Here we go again

So I am back, and let me tell you I indulged this weekend. No meat, but pretty much everything else. Its time to kick it in gear this week and the next three weeks until Christmas. I know I said that I am not going to be into numbers, and I am not. But I do know how much I weigh and I have a goal in mind to make for the new year. Its doable and with a little work and perseverance, I know I can do it.
Another goal I am going to be setting for the new year is to eliminate dairy completely. I don't drink milk because yuck, but I do eat a lot of things with milk in them. What does that mean? A lot. It means no ice cream, no cake, cookies...... Not! It just means that all those Vegan cookbooks I have collecting dust on my shelf are going to be put to good use. Also my sister has a co-worker that is a vegan. I am going to try to get in touch with her and talk about what she eats, and to see if she can offer me some tips.
I am realistic. I know where I live and who my family is, but I also know that my family and friends will support me, even if that means I bring my own food when we dine. I hate to use the word vegan. It has so many stigmas that go with it. While I do believe in rights for every living creature I am doing this for my health. The books I have been reading have offered me undeniable truths, and I would like to be around for a while.
Will I mess up? Sure probably thousands of time, what is important to me is that I learn about my body and learn how to fuel without all the extra fats. Its no secret that I have a hard time digesting dairy anyway, so it probably won't pose to much of a challenge......until I see cake!
I also think it will be easier when I move to SoCal. They have restaurants and stores that cater to the hippie crowd ha ha hha.
But until then I will use the resources that I have. The internet is great, also I enjoy reading so I can pick up a book when I need. I figure the new year is a perfect time to start this journey because I will have a whole year until holiday season to really figure out how to cook/make some other dishes that I could add to the festivities.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am still alive! I have been a little under the weather, so I have not worked out since Saturday. And since I am heading home today for the rest of the week to partake of calorie city, Monday is the perfect time to kick it in gear. I am not really worrying about tomorrow. I am going to be there with my family and there will be food. So I can either count calories or have a good day. I am going to have a good day. Also I love me some mashed potatoes so I am pretty pumped about that.
Hope everybody's mashed potato day is as good as mine.
Just real quick I want to say what I am thankful for:
Loving Family
Loving Friends
Good Health
The lord
A car that starts
Laughter
An awesome sense of style.... hahhaha!
Love you lots!

Working out my FRUSTRATIONS!

It was a bad bad bad day at work.... If I had more money saved I think I would have left it for good. I was so grumpy afterwards I talked myself into eating a bag of chips and ice cream, and six hours of movies. Then on the way home I thought to myself that life is full of bad days is one horrible 8 hours really enough to make me break all my good habits and hard work. I turned up the radio and sang along to whatever was playing and by the time I walked into my front door, I had made up my mind to go take it out at the gym. I am really glad I did because not only did I work up a good sweat, I was able to let the day go and just focus on kicking my ass. "Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it"I always have liked that quote from Anne of Green Gables and I have thought of it often on days just like today. Tomorrow can be a better day!

Do you know Lawrence Welk?

I think I totally offended the gym lady today. I always just do my business and don't talk to anybody. Rude....? Maybe but I am not there to socialize, plus the other ladies that are working out are old enough to be my grandma, so what do we talk about Frank Sinatra? So anyway she tells me she is "so glad to see me" That's nice, but I am paying to be there and work out not for a social hour. I always notice her watching me, and as soon as the earbuds come out she is talking to me. I am freaking paying to work out, so I pretty much told her that.
Maybe there will be a time when I feel confident enough to go to a "regular" gym and won't have to deal, but I guess until then I will be sweatin with the oldies.

Kickin my own...

So today was another struggle to get to the gym day. I had to bribe myself with a new magazine. It totally worked, I like those things. I am totally somebody who needs incentive. I totally love all your comments and tips! It really helps me feel like I am being held accountable. I also have a dream outfit. It just something simple and will actually fit into my SoCal lifestyle perfectly. And of course flip flops to finish the chill look.
What can I say, I am a simple girl with simple tastes. So what is your motivation?

Pushing through the Mondays

I hate Mondays! I really had to push myself to make a lunch, drink my water and work out. I decided that I was not feeling up to the gym today and came home and did some Billy Blanks! It kicked my tush! I think I might have had an easier time at the gym. I didn't even make it through that Drill Sgt. and his Tae Bo hell!
But I am happy that now I have another form of exercise to add to my routine.
Last night I had a yummy dinner too. I bough some wheat tortillas and make me a hummus, rice veggie wrap. I liked it so much, I think I might have it again tonight.
Also a kink in the chain today..... the bathroom was out of order at work! I had to keep running up the stairs every 30 minutes because I drink so much water. I guess it was good for my buns right?

