Weighing-in Wednesday :: Lifestyle & confidence.

It's that time again, and I made it on time.

Well, this week was sort of a let down.  I got right back on track (as evidenced by my half training update) and unfortunately lost nothing this week.  I haven't been eating wonderfully, but I've been counting calories and eating tons of water.  I'm not overly bummed though.  Why?  Well, I've made this more of a lifestyle change.  I like to chart/blog my progress not because this is a "diet," but because it's encouraging to see my progress.  I still eat a lot of what I want, while being conscious of the calories I put in my body.  I'm aware that on days that I do not work out, I often eat over my recommended daily caloric intake.  I know that if I want to stay at a "happy" weight, being active will be a necessity for a lifetime.  That being said, I've been consistently running since April.  That's probably the longest I've ever stuck with running or working out.  I've been less consistent with counting calories to actually lose weight, but that activity saved me.  I feel confident saying that I have made a lifestyle change.

Now what is my "happy" weight?  Well ideally, I'd love to be down to 120 (which is healthy for my 5'2" stature) with 115 being the ultimate fantasy.  I think that ideal has changed over the past few months.  After losing some weight and being active on a regular basis, I feel way more confident and comfortable in my skin.  I like wearing shorts and skirts a bit shorter.  I don't mind going out in a bikini.  I don't necessarily mind taking off my shirt and looking at myself in the mirror.  I'm proud of the athletic (yes, ATHLETIC!) girl I have become.  I flaunt the fact that I call myself a runner.  I'm proud and feel superior telling people I'm running a half marathon.  I don't love every part of me and will continue to work to get down to that original "happy" weight.  I have been a size 10 for as long as I can remember.  Back in Georgia two years ago, it was a lose 10, and barely an 8 in some items.  When I went shopping (like really shopping and trying on a lot) last weekend, I picked up 10s.  They were WAY TOO BIG.  I fit into 8s and even some 6s.  Honestly, this almost makes me cry talking about it.  I certainly can't remember the last time I fit into a 6.  While the pounds lost doesn't sound like a lot in my head, the clothes say it all.  I got a major boost of self-confidence and it spurred me to work hard all week to get more results.  Even though I didn't see those results, I know what works and I'll keep up this lifestyle!

Ps. Sorry this is so wordy!  These posts are mainly for me but if you read through...thanks!

PPs.  Wow.  I am dying for a massage.  I haven't gotten one since I started running and I can tell there are knots galore in my body!

Weighing-in Wednesday ::

I'm not too sure why it is so difficult for me to get a post up on Wednesdays.  You know I don't go all official on numbers here, mainly because I don't think it's the actual number that counts.  Everyone's body is different, and certain areas of my body will always be larger/not in proportion to the rest of me.  I keep a track of my own number on the scale, but I do want to be more diligent about including my tracking of measurements.  Anyhow...

The week before last, I gained weight.  Honestly, I don't even remember the number because I immediately jumped off the scale.  It didn't freak me out as much as it normally would.  I partially attribute that to knowing that it had been a bit of an off week with running, and much more drinking was involved considering D's boss was in town.  That sparked a mini fire under my ass and got me back in the routine.  That week I had two weeks of Couch to 10k to combine in one week.  The runs were also amping in time.  Week ten started with 4 sets of 10 minutes of running separated by walking 1 minute.  Day two of week ten jumped to two sets of 20 minutes of running with one minute in between.  That was intimidating.  I totally rocked it though!  I'm crazy slow on the treadmill because I am mainly trying to complete the length without 1) injuring myself and 2) not walking, no matter how slow I go.  Including the 5 minute walking warm-up and cool down, I completed 3.5 miles within 51 minutes.  I know I could have easily knocked out another 2 miles...and I didn't even have tomato face after!  By the end of that week, I had already lost what was gained back.

As for this week, I lost ANOTHER POUND.  That puts me at around a complete loss of 8.4 pounds.  Seriously, running works miracles.  It probably also helps that my stress level is at an ultimate minimum, and I get to fit in not only running but typically strength training and other classes at the gym.  Although I wasn't diligently running (and certainly not these distances) last summer was working working out 5 days/week and didn't lose this much. 

As for running, our relationship is still love/hate.  Most days are good.  I'm getting bored with running on the treadmill, but can't brave this heat.  Since I'm getting all wordy, I'll save the running update for another day (plus my half training plan!).

Weighing-In :: Health updates

Nope, this is not posting on Wednesday.  I think we all know why that is.  The kids left off yesterday and the remainder of this week and part of next (until next WEDNESDAY!) consist of teacher workdays.  I love those.  It's so peaceful in my trailer with my music and the door open.  I get so much accomplished.  I'm not sure how to keep busy through Wednesday, but I'll make it. 

