Uber October Update

It is completely unintentional that I should update this blog exactly one month from my last update. Since that time, I have made small but positive changes in my day to day routine in an effort to Improve My Life.

But first, let's start with some pictures. Because those are clearly the most fun and inspiring part of this never-ending fitness journey!

Today, I've actually put some comparisons together for you (and for me).

 Changes I see: My chest and arms are definitely more muscular (thanks for all of the plank moves, Jillian!). My arms are more defined and my waist seems more streamlined. That and I'm smiling. Makes a big difference!

 Changes I see: It's funny how I always put my left elbow out farther than my right one. My back looks more tapered, there is less of a fat build up. My arms are definitely more defined.

Changes I see: I think my chest, arms, and abs look pretty legit in this pic. I finally have some definition in all three!

The craziest thing is that I haven't really changed sizes or weight from day 1 to now. I think the weight I'm at is the weight that my body is destined to be. I don't weigh myself anymore. I don't care about weight. I care more about how I feel and how I look (mostly how I feel). I am stronger, I am leaner, I feel better and more healthy. Those are the important things!

Now, the next portion of our show: IML Updates!

1) Do what needs to be done: It's official -- I am NC responsibility-free!!! Nala was spayed last week, all of my medical appointments are finally finally done, my car (aside from the hit and run damage I prefer not to think about) is all set with good ole NC and I can fully focus on building my life here without annoying administrative tasks hanging over my head.

I am making strides at work, settling in to a great life here and constantly searching for more and more ways to Improve My Life!

2) Maintain exercise of 3x/wk: This month has been GREAT. I just completed Day 16 of the 30 Day Shred. Once I've finished that, I will move on to the Ripped in 30 video. The possibilities are endless!

I've started doing a few things in the last week or so that I think are going to greatly improve my day to day and my overall fitness.
a) I've started drinking Kcup coffee instead of Starbucks -- cuts down on $$$ and calories. The KCups I've substituted are Donut Shop's 'Sweet & Creamy' -- they have sugar/flavor/cream in them already (magically) and are only 80 cals.
b) I've started taking the stairs at work instead of the elevator. I work on the 4th floor, which = 8 flights @ 13 stairs/flight. I am out of breath by the time I reach the top. Someday, I hope not to be! It's a small step, sure, but a good one!
c) I've started going for power walks during lunch. In the summer it was so hot and humid that I would do anything to avoid being outside and sweating like a hog. Now that it's fall and the weather is more temperate, I've been ungluing myself from my desk chair, putting on a podcast, and taking a nice 1 to 2 mile walk around the corporate park. I seriously think this is making me more productive. When I come back to my desk, I feel refreshed, almost as though I am starting the day from scratch. In addition, it tacks an extra couple of miles onto my daily workout regimen!

3) Make conscious food choices: I've been trying to go out for lunch a lot less. Going for walks instead of eating out = a lot healthier (and cheaper!). I've been making big meals and taking the leftovers in with me for lunch.

I've also switched over to Greek Yogurt for breakfast. I eat yogurt/fruit/kashi for breakfast every morning.

For dinners, I try to do high protein/veggie and low carb. Of course, I still allow myself to splurge (especially on the weekends!).

4) Enjoy my hobbies: Have done  a few crafty projects over the past month. Am knee deep in a few new books, which is great. Jumped wholeheartedly back into piano playing and ordered some new books, which actually just came in today! Can't wait to try them out! Have been busy and social and active and having a great time!

5) Keep my close friends close: Trying to keep in contact with people when I can! It's hard to find time to chat with everyone's schedules being crazy. Thank the lord for internet communications! Also, thanks to my mom and sister who both made the trek to come stay with me (and fill up!) my weekends this month! It was fun to be reunited and partake in some of our favorite pasttimes (shopping, vineyard-ing, eating out, bonfires).

6) Do what I can for my health: I've been slacking on the dental flossing a bit, but other than that, things have been great! I've increased my activity and made strides to keep my physical and mental health in check. Positive attitude FTW.

PS: It's currently 45 degrees out. Am I in the right state??

IML Updates - September

Pumpkin spice season is upon us! The days are cooler, the sun sets earlier, and the humidity has finally lifted! Things have been pretty busy and pretty fun this past month. Of course, I had my fair shares of fitness ups and downs...but when don't I?

