lb. 4 lb.

Thes 5:16

2011-10-23T17:20:00.000-07:00

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I heard this on The Amazing Race tonight and had to share. It's a beautiful saying and I'll try hard to remember it.

'be glad, pray and give thanks!'

Walkin

2011-09-28T17:32:00.001-07:00

I love Leslie Sansone. I've never met her, but I love her and her videos. If you don't know, she is the queen of walking at home workout videos. She's been my go-to person since 2001 (I believe) when I my first set of her videos (on VHS). She is just so positive and helpful. Nothing but kind words and thankfulness towards her!

I have 2 exams on Monday. I did one presentation today and another next week. I have my friend's surprise bday party this weekend that I organized, which I'm very excited about. And Wednesday nights are the best nights for TV. I write this as I watch Survivor.

Welcome Back!

2011-09-26T17:27:00.000-07:00

By my title of this post, I am welcoming both you and I back to my blog. Not too many of 'you' out there, but maybe one day!

So, it's been 8 months since I've last posted. A lot has happened! I have completed my training sessions (after rotating between 4 trainers - good overall, but too much stupid shit someone paying a lot of money for training had to go through), I have been to South America (my first time out of the country), I am officially a junior in college, I completed an awesome internship, I have a great new job at my college and, oh yeah, I've lost exactly 50 pounds and 30 inches!

I originally lost 20 pounds on my own before I got a trainer. With their help, I was able to lose about another 20-25 pounds and a lot of inches. This was key b/c I was not seeing much physical results on my own. Since my training stopped in July, I haven't worked out much, but I've lost about 6 pounds. It's been a year since I started all this. A little longer than I wanted to to achieve my current success, but I'm very pleased with the results!

And now, I've set another goal. I want to lose another 20 pounds and then I'll see where I stand. I hope to lose at least 10 pounds by December and just started working out again today. Since it's been awhile, I'm starting off slow, then I'll bump up my workouts again.

I've been eating healthy this whole time - for the most part. I'll still indulge in more decadant things, like a cupcake or small bowl of ice cream. I've actually been having more of these moments lately, yet still losing weight. Hopefully, I'm not actually gaining fat, but working out will help that.

I look forward to writing on this blog again.

:)

Already a small bump in the road...

2011-02-27T15:53:00.000-08:00

After two official training sessions with my personal trainer (PT), he 'texted' me this morning to say the scheduling conflict we'd be having is no longer working for him, our workout today was canceled and I'm to wait for a new PT to call me.

So disappointed.

Hopefully, this new PT will be able to accommodate with my schedule, since I'm a full time student, work part time and cannot be at the gym every day. I want and need someone who will commit to me and my goals, so I can go to the beach this summer and enjoy myself in a bathing suit, having fun in the sun and water!

I did not workout today and won't be tomorrow, either. I hope to make time for a home workout on Tuesday and should meet my new PT on Wednesday.

On the up side, I have been losing weight this week. I'm down 2.4 pounds or so from last week. Maybe it's the fact that I'm now eating 5 times a day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a snack in between. I bought myself a single-serving blender and shakes with protein powder have been yummy!

Work is another problem. I cannot wait to quit that place. Let's pray these summer internships I've applied for (and have one interview this week) work out and I can move on.

Transformation

2011-02-20T11:11:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been quite awhile.

I just signed up with a personal trainer, hoping to have someone push me to the next level.

Since July, I've been consistently working out and watching what I eat. I've lost 25 lbs and about 17 inches. While I'm very proud of myself, I need more. I feel I've done as much as I can do on my own and have now sought professional help.

In the next 7-10 weeks, I hope to be leaner and fitter and start on a path that will continue for quite some time.

I will try to make an effort to update this more often, so I have something to look back on. I truly feel this is the (second) start towards my goal.

Personally, I want to lose another 30 pounds. The trainer said I could stand to lose about 50-60, based on my body fat. I want obvious results. Even though I've done well on my own, and some clothes fit looser, the weight and inches I've already lost have not made much of a difference, physically.

I hope, pray and will actively seek this: By April/May/June, I want to be lighter and trimmer. How great would that be for summer? I'm very excited and READY for this next level to begin.

:)

Grade Time

2010-08-29T19:53:00.000-07:00

Well, I have failed. Tomorrow marks the 6th week in my 'Lose 10 Pounds in 6 Weeks' challenge.

Last Monday, when I weighed myself, it said I had gained half a pound, putting me at a total of 5.5 lbs. lost in 5 weeks. This completely devastated me and caused a HUGE decline. I ate a bad meal every day this week. It's pathetic and even worse to admit, but I didn't eat as well as I had the past weeks. And I only worked out 3 times this week. I've always made either 4 or 5 days in which I've worked out, but not this week.