I wanted to update on running and weight.  I've been a little off with all the hecticness of school ending.  I stopped counting calories, and I may as well have quit the 30 Day Shred with only 3 days left to finishing it.  Needless to say, I hadn't weighed myself.  I hopped on the scale yesterday to a pleasant surprise...

7 POUNDS!  Haha...not in a span of two weeks, but since I've started really working.  Basically I checked myfitnesspal and I've been recording my weight since May 1.  Since that date, I've lost 7 pounds.  I feel amazing about myself.  I am below that "pre-Europe" weight from almost three years ago (wahhh...it's been three years since Europe?!).  I am crazy proud of myself.  I haven't measured, but I'm sure those numbers are down too.  My summer clothes are fitting looser (which is super important when showing more skin), and I'm feeling motivated to keep going.  This actually makes me feel like I can get to that goal weight. 

What can I attribute the lose to?  I assume primarily running.  I'm running/walking an average of 4 miles, 3 days per week training for my 10k.  This probably burns 300-400 calories on those days.  I know once I get back to the Shred and start Ripped, I'll see more of the tummy toning I want and more weight lose.  I'm happy to have this positive stepping stone going into summer when I have more time to focus on my weight and health. 

In running news, things are going well.  I'm loving my new shoes (which you'd know about if you followed me on Twitter, but I plan to do a full running post sometime next week).  I've ran two days at the gym due to the crazy heat.  I did want to throw out a possibly non-running related injury.  I've been having this pain right here in my hand:

When I grab things, like a jar by the lid, that muscle is painful.  My range of motion in my thumb has not decreased, but there is significantly more pain.  It makes things like shuffling a big deck of cards hurt.  The pain started around last Saturday.  I initially thought it was from holding my iPhone in that hand while running, yet the pain hasn't decreased since not doing that.  Could it be from writing?  Although I don't believe I've done more writing than usual.  Any ideas?

In other injury news, I've been bruising really easily lately.  On Monday at the waiver hearings, I had to carry this possibly 20 pound crate around with folders.  These are the battle wounds if you can see them:

Seriously, those are massive purple bruises on my upper thigh!  They're on both thighs but much worse on this leg.  I also noticed a nasty bruise on my butt after the wedding we went to two weekends ago.  I asked D if I fell or anything, but neither of us could remember anything.  Yikes.

I am so excited to post regularly again and have some free time for me!  Thanks for hanging in here with me through all the complaining, bitching, and crying.  Get ready for lots of updating! 

Weighing in :: Life & weight.

This has been one tough week.  There's been tears shed (although more held back than shed), arguments due to my increased sadness and frustrations, and just plain lack of energy.  Wednesday we found out test scores.  I won't go into detail, but I think you can assume it wasn't good (those weren't happy tears).  Based on the students I teach, I should be looking at their growth (test scores from last year to this year), but for some reason it does not make me feel much better. 

I was feeling more positive yesterday after the parent phone calls were over.  Then I got my seventh grade scores.  This has been an extremely challenging and difficult year for me.  I've gotten little support from my administration and my teaching team.  I got stuck teaching three subjects, two of which I don't enjoy.  I got stuck teaching classes that were too big and having no inclusion (where I am a teaching support to another teacher) classes to learn from other more "seasoned" teachers.  I am a first year teacher with no prior experience teaching.  I feel as though I got punished for passing my teaching tests, while others were rewarded for failing.  I said before I feel like I was set up to fail. 

[I loved these books as a kid]

I know that I am strong though.  I will make it through the rest of this year.  Staying throughout the whole year has made me stronger.  I know that my attitude and urge to be in an elementary school has done little to help my situation this year.  I will make it through the next two weeks.  All I can do is keep working and cross my fingers in hope that I will find an elementary position where I can shine and better display my strengths.  If I am in the same position again next year, I KNOW I have a chance to succeed and my situation can only go up from here.

In much more positive and uplifting news (thanks for letting me vent.  I promise once the next 13.5 school days are over, I will be flying high on positivity!), I weighed myself on Thursday.  I was scared because 1) Wednesday had been an awful, stressful, depressing day and 2) we indulged in some Mexican food with beer to cope with my day.

   [You know I can't get enough cats on scales]

To my amazing surprise, I was down another 1.2 pounds!  This is probably the best thing about this week (aside from the fact that D is wonderful and is taking me camping at the beach this weekend).  This puts me at almost five total pounds lost.  I couldn't stop talking to D about it yesterday.  My motivation has been fueled!  

I am more motivated than ever to finish the Couch to 10k program.  I'm about to be on week 5.  It's the same feeling I have about running.  I've never fully followed or finished a running training plan, and I am determined to be successful.  I haven't felt much success in work this year, which is part of the reason I am feeling so motivated to be successful in running.  My breathing has been on par.  I do feel like I was thinking that the doctor would give me some magic pill where I could easily run 3 miles with no breathing hassles.  Um, hello.  It's called endurance.  Mine still needs to build.  I am starting to have increased pain in my calves.  I know part of this is related to my need for new shoes, but do any of you runners have problems with tight calves?

