered with bruises as well. I am pretty sure that I injured the wrist well before the scenarios part of the course, so I can say it was my fault.

All in all, it was a great class, and even with my swollen wrist, I do not regret taking it at all. I actually think I will go back again. Maybe not soon...but I think I will go back.


For additional information in regards to the program, please click the following link: 
RAD Website



Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Random Observations

1. I am looking at you, Guy, who thinks it's normal to work out in Burberry shorts and Sperry's.... It's not. I also don't understand the polo and gym pants look...

2. How do you avoid panty lines when wearing skin-tight workout pants/shorts? Are you not wearing underwear? Are you wearing a thong? That just seems uncomfortable.

3. Men, please, you have to wear underwear too. It is not acceptable to wear just a cup or a protector, because when you a) sit on the floor, stretch, etc. or b) use any type of machine that requires you to sit down you either flash everyone your sweat-soaked crotch or leave nasty sweat marks on the equipment.

4. Yes, this one is for the germophobe who spends more time wiping down the equipment than actually using it. Since you are so concerned why don't you also wipe it down after you use it so that the rest of us don't have to deal with your sweat and germs???

5. The gym is for working out, and while socializing is part of it, it is not its entirety. If you are there to chit chat and giggle, please do it in the free space, not on the mats, not on the equipment, or right next to the weights you aren't using but won't relinquish. I'd like to use the machine too. I promise I will do it quickly, so that you can get back to analyzing that guy's butt or whether or not that girl had a boob job....

6. So is wearing short shorts over leggings a way to hide the panty lines?

7. You are about to 'work-out', do you really need to apply layers of mascara and makeup as well as flat-iron that stray piece of hair in the bathroom before hand?

8. Pick up your trash!!!

9. This one is kind of mean, and I'm sure I've done it too, but way to go, person that got on the treadmill and ran for two minutes before walking off wheezing, all to impress that one other person who's 'OMG'!!!

10. I am also not sure I understand the purpose of the sleeveless shirt that's torn almost all the way down the side (on guys)... what's the point? A tight tshirt would have the same effect of showing off your muscles without also showing off your armpit hair.

11. All you Jersey Shore wanna-bes... You're not that hot, and frankly, you come off sounding like assh*les.


Tuesday, February 19, 2013

A Serious Post: Part Two

Dear Already-Fit-People-At-The-Gym:

We know you are fit. Some of you only have to work out once or twice a week to keep your genetically enviable physique. Some of you haven't yet aged enough to have your metabolism slow down. Some of you are just gym rats. Whatever it is, congratulations, you're fit.

However, that does not give you the right to look down on those of us who are not. While L1 would say that I do not qualify to put myself in this category, I beg to differ. I am over weight, even if it's not by much, and I do have body and self-esteem issues, which is the whole reason I am working out in the first place.

I admit, that when I first get to the gym, I am very self-conscious and it feels like everyone is staring at me, but after I start my work out and turn up my music I can typically concentrate and focus. As long as I have my music, I am okay. Yesterday, my friend and I were trying out some new things, and some of you decided it was ok to stare and make faces. Let me clear something up for you: IT'S NOT.

We may not necessarily be good at working out; we're learning. We may not yet be fit; that's why we're going to the gym. So, even though I know most of you aren't reading this blog, you have now been warned. Next time I see you staring or making faces, I will say something. Silence is not always golden, sometimes silence perpetuates unacceptable behavior, and I for one, am done with you.

Concentrate on your own work out, and leave me/us the *&^% alone.

Sincerely-

Me

Week Three

Week Two was also a bust, I only worked out once, on Monday. Can I just say you can always get me to do stuff by making me feel guilty. Truly, it works every time.

