Sunday Check-In: September 7, 2014

Current Weight, as of 9/7/14: 141.4 lbs (-0.8 lbs)

Goal: 130 lbs - 35 lbs

~~~

I pretty much hit my goal this week ... pretty much.

I signed up for a gym membership on Saturday and managed to go Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.  So I skipped Tuesday and Thursday, which isn't so bad.  AND I did my 40 minute TurboFire  stretch today because my body needed it.

Oh, and not only did I manage to go to the gym during the week, but I managed to get my butt out of bed and in the gym by 5:45 AM on the weekdays.  Yes, 5:45 AM.  That may not seem like a big deal to many people, but you gotta understand -- I don't normally willingly wake up that early for any reason, except to pee (and then promptly plop back into bed).  But I wanted to challenge myself this week and see what I could do, so my goal was to get up at 5 and be working out by 5:45.  I managed to do it.

Boy, does it feel really good to be back at a gym.  I missed hopping on a treadmill and seeing people of all different ages, shapes, and sizes working out as well.  I missed going to my locker after a hard workout and the high that followed me home.  And it feels good to be at the gym when there is barely anyone there.  I already feel stronger and less stressed, not to mention damned proud of myself, because I know I'm doing something right for my body.

So my goal for the week, again, is to continue this 5 AM wake-up call to get my ass to the gym every morning.

Have a good week!

Sunday Check-In: August 31, 2014

Current Weight, as of 8/31/14: 142.2 lbs.

Goal: 130 lbs - 35 lbs

~~~

I'm up a whole pound.  Whoops.

Here's an assessment of how I did on my goals this week:

• Sunday: Go for an hour walk in the evening. - Eh, somewhat completed; I did a 45 minute walk while staying with my parents.
• Monday: Go for an hour walk before leaving for training. - Skipped it completely.
• Tuesday: Go for an hour walk before leaving for training. - Did about 45 minutes once I got back to my own house from training.
• Wednesday: Go for an hour walk in the morning before work.  After work, go to the gym to get my gym pass/membership. - Yeah, so I didn't get a gym membership yet.  Work hours didn't permit it.  Didn't do my hour either before, but after work.
• Thursday: Wake-up at 5 AM to go to the gym. - No gym membership and did not walk after work, either, due to a late workday.
• Friday: Wake up at 5 AM to go to the gym. - Skipped walking.
• Saturday: Wake up at 5 AM to go to the gym. - Went to the gym and signed up, yeehaw!  I also took our pup for a quick 30 minute walk in the morning.
• Sunday: Rest - Anything but. 

While things didn't quite go the way I planned, I did manage to get my membership yesterday and I am pretty pumped to start going again.  I am leaving here in a few to get a good workout in and -- oh my god -- I am so excited.  

So here's to a better week.  My plans?  At least 45 mins the gym, Sunday - Saturday, with a rest next Sunday. :)

Wedding Weight Watch 2014 - And So, It Begins

Current Weight: 135.2 lbs (February 2, 2014)

Goal Weight: 130 lbs – 135 lbs

Yes, friends, we’re starting this again.  And we’re going to do this a little differently.  I need something to hold me accountable, so this is what we’re going to do, to make sure that I am exercising.

This picture is a bit old (2012), but this is how I feel!

Every Sunday night, I’ll make a post with my current weight – and the workouts I’ve done from the previous week.  I may post about my food, too, but that’s already taken care of with MyFitnessPal.  My goal is to workout at least 5 out of the 7 days of the week.  Currently, I’m going to be utilizing Hip Hop Abs and going to make that my main mode of working out.  I’ll also incorporate other things, too, because I’m flexible like that. ;)

I’m not going to lie – this is going to be challenging.  My new job leaves me physically and emotionally drained and I come home most nights pretty damned tired.  It’s a challenging job, and I am both scared and excited for the future.  But I want to start getting back into shape, especially since I am getting married in 2015!  I want to look hot in my wedding dress, and I want to be able to dance all night long.

Anyhow, I wanted to add this initial update and then take off with it on Sunday.  Have a great week!

Let's get this started -- again.

