Sunday Check-In: June 30, 2013

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

Goal by July 21, 2013: 130.0

~~~

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: June 9, 2013. New Shoes!

Current Weight, as of 6/9/13: 132.8 lbs.

Ideal Range: 130-135 lbs.

I really like how “132” looks together, so I was glad to see that I was back in that range.  It was nice to see the lower number on the scale this morning, that’s for sure.  I’ve been eating just a little bit better this week, plus I started my last month of TurboFire.  I don’t know what program I will do next, but whatever it is, it’s going to kick my butt just as hard.

Ryka Transpires from DSW

Unfortunately, today has not been so productive.  I am quite sore from yesterday’s HIIT workout, so I am resting my muscles a bit.  I did take a bit of a walk while shopping around this afternoon, but unfortunately I know that it isn’t enough.  I’ll probably end up exercising somehow later tonight, though.  I already feel guilty about what I ate for dinner (a cheeseburger and French fries).

In other news, the weather has been getting (somewhat) warmer here in Chicago.  For whatever reason, the warm weather triggers my need to go shopping, so that’s what I did this weekend.  I bought these Ryka Transpires from DSW yesterday for my TurboFire classes.  I used them once and they’re pretty great!  I also ended up buying a new bra (I’ve been wearing the wrong size all of these years and been in complete denial about it) and two new tops from Marshall’s.  I was in kind of a grouchy mood before going to Marshall’s today, but oddly enough, the shopping made me feel better.  Retail therapy. ;)

Well, I better get going and try to prepare myself for a busy week.  I’ve got internship until the end of the month plus summer school started up this past week.  Can’t wait for another break!

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.

[016] Midweek Check-In: Bathing Suits

Seeing as how it's currently 80+ degrees in my neck of the woods, I decided to blog about something that has always been a point of stress for me (and many other women): bathing suits. Ever since I developed an awareness of my own body, bathing suit shopping has been nothing but torturous for me. It got worse during my teens, when my weight shot up and self-esteem took a dive. Even after managing to lose a good amount of weight, I still hated shopping for bathing suits.

Bathing suit shopping yielded the following observation: bikinis or one-pieces. Being as self-conscious as I am, bikinis intimidated me. I did not want to show off my unfit body in some body baring suit. While I do own two bikinis, I have only worn them a few times, and thus they remain stuffed in my closet. I intend to wear them again, when I get more fit, but in the meantime I'm left with one-piece bathing suits.

Up until recently, the only one-pieces I saw were fit for older women; they aren't very flattering or cute and would age me in a matter of minutes. As a 20-something woman, I need something that flatters my body and makes me actually look, well, 20-something. I'm young, dammit! I intend to keep my youth as long as possible, but what one-piece won't make me look old?!

Luckily, with the emergence of retro-inspired styles comes retro looking bathing suits. My friends, I have fallen in love with the below, as designed by Esther Williams:

Bathing Beauty One-Piece in Red from Modcloth, by Esther Williams.

I think, for the first time, I have fallen in love with that bathing suit. Taking a look at the reviews on Modcloth only heightens my love for it. Though I haven't ordered it (yet), I fully intend to within the next two weeks. I am excited, scared, and oddly thrilled at my future purchase. This bathing suit is everything I need: a one-piece, hides my stomach, cute neckline and is a nice, bright red. And look how happy the model looks wearing it! I want to be that happy, too!

Though I'm sure I will still feel shy when I go out in public in that, I'm sure I will feel way more confident than I used to in a suit. And, if I'm feeling especially brave, maybe I'll snap a photo or two for you to see. ;) Otherwise, you'll just have to take my word that I love it or hate it.

See you on Sunday with the weigh-in!