My mom is a master manipulator, and I know this, yet I fall for it every time. Two perfect examples: I work from 8-5 in a Arlington, which is roughly a 25 minute drive from my home in Fort Worth. So add in traffic and its usually 40 minutes. So I leave my house at 7:20 every day, and if I don't work out, I still don't get home till about 5:40pm. When I do work out I can usually miss all the traffic and be home at around 6:30. But this is what she does. She only has a small snack in the morning that she calls breakfast (I'm talking toast and coffee, or a single bowl of cereal) and then she doesn't eat the rest of the day until I get home. This woman has diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid issues, etc., and she's not eating all day. Am I wrong to think that she needs to learn to eat by herself??? Anyway, I always end up going home 'on time' 75% of the time just to make sure she eats.

Another example is this: I don't usually shop for myself unless I need to. I mean, I wait until I absolutely have to, and then I drag L1 to the mall with me for an entire day to buy EVERYTHING I need in one fell swoop. Well, since we've started working out I have noticed that my workout shoes are lacking. I'm straining the arch of my right foot, plus I've pretty much worn out the padding on the inside. So I decided to buy myself some nice shoes. Now remember, I don't usually shop for myself, and I like to think of myself as extremely frugal. So spending any more than $50 bucks for shoes is usually a no no, but I found a pair of Reebok Crossfit Nano's that I really liked, and they were in black and grey, since I'm not a fan of color. Were they expensive? Yes. Would I really use them? Yes. I've had my current pair of sneakers for about two years, so I know I get my money's worth. So I bought them, and when I got home, she gave me this look and made me feel so guilty that I ended up taking them back the next day.

I really hate that she does this, and I really hate that she doesn't understand that I am an adult, and though I love her, I do not want her to keep guilt tripping me and meddling.

Moving on. I did work out yesterday with L1. I did the elliptical, and the we both did some weights. I bought my gym bag with me and my goal this week is 4 times. We are also taking a class on Saturday that should be a good work out in and of itself.

Wish me luck!

Monday, February 11, 2013

Week Two

Last week was a bit of a bust. I worked out Monday and Tuesday, but I was feeling so crappy on Wednesday that I went home and decided to make it a rest day. I woke up Thursday though, and the nausea, dizziness, soreness and headache were so bad that I had to call in to work. I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with severe allergies and a mild ear infection. Hence the nausea and dizziness, etc. Anyway, I was told to not work out until I was up to it, and that is today. Honestly, I have no intentions of working out over the weekends while my mom/parents are in town, because explaining why you exercise to people who don't exercise is more trouble than it's worth. Once they head back home I'm hoping to start doing at least one, maybe two, hours of cycling a day on the weekends.

Moving on. I know I said there was a big group that was going to work out, maybe not together, but we'd check in with each other so that there was some accountability. That was a complete waste of time and energy. Some people have excuses, and some just don't have the will to go. Either way, I'm done. I am not their mother, and it's not my job to be after them. They have to really want it, or they're never going to get it. I want it, and I'm gonna get it. 

I signed up for the work-release program at work. They give you thirty minutes three times a week, which you have to match, so that you can do on-campus health and fitness activities. I'm going to start doing that so that I am at least accountable to them. I know that I am not always the most dedicated or committed, but I am so tired of false commitments and crap. I am also thinking about doing a one-month boot camp here at work in April. I'll let you know how that goes.

BTW, today is just not the day to mess with me. I am so extremely disappointed in so many people right now that I've had to take medication just to keep from going off. I could start listing all the things that have happened, but it's like opening up a can of worms. Even with the medication I am still so angry that my shoulders are tense and I just want to get far, far away from here. So for today I am just done, and if things don't look up soon, I might just be done with a lot of different people for good.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

ZZZzzzzzzzzzz............



I hate to be repetitive...but I'm so tired! So today is officially day three. I am happy to report that I did work out day one at the gym and day two at home. They were good, solid workouts. Here is what I have to say about them:

They were basically the same workout, except one was at the gym at one at home. But they were definitely NOT the same... if that makes sense. When I did them at the gym I was still going at a steady pace, but I was able to do more reps and use heavier weights, so by the end of it the workout was 45 minutes long plus a 20 minute walk. When I worked out at home with the video it was much shorter, roughly 30 minutes-no walk, and with lighter weights. I was sore after day one, and I thought the workout on day two would help alleviate some of the soreness....it didn't.

