Yesterday, I had a crappy day in general. Aunt Flo is in for a visit, and (sorry if TMI) I get the worst cramps and gas when I have my period. I was seriously uncomfortable in my office, so I decided to spend the rest of the afternoon working from home. Going home, all I wanted to do was drive to Kroger and get a pint of Ben and Jerry's. I also needed a grapefruit and banana for today's meals. So, I started in the produce aisle, hoping that would keep me away from Ben and Jerry land. I found a tiny watermelon... a personal organic watermelon just for me. There are a lot of things that I miss now that I'm single again, and one of those is cooking big meals (risotto anyone?) which you can't really do as a single and the other is buying watermelons. I'm sorry, but I can't put away a whole watermelon by myself unless I plan on turning bright pink! So, this "personal" watermelon was great for me. I spent the rest of the afternoon munch on 1/4 of the watermelon and watching the series finale of Sex and the City in order to prepare for the movie that I'm going to see this afternoon. I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited about it. Speaking of, need a good upbeat song to work out to? I've been listening to the SATC movie soundtrack, and I love Fergie's new song Labels or Love. It's a great song to run to, but I think the whole album would be great to load onto your IPod for the gym. Or maybe I'm just that much of a SATC-phile :) Have a good Friday everyone!!
PS... I conquered C25K week six day two... two intervals of 10 minute runs with a 3 minute walk in between. This is my last day of intervals. I can't believe I'm here already! Sunday will be another attempt at a clean 25 minute run. The one thing that I am getting really annoyed with at the gym are my headphones. I have those little earbuds that came with my Ipod, but my ears are really really small, so if I get a bit sweaty, they pop out. I bought some earphones that fit around and behind your ears, thinking that it would stay in better... um, my ears are too small for those too!!! So, I think I need to regress back to the so uncool version of the headband earphones. I think those are the only ones that will stay in and allow me to enjoy my run without having to shove my earbuds back in my ears when they fall out.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
No Wonder Our Perception Of Beauty is Distorted
All I can say after watching this video by Dove is WOW. Makes you really put things in perspective. Love you for who YOU are.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Gym
Hi to all my new readers!! Welcome to my blog! I've noticed a lot of new people leaving comments, which I'm so excited about. I think that sometime this weekend, I'm going to update my Google Reader to include all of you :) I love reading other people's blogs, because they are so inspiring, and I love when I get those "Oh someone else is going through what I'm going through" moments.
This week is my first cross-training week, an idea I came up with while I was bored this weekend. I guess I also want to boost my stamina for running, since I feel like I don't have enough to actually get through these longer runs that are coming up. I guess I'm getting intimidated that the next three weeks of C25K are 25, 28, and 30 minute runs, three days a week. How did I get here? Should I really be here? Am I ready for that? I guess the truth is that I am, but at the same time, my good friend intimidation is setting in. I can't believe that by the end of these first six weeks of summer (for me, summer starts when the summer session at my university starts) I will be able to run for 30 minutes straight. A 5K is another thing. I'll worry about distance later.
I'm really enjoying my cross-training. On Tuesday, I split up my time by doing 20 minutes on the elliptical and 20 minutes on the stationary bike with a 5 minute warm up/cool down on the treadmill. Today, I started with a 5 minute warm up on the treadmill, then did 10 minutes on the stairmaster (whodathunkit?? that I'd be on the stairmaster!), followed by 20 minutes on the elliptical (I think I'm an addict, I just love it), and 10 minutes on the rower. At first, that was tough, but once I got into the rhythm (and imagining myself in a boat on the Charles as part of the Harvard crew team). My arms are burning a bit right now, but I loved my workout today! Seriously! I feel energized and I'm amazed at my body. I don't think I've lost any weight this week, but at the same time, the fact that my body allows me to do these things that I wasn't able to do before... I am just so thankful for that ability that we take for granted. There are many people who would love to be able bodied, and those of us who are and don't use it are just wasting it.
