Quicky Update: Yosemite Smoke

Having a good week and I've been mindful of my food in take although I have a guest right now and I always think of all the eateries I can take people to. I'm turning in to my grandmother; going on vacation? Where's the best food? *Shakes head*

But I did a mid week weigh in and I'm still in ONE-derland and going down. Yay!

We've been doing a lot of little hikes and walks and staying active.

This picture is one of the little walks we took just a quarter mile away from the east Yosemite entrance. You can see smoke covering the view of Mt. Dana in the background. Call us horrible people but we both thought the area smelled great, like a campfire.

Going to keep my promise to myself and lose that one pound to stay in ONE-derland. No one can stop me but me.

Have a great rest of the week/weekend!

-w0rld

Weigh In: Surviving Binge Week and reaching ONE-derland!

Happy Monday everyone! I woke this morning feeling more normal than I had most of last week. Reason being that last week was a VERY heaving eating week. I was overindulging left and right and it didn't help that the group I was working with were these awesome men with big appetites for meat and sugar.. just like me. Eeek! BUT I tried my best to at least stay active and here are the results:

Current Weight: 198.4 lbs (-1.6 lbs)

I DID IT! Despite my heavy eating I reached ONE-derland! I was so worried that I had ruined everything this week and yet I still managed to lose weight! I honestly think that all the work I did the week before just cascaded over to this week but I don't mind! This is awesome. My measurements showed that my thigh flab is still going down slightly although I did gain a bit on my waist. It really shows you what was going on. I don't mind though because my hips went down a fraction of an inch! Woop!

Achievements: 

Here's where I have to fess up how much I ate last week. Meat, tortillas, ice cream, cheese and bread. It all added up.

How can you say no to a catered baby shower like this one?

Mon: 1575
Tues: 1597
Wed: 1514
Thurs: 2129
Fri: 2184
Sat: 2050
Sun: 1659

You can easily see the days that I ate with the group. I did it myself and I was noticing my self sabotaging behavior. I don't even feel bad about it anymore. I almost expect it to happen; every time I get close to reaching a new threshold I suddenly can't control my cravings. I know my behavior. I noticed what I was doing. I told myself, "Fine, if you're going to overindulge because you're scared than do it right and eat things you love and not things just because they're there." I'm not proud of this behavior and I am not planning on going on binge fests for fun but I knew what I was doing and I had to own up to it. If I restrained myself too much I knew that I would throw in the towel and that's not allowed right now. I'm too close to my goals!

Kayaking here. A gorgeous place to work out.

Now work outs.

Mon: Strength training
Tues: 3.8 mile Bike ride
Wed: zilch
Thurs: 2 mile walk
Fri: strength training/ 1 mile hike/ 2 mile walk
Sat: Kayaking/ 2 mile hike
Sun: 3.9 mile bike ride

I definitely varied my work outs this week. I went kayaking this weekend! The last time I went kayaking I tried it in the ocean and I was very frustrated because the guy didn't take the time to teach me how to steer the damn thing so I kept going in the wrong direction. This time, since I had been teaching kids how to paddle canoes forever I knew what to do. It was a great feeling. :)

Goals: 

Can I just say it again: I MADE IT TO ONE-derland! I did it! Which means that from now on the main goal is... to STAY in ONE-derland.
I need to drink more water.
It's time to go back to my calorie in take of 1200-1400 calories.
I need to vary my workouts more and continue to strength train more often and longer reps.
I have a guest these next couple of weeks and I have a tendency of over eating and eating out a lot when I'm hosting so I need to watch that this week too.
Now the main goal is to reach the 60 lbs loss mark. I have 7.4 lbs to lose in order to get there. It can be done!! I'm hoping to reach the 60 lbs mark by October.
My more immediate goal is to reach 197 lbs by next Monday.

I hope everyone's weekend was awesome and I hope everyone has a great last week of August! Good Luck!

