Sunday Check-In: June 30, 2013

Current Weight, as of 6/30/13: 132.4 lbs.

Goal by July 21, 2013: 130.0

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I didn’t update last week because I got lazy.  That’s the honest truth.  I was disappointed in myself, not having lost any weight, and didn’t feel like posting something to convey that.

However, I do return with better news this week.  Last week, I weighed in at 133.6 lbs.  Today, I weighed in at 132.4 lbs.!  That’s a total loss of 1.2 lbs.!  Yipee!  I definitely ate better this week (though I did have two cheat days) and it was mostly cardio for me, as it was Recovery week for TurboFire.  I typically lose the extra pounds when I do cardio.

I am pretty excited as I am on track to be 130 lbs. by July 21.  I am going to try to continue eating better this week as well.  I did a quick shopping trip yesterday and bought fruits and yogurts for snacking. 

Today is my last day of TurboFire for a while.  Well, it’s the last day of strictly using that as my main program.  I’ve devised my own workout schedule to incorporate walking/jogging outside and interspersed some TurboFire classes with it, because I love it that much.  I’m working on my review for it and I hope to post it soon.  Hint: It’s going to be mostly positive.

In other news, I will be graduating in less than a month!  By this time next month, graduation will be over and I will be getting ready to move back to California.  I can't believe that my time in Chicago is nearly finished; these two years have sped by very quickly.  I do have to say, as much as I love this city (it will always, always be mine), I am ready to go back home to the Golden State.

Have a good week!

Sunday Check-in and Chicago Style Fun: May 5, 2013

Current Weight, as of 5/3/13: 132.0 lbs.

Ideal Range: 130-135 lbs.

As you can see, I am sitting at a cool 132.0 lbs.  I was surprised to see that number this morning, as I binged so hard yesterday when out with a good friend of mine.  I mean, we’re talking an “M burger” from M Burger, a chocolate shake, a chocolate hazelnut latte, and a chocolate chip cookie of pretty epic sizes.  Yes, I did walk around and do some light shopping to celebrate the end of the semester, but that did not burn off nearly enough as I needed it to!  I went home full and content but developed a weird stomach ache that lasted the rest of the night.  Punishment for being a glutton, perhaps? ;) 

Hey, it's officially the end of second semester!  I deserve a treat, and boy did I treat myself yesterday!  Not only did I indulge on some delicious treats, but I bought a dress and a striped t-shirt as well.  I'm all about stripes, so this trend of stripey things has made me a very happy girl.  

Though I didn't work out yesterday and might not tonight, I am not fretting about it.  For whatever reason, I've been thinking about my need to work-out.  There are days where I feel like absolute crap if I don’t work out, and this bizarre thought of “I’m going to gain my weight back” creeps into my head.  Luckily, my logic takes over and bats that thought away.  I know I won’t gain it back because I skip one or two days of exercising.  Further, I reached a point where I am okay with my weight, plus or minus a pound or two! 

Working out has gone from a necessity to lose weight to something I really enjoy doing.  I mean, it’s TurboFire.  I get to shake my butt and do a more dancey version of kickboxing.  This program helped me get through grad school AND managed to keep my weight in check AND help me build some muscles at the same time.  It’s fantastic.  And I do it because I love it, not because I have to.  In fact, I get some of the songs/routines stuck in my head, and it takes my all not to jump up and start doing the routine wherever I am.

Anyhow, I’ll leave you with two photos I took yesterday while out in Chicago.  It is finally (FINALLY!) Spring out here and it is showing.  It was nice to walk around without a thick coat on, that’s for sure!

(Oh, I know I need to post a review of TurboFire, too.  Now that I’m doing the advanced DVD’s, I’ll most likely post a review after those.)

John Hancock Center

Tulips on Michigan Avenue

It still trips me out to know that I live in freakin' Chicago.  

Anyway, I hope you all have a great week.

Sunday Check-In: February 3, 2013

Current Weight, as of 2/3/13: 132.6 lbs.
Ideal Range: 125-130 lbs.

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Woohoo!  I am finally starting to drop my Holiday Weight that I gained over Winter Break.  It was a relief to see it a pound down this morning, I tell you what.

