There's Always Time! ~ Daily Log 1/30

I woke up late this morning, but I still forced myself to rush to my morning class. By the time I got home afterwards, I was still half-asleep. I laid down on my bed for a few minutes, savoring the feel of my comfortable bed. I only had 2.5 hours until I had to be at class again... should I nap? Or should I suck it up and go workout?

I'm happy to say that I forced myself to get back up out of bed and work out :) The saying in the above picture was stuck in my head. And not only that, but I feel SO much better! If I had stayed in bed, I would have regretted it all day.  Especially considering I'm probably going to have a couple drinks tonight at the concert.

So my lesson for the day... THERE IS ALWAYS TIME. Normally, I would think 2.5 hours isn't enough because there's about an hour to work out, then you have to shower, dry your hair, put on makeup, eat, etc... But I did it! I'm beginning to teach myself that I don't have to look like a million bucks everywhere I go.   I ended up coming to class with my hair still wet, just simple makeup done.  And no one cares! I'd rather look so-so all day and have done something good for my body, then look like a princess and never achieve my goals.

Breakfast

• Pomegranate Chobani Greek Yogurt

Workout

• 1 min run, 2 min walk (7x)
• 6 mph & 4mph, respectively
• 80 Jumping Jacks
• 50 Vertical Leg Crunches
• 20 Sit-ups
• 15 Tricep Dips
• 20 Squats
• 10 Side Lunges (each leg)
• 15 Wall Push-Ups
• 40 Russian Twists

Post-Workout

• Hashbrowns
• 1 Fried Egg
• 1/2 Avocado 
• Sour Cream

Snacks

• String Cheese
• Blood Orange

Stoked on Life ~ Daily Log 1/29

So today I woke up in an incredibly chipper mood. I didn't wake up on time to go work out before work, but I was able to listen to some music and really just enjoy the simplicity of life :) I came to work practically cracked out on happiness, and I think it rubbed off on everybody.  Towards the end of the day, I had to go downtown to drop some things off and, in consequence, was able to see one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. Life is awesome, and if you think positively, everything just seems all the better! On top of that, I realized I have something fun going on for 4 days this week - a concert tomorrow, show on Thursday, Show on Saturday, and Super Bowl on Sunday! YAY!

Although I didn't get to work out today, I ate REALLY well in compensation. Plus I'm still sore from my awesome workout yesterday :)

Breakfast

• Sauteed Veggies over an English Muffin with 1 Fried Egg

Lunch

• Voskos Strawberry Yogurt with Granola
• Orange

Snack

• Apple

Dinner

• Mason Jar Salad with Chicken, Cucumber, Tomato, Avocado, Corn, & Sprouts with Lite Italian Dressing

"What Went Well" Exercise

• I made a conscious effort to be happy, which resulted in giddiness and appreciating every moment - like when Pandora started playing all of my favorite songs!
• Why did this happen? My book, "Flourish," really helped me start to look at the bright side of things and be grateful for what I have. I think that this exercise has also helped me appreciate life more, and it just makes me a much happier person as a result! 
• I got to see an absolutely gorgeous sunset and get paid to do it.
• Why did this happen? My boss needed a ride downtown for work, and I gladly offered to help out. I had to park in a parking garage, and just waited on the top admiring the beautiful sunset. Its the little things :)
• I decided to make the leap and got tickets for a concert tomorrow!
• Why did this happen? I've known about this concert for a few weeks now, but I just didn't think it was going to happen because I thought it'd be either too expensive, or my friends wouldn't be interested.  I was reminded today of it because the artist is on Instagram. Apparently all his other shows had sold out, so I decided to hell with it, I'd ask my friends. Three of them are coming with! It could not have worked out more perfectly!

Mindfulness ~ Daily Log 1/28

Today I decided to appreciate every moment :) And I ended up much happier at the end of the day because of it! Although I woke up an hour too late to get ready for class, I thought screw it, who needs makeup? I rushed to class anyways.  When I got home, I was still tired, but I got two major important things done and rewarded myself with a nap.  I then had another class, but got out early and decided to make the most of that free time. I explored my campus a bit more, something I never have done, and found the way to the rooftop to look out at the view.  We have so many moments in life to capture... so why don't we?

