ENOUGH!

Alright, truth be told.

I haven't been around the blog much because things have been pretty bad on the health and fitness front for me.  No bitching or complaining, but long story short, I'm sitting about 10 lbs. heavier than my lowest weight of 128.

I can give you all the excuses in the world for why it happened, but instead I'm moving forward and doing something about it!

 

I had enough!

Workouts are still happening but not as often and intense as I would like.  Working with other personal trainers helps a ton because we'll usually pair up to workout (workout buddies!!) but I still find myself making excuses to why I can't do an extra 20 minutes of cardio or why I HAVE to go out to buy my lunch.

But no more!

I'm not making any promises about how often I'll be blogging but I AM making a promise that health and fitness are back to being my number one priorities.

To get my eating back on track, I'm following an awesome diet plan, made by an awesome woman, whose concept and ideas behind the plan are things I strongly believe in.  Fighter Diet.  If you don't know, educate yourself with the link!

So official re-starting stats:

Starting weight: 176.4 lbs.
Last week weight:  ???

Current weight: 140.0

Current loss:  ???
TOTAL LOSS: -36.4

Fitness Bucket List

I'm on my trip right now but here's something interesting (I hope):

(source)

The other month I came across the above picture and LOVED the idea of creating a bucket list of things I want to achieve on this journey.  Not just fitness related, but health related.  If you're not familiar with a bucket list, it's basically a list of things you want to do or achieve before you kick the bucket.

Here's a list of some of the things on my "Health and Fitness Bucket List":

1. do a pull-up
2. attend a Bodypump class
3. go rock climbing
4. run Koko Crater
5. try surfing
6. squat twice my body weight
7. take a cooking class 
8. try a spin class
9. complete a full round of Insanity
10. stand-up paddle boarding
11. join the National Weight Control Registry
12. go on a fitness cruise(!)
13. try Cross Fit
14. get away from all processed foods
15. attend a yoga class
16. compete in a bodybuilding competition
17. go completely Paleo/Primal for a full month
18. become a certified personal trainer...
19. ... with a job
20.  5K Color Run is coming to Hawaii

What's on your health and fitness bucket list?

Motivational Monday: TRUE

I'm on my trip right now but here's something interesting (I hope):

 I'll repeat myself again.  You canNOT out-train a bad diet.

Flashback Friday: Since I'm on a trip...

I'm on my trip right now but here's something interesting (I hope):

Flashback Fridays are a re-posting of my previous blog entries.  Sometimes I need a good kick in the butt and these old posts remind me of how to get it done.

Why I flash-backed to this post:  This was an a-ha moment for me when I first wrote it.  I also chose it because the post kinda describes a trip and since I'm on a trip right now... perfect!

_______________________________________________

Original post date: 8/13/09
Original post found here.

So I know this is only day four of my promise to myself, but guess what... I've learned something already.

In order to get to the future, you have to live in the present.

So common sense and so NOT profound.

Why didn't I know this before? Well it's not that I didn't know it, I just didn't listen to it. I mean the main quote of my blog is "one step at a time..."

When some people start out losing weight (like me), they get into this super-motivated-I-can-do-anything mode especially when the first 5 lbs. are lost because those are always the easiest. They (I) set up goals and picture themselves as what they want to look like at the end of the journey but they forget about the journey itself.

It's like planning a trip. You decide you wanna go to Fitville and you plan all these must-do-activities for when you get there: where to eat, where to stay, what to visit, what to do but without even planning on how to get to Fitville, you'll never get there. Without knowing how you're going to get from your house to the airport, then from the airport to the hotel in Fitville, your goal is already impossible to accomplish.

This is exactly the same thing with weight loss.

It's awesome to know what you want your body to look like and do when you're at the end of the journey (btw, a weight-loss journey never ends... takes you straight to Maintenance Land!) but you also have to know how to get there. Going back to when I started out, I knew what my goal destination was but getting there was going to be the tricky part. I set weekly and monthly goals to help me along the way but that's like only planning the airplane ride then the car ride from the airport to Fitville. What about how to get from my house to the airport?!

The past four days have made me realize that my weekly/monthly goals are way more attainable if I break them down even further... into daily goals.

BRILLIANT!!

It's as simple as telling myself I just need to get through today - eat clean TODAY and get in a good workout TODAY. Don't worry about tomorrow today, worry about tomorrow when it gets here. By breaking down my goals to the smallest amounts possible not only makes the goal seem that much more achievable, but it also lets me see the goal... I mean really see it!

