Back on the Mountain!

So last year I started working as an Outdoor Educator for a Science Camp located on a mountain in Southern California. It was probably one of the longest jobs I've ever held. Not because I can't keep a job but because most of my jobs prior were seasonal and therefore only lasted a few months. Seeing as I was used to moving around multiple times a year I was originally unsure whether I was interested in returning to the mountain for another year. I simply wasn't used to it. But at the end I decided to stay.

Now I'm back on the mountain. Training started this week and that also meant that I had to start regaining a system for working out and seeing what was available to me. No gyms, no classes, no treadmills or elliptical machines. Instead I have mountain trails, roads, my room, my laptop and whatever equipment I have on hand.

I know I was complaining a bit about how tired I am of living in the middle of nowhere and how I would kill for the chance to have access to dance classes or a pool. That hasn't changed but at the same time I can't deny the beauty I have available to me. I can't take it for granted. I look around me every day and see the gorgeous landscape surrounding me, the peacefulness of my neighborhood, the active people living with me and I can't help but be excited and willing to go outside and regain my health by breathing in clean air and making my body work naturally.

Running again!

So now that I'm back I have been able to weigh myself, measure myself and even tried going out for a couple of jogs.

Here are the results thus far:

Current Weight: 215.2 lbs

Measurements
Hips: 47.5 inches
Waist: 43 inches
Thigh: 26 inches
Calf: 16 inches
Arm: 14.75 inches

Looking at these numbers I can see that I've managed to maintain my measurements for the year, losing a little on my hips (yay!) and I also managed to lose a few pounds this summer. Nothing major but enough to give me some motivation and keep me optimistic.

Remember this? Yeah, ouch ouch ouch!

As for running; since I haven't run since mid May due to my plantar fasciitis I was nervous about starting up again. I went to a doctor for the second time and she assured me that as long as I continued to do exercises to strengthen my plantar fascia and support my foot with good shoes and insoles I could continue running. With that hope, I tried running on Wednesday and again today. My foot hurt slightly while running and I got a small twinge of pain once as I took my running shoes off today but other than that it's been doing fine.

I was pleasantly surprised with my timing. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Running times
Wednesday: 1 mile in 12min 58 sec
Friday: 1 mile in 13min 09 sec

My right outer thigh is a little sore but other than that I'm doing great. The goal is to try jogging a 5k by November if not a little earlier. I plan to take it easy and go slowly. I'm also planning on going hiking this weekend. It's going to KICK. MY. ASS. I can't wait. LOL

I have had the tendency of trying a lot of different things and hope they'll work. This fall I'm going to take it easy. I'm going to eat what I like. I'm going to keep active the way I want. The point is to not over eat, keep the food healthy and stay active, stay active, stay active.

If I try to quantify everything and expect it to qualify my actions I'm going to get burnt out and stop or "fall off the wagon". If I keep it simple and just make sure I work at doing smart, healthy choices every day I'll be fine. I don't want to stress myself out if I don't get to run 3 miles in under 20 minutes by mid September.

Yes I'll continue to have clear, precise goals. Yes I'll continue to stay away from processed foods and etc but I'm not going to guilt trip myself if I eat cake, or if I didn't count calories, or if I decided to stretch and do yoga one day rather than hike 10 miles like I had originally planned.

All will be well. I need to relax and learn to be happy with who I am and not wait until "I lose 10 lbs" or "until I look good in this dress."

Fuck it I'm going to live! and live well!

My goal for the end of the year is to reach 200 lbs by New Years. That's 15 lbs in 4 months. My god that should be do-able! And I'll do it!!

love

-w0rld