I hope to really take advantage of my 'moments' from here on and be more mindful of my life, and learn to appreciate what I have.

Breakfast

• Apple
• Mango Chobani Greek Yogurt

Lunch

• Fiesta Salad with Avocado, Sour Cream, Egg, Black Bean Salsa, Sprouts, etc.

Workout

• Maximize Your Assets Fitness Class
• This class is amazing! I left with my legs feeling all wobbly. There were a few points where I felt like I was about to give up, but I pushed through and felt all the better for it :) Left this class with endorphins pumping!

Post-Workout Meal

• Tofu Tostada

At the end of the day, I decided that I had worked hard and been in somewhat isolation for a few days, so why not go see a movie? Went out for 2 drinks and a couple chicken wings with one of my best friends and saw a great movie :) Today was a wonderful day, and I look forward to the awesome days ahead!

"What Went Well" Exercise
1.  I got to explore my campus and find beauty in simplicity.

• Why did this happen? After reading my Positive Psychology book, I decided I wanted to live my life more mindfully.  When I got out of class early, I decided to walk around and see what I could find.  Not only did I get a minor workout climbing some stairs, but I felt self-fulfillment in simple discovery and found a wonderful view. 

2.  I got to talk to my dad for the first time in months.

• Why did this happen? After my workout, I felt amazing.  Everything was going right for me, and I had been meaning to call my dad for awhile. I finally decided to do it :) Why not?

3.  I had an AMAZING workout where I pushed myself hard.

• Why did this happen? It is one of my favorite fitness classes, and I visualized my goal. Not only that, but the instructor had some amazingly motivational music on!

BONUS! I got to hang with one of my best friends :)

A "Me" Day ~ Daily Log 1/27

I absolutely love this Fitspiration.  I think it fits the name of this blog well :) No more dieting, just plain old good healthy living!

Today is a very chill day... I'm still On Call, but I haven't gotten too many calls so far.  I'm not nearly as productive as I was yesterday, but you know what? That's okay.  I made 2 new recipes, and they both turned out fabulous (minus the fact I almost burned the house down on one of them... oops)! I got some more reading done, I cleaned the kitchen a bit, and tended to my garden (I highly recommend starting a garden! Not only do you get fresh ingredients for your recipes, but its calming and rewarding :D ).

Breakfast: Ranchero Breakfast Tostada (see recipe here)

(Photo courtesy of http://www.cookingchanneltv.com)

• Boy, was this delicious!And it only took about 15-20 minutes to make.  I only made one for myself with 1 egg, and I would definitely make this again :) I think the protein from both the egg and the black beans kept me full for hours!
• Safety Note - when baking the tortillas (I used flour), be sure not to use too much Olive Oil! Some of my oil dripped off while baking, causing a LOT of smoke to pour out from my kitchen.

Pre-Workout Meal

• Chicken Tacos with Black Bean Salsa!
• With the leftover black beans from earlier, I decided to make a Black Bean Salsa inspired by a local Mexican restaurant here. I don't normally like black beans all that much, but I fell in love with this salsa.
• Black Beans
• Tomatoes
• Red Onion
• Green Onion (white & green parts)
• Cilantro
• Lemon & Lime Juice
• Garlic Salt
• I cooked the chicken in a pan with a little bit of olive oil, tapatio, cumin, and chicken broth.
• To the tacos, I added a little sour cream and avocado :)

Workout

• 1 min run, 2 min walk (7x)
• 5.7 mph run, 3.7 mph walk
• 15 min Elliptical (resistance 5)
• 150 Jumping Jacks
• 50 Crunches
• 20 Tricep Dips
• 15 Squats
• 20 Lunges (each leg)
• 70 Russian Twists
• 20 Standing Calf Raises
• 5 Push-Ups
• 30 Second Plank
• 10 Lunge Split Jumps

Post-Workout Meal

(Photo and Recipe courtesy of Daring Gourmet)

• Creamy Mushroom and Tofu Stroganoff
• The sauce was very tasty, but I think in the future I'd make it with chicken!