Sunday Yoga

I have been keeping up with my diet and exercise even If I have not been keeping up with my blog.
I have been pushing myself hard at the gym, and have finally found a play list I think I can live with. I think the thing that I have been struggling most with is the late night eating. I am working on it though and making sure I get my water in too.
Sundays the gym is closed so I was thinking what I could do. Going for a walk is great, but its getting cold and winter winds do not appeal to me. So I thought I would try Yoga. I found myself a beginning yoga dvd and today was my first day. I know it sounds corny, but I like it a lot. After a hard week and before another hard week its good to get some grounding. I am not going to lie, some of the poses are a challenge but I think yoga is less about making sure you do every pose and making sure the ones you can do are right. I am pretty sure I am not going to be doing hand stands anytime soon.
Anyway I have a wish list, I want some kitchen aids to help in my journey. This is a wish list for me to buy, it am not posting it here as a gentle nudge to tell my mom or Santa. Maybe if you could give me some recommendations regarding these items, that would be more helpful.
Kitchen wish list:
Food processor
Food dehydrator
Juicer
Blender(the kind that can cut through steal, ok maybe not.... but a heavy duty one)

Blah

I have no energy today! Tonight I am off with the gym. I am headed to the "Falls" (so silly when people say that) to celebrate turning 8. We are eating buffet style which I know is a serious no no in diet land. I am hoping they have some healthy options for me as well.
Anyway last night I went to the gym, I am still not happy with my play list. I need to do some more tweaking. But after I got home I got a serious case of the Blahs. They have continued through today. I need a bump up of spirit and maybe attitude.
I was watching the biggest loser yesterday and there is/was a girl named Shay on there that weighed over 400 pounds! She is a great motivator but everybody on that show is. So when I get the blahs I need some reminders of why I am doing this, I guess I just need to know that I am not alone. That is why I appreciate your comments so much. I might open this blog up to more people.
Anyway here are a few sites I look at to keep motivated.
Thats Fit
50 incredibly inspiring weight loss blogs
Shay loss ( you know, the guy from Z103)

Raviloli? Holy Cannoli!

Today was another good day! I had to run to the bathroom to pee a lot. Is that TMI? Sorry if it is. At the gym the play list really worked. There are a couple songs that I need to change because they were just not fast enough, but I got a real good sweat.
So part of this whole thing is for me to try and eat healthier. I would say I am an okay eater....maybe its better to say that I am conscious of what I put in my mouth, good or bad. But I have a real problem with portion control. So I am eating smaller meals and more often.
I really am into researching food these days and what is the best for my body. I have had some eye opening experiences. I saw this movie trailer called Food Inc. a while back and it just came out on dvd so I bought it. Its not pushing vegetarianism at all, in fact the guy who is conducting the story orders a cheese burger right off the bat. Its just talking mostly about the food that we get sold in the stores and how the FDA does a piss poor job of taking care of the American citizens. Here is the link: trailer anyway its super interesting, if you want to borrow it, just let me know. I think its something everybody should watch. I truly don't believe that ignorance is bliss like I once did.
Anyway moving on
I had a yummy diner tonight. I found these packs of pasta goodness in Fred Meyer. I love that store. I know its a little more expensive, but they boast the biggest vegetarian and vegan section in Pocatello. This ravioli was in the veg section. So good and not expensive. I know most everybody who reads this blog has a family, so these are for sure not big enough for you, but just perfect for a single like me.
Also its pomegranate season! I love them like a fat kid loves cake.....I also love cake. I know they are a bit messy and a struggle to get open, but for me they are totally worth it.

Monday Music

I am not sure If I am going to post everyday on this blog, but I might just to keep myself honest.
Today was a good day, I drank lots of water, and you were right BFFN, I had to pee a lot! I also went for my workout with my Ipod and it worked great. I kinda felt bad, the lady asked me if I was ok. Oh well she is getting my money shouldn't that be enough? The only problem was that its hard to feel motivated when you listen to Josh Groban, and so I came home and made a new curves play list for my workout:
Crazy-Gnarles Barkley
Stupid Girls-Pink
Dirrty- Christina Aguilera
Fighter- Christina Aguilera
Potential Breakup Song- Aly and Aj
Slow Down-Aly and Aj
Girlfriend-Avril Lavigne
FreakOut- Avril Lavigne
Self Inflicted-Katy Perry
World of Chances- Demi Lovato ( my slow down song)
Party in the USA- Miley Cyrus ( just in case my routine gets messed up and I need a fast song again-Don't mock me, I like this song)
Nobody Knows- Pink ( just another slow down song)

I don't know about you guys but music motivates me, loud fast music! So hopefully this works. I can always make new play lists if I get sick of this one, but for now I am happy.