One more thing... I've given myself the luxury of stretching after each workout. I go into my gym's gym (lol), take one of the workout mats and stretch for about five minutes. It really helps with the soreness and it gives me some time to meditate on what I just did.
This week is my first cross-training week, an idea I came up with while I was bored this weekend. I guess I also want to boost my stamina for running, since I feel like I don't have enough to actually get through these longer runs that are coming up. I guess I'm getting intimidated that the next three weeks of C25K are 25, 28, and 30 minute runs, three days a week. How did I get here? Should I really be here? Am I ready for that? I guess the truth is that I am, but at the same time, my good friend intimidation is setting in. I can't believe that by the end of these first six weeks of summer (for me, summer starts when the summer session at my university starts) I will be able to run for 30 minutes straight. A 5K is another thing. I'll worry about distance later.
I'm really enjoying my cross-training. On Tuesday, I split up my time by doing 20 minutes on the elliptical and 20 minutes on the stationary bike with a 5 minute warm up/cool down on the treadmill. Today, I started with a 5 minute warm up on the treadmill, then did 10 minutes on the stairmaster (whodathunkit?? that I'd be on the stairmaster!), followed by 20 minutes on the elliptical (I think I'm an addict, I just love it), and 10 minutes on the rower. At first, that was tough, but once I got into the rhythm (and imagining myself in a boat on the Charles as part of the Harvard crew team). My arms are burning a bit right now, but I loved my workout today! Seriously! I feel energized and I'm amazed at my body. I don't think I've lost any weight this week, but at the same time, the fact that my body allows me to do these things that I wasn't able to do before... I am just so thankful for that ability that we take for granted. There are many people who would love to be able bodied, and those of us who are and don't use it are just wasting it.
One more thing... I've given myself the luxury of stretching after each workout. I go into my gym's gym (lol), take one of the workout mats and stretch for about five minutes. It really helps with the soreness and it gives me some time to meditate on what I just did.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
HYC Check In: Um... It's Tuesday??
In looking at my google reader today, I couldn't figure out why there were so many HYC checkins... and then I remembered it's actually Tuesday. Darn holiday weekend completely threw me off!!
Anyway, how am I doing... eh, cosi cosi, to use of the phrases I learned in Italian class last week (that's so so for those of you not in the know!) I've told you guys what I hard time I had with eating last week. Summer turns those of us in academics into a funk. I'm a total sucker for routines, and my routine is thrown into a loop once the semester is over. And by the time I get used to this routine that I'm working out for myself, it'll be time to move onto a new semester. Blah. What's worse is that my unofficial daily weighing tells me that the numbers are up instead of down and it's really weighing (LOL) on me. I hope I can make it through Saturday. If so, it'll be smooth sailing from there.
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In non-HYC news, I had an epiphany this morning. Actually, it's been an epiphany in the making. Last week To Lose 80 Pounds posted these pictures of her size 14 pants laying on top of her old plus size 20s. That's the same movement in sizes that I've made and it is unbelievable. Then, this weekend, J and I went to Kohl's and I bought a few pairs of jeans in size 14, because all I had were some 18s and 20s. So... this morning, I pulled a new pair of jeans out of my dryer. They shrank. They had to have. They look so... tiny!!! I'm never going to fit into them. What was I thinking, buying size 14s, even though I tried them on and they fit at the store. I knew they were going to shrink!! Finally, after my inward freaking out, I put on my (metaphorical) big girl pants and then put my (literal) pants on. AND THEY FIT. I'm having such a hard time believing that my fat ass can now fit in to size large tops and size 14 bottoms. I keep seeing myself at 230 pounds, instead of the 189 that I'm hovering around. Visualize the skinny!!
Anyway, how am I doing... eh, cosi cosi, to use of the phrases I learned in Italian class last week (that's so so for those of you not in the know!) I've told you guys what I hard time I had with eating last week. Summer turns those of us in academics into a funk. I'm a total sucker for routines, and my routine is thrown into a loop once the semester is over. And by the time I get used to this routine that I'm working out for myself, it'll be time to move onto a new semester. Blah. What's worse is that my unofficial daily weighing tells me that the numbers are up instead of down and it's really weighing (LOL) on me. I hope I can make it through Saturday. If so, it'll be smooth sailing from there.