1) Do what needs to be done: Finally! I'll all done with doctor's appointments, I am officially a Tarheel and have all of the necessary paperwork to prove that myself (and my car!) live and work here! Next up will be getting Nala spayed and after that, I'm pretty much home free in the responsibility department!

2) Maintain exercise goal of 3x/wk: Even though I often feel like I haven't been exercising very much, looking back at my daily mile account http://www.dailymile.com/training proves otherwise. I've been fairly consistent with my training. I've been meeting this minimum 3x/wk exercise goal.

In fact, I recently started doing the Couch to 5k program and so far so good! I am FINALLY doing my first 5k on 10/5 and have pledged to do a Sprint Triathalon next September, so I'll have to make sure I'm in tip top shape for that one.

One of my coworkers makes it a point to do a 5k every month, just to ensure that she's not getting rusty. I think this is a great idea and might steal it from her...

3) Make conscious food choices: I try (sometimes). This will forever be my downfall. I just love food. I love buying it, making it, serving it, eating it. In fact, I have a new dinner club -- we meet every Wednesday. Last week was homemade grilled pizza and s'more brownies! The week before was cheddar beer fondue and chocolate fondue. All delicious. All somewhat unhealthy.

And then there's this little thing called "going out to eat." It's a money suck and also a calorie bloat. But I just love it. It's social, it's fun, and there are so many amazing places to eat in this area. I know I could really IML if I cut back on this excess, but that would mean making a major life change. I'm not sure I'm ready to give that up just yet...

4) Enjoy my hobbies: I've definitely cut back on reading and music-making this month, not sure why. I have been crafty recently, which is nice. And doing a lot of travel. Spending a lot of QT w/ my pup and enjoying seasonal things. Overall, I'm pretty happy with my day to day.

5) Keep my close friends close: Definitely still trying to keep in contact with people via Lync, gmail, the phone. It's hard but I so care about preserving these friendships. It does suck knowing that I can't take a weekend trip to visit my friends and family because I'm in the middle of nowhere. I have to keep reminding myself that moving here was the best thing I've ever done for myself and my life...

6) Do what I can for my health: On it!

Heading to Seattle for a nice long vaca w/ the boy! While he's conferencing on Thursday/Friday, I'll be gym-ing it, spa-ing it, and shopping. What a life!

xoxo

PSL challenge

As if being a Gold Card holder (aka: congrats! you've spent a shit load of money on Starbucks!) weren't enough to get me in the drive-thru, they had to go and bust out my Achille's heel: PSL (Pumpkin. Spice. Latte. aka liquid crack). Now, I have modified this little baby to perfection. I do not actually order the PSL. I order an iced coffee with pumpkin sauce and 2% milk.



But it's addicting. Oh so addicting!

I crave it daily. I drink it (almost) daily. It is terrible for the wallet and more terrible for the body.

I need to break out of this SB rut. Therefore, I am challenging myself. Self: you are not to engage in any drinking of any form of the PSL for the next 7 days.

It's going to be hard. Sitting here at my desk, I am dreaming of the sweet elixir. But it's become necessary for me to wean myself off of this delicious coffee treat for a week just to prove to myself that I am not, in fact, an addict.

Wish me luck...

Picture update - September Style

I seriously can't believe that it's already September. It feels like I moved here only one month ago, and yet it has actually been 3 months already -- one quarter of a year! I'm so excited to see what the fall and winter are going to be like here. And I'm most excited to eat SO MANY pumpkin things. My pinterest board is literally bursting full of pumpkin recipes.

The past month has had it's fair share of ups and downs in the nutrition and exercise department. If you look at my DailyMile , the last two weeks of August were REALLY good for me, with at least one workout a day. The week before was not so good - I only got in three workouts.

But overall, I am pretty happy with my continued progress. I got in a bunch of new videos this month and have been trying them all out and rotating them through my repertoire. It's keeping me from getting bored and also showing me some rad new moves!

Pixor time!

As of September 1, 2013:

Old School, January 1, 2012:

Suits.

Nothing is more disheartening than feeling really good about how much you've been exercising and how well you've been eating than trying on a bathing suit that you thought looked okay on you a year ago and now looks wretched. I have a hard time believing it all has to do with perspective and the new standards I have for myself.

In other words, UGH.

IML Update - Halfway thru August

The first half of this month has been crazy-busy! I feel like I've had things to do every single day..though I'm not complaining.

My calendar - first half of the month is pretty full!