Currently my weight goal is about 20 lbs away. Instead of focusing on the entire 20 lbs. I'll focus on just the next two lbs., then the next two, then the next two and so on and so on. But instead of just focusing on the two lbs. I'll focus on what I need to do to get rid of those two lbs. I'll focus on my workouts each day and break it down even further and focus on pushing myself during the workouts.

Just get through the next 5 minutes of running and when I've done that, I'll focus on the next 5 minutes. If I'm able to really give it my all for each 5 minute increment and just repeat it, my workout will go by in no time and I'll probably have pushed myself harder than normal. It's a win-win situation.

Applying the same idea to my nutrition each day - hell, each meal - and I should kick those 20 lbs. in no time! Amazing it's taken me this long to really realize and apply this to my life.

Motivational Monday: Lift HEAVY

I'm on my trip right now but here's something interesting (I hope):

This is so true!  Most women people think that lifting heavy weights will make you "bulky".  It's just not chemically/hormonally possible for women!

Lift heavy to get a lean, muscular body!

RFSC: Week 9 goals (!!!!)

Week 9 Goals

First thing, let me take you back two months ago when I first set my RFSC goals: 

NSV Goal

• Success story.  The other week I was talking to Anthony and told him that one of my NSV goals is to be featured on the "Wall of Success" at our gym.  The catch is I don't wanna ask to be a feature, I wanna be asked... big difference.

MISSION  FREAKING  ACCOMPLISHED!!!!!  This past week, Trainer L asked me to be a success story for the gym wall!  He asked me to write up a short paragraph about my journey and include a starting, middle, and current picture.  I literally finished it about an hour ago and sent it off to him just in time for my gym's grand reopening later this week.  Let's just say that between this and my weigh-in with Trainer L, I was in such an emotional state earlier this week... in a good way, of course.

Second thing, remember the exciting/secret news I had mentioned here?  Well, I just got back home from a two-day intensive personal trainer certification workshop and exam!!!  Yup, I'm going to be a personal trainer (once I pass a couple more certifications and get first-aid/CPR recertified).  I already went on a first interview at my gym and just need to schedule the second interview once I become certified.  I'm so excited... scared like hell... but still excited!!  So this is the reason why I need to really step up my nutrition... doesn't look good to be a chubby personal trainer.

Exercise Goal 

• Keep on going.  Continue my current 12-week exercise program, which will take me into the middle of May. 

• Sun:  arms and abs + HIIT
• Mon:  OFF
• Tues:  full-body weight training + cardio
• Wed: chest, shoulders and abs + plyo
• Thur: hammies, glutes, calves
• Fri:  back, bi's, and abs + HIIT
• Sat:  shoulders, tri's and calves + plyo

Nutrition Goal

• Clean, clean, clean!  My #1 priority for the next 10 weeks is to really focus on and dial in my nutrition.  Clean, whole foods to support my body and intense workouts.  Last two weeks and I plan to make them the BEST two weeks of this challenge.
• Increase healthy fats.  Definitely need to add more "smart fats" to my diet: salmon, avocado, nuts, olive oil, flaxseeds, coconut oil, etc. Cutting back on the healthy fats a bit since I'm in major fat-loss mode right now.  Still taking my fish oil and flaxseed oil, cooking with coconut oil, and eating a whole egg a day, but will eliminate whole avocados/fatty cuts of meat until mid-June.
• New eats = happy tummy.  Making it a goal to try one new recipe a week.  Nutrition can get pretty boring if you eat the same things over and over, so finding 10 new (hopefully yummy) recipes to add to my rotation will do me good.  Going to try this recipe for dinner tonight.

____________________________________________________________

Week 8 recap

Yup, this week sucked with exercise BUT I purposely took off.  Getting over a cold, body feeling run down, and having to study for my personal trainer certification kept me out of the gym (and out of work for a day).  I'm ready to hit it hard in Week 9!


Exercise Goal 

• Keep on going.  Continue my current 12-week exercise program, which will take me into the middle of May. 