It's been a long three months since I've updated and I'm ready to get this started again.

I've now got my MA in Clinical Psychology, with a specialization in Counseling Psychology, and a concentration in Children and Adolescents.

I've moved back home to California and landed a (very) part-time job.

And now, I'm ready to get back on track with my weight loss.

As of Sunday, September 8, 2013, I weigh 135.6 lbs, the heaviest I have been in a while (though, over vacation, I weighed in at 138 lbs. at one point, haha!).  My goal is to get down to 128 lbs. by the end of the year, which I find pretty doable.

Are you ready for this to start again?  Because I am.

See you again on Sunday!

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!

Sunday (Saturday) Weigh In: June 2, 2013

Current Weight, as of 6/1/13: 133.2 lbs.

Ideal Range: 130-135 lbs.

I read somewhere that instead of having a specific weight, a goal range is better.  I figured that doing a range would ease my anxiety a bit and in reality, +/- 5 lbs. does not look that different on me.  It's when my weight starts going up or down after the 5 lb. range that I start to worry.  Though I like to be towards the lower end of the spectrum, this is the range that works best for me.

Also, I cheated.  Yes, you read that right.  I weighed myself on Saturday morning instead of Sunday because I knew I would weigh more on Sunday morning.  I’ve been going out during the weekends with a good friend of mine, Carmen, and we tend to eat and then shop.  I have to say that the food isn’t always the healthiest of choices, haha!  Plus, since we’re on our feet most of the day, my feet and legs are tired and I skip my exercising on Saturdays.  So, yeah.  That is why I weighed myself on Saturday instead of Sunday.

After weeks of not feeling motivated to do anything and seriously struggling through my work outs, I am finally feeling that motivation come back.   Last weekend, I saw my weight hit 134 lbs and I was pretty bummed out about it, but I copped it to the fact that it was that time of the month for me.  It did slowly go down during the week, but as you can see, I did not go down to my goal for the week, which was 132 lbs.  Oh well, new week next week. =)

School starts next week as well.  I am looking forward to it.  Having the month off of May was nice, I admit, but I am beginning to get restless.  You know what I like to do when I’m bored?  Either eat or shop.  Lately, it’s been the latter.  Carmen and I have been hitting downtown Chicago every weekend and browsing things to buy.  We usually eat and then go shopping, but until yesterday I had not found much to buy.  However, American Eagle emailed me a coupon and their clearance was an extra 50% off, so I bought midi-shorts and a top.  I didn’t frequent that store much before, but they’re the one store where I find consistent sizing in their bottoms!

Well, I’ve got things to do and school to prepare for on this gloomy Sunday morning.  Hope you all have a wonderful 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: April 28, 2013

Current Weight, as of 4/28/13: 132.0 lbs.
Ideal Range: 125-130 lbs.

~~~

I am down to a measly four day left of Spring semester.  This is my last full semester of graduate school, and then after this is summer, which is only two classes!  I can hardly believe it!  Then I move back to my beloved California in August, where I will go job hunting and such.

I am a week done with the advanced DVD's for TurboFire and let me say -- WOW.  It is crazy difficult but awesomely fun. 

I only have time for a quick update, so here it is.  Enjoy the rest of your week!

April 21, 2013. Some words.

This week has been rough.

The events in Boston and Texas hurt my heart and stressed me out.  In terms of Boston, I will never understand how people can just hurt others like that.  It was horrifying and saddening.  

As I searched for something, anything, to help me feel better, I came across this quote from Mr. Rogers:

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of 'disaster,' I remember my mother's words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers--so many caring people in this world." - Mr. Rogers

I needed some optimism and I found it in that quote.

My thoughts and heart are with those in Boston, Texas, and anyone who is currently going through troubles in their lives.

~~~

As of this morning, I am 131.8 lbs. Motivation this week was just off and this weekend wasn't great.  I start my advanced DVDs for TurboFire tomorrow and I'm excited.  Hopefully my motivation will return because I miss it.

Sunday Check-In: February 3, 2013

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

---

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.