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In non-HYC news, I had an epiphany this morning. Actually, it's been an epiphany in the making. Last week To Lose 80 Pounds posted these pictures of her size 14 pants laying on top of her old plus size 20s. That's the same movement in sizes that I've made and it is unbelievable. Then, this weekend, J and I went to Kohl's and I bought a few pairs of jeans in size 14, because all I had were some 18s and 20s. So... this morning, I pulled a new pair of jeans out of my dryer. They shrank. They had to have. They look so... tiny!!! I'm never going to fit into them. What was I thinking, buying size 14s, even though I tried them on and they fit at the store. I knew they were going to shrink!! Finally, after my inward freaking out, I put on my (metaphorical) big girl pants and then put my (literal) pants on. AND THEY FIT. I'm having such a hard time believing that my fat ass can now fit in to size large tops and size 14 bottoms. I keep seeing myself at 230 pounds, instead of the 189 that I'm hovering around. Visualize the skinny!!
Monday, May 26, 2008
What I Did on my Staycation
First off, Happy Memorial Day to all my US readers. I hope between the hot dogs and pasta salad, we are able to remember what this day is really about: the troops. Regardless if you agree with their job or not, keep in mind that without them, there would be a lot more for us to be concerned about rather than just ketchup or mustard on our hot dogs.
Something on CNN.com this morning totally caught my eye: the idea of a staycation. And here, I thought I was just a loser who couldn't afford to drive back home (five hours each way) to see my family for the weekend five days after she returned from visiting her family. Oh, and the fact that all my friends here decided to go do other things for the weekend other than hang around (okay, I am a bit jealous of that!). But I couldn't just get up and leave. I'm teaching a six week summer session, which means teaching everyday. So, not only did I have to teach on Friday, but I also have to teach on Tuesday too. So, CNN has made it officially cool to hang around town on a long weekend... coining the term "staycation". Something tells me I'm going to be taking a lot of these over the next few years!
So, what have I been up to? Yesterday, I actually did some work. Scary, right? After mass, I went to Starbucks and edited a paper that I'm going to send out for publication. Then, while I was doing laundry, I wrote in my journal on my deck (one of my new favorite things to do) and read (I'm reading The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, about Dracula). Finally, I got around to my paper, which I'm going to finish editing this afternoon before my dinner/Sex and the City marathon. This morning, I tried my hardest to sleep in. This meant sleeping until 7:30. I know, I rock. I got up and watched 27 Dresses. Now, it might be my dark and twisty mood, but I just don't think that movie lived up to its hype. I really thought about that today, and they just don't make romantic comedies like they used to. My favorite one probably has to be French Kiss with Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline... what a great movie. 27 Dresses was just so predictable and boring. Sorry. Then I cleaned my living room while watching Frasier and doing more laundry. After lunch and showering, I went to buy myself a new mattress. I've been sleeping on a hand me down mattress since September, and that mattress is seriously about as old as I am. But beggars can't be choosers. So, I decided to be a good American and put my tax rebate into a new mattress for myself. It's coming on Saturday. I'm so excited about it!!
Starting tomorrow, I've decided to start doing some cross-training at the gym. I usually either do the C25K on the treadmill or work out on the elliptical, but I think I want to start using the stepper and the stationary bike. The whole point is to get my heart rate up, and obviously, that's something that can be done. But for now, I'll go back to enjoying my staycation... SATC is calling me!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Weekly Weigh In: Dark and Twisty
Wow... lots of things to update y'all on. I've been kind of busy this week, workwise as well as being dark and twisty (for all you Grey's fans; it IS time consuming!). What would have been my anniversary is coming up on Tuesday, so I've just kind of been in a mood lately. Not necessarily a bad one, although sitting at home under a blanket and watching as much Frasier as possible could qualify one as being dark and twisty. All I know is that it's been a chore getting out of bed and dragging myself to the gym all week. I can't imagine that it's going to get better overnight.
