1.31.2008

it will get easier.

I'm going to gain this week. I have accepted it. I am up on my home scale. And I'm eating within my points but I'm not really exercising. I'm not derailing and eating anything and everything as I would have in the past; I'm just dealing with it and basically can't wait for the week to start anew on Saturday morning.

Usually if I have a bad week, it follows with a pretty good week- so I am looking forward to NEXT week. I still plan to hit my first 10% loss before the end of February.

I've made some serious progress this week despite the numbers on the scale. I've figured a lot out about myself and how I function and why- more than I can even chronicle here. So if the price is a gain this week so that I can keep moving forward in the future- I think it will be worth it.

This is where I've stopped in the past because there is work to be done here that I didn't want to touch... but I am now...

I think I'm only going to start sounding more mental here as this goes on.
I like to say about that marathon- anyone can run a marathon, but you have to really want to do it. And that took more mental strength than it did physical strength, in the end.

The first 20 lbs has been like a warm-up run. You think it's hard at the time, but you have no idea what lies ahead of you. It's like the "easy breezy" 8miler runs that gets to be cake in the end, but at the beginning, you can't believe you've covered 8 miles. And you hurt. Or- you think you do. You don't really know what pain is yet, but it's good you don't know- or you wouldn't keep showing up to do the work.

It's going to be like that with the weight-loss. Each new level is going to seem hard, until I hit the next one.

I think another comparison can be made... when I started marathon training, I'd have a few drinks early in the week before my run. But as the runs got longer, and longer, and still longer, I cut that out entirely- even if it was one beer on a Monday - because it just wasn't worth the pain when I was gonna feel it on that long run on Saturday. These setbacks are kind of like that. Eventually, I'll remember the "pain" of going thru this week and I'll stop slipping up on crappy food and it will get easier.

At least, that's what I'm telling myself today: it will get easier.

1.30.2008

not giving in

i think this is one of those 1 step forward- 2 steps back things... and no- i'm not talking "opposites attract" old skool paula abdul.

i took a huge step forward last week- and now i'm falling backwards this week. i'm up 2 lbs on my home scale from my bender this weekend. and the sad thing is- that's what my life looked like on a regular basis not too long ago. the good news is that derailing now looks a lot better than what derailing pre-ww looked like.

and i went to the gym last night... but the eating is just barely under control- it's not completely under control this week.

i'm not going to just totally give in- as i have done in the past- but it is an internal battle of the weirdest kind. I'm tired. I need to infuse this habit change process w/ some variety I think. Time to switch it up- somehow...

I've been allowing trigger foods and situations back into my life and clearly I'm not ready for them yet.

1.29.2008

trashing success

i had pinkberry and a delish lean cuisine today- along w/ other assorted "on program" snacks.
you know, i had a lean cuisine for dinner last night that was also delish. i have never been super into the frozen food thing (unless you count some of the frozen bagged stuff from TJ's)... but maybe i should start looking at keeping my freezer stocked. this seems to be a good way to manage points and eat almost real food that's pretty good. i have been putting it onto real plates as well so i don't feel like its in some crappy packaging. which always seems to help. it's my lazy way to stay on track.

i still have 18 points left for today- which is a lot. i will have subway for dinner, after i work-out, and watch the biggest loser. i also need to pick up some more golden spoon to stock in the freezer.

i am still really irritated w/ how boring i feel about all that. but i'll get over it, i think.

cooking for one is kind of a bitch. i mean- i don't want to eat the same things every single day (aside from starbucks and golden spoon) so having leftovers is not really helpful. and making a meal for one person seems like so much effort sometimes.

i'm just still whiney about it all right now b/c i'm mad at myself for derailing this weekend. my home scale says i'm up those 2lbs i lost to hit my 20lb goal. so i have to LOSE those 2 lbs again just to maintain this week.

success... this is not just a weight issue but a common problem in my life in general. once upon a time i was really great at everything i did. and somewhere along the way i started fucking it all up.

i am deserving of this weight-loss success. i am! it just isn't sinking in deep enough to keep me focused every single day. more changes to come.

***

i was recently reminded of the last time i thought i was getting remotely thinner... it was around 03 or 04, when i went to my friend lauren's wedding in vegas at the bellagio. i can remember every single outfit i wore that weekend. and how great i felt about myself. i didn't hate my life. i was really enjoying it. i was working in beverly hills and my job hadn't gotten boring yet and i was dating a few people. i had just extricated myself from a terrible job that had been taking over my life- not to mention my soul.

before that, i think the last time i felt "thin" or on my way to thin was 95-97- my jr and sr yr's of high school when i took phen-fen. and before that, my last significant memory of really working at the weight-loss was around 5th or 6th grade... that's when it started. i'd been a heavy kid... i remember recital dance outfits not fitting right... but before that, if you get back to it. i'd been ok until about 3rd grade...

food as a coping mechanism. i remember D.A.R.E. coming to our classes to warn us against drugs. i started my rebellion around 7th grade.

i think i always knew about myself that if i ever really got into drugs or alcohol that it could be the end of my life. that it would be the end of my life. i think i knew about addiction really early. and i'm not sure why, or how. but i knew that i had inside me, a tendency towards destruction.

i had a fear about those commercials "this is your brain- this is your brain on drugs" - with the eggs in the fying pan. i didn't want to sizzle my brain like the eggs in the pan and the next best choice was extreme- voluminous amounts of sugary treat-like foods.

i used to walk to 7-11 w/ my best friend nikki and i always got a reese's peanut butter cup. i usually got 4-5 items but i remember the reese's.

nikki and i got older and we used to hang out under the seal beach pier, and at the lakewood mall. when we got too cold under the pier- we walked back to taco bell and mcdonald's on pch- she would always only get coffee. i would always get nachos and fries.

i can't begin to think of the dollars i have eaten- and now, with age, drinken away.