Water Intake

• ~9 cups

"What Went Well" Daily Exercise

• I got to make 3 new recipes, 2 of which I absolutely loved and will make again!
• Why did this happen? I'm a Pinterest addict and I love to cook; I always try to find new ways to spice up my healthy meals!
• I worked out, and even added 15 min of elliptical to my normal routine to vamp it up.
• Why did this happen? I thought to myself, "Self - Why not push yourself a little harder today?" And so I did! And I feel great about it :) It was a small step in the right direction.
• I got stuff done, including dishes and laundry. 
• Why did this happen? I could've let it go for a few more days, but hell, living in a clean house with everything in order makes me feel a lot better about everything!

Flourish ~ Daily Log 1/26

Today has been a crazy productive day.  I'm On Call for one of my jobs all weekend, which requires me to stay nearby and at home.  Since I've been a bit behind on schoolwork, I decided that I'd spend all day catching up.  And that's exactly what I did. Since about 10:30am this morning (it is now 10:30pm), I have been doing all of my reading and assignments for my classes (of course, with intermittent breaks for food, calls, small breaks, etc.).  For the last couple of hours, I have been doing the reading for my Positive Psychology class.  I was really close to dropping this class about a week ago (my teacher is horrible), but I decided to stick through it for the content.

And I'm so glad I did.

Along with the textbook, we are assigned to read the book "Flourish" by the founder of the Positive Psychology movement, Martin Seligman.  I'm only a few chapters in, but despite being isolated in my house all day I feel a major sense of contentment.  I really look forward to reading on and utilizing all of the tools that it provides.

One of the first exercises it recommends is called the "Three Blessings" exercise. Basically, every night you put aside 10 minutes of your time to reflect on what went well during your day. You identify three things, and then you answer for each of them "Why did this happen?"  This is a very simple exercise, perhaps some may even say its silly, but I've decided that one of my 'small steps' that I'm going to take on my journey to bettering myself is incorporating this exercise into my daily routine. Why not? Research shows that "The odds are that you will be less depressed, happier,and addicted to this exercise six months from now."

Here goes.

My Three Blessings or "What Went Well"
1. I was able to finish a lot of my reading, which I have been putting off.

• Why did this happen? I made a conscious decision to set aside the entire day, knowing that getting my reading done will make my life easier as midterms come around.  Since I'm On Call, stuck at home, and unable to work my other job, it was the perfect opportunity to get it done.

2. I didn't have too many calls for my job, and the calls that I did get were very minor.

• Why did this happen? I guess everyone else is having a good day as well, and didn't need to contact me for an emergency :)

3. I made a delicious new meal for dinner.

• Why did this happen? I'm a bit of a Pinterest addict, and have lately been trying to find healthy recipes since I love to cook.  I find cooking to be a very fun hobby, especially when I get to try new things.  I happened to have Tofu at home, and found a great recipe that used an ingredient I never have before - Kale.  It turned out great, and it was less than 250 calories!

Well that was fun! In other news, I didn't really keep track of my food intake today because I was so focused on reading.  I definitely didn't go over my calorie limit though; if anything, I was below.  My main meal of the day was the recipe I described above, so since this is technically a log, here goes:

Thai Black Pepper and Garlic Tofu (find the recipe here)

• I changed a couple of items to suit the ingredients I already had in the house. I baked the Tofu in a Garlic Pepper sauce for 30 minutes, meanwhile sauteing Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Kale, Bean Sprouts, and Mushrooms in another delicious and spicy sauce. This turned out way better than expected, and I'd highly recommend it! I'm not a Vegan or Vegetarian by any means, I just love trying new things :) 

Recovering from the Night Before ~ Daily Log 1/25

So as I said, I had an amazing time last night.  But nothing comes for free... I was so hungover today. But I pulled through it! Friday is generally an easy day, I just went to a lab and a meeting, but god I felt miserable! Luckily, I still dragged myself to a fitness class called "Complete Core" which is one that I had never tried before.

Oh. My. God.

She had us start out with 3 sets of high intensity cardio moves that took approximately 15 minutes to complete... I barely finished those, I was already drenched in sweat.  Then she had us get down on our mats and I thought to myself "Thank heavens, I can deal with crunches." Wrong again. She had us do a bunch of modified versions of sit-ups, crunches, and planks along with a bunch of moves I had never even seen before.  By midway through the class, I thought I was gonna barf.  I pushed through it though, and by the time I was out I was drenched in sweat, tired as hell, and didn't even want to get on my bike and ride home. In fact, when I got home, I passed out on the couch. Hopefully that hard work paid off!