 

Of course, good intentions are often lost in the day to day scuffle. The start of every week inevitably leads to the start of new weekly resolutions.

For instance, this week I am trying to detox a bit before heading to Asheville for a mountain-cabin-spa-hiking weekend getaway here: http://www.thewaynesvilleinn.com/

In the last week, I spent way too much money on going out for coffee, so I'm trying NOT to go out for coffee at all this week. Additionally, I went out to eat on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday...and will be going out while away this weekend. Trying to eat low carb and healthy from Monday thru Friday. And finally, last week was NOT my best workout week. I am resolving to be better this week!

Now on to the good stuff!

1) Do what needs to be done: Getting my NC license plates is still hanging over my head, but I am not looking forward to having to use some of my FTO to make it happen, so I'm still procrastinating.

I DID, however, start a budget, and have redistributed my paycheck to ensure that I am saving more and spending smarter. I would like to be able to save an additionaly $10k by next June, which seems daunting but is also do-able.

I have two more doctor's appointments to attend to and then I should be in the clear for a while!

2) Maintain exercise goal of 3x/wk: I SERIOUSLY killed it in the start of August. I was working out every day at least once a day and several times I worked out both in the morning and before dinner. Last week was a bit lackluster -- I had 4 workouts, but definitely phoned it in.

I discovered a new bike trail system about 20 minutes from my house. And while the route is only about 6 miles on its own, we found some fun neighborhoods to ride through and are going to explore the area some more this coming Wednesday. http://www.carolinathreadtrailmap.org/trails

I've also ordered 6 new workout videos in the last month and am trying to slog my way through them so I can pick and choose my favorites and know which ones I have time to do when.

3) Make conscious food choices: This one is always a struggle. I know I have been going out to eat a lot this month, what with parents visiting and birthdays etc. The times that I do cook at home, I'd like to think that the meals I make are relatively healthy. I've been cooking pretty low carb and high veggie/protein. Even the desserts I'm making are health-conscious (like this berry crumble -- which is basically just berries, cabernet, brown sugar, oatmeal, and almonds)

The beginnings of a straw/blue/black berry crumble.
 

I definitely consumed WAY too much coffee for the good of anyone. I'm not one of those people who needs coffee to function. I don't crave it every day. I don't wake up with a headache if I don't drink it. I just plain and simple like the taste.Therein lies the problem, friends. The reason I like the taste of most coffee is because of the unhealthy crap that is loaded into it. My go to drink is a Grande Hazlenut iced from Starbucks with one pump of classic syrup (which is basically just liquid sugar, since I think normal sugar is too grainy) and cream. I also like taking a break and getting out of the office. Or just having something to sip on while I work. But, it's expensive, it's not good for me, and I don't need it. So I shall bid it adieu (at least for this week!).

4) Enjoy my hobbies: This month has been amazing. I got some new ink:



The royal suits :)
 

 I went for bike rides, to museums, went kayaking, visited with friends (and family!), went shopping, cooked, worked out, did some crafting, ate at some super fabulous restaurants, worked on some duets, spent QT with my boy and with my puppy, and just genuinely have had an enjoyable month so far!



Monsterface

The Bechtler Museum



Myself & my parents in NoDa

5) Keep my close friends again: Have been doing a somewhat okay job with this one. I've been trying to reach out to as many people as I can to make this happen, via text at the very least. Of course, GChat continues to be a god-send. There are some people who I can feel slipping away a bit and need to kick my communication w/ them back into high gear! But in general, I am quite satisfied with my current social life!

6) Do what I can for my health: I'm trying and will keep on trucking. Every day is a winding road.

Picture Progress - August

It's been nearly a month since I posted my last picture update!

The last four weeks have been full of ups and downs. I took nearly a week off from fitness due to having a terrible case of sinusitis followed by a bad medication reaction, both of which drained me of all energy and air. The week directly after that was full of friend visits and lots of going out to eat.

The last week has been a complete 180. I have been exercising every day for the last 10 days at least once a day if not 2x. I have actually started to super enjoy and look forward to my daily workouts in a way that I never have before.

