T'S FITNESS JOURNEY

PACE

2009-12-04T09:26:00.000-08:00

Since May, I have been to the gym maybe 3 or 4 times which is awful (I know), but a good friend of mine got me interested in a cardio program called PACE. There is a book that this comes from that I hope to get from her this weekend, but she has lined me out on a workout to start.

So today I am going to go hit the gym and see how it goes, but it sounds like a lot of fun although since it's been forever since I went to the gym last, it's going to be painful!

Here is a latest picture of myself and you can see how I have let myself go once again with all the stress of work and looking for a job now that my last company went bankrupt.. boy oh boy...

So Bad...

2009-05-18T20:29:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been over a year now since I have been consistent with going to the gym and I have gained back quite a bit of the weight that I had lost :( A lot of it had to do with the fact that I switched jobs and could not get into the habit of fitting the gym into my busy/stressful work life.

But I have once again changed jobs, and so I am about to start getting into the gym again. Becoming consistent is the toughest part of going to the gym. It seems that 90% of weightloss, is just dragging my lazy butt out of bed to the gym. It is really tough, and that is why my blog is labelled "journey!"

I am going to start with arms tomorrow because that is my favorite muscle to work, and I hope to keep it up and I will start posting again to keep myself honest and keep myself going...

Ode to the Gym

2008-11-17T18:52:00.000-08:00

If you have been reading my blog for any length of time, you will realize that I have obviously not been posting. I have a thousand excuses for why I haven't been posting, exercising, eating right, but first and foremost, it is my own doing...

Since I started at my last company a year ago September, I have repeatedly failed to go back to the gym and because of that I have been "eh what's another coffee drink or dessert?"... Stupid me of course!! Believe me I know... I know... and because of my own pitfalls, I have gained more weight than I would like to admit.

But anyway, I have switched jobs again and now I am less stressed and feel like I have more time on my hands, so back to the gym I go! Today is my 2nd day back, and I feel so completely out of shape and very sore lol.... but I love it so much!

Sorry for the delay...

2008-06-22T17:30:00.000-07:00

Okay well I've done almost absolutely nothing since I last posted lol... It's very bad I know and I plan on remedying that problem this week. Since last I posted, I changed gyms to 24 hour fitness from LA fitness since there is a 24 hour right down the street from my job. If everything goes according to my new plan, I will be able to go to the gym 3x during the week at lunchtime and then both Saturdays and Sundays.

It's been such a struggle getting back into the swing of things since I changed jobs, but it has just been a good excuse to be lazy. I've got too many things riding on all of this that I'm going back! No more BS and whining... I just have to kick myself and do it otherwise I will never be satisfied with who I am.

Sucks

2008-04-20T08:34:00.000-07:00

Ha, I've gotten nothing accomplished health wise in the last couple of months. Since I changed jobs, I've had a really hard time getting back into the gym and have quite frankly been unmotivated. Anyway, I've been reading these business books to get myself more aware of myself and the people around me, and I realized that taking care of myself should be one of my top priorities since I only get one chance at this life, and I want to be healthy and proud of who I am.

So this morning, I am going to hit the gym. I already know that it is going to SUCK quite a bit, but I know that it will be worth it in how I feel and my whole demeanor.

Keep on Keeping on!!

2008-02-18T08:45:00.000-08:00

I think one of the hardest things in this whole weightloss journey is to just keep going. It seems so simple, yet it is the hardest thing to do and which is why there is such a high number of overweight people in the United States. If we could only become discipline enough then we wouldn't have this problem.

Anyway, I just wanted to encourage you to keep on keeping on! You owe it to yourself, and only getting past our laziness can we make gains. It is so easy to get complacent and say "well, I will eat this bad thing just today." But it's those decisions that keep us from our goals. I of course am very guilty of all of this which is why I need to remind myself all the time, and so I figured I would remind you as well.

75% Food In Take, 25% Gym workout

2008-02-09T11:31:00.000-08:00

75% of weight loss gains have to do with what you eat. That stupid cliche of a saying "you are what you eat" is surprising pretty true. While going to the gym and exercising is essential to your body's health, you must also watch what you eat. If you work out hard and yet eat like crap, then you will make no gains. This is something that I have found to be true of myself. I have started to eat very good again and now I am starting to see the gains. It's amazing what happens when you stay true to your eating habits. Stick with it! You owe it to yourself!