Breakfast

• 1/2 of a Lean Pocket
• Hey, don't judge me... I was hungover and could barely get out of bed.
• Apple

Snack

• Orange

Pre-Workout Meal

• Hashbrowns and an Over-Easy Egg with Sour Cream and Tapatio

Workout

• Complete Core Fitness Class

Post-Workout Meal

• Broiled Swai Fish with Lemon, Parsley, Thyme, and Garlic
• Rice and Sauteed Vegetables

Water Intake

• 9 cups, give or take

Day of the Gala ~ Daily Log 1/24

Today was a laid back yet productive day.  I spent a few hours in the office, wrote a paper, did some of my assigned reading, went to class, and worked out.  I already feel like I haven't been doing so well (since I didn't work out while I was out of town).  No matter what, though, I have to remind myself that the number on the scale does not define who I am, and as long as I keep focused on my goal, I have nothing to worry about.

Breakfast

• Oatmeal with Cinnamon

Snack

• Apple

Pre-Workout Meal

• Avocado and Goat Cheese on Toast (see recipe here)
• I used 1 Avocado, about 1 oz of Goat Cheese, and a Whole Wheat Pita instead of Bread

Workout

• 8 min on Stair Stepper
• 1 min run, 2 min walk (5x)
• 90 Jumping Jacks
• 20 Tricep Dips
• 10 Sit-Ups
• 30 Second Plank (4x)
• 40 Crunches
• 10 Oblique Crunches (each side)
• 20 Standing Calf Raises

Post-Workout Meal

• Small Portion of Shrimp Risotto

My Night

• I had a few vodka drinks and a beer, but it was all for a good cause - A Gala :) Had a wonderful time, I don't feel guilty at all!

I Promise I haven't Deserted this Blog Yet :) ~ Daily Log 1/23

I've been bad about posting for a few days now, but I have kept up my diet for the most part! I went out of town on Sunday and Monday for a short wine trip and, consequently, did not work out on either day, so that was unfortunate... but, unlike other times, I consciously kept track of what I was eating. The bad part was all that wine x)

I'm still struggling to catch up with my schoolwork since the GRE, but I know I'll figure it out.  Today has been a very busy day, but I managed to get a workout in! YAY ME! :) On top of that, I biked to school twice out of the three times I had to be there, so that was an extra little workout!

Breakfast

• Raisin & Spice Oatmeal with Fat Free Milk

Pre-Workout Meal

• Smoothie with Frozen Strawberries, 1/2 Banana, Pineapple Tidbits (with a little of the juice), and Plain Greek Yogurt

Workout

• I took a Step Class today! It ran for about 45 minutes, and was a great workout.  We also added on some strength training with resistance bands.

Post-Workout Meal

• Unfortunately, I had less than an hour to shower and get to my next class after working out, so I just grabbed a Chicken Lean Pocket

Snack

• Voskos Strawberry Greek Yogurt with Granola

Dinner

• Pesto Fish with a little bit of Goat Cheese, Sauteed Brussel Sprouts, and 2/3 cup Rice

Back in the Groove ~ Daily Log 1/17

Today was a long day... felt like I barely had a moment to myself! But, I did get my work out in :) And it feels AWESOME! Never give up.

Breakfast

• Hash browns with 1 Fried Egg and Sour Cream
• 1/2 Avocado

Snack

• Raspberry Greek Yogurt

Workout (link here)

• 1 min run, 2 min walk (7x)
• I did 4 mph for walk, 5.7 mph for run / jog
• 150 Jumping Jacks
• 50 Crunches
• 20 Tricep Dips
• 15 Squats
• 70 Russian Twists
• 20 Standing Calf Raises
• 5 Push-ups
• I did kneeling. I'm still weak!
• 30 Second Plank
• I did 3 sets :)
• 10 Lunge Split Jumps

Post-Workout

• Stir-fried Veggies with a little Pasta (sauteed in sriracha and garlic)

Dinner

• Spicy Salad (Yum Tapatio!) with Chicken, Avocado, Sour Cream, Tomato, Sprouts, Zucchini, Mushrooms, and Onion!