Videos in rotation:

- Jillian Michaels "30 Day Shred" - an oldie but goodie. 25 minute workouts, 3 levels, circuit training
- Jillian Michaels "Ripped in 30" - another circuit training, 35 minute workouts, 4 levels
- Biggest Loser "Cardio Max" - up to 50 minutes of 3 levels of cardio (I do the whole video for max results)
- Biggest Loser "Power Sculpt" - up to 50 minutes of 3 levels of "sculpting" (I do the whole video)
- Jackie Warner "Power Circuit" - 40 minutes of intensive full body strengthening focusing on core muscle groups

I just ordered 6 more videos and can't wait to try them all out! Also going to invest in a kettle bell and some heavier weights.

And now, the results:

You may remember this sad sack: 1/9/12

Another view, 1/9/12

Definite progress as of 7/1/13

7/1/13

As of today 8/6/13

8/6/13

Just to prove to you that this is, indeed, me. 8/6/13

The results aren't totally drastic, for the aforementioned reasons, but I am definitely seeing some more muscle definition. Actually, the place I feel it the most is in my arms -- I should have flexed. Next time!

My back actually looks less in shape to me, but it could be the angle of the photo. I also see a huge difference in my hips (these pants did NOT fit me 1 month ago and now they are baggy at the hips) and my legs (I no longer hate my knees!).

I am super looking forward to seeing the photo progress one month from now. I better be able to keep this up!

IML - A new month

Wow, it's August! Kids are already starting to prep for back to school and I feel like they just got out two weeks ago. Time flies when you're having fun :)

1) Do what needs to be done: Staying super on top of my bills. Just need to get my NC license and I will be golden. I went to the License Center on Tues hoping to get it taken care of and did not realize I would need the title for my car. Boooo waste of time.

New specs & sunlight

Have had several doctor's visits and established some primaries. Also had a Lasik eval and the doc advised I should wait another year before I get it, since my eyes are still changing. Kind of a bummer, but ended up getting some new glasses and will be having a fitting for contacts at the end of the month, which will be interesting.



2) Maintain exercise goal of 3x/wk: The last two weeks I have managed to just barely eke out 3 workouts/wk. Last week was particularly rough, with lots of chillaxin because I was pretty darn sick. I did do a bike ride on Saturday w/ my boy, which was fun (until he punctured his tire on some glass). Managed to get about 9 miles in before that fiasco.

Have decided to sign up for an all-female Tri with my roommate -- will be on September 22 and consists of:
- 250 yard swim
- 2 mile run
- 9 mile bike ride

A pretty nice beginner's Tri! I haven't been swimming in a really long time, so I need to start training for that and the running. Went for a run on Friday night and felt pretty good, minus shin splints. I think I did about a mile.

 

Post-run and feeling good!

This week is looking much more hopeful! I'm attempting to detox from a few day stretch of lots of eating out and little movement. Did the 30 DS on Tues, tried out Jackie Warner's 40 minute total body circuit last night, and did it again this morning -- hopefully to be followed by some of the Biggest Loser "Cardio Max" video tonight. Feeling good about this week so far!

3) Make more conscious food choices: I seriously don't even want to talk about this. Between Saturday and Tuesday, I probably ate out like 6 times.

"Detoxing" right now, starting yesterday. Had yogurt, kashi, and nectarine for breakfast and had a wedge of brie, dried apples, strawberries, and two slices of turkey for lunch. For dinner, made an egg white omelette w/ black beans, spinach, avocado, tomato, scallions.

Today is much of the same, methinks. Friday, will be going out for dinner for a birthday and hopefully the rest of the weekend will be spent cooking in and making smarter decisions.

Red velvet cream cheese cake balls were a bake sale success @ work!

4) Enjoy my hobbies: The last few weeks have been pretty crazy busy. I've been very social and spending a lot of time out and about, trying new things and visiting new places. I've also been on a really good reading kick and am currently reading 2 books. I've started reading every day during my lunch break, which is a nice change of pace for me. Been baking and cooking, as per usual.



My roomie said this cherry merlot cobbler was "better than sex"





5) Keep my close friends: I'm getting a little bit lost in the hustle and bustle of this life and not putting as much time and effort to keep in touch with people outside of the here and now. Need to work on that. Hoz visited this week, which was fun, and my parents will be coming up next weekend, so there's that. And thank god for GChat, a friendship saviour.

6) Do what I can for my health: Definitely started slacking on the tooth care this week and will need to pick that back up. Finally got over a 10 day stretch of being super sick and feeling lousy (which also accounts for some lack of exercising). Getting a good amount of sleep. Drinking a TON of water. Maintaining my exercise goal. Now all I need to do is be a big more dilligent with my "diet" and I'm golden!