January Food Schedule

2008-01-06T19:41:00.000-08:00

Here is the food schedule that I have put together for January. I will probably add or change things to this as time goes on, but for now, this works out best for me.

Monday thru Friday
5:30 am - Protein Shake + Vitamins
6:30 am - Bagel w/ Jam
9:00 am - Breakfast Bar or Yogurt
11:00 am - Sandwich(turkey, mustard, whole grain bread, cheese) with fruit
2:00 pm - String Cheese
5:00 pm - Crackers
6:30-7:00 pm - Small low carb dinner

Saturday and Sunday
(this is hard to figure out what to eat since I don't usually have a structured weekend but here is what I've tried to come up with so far)
9ish am - Breakfast Bar + Vitamins
12ish pm - Small Lunch or Jamba Juice
2:30ish pm - Fruit or crackers
5:30ish pm - Small low carb dinner

And with all of this I have to remember to try to say NO to the following:
Coffee
Coffee Pastries
Ice Cream
Dipped Cones
Soda
Beer

January Workout Schedule

2008-01-06T19:33:00.000-08:00

So after my husband and I talked about going on a trip this year for our 5th wedding anniversary, I have a new determination to look good for our trip since our possible trip destinations are probably going to be somewhere in Mexico in the summer. Anyway, with that in mind, I have come up with my January workout schedule, and as soon as I am done posting this, I will also post my January food schedule as well. I would like to focus a bit more on the running this year, but also keeping to my weights. I love lifting so I am not going to get away with that, but I think instead of lifting heavy, I am going to lift lighter but with more reps. We will see how it goes.

Monday
Arms
Back
1 Mile Run
Tuesday
Elliptical
1.5 Mile Run
Stairs
Wednesday
Chest
Shoulders
1 Mile Run
Thursday
Bike
2 Mile Run
Elliptical
Friday
Elliptical
Legs
Abs
Saturday
Outside bike ride or 3 mile outside run
Sunday
Rest

Starting the '08 out right!

2008-01-01T14:22:00.000-08:00

I went to the gym this morning and did a light arm workout just to get my body back in the motions. My arms are going to be sore tomorrow!! Aye! I guess that is what happens when you stop going to the gym for a little while, and then you head back to it. Chris and I did go biking today around some trails in San Marcos. It was a lot of fun, but my legs are a bit Jello now after going up some big hills. Lots of effort, but at least it is for an excellent cause!

New Bike!!

2007-12-30T11:06:00.000-08:00

My husband and I got mountain bikes for Christmas. Here is a picture of mine courtesy of Trek's Webpage. So far the bike has been a lot of fun and we've enjoyed biking around lake hodges (although most of it is charred black from the recent fires). Anyway, we are going biking again today and I hope to get some more pictures! Not to mention, it is great exercise and getting out into nature :)

Slacking

2007-12-28T15:00:00.000-08:00

So long time no post I know! I have been terrible.... I went to sign up for the 24 hour fitness that is right near my new work, but they are just way too expensive. Anyway, so I haven't been able to make it to the gym much during the week, but Chris and I got mountain bikes and we have been biking around lake hodges and on Coronado. Anyway, with the new year and the new bikes, I'm back into action once again.

Back to the Grind

2007-10-28T19:10:00.000-07:00

Well, after getting a new job and trying to figure out my schedule to include the gym, I think I am finally back on track. I started up with the gym again and it feels so good to be back. I've really been missing it. Anyway, I hope to push these next couple of months and get down to my original goal. I've stayed right around the same weight since last, but I just have to push to get further along. Watch me go!!

Fire Pictures Part 3

2007-10-23T18:31:00.000-07:00

View from my balcony Wednesday at 12 pm

San Marcos Tuesday 5ish pm

Escondido Fire Part 2

2007-10-23T18:22:00.001-07:00

More Pictures from Balcony

Pictures from San Marcos Monday Morning:

Fire Pictures in Escondido

2007-10-23T18:16:00.000-07:00

Pictures from My Balcony in Escondido: Monday Morning

Seems Like Forever

2007-09-09T18:47:00.000-07:00

Seems like forever since I posted last. I suppose that it has to do with the fact that I haven't gone to the gym in a couple of weeks due to job hunting. Well, I've held a constant weight because I've been eating good these couple of weeks I haven't been going, but I'm back at the gym starting today. I went in and did a light arm workout, and I felt like a little girl because I was stuck using the 10 pounds, but I don't want to hurt myself my first day back lol. Anyway, I'm back into and yes I did find another job and so I start that in 2 weeks. Can't wait :)