Water Intake

• Made it to 10 cups today :)

2 Days of ADKLFSJ ~ Weekly Checkin

So, two days ago I took the GRE, and it took a lot out of me.  I had to drive for a couple hours to a new city without a phone, take a 4.5 hour test, and then drive back (in the dark).  I had planned on working out when I got back home, but my head was throbbing and I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I had gone 8 straight days working out, and it hurt to break that record.  But sometimes, you just have to realize that you can't be on top of it all the time, and you can't let one bad day bring you down for the rest of the week.

Furthermore, in the days leading up to the GRE, my house became a MESS. I was so focused on studying, working out, going to school, and prepping healthy meals that I didn't have any time or energy to clean up after myself.  For me, a messy house just brings me down and clutters my head.  Yesterday was an extremely busy day because I had to catch up on schoolwork and also be around at home for my phone to arrive by mail.  When I was finally home at 7:30pm, I decided it was more important for me to clean up my house than work out.  I don't know if it was the right decision, but I had a great night last night.  With the help of some indie rock music, How I Met Your Mother, and some delicious wine, my house is now back in beautiful shape and I feel a lot better about everything.

Today, I am ready to begin again fresh.

I have made Thursdays my check-in day. So, here goes.  When I woke up this morning, I was contemplating not weighing myself since I hadn't worked out the last 2 days, and I didn't want to be disappointed.  I sucked it up (no pun intended) and stepped on the scale... and couldn't believe my eyes.

In one week I lost 4 pounds!!!

I guess the exercise and healthy eating really helped out :) And its keeping me motivated!

The Workout Plan

The past few days, I've been describing my workouts. Here is the source :) I am a self-proclaimed Pinterest addict, and luckily found this amongst the hoards of information.I like that the cardio increases every week in intensity (especially considering I hate running), and also that every day holds a different combination of strength exercises. As with anything you find on the internet, I was a bit skeptical about its effectiveness.  However, after 4 days of doing this (I started from Thursday and just completed Sunday), I can attest to its effectiveness.  After the first day, my abs and thighs were sore - a feat that only a trainer and a challenging class could do previously.

I'm hoping to start doing some fitness classes at the University this week, but I figure on the days I can't make it this is a more than satisfactory substitute.  Rather than hopping on the elliptical for an hour, I actually feel like I get something accomplished through these exercises.

7 Days Strong ~ Daily Log 1/13

I'm not going to lie... today was a pretty shitty day. I woke up with not only a hangover, but a broken phone.  I went to Verizon to try and get it fixed, only to wait 30 minutes for them simply to give me a phone number to call and the happy news that I have to pay $100 for the refurbished one, even though I have insurance.

I also worked for 7 hours today, but I luckily have some great colleagues that helped to cheer me up. When I got home, the last thing I wanted to do was workout. However, I knew the disappointment I would feel in myself would outweigh the effort it takes to actually go to the gym.

So, I went. Officially 7 days strong! It was really difficult (I was still slightly hungover), and I didn't go as hard as I had the last two days, but I did it. And that's all that matters :)

Breakfast

• Chicken Sandwich with Artichokes and Mozzarella

Snack

• Greek Yogurt with Granola
• Apple

Pre-Workout Snack

• Avocado

Workout

• 1 min run, 2 min walk (7x)
• Today, I only did 3.5 mph walking and 5.7 mph running because I was exhausted.
• 45 Jumping Jacks
• 15 Squats
• 5 Jump Squats
• 50 Russian Twists 
• I did 100
• 30 Second Plank
• I did 60
• 10 Standing Calf Raises
• 5 Kneeling Push-Ups
• I did 10
• 30 Second Superman
• 10 Lunges (Each Leg)
• 40 Crunches

Dinner

• Subway

Pushing Myself on a Saturday ~ Daily Log 1/12

An important thing to know about me is that I am a full-time college student and I also work 2 part-time jobs.  I started working both jobs last summer, and ever since I have lacked the motivation to work out - especially on the weekends.  After working my ass off all week studying and putting in hours, the last thing I wanted to do on the weekends was jump into some work-out clothes and go for a run. In fact, I kind of hate running (I'm working on it).  In fact, most weekends I would work 6-8 hours on Friday, Saturday, & Sunday.

My routine used to be... 