Sunday Check-In: November 4, 2012

Current Weight, as of 11/4/2012: 128.0 lbs.
Ideal Range: 125-130 lbs.  

~~~

With Halloween happening this past week -- and the candy that went along with it -- I am quite surprised that my weight is as low as it is at the moment.  Since I've been on this fitness journey, 128.0 is the lowest I have been!  I ate horribly this past week (who am I kidding, this whole month really) so seeing any kind of weight loss is surprising.

Today also marks the end of my 2nd month of TurboFire.  Can I just say -- I FRICKIN' LOVE IT.  I have one more month to go and I am looking forward to repeating the workout again.  I plan on getting the Advanced DVD's (because I'm a BEAST) and going through that, too.  I'm hoping some money falls into my hands somehow so that I can get it in the next few weeks.  I really want to get through the Advanced portion, but I know that I can go through it another time if I can't do it this time around!

I'm determined to make November a great month.  There's already less than two months left in the year.  And, by this time next year, I should be back home in California, job huntin' like a fiend. Which means my days of grad school are numbered!  I'm ready to leave, though.  I love Chicago but I miss California like crazy.

Anyhow, I have quite the busy month so I need to get working.  Have a wonderful week, friends!

Sunday Check-Ins: October 21 & 28, 2012

Current Weight, as of 10/28/2012: 130.2 lbs.
Ideal Range: 125-130 lbs.   

~~~

Friends, I have been sorely unmotivated for the past two weeks to post anything to this blog.  I just wanted to leave an update about where my weight currently stands.  I'm pretty happy with it and hope to get under 130 lbs. again soon, but I'm not stressing.

Sunday Check-In: October 7 & 14, 2012

All right, so here's the deal.  I didn't add a Sunday Check-In last week because I was lazy.  Nothing had changed -- I stayed put at 130.0 lbs. -- so I figured that a check-in was not needed.  But really, as I mentioned, it was because I was lazy.

Here's the check-in for this week:

Current Weight, as of 09/30/2012: 128.6 lbs.
Pounds lost since last weigh-in: 1.4 lbs.
Goal Weight: 125-130 lbs.   

Can I just say -- I am at the lowest weight I have ever been since I started this weight-loss journey!

Pretty exciting, eh?  I am now only 3.6 lbs. away from the lowest of the range I'd like to be in, and TurboFire is what's been helping me get there lately.  I frickin' love it.  

Well, I have some schoolwork to which I must attend, but have a great Sunday!

Sunday Check-In: September 30, 2012

Current Weight, as of 09/30/2012: 130.0 lbs.
Pounds lost since last weigh-in: --
Goal Weight: 125-130 lbs.  

Another week, another check-in!  As you can see, I gained 0.2 lbs., but I know it's from the very carb heavy meal I ate at 9 pM last night.  I was craving carbs and thus had some pandesal and chocolate milk.  It was delicious, by the way.

I'm trying to get myself back to eating within my calorie range.  I was doing really well over the summer, but now that school and internship have started, I haven't been as ... proactive as I should be.  I often get to eat at my internship, which is nice, but I admit that I am off on my portion control.  Add to the fact that I am really tired every night, which just makes me want to eat more.  That's a recipe for a disaster, if I ever heard one.  

I told myself that starting this week, I will be better.  My cravings have been a bit intense lately (PMS, anyone?) so I've been snacking quite a bit.  I've been wanting to eat chocolate, too; while I love eating chocolate, I want it more lately!  Luckily, Halloween is about a month away, which means stores are selling candy in bulk -- and in small portions!  I ended up buying a bag of fun-size peanut M&M's -- just 90 calories per fun-size bag.  It's really all I need and it satisfies my cravings quite well!  

This TurboFire program is kicking my ass, haaaaard.  I'm not joking when I say that I want to start crying at points during the workout because it's so intense.  I haven't cried yet but damned if I don't think about it at least once a week!  I haven't dropped any weight since starting, which is understandable,  but I can feel myself getting stronger!  Hell, I can see it, too, especially in my legs!  

Well, I am off for the night to get ready for tomorrow and the rest of my week.  Hope it treats you well -- and Happy October!