Running Dilemma

2007-08-19T10:54:00.000-07:00

I'm having a running problem... I like lifting weights, and I know what it is one of the only ways to strengthen my legs so that I can run easier and quicker. The only problem is that when I do squats or lunges, I get thrown out of commission because my legs become noodles and they hurt too much to run which puts a damper on me trying to run for like a whole week. So I've decided for now that I'm going to work on strengthening my legs and if that means putting off the next 5k for a couple months I will be okay with that. I want to get to the point that I can do squats and lunges and be sore but not in pain where I can run, and that is going to take a little while to strengthen up. I've got to work on it now or I won't ever be strong and I will just continue to get frustrated when I can't run :(

Oceanside Run

2007-08-12T10:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, my husband and I ran 3 miles on the Oceanside Beach. It was my first time every running in the sand, and it is a bit tough lol... My legs are definately feeling it today, but it was still a lot of fun with all the sites, sounds, people, and beach right there. Chris and I are going to try to go running together now on the weekends since the weekdays don't work so good for us in that regard. My next 5k is coming up at the end of September so I want to be in the best shape for it, and actually be prepared this time lol

Picture Progress

2007-08-08T20:34:00.001-07:00

Okay so it's been forever since I posted a picture last. Here is one of me today at Oceanside. It came in a little blurry, but I think it's a good sign of where I am at now :)

And just to compare, here's me before working out (and I don't know why I have a towel on my head for this picture lol):

Life Stresses

2007-08-04T10:17:00.000-07:00

So I've been a bit overwhelmed with work and school over the past 2 weeks, and I haven't made it into the gym much which is very sad :( I've been going running with Chris on the weekends to at least get going on that since there is another 5k I want to run at the end of September. We are actually going today down to the miramar lake again and go running. It's a nice break from always running on the treadmill and the run is beautiful. So needless to say, I've stalled again on the whole weight loss thing, but I am not gaining or losing. My body's metabolism has caught up with my new weight and has equalized. I need to get back into the gym everyday like I was and shock my body again. But as I've been learning in class, it's not about the weight loss, but it needs to be about living healthy and the weight loss will come from making healthy life changes which is what I have been doing.

5K Results

2007-07-22T10:20:00.000-07:00

Well, I ran the first 1.5 miles no problem... I was actually doing quite well but then I felt terrible lol... I got through it in 37 minutes even which isn't very good, but I had to walk a bit after that 1.5/2 mile marker. So it was pretty bad, but I was thinking of the one I ran in December of last year, and I must have been going at snail speed because I didn't walk in that one and my time was close to today's where I walked a bit. So I guess I'm speeding up a little, but I just need to train more and not have weeks like I did last week. Oh well... another's coming up in September so more training...

5k tomorrow!

2007-07-21T22:18:00.000-07:00

Sorry for not posting. I've got a lot on my plate these past couple of weeks with school, work, and personal stuff so I haven't had a chance to post. But anyway, just to keep you in the loop, I have my 5k tomorrow in downtown San Diego. I'm running the San Diego Blood Bank 5k run/walk tomorrow. I wasn't able to make it to the gym much last week and so I'm hoping that tomorrow's race isn't horrible lol... I guess we'll see. Chris is running it with me again :)

Underage & Overweight by Frances M. Berg

2007-07-08T23:22:00.000-07:00

Everyone should read this Book "Underage & Overweight" by Frances M. Berg. This is the most powerful book I have read regarding obesity. I wish someone had told me about all this when I was a kid or had directed me somehow into the right thinking. Now at 25 years old, I am learning about all the misconceptions that I had and even still have to this day. I highly recommend that everyone read this book for those trying to lose weight. It is very well worth it!

Here is a link that talks a little bit about the book, but you can get it anywhere... http://hatherleighpress.stores.yahoo.net/unov.html

Diets do not work...

2007-07-08T23:07:00.000-07:00

Dieting does not work. We all have gone on a diet, and we might lose a few pounds here and there, but as soon as we are off the diet, we gain the weight right back and even more weight than when we started.

You have to get past the diet part, and move on to a new perspective. You have to make the choice to make exercise and eating healthy a life change. You need to change your thinking that you can "quick fix" your weight through just dieting. You have to accept the fact that to live life to the fullness and healthiest, you need to be into this for life. Only then can you be successful in your weight loss goals. This is what I've had to learn the hard way, but now, I work hard for my gains, and you owe it to yourself to do the same.