• Sun:  arms and abs + HIIT
• Mon:  OFF
• Tues:  full-body weight training + cardio
• Wed: OFF
• Thur: OFF
• Fri:  OFF
• Sat:  OFF

Nutrition Goal

• Clean, clean, clean!  My #1 priority for the next 10 weeks is to really focus on and dial in my nutrition.  Clean, whole foods to support my body and intense workouts.  With my new fitness goal, clean eating has to be a priority or else what's the point?  Nutrition makes up 80% of the equation to get us the body we want.
• Increase healthy fats.  Definitely need to add more "smart fats" to my diet: salmon, avocado, nuts, olive oil, flaxseeds, coconut oil, etc. Are avocados out of season?  Can't seem to find any that don't break the bank to buy ($5 for one?! SERIOUSLY?!)
• New eats = happy tummy.  Making it a goal to try one new recipe a week.  Nutrition can get pretty boring if you eat the same things over and over, so finding 10 new (hopefully yummy) recipes to add to my rotation will do me good.  Tried out this recipe for slow cooker chicken fajitas and it was... okay.  I'm not a bell pepper person and the bell pepper taste was a little too much for me.  Minus that, it would have been REALLY good!  Easy fix for next time so I'll be keeping this recipe in my rotation.

Weigh-in Wednesday: AHHHHH man!

First of all, I'm loving all the guesses on my exciting news (best guess: Olympic torch runner)!  Just a couple more hints:

• If everything works out, I'll need a whole new wardrobe (not weight-loss related)
• I'll be paying it forward
• And no, I'm not getting married.  Let's not rush into things, now.

On to the weigh-in...

Starting weight: 176.4 lbs.

Last week weight:  127.0

Current weight:  126.4

Current loss:  -0.6
TOTAL LOSS:  -50.0

A regular happy face doesn't even cut it...

...even this one barley contains how I feel.

(source)

WOOT WOOT!!!  Hit the 50lbs. mark on the dot!!  I was so excited when I weighed in with Trainer L, that I actually started to choke up and got a little teary eyed.  Kinda weird for Trainer L to see me get like that since normally he's used to seeing my heavy squatting face:

(source)

My thoughts on hitting this tremendous milestone:

• This journey takes time.  I decided to lose the weight for good back in September of 2008... almost four years later and I'm down 50 lbs.  Many people can lose that amount of weight in less than a year, but this is MY journey and I did what worked for ME.
• Anyone who said losing weight is easy is a F*@$^% liar! Period!
• Every set back I had or mistake I made came with a valuable lesson learned.  Don't let these stand in your way of anything.
• Ice cream and pizza will always be a part of my life so it's just something I need to work around.  No big deal since I'm still moving in the right direction.
•  Reaching goals and milestones are AWESOME, but it doesn't end your journey.  You need to reevaluate where you are and strive to improve yourself for the rest of your life.  It's a lifestyle change... not an "only-till-I-lose-30-pounds" change.
• Health and fitness are no longer just things I do... it's now a part of who I am (another hint for my exciting news).
• I've still got a lot more work to do but I'm so excited about doing it!

Beast Mode: ON!

This morning I woke up with the most uncomfortable stomach ache accompanied with bloating and cramps.  Lovely.  It's been a while since I felt like this but this is what happens when I eat junk food right before bed.

Last night, after Anthony got off work at 10:30, he called to see if I needed anything before he came home.  Yes, please!  F  O  O  D  !  About 30 minutes later, I had my Jack in the Box in hand and inhaled.

Nights like last night happen on occasion (maybe 2x or 3x a month) and I could never figure out why.  I'm not hungry when Anthony calls but I've noticed it happens on days when I either a.) hit a new low weight on the scale (like yesterday!) or b.) hit a personal record during exercise.

Reward with food, much?

That's the thing about me... hitting a personal record (on the scale or in the gym) can lead to to two outcomes:

1. I get super motivated and have a STELLAR next week OR
2. I stupidly reward myself and crash and burn for the next couple of days

So why is it so hard to keep away from the stupid when the outcome is never good? 

Who knows!  All I know is this...

(source)

Beast mode is turned the F on and I'm gonna kill this next weekend week.  Plans for the weekend:

• Saturday
• morning hike
• followed by lower body training
• prep meals for Sunday
• check out new gym location
• Sunday
• morning cardio
• make healthy eating choices at a birthday party
• back and bi training
• meal plan for the week
• cook for the week

Flashback Fridays: I can't stand it when...

Flashback Fridays are a re-posting of my previous blog entries.  Sometimes I need a good kick in the butt and these old posts remind me of how to get it done.

Why I flash-backed to this post:  Over the past couple of weeks, I've had several comments (good and bad) thrown my way about weight-loss, exercise, and my "secret to losing weight" (as quoted from a co-worker).  It was a good reminder that people can be both mean and motivating on this journey.

_______________________________________________

Original post date: 10/16/09
Original post found here.