nikki's house was a wonderland of junk- and she was always given dessert- b/c she wasn't gaining weight as a kid ... i was gaining it for her.

guys were into her, not me.
she was blonde, and cute, and crazy, and artistic, and super fun.
i was not blonde. but i had the brains, and the money. nikki wasn't not smart, but she did have learning disabilities.

and so that was the trade-off. i was the smart one- and she was the pretty one.

i used to always think as a kid when we went shopping for school clothes, that i was really lucky that my parents could afford to buy the more expensive fat clothes for me. if we found one item that fit me, we bought it in every color they offered. i used to literally, literally think, in a childlike way, that that was the tradeoff. you could be skinny and beautiful- or you could be fat and ugly, but buy your way out of it, maybe. i was always bitter b/c you can always make more money- but you can't change the science of who you are, trapped inside a body you hate.

and clearly you grow up and you learn better.
but some things get hard-wired and you can't kill the neurological pathways that have been burned into your brain over the years.

maybe i've been trashing the smart me, to somehow find the pretty me.

i won't do my laundry. i won't hang up my clothes. i won't buy new ones. i refuse.
i can't find a groove to settle into in my career. and i keep not submitting my mba / grad school apps. i won't retake the gmat. i won't do any of it.

i'm trashing the intelligent person i was- b/c i still think it's a trade-off. that i can't have both.
i'd give anything to be one of the skinny, pretty girls. i really would- you'd be surprised, what i'm willing to give up to have that. and i know it's shallow. and at the same time that i want it- i hate myself a little bit for that fact. and any one of you who is going to comment that beauty is on the inside- you may as well ice your face now before i smack you. that may be the truth. but it is not the society we live in. and maybe that means society is wrong- but i don't fucking care.

but i'm real clear now... i've been trashing my success, and my life in general, in a sad, unconscious pursuit of a "new and improved" me that isn't ever going to exist. at least, not in the way my head has created it.

i am hardwired to believe it is a trade-off.
it's not.

i will get thin. and i will love my life again. but there is a long road ahead. and a large scary space to hang out in while i figure it all out.

1.28.2008

i don't want carrots

i need to bitch. this is so much work. its so much effort. all day. every day. every night. i'm so tired of it right now.

i don't want carrots, i want pizza. and more to the point- i want to be one of the skinny people who can eat pizza and real coca-cola all day long and not gain an ounce. i hate those people. why can't i be blessed w/ that metabolism? :( meh.

i dont want to track everything i eat for the rest of my life. but i really am probably going to have to do it.

you know- normal addicts -to anything- have it easier, in a way. if you smoke- when you quit, you just don't ever have a cigarette. if you go to AA, you just don't ever have a drink. you're not forced into having smaller portions of your drug of choice. you don't have to be tempted by having just one hit, but no more. i know i know- my analogy isn't right b/c a 'real' addiction is serious- but you know- i seriously feel like "one day at time" applies here.

and i hate today.

it's hard b/c i totally went off plan this weekend. i had BJ's pizza, and a crazy delish french dinner, and brie, and wine, and greasy eggs and toast at Denny's, and CPK. I ate out the entire weekend- and I was never home. And it was my old life. And I miss it.

And now I am back to getting back "on plan" and it sucks.
I guess the point is that I am getting back on plan. I'm doing it.

But I miss my old life. And I'm angry that I have to give it up.

1.27.2008

I did it!

I have lost a total of 20.4 pounds as of 9am on Saturday. I lost 2.4lbs this week.

My victory is somewhat being shadowed by the fact that I have eaten like CRAP this weekend ever since. But I still have a whole week to balance that out. Next week I'll be thrilled so long as I don't gain.

I am 8.6lbs away from my 10% goal. The goal I have NEVER been able to attain no matter how many times I've tried weight watchers. The 20lb goal is nothing compared to what losing "10%" will mean to me.

And I think it's about to get harder. See, even though I've lost 20lbs and that's fantastic, I really put those pounds on in the last 6 months to a year. Before that, I was holding steady for some time at around the weight I am now. So my body knows that weight. My body is comfy w/ that weight and is happy to have returned to it. I am going to have to force my body into losing more fat- despite it's will to store it for winter. ;)

Also, I have to assess the fact that I didn't immediately report my victory. Instead, immediately- I turned to food. Those 2.4 that I took off this week to hit 20, were likely put right back on this weekend. Sneaky-Self-Sabotage, my friend. Its only been 2 days. I have plenty of time to regroup from that over this week... but I did some damage in the last 48 hours. WHY? Cocky-ness from success? Inability to cope w/ success? Denial? Pure emotional joy hand-to-mouth action? I'm not really sure what the hold up here is- but I am ready to admit that there is one here.

And again, that is something I'm going to have to change to keep doing this. And doing it well.

It has to be my first priority.

I ..... must..... be ..... my..... first..... priority..... every..... time.

1.25.2008

not natural

The scale is still saying ok things today. That's fantastic. One more day of good eating to get through- and maybe a walk if there's a decent break in the rain to go for it.

I have a hot date of laundry and reading planned for myself tonight. (Man, this healthy business has made me boring - particularly on Friday nights)...

If I lose this week with less exercise, that's not going to be a great reinforcement for next week. But I know it's all cyclical. I am really starting to figure out though that it's more about the food than the exercise right now. Not that I'm not saying the exercise isn't also important. But, I guess I am trying to say this: It is easier for me to add lots of exercise into a week, than it is for me to eat well, for an entire week. So for me, the food remains the focal point of this process.

The exercise is awesome- and a key component to feeling well, and strong, and healthy. But the food is my downfall. And even though I started Weight Watchers again in September, and REALLY started doing it hardcore back in November, that is only a small blip on the radar of my entire life of unhealthy eating. So, I still don't have it under control. It still has to be this huge effort. It is not natural yet. And every DAY or HOUR that I forget that, I don't take the weight off.

repost - reformat

Alright- here is that bottom half of the last post- re-typed, because apparently I can't format, and I can't code. And blogger is pissing me off right now... But alas- here is the full text from the bottom half of below...