So, update. I lost this week! 1.4 pounds to be exact. I'm still not back to my pre-visiting Mom weight, but it's a loss and I'll take it. Granted, yesterday, I ate like crazy. My friend J invited me over to partake in a bit of BBQ... ribs, baked beans, deviled eggs, corn on the cob (sans butter). YUM. I made dessert, a banana creme dream whip pie. J cut me the world's biggest slice of that. A part of my dark and twisty mood this week has been a lot of snacking... low-fat pringles and Dove chocolate are my current favorites. I know. Step away from the junk! I've tried. I know I shouldn't bring this crap into my house, but sometimes we're weak. That's where I'm at right now, so I've given myself a get out of jail free card for this weekend.
However, I've given myself a new incentive if I reach my 10 pound goal by June 30: A Vera Bradley tote to use as a gym bag. I need to buy a gym bag anyway, so what a great incentive to mark my 50 pound loss?? I'm completely in love with the Raspberry Fizz print, so that's the one I want in the small duffel size.
On the c25K front, can I get a WOO HOO??? Not only did I get through 8 minute intervals on Friday (which I've found my new favorite time to go to the gym... mid afternoon, which luckily, my schedule this summer allows me to do... and it also gives me some more snoozle time), BUT I ran for 20 minutes straight today! The last day of Week Five is a 20 minute run, preceded by a 5 minute warm-up and followed by a 5 minute cool down. My gym is closed for Sunday and Monday this week, so I had to truck it to the track this morning. In order to know what time I was at, I loaded my Ipod Shuffle with songs that could tell me when these marks were done:
Warm-up: You Can Do It by Ice Cube
20 Minute Run: Glamorous by Fergie, I Don't Wanna Be In Love by Good Charlotte, Canned Heat by Jamiroquai, Stronger by Kanye West
Cooldown: I'm Every Woman by Whitney Houston
The four songs in the 20 minute run are all about 5 minutes a piece. I ran a 15 minute mile, in that Canned Heat just finished when I passed the "start" mark on the track. I started getting really tired about that point. But, the idea of having to do this run over again just because I stopped early kept me moving. Let me tell you, Whitney couldn't have started singing soon enough!!!! Next week's big run is 25 minutes long, and I think I'll be doing it on the track again. During Friday's run, I picked a treadmill at the gym that had the stupid stereo box in a weird position and I kept hitting my hand against it. Plus, there's still that whole fear about falling off the treadmill. I must get over that, but until that happens, I'll be running those long runs on the track, even the indoor track, not the treadmill.
Foodwise, tried something else that I found super yummy: Weight Watchers Yogurt in Amaretto Cheesecake. They're a bit more expensive than my Kroger Light Yogurt, so I only splurged on the amaretto one, but geez... it is yummy beyond belief. Then again, I'm a huge amaretto fan. I also made a menu for this week to get back on track with my eating. It's just so easy to be organized and get things done!
So, update. I lost this week! 1.4 pounds to be exact. I'm still not back to my pre-visiting Mom weight, but it's a loss and I'll take it. Granted, yesterday, I ate like crazy. My friend J invited me over to partake in a bit of BBQ... ribs, baked beans, deviled eggs, corn on the cob (sans butter). YUM. I made dessert, a banana creme dream whip pie. J cut me the world's biggest slice of that. A part of my dark and twisty mood this week has been a lot of snacking... low-fat pringles and Dove chocolate are my current favorites. I know. Step away from the junk! I've tried. I know I shouldn't bring this crap into my house, but sometimes we're weak. That's where I'm at right now, so I've given myself a get out of jail free card for this weekend.
However, I've given myself a new incentive if I reach my 10 pound goal by June 30: A Vera Bradley tote to use as a gym bag. I need to buy a gym bag anyway, so what a great incentive to mark my 50 pound loss?? I'm completely in love with the Raspberry Fizz print, so that's the one I want in the small duffel size.