I can't stand it when...

... people didn't think I could lose the weight when I first started.

... people don't think I can keep it off now that I lost it.

... someone finds out I go to the gym and they think that is all I've done to lose weight.

... someone makes a comment about my food looking 'healthy' (ie. bland and junk).

... the same person who made the comment about my 'healthy' food makes a comment when I eat non-healthy food. (Wth? Make up your mind!)

... people think I've stepped over to the 'dark side' because I switched from white rice to brown rice.

... people ask me how I'm losing weight and once I say 'ex...' they lose interest because they know I'm gonna say exercise.

... people remind me to not go too far and become anorexic... if I even had the ability to take it that far, do you think I would be overweight to begin with?

But, I absolutely love it when...

... I step on the scale and know all my hard work is paying off.

... I have to throw out clothes because they're getting too big rather than getting too small.

... I can do things I couldn't before or in a really long time: running a 13k, playing basketball, going up stairs w/o getting winded

... people ask me for help and really WANT it.

... out of the blue someone tells me they started working out because I inspired them... lil' ol' me!

... I walk out the door every morning, more confident in myself than the day before.

... I accomplish something I never thought I could.

... I look at my arms or legs and can see muscles... it pushes me even harder the next time.

... people notice how much happier I am.

It needs to be said

A shift has happened.

Something inside of me has changed.

As of lately, I've lost switched my focus on this journey from weight-loss to building muscle.  I know what you're thinking... how is this bad?

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing bad about it but I think I took away the weight-loss focus because I haven't lost weight... not because I don't want to lose any more.  Make any sense?

Basically, I'm afraid to fail at losing weight.  I already gained back some of the weight once, and now that my initial goal-weight is thisclose, I'm FREAKING  OUT!!! 

Right now, "weight loss" is still a work in progress so in my mind, when I tell people I'm trying to drop pounds, it gives me permission to mess up (right, right?).

Accidentally overeat three days in a row?  

No big deal, I'm still learning on this journey.

Skipped exercise all week long?  

Everybody on this "weight loss journey" does it, so it's okay.

Focusing on building muscle, on the other hand, lets me think it's okay to overeat because you need extra calories to build muscle.  True.  It also lets me think having no loss or a gain over several weeks is okay because you're supposed to gain weight when you build muscle.  True, again.

But I've been lying to myself... the scale hasn't been moving which is why I switched my goal... not the other way around.

I was kidding myself about not focusing on weight-loss because even though I'm 10 lbs. away from my original goal weight, I'm still about 15 - 20 lbs overweight for my height.  And even with some muscle gain, I should still be seeing a loss on the scale.  Tomorrow I have my measurements taken with Trainer L so I'll know for sure if I'm still moving in the right direction... even if the scale isn't.

Since it's now been said, I'm bringing back the focus on losing "the last 10 lbs.".

(source)

Eating problem.

Hello, my name is Annie and I have an eating problem.

(Admitting it is the first step, right?)

That's right, I'll be the first to admit that I have a messed up relationship with food.  Like so messed up that I thought about going to therapy for it.

I sleep so i don't eat.
I can't wait till events/parties are over so there won't be food in my face.
I think about food 24/7. Shopping lists, recipes to try, what's in the refrig right now, etc.
I feel guilty if i don't eat something... then feel guilty if I do eat it.
I over-indulge once my day goes bad.
I over-indulge if I had an excellent day before.

No way to live life at all!

So I think it's perfect that March is "National Nutrition Month" AND one of my March goals is focusing on eating clean at every meal, 6 days a week (leaving one meal available as my cheat meal).

Follow me on Facebook to get more details and participate in the challenge.

Today is day 6 of the challenge and so far..

I'm rocking like a freakin ROCKSTAR!!!!

Between this challenge and my new workout program, I'm expecting some great results for March.  I know I'm talking big only one week into the month, but mindset is what sets us up for success. 

It's not too late to join in on my clean-eating challenge!  

What have you got to lose (besides unhealthy habits and weight)?

F.A.I.L.

The end of February is less than a week away and by looking at my goal calendar, I think it's safe to say this month won't be one of the stronger ones.

I had a lot going on - from trips to Maui to running an 8-mile race - and exercise and nutrition just weren't on track… but there's six more days left in the month and hell if I don't try to end STRONG!

February = F.A.I.L.

F - Forget about what you coulda/woulda/shoulda done.  Nothing you do now will change the past.