I'm not really sure I ever realized its almost exactly 1 mile. That's like day one though. It gets longer. And harder. Right now, I run for 5 minutes and walk for 5 minutes. So unless I plan on doing a 5min. mile- I'm gonna have to start working on running longer.

I hit a running wall at about 7 minutes, but I think I can do 10 minutes solid if I go really slow, and push really hard. So basically, I need to practice ... I've got one more week before that starts. I am excited! Which MUST mean I've clearly forgotten how hard it is :)

But it will make me healthy- and it will make me lose weight- and it will instill
fear inside of me for eating ANYthing "bad" which will be GREAT for my eating habits. I own 8lb and 12lb weights. I sort of breezed thru 10 for a short period of time, last time around. I know to start with my 8's, but since I've been doing 24lift and 24set, I sort of want to start with my 12's. I am positive that's not a great idea for day one.

Also- I need to go shop for some water resistant type sports wear. Bootcamp is d
irty. You sweat and then you roll around on the grass, and then you sweat some more. And then the grass is damp, so you're sweaty, and wet from the grass, and dirty. I've never looked hotter, let me tell you. So I need some sporty attire that is water resistant to help me feel less disgusting in general.

Oh my goodness, I just remembered... the stairs! I have clearly b
locked out all kinds of running drills. They are starting to come back to me. Around this mini-track, and up and down a steep hill, and around cones, ... oh my goodness I totally forgot the reality. But you know, while I was there doing it, it was seriously the fastest hour ... I was never checking my watch. It's a good thing I don't really have a complex about being last-- at least when it comes to physical stuff. I am totally the slowest person there. In a strange way, it’s kind of the best- b/c I'm only ever competing with myself to finish. Oh I am going to have many a story to tell when this starts, I can already feel it.

Anticipation... change... sweat!

1.24.2008

Anticipation... change... sweat!

no running. no kickboxing. i'm totally ok with it.

i hadn't been to the gym since monday... until tonight. i didn't go to a class- just did the precor elliptical for about 30min. and then the 24 weight circuit.

ate some of my weekly flex points today- i have plenty left this week.

again- could be doing better w/ the water and the fruits & veggies.

but my scale at home is being kind this week. i'm not worrying about it.

i'm just eating within my points and doing the best i can and hopefully that will be enough this week.

bootcamp is fast approaching so i really need to start getting more of those runs in if i am to survive that. the "typical" starting run / warm-up of bootcamp is the following... always with a few twists and turns thrown in....


I'm not really sure I ever realized its almost exactly 1 mile. That's like day one though. It gets longer. And harder. Right now, I run for 5 minutes and walk for 5 minutes. So unless I plan on doing a 5min. mile- I'm gonna have to start working on running longer.
I hit a running wall at about 7 minutes, but I think I can do 10 minutes solid if I go really slow, and push really hard.
So basically, I need to practice ... I've got one more week before that starts. I am excited! Which MUST mean I've clearly forgotten how hard it is :)

But it will make me healthy- and it will make me lose weight- and it will instill fear inside of me for eating ANYthing "bad" which will be GREAT for my eating habits.
I own 8lb and 12lb weights. I sort of breezed thru 10 for a short period of time, last time around. I know to start with my 8's, but since I've been doing 24lift and 24set, I sort of want to start with my 12's.
I am positive that's not a great idea for day one.

Also- I need to go shop for some water resistant type sports wear. Bootcamp is dirty. You sweat and then you roll around on the grass, and then you sweat some more. And then the grass is damp, so you're sweaty, and wet from the grass, and dirty.
I've never looked hotter, let me tell you. So I need some sporty attire that is water resistant to help me feel less disgusting in general.

Oh my goodness, I just remembered... the stairs! I have clearly blocked out all kinds of running drills. They are starting to come back to me. Around this mini-track, and up and down a steep hill, and around cones, ... oh my goodness I totally forgot the reality. But you know, while I was there doing it, it was seriously the fastest hour ... I was never checking my watch.
It's a good thing I don't really have a complex about being last-- at least when it comes to physical stuff. I am totally the slowest person there. In a strange way, its kind of the best- b/c I'm only ever competing with myself to finish. Oh I am going to have many a story to tell when this starts, I can already feel it.

Anticipation... change... sweat!


1.22.2008

"In the Fatosphere..."

"In the Fatosphere, Big Is in, Or At Least Accepted" is the title of a New York Times article today by By Roni Caryn Rabin.

If I weren't running out the door, I assure you, you'd have a very long and heated response.
So, it'll have to wait.

But, plain & simple, I don't agree.
It's great to find a level of acceptance with yourself... but that's not the only result of this type of thinking.

Personally, I've had my moments in this phase... but it's a phase, and not a sustainable way to live a true happy life. They say "Loving your Fat Self" is rejecting "Fear, Loathing & Sacrifice" ... I think loving yourself means that. But loving your fat self actually brings more of all 3.

1.21.2008

coming home

I went to 24Lift tonight. That class can seriously kick my ass. Especially b/c I keep going to different instructors- so just when you think you've got their shit down- someone new does something different. Which, I guess is good- so I don't get bored. But oh my god-- it can be painful.

I have 2 points left for the day which I think I am going to fill with a mini bag of popcorn and maybe some defrosted blackberries (my current snack of choice). I also have 5 "activity" points I've earned but I'm not using those.

I had Subway for dinner after my workout which was delicious- and also a new part of the routine.

I vow to try out Turbo Kick Boxing tomorrow-- which I have NEVER done before. I haven't even really watched it. So that'll be an interesting experience. No running yet- I don't think I'm going to get to it until Wednesday. But I think kickboxing will be some fab cardio.