• sleep in
• get ready
• go to work
• party.  

I'm slowly trying to change it to...

• wake up at a decent hour and have a good breakfast
• work out
• get ready
• go to work
• party.

I'll let you know how that goes :P

I'm also trying to eat healthier when I go to work by making food and bringing it with me, such as salads and sandwiches.  Luckily, however, today is one of those rare Saturdays that I don't have to work at all.  I have the GRE coming up on Tuesday, so all morning I took some practice tests and studied.  I then worked out, studied some more, and then went and had some drinks with friends.  

When I woke up this morning, my thighs were very sore from yesterday's workout (hoorah! its working!). Like... every time I sit down I wince type sore.  After moving around a bit, I realized that my abs were also a bit sore :) Today's workout will be a complete challenge in consequence, but it'll be worth it!

Breakfast

• Udon Noodles with Tofu, Red Curry, and loads of Veggies (sprouts, spinach, mushrooms, zucchini).
• 1/2 Avocado

Pre-Workout

• Apple & Cinnamon Oatmeal with 1/2 Banana
• 1/2 Avocado

Workout

• 1 min run, 2 min walk (7x)
• today I went back & forth between 3.7 and 4.0 for walking and 5.7 and 6.0 for running because I was exhausted
• 50 Jumping Jacks
• 20 Squats
• Beginner's tip - sometimes I do this near a wall so that when I try to go down further, I don't have to worry about falling backwards
• 100 Russian Twists
• 5 Kneeling Push-ups
• 1 Minute Downward Dog
• 15 Jack-knife Sit-ups
• I still have a major issue with these.
• 10 Lunges (each leg)
• Need to improve balance.
• 10 Side Lunges (each side)
• 20 Bird-dogs
• I felt like an idiot. These were a lot harder than they looked, and I kept falling. Instead, I did 4 sets of 30 sec planks.
• 20 Inner Thigh Lifts (each leg)

Post-Workout

• Lemon & Dill Chicken with Rice and Steamed Vegetables

Snack

• Naval Orange

Dinner

• Smoothie with Frozen Strawberries, 1/2 Banana, Orange Juice, Greek Yogurt, & Pineapple Tidbits

Water

• 10 cups and counting!

~Drinks~

Sassy Water

So I used to hate water. Absolutely detest it.  I swore I would never be one of those people who drank 8 cups of water a day, it seemed like an impossible feat. I hated the test... or lack thereof. It killed me.

Then, one day a friend of mine was telling me about "Sassy Water."  I'm not quite sure where it originated, but my friend told me that after drinking 8 cups of that a day, she lost about 10 pounds in a month from 'water weight.' I don't know how true it is, but what got me was the taste. It is VERY refreshing, and even I, a proclaimed water-hater, was able to get in at least a few cups a day.  A few cups grew to 8 cups within a few weeks, and before I knew it I was preparing the Sassy Water every night for the next day and had a fancy new water bottle to keep me in track of my intake.

This was 2-3 years ago, and I've been drinking around 8 cups of water a day ever since.  I always carry a water bottle with me wherever I go, and I feel much healthier now that I've made the switch. I don't really drink soda (unless I'm out drinking) or juice (unless I put it in a smoothie), and I never really crave either.  I know my mother is currently trying to make the switch (she used to drink around 4-6 cups of soda a day, maybe more) and she is having cravings, but last I heard they were slowly going away! Its worth it, I promise!

I realized when looking up the recipe online that I apparently haven't been following it 100%. I use about 5-6 slices of cucumber, 1 sliced lemon, some grated ginger, and 2 sprigs of my mint that I grow myself.  I prepare it the night before and let it steep overnight.  I love the taste as is, so its probably a personal preference type thing, but its worth experimenting :)

~ Sassy Water ~

• 8.5 cups water
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 1 medium cucumber, sliced thin
• 1 medium lemon, sliced thin
• 12 spearmint leaves

Now, I think its worth mentioning that I think how you go about drinking the water is very important.  If I didn't carry my water bottle around with me everywhere, I don't think I'd ever be able to get in the 9 cups a day that I do.  You need to find a water bottle that a) you like, b) is easy to travel with, & c) that has measurements.  I've experimented a lot with water bottles; my first was a Camelbak that I absolutely loved. 