A - Accountability.  Make yourself accountable… to yourself… more than you normally would.  Next month, blog, Facebook, Tweet, text, etc. your goals to everyone.  You will be more likely to stick to them if you have to prove to others you can do it.

I - Ignore those feelings of guilt.  I know, easier said than done, but for real, don't beat yourself up about the mistakes you made.  Learn from them (see letter "L").  To take a quote from one of my favorite t.v. shows, "Struggle is nature's way of strengthening it you."  Bonus points if you know where that quote came from (without Googling it).

L - Learn from your mistakes.  Ate too much take-out this month (umm, yes!)?  Then eat less take-out next month.  Didn't make it to gym as often as you wanted to (umm, yes!)?  Then schedule gym time on your calendar NOW and stick to it.  Ask yourself, what can you do next month to make it more successful than this month.

What are you going to do to end February strong?

One year left!!!

Today is my birthday, the big 2-9, which means I have exactly one year left in my twenties!! OMG!  OMG!!  OMG!!!!!!!

(insert freak-out here)

Okay, okay... so instead of freaking out over the fact that I'll be 30 in less than a year (insert mini-freak-out again), I thought I'd look back on my journey and revisit 29 accomplishments I never thought I'd do:

1.  After seeing a recent picture of myself (below) and feeling disgusted, I made the decision that changed my life:  I decide to get my health back.  September 17, 2008.

2.  Lost my first 10 lbs. October 31, 2008.
3.  Cranked out my first push-ups... from my toes!  November 26, 2008.
4.  First Thanksgiving I went through with a weight loss.  December, 2, 2008.
5.  Lost my first 20 lbs.  January 20, 2009.
6.  According to the standard BMI chart, I am no longer in the "obese" category!  January, 23, 2009.
7.  Changed my mindset from "lose weight" to "get healthy".  This decision changed the course of my journey permanently.  February 10, 2009.
8.  Completed my first race E.V.E.R!  8.2 mile Great Aloha Run in 1:45. February 16, 2009.

9.  Lost my first 30 lbs.  March 13, 2009.
10. First time I got up early - 5:45 am - to exercise before going to work.  March 25, 2009.
11. Started my blog... probably the biggest tool to my success so far.  April 4, 2009.
12. Literally counting down the minutes till I get off work and get to exercise!  Really, me?  YUP! April 16, 2009.
13. Joined a gym.  June 3, 2009.
14. Hired a personal trainer... another one of my "top 5 tools for success".  June 4, 2009.
15. Signed-up for, went to, kicked-ass in, and completed my first boot camp!  July 1, 2009.
16. Not really an accomplishment, but going hiking with Dr. Dre and Eminem... priceless!  July 18, 2009.
17. Tried my first green monster and fell in love.  Have had one almost everyday since.  August 2, 2009.

18. Lost my first 40 lbs.  September 9, 2009.
19. Held my first blog challenge and you guys helped me KILL it!  September 22, 2009.
20. Admitted my greatest fear which helped me put ice cream eating in-check.  November 2, 2009.
21. Broke up with the love of my life... food.  December 28, 2009.

22. I discovered the secret to weight-loss!!  January 14, 2010.
23. Viva Las Vegas... and maintained my weight without tracking calories, exercise, food, etc.  Portion control for the win!  February 24, 2010.

24. Exposed myself on the internet.  March 17, 2010.
25. Started the super controversial HCG diet in April 2010.  Lost 10 lbs. in 3 weeks... then regained it plus 20 lbs. more!  Ended 2010 at 155 lbs.  Not an accomplishment, but it was something I thought I'd never do.  On the positive side it did teach me a big lesson: nothing trumps eating healthy and exercise!  2010.
26. Totally upped my strength training and started powerlifting with my trainer.  Nothing else like it and I'll continue to do it for as long as my body lets me.  November 16, 2011.
27. Spent the entire 2011 working my ass off (literally and figuratively) to lose the 30 lbs. I regained and ended the year with 25 of those pounds gone... FOR GOOD!

28. Down to my lowest legit weight to date.  January 25, 2012.
29. I can back squat more than my weight!  So don't ask me how much weight I squat, ask me how many plates I use (the 45 lbs. barbell weight-plate is called a "plate", the other weight-plates - 10#, 25#, 35#, etc. - are just called weight).

Here's to making the last year in my 20's my best one ever!

Flashback Fridays: Selling myself short

Flashback Fridays are a re-posting of my previous blog entries.  Sometimes I need a good kick in the butt and these old posts remind me of how to get it done.