-w0rld

Weigh In: Too much scale and a birthday weekend

End of the bday night's bonfire

Yesterday I spent the day in "civilization". It takes me three hours to get to the nearest city and I was craving it like mad. All I wanted the morning after my birthday was to go to a Barnes n Nobles, read a book while I sipped a mocha frapuccino from Starbucks and people watch a little. I could have done that in the town that's only 30 minutes away. They even have a Starbucks. But that's not what I wanted. I wanted to get away. So I did. I drove those 3 hours and I had Starbucks coffee and food inside a BnN. I people watched. I ate a sandwich from Subway. I grocery shopped. And I didn't work out at all. I was so paranoid about gaining weight when I finally returned home around 10pm, that although I was exhausted from a long day, although I had been paying super close attention to my food in take I brought out the scale to see how I did and I couldn't sleep knowing that I didn't work out at all.

I realized that for the last week I had been weighing myself multiples times a day. A day! I need to take a step back from the scale. But this morning I woke up and weighed myself one last time, nervous and sure that venti frap had made me gain 5 pounds. Here are the results.

Current Weight: 200.0 lbs (-2 lbs from last Monday)

I was able to maintain my birthday weight! After two nights of decadent food I made it! I lost 2 pounds since last week. I made it to 50 lbs lost. I am one pound away from ONE-derland! All in perfect timing for my 27th birthday! Last week was a BIG week for me. So is it surprising that I was super paranoid about my weight and my measurements? Does it make sense now why I was watching the scale, my calories and my activity like a hawk? I wanted to get to my birthday goal. I was DETERMINED to make it. And I did.

Now I'm incredibly tired of the scale. But I'm not done yet.

Made myself a birthday salad. Yum!

Achievements:

Before I go on about my next goals let's see how my vigilance looks like. Calories first.

Mon: 1378
Tue: 1474
Wed: 1500
Thurs: 1407
Fri: 1370
Sat: 2565 (Birthday)
Sun: 1395

Most of the week I was able to stay within my 1200-1400 scale. I obviously went over on my birthday and I realized it was all mainly alcohol. Who knew that one glass of wine, one bottle of beer and a thin slice of birthday cheese cake would add up to so much? It was worth it though. And I danced like crazy afterwards to make up for it. LOL

Starting my birthday hike :)

Now work outs.

Mon: 4 mile hike
Tues: 15 minute bike ride
Wed: 15 minute bike ride and toning work out
Thurs: 5 mile walk
Fri: 20 minute bike ride, toning and pilates work out
Sat: 3.5 steep hike and dancing :)
Sun: zilch

Steep hike view

As you can see I've been changing my workouts a little bit and adding mileage to my walks, using the bike a lot more and I'm seriously trying to do more strength training and toning work outs.

Gaylor lake view

Gaylor lake

On Saturday I decided to celebrate my birthday by going up to Yosemite National park and do a short but steep hike I'd heard about. It definitely was steep but no less gorgeous. I never tire of uphill hikes that end by a lake. I've done many now around here and each one is breathtaking every time.

Continuing the hike

Goals:

Even though I need a break from the scale I can't slow down just yet. I have one week to lose at least one pound and finally reach ONE-derland. I then have to continue to lose some weight in order to STAY in ONE-derland. Next Monday is my deadline. I need to get away from the 200's by then.

Awesome morning to turn 27!

I am going to continue to vary my workouts and do a lot more toning and strength exercises. My measurements this morning showed a significant lose to fat in my arms, my waist and my thighs-- the three biggest problem areas I have. I need to keep going.

I need more fiber in my diet. Why? Why does anyone need more fiber in their diet? Thought of it? Know you know why. LOL

Party house has multiple green houses

I went to Trader Joes and bought a couple of new things that might help me stay on track on the specific diet I need to be eating: whole grain foods, more fish and veggies. I plan to cook a lot today and store things so I don't have to stray from the food I should be eating.

Finally the main goal right now is to get to ONE-derland by next Monday. It can and will be done!

Great night!