Oh, excuse me for that last part.  I've been watching a lot of King of the Hill (and I loooooooove it)!

Things here in good ol' Chitown have been busy.  It's my spring semester of grad school (my last semester, if you don't count summer), I'm doing about 20 hours of internship a week, and I am trying to keep myself sane.  I feel a bit shocked that I have been doing grad school for almost two years; it's flown by and oh the things I have learned.  Not just in school, but in my personal life.  I've grown.  Oh, and to top it off, I turn 28 in about a month!

Well, it's about time for me to get cleaning my apartment, so I'll sign off here.  I hope you all have a wonderful week.

I Hate Running.

So, I have a confession to make.

I hate running.

Surprising, isn’t it?

I abandoned the Couch-to-5K program shortly after I completed 20 full minutes of running.  I was so proud of myself but that 20 minutes was, a Thom Filicia (from Queer Eye) would say: “IT WAS HARRAHBLE!” 

I’ve come to conclusion that I am just not a runner.  As much as I’d like to be one, I don’t find it as enjoyable as I want.  I can jog for a few minutes at a time, but not for 20 minutes straight.  In fact, I managed to jog for 11 minutes (1 mile) a few days ago.  But 20 minutes?  No thank you. 

When it comes to accomplishing things, I am zealous.  I have been dubbed an overachiever and even a “goody two shoes” because of my drive and motivation to get things done.  When I started Couch-to-5K, I was determined to make it to the end of the six week program.  I should have finished by now, but after my 20 minute run, I stopped.  Instead, I have developed what I call my “5-Miler”, where I alternate between walking/jogging for 5 miles every other day.  I only did 3 miles today, but the point is that I don’t want to give up jogging altogether.  I just don’t want to do it for 20 minutes at a time.  The fact that I can even jog for a mile outside without wanting to collapse is a huge accomplishment for me.  At the gym, I could do it on a treadmill, no problem.  But outside, with the elements – that’s trickier.

However, I have always enjoyed walking.  I love, love, love walking.  I love taking strolls through shopping centers, walk-and-talks with friends, or just walking on the Lake Path.  My life feels like it’s been in overdrive the past few years, and walking is my chance to just slow down.  I get to look around me, appreciate the beautiful city I’m currently in, without huffing and puffing like I do when I jog.  I get to see the lush greenery that surrounds the lake path; I get to see the buildings towering against a blue sky.  And, if I head south, I get to see the city slowly come into view.  I see the Willis (Sears) Tower, Hancock Tower, Trump Tower … and it’s amazing.  I wanted to be in Chicago so badly and now that I am here, I don’t want to take any of it for granted.

Maybe one day, I will get the bug to finish Couch-to-5K.  But for now, I will stick with walking and the occasional jogging, as I take in the sights around me.

[033] New(ish) beginnings.

The beautiful Chicago skyline!

This past year for me has been nothing but one huge learning experience. From getting through some tough personal issues to making the decision to go back to school (gulp!), I have done nothing but grow this past year. Though I don't wish some of the pain that I went through on anyone, I am glad that I went through it. It has made me stronger, bolder, and added just a tad bit of confidence to my otherwise lack thereof.

One of the big decisions I made was to go to graduate school -- in Chicago. After working a job of which I was beginning to become disenchanted, I decided to pursue a career in counseling psychology. That's right, folks -- you may have the chance to sit across from me while I prod you and make you spill your ever-loving guts about how your mother messed you up! ;)

Why Chicago? Well ... just look at that photo. It's an absolutely beautiful city. It's clean. The architecture is amazing (and I plan to learn more about it while I'm out here). What more could a girl like me want? So, I applied to several schools, made the decision on where I wanted to go and am currently on the path to becoming a counselor.

I'm excited. And scared. If you know me, I lived in California all of my life. Heck, I got my BA at a UC and was pretty sure I wouldn't leave the state for any reason other than vacation. So for me to make the decision to just leave my home state was pretty big. I arrived here with Chris almost two weeks ago, though it seems longer. But here I am, ready to take on the harsh winters and humid summers!

I still plan on updating this blog, especially with my weight loss/healthy living stuff. But right now, I'm still getting acclimated to my new home. I'll be back though, I swear. Until next time..;)