 After a year or two, it began to not work as well, so I went out looking for another.  I found a Contigo water bottle (I had never heard of it prior) on sale, and decided to give it a shot. I fell in LOVE (or as much love as someone possibly could with a water bottle).  I carried it with me everywhere, and it was just the simplest and most amazing water bottle ever. I started searching out the brand and I now am the proud owner of a Contigo coffee/tea mug and a new version of the Contigo water bottle. I HIGHLY recommend it.

My current Contigo water bottle I found at Costco in a pack of 3 for about $20.  I split it up with my mother and, with tax, it came to about $7 per water bottle. Not too shabby. For me, it seems very similar to the Camelbak that I had originally with the spout, but it has this handy mechanism where you can push the spout down and have it covered completely.  It also holds 3 cups of water (vs. my previous Camelbak that held 2 cups), which means that instead of having to refill it 4 times a day, I only have to refill it 3 times (and I get that extra bonus cup of water in!).  I highly recommend Contigo, and they have a bunch of different varieties to suit your needs :)

A Day by Day Process

I started a new workout plan yesterday that I found on Pinterest.  Its a 10 week plan with about 20 minutes of cardio each day (that gets more and more intense each week) and then about 30 minutes of jumping jacks, situps, pushups, etc. that differs by day.  I generally hate to run, but I decided to give this a try.  

Yesterday, I did 2 minutes of power-walking (4 mph) for every 1 minute of running / jogging (6 mph).  Here and there, I would falter a bit and have to lower the power-walking to 3.5 mph and the jogging to 5.5 mph. This went on for a total of 23 minutes. By the end of it, I had reached 1.72 miles.  Stepping off of the treadmill, I felt invigorated.  Since there was so much variation, I didn't get bored and I was really able to push myself.  I knew then and there that I had to make this a habit.  Every day, I have to push myself a little more.  Afterwords, I did 100 jumping jacks, some sit-ups, lunges, squats, etc.  

Today, I did about the same workout except I forced myself to stay at 4 mph for power-walking and 6 mph for running / jogging.  I felt pushed to the max, but it was worth it.  I followed it up with another series of jumping jacks, sit-ups, butt-kicks, etc.  The jack-knife sit-ups completely kicked my ass, and it is my new goal to be able to do 20 of them consecutively by the end of the month.

As for food, I've been very conscious of my habits.  Instead of eating 3 large meals, I've began to split it up to 4-5 smaller meals each day.  Here's what I ate today.

Breakfast
A small portion of my green enchilada casserole. ~250 calories

Post-Workout
2 egg omelette (yes, I kept my yolks!) with as many veggies as I could stuff in it (about 2 cups of spinach, some zucchini, mushrooms, and sprouts).  On the side, I had half of an avocado and some sour cream.  I heard that spicy foods boost your metabolism (and I love spicy!), so I added a bunch of cayenne pepper and tabasco sauce. Yummy!

Afternoon Snack
1 Orange and a smoothie with plain greek yogurt, frozen strawberries, pineapple, half a banana, and some orange juice.

Dinner
I brought a mason jar with me to work full of salad (Yes, I got the idea from Pinterest!).  It had romaine, tomato, cucumber, spicy sprouts, and goat cheese and was topped with Bolthouse's Tropical Mango Vinaigrette.  I also had an apple.

To end the night, I'd like to say that no one is perfect. I'm at work as I type this, but I plan to go home and have a couple glasses of wine and watch some TV with my boyfriend.  Hey, its a Friday night and I'm 21! Just because I vow to live a healthier lifestyle, doesn't mean I have to eat flax seed every day and forgo all things that are 'bad for you.' I don't ever see myself giving up alcohol, sour cream, goat cheese, etc... I will forever love these things, and my life would be less rich without them.  Instead, I plan to live my life moderately and happily :) 

A New Beginning. (No, for reals)

My name is Jessica. I'm generally a pretty punctual person but this year, when it came to resolutions, I was a bit late.  My first week of the New Year I spent back home gorging myself on all of the food that I had missed for the last year. I'm not going to say I regretted it, because food happens to be one of my favorite things in life.  But I do wish that I had not spent the last 6 months of my life pretty much devoid of exercise.