Quick Birthday Update

I'll do a bigger review tomorrow for my weigh in but I just wanted to say that I weighed myself yesterday morning, the morning of my 27th birthday (I'm in the late 20's now!) and guess what the scale said:

Birthday Weight: 200.0 lbs!

I DID IT!

I also measured and I lost half an inch on my inner thighs! Do you know how hard it is to get rid of inner thigh fat?? I'm guessing you might. It's almost as stubborn as getting rid of this PCOS belly fat. Let's just say this news made my day.

I'll add more detail and pics tomorrow. Have a good rest of the weekend,
-w0rld

I've Re-Reached the 50 lbs loss Mark!!

Since I've been very vigilant these last couple of weeks I decided to do a mid-week weigh in. Low and behold what I saw!

I've re-reached the 50 lbs loss mark! I did it! The last time I lost 50 lbs was in May of 2011. From there I wasn't able to keep it off and eventually fluctuated between 215-219 lbs. I'm SO GLAD I was finally able to re-reach this milestone.

Profile pics from this morning:

I looked back at my old entry and I looked at my measurements. Here they are again:

My measurements:

Starting Weight: 251
Last -50 lbs Weight: 201

Current Weight: 201

I've currently lost = 50 lbs

Starting Chest: 52 inches
Last -50lbs Chest: 45 in

Current Chest: 44 in

-----------------------loss= 8 in over all and 1 extra inch from last time
Starting Waist: 46 in
Last -50lbs Waist: 40 in

Current Weight: 38 in

----------------------loss= 8 in and 2 extra inches from last time
Starting Hips: 53 in
Last -50lbs Hips: 47 in

Current Hips: 46.5 in

----------------------loss= 6.5 in and 0.5 extra inch from last time
Starting Thigh: 27 in
Last -50lbs Thigh: 25 in

Current Thigh: 25 in

---------------------loss= 2 in and stayed the same
Starting Calf: 17 in
Last -50lbs Calf: 16 in

Current Calf: 15.75 in

--------------------loss= 1.25 in overall and 0.25 extra from last time

I'm thrilled! It was a lot of hard work and I still have to keep this weight off by Saturday, my birthday. But it happened and I must celebrate.... by eating ice cream! LOL just kidding. I think I'll go for a new hike tonight after work. 

Getting there! Woo!

A HUGE THANK YOU FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN SUPPORTING ME! I really appreciate it and I know I would have had a horrible time of it if you weren't there helping me out.

Now to work!

love

-w0rld4vamps

Weigh In: A success!

Happy Monday everyone,

Last night, after my peaceful hike, I didn't do much. I actually tried really hard to rest and just chill. It was hard work. I've become very angsty and I can't sit down for long if I don't have a task or a movie at hand. But I needed it. I've needed to catch up on sleep. I've been trying to keep my calories in check also and here is the result.

Current Weight: 202.0 lbs

I lost 1.6 lbs since my last weigh in! I'm one pound away from the 50 lbs loss mark! I have 2 pounds to lose in order to get to ONE-derland! I went past my mini plateau of being between 203-204! I checked and I've lost an inch in my waist, bust and hips since I moved in late May. I've lost fractions of inches in my arms, thighs and calves. I'm excited.

Achievement(s):

I didn't start calorie counting again until last Wednesday, my late weigh in. So this'll be short.

Wed: 1618
Thu: 1315
Fri:2415
Sat: 1729
Sun: 1234

On Friday I went to a party and ate cake, candy, popcorn and chili. It was a setback for sure. On Saturday, two of my friends came for the afternoon and we went out for dinner. I did my best to have very simple meals earlier in the day so I wouldn't go over too much. I made up for everything on Sunday.

Now, work outs:

Mon: zilch
Tue: 20 minute bike ride
Wed: 2, 2 mile hikes
Thur:3.68 mile walk
Fri: 45 minute swim/toning work out
Sat: 1.31 mile walk/ 2 mile bike ride
Sun: 4 mile hike

I tried to mix up my work outs and do a little more bike riding and I got a swim in. I realize that with plateaus I have to be more strict with my caloric intake and I have to mix up my work out routine in order to attempt to get out of it. This time it worked.