So, tomorrow morning when I step on the scale, I know it won't show a decrease. And I did nothing two weeks ago that warranted a gain of half a pound. I don't know what happened but I reacted poorly. I plan on getting my act together again tomorrow. I'm hoping all is not loss by the horrible week I had and that good results will continue coming my way.

On other news, I have completed my first week of school at my new university. With five classes, I've been loaded with reading and homework all in the first day. It will be a busy semester, but I'm striving for the best.

New Chapter

2010-08-22T21:00:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow marks a new chapter in my life. It's my first day of school at my new university. I'm very excited and surprisingly, not nervous at all. I'll be going there three times a week and working at my old school twice a week. I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep up the job while taking 5 classes, but I'm hoping for the best and will see how it goes. I have three years at this school, so I can always switch things up next semester if need be.

As of last Monday, I'd lost 6 lbs in 4 weeks. I'll be weighing myself tomorrow morning to see how much I lost this past week. Then there's one week left in my 'Lose 10 pounds in 6 Weeks' goal. Things won't stop at that point, as I've gotten myself in a nice workout routine and good eating habits. I can also (slightly) feel a difference in my body, knowing some inches have made their way off. When looking in the mirror, I can't tell a difference and know others can't, either. But I'm working hard to accomplish great, big goals.

I'm hoping to meet new people, friends and a possible man to love at my new school. No expectations but hope only good things will come from it. And I also hope no teachers make us work tomorrow and no homework is assigned, either. !

:)

Good News

2010-08-16T20:10:00.000-07:00

So I had a pretty awesome attitude all day today. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Work was more hectic than usual, I stubbed my pinky toe pretty bad and had a dry throat from talking so much. But then I finally realized why: I've lost 6 lbs. so far! After losing another 1.5 pounds this last week, my total for 4 weeks is 6 pounds. That means I have 4 lbs. left to lose in the next 2 weeks in order to reach my short term goal.

It doesn't seem like a lot, especially since it took 4 weeks to do, but I feel it's permanent, not just a quick fix from starving. I've been working out 4-5 times each week and haven't gotten tired of it. I want to go farther, surpass my short term goal.

Big changes ahead. I'm starting at my university in a week. I've gone from work study to a part time employee at my job. And I don't foresee me at my job for long, due to expecting classwork from taking 5 classes.

And I'm totally excited because Thursday night will be a BIG night on Big Brother!

:)

Two weeks in...

2010-08-01T18:31:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been two weeks. Two weeks that I've been very strict about what I'm eating and working out. Last Monday, when I weighed myself, I'd lost 2 lbs. I'll see what the scale says tomorrow.

I haven't had fast food in over two weeks! This is a big deal and big accomplishment. But you know what, I haven't been craving it. If I feel the need to stop and get food, I go to a sandwich shop, where I can get good, healthy, fresh ingrediants.

I worked out 5 times last week and 4 times this week. I think I'll wait another 2 weeks until I measure myself again.

My two friends haven't worked out or been restricting their eating. I told one that they need to start working out. Sure, without them participating, I'm in for an easy win. But I'd rather lose $100 (what we're all offering, at the end of the deal, as a prize) and have my friends lose weight with me.

I'm just trying very hard to make sure I do the best that I can.

Sunday

2010-07-25T12:42:00.000-07:00

My friend and I went to the park this morning to walk/jog/run the 3 mile trail. I do not run unless it is extremely important. I usually walk fast and do intervals of jogging every so often. We finished the trail in 50 minutes, which I feel is successful.

Seeing how I was already hot and sweaty, I came home, grabbed one of my dogs and took him to the dog park. By this time, it was 11am and the sun was beating down pretty bad. I got a lot of mud on my sneakers, as I tried to cut thru the grass instead of staying on the trails. It totally tired my dog out. He's been sleeping soundly ever since we got home.

I have finally made my decision about school: I'll be starting at my university this fall. I'm completely excited and very nervous. But I feel this is a new chapter to my life. I only see great possibilities out of this. It may be hard at first, as my school will no longer be down the road from my house. I can still keep my job at my current school, which is the plan for now. But I've also been offered a job at my new school, which may be easier to stay there all day.

I still need to register for my classes and probably talk to come counselors over there, to make sure I'm on the right track and get as much info as I can for this new adventure. This school starts a week earlier than my current school, so I have less than 30 days to get everything ready.

