oops.

Ripped my pants today at work. Perhaps its time to get more serious about working out? Ohh...it's so difficult, I've tried so hard. :/

Progress Halted. And reversed. A LOT

But there are reasons...not that I'm one to make excuses...haha...I really wish I was able to upkeep my exercise program before Arizona, but 2 things have been my enemy for the past week and a half: TIME (huuuuge), and my possibly having diabetes. I am so behind in school work that I honestly can't afford to take the time to go to the gym for an hour. Writing this is like the most offtask I've been in a long time, so I'll keep it short. Also, I got ANOTHER blood test back, (yeah, still for the "mystery" illness), and the doctors have finally noticed a trend, and that is on my elevated blood glucose levels. So I checked the symptoms, and they all coincide, so I'm getting tested, again. I have been struggling to adjust my diet, as keeping it low carb is nearly impossible for me, especially in the aspect of the sugar department, and so I've had a lot of highs and lows lately. So by the end of the day, I just binge...because that entire day had sucked, and I know I can just sleep off any ill feelings from what I eat at night, instead of having to deal with it throughout my day. Backwards, right. Oh well...I will get to work out this weekend since I'm working at the gym, so that's good. :) only 8 days until arizona!! And my interview is tomorrow :) Wish me luck. BUSY BUSY BUSY!!!

Bit by Bit

Never really having to worry about losing weight in my life, this venture to drop 5-7 pounds for my competition has been an interesting journey. I have seen and experienced the struggle that many women go through, instead of barking the advice on the other side. Although I understand it is more difficult for me, because I have a smaller body (ie lower bmr), and I have always been fairly active. So unless I want to not eat anything, it's an extremely slow progress mark, maybe a half pound or less a week.

I hadn't let myself weigh in for the last 2 weeks because of the lack of results I was seeing, but yesterday was my first weigh in. Granted, the results were smaller than I had expected (I just want to get there already damn it!), but I have made progress. First weigh in:
Down 1 lb to 132.6
Down 1% body fat to 16.6%

For all of you people telling me I don't need to lose weight, keep in mind, I KNOW!:
1. I do not think I'm fat
2. I'm training for a bikini competition, whose focus is on muscular definition. I know the weight/body fat percentage required to have definition in my abs/other parts of my body. Once I get there, I'm stopping.
3. My goal is about 125 pounds, and 14.5% body fat.
4. and a more trivial reason: I can't afford to buy larger clothes, haha.

First, I wanted to be at goal by the middle of january, then my birthday (thursday), and then spring break. But I realize this isn't easy, especially with my extremely busy schedule!! But the ultimate goal is July 9th in Vancouver Washington. But ultimately I want to do it just for me :)

Hindered progress...I'll keep fighting

Since the return from Europe I had set the goal that I was going to get back to my original, pre-europe weight and body fat percentage. No such luck thus far. While I was making good progress for a while, my appetite and busy lifestyle got the best of me. I have the appetite of a lion, and was not tracking my food enough and using enough self control to contain my eating. I also began making excuses about how I as so busy and could not make it to the gym. Well. That's changing.
I have been on operation fitness consistently for about 3 weeks steady now, and I won't lie, the first week went good, dropping down to about 130 pounds, then the next week I was somehow up to 135 again, and then now, I haven't weighed myself in over a week, and don't plan on doing it for another couple of days. It's kind of liberating. I know I have been eating well, about 1800 calories a day, while walking 1-2 miles a day just while on campus, and another 4-5 miles worth on days that I work. Every week day I am not working in the evening I make a commitment to myself to go workout, even if it's just a 30 minute weight training routine. I am taking control of my body, because I'm tired of looking in the mirror and not liking what I see.
I took for granted the body I had created for myself before. It turns out, because of the high level of muscle I had, I had a rapid metabolism (which, by the way, any of you guys can get back...so dont you dare blame your age for it, just start weight training damn it!!!). And so I could get away with eating more before...I probably had about 2500-3000 calories a day I figure. But here I am now, struggling. But I know I can do it. Arms + abs are first on my list! lol. Weight training is so essential though, I keep telling myself I need to do it more, but then I run out of time, or just try and do class instead of lift. That will change.
Before, my goal was to be in bad ass shape by my birthday...thats only 9 days away though. I'll be realistic, and set myself a new goal, which is to be back to my old body by spring break, or when I leave for Arizona at least, which is March 16. Sooooo excited!!! :) Well I better get some shut eye...lots of homework to get done in the morning!! (oh thats the other thing...I've gotten an entirely different approach on my busy life, and am managing it all quite well! I don't feel nearly as stressed when I'm exercising regularly....yeah. eff you cortisol!!!)