I am actually really excited for my Wednesday workout. I am going to be up in LA so I am going to do my SantaMonica-Venice-Marina run and then go to my old 24hr and use the machines there. No one seemed to offer a class in the afternoon which is when I will be killing time ... so its the perfect excuse to run my old routes. I'm not sure which one I'm doing yet- but I lean towards the Marina loop... or maybe south in the marina out to the bike path. I can't decide yet. But I am excited for it. Who knew?

I'm on a daily reporting kick again... b/c I need it to hold me accountable apparently. I ran some numbers today. And my original estimates to get down to 155 by the end of '08 are somewhat crazy. That was based on a loss of 2.5lbs/wk with no room for error. It is possible to lose that much when you're at high weights like I am now- but there is no way I'll be able to keep that up, realistically. So I still, now, aspire to lose 2.0 lbs/wk. (A little better at falling into reality land- but not by much.) That still gets me to goal by next January, which is ok with me. However, there are significant gaps of time by dropping even into the 1.5 or 1.25 lbs/wk range. 1.5 will put me at summer 09, and 1.25 puts me almost another full year away from my original goal- at December 2009.

So, I know it makes me a little anal for running these #s constantly and playing with the scenarios. What can I say? It's my sickness. And they really are all ok- so long as I hit 155lbs before I hit age 30. That's my big hang-up. But, instead of letting the time slowing get me down... I am using it to stay on track. It makes me realize that any sort of indulgence that could take away .25 or .5 of any given week's loss, just ain't worth it. And it helps me maintain my resolve and determination.

This is most clearly evidenced by eating out, and with alcohol consumption. Two of my faves! I know I cannot eliminate these things entirely because that is totally unrealistic. However, I really need to limit them until I am further along in this journey. I don't do very well with limits in general. That's how I got to be this fat in the first place. So it is a learning process.

I am determined to change this. Committing to this is helping me make the rest of my life more of what I want it to be as well. That is slowly slowly inching towards some sort of shape...
I am not sure Long Beach is where I want to be forever, but I am sure I had to come home to do this.

1.20.2008

cooking for one

So, I have re-evaluated the data. :) Just saying that makes me laugh a little.

In any case, while I wanted to hit my 10% goal before the end of January- and in the back of my mind I thought sometime in February would be ok too- it's a short month...

The reality is, if I lose at the current pace I am on, I won't hit my 10% mark until March 8th.

That is ok. Or at least, that is what I have on repeat in my head in hopes of truly believing it soon.

So to inspire myself, I already picked out my reward class.

It's in the BRAND new Hipcooks WEST location which just opened- with the owner (Monika) herself. And it couldn't be more perfect...

"Cooking For One...
Healthy, cheap, quick and easy (just like you, right? just kidding!) Meals that you can make for just you. Of course, they could also be made for two – you singles can mingle in this class! A barrage of items on the menu!
Butternut squash, apple and ginger soup, my fave pasta in the world, pizzette with caramelized shallots, proscuitto, rosemary and goat cheese, tilapia with salsa verde and puy lentils. Apple galette for the sweet tooth."

It's on a Tuesday night - 3/18 to be exact (from 7-10pm) and I'm registering to commit myself to this goal. Her purchases can be used on other classes if you have to cancel, so I figure I'm in the clear if I don't make my goal and need to adjust the date... but I won't do that. :)

There are about 12-14 open spaces right now and they fill up quickly... if anyone is interested in joining me-- it is a fantastic fun time-- and really delicious food too!

I am now exactly 2 lbs. away from hitting that 20lb total loss. It WILL be gone this week. Running is going to get me there... along with everything else. Also- I forgot to mention that I was actually awarded some "stay and succeed" charm for hitting like a 16 week commitment or something. It was funny to get it on a week that I gained... but it was still beneficial to know that merely hangin in there is just as (if not more) important as the # on the scale.

Does anyone else see that once I had a clear # in my head I haven't been able to hit it? When I was just trying to do my best, without looking at the stats and #s and planning it all out to the last ounce lost, I was doing great. I gotta get back to that mentality... and asap!

swinging... no, not that kind ;)

I am disappointed to report I gained 0.4 of a lb. this week. Clearly, feeling like I was taking a break, meant I actually was. I know this is not a huge set-back, and it was bound to happen at some point. However, I remain irritated.

I am back to the crazy tracking and exercising. I think the main things that went wrong last week were that I ate out quite a bit... I allowed Noah's bagels a couple times (I tend to have an addiction here), ... and I did not run. Also, I didn't eat all my points some days- and despite not running, I was working out pretty hard on Mon,Wed&Fri... so I think maybe I screwed w/ my metabolism. I also ate virtually no fruits & veggies.

So- this week will be better. That 0.4 could have been anything from water weight from salty foods on Thurs/Fri, to lactic acid from doing more free weight work. I hope... :D

So- this week will be better. I am drinking all my water, measuring tablespoons, not eating anything that I don't know exactly how many points are in it... I am not using all my weekly flex points this weekend so I will have them to use accordingly throughout the week. I am planning my food, grocery shopping and preparing.

I'm back to the crazy vigilance ... but it's good. The mini swings of the weightloss pendulum are necessary for me to find the balance point. It's the huge swings that get me into trouble...

1.18.2008

i have not quit

so- thank you to everyone for all the spectacular support! really- it means so much to me. i cannot thank you enough for the kind words and random quotes, and various emails and many many conversations. it is all helping me on my way.

some of you are freaking out that i have quit (ahem, you know who you are) since i haven't posted in a few days. pffftt! puh-lease. i am just not as mental about it this week.

some of you have told me its like a written reality show. cool! i'm glad you're hooked. hehe. it holds me accountable.

here's a quick overview so you know i haven't given up.

the good:
~ i have worked out m-w-f this week at 24hr weight classes (24Lift & 24Set)
these have all been with different instructors and i'm finding out which ones i love, which ones i hate, and which ones i love to hate.
~ i have stayed within my points, and have even stayed well under on a few days
~ i have not let the process control me this week- i am now controlling it
~ i have started the process of trying to get this crazy weight watchers "on-the-go" program onto my treo. once functioning, this will be a GREAT tool for me. i have avoided trying to get this working for awhile b/c i am not tech savvy enough- but i am finally attempting it!

the bad:
~ i haven't tracked everything "religiously" ... meaning, i've got the food down, but i haven't really taken note of how many fruits/veggies, how much water, how much salt, etc. ... which can all affect things.
~ i haven't run, at all (but my weight classes have cardio- tons of it)
~ i ate chinese food on sunday & last night... while i controlled it all- we'll see how the salt affects things
~ i used my weekly extra flex points pretty much all last weekend on alcohol and taco bell, which could be good or bad.

we'll see how well the easing up on the reins has worked on the scale this week. new adjustments to be made accordingly next week!