Sorry for the crazy text heavy post!  Thanks for bearing with me if you made it this far!

Weighing-in Wednesday :: Late as usual

You know I schedule all my posts because I never have time to sit down every day/night and get a whole post together.  I should really get paid to post since 1) I love it and 2) it's quite time involved.  Let's get to the point.

I didn't weigh in on Wednesday because we had such a busy, beer-filled night with a beer dinner.  I didn't weigh in on Thursday because we had another unhealthy night with a beer event.  I didn't really want to weigh in this morning since we had this last night...

Carrie's guacamole and fajitas.  Happy cinco to us.  I made a double batch of the guac and there was like a fourth of a cup left over.  I rationalized the whole thing thinking 1) I shredded and 2) it's only the avocado that's fattening.  Turns out my rationalizations were right because I weighed in one pound lighter this morning!  Um, one pound is huge in my world.  It's my motivation to keep it going!  Even with all the beer events this week, I've stayed consistent with doing the couch to 10k program on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and shredding in between.  The real challenge will come when testing is in full swing and my days become longer.

I'm filling my extra calories with beer tonight, so I won't babble on this evening.  I need to update on my running pains and some exciting news I got today.  Wishing a wonderful weekend to everyone!

Will the real weigh-in Wednesday please stand up?

I wasn't going to weigh myself today after the spring break trip and all, but since I've jumped right back on the working out wagon, I figured I'd go for it.

I'm down .2 of a pound!  Haha...while it doesn't sound like isn't much, I'm thrilled that I didn't gain weight from the trip!  It's doubtful that I worked out anything gained during the trip in two days.  There is something to be said for trips that involve lots of walking (haha, but come ON, we all know there is also something amazing to be said for sipping cocktails on the beach).  I'm happy that I'm not back to square one (although I'm still not too far from that square).  I didn't take my measurements because I didn't have time.

Now come on...I'm not trying to look like her, but I want to get into that swimsuit from J Crew in the bitter citrus (yellow) color! Love it!  I'm rocking the Shred with Level 3, day 2.  So far I am loving level 3.  I need to prepare to move on from there.  Recommendations for what to move on to?  Couch to 10k is always getting me really excited about running.  I can't wait to schedule my first 10k in July! 

Weighing-in Wednesday...two days early.

Nope.  It's not Wednesday and I'm technically not weighing in.  That's probably not an appropriate title at all.  I'm loving having this extra day to recoup from our vacay and mentally prepare for the hell that is going to be the next month and a half at school.  I know I'm going to be super busy this week, but it's wonderful to have some time to catch up on blogs and schedule some posts for this week.

Anyway, working out/running is going to definitely be a challenge with my busy work schedule and the heat wave we came back to in Raleigh.  I will say, whether it is mental or actually physical, I can tell a difference in my body after not shredding/running for a week. 

[Google images]

I hit it hard today, and that might be me by tonight.  I started back on Level 2 of the shred.  Day 10...my last (hopefully...I've lost a little count after the vacay) and I vow to never go back to that level.  The temperature in my house is currently 77 degrees (what? We're cheap smart and refuse to pay crazy expensive power bills).  I probably didn't shred to my fullest because I had to stop multiple times to keep from passing out.

After what I thought would bring me to my deathbed, I figured I'd brave the 83 degree weather for my first day of Couch 2 10k.  Thanks to Kayla for recommending it.  I'm hoping it's going to get me up to a better speed and endurance.  It's a 13-week program, and it only requires running three days a week.  I think this will be a much better start than jumping right into the half training (which, let's be honest...I wasn't ready for).  I'm going to do the c210k, and then start my half training.

There's the plan!  Not too tough.  10 days left of the shred.  I'm considering going for Jillian's Ripped in 30 that some of the shredcrew have tried after I get through the shred.  I'm working hard to jump right back into the routine to get bikini ready!

Look forward to lots of vacay posts this week!

Good grief.

It has been one hell of a week for me.  I've been dealing with some pretty major financial stresses (yes, Sirius radio of course I signed up for you to charge me almost $500 AT ONE TIME for a 3 year contract...grrr).  I try not to complain too much about finances (who wants to read about that?!), but it honestly feels like when it rains, it pours.  I have about 10 things coming up due at once.  Student loan payments are killing me.  There is no hope on the horizon for teachers to receive their well-deserved cost of living salary increases.  I imagine the increased stress in my life has contributed to yet another week of no weight loss.

At this point, I am aware I am doing all the wrong things to cope with my stress.  Eating...which contributes to more calorie intake.  Drinking...same.  I can't shop because of my money woes.  It's beginning to get depressing how long it's been since I've bought something really good for myself.  But...let's get positive!  Here are a some things I'm loving and happy about!