And this whole weight loss thing.. It's completely day by day. Tomorrow marks my first week on this journey I'm on. It's all mind over matter, and although I've been determined in the past, I plan on succeeding this time around.

Dating Mantras

2010-07-24T08:31:00.001-07:00

I just came across this article and thought it had some great advice.

11 Dating Mantras to Live By:

1. I can't control his behavior; I can only control my reaction to it.

2. I am a human being worthy of love.

3. Everyone is responsible for guarding his or her own heart.

4. Big picture, big picture.

5. I'm lucky to be alive.

6. Life never ceases to surprise me.

7. It's okay to be sad.

8. I'm taking it one day at a time.

9. This too shall pass.

10. Everything will work out in the end.

11. Serenity now!

http://lifestyle.msn.com/relationships/articlematch.aspx?cp-documentid=24751923&GT1=32023

Big Brother

2010-07-22T16:57:00.000-07:00

I absolutely LOVE Big Brother. It's part of my summer. Watching the show on TV, online and catching everything that happens inside that house. Thursdays are the biggest night, as it's a live show, so you're not privy to what will happen. Although, you usually know who will go home. It'll be interesting to see who wins HOH this week. Hopefully someone who will break up the romantic pair in the house. So far, it's been pretty boring. Maybe the person in power this week will shake up the house a bit.

But first...

I'm determined to make my school decision by Monday. I'm pretty sure that I've already made up my mind, but I'm too scared to say it out loud.

Not sure what I'll be doing this weekend. I know one of my friends will be out of town. And hopefully another friend feels well enough to keep our plans of working out Sunday morning.

I've been good with food and exercising this week. I'm starting to feel my stomach muscles after doing ab workouts. I LOVE that feeling. Makes it seem like progress is slowly being made.

BB has started, so here's to a good night to you all!

:)

Ello there

2010-07-19T20:38:00.000-07:00

30 minutes on the treadmill today. Did 2 miles. I also weighed myself and took my measurements today. Will I be gutsy enough to put my stats. on here? Possibly.

I told two of my best friends about my goal and encouraged them to join me. We've turned it into a 3 month event. The person who loses the most weight will get a prize of their choosing @ a $200 value.

I've also been quite stressed today. About a month and a half ago, I made the decision to stay at my community college for one more year, before transferring to the university I plan to attend. Well, one of my scholarships went up in value, making it more tempting to start this fall there. I'm having a tough time trying to figure out if I want to stay how I am or change things up a bit. It's a lot more difficult than it seems. And it takes a lot out of me.

Maybe I should go with the saying: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. (But I've always preferred limes ;)

:)

Finally

2010-07-18T12:52:00.000-07:00

So I finally worked out today. Did 30 minutes on the treadmill, reaching just under 2 miles. Obviously, a lot of work needs to be done to get miles down to a better time, but I'm not trying to win a race here.

I have meals planned out for the week, as to stop any ideas of grabbing Chick fil A for lunch or pizza for dinner. Besides those types of meals here and there, I already eat pretty healthy. No soda or coffee, eat brown rice, whole wheat/grains everything, low fat/no fat options, fruits and veggies, drink plenty of water and unsweet tea from the pot... Really, it just comes down to me sticking with a workout plan and forgetting those last minute, bad for you meals.

I plan on blogging about more than just weight loss, but I guess I'll get to that later.

:)

First Post

2010-07-15T19:12:00.000-07:00

Hello Blogger World,

This is my first time blogging. Bare with me.

I was never one to keep a diary as a kid. I never saw a reason to write my thoughts down. And besides, who will be reading my blog? I'm not famous or know how to get my blog out to the masses. Do I care if anyone reads what I have to say? I don't really, but hope so. As encouragement.

I've created this blog to track my weight loss journey. I thought that maybe if I had someone to report to (you strangers out there that I don't even know if you're reading my blog), it'd make this journey easier, better.

Exercising and eating healthy are not new to me. I've tried many times before, many different ways. With coworkers, with a buddy, with my mom, by myself. Maybe a few pounds lost here and there. But, as I've thought many times before now: maybe this time is different.

I recently bought a treadmill, to go along with my elliptical and dozens of workout dvds. It's too damn hot outside, so working out inside, under a fan, with the a/c blowing, is a must.

I know what I should and should not eat. I'm not stupid. I also joined Weight Watchers back in February. It probably would have worked had I not 'cheated' so many times. I have a thing for eating out. And chocolate.

So, after many tries and failures, I've come to try again. My goal: to lose 10 pounds by the start of school, which is August 30th. This gives me 6 full weeks. A reasonable goal, I believe.

I look forward to sharing this journey with you. And I hope you enjoy sharing it with me.

:)