On the c25K front, can I get a WOO HOO??? Not only did I get through 8 minute intervals on Friday (which I've found my new favorite time to go to the gym... mid afternoon, which luckily, my schedule this summer allows me to do... and it also gives me some more snoozle time), BUT I ran for 20 minutes straight today! The last day of Week Five is a 20 minute run, preceded by a 5 minute warm-up and followed by a 5 minute cool down. My gym is closed for Sunday and Monday this week, so I had to truck it to the track this morning. In order to know what time I was at, I loaded my Ipod Shuffle with songs that could tell me when these marks were done:
Warm-up: You Can Do It by Ice Cube
20 Minute Run: Glamorous by Fergie, I Don't Wanna Be In Love by Good Charlotte, Canned Heat by Jamiroquai, Stronger by Kanye West
Cooldown: I'm Every Woman by Whitney Houston
The four songs in the 20 minute run are all about 5 minutes a piece. I ran a 15 minute mile, in that Canned Heat just finished when I passed the "start" mark on the track. I started getting really tired about that point. But, the idea of having to do this run over again just because I stopped early kept me moving. Let me tell you, Whitney couldn't have started singing soon enough!!!! Next week's big run is 25 minutes long, and I think I'll be doing it on the track again. During Friday's run, I picked a treadmill at the gym that had the stupid stereo box in a weird position and I kept hitting my hand against it. Plus, there's still that whole fear about falling off the treadmill. I must get over that, but until that happens, I'll be running those long runs on the track, even the indoor track, not the treadmill.
Foodwise, tried something else that I found super yummy: Weight Watchers Yogurt in Amaretto Cheesecake. They're a bit more expensive than my Kroger Light Yogurt, so I only splurged on the amaretto one, but geez... it is yummy beyond belief. Then again, I'm a huge amaretto fan. I also made a menu for this week to get back on track with my eating. It's just so easy to be organized and get things done!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Yummy Summertime Food
First off... I need to say that my Google Reader is working overtime since I was gone last week. I have so many of your blog updates to catch up on. Good thing that there is a long weekend for me to read all that stuff.
Memorial Day has gotten me hungry for all sorts of yummy not good for me summertime food. So, over the weekend, while I was at the store, I bought some Turkey Kielbasa from Oscar Mayer, and tried it out for dinner tonight... YUM. It tastes just like pork kielbasa, and cooked up quickly on my trusty George Foreman grill. Some may laugh, but I've been wanted a George Foreman grill since the weather first warmed up, mainly because my little apartment warms up quickly when I turn the oven on. Good for the winter, not so good for the spring/summer especially when I don't have my AC on just yet. I've also become a big fan of the Birdseye Steamfresh Frozen Veggie Singles. One minute in the microwave, and I have the freshest tasting corn or brussel sprouts. What's even better is that they measured out the portions for me, so I don't have to worry about it either.
So, that was my dinner while watching Ugly Betty. Now I need to get ready to study for my Italian exam tomorrow while watching Grey's. Do not attempt this at home :)
Memorial Day has gotten me hungry for all sorts of yummy not good for me summertime food. So, over the weekend, while I was at the store, I bought some Turkey Kielbasa from Oscar Mayer, and tried it out for dinner tonight... YUM. It tastes just like pork kielbasa, and cooked up quickly on my trusty George Foreman grill. Some may laugh, but I've been wanted a George Foreman grill since the weather first warmed up, mainly because my little apartment warms up quickly when I turn the oven on. Good for the winter, not so good for the spring/summer especially when I don't have my AC on just yet. I've also become a big fan of the Birdseye Steamfresh Frozen Veggie Singles. One minute in the microwave, and I have the freshest tasting corn or brussel sprouts. What's even better is that they measured out the portions for me, so I don't have to worry about it either.
So, that was my dinner while watching Ugly Betty. Now I need to get ready to study for my Italian exam tomorrow while watching Grey's. Do not attempt this at home :)
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