Spring break/road tripping with D

 [weheartit] 

Military inspired vests

 [carrie @this free bird]

[Kendi @ Kendi Everyday] 

Losing a couple inches

 [weheartit] 

Spring returning!  

 [Tulips are my favorite. weheartit]

Painting my nails again (also loving other bloggers' nail inspiration!)

[Ashleigh @Little Girl, Big World]

D's new car 

 [Not his actual car.  But he's in love with his little Soul.  I love seeing him so happy]

Reading for pleasure 

Finally done reading books for school literature circles, etc.  Getting back to checking off my books for my 101 in 1001 list.  I'm loving The Big Sleep so far, I've just been to exhausted to read daily.

Training for my half marathon

 [weheartit]

Even though I haven't officially started training, I'm really looking forward to it!  I'm using girls like Tara (ps. check out Tara's cute giveaway!) and Megan as my inspiration.

No weight GAIN - While I'm barely holding on to the shredwagon these days (ugh...emotional breakdown made me miss yesterday), at least I'm not gaining weight.  If I was down to my goal weight, this would be fabulous news.  At least I know I can maintain like this if I ever get to that goal :)

Weighing in Wednesday.

[How I felt before I started the shred]

I'm trying to hold myself accountable and work hard.  After pretty much one solid week of shredding and running again, I've tuned in for the weigh in.  I'm trying to be diligent about weighing in only once per week (so as to not get easily discouraged).  I broke down yesterday and was 1.8 pounds lighter!  Then on my official weigh-in this morning, I was back up .6 of a pound.  On the plus side, I've still lost something!  It just goes to show how the scale can fluctuate daily.  I think my true weight probably is closer to down -2.  My measurements are down as well from Saturday.  This could be due to some faulty measuring (um, like the measuring tape was backwards or something), but those lower number made me feel better.  I was down in my hips, stomach, and chest.  

I'm still sending mad props to the shredcrew!  I seriously feel shit about myself when the rest of the shredcrew is posting their hard day of shredding to Twitter (follow me and the shredcrew here), and I didn't do it.  Yesterday I was concerned about time and decided to run before doing the shred.  This resulted in me being super exhausted, sore, and not doing the shred.  At least I did get a work out in, but in the long run, I think it's beneficial to use the shred as a warm-up to running.  

Regardless of the weight loss, or lack thereof, I'm not feeling like a fat cat anymore.  I'm feeling much better about myself and my weight.  The only thing I can do is keep doing what I'm doing and that's the best I can do.  After school today, I'll be off to shred and then have a sushi date...not too sure how those calories are going to look....

Kicking ass and taking names.

That's right!  I can't even begin to tell you guys how much motivation it's been to have the ShredCrew behind me throughout the 30 day shred!  It's been motivation just to see the posts of everyone else completing the shred daily, struggling with eating and counting calories, etc.  It feels great that I'm not the only one who struggles with completing even 20 minutes of a workout daily.  I must say, it helps with the mindset.  While I didn't lose any weight this week (I'm thinking about having a Weigh-in Wednesday to check back), in my mind I see tiny lines of abs coming back to light.  Plus I can't do much more than TRY.  I bought a tape measure yesterday and took some measurements.  I'm hoping that'll prove for a little more motivation if I don't lose actual pounds.  I'm drinking water like a mad woman and hoping to have shaved at least a few pound off by spring break (3 full weeks away!).

Last week, I talked about training for a half (Claire!  Are you still considering it as well?!).  I ran on Tuesdya and Thursday of last week after not running at all for a month+.  You'll remember that I'm not much of a runner, and I'm certainly not fast.  On Tuesday I ran on an outside trail in 80 degree weather.  I had a tough time doing one mile (embarrassing but hey, I'm all for honesty).  On Thursday, the weather was a much different 54-ish degrees and windy.  I tried a different part of the trail and fairly easily bumped my run up to two miles.  My goal was to run Saturday before D returned home, but it was cloudy and much colder (low 40s).  I didn't feel ready to brave those temps.  I've got plenty of time to train before the half in November.  I want to continue to train outside and in all types of weather.  I'd prefer to give another two weeks of two mile runs before I start the official training plan (which starts with a 3-mile run).  Here's my plan for this week:

• Monday:  Rest day
• Tuesday: 2 mile run outside (temps predicted - high 60 & cloudy)
• Wednesday: Rest day - supposed to be rainy
• Thursday: 2 mile run outside (high 60 & 50% chance of rain)
• Friday: Rest day - headed to Athens after school
• Saturday: Possible 2 mile run in Athens?  Should be warm temps.  Depends on how much drinking was done the night before

This weekend out of town/in Athens is going to be TOUGH.  It's doubtful that the shred will be attempted at all (except maybe upon return on Sunday), and lots of drinking will be involved.  I need to keep my mindset on exercise to cancel out (some) of the bad food and alcohol.  Sorry for the text-heavy post....

