I'm going to be honest today. I'm trying to lose weight and become a shape for two reasons: to be healthier and to feel happier about myself.
The healthier bit is one that I believe most people, including my doctor, agree with. I need to lose weight, simply because it is not good to carry around extra weight for lots of reasons, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Hence, why I want to lose some of it.
Now, it's time for a disclaimer: I am quite happy in regards to myself 90% of the time. I love my program and my career path, which allows me to contribute to the "greater good". I have amazing friends, a darling apartment, and I'm relatively healthy. However, the second someone reminds me that I'm still single at 26, that I can't afford a car, a Blackberry, or a trip to Europe, or that I won't look as good in a bikini as a size 4 model, the happiness starts to fade a little. Needless to say, I can be as shallow everyone else.
So how does happiness relate to my weight loss goal? The quick answer is: I want to look good in a bikini, I want to no longer have a muffin top, I want to make my ex-boyfriend jealous when he sees pictures of me on the internet. Now, I'm not too sure how these things are necessarily going to make me happier, going to make me feel better about myself, but I sometimes, those things are what are motivating me to workout. And sometimes, shallow motivation is better than no motivation at all.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Week Three Weigh-in
Good news!
I've lost 5 pounds. I'm down to 160! Yahoo!
So what's my BMI? 27.5. That's a .7 improvement over my starting BMI. Not bad if I do say so myself.
I still have another 20 pounds to lose, ideally by May. Fingers cross that this weight loss continues!
I've lost 5 pounds. I'm down to 160! Yahoo!
So what's my BMI? 27.5. That's a .7 improvement over my starting BMI. Not bad if I do say so myself.
I still have another 20 pounds to lose, ideally by May. Fingers cross that this weight loss continues!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The Dating Game
Sometimes, you shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. This is one such story.
A few weekends ago, I went to a hockey game where my old alma mater was playing my current alma mater to see my old boss. The game was loads of fun and I was able to meet some fellow alumni who, needless to say, were much older than me. I did not see this as a problem though, simply due to the world of networking.
I got an e-mail last Friday from an old boss of mine. In it, he said that this guy he knows thought I was interesting. Now, being the shallow person I can occassionally be, I decided why not? Send me his contact information.
Long story short, it turns out that after a little bit of internet stalking, that the guy who wants to get to know me graduated in... 1986. Yes, he graduate when I was two! Which makes him about 47 now.
Eek.
Now, not that I would suggest doing this, but I decided that I'm really not interested (especially since he is almost as old as my father). So I'm deleated his e-mail and moved on with my life, thinking everything is going to be A-ok. Not so! Turns out he has my e-mail address and wants me to give him a call. That e-mail got moved to the deleted pile as well.
Long story short, the dating world is weird and wild, plus not necessarily filled with people that I would like to get to know on a personal, romantic level. That being said, I wish the 47 year old the best of luck, hopefully with someone else.
A few weekends ago, I went to a hockey game where my old alma mater was playing my current alma mater to see my old boss. The game was loads of fun and I was able to meet some fellow alumni who, needless to say, were much older than me. I did not see this as a problem though, simply due to the world of networking.
I got an e-mail last Friday from an old boss of mine. In it, he said that this guy he knows thought I was interesting. Now, being the shallow person I can occassionally be, I decided why not? Send me his contact information.
Long story short, it turns out that after a little bit of internet stalking, that the guy who wants to get to know me graduated in... 1986. Yes, he graduate when I was two! Which makes him about 47 now.
Eek.
Now, not that I would suggest doing this, but I decided that I'm really not interested (especially since he is almost as old as my father). So I'm deleated his e-mail and moved on with my life, thinking everything is going to be A-ok. Not so! Turns out he has my e-mail address and wants me to give him a call. That e-mail got moved to the deleted pile as well.
Long story short, the dating world is weird and wild, plus not necessarily filled with people that I would like to get to know on a personal, romantic level. That being said, I wish the 47 year old the best of luck, hopefully with someone else.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Loving It!: Lululemon Scuba Hoodie
I have developed, over the last several years, an obsession with Lululemon. Lululemon is a Canadian company specializing in higher end athletic clothing for women and men. More specifically, they started off with yoga as it's focus, but has steadly grown from there.
That being said, due largely to their price range, I often browse and rarely buy. Of course, once in a while, I break down and buy myself something pretty that I often wear A LOT and love to death, even after kicking myself over the cost of it.