I am not walking funny, but I am incredibly stiff and sore, mostly in my arms, shoulders and chest area. My legs are a bit sore, but not as much. I credit this to taking the stairs more often here lately, as well as the fact that my legs have always been my center of strength. I need to work on building up my upper body, as well as my core, but my legs just need to lose some of the built-up fat in them.I did bring my gym bag today, so I'll be going later on. I don't know if I'll go tomorrow, but I plan on going on Friday as well.

My sleep has been better, but I could still use some more of it. I've been in bed by 9:30pm both nights. I've been drinking lots of water, and my soda intake has been drastically reduced. I also find myself extremely thirsty throughout the day, so I bought a couple of gallons of water to keep at my desk, as well as a reusable cup (which is unfortunately hot pink).

And to leave off, here is what I feel like today:

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

A Non-Serious Post: Ode to Breakfast



Out of all my habits, this may be the hardest to break. You see, when I was growing up I only got hot breakfast on the weekends. During the week it was more like get up, get dressed, get to school. So when I discovered that you could buy pre-made hot breakfasts at a drive thru (cue angels singing).

As much as I love them, I will be trying to say good-bye to my delicious potato, egg and cheese taquito with hash brown sticks and refreshingly cold Coke from What-a-burger in the mornings. Good-bye to my decidedly glorious doughnut holes, sausage and cheese rolls and coffee from Shipley's, and my appetizing reduced fat cinnamon coffee cake and grande white chocolate mocha from Starbucks. Good-bye, my beloved egg mcmuffin meal from McD's, and good-bye supreme croissant sandwich combo from Jack in the Box. Good-bye, chorizo, potato, egg and cheese tacos from Fuzzy's. You will all be missed.

Hello, cold cereal. Healthy juices. I hate to start off on the wrong foot, but I already don't like you. :-(

A Serious Post: An Open Letter

There are many excuses as to why a person chooses not to exercise: I have to work, I have to get home to my family, I have school, I'm too fat, I'm too old, I can't do it, etc. In the end it all comes down to a choice: Either you want to change or your don't. Either you push yourself or you don't.

You only have one body, how you choose to inhabit it is completely up to you. If you are happy being fat that's excellent. If you aren't, you have to do something about it if you want it to change. In today's society, "fat" is a bad word, akin to a lot of curse words out there. We don't call people "fat" we call them overweight, obese, fluffy, big-boned, etc. Its fat. Plain and simple. A human body is built of layers, starting with bones, then muscles, ligaments and nerves, then a layer of fat and skin. Fat is necessary to keep you warm and to protect your organs. The technical term for it is adipose tissue. An excess of fat, however, is dangerous, and can have detrimental effects on your health, which is why medical professionals established guidelines to help keep people healthy.

Is it easy to be healthy? No. Is it worth it? Yes. Why? For me personally, its because I have something to prove--to myself. For far too long I've let things that happened in the past haunt me and bring down my self esteem and I am done with that crap. I can't complain about something if I don't do anything about it. Is it hard? Incredibly so, I hate eating right, or not being able to go out to eat. I hate counting calories, steps, distance, etc. I hate not being able to go straight home and curl up with a  book, or watch a movie. At the end of the day though, nothing gives me a better feeling than knowing I did it. Even just one workout is worth it. I got up off my ass and I did it. I am setting an example, I am doing what needs to be done. The only workout I regret is the one I didn't do. Every time I start and then quit, its a disappointment to myself. It is a testament to my will that I keep starting over. So yes, I may not stick with it for very long, but I always start again. I won't ever give up trying to be better. You can choose to judge me or you can choose to support me. Either way, I'm doing what I need to do.

Friday, February 1, 2013

Fitness Test

I am committed to staying on track and reaching my goals. If you go back through this blog, you will see how many times I have started only to give up for whatever reason is handy. At this point in time, though, I am committed. I am HAM. Not EGGS.