Weekend worries

I don't know about the rest of you but the weekend are the worst for me pigging out. I really need to set some goals for the weekend. I did do exactly what I thought I was going to do and pigged out. So I did a little research about weekend cravings and found this.

Ways to Control Weekend Eating

• Plan ahead.
• Watch portion sizes.
• Minimize the number of meals you eat at restaurants.
• Beware of buffet style restaurants.
• Concentrate on people and conversation over food.
• Offset weekend eating with extra exercise.
• Track your daily calories on the weekends.
• Change your lifestyle to incorporate healthy food choices on the weekend.
• If you must eat dessert, share with a few people and only take a couple of bites.

All good tips I am going to be trying. I am most worried about when I go home to my mom's house, talk about junk food haven! I also went to the store and got me a few accessories that I think will help my in my journey.
I am sure that they have been around for a while, but I really love the fit and fresh containers that I found. I got a salad one that has a for and a spoon, a little lid for the salad dressing, and an ice pack to keep your food cool. I won't need that as much because I have a fridge in my office, but it will be great when I need to take food somewhere that has no fridge. I also got just a basic container that you can put veggies or fruits, or nuts or leftover whatever also with an ice pack.
The last thing that I got was an ipod arm band for my ipod so that I can take it to the gym or walking.
I mentioned that I go to curves and they have music playing, but a problem that I found with that gym is that the ladies will just talk to you if you let them. Its nice, but I am there to work up a sweat, so I think I will try this out and see if people will leave me to my workout.

H2 to this hizz 0

For my first mini goal I am going to only be drinking water. This is not really that hard of a goal for me. I am not a soda drinker anyway. It burns going down. So while I always reach for water to quench my thirst, I don't do it nearly enough.
Also I tend to over juice if I do drink that stuff. So much sugar!

No water, no go....
What happens to your body when you’re dehydrated?

• Your brain won’t work properly – you’ll be groggy, slow, and feel out of it
• You’ll lose muscle tone
• Your kidneys won’t be able to function; toxins and wastes will back up in your body, making you feel generally crummy
• You’ll have trouble regulating your body temperature; you make feel overheated, or you may feel chronically cold and unable to get warm.
• You’ll get constipated
• Fats stored in your body won’t get used up or metabolized
• You’ll think you’re hungry all the time, and so you’ll be likely to eat more
• Your skin will get dry, itchy, and saggy

Also I recently snagged myself a new BPA free water bottle. I love this thing. Its stainless steel so the water stays cold longer, and is better for the earth. I only like really cold water. Heidi can drink water that has been sitting in her car for hours, Yuck! So for baby step number one Water!

So I have made the decision.....

Now I need a couple things done before I head out in about 8 months. First I need to save save save money. This is a tricky thing for me. I am a notorious spender. But since I have no degree.....yet people, I will probably get down there and have to work where I get a job. I can't be picky.
The second thing I need to do is lose weight! I know right? How many times can a person say that before it starts happening or before she dies. Hello! California is beach weather all year round. Mostly. So I am vowing to get into shape. My hope is to lose about -- pounds, but I am not so much into the numbers as I am into feeling my best. So maybe I shouldn't even put a number. ( I took it out)
I am not sure who I am going to allow to read this blog yet, but you will only be seeing pounds lost....or gained(Boo). You will not get to see a complete weight number. Maybe someday, but for now I say no to that. Also you probably won't be seeing any pictures. Maybe. Who knows its a trial.
Also positive suggestion comments are encouraged. I am going to also work on my cooking skills and make healthy food so any meat free recipes would be great. Thats right kiddos and I totally going vegetarian. I know I have been wishy washy about it in the past, but last summer when I went total veg I managed to lose about 20 pounds and my guts just felt better. So I am doing it and keeping it that way. I have this great cookbook, its super intimidating but I am going to be using it.
Its called: How To Cook Everything-Vegetarian.
I also have a membership to Curves, you know, the fat ladies Gym. It has just been costing me money, but I am going to be putting it to great use. Also I am thinking about taking a spinning class or an aerobics class next semester.
Things that you wont see on this blog:
an everyday food diary- I have tried this in the past and its anoying people don't want to read that crap anyway.
My weight- sorry but its private and super embarasing
Pictures of my body. You all know what I look like. Maybe as I get farther along and you can see a change.
Things you will see:
Recipes
Progress reports
Fit Tips (they will be motivating for me, and maybe for you)
Pictures of food creations- bad and good
Okay I think I have covered the basics.
Wish me luck!