I need some new running shoes!  I don't like/can't afford to spend lots on running shoes.  Any favorites?  Here are a few I'm considering

[Nike Free XT+  Womens Training Shoe, only $85; I like them in the gray/yellow]

[Nike LunarGlide+2 at $100; supposedly works for every stride and has great cushioning]

[New Balance 759, $100; although I'm not too sure what my gait or stride is like]

[Asics Gel - 3020, $120; Supposed to be the best for distance running]

Shape has some other shoe options that I'm interested in checking out.  How do you find new running or fitness shoes?  Any recommendations?

Here's to another week of hard work on the shred and on the trails!

Call me crazy but...

My goal for 2011 was to run more.  I haven't run another 5k this year, and I've started slacking off running at all.  Boo.  Remember back in February, I talked about starting Jillian's 30 day Shred.  Well I started it alright, and then fell right off that wagon after about three days.  Coincidence or not, I re-started it last Monday and accomplished another 3 days last week before Carrie mentioned the shred today!  I'm not on twitter, but I'm psyched that Carrie has linked facebook with her twitter.  If you're dead to the world like me and don't have twitter, go on her to Carrie's post here, check out her awesome blanket and like her on facebook!  Anyway, I'll be using hers and others motivation to keep up with the shred!

Now this is where I get crazy...I'm thinking about pulling the full monty and begin training for a half marathon.  Um...am I ready?  The half I'm looking at is the Outer Banks Half Marathon in November.

November is a really long time away.  Most of the training schedules I found online (um, the free ones...I'm not ready to dish out money for a training program unless it's with a real person) are for 9-12 weeks.  I found a pretty simple one from here which is 12 weeks long.  It's pretty do-able.  After those 12 weeks, I want to upgrade to this plan from Runners World which is 9 weeks long.  I think I need to do the double duty training since I'm a pretty low/slow beginner.    I'm not nervous about not being able to do it (ok, maybe a little) as much as not following through.  Obviously my biggest exercise issue becomes follow through/motivation.  I still haven't met too many friends here in Raleigh, especially ones who are new/slow runners, and I'm not sure how to find a running buddy.  I don't want to dish out money for a trainer.  How do you maintain your motivation?!

I have been using Lose It on my iPhone and online to track my calories and weight again.  I fell off the wagon just a tad bit last night with some left over Thin Mints, so I didn't weigh myself this morning (and I never do it Monday after I indulge over the weekends).  It's nice keeping track of what I put in again.  I'll weigh in tomorrow and hope to see something good.  D is off touring the east coast without me this week, so it's a lot easier to focus on eating better and drinking less.  I'm worried about getting off track when he comes back (it's so hard to track calories when you eat out).  I'm looking forward to no school in the summer and focusing on my fit-nessss, but I have to look good in this swimsuit before summer officially hits!

[Simple and classic.  Digging all of Antropologie's swimsuits this season!  Check out the fab one pieces too!

The slump.

My brain has been thinking hard about this.  I always start a new year with a resolve to work out again.  I go through the spurts.  This summer, when I had lots of free time and was broke, I worked my ass out like no tomorrow.  I started slacking off when I got back in to the stress and hectic-ness that is teaching.  I read something where someone said they love New Year's because it's like a new slate, a fresh beginning.  That is it too!  I love being able to start the year off right with new goals and commitments (even if I don't always follow through with them).   I'm getting off topic though.

I love reading fashion blogs.  I don't consider myself the most fashionable and feel that I have to dress based on more comfort than style on most days.  It doesn't help that I've had no fashion budget within the past year.  For me, fashion blogs start to get depressing after a while.  I feel that I surround myself with beautiful, skinny girls.  Of course there is not a thing wrong with being skinny.  It just doesn't help me to really love myself and the body I have.  Not loving myself and my body (or the clothes in my closet) has negatively affected my attitude within the past...3 years?  I haven't really been happy with my body in quite a while.  I need to change that.  I can change that.  I need to make this a lifestyle change.  I can't keep going through the spurts.  As so many women and girls are scared to do, I'm throwing out my weight for accountability.  On January 3, when I started over again, I started at 139 pounds.  This is high for my height.  It's not the highest I've been in the past three years, but certainly not the lowest.  My goal is to get back down to 120.  I can do it.  Running will help.  I've cut out drinking during the week (unless I replace it with a non-drinking weekend day) and am trying to count my calories again.  

I believe this became more of a venting session.  Every woman has qualms with her body and her looks.  I'll never be a "fashion blogger," and I don't want to be.  I do want to be confident and happy with myself...and isn't that everyone's ultimate goal?  Clothes exude that confidence for some of us, creativeness for others.  For me, it's fitting into that size 6 pair of jeans. I got this!  Sort of an off base posting...  On the positive side and to show how much I do love reading my fashion blogs, here are some of my fav fashion bloggers!