Sunday Check-In: September 23, 2012

Current Weight, as of 09/23/2012: 129.8 lbs.
Pounds lost since last weigh-in: --
Goal Weight: 125-130 lbs.  

~~~

I haven't budged a pound since last week, which I am grateful for!  Though I would have liked to drop another pound, something tells me that my body is at a very ideal weight.

I'm still doing TurboFire and I start week 3 tomorrow!  I measured myself today and I am proud to say that I have lost some inches, or so it seems! The workouts still kick my ass but they make me feel pretty amazing.  Once this round is done, I'll post before and after photos, complete with before and after measurements.

I've got some things to do so I'll just end the blog here, but have a fantastic week!

Sunday Check-In: September 16, 2012

Current Weight, as of 09/16/2012: 129.8 lbs.
Pounds lost since last weigh-in: 1.6 lbs.
Goal Weight: 125-130 lbs. 

~~~

I am down to the lowest I have been!  

It feels pretty damn good.

I've been sticking to the TurboFire program this week and it's insane.  I'm planning on making a blog about it soon and how I've been doing with it; but alas, I have some stuff for school to work on.  I meant for this weekend to be productive, but I spent most of Saturday lamenting over the fact that I might have a cold.  Which I don't.

Sunday Check-In: Sunday, September 9, 2012

Current Weight, as of 09/09/2012: 131.4 lbs.
Pounds lost since last weigh-in: 1.4 lbs.
Goal Weight: 125-130 lbs. 

~~~

I think today's weight is just a "freak weight".  I have not been doing well at all in terms of eating and exercising this week.  I've been eating horribly and barely exercising.  I have no excuses; I've just been lazy.  In fact, tonight was the first night this week that I made food at home.  I've either been eating out or having cereal for dinner (which is actually quite delicious, by the way).  So yeah, not the healthiest of options.

I've felt unmotivated and just tired this week.  School and internship have been keeping me pretty busy and I am quite tired by the time I get home.  Like I said, I really have no excuses, but this whole unmotivated feeling is the worst!  I fall into these bouts of unmotivation once in a while, and they suck.  I am hoping that this will end soon.

One thing that I am hoping will get me back up and excited is Beach Body's TurboFire.  I ordered it about a week ago and am excited to try it!  I'll be documenting that here as well, so I'll be sure to keep you all updated. :)

Sunday Check-In: September 2, 2012

Current Weight, as of 08/26/2012: 132.8 lbs.
Pounds lost since last weigh-in: 1.6 lbs.
Goal Weight: 125-130 lbs.  

~~~

Looks like the week of bad eating is slowly wearing off, thank goodness.

I figured that it would, too.  I don't eat like that every day, so I figured that the extra pounds I was carrying would melt off somehow.  I knew that I wouldn't go back down to 129 lbs. as quickly, either, but I am hoping to get back down to it soon.

I started my first full week of school and internship and I am trying to figure out how to keep myself sane this semester.  I'm working on a schedule that would have me waking up fairly early and working out before I really begin my days, but thus far, it hasn't worked -- which is fine.  It just means that adjustments need to be made!

I'll try to add another entry this week, but I can't promise anything!

Sunday Check-In: August 26, 2012

Current Weight, as of 08/26/2012: 134,4 lbs.
Pounds lost since last weigh-in: --
Goal Weight: 125-130 lbs. 

~~~

And just like that, I am nearly 5 lbs. heavier this week.  Disappointed?  Yes .. but only a little bit.  I knew what I was doing this week and the 5 lbs. was worth it, to be honest.  I ate very carb heavy meals -- we're talking pizza and cheeseburgers, cheesecake and more pizza, plus some alcohol.  It was glorious.  And let's face it -- we need those weeks every once in a while.  This past week was my week.

I also didn't exercise, but I got started back again today with 30 Day Shred: Level One.  Not much, but I'm going to ease my body back into it before going in full-on.  I was going to go for my walk-jog today, but alas, it's been raining pretty hard the whole day.

Not much to say, really -- just that it's time to get back into gear.  School and internship are in full force this week and I know I'll need to adjust my work-out schedule. 

Have a great week!