Exercise of the Day that you don't have to make ANY time for!

Calf raises! Do one set of 50 while brushing your teeth, or 20 while sud-sing your hair in the shower, or 2 sets while doing the dishes.
If you are unaware of what a calf raise is, its exactly as it sounds. Standing up, you raise your body up, to where you're only standing on your toes. Preventing yourself from going complete flat footed before doing another rep will keep your muscles tightened, working them more!

Gearing up for the holidays

I strongly suggest for you to kick up your cardio and weight training regimen BEFORE the holidays, where you see yourself piling on pounds and regretting eating that extra spoonful of mashed potatoes. Getting yourself in a routine prior to the holidays will help make you more aware of what you're eating during the event, and encourage you to keep coming back to the gym, opposed to the "oh I'll just wait til the end and then worry about it."
Analyze your diet. and your exercise. and figure out where you need to improve and start in small doses.

I will be starting a nutrition/strength training/motivational meeting at Better Bodies once a week, which will include weekly weigh ins and advice. If anyone is interested, or has any suggestions, let me know!

P.S. I also work at Gold's Gym in Springfield, so if you're looking for a trainer, I can now serve my clients in Cottage Grove AND Springfield! :)

Progress has been made :)

I don't believe in rewarding yourself with food. I do believe in having a treat though. If you have a 1600 calorie goal a day and make sure you only hit 1400, then yes, you deserve to have a little something if you're craving it. But once you've gotten yourself onto a certain schedule, you won't even be craving all those sweets anymore. A huge problem in dieting is the use of diet products, i.e. diet soda. The consumption of a fake sugar substance tricks your body into thinking it is sugar, and then when it realizes it is not, it will just make you crave both sugar and more calories. So here's my idea. cut out all soda. because its BAD for you! And don't let juice cocktails trick you either. Many of them have just as much sugar, while yes, 100% juice at least comes from its natural source.
My biggest tool for not caving into sugary treats and processed foods is to NOT BUY THEM OR PUT THEM IN YOUR HOUSE! Even if you think you'll "Ration yourself out", bad idea. Read your ingredients list at the store. If the beginning ingredients include the words "sugar, processed, hydrogenated, salt, enriched"...don't buy it. Yes, obviously some things will include it, for instance, sugar...haha...but try to buy more natural forms of it...cane sugar, stevia, etc. The FDA recommends not to include more than 40g of added sugar into your diet. This means, baking sugary treats, adding sugar to teas, etc. 40g=10 teaspoons. And one can of soda is 43g. so GROSS.
The biggest motivator for me is just knowing I'm doing a good job. Limit yourself to being a scale freak. every other day maybe to keep yourself in check, but not more. Any more and you'll get obsessed over every .1 pounds. Exercise is mandatory to healthy living, muscular tone, weight loss. Yeah, you can lose weight without it in the beginning if you are large enough, but it won't help you in the long run not doing it.

When I got back from europe on sept 10, I weighed 138. I'm now in my 120s again at 129.5. So hooray. I don't plan on getting below 125-127 though. I'm realistic and know whats appropriate. I'll be here if anyone wants advice still! I'll be working at Better Bodies again every sunday 11-3 as well.