Kara from Destined for Now.  How cute is she?!  Kara makes a lot of her own clothing pieces.  She has such a cute sense of style.  She a teacher in-progress, and I attempt to utilize her as my inspiration for school-appropriate outfits.

Carrie from this free bird.  I sort of have a girl crush on Carrie.  She really is a free bird.  I adore her casual and fun fashion.  Her openness in writing makes you feel like you have an immediate connection with her...you can just relate.

Jentine from my edit.  Jentine is a thrifter extraordinaire!  I feel like her fashion is so original.  She has so much variety in her outfits.  She's just stunning.  When I build up the fashion budget, I will be coveting some of her outfits.

These are just a few of my many favs.  Who are your fav fashion bloggers?

Flying by the seat of my pants.

Ah!  I had a post scheduled for Monday and Blogger turned it into a draft instead of scheduled post.  I get that issue a lot.  I'm definitely so busy now that school is back.  My classroom is in a trailer and I don't have a computer or internet out there yet.  I'll hopefully update with some posts tonight.  We have lots going on outside of school too!

Thank you all for the wonderful birthday wishes :)  It brightened my day!  I had a great birthday, am officially 25, and a very happy girl.  And in other wonderful news, I weighed this morning and did NOT gain weight :)  Technically, I even went down .2.  And I didn't work out Monday!  I'm contributed to all the walking around and moving stuff I'm doing at school.  Yay!  Seeing that number motivated me to get my ass to the gym and run (even though I really wanted to sleep in on my late start work day).  Off to run AND spin class!

Work it.

It's about time!  I finally lost 2 pounds :)  I have to celebrate the small successes here.  I think it can be contributed to a couple of things.  1) Drinking more water.  This often slacks while I am here at home because I am not consciously thinking about it.  2) I cut out drinking during the week.  I think this was assisted by that fact that D was out of town for a bit and I didn't have beer events to accompany him.  I haven't changed my workout routine so I think those two factors helped.  Oh D and I have been cooking more this week too.

I am worried about potentially gaining it back this weekend.  Why this weekend you ask?  Because...

IT'S MY 25TH BIRTHDAY!

 [image via Google]

My birthday is on Saturday.  Since I have work training all day Thursday and Friday, I'm meeting D in Virginia after my training on tonight.  I assume  there will be lots of eating and drinking.  Since pre-planning gets back in full force (which equals 9-4 work days) on Tuesday, it'll be harder to devote 2 hours/day to the gym to work off what is gained.  I'm going to try to make semi-healthy eating choices (hello, include veggies!) and drink lots of water.  We'll see what happens...a girl only turns 25 once ;)  Except those pounds don't go away forever.  

 Ps. Is anyone else as excited as I am about Eat Pray Love opening today?  I was to go see it!  I read the book a couple or few years ago and absolutely loved it.  And hello...Julia Roberts and James Franco...I die.

Both images via Google.

Frustration...to the extreme.

I don't want my blog to get too bogged down with the typical woman's complaints about weight.  This is just a big part of my life right now and it is my blog ;)  I weighed myself on Tuesday.  I gained again.  This is getting beyond frustrating.  I am counting calories (although giving myself some breaks on the weekends), stopping drinking during the week (or take a 5/2 drinking schedule), and getting my ass kicked at the gym.  I've literally been hitting the gym hard at least 5 days a week.  I am mostly staying within the same pound, so I guess that's good.  I've been trying to drink lots of water (which is going to be a challenge when school starts back).  I'm still no where near my goal weight.  I am getting so frustrated :(  I am thinking I may need to hire a personal trainer and/or nutritionist come September.  Even though I feel better about myself sometimes...I'm still not fitting better into my clothes (which can obvs be explained by the lack of pounds coming off).  I went to the gym 2 hours/day before camping to make up for the lack of gym time while I'm camping.  It's starting to get depressing.  Here's what I am doing:

• Gym: 5 times/week
• 3 days - run 2 miles (I'm a super slow runner so that's about 20 mins) and then a calorie crush (low and high intervals) on the stationary bike or elliptical
• 2 days - Body Power classes; super intense classes that work every muscle region
• Trying to add in a yoga or pilates class once per week as well
• Calorie Counting
• I eat pretty well (keeping around 1,000 [which I know may be too low] and 1,200 calories per day...including working out
• Since D works in the beer industry, I'm taking weekends to enjoy beer but still trying to be mindful of what I eat
• Water drinking
• I've been only drinking my am coffee and then water during week days.  Water intake tends to slacken on weekends.

What am I doing wrong?  What do I need to add in??

**I'm still on vacay...just auto posting this.  Anticipate a not so whiney post tomorrow :)

Trying to be an omnivore (is that right? omnivore??).

So WAY back in January, D and I did No-Meat January.  Since then, I have continually tried to cut back on my meat intake.  Back when I started this blog last September (whoa! I'm getting close to my one year blog birthday!), I also wrote about reading The Ethics of What We Eat.