Why I flash-backed to this post:  With the GAR race coming up in less than a month, I've been having a hard time with my trainings.  I do pretty okay for the first two or three mile, but after that I sell myself short.  I tell myself I'm not a runner and that I can't do this so instead of pushing through the run, I just stop and walk.  I've done 6 miles with my GAR training group but on my own, I have a really hard time pushing myself.

This flash-back is to remind me that I CAN do it.

_______________________________________________

Original post date: 9/26/09
Original post found here.

It was my plan to go to the gym tonight and do my cardio there but decided I wanted to get outside and run. So I dropped the boyfriend off at work and went running. The route that I chose took me around Diamond Head and along the beach so the views and sunset were amazing!

This is part of the route: Around that big brown crater on the right and around the green fields to the left.

Please remind me that I live in Hawaii and we have gorgeous sunsets daily outside... I tend to take it for granted!

Anyway, the route is a little hilly and at one particular area, it's a good incline for about a mile. I've never run the entire way before, BUT I DID IT today! Even as I was doing it, I didn't think I'd make it. Talk about selling myself short! What kept me running the entire way...

"I'll just run to that mail box"
Then when I got there, "I'll just run to that street light."
Then when I got there, "I'll just run to that fire hydrant."
Then when I got there, "I'll just run to that parked car."

And before I knew it I reached the top of the incline and I felt good! So good that I just kept on running instead of giving myself the break that I kept promising myself I would get if "I just run to that... whatever."

AWESOME!

I'm not a runner... never really enjoyed it... and over the past year or so I've really avoided it because I used to get shin splints - come to think of it, I'm pretty sure the shin splints are the only reason why I don't like running - but since I started to consistently lift weights, I've noticed (knock on wood) that I don't get them any more. Could be a mix of mostly running of the treadmill at the gym instead of on the pavement so these next several weeks I'll be getting in more runs outside to see if the pain comes back.

"But being healthy is too hard!"

Lunch time at my office has become somewhat of a circus.  My office is right next to the kitchen so I hear everything that goes on and being that we're still in the New Year resolution "high", a lot of talk has been health/food/weight-loss talk.  It's amazing, and a little sad, how much "old school" information - Atkin's Diet, 'fat buring zone', Richard Simmons (!!) - I hear being passed around in that kitchen.

What's even worse is that people have noticed that I've been losing weight so they stop in to see what I'm eating for lunch... E.V.E.R.Y  S.I.N.G.L.E  D.A.Y!

A lot of times this food-stalking leads to small talk and the inevitable question, "How are you doing it?"

When I answer them,  they can't believe that I watch my food portions, count calories, monitor my macro-nutrients, make it a priority to get in my workouts, etc.  Most people tell me "That's crazy!" or "It's too hard to do all that".

Really, people?  REALLY?!?! 

 You're telling me it's too hard to make an effort to be more active or watch what you eat? 

Isn't it harder living with joint pain?

Isn't it harder to be uncomfortable in your skin?

Isn't it harder to get around in the world?

Isn't it harder to keep having to take medication on top of medication to keep your cholesterol/blood pressure in check?

Trust me, it's much easier living healthy than it is to be overweight.  Or in my case, obese (by America's standard BMI chart).

 5'0" and 176 lbs = BMI of 35 = OBESE!

I  always tell my food-stalker co-workers that they don't have to do things the way I do.  I do things the way I do because it worked for me.  They still brush off the information as if it's something they will never do... like they were expecting me to tell them that I take some kind of magic pill.  One co-worker even said, "Damn it! So exercise and diet actually work?  I guess I should listen to my doctor".

I say give exercise and healthy eating a one month chance.

I did back in 2008.  In one month I lost 10 pounds and I haven't looked back.

Happy New Year/Month = GOALS

Good-bye 2011... hello 2012!!

Today is the first day of a new year and a new month.  As you may or may not know, I am not a fan of New Year's resolutions - why wait till Jan. 1 to start getting healthy - but I realize there is a "New Year's" high that goes around.  People get super pumped for a clean start to undo the wrongs of their past and there's nothing wrong with that.  Heck, a new week, or even a new day, gets me pumped up.  But as far as New Year's resolutions... they just don't work for me.  I tend to make these huge goals I want to accomplish throughout the year but once I start to fall short on any of the goals, I lose all motivation and just quit everything.