1.15.2008

Im actually doing pretty well at this

So- everything is both a little harder and a little easier.

Tonight I was at an event that I just did NOT think and anticipate the food that would be there. I was totally caught off guard and not at all prepared to not eat in a room full of delish treats.

Luckily, I'd just eaten. However, I did not have FREE wine, I had pellegrino w/ lime. I did not have chocolate cake. I did not have cheese and crackers, I had one bagel chip. Just one. And trust me, luckily I got distracted or I would have gone back for more of those.

But I maintained and stuck to what I planned to eat for most of the day. I have had a slight problem with this bag of candy of Sour Balls from Disneyland that I found a day or two ago... but even that is not really a problem.

I worked out yesterday and I'm going again tomorrow. There is no question. Even when I am dreading going- I just do it anyway.

I do have some slight fear b/c I am not acting "vigilant" about it all and I worry that I could be screwing it up when I am so close to that 20lb mark. But at the same time, I sort of think I am not supposed to live in that insanity forever- or I won't stick to this. It has to feel easier at some point in order to keep moving forward.

I could be drinking more water and eating more fruits and veggies. That's about it right now. It's good. Because I was getting tired. Now, I somehow feel like I've got a break-- even though I'm not "off" the plan.

1.14.2008

a message to myself

I just re-read some of my favorite quotes I have posted on mySpace. They've been there awhile now. Maybe I should pay attention to myself sometime...

I've needed to hear all of these at one time or another... it was only a matter of time until I was in need of all them converging into one mass media message to myself...

Fave Quotes:

"Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire. You will what you imagine. And at last, you create what you will."
-- George Bernard Shaw

"There comes a time when it's more than just a game. And you either take that step forward, or turn & walk away. I could quit, but here's the thing: I love the playing field."
-- Meredith Grey, Grey's Anatomy

"Forgiveness, is accepting the fact, that the past could have been any different"
-- someone on Oprah, and subsequently, Oprah Winfrey

"What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?"
-- the mugs at coffee bean

1.13.2008

things i don't want to know

I had a new epiphany in the car on the way home from dinner tonight. What if I lose the weight? I mean- really- what if I succeed? Then what?

I won't have a built-in excuse anymore.

If a guy just isn't into me- I won't be able to blame the weight.
If I don't get a job I want- I won't be able to blame the weight.

Whatever it is that I'm going to fuck up in the future- because I will- because I'm human- I will have to face- instead of blame the weight.

There- that's one.

Two is this- what if I succeed? Well- why the hell couldn't I have done this when I was 10 years old? When I first tried Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig BOTH for the 1st time. (Yes, that's right- 10 yrs old people) Well, if I do it now- and can lose all the weight and can succeed, why couldn't I do it then? Who and what have I pushed out of my life or let go of because of the weight? What if I could have gone to my prom? What if I would've gone to a different college? What if I could have pledged a sorority like I wanted most in the world when I was 17 but was shut out of... What if? What if? What if? If I succeed- and prove I can do it- and I didn't do it THEN... How could I have let so many years of happiness pass me by? How could I have let that happen? If I win at this now, how can I live with the fact that I let myself fail at it for 18 years?

***

I am not someone who just needs to lose weight and is finally doing it. I am not that person. I was never someone just going to grow out of their chunky preteen years. That's not me. It's not just some cool journey. It's who I am.

The weight that I carry around with me- good and bad- is a piece- a very very large piece (no pun intended) of who I am. My identity has been shaped around it. Formed, and molded, to fit, very tightly, around it. And if I have to get rid of it- if I really have to do this- I am going to have large gaping holes in the whole game of "Who am I?"

I am: the friend of the hot girl- the one the guys talk to about the girl they want "So what's the deal with your friend?" is standard to hear in my life, constantly.
I am not: ever, the one they are talking about

I am: the faithful listener
I am not: the center of attention

I am: the critical eye to help a friend shopping for an outfit for a hot date
I am not: ever taking friends shopping w/ me when I'm really buying real fat clothes (mostly)

I am: the bridesmaid
I am not: the bride

I am: partying single girl
I am not: the domesticated wife

I am: the helper
I am not: the do-er

I am: the Friend
I am not: the Girlfriend

I am: behind the scenes
I am not: center stage

I am terrified of losing the weight more than I ever knew.
I am not sure how I am going to find a new identity to believe in.

But I know I have to change at least 50% of what I believe about myself, in order to do this. It's getting hard. I have some super success. And, I'm about 10 lbs away from my 1st 10% goal. This is where I usually walk away.

a pattern emerges

I am starting to figure out that the binge eating is triggered by late night rejection. Now, don't think I haven't known that- forever. But I didn't realize it as one of the single biggest problems I have with this whole process of losing weight & becoming healthy.

I did SO well last night out partying. I had plenty of points saved up for drinks and I had chicken tacos a la carte somewhere halfway through! Twas SUCH fun times!



...

But on the late night return home, after another few FULLY expected disappointments w/ various guys, I somehow found myself at the Taco Bell drive through.