Goals:
My main goal right now is to lose one more pound by Saturday, my birthday. It's a short amount of time but I know that if I work hard at it I can make it!
I will mix up my work outs and work out at least 5-6x this week.
I will drink more water.
My calorie intake will be between 1200-1400 calories this week, no exceptions.

I really want to start September in ONE-derland. I want to lose these last couple of pounds in the next couple of weeks so that I can start anew next month. I'm sooo close! Last night I also really inspected my body. Really looked at it. I realized all the places I kept my fat. Arms, belly, thighs, etc. I've always known that strength training helps tone your body but I've always been a bit lost on how to do it right (remember I don't live in a place where I can find a trainer or a class) and not very interested. I realize now that although I may be losing weight, my body won't look "better" if I don't attempt to tone it and sculpt it as well as try and shed some fat. I've gotten suggestions from people on where to look for toning and strength work outs. I think it's time to try it again.

For now, wish me luck and I hope you all have a great, on track week!

-w0rld

Before and After: Re-Finding Peace

Today I ate a rich breakfast (half a big lox and caper bagel sandwich and a big pancake) and to say I felt bloated after was an understatement. Once I got myself feeling a little bit more human I decided I needed to move. I'm SO determined to lose a pound by my weigh in tomorrow morning that I knew I needed a good hike and a strict caloric intake today. So on a whim I decided to do a hike to a lake I hadn't hiked since my first visit to the area 2 years ago.

Parker Lake.

I remembered this hike as being a long uphill trek and then FINALLY leveling out and going another distance through quaking aspen and lodge pole pine trees until you turn a corner and there's the lake! This time however, I felt that the uphill part was a quick, short section and the rest was a series of very gradual ascensions until you reach the trees and the lake. It definitely opened my eyes to how much more fit I've become in the last two years. 

That's saying something because I think that the summer of 2011 was the year I looked and felt "my best". Here there's a picture of me May 2011. I was about to reach my 50 lbs loss mark and I was incredibly happy. 

Parker Lake May 2011

And here is me, today August 2013 (hopefully) about to reach the 50 lbs loss mark again soon. Happy but I've definitely gone through some humbling. Re-gain, plantar fasciitis, struggle to lose what I'd gained and a bit more aware on what hard work was and is ahead of me.

Parker Lake August 2013

I don't feel like a million bucks. I feel that although I'm very close to reaching 50 lbs loss I don't think I look thinner. I think I look the same as ten pounds ago. I'm not expecting to never see the 200's again. I'm just hopeful that I won't and am very aware that I have to have intense discipline in order to stay away from re-gain. But today's hike really opened my eyes to seeing that maybe I think I looked better then but that I'm MUCH more fit now. Today's hike was nothing! Two miles of uphill ascension. Passing couples and families and not killing myself to do it.

I sat by the water's edge and took off my shoes and socks. I waded my feet in the water as I reclined against some boulders. I marveled in the beauty of the lake and reminded myself of how lucky I am to live a life that allows me to be here and do this. I became grateful for my body. As I heard the wind coming closer and then reach the lake, making waves and threatened to take my hat away I remembered how much I loved being outside.

I saw ducklings and chipmunks. Little fish swam in the shallow water and I spotted a robin. By the time I put my shoes back on and started going down the trail to my car I felt complete peace. I could tell I had a small smile on my face throughout the whole hike back. I love this lake. The same awe and amazement I felt the first time I saw this place hasn't left. There's something about Parker lake. I think I found my zen spot. LOL

Happy weekend everyone and wish me luck for a successful weigh in tomorrow!