 (source)

So I'm just continuing on with my monthly goals.  As a recap, here were my December goals:

1. K.I.L.L. my upper body with weights (same routine as above)  CHECK!
2. limit eating out to 2x/week
• I know it's not an excuse, but it's the holidays!  I hardly ate in this past month.
3. reevaluate why I'm on this healthy journey  CHECK!
4. train for the Great Aloha Run  CHECK!
5. lose 5 pounds
• Started the month at 139 and the lowest I got was 135.  Missed it by one pound!

And here are my new goals for January:

1. Make weekly schedules to stay on track with everything, not just fitness
2. Weight train to a new program (P90X, CLX, Body for Life, Insanity, etc.) 3x/week
3. Get into the 120's by my birthday (end of the month) - 1.5 lbs./week
4. Continue training for the Great Aloha Run - minimum 3x/week
5. Average of 1300 - 1500 calories/day
6. Water intake no less than 72 oz./day

Kind of going back to the basics (calorie counting, water intake monitoring) but I'm determined to hit my goal of weighing in the 120's.  My birthday is 1/29 so if I can get to at least 129 lbs... AWESOME!!!

Weigh-in Wednesday: !!!!!

Starting weight: 176.4
Last week weight: 138.6

Current weigh: 135.2

Current loss: -3.4

TOTAL LOSS: -41.2

Don't freak out... it's not a true 3.4 lbs lost.  Remember I had a tough couple of days before weigh-in last week?  Well, today's weight puts me right on track (1-1.5 lbs. a week) from two weeks ago when I was at 137.6.  Hard work, right nutrition, and consistency pays off, people!!

Speaking of hard work, remember I started power lifting/training with a barbell several weeks ago? My PT sessions have been going awesome and every week we would work on my form and adding weight to four major moves: squat, chest press, shoulder press and deadlift.  Today I back squated 145 lbs. for 8 reps!! May not be a lot but for me that was a huge NSV! I still suck at chest and shoulder press (which is why one of my Dec. goals is to work my upper body) and deadlift is getting there.

Hmmm... now to join a power lifting team so I can train all week long (vs. once a week)?  That is the question!

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Honolulu Marathon 2011

Yesterday was the 2011 Honolulu Marathon here in Hawaii.  My dad is a runner - this is his 35th marathon! - and for the past couple of years Anthony and I have been waking up early on marathon morning, heading down to the start line to meet my mom (by this time my dad has already started so we don't see him off), walk the 4 miles through Waikiki, stop for breakfast, see the Christmas decorations in the hotels, then walk to the finish line and see my dad come in.

The amount of people who come out to watch the runners is amazing and the atmosphere is amazing.  For some reason, I usually get pretty emotional when I first see the runners.  There's no tears but I get choked up and I think it's because what these people are doing is just beyond my comprehension... running 26.2 miles?!?!  It's awesome! And everyone running is an inspiration to me... finishers or not.

Early morning started at 5 am with fireworks...

Santa sends his wishes to all the participants.  By this time, most of the runners are long gone.

The before...

... and  the after.  

I'm proud to say I contributed to this "white Christmas" with a paper cup one of the volunteers handed me.

Last year we brought Poki and Beans with us but we didn't this time - so we could spend time in the hotels - so this lil' Santa had to fix my puppy craving.  He kept sniffing and looking at me but we finally got a picture of his cute dogoggles.

Totally random but this guy was just passed out on the street.  He didn't look like a runner but rather a guy who had too much to drink.  If I were running the marathon, this is how I would feel before it even started...

Stopped off at Denny's for breakfast.  YAY for an egg-white spinach omelet, turkey bacon, fresh fruit, and a toasted English muffin.

Huge gingerbread display with many of Oahu's major landmarks.

This...

... is supposed to be this.  Not bad for a bunch of yummines!

The most pavement my shoes get.  They're spoiled with the indoor gym settings.

Faster Dad!!! The finish is r.i.g.h.t. there.

"Shower" area for the finishers to cool off in.

What better way to recover from 26.2 miles than with red velvet pancake puppies with cream cheese icing?  I didn't run 26.2 miles but you can bet I had one of these.

So proud of my Dad! Another marathon under his belt.

Not really marathon related but it is running related.  The other day I picked up some new shoes to start training for the Great Aloha Run.  I've been interested in going the minimalist shoe route so this is the shoe to use as a stepping stone to go from your regular shoes to minimalist.  As if it's not obvious... it's pink.  Not my favorite but the only color in my size the store had.  So to make pink lemonade out of lemons I'm planning on ROCKING an entire pink outfit! Shoes, socks, shorts, shirt, and headband.  Just need to find all these items in the exact pink color and I'm ready to be the running Pepto Bismo bottle!