Now- I have improved. My order was not huge, but I shouldn't have been there in the first place. I have late night "healthy" munchie food in my freezer for this exact purpose. I did not need the Taco Bell. And I was half aware of this even as I placed the order. But I couldn't stop myself.

I wasn't trying to "sober up" and I wasn't hungry. So, the only explanation I can arrive at is emotional binge eating. If I don't want to be alone, the food will keep me company. It doesn't judge and it is consistent and reliable... things I'm not getting anywhere else...

Constant. This is constantly my life. Believing that years of my life are worth more than this crap shouldn't be hard. But I still don't know how to change it, yet.

1.12.2008

I would burn them

I am down 2lbs. this week. And while I thought last night that that would be failure, I have new perspective on it today. I am sane again. 2lbs is great! I will hit the 20lb. mark next week for sure. I know it. I'm ok with it. It's moving a little more slowly that I would like, but that just means I need to exercise more. And that is ok too. It makes me feel great-- once I am done. It's getting there that is the hard part.

So this week I will continue to stay on track w/ the eating. It's getting easier. And I will exercise my heart out. And I'll feel great- and I will not be a crazy person this week. :-D

I have to put my bridesmaid dress order in on Monday... that will be interesting. Here's the fun thing about being fat and ordering one of these dresses... not only will I be ordering the largest size that they offer, which is additionally expensive by $20-$50 more than regular sizes, but I will probably ALSO be ordering extra fabric- just in case it needs to be let out, and I will be ordering the dress w/ an extra 6inches of length at the bottom- not b/c I'm tall- but b/c the extra width to me will take up that extra length- not vertically. All of these things are separate, extra charges, for the regular ol' fat person.

No one really shares the horror that this truly is. And I know its not just me. B/c I mean- the sizes are offered. So that's just business. No one said- I think we should offer plus sizes b/c that'd be nice of us- they said- we should offer plus sizes and charge more b/c they'll pay it b/c they have to. And I think more than 60% of America is overweight. So I know I'm not alone here. But no one will tell you how truly expensive all clothes are for the fat people you know. And I know you know them. And it is ironic- since clothes shopping is such a demoralizing horrible experience to begin with, for my people at least. Yes, I said "my people" ... yes, we are an entirely separate demographic. We go shopping for shoes and make-up. B/c that's the bottom line for fun for us.

I had dresses made for my bat-mitzvah. And I didn't attend my prom- or a winter formal- ever. Not because I was lame and had no friends. I'm pretty sure most of my friends were mad at me for not going. I didn't go because I couldn't wear anything. I'm pretty sure I wore men's jeans from the gap for most of my youth. Because the plus size market has grown with my age. It didn't exist then. Fun stores like Torrid weren't around. Media didn't cover it as an epidemic yet. It was shameful and horrible and it still is- but ironically I have to be grateful the correct sizes are even offered- now.

I am close to 20lbs down, and I have stuck w/ this solidly for 17 weeks now, going on 18. When I hit a solid size 18, I will be thrilled. And when I hit a size 12, I might cry- b/c the last time I barely fit into that size was when I was taking "phen-fen" during my junior and senior years of high school.

Each time I hit a new size- I'm giving my clothes away. Because I will NEVER wear them again. If I didn't want to see them go to good use for someone else- I would burn them.

1.11.2008

for the record...

For the record...

24SET is NOT the same at 24Lift.

24SET is like a step class on crack. It is step cardio AND weights all rolled into one. It is nuts. I don't think I will be as sore as I was from 24Lift on Monday- but I definitely think it's somehow a harder workout.

I have a serious mental build-up about the scale this week. I will be seriously disappointed if I haven't lost at least 2.5lbs. I've really had a good week and have worked my ass off in the gym, and outside running. 3.6lbs is the goal, 2.5lbs is the satisfaction mark and anything less than 1lb will feel like complete failure-- even though I know it's not.

I am pounding water like its a shotgunned beer. I am tracking every morsel I consume. I literally bitched to my mother about 170 calorie yogurt in her fridge not behing healthy enough. I am a little nuts right now, I know. But the main reason this blog is fantastic for me, personally, is that I can leave most of my neuroses behind, here, and then go on about my day. :)

1.10.2008

"our lives are made, in these small hours"

Apple crisp. ice cream. ice cream sundae. fudge brownie. fudge brownie w/ ice cream.

Pizza, pasta & cheese, oh my.

I survived it all. One more dinner out, down.

It is amazing to me how I really have started to make a dent in the change to my eating habits. I guess meals in a one-on-one sort of scenario I have managed thus far. But I think it really is "group" settings in which I face the most temptation. But I am starting to take a weird satisfaction in NOT eating the crap, instead of stuffing myself with it. I am content to sit and watch everyone eat the junk, knowing that I'm not lost in the food haze anymore. Not that I wish unhealthy food on anyone else, and least not, my friends and family... but I am just so happy that I am not the one eating it that I can't see beyond that for the time being. The difference, is that I show up, and I'm present, at the table. I rarely open menus now, particularly if I know where I'm going in advance. I thought that I was getting onto an auto-pilot track, but that is inaccurate. I was on auto-pilot. Now I am finally present at the meal- to conversation, and to people. I'm not there for the food. And I can't say that was the case before this began.

I left the restaurant not full. Definitely not hungry either. But I'm starting to learn what that feels like- satisfied vs. stuffed. I don't think I've been familiar w/ that difference since I was a kid.

Next, I am waking up to work-out madness. Which reminds me, I should charge my iPod...
I am going to do my hour run/walk (5minutes running, 5minutes walking) and then 24Lift, again (maybe it won't hurt this time). I aspire to do a 20-30min. walk after this, but we'll see how it goes. I'm going to the Cypress gym because well, I'd rather lift weights at 10am than 6am. They have a better schedule for Friday.

But one of these days, I am going to run to my gym- lift- and run home. That is a new goal. I mapped it. It's about 2.5 miles to the gym. So right now, I could get there, but I'd be damn tired on the return. I need to build up some more stamina. When I am doing 4-5 miles solidly for about a week, then I'll try it.