I finally finished that book at the end of the school year.  It is a really wonderful book that I would recommend.  It doesn't blatantly recommend that people become vegetarians.  It just sort of weighs all of your options about being humane towards animals.

Anyhow...after reading that, I really felt stronger towards not eating meat unless it was from a Whole Foods type grocery store (although you really have to research even the organic meats and how the animals are treated) or if it was from a reputable restaurant.  I've held pretty strong on the meat buying.  I won't eat sandwich meat unless it's from Whole Foods (and typically only buy ham to throw on my egg McMuffin).  My exception is venison which we always get a large supply of from D's dad.  Deer are probably the most humanely killed animals as they still live in their natural habitats.  I've gotten D to switch over to cage-free, organic eggs and local milk.  I have definitely been slacking in the vegetarian eating at restaurants.  I am not much into salads and don't enjoy ordering a salad from a restaurant.  So I'm making the commitment to eat more vegetarian meals at home and restaurants.  Once D and I are both bringing in salaries again, I hope to be cooking more real meals and eating out less (doesn't seem to make sense how we eat out more when we have less money...).

As for weight, I'm weighing in on Wednesday.  I've been cheating.  I was down one pound yesterday but back up 1+ pound today....grr.  I figure I need a bathroom break and am just crossing my fingers until Wed.


Any favorite vegetarian meals?  Oh and I'm also looking for any vegetarian restaurants in Raleigh (we miss the Grit in Athens!)...

Sunny side up please.

One meal I love and adore is breakfast.  I'm pretty much a creature of habit so I enjoy a few quick and easy go-to b-fast items on work days. I'm spoiled by my man making me a more fattening brunch on one weekend day and the other we typically go out.  These are all semi-vegetarian (if you still eat eggs) as well.

First, I [almost] always start my day with coffee

When I used to work at the hell hole that was my first job I had a sweet coffee warmer that everyone at work thought was awesome...I have yet to find somewhere to plug it in in my classroom this year...

I am good and typically one drink one cup of coffee, which is practically like 2 calories.  I recommend Jittery Joe's (Athens, GA based company) Wake N Bake coffee, which is used to brew Terrapin's Wake N Bake Oatmeal Stout .  

 You can order it here

I'm probably killing myself from the inside but I use those refrigerated, flavored coffee creamers.  What are those things made with anyway?  I use either sugar free or fat free and typically hazelnut flavored.  I'll go for one tablespoon which comes in at around 20 or 30 calories.

One of my ridiculously simple go-to bfast items is waffles with peanut butter.  

Eggo Nutri-Grain Whole Wheat waffles...let me tell you, we have tried all the organic, flaxseed, etc. etc. waffles.  They taste like cardboard.  I don't mind the Kashi ones so much though.  Two of the Eggo waffles have 170 calories and 6 grams of fat.  Another thing I just can't get into is the "all natural" peanut butter.  I've tried over and over...it just doesn't work for me!  I use Peter Pan Reduced Fat creamy PB.  You really have to measure it out or it's easy to go overboard slathering the waffles with PB.  1 tablespoon of Peter Pan is 100 calories and has 6.5 grams of fat.  We all know that PB in moderation is good fat.  I try to work out on the days I have this meal.  I really try to limit my breakfast to 300 calories MAX.  But to make it uber healthy, eat some sort of fruit with it.

One of my next favs has been dubbed the egg Mcmuffin:

There are so many ways to make this little guy.  I used to use two egg whites (around 45 calories each), fry them up and add about an ounce of shredded cheddar on top.  Then, I'd layer with about an ounce of ham.  I've tried to shy away from deli meat that isn't directly from Whole Foods deli these days.  Now I'll use: 

• Thomas' Lite Multi-Grain English Muffin which ranks at 100 calories. 
• One egg white (45 calories) and one whole egg (70 calories)
• Cheese, a slice or shredded, basically whatever is on hand (approx. 60 calories)

And voila! Around 275 calories.  I honestly would rather have my homemade egg McMuffin any day over the one from McDonalds.  Again, add some fruit (which I'm terrible about) and you're golden.

My final fav am meal is fruit, yogurt, and granola parfait:

Mine is much less granola!

Now I'm getting in my fruit.  I start with yogurt.  Greek yogurt is the best ever, but when we go to Harris Teeter, they don't have it there.  I have to get it from Whole Foods.

  This is the honey variety which I absolutely recommend for your parfait.  Serving size is 6 ounces and 250 calories.  I'd use about half of that for 125 calories.  Then I'd layer up with strawberries and blueberries typically or whatever berries we have on hand.  About a cup or so of berries (I slice mine) would put you at 50-75 calories.  Finally I top it with granola.  I love Kashi Mountain Medley granola .  It has dried fruit (which adds to the sweetness of the parfait) and nuts.  It's my favorite so far.  Granolas are packed with calories (which aren't necessarily bad...) so I only use 1/4 of a cup which totals 110 calories.  And there you go...approximately 300 calories or less.  It is super filling and so yummy!

