Getting Back In The Groove

Well good morning! & Happy Monday to you.

I really think this weekend flew by. I am kind of glad because my weekends seem to have ZERO structure to them, and boy do I like structure. Anyways Friday I found a great job to apply for! A dietary aide at a rehabilitation and nursing health care center. I finished my cover letter and resume and will be sending it to them sometime today. Yah J There was a lot of cleaning this weekend, never-ending, continuous. Got to love the good old chores. I also read a 222 pg. book in 1 day. I highly recommend this book for a read. It’s called the 100 year diet, America’s voracious appetite for losing weight.

 Such a good read. The author Susan Yager mapped out the last century of crazy diets, weight loss schemes, and the discovery of the calorie. Yes the glorious calorie. I also found it interesting that back in the 1950s people were raving about reducing yet 13% of Americans were overweight. I think we dug ourselves into this obesity/anorexic/ weight obsessed hole. Yet there is hope!!!!

  What about people determining their own ideal weight. Do you think that’s a better plan? I personally know when my body feels right and when my pants are fitting a little too tight. I think it’s important for people to be educated about eating right and exercising, and then following through with the insight they have and striving to treat their body the best way they can. What about you?

Next up: My workouts…

I went hard last week Sunday-Wednesday sooo I took Thursday-Saturday off. It’s almost painful to type that. But I am trying to trust myself more. I knew I was going to start up again exercising just feels way too good! Sunday was cold, wet, and snowy. So I hit it hard on the treadmill. 4 miles seems to be my goal for a workout.

4.51 Miles

60:09 Minutes

474 Calories

Then. Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. I just got it in the mail! So excited to start.

I did level 1. Decent challenge. I didn’t get bored. I was just tired from running and I really wanted to curl up and sleep, but I persevered.

This morning I ate a packet of maple brown sugar oatmeal with 1 cup of berries and ½ cup of soy.

Then a soy latte. Yum. My sister and I & brookelynn & Ethan & Kayden (niece and nephews 2, 2 & 1 1/4 years old respectively) are going shopping today. Should be an adventure, these 3 kids are animals.

Have a good one!

I Like to Move it

Well how is your humpday going? I was feeling the middle of the week drag, and I wanted to take it light on my workout today (and even yesterday). What was I thinking! Instead my body wanted to move.

Yesterday I went to the gym and my workout went like this:

4.39 mile run/walk

54:15 minutes/time

12:21 pace/ per mile

Then I hit the weights. 3 leg machines 3 sets 12 reps.

Later in the day…. 8 minute abs, push-ups, and leg lifts/squats

Today . I began training for my first 5k! I am following  the Couch to 5k program.

Week 1: 5 min warm-up 60 sec run 90 sec walk alternate for a total of 20 minutes. Do 3x for Week 1.

I continued on my treadmill for:

4.28 miles in 60:53 minutes. Slowwwww. Yes, I know, but I really wanted to log an hour on my dusty old treadmill today J

I find that indoor running is harder for me vs. outdoor. What about you?

Next on my list. Find a job! Wish me luck, enjoy your day!

New Year

Happy 2011!
Its the 2nd day of the New year and I am already trying to chip away at my goals. This is the 1st year for me to officially set some; I usually just write it off because I was younger and all I heard is New Years resolutions are meant to be broken. Well..... setting these goals has renewed my focus, and allowed me to get a handle on the little things that have been bugging me. Lets look at my resolutions/goals!

11 in 2011
1.Read a bible verse everyday (My reading has gone offfffff track! I really want to incorporate scripture into my daily routine, and setting my sights at a verse a day allows me to not feel overwhelmed. I can read more, but definitely not less.)

2. Lose 40 pounds by April 1st. (Its time) My starting weight is 185, definitely the biggest I have EVER been. I am a little upset with myself, but this stuff happens in life. Now I just have to face the problems and create a brand new me. Goal weight 140-145. Maybe 150? I just want to be healthy and lively again!

3. Save 10% of Every Check min. I really need to save more!

4. Exercise 3x a week. This is a must! I feel better, and this will help me with my overall health and weight loss goals

5. Get a job. I am currently unemployed. Never has this happened. I have an interview on Monday. Prayers!

6. Keep in touch with friends. I am out of HS now, and I want to stay in touch with a few people that are dear to my heart.

7. Vegetarianism.... I have been thinking about going vegan for a while now. In fact I eat a predominately vegan diet. Maybe going clean is a better route. Wait! I don't know if I am ready to kick the diet soda for good. We Shall see. I just wan to dapple with either or both through out the year.

8. Run a 5k.

9. Contact agency. I signed a contract with Heffner Management last year. After stress, basketball, and to many ate night snacks, my weight crept up 40-45 pounds! YIKES. I have to get back to my former weight to continue with the agency. I just want to be healthy this time.

This is what I used to look like:
 
Sorry they are smaller. I will try to compose another post with more details about his time in my life. Anyways I don't look like that right now :(

10. Travel... France, Colorado, Cali (maybe in the summer with my Bestie), New York, the Caribbean. I am thinking about solidifying the location, but I know I am going to do it.

11. Blog. More, more, more!

Yep that's my top 11. I am excited for the year, this is the first time I have entered it with clarity!
What are your hopes for the new year?

Just Do it

I fell asleep at 3:00AM and I was up at 8:00 this morning which means I got a total of 5hrs. of sleep.
Coffee. Sugar. Anything. To help fuel my morning!

I made some oatmeal, and mixed in some coffee creamer. Creative or healthy? I am a poor college student, working on improving my fitness and eating habits.

My family came down to help me pack up my stuff, since I will be moving back home in a few days. I was refreshing to see them, and catch up on life over some lunch at Shari's. My wonderful roomate came with my family and I and we had a decent time.

After the long break it was time to hit the books, and finish my study guide. It took me much longer than I thought. I needed some snacks to get me through all the tedious work so I headed to Walgreens and picked up some Granola bites with flaxseed, blueberries, and cranberries. The ingredients were all pretty natural. I was impressed with the density, and flavor of these small bites. They were good.

I had a 3 hour bible final tonight. After I completed it I just wanted to head back to my room and collapse. But, I didn't. Yah for me. Guess where I headed instead. The hotub to soak and relax GYM!
 I took Monday off, and I knew I would be dissapointed if I let my 1 rest day stretch into a week.
It meant so much to me to be able to get into the gym when I had planned to in my mind. Are there some things you have been wanting to follow through on? I love Nike's Just do it slogan. So simple. I tell myself that when I hear a massive mixture of excuses in my head as to why I cant workout, finish my project, call my friend, eat the piece of cake dripping with chocolate frosting apple. Just Do It.

                                        

Tuesday
Elliptical 10:00
Treadmill 6.7-7.7mph for 30:00
Treadmill 4.0 for 5:00
8-minute abs video (feel the burn)

I love my 8-min ab workout. I can feel it the next day, and Its easy to keep up with.
I honestly could have done some strenght training, but I figured I would let it slide for today, and get some extra rest so I can make it through finals! Two more Exams.

Alright there is my first post! Many more memories to come. See you tomorrow.