The one thing I haven't been good about this week is water. I haven't been drinking enough. And I had a lot of salt early in the week. I even think I got slightly dehydrated today. I have a suspicion that could affect things on Saturday, but hopefully I'll be able to get my system back on track w/ that in the next day.

Additionally, tonight, after not having even a single bite of all that dessert at CPK, I left the golden spoon in the freezer, and had a cup of defrosted blackberries instead. I'm not sure who that was taking those actions in my kitchen- but I'm glad she's starting to show her face more often.

danger zone

So- I've spent all morning, basically, doing cardio. I went for a walk w/ my Mom, and then for a run down at the beach. I also went to the gym last night. I didn't do the crazy weights class again. I just did the "precore" for about 30min and then the "24" circuit of weight machines. My chest muscles and ab's got totally worked over on Monday and are still recovering basically. I felt it on my run today. I like to think the precore elliptical machine is a good work-out while I'm on it- but then I go run on solid pavement and I have my doubts. Things to ask a trainer...

Anyhow- much as I was all "hardcore" about everything at the start of the week- I may have only held up the exercise end of that deal. I ate at CPK on Tuesday and I think I'm going there again tonight. Tis a challenge- we'll see what the scale thinks of it on Saturday.

I have relaxed a little about the food. It is either one of two options:
a) I have ingrained enough in me so that I can relax a little and just track stuff as I go now
or
b) I am slacking and just don't see it until it hits the scale

I'm not sure which is going on ... but at least I'm aware SOMEthing is going on. Anyhow- my runs are below if you're interested. I hate to admit it but Britney and a little Top Gun soundtrack on repeat might be my preferred workout playlist. hehe!

I am currently starving after such a morning of cardio and am off to figure out lunch :)

The 30min "warm-up" walk w/ my Mom...


My 1hr run/wlk today...

1.09.2008

all of my will- for the small precious few

Life is short.

And while there are many many things I can't prevent, there are a small precious few, that I can. I'm going to become healthy enough to be around when my kids have kids. I am at an age, albeit a fairly early age, where I am starting to realize how short time is, and how quickly it all goes by. Your life can change in an instant. In the blink of an eye. And you can't ever get back what you held so dear. It's never the same.

I am grateful for every-thing, every-one, and every good and bad thing in my life right now. Because it makes me who I am. And I really wouldn't change that for anything.

And while I am feeling a lot of stress and various emotions that I really really want to use food to cope with... I will not. I refuse. It will not happen. I am sore from Monday's workout and I did not run yesterday as planned. That's ok. I'm still going to the gym tonight. Even though I want to slack. I will not.

oh and ps- The Biggest Loser was ALL kinds of screwed up last night. The Blue Team should have gotten a phone card and the Brown team shouldn't have gone home!

1.07.2008

so. tired.

...I didn't go to 24SET...


I went to 24Lift instead! I had the name wrong. :)

But I went!

It was hard- it kicked my ass- I loved it and I'm going back (to the actual 24SET this time) on Wednesday.

My plan...
Weights: (1hr) Mon-Wed-Fri
Running: (1hr MINIMUM) Tues-Thurs-Fri
I'm going to treat Friday like a 'Last Chance' work-out day. (ala Biggest Loser style)

I will be sore tomorrow. But I am glad I went.

do more

I am going to "24SET" tonight. Its a combo aerobic and strength class. Hopefully the knee won't be too much of an issue. It's not actually "hurt" ... just a huge scrape that is producing a nasty scab so my knee is anti-bending right now... but not really injured. Isn't that a lovely visual? It could be worse- I might take pictures.

Anyhow, I'm posting this b/c I feel flakey about going, even tho its only hours away. So I hope to report tomorrow, that I actually went. :-) This is the whole public accountability I speak of, in action.

In other workout news, I am going back to Bootcamp... starting Feb 4th...
It is one of the best workouts I've ever gotten. It's like personal training but there is a group- so you don't feel like you have someone hovering over you- even though they will in fact kick your ass into shape. I love it and miss it and even though I am not going to be thrilled to do the drive 3x/wk, I figure its an excuse to see people too while I'm up there.
I used to be at 12lb free weights, but I'm definitely going back to my 8's. Day one will SUCK... but it will get better.
I am hoping this will in fact increase the speed at which I start losing by increasing my metabolism... slowly, but surely.

Because I realize 1lb/wk isn't going to get me where I want to be. I'm not knocking it. I'm happy it's in the right direction. But I realize that if I want to attain my goals, which involve a minimum of 2.5lbs/wk, then I'm going to have to do more- and work harder. All, while avoiding a burnout swing in the wrong direction.

1.06.2008

hardcore

This week I want to lose 3.6lbs. It is a hefty goal considering I've been on the 1-2lb/wk track. It will be ok if I don't hit it... but if I do-- oh if I do-- I will have lost a total of 20lbs since beginning this journey! And I want it- bad. And soon!

I am going to hit the exercise hardcore this week. I'm not setting foot in a bar. And I'm not setting foot in a restaurant- unless I know their menu like the back of my hand.

I figure if someone on Biggest Loser can lose 20 or 30 lbs in a WEEK by spending hours at the gym-- then I can do the same this week. Just one week. I'm not gonna go crazy forever... but I can devote one week to near-perfect plan-following to work it out.

And- the mere fact that I am saying "near-perfect" ... instead of requiring full perfection of myself- is actually a significant improvement in my terms of measurement.

1.05.2008

down 1 lb.

I am down exactly 1 pound this week. I was very nervous about this weigh-in. I really thought I might gain b/c of bar food this week. But apparently I did enough exercise to combat. I am thrilled. But, I'm not as thrilled as I should be. I feel sort of mopey about it. I dunno...