What are your favorite healthy, quick breakfasts?

I'm about to throw in the towel.

The scale is just NOT on my side (well I guess neither is control).  With my sister in town and no real consistent schedule, I've only gained weight.  I've been pretty consistently going to the gym 5 days/week and semi-monitoring my calorie intake.  I had just gotten to the point of feeling better about myself...feeling like I was toning up and not too worried about what the scale says.  I had a ton of school work to do last week so that ended up with me sitting around the house bored a lot of the time.  I know my terrible eating hasn't helped a bit.  It's still depressing.  It takes me so long to lose just 1 pound, but it is so quick and easy to gain it right back.  I can't seem to get out of the funk and really control my eating.  I'm just venting.  I know I should be trying harder and doing a better job.  There are weeks that I do try really hard and do everything I'm supposed to then don't see any result...that's when I want to completely give up.  I am starting to really enjoy salads more.  Working out is the one thing I have been really diligent about.  Gah....

Trying to occupy my mind.

D has been out of town again this week.  One thing that sucks when he leaves is that I tend to let myself go.  I've been working really hard to lose weight again.  Somehow I got back up (almost) to my dreaded weight.  It's actually pretty frustrating.  I haven't been eating the best, but I've been adding in working out.  That should have done something.  Anyway, I don't want to drone on about this (because I've been doing it a lot lately).  I'm back to strictly counting my calories (but last night out of boredom I ate an additional two bowls of cereal...gah!).  So I'm blogging in an effort to occupy my mind. 

I was pointed to The B.E.T.H. Approach by another blogger I follow.  She is an amazing story of weight loss, dedication, and confidence!  Her approach is a little to strict for me, but I still like her blog.  She recently posted a blog about some awesome things about losing weight.  For the record she has lost a SIGNIFICANT amount of weight.  I'm not aiming for a hundred by any means!  These are a couple of the cool things she mentioned:

2. Having fun and being daring with fashion. I'm wearing things that I wouldn't have thought possible a year ago.

5. Getting checked out and/or hit on. This happened when I weighed more, but not nearly as often as it does now. I'm not gonna lie. It's fun and an ego booster.

7. Feeling confident in a swimsuit.

These are certainly some motivators for losing weight.   I want to be able to look good in the rompers (I know...love 'em or hate 'em) that are in!  And come on!  We all know there is no bigger ego boost than someone hitting on us (and then I get the pleasure of flashing the wedding ring!).  Don't get me wrong, of course that's not WHY I want to lose weight.  It's just a perk ;)  I definitely have not been feeling confident this swimsuit season.  I am committed (obv not that much with the two bowls of cereal??) to looking better in a swim suit.  Let's get this going!

Little devils.

Yesterday was a day from hell.  The kids were awful.  It's getting to that point that they complain even when I give them free time. 

Anyway, D went out of town and will be gone until Saturday.  He did mention yesterday that his co-workers wanted him to go to Philly for a bit.  That wouldn't put him getting back home until next Wed :(  I don't mind when D goes out of town, and I have the house to my self.  The only problem is that it has gotten to the point that I needlessly indulge and slack on the gym when he's gone.  I did pretty good yesterday.  I hit up the gym and did strength training and 30 minutes on the elliptical.  I have been scared to weigh myself recently.  I think I weighed the middle of last week and went up.  I mentioned that I was going to Tampa and probably going to indulge in food and such.  Don't get me wrong, I didn't think my one session at the gym would take off 5 pounds.  When I weighed this morning, I was up by another 6 oz.  Disappointing, but I probably shouldn't be surprised.  We did drink lighter beer since we were hanging by the beach the majority of the time.  I've got to turn things around.  I need to be more comfortable in swimsuits since I'm planning to make the beach a regular hangout this summer. 

I keep talking about it, but now it's time.  I have to start tracking my calorie intake and not drinking beer during the week.  I'm going to go to Pilates today at the Y (hopefully I can make it on time after I go to the post office after work).  Then I want to head to the grocery store and stock up on some healthy meals.  A major problem of mine is cooking.  I'm so lazy; it is actually pathetic.  I'm cooking for one this week as well.  I'm thinking omelets?  I need quick and easy meals!  Maybe some hummus wraps?  After I get home from my commute, the gym, and errands...I'm usually pretty hungry and don't feel like cooking.  I'll check in in a week to see if I've shed a pound.  It's a little frustrating because I feel like I always eat sparingly during the day and have been drinking at least 32 ounces of water (it's hard to drink more since I have to pee constantly and only have the opportunity to go between some classes). 

I've never gone to Pilates before, so I hope it's not too hard!