Happy August!

IML: Halfway thru July

It is hard to believe that I have been here for almost 2 months by now. It is also crazy to think how much my world has changed in that time. I am overflowing with happy and life is great! And while my workouts have slowed down a bit, thanks to a budding social life, I am still pretty satisfied with my current regime and the fact that I'm keeping it part of my daily routine, no matter how hectic the days/nights become.

1) Do what needs to be done: Just about to send my final CT excise tax in mail..good riddance, you overpriced state!! Now I just need to go to the DMV and get my NC license plates and I will be officially transitioned over! Awesome. I also made appointments to see my first doctors in NC and (hopefully) end up having lasik, which will be an amazing life change (hello, glasses since 4th grade...)

2) Maintain exercise goal of 3x/wk: Since I moved here at the end of May, I have been able to meet this goal every single week, which is pretty awesome. I have a tumultuous workout history and tend to do some binge exercising for a nice stretch before falling off the wagon for an even nicer stretch. C'est la vie. But I'm proud of the fact that I have been able to meet this goal. Last week, I did Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred 4 days out of 7, which is pretty good, if you ask me! Looking forward to much of the same this coming week and the coming weeks after :-p

3) Make more conscious food choices: Things like birthdays, boyfriends, holidays, sister visits, and travel make for difficult meal management. I've had my fair share of ups and downs in this department (and mostly down this past weekend), indulging in sweet and savory goods and lots and lots of alcoholic bevvies. Starting the morning off right with some blackberries, fat free yogurt, craisins, almonds, and cashews. For lunch, I have truffle mac'n'cheese and a banana. Will be having an omelette with peppered pork, black beans, scallions, and rotel for dinner. Damn, I love menu planning.

Other planned meals:
Tuesday: peppers, mushrooms, onions & kielbasa w/ creamed spinach and whole wheat pasta
Wednesday: spinach artichoke dip stuffed chicken and sesame sauteed bokchoy
Thursday: spinach salad w/ chicken, sesame sticks, strawberries, craisins, gorgonzola, strawberry champagne dressing

Yogurt w/ fruit & nuts for breakfast. Every day.
Leftovers from dinners for lunch. Ever day.

Things to avoid:
- coffee w/ lots of sugar or other flavored syrups
- snacking (no more food @ my desk!!!! and get rid of this chocolate)
- soda

4) Enjoy my hobbies: got my piano/sing on this past week. Felt nice to launch back into the musical side of things. Listened to some sweet jams during a sweet roadtrip to a new place with great people. Did a pub crawl/scavenger hunt of epic proportions. Reading a really great and thought-provoking book ("Visible Man" by Chuck Klosterman). Did some cooking. Some eating out. Some eating in. Some puppy snuggling. Life is grand and I'm enjoying it all!

5) Keep my close friends close: I've maybe slacked a little in this department. Did not engage in two phone calls I was looking forward to. Boo to that. But I've been branching out and trying to make new friends. I (think?) I have a friend at work, which is cool. And of course, Boy and his friends are all phenomenal. So is my fam, who I talk to on the reg.

6) Do what I can for my health: I think this is the first weekend I've had in a long time where I didn't wake up Monday morning feeling sleep deprived. I got some epic sleeping in this weekend, mostly due to not having to worry about walking the pup in the a.m. (sorry, Monster! I still love you). I've still been flossing before bed on nights that I'm home (I know -- I can't believe it, either!). And I have some doctor's appointments scheduled that will hopefully lead to big some major bodily changes for me.

Overall, as I've said a hundred times in a hundred ways, Life Is Good. :) I hope it stays this way!

Life overhaul: a journey in pictures

It's that time again: progress photos.

As usual, pretty shocked by photographic evidence of improved fitness.

Let's not forget where I started in January, 2012 (ew):

By April, I had somewhat gotten my act together:

Life got a little crazy and by the time I moved to NC, I had taken a few steps back (photos taken on June 9, 2013):

Now, less than one month later and about 20 days in the 30 day shred and a whole lot of sweating, dog walking, and miscellaneous cardio, as of July 1, 2013:

Biggest differences: my back, hips, and my arms. SOOOO much better. I am in the best shape I've been in in about a decade (gross, I'm old). I look better, feel better, and I am never going back to January's sad sack. Hoping that by the end of this year, I'll just morph into Jillian Michaels :)