So, in order to accurately gauge where I stand and what I need to do, I took (and paid for) a fitness test. This is what I learned:
Fully Clothed:
5'5"
164.5 lbs
31% BIA
27.4% BMI (Which is considered "overweight," I have to get that under 25)
113 lbs of bone and muscle
51 lbs of fat
Average flexibility
140 steps in 3 minutes during the step test (Average)
and 33 crunches in 1 minute (Above Average, they only went to 25 so I'm going with AA)

So what did I learn from this experience? That I am pretty much carrying a small child...made of FAT. Gross.

Looking forward to Monday!


Tuesday, January 29, 2013

I did it!

This afternoon, after eating a relatively small portion of chicken fried rice and a strawberry banana smoothie, I went in and signed up for my gym membership, and I coerced two other people (L1 and RORO) into doing it too! So right now as it stands here is the group of accountability: L1, RORO, Keys, Nye, and myself. So the way this works is that you show up and check in with someone else there, to make sure you show up. Then you are free to work out as you please. That way, no matter what day you go, there will always be someone there to motivate you A) to show up and B) to work out with if you want to.

I've decided that I'm going to try to do the JM 30DS at the gym, maybe a little slower but with heavier weights, and then some extra cardio. We'll see how that works for now. Eventually I'd like to take some instructor led classes just to vary things.

Can I just say how excited I am about this? Most of the time on my way home, I'm thinking about how this or that went wrong, or how I can do this better or pay that bill sooner, but here lately, I just blast my Zune, Pandora, CD, or radio with my song of the day and just imagine myself working out and even though I'm not actually doing it, I feel better. I am looking forward to putting all that thinking into action and getting my fitness on!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

So tired...

In general, of all the BS floating around. First of all, I'm feeling like I'm second picking for people, which means that they'd rather do other things than hang out , or that I'm just not important to hang out with. I'm also tired of being at home, because I have no time for myself, at all. Yet if I'm not at home, I get the once over...where have you been, why are you late, etc. I am exhausted right now. I also haven't slept in a few days.

Other things are work related: A) two people who are friends (one really good and the other more of an acquaintance) have resigned from my PT job, and as one of my coworkers so adequately put it, I feel like everyone is starting to jump ship... The other has to do with the other job: People are failing to understand the scope of my job, and it's really starting to grate on my nerves.

Right now, I just want to go to the gym and do some serious working out, till I'm so sore, sweaty, and tired that I drag my feet to my car. Because seriously, that's how mad I am right now. And it's not at someone specifically, but rather at everything piling up right now. I just need some time with me, my headphones, and some Jillian Michaels.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

And...I'M BACK!

Hahahhahaha....you thought it was over! Surprise! With the start of a new year comes the inevitable list of resolutions. Over the holidays I got up to 162, and my weights been fluctuating between 160-164 for about six months now. However I am pleased to report that weighing in this morning I was down to 157, so the portion control and stair climbing at work (four flights of stairs) have been working. I'm also slowly cutting down my soda intake.

I am starting a combination of gym time and video work outs on February 1st. I have wrangled a commitment from commitment-shy L1 that she will go 3 to 4 times a week for Feb and the first week of March. I also have a friend, whom we shall call Keys, that has stated she will also work out with me. So even if they show up only two or three days a week, I will still have someone to keep me accountable, if nothing else, for at least showing up.

I've also been watching the Biggest Loser, and can I just say Jillian is mean! I had never watched the show before, and I only knew of her through the work out videos I have of hers, but I don't know that I wouldn't cry if she was yelling at me...

I want to get fit, in part because of health issues (cholesterol and high blood sugar) as well as for looks. Another reason? I am falling in love with the ocean and with beaches. I would love to go back to Grand Cayman and swim with dolphins and stingrays, and I would like to go snorkeling. I would like to not hold back L1 when we take snorkeling excursions because she can swim and I can't. I really would love to learn how to swim but I have a phobia....of bathing suits.

I am not wildly out of shape. I could definitely use some toning, but I am self conscious of parts of my body, so bathing suites....yeah. So anyways, I have to learn how to swim before my next vacation, which will hopefully be soon!!!!

Motivational pic of the day!