Goal updates and changes

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SERIOUSLY?! Last month of 2011 already?!  Guess it's time to look back at my November goals and set some new ones for December.

Last month my goals were:

• K.I.L.L. my upper body with weights
• jump rope for 20 minutes straight
• increase max push-ups from 17 to 20
• limit eating out to 2x/week

Of those 4, I hit 2 of them.  I spent 3 days/week focusing on upper body strength training and over the last month, increased the weights I used for all exercises.  I also passed my goal of maxing out my standard push-ups to 21!  As a refresher, here is the circuit I did last month:

As for the other two goals I had for November, I actually "forgot" about them and didn't even attempt them.  Jump roping is still part of my cardio workout, but I just didn't remember to work on this goal.  As for eating out only 2x/week... yeah, who was I kidding?  I probably only ate in 2x/week during November... moving on!

December Goals

1. K.I.L.L. my upper body with weights (same routine as above)
2. limit eating out to 2x/week
3. reevaluate why I'm on this healthy journey
4. train for the Great Aloha Run
5. lose 5 pounds

 As a repeat of last month, here are the detailed versions of my goals.

4.)  Train for the Great Aloha Run (Yup, I'm jumping to goal #4 first!)

•  I didn't mention it on the blog yet, but I signed up for an 8-mile run during President's Day weekend 2012.  It's called the Great Aloha Run and I did it one other time back in 2009. Although somewhat successful (13-minute miles) the last time, I want to improve by a T.O.N.  This time around I'm in better shape, over 10 lbs. lighter (hopefully even lighter by race day), and I have more time to train.  Just hope my sore knee holds up to the running.

1.)  K.I.L.L. my upper body with weights (cont. from November)

• A lot of times my full-body weight workouts are very lower body focused.  For example, I usually run through a circuit of alternating lower-body and upper-body movements, but a lot of times my upper-body movements also involve my lower body, ie. squat curl to presses, squat and dumbbell swing, etc. I focus on my lower body on purpose because it's the first place I see muscle definition so I love to work it out.  This month I'm going to dominate my upper body with a killer circuit workout 2x a week (third day of lifting will be full body). My lower body will get enough of a workout from HIIT/plyo/hiking/cardio.  

2.) Limit eating out to 2x/week

• Pretty straight forward.  Losing weight and getting healthy is 20% exercise and 80% nutrition.

3.) Reevaluate why I'm on this healthy journey

• Recently I've been really focused on the short term goals so reevaluating why I'm doing this makes me look at the long term goals as well.  Every day in the month of December I'll be posting one reason why I'm getting healthy... I'm calling it my 

5.) Lose 5 pounds

• I don't normally like to put a scale/weight goal, however this month I am.  I'm not gonna go into details about why my current weight of 139 is way too much for 5'0" me, instead you can read these posts.  Long-story short, I'm still overweight. My birthday is the end of next month and my goal is to be in the 120's by then. 

Always want what we can't have

One thing I find super interesting is the fact that when we can't do or have something, we want it more.

Tell me I can't have food for 12 hours before my blood test and food becomes this "I'll-give-up-one-year-of-my-life-to-have-a-bite-of-anything" sort of thing.

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Gym is closed today?  But I can't go on with my life without getting my workout in today at the GYM right NNNOOOOWWWWW!

Recently, like for the last several months, I've been having knee problems and my desire to get in a good intense workout has never been this strong... E.V.E.R.  It's crazy!  I've had all the time in the world before my knee was hurting to get in all the crazy plyometric workouts I wanted but of course, I always had the option of "putting it off until tomorrow".

But now that I don't have the option to do them at all... that's all I want to do!!!

The up-side to all of this is that I've really focused on making sure my nutrition is good (since I can't get in the cardio sessions I'm used to) and weight-lifting has never been so consistent in my routine before.  For the last two years, weight-training has been a 2x, maybe 3x, a week thing for me, but for the last month or so it's been more like a 4x, maybe 5x, a week thing (doing splits each day so each muscle group has at least 48 hours of rest).

The awesome thing about doing this much weights... the muscle definition is definitely coming back.  Even though I'm 10ish lbs. heavier then my lowest weight of 135 last year, the way 145 lbs. looks on me now is totally different then what it looked like the first time I was at 145.  In fact, the boyfriend has said right now I look almost like I did at 135.

I can't wait to cut down more fat and see even more definition... talk about motivation!