I have all these lofty goals- and what I am doing is working- but I want it to go faster- and I want it not to be so hard. I am sure you can tell, if you are reading faithfully, that I post to this blog often enough. It is because I am constantly thinking about what I am eating- when I am exercising- who I am seeing and where and how that will affect what I eat. It is so much mental energy to keep doing well at this.

I am getting better at it. This past past week I went both to Tony P's AND to Sharkeez-- old faves. And I survived. But it was hard. Which, I think, means I'm not quite ready to put myself in those places just yet.

I'd rather see a bigger loss on the scale than have the luxury of spending a few hours in those places. There is always a trade-off, and a choice to be made.

1.04.2008

"unadulterated loathing"

"Loathing- unadulterated loathing" ...

Have you heard the Wicked soundtrack?? Apparently this is my new almost-end-of-run musical accompaniment. Loathing is the perfect happy music on the perfect pace. I just freaking luv it! It is a little pick-me-up. While the lyrics are super sarcastic- the music is super happy- and it is the perfect blend to start that jog again when you are starting to slow on the walk pace.

"What is this feeling?
Fervid as a flame-
does it have a name?
Yes!...

Loathing!
Unadulterated loathing…

Let’s just say – I loathe it all!

Ev’ry little trait, however small
Makes my very flesh begin to crawl
With simple utter loathing
There’s a strange exhilaration
In such total detestation

It’s so pure - so strong!

Though I do admit it came on fast
Still I do believe that it can last
And I will be loathing
Loathing you my whole life long!

These things are sent to try us!..."

So, I went running(/walking) for an hour this a.m. -- in the grey dreary weather. But it was freakin fantastic! (see route below) I am about to deal w/ my free weights next.

I had a lovely breakfast before that of a cup of blackberries and an english muffic w/ my faux peanut butter.

After my run, I had a nonfat latte from Peet's and then went into Diane's Bathing Suit shop for some further inspiration. Everything they have in there is SO cute. I can't wait to wear it. My goal is a size 12 at this point. The salesgirl seems to love when I told her I was "shopping for inspiration" ... I didn't even want to walk in... but it wasn't as bad as I thought.

I may not lose tomorrow... but I had a great week even though I struggled w/ both keeping the eating under control (in my fave bar establishments), and with motivating to exercise.

I feel fantastic. I am doing everything for me at this moment and that is precisely what I need to be doing.

1.03.2008

motivation

Cant'. Seem. To. Motivate.

I have my eating back under control... but I don't want to go outside- it's yucky out there.

Plus, I have not mentioned here yet, but I busted my knee on one of my runs- it is really starting to aggravate me. It's the perfect excuse not to run...

This too shall pass.

1.02.2008

This Year... 2008

My 2008... plan... so far...
Athletic events ... weddings... and misc. events/achievements that I look forward to dropping the pounds for!

Jan:
(1st 10% lost)
~ Go do an annual physical

Feb:
02.14: Valentine's Day
02.16: Dusty & Christi's Wedding Reception
02.23: Los Al 'Race on the Base' 5k (compare my time now to '06)

Mar:
03.01: (wknd of) Texas Trip!
??.??: Amy's Bachelorette Wine-Tasting/Spa Trip (Ojai)

Apr:
(2nd 10% lost)
~ Bridesmaid dress arrives

May:
05.09: 'Last Chance' bridesmaid dress fitting
05.25: Amy & Will's Wedding
~ LB Half Marathon Official Training Begins

Jun:
(3rd 10% lost)
~ Bathing Suit Season Begins

Jul:

Aug:
(4th 10% lost- leaving the 200's behind & breaking into the 100's)
~ Shopping for "B-day Outfit"
08.30: USC Football Season Begins

Sep:
09.01: 29th Birthday
09.13: (?) Nike Run Hit Remix 5miler or 5k
09.21: (wknd of) Erick & Lori's Wedding (Central Coast Trip)

Oct:
(5th 10% lost)
10.12: Long Beach Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
10.31: Halloween- actually being able to wear a costume!

Nov:
11.01: USC Homecoming (Return to campus in my dream tiny Trojan attire)
11.15: My Weight Watchers "Re-Commitment" One-Year Anniversary

Dec:
(6th 10% lost & GOAL)
12.06: (or 12.13) Venice/Santa Monica Xmas Fun Run 5k- compare my time w/ '07!
12.31: Go HUGE for New Year's!!! In a tiny, sparkly, little black dress!

Jan 09:
~ There are still quite a few weeks of WW "Maintenance" I gotta get thru before I become a "Lifetime" member
~ Annual Physical (compare stats)
~ Contiki Winter Wanderer Tour (= reward)
~ Have all old bridesmaid dresses altered into fun, re-wearable, hot, little dresses for me! (and somehow shadow box all the old, cut, scrap, material so I never forget)
~ Shop all the sales for a new wardrobe!

1.01.2008

Team Jillian

I'm so tired... and a little "day-drinking" Sharkeez hung over... but so worth it- Fight On Trojans.

(Michelle & I showing off our SC face tattoos- yes, I apparently thought I was still 19.)

So, right now, I want to go for an extra walk/run right now but I just can't motivate to get out the door. I went this morning, and last night ... but I'm dragging on going again...Tomorrow...

Today, I ate a bunch of crap. (Which is why I made sure to get 1 run in this a.m.)
It wasn't really the alcohol that was a problem today-- which is what I thought it would be...
The bar food mounted up quickly on me.
All I can do is make time for extra workouts. But I had so much fun today- it was worth it! I'm ok with it. Well- I may not feel that way after weigh-in on Saturday- but today- I feel it was worth it.

And I figure, really, as long as I work-in the extra work-outs- I think it will be ok. I will have to push myself physically. I pulled my free weights out yesterday. I'm adding another layer... hopefully it'll do the trick.

AND-- most exciting- a new season of The Biggest Loser is premiering as I type! I'm so happy- and I can't wait for more "Team Jillian" inspiration!!!

Hmm- I wonder if I can make a shirt that says that...