Background B.S. (skip ahead if you want, I won't judge you)

A little background - I have struggled with weight my entire life.  I remember a distinct instance when this problem became clear to my for the first time.  I was 11 years old, and I had been doing ballet since I was 3.   I was trying out for a part in the Nutcracker, and I worked my ass off in order to impress the teacher.  It was a group audition and one by one the instructor began telling each girl the good (or bad) news.  Finally, she came to my friend and I and dismissed everyone else.  I remember my mind buzzing, hoping hopelessly that we really must have impressed her.  I was horribly wrong.  Without hesitating, she said "Unless you both lose weight," she pauses to look us over for a moment, "like about 20 pounds, you will not have a part in this production." I was horrified. I remember nodding, trying to hold my composure, and then speed-walking out of the studio as fast as possible. As soon as I was in the clear, I began to weep.

I think its important to point out that I was never obese. I was just always a bit chunky.  I ended up quitting ballet when I was 13 (due to an injury), and up until I was 18 I never really exercised besides when I was being forced during P.E. (and boy, do I remember hating that class).  Once I began college and had a little extra time on my hands (I didn't have a job yet), I joined a gym and began going to some classes with my then-boyfriend's mother (she was a health nut).  I really enjoyed them because it was more fun than sitting on the elliptical for an hour, and I also began to truly discover what endorphins were all about.  Within a few months, I was dragging my then-boyfriend to Step classes three times a week and drinking 8 cups of "Sassy Water" a day.  I remember being hyped up on the idea of healthy living and trying to get everyone I lived with to follow suit.  When I began this process, I was about 158 pounds (height 5'4").

I had lost about 5 pounds when something disastrous occurred.  My then-boyfriend had a mental breakdown and was admitted into a hospital for a month, in a city over an hour away.  I was devastated and could barely go an hour without crying.  I had barely learned how to drive, and had never driven on the freeway before, but I insisted on driving out there 3x a week.  Worst of all, his parents blamed it on me.

Swung into a depression, I barely ate.  I lost about 15 pounds within 2 months.  Once the healing process began, I slowly began to reincorporate healthy eating and exercise.  About 6 months later, after moving a few hours away to attend University, I was about 138 pounds.  Over the next year, I continued to attend fitness classes and dropped down to 131 pounds. I was so proud of myself, and I was so close to my goal weight of 125.

Then summer happened. I had just turned 21, and my healthy lifestyle flew out the window.  I went to bars and happy hours, barely worked out, and I began working 2 jobs.  I also went on a cruise where I ate enough food for 5 people. Ever since, I've been terrified to look at the scale.  I convinced myself that I hadn't really gained all that much weight, maybe 5 pounds.

Where it Really Starts

Now its January, and I began working out again on the 7th (the first day of the new Quarter).  I did 3 days on the elliptical, but then I found a workout plan on Pinterest that I decided to give a try.  Before I began, I decided it'd probably be a good idea to take pictures and measurements so that I could track my progress.  Trying to be optimistic, I stepped on the scale.  The numbers made me gasp in horror.  I was back to my original weight of 158 pounds... all of that hard work for nothing.  I felt like crying. But there was no time for that.

I had to get my ass to the gym.

That number served as motivation. I can't let myself stay this way forever, and I can't keep using my responsibilities of work and school as excuses. I know no one else could really give a shit, but I have to do this for me.  The lazy lifestyle is an addiction, and its time I break the habit.

Hi, my name is Jessica and I am fat.

I love salty and creamy foods.  I live on my own, but I buy Costco size containers of sour cream because, if I wanted to, I could eat it by the spoonful.  I used to eat Chili Cheese Fries from Del Taco three days a week.  My absolute favorite fruit is avocado, and I could eat 3 in one sitting.  I am addicted to coffee.  I will never give up egg yolks.  I will never give up good taste.  Fact is, food is one of most prominent things in this world that makes me happy, and one of my favorite hobbies is cooking.

However, I am ready to make a change. I vow to treat my body better, through exercise and hydration.  I am writing this blog to keep myself in check, both publicly and personally.  

It doesn't have to be New Years to make a resolution.  I vow to make a lifestyle change, and I don't give a shit that I'm a week late.  The key to success is baby steps and, through gradual changes, I vow to change my life.