UPDATE: I found my entry for this very hike two years ago. Not kidding you, I titled it "Finding Peace at the End of the World". Amazing. Glad to see this place hasn't lost it's touch. :)

love,
-w0rld

Dealing with a good/not so good day

Looking back on today it was a pretty good day. The last group I worked with left this morning with smiles on their faces. I got my first tip (oh snap, cash!), I finished some paperwork I'd been getting behind on, I finished watching a good TV series on netflix, I got my box in the mail, and I even talked to my boss today about the possibility of creating a new job for me. How awesome is that?!

BUT, I also received a message early today that really brought me down. It wasn't anything malicious but more stern and slap-on-the-wrist like from someone I care about. There are only a handful of people whose opinions I care deeply about and this person was one of them. That message hurt and it just soured my mood all day.... mainly because I knew they were right.

So what do you do when you're sad and start finding tears rolling down your face? Well, I put up a front most of the day so I can get my work done. I went to the fridge... and cleaned it out. I washed dishes. I watched netflix. And finally I decided to go for a long walk toward the shore of the lake.

A total of 3.7 miles. Nearly four miles of me yelling at myself and the other person in my head. Of crying and reasoning with myself. Of reminding myself of the good day I had. Of giving myself props for walking to the trail instead of the pantry. All of this while power walking down and up a 1.5 mile hill.

I admit I was very tempted to scrounge for chocolate instead of go for this walk but I reasoned with myself. I tried to focus on the good parts of the day. I reminded myself that the reason I was so upset was because they had pointed out one of my faults and that wasn't pleasant. That they had a point. That the message wasn't really the problem, but that it triggered other feelings. That eating my sadness away never really helps... etc etc.

I worked it out. I came back sweating but refreshed. I washed my face, stretched and I wrote this post.

It really is a "You vs. You" situation. Which 'you' is winning your inner battles?

-w0rld

Two Weeks Worth of Weigh Ins

I'm behind on updating my weigh ins. Last week I didn't get enough time before I had to go back to work and to the world of no internet. This Monday was the same. So now I'm here! And I'll update quickly since I'm about to go back to no-internet-land once again.

Last July Weigh In: 203.8 (I re-lost the fraction of a pound I'd gained the previous week.)

Current Weigh In: 203.6 (-0.2 lbs)

Although late, 203.6 is my official August weigh in. I'm a little sad to see that I didn't lose much weight last month. In the end I lost 2 pounds instead of the 4 or 5 I was hoping for but hey, 2 pounds is better than none! It's not too surprising when in the beginning of the month I indulged in tons of good food, in the end of the month I did the same, and work had a lot less hiking involved 3 weeks in a row.

My birthday is in 10 days. I am going to my HARDEST to lose 2 more pounds by then because I am DETERMINED to reach the 50 lb loss mark again. I also want to strive for ONE-derland this month.

I'm noticing that I'm self-sabotaging again. The last time I wrote that I was close to the 50 lb loss mark I noticed that I suddenly started snacking more often and getting lazy. I don't understand why I'm soo reluctant to lose weight. I can't say it's 100 percent subconscious because a part of me sees what's going on. I need to have more respect for myself, less fear an more discipline.

Achievement(s): 
I'm not going to go through two weeks worth of activity and calories, partly because I didn't count and partly because there was a bit of "lack of" more than actual achievements.

I did manage to get on my bike three times, hike short distances many times, go on a few lazy walks. I did my toning work out maybe twice and since I went home last weekend I got to walk the dog and on the way back I let her lead which meant a nice long sprint. LOL

I ate A LOT of bread, a lot of beef, a lot of fruit, some greens, a bit of butter and too many sandwich wrap rolls during my friends wedding. I also had delicious Indonesian food in San Francisco. Let's just say that with awesome food around, no calorie counting and lack of sleep I'm not surprised I didn't lose, I'm only relieved I maintained.

Goals:
Calorie counting!
I need to do different work outs and shock my body in to losing more weight.
50 lb loss mark!
ONE-derland!

Sorry for the rushed entry. I'll come back with pictures in a couple of days.

Happy Wednesday!

-w0rld