So, here's my current baby, the Lululemon Scuba Hoodie in Wish Blue Poncho print.
What's to love?
-It's that right combination of casual, work out comfort, with a little something something, which I'm sure is due to the print!
-It's long enough that it reaches the top of my hips, which makes it perfect for jeans and work out pants, without riding up!
-It's super soft on the inside and warm too. Plus it's cuddly, which is perfect for late night readings!
-If zipped up all the way, the zipper doesn't bang me in the chin, which I like.
-Plus the color! I heart me some Wish Blue and I have several pieces in this color. It is love for me.
Now, if this pattern or color isn't your thing, feel free to drop by Lululemon's website and see if there are other things up your alley. There are also stores across Canada and the USA, which often offer in store classes, ect. My local Lululemon, for example, does yoga on Parliament Hill every Wednesday at 12 PM from May to September, which is pretty cool!
Photo credit and where to buy: Lululemon
That being said, due largely to their price range, I often browse and rarely buy. Of course, once in a while, I break down and buy myself something pretty that I often wear A LOT and love to death, even after kicking myself over the cost of it.
So, here's my current baby, the Lululemon Scuba Hoodie in Wish Blue Poncho print.
What's to love?
-It's that right combination of casual, work out comfort, with a little something something, which I'm sure is due to the print!
-It's long enough that it reaches the top of my hips, which makes it perfect for jeans and work out pants, without riding up!
-It's super soft on the inside and warm too. Plus it's cuddly, which is perfect for late night readings!
-If zipped up all the way, the zipper doesn't bang me in the chin, which I like.
-Plus the color! I heart me some Wish Blue and I have several pieces in this color. It is love for me.
Now, if this pattern or color isn't your thing, feel free to drop by Lululemon's website and see if there are other things up your alley. There are also stores across Canada and the USA, which often offer in store classes, ect. My local Lululemon, for example, does yoga on Parliament Hill every Wednesday at 12 PM from May to September, which is pretty cool!
Photo credit and where to buy: Lululemon
Week Two Weigh-in and falling off the wagon
A few days late posting, but inleast I've got around to it!
As of Monday, January 10, 2011, I have lost about 2 pounds via exercise and eating properly. Not bad for the first week!
That being said, I then promply fell off the wagon. I did not exercise either Monday or Wednesday, and was unable to go to my yoga class on Sunday. Needless to say, the only person to blame is myself and more specifically, tooth pain. Yes, I did not exercise because my tooth hurt. It's a terrible excuse, but it's true.
So I decided to inleast due something today, so I did about 10 minutes of ab exercises. True, it's not the ideal, but it's better than nothing. Also, it will remind me to get back on the wagon again. Sometimes, it's those baby steps that get us to our goals.
As of Monday, January 10, 2011, I have lost about 2 pounds via exercise and eating properly. Not bad for the first week!
That being said, I then promply fell off the wagon. I did not exercise either Monday or Wednesday, and was unable to go to my yoga class on Sunday. Needless to say, the only person to blame is myself and more specifically, tooth pain. Yes, I did not exercise because my tooth hurt. It's a terrible excuse, but it's true.
So I decided to inleast due something today, so I did about 10 minutes of ab exercises. True, it's not the ideal, but it's better than nothing. Also, it will remind me to get back on the wagon again. Sometimes, it's those baby steps that get us to our goals.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
The art of calling it a day
I decided this afternoon that I would fit in the workout that I didn't do yesterday. My goal was to do a 50 minute Budokon so that I would fit my workout in, switch things up, and get a good work out.
Long story short, I ended up giving up about 25 minutes in. I couldn't do it anymore. My muscles were screaming, I wasn't liking the feeling, and I thought that inleast the first part (yoga) would be done by now. Not so.
Now, I can be a world class giver-upper when it come to exercising. It's true. But at the same time, after years of yoga, I've learned that if I'm feeling pain, I need to take a step back and modify or stop. In this situation, after 25 minutes, I decided that stopping was the best option.
Nevertheless, I find I still have those feelings of, "I could have stuck it out!", "Don't be a quitter!". And feeling those things are rough, but necessary. They are what help motivate me to try and get myself out there, into physical activity, to lose that weight. At the same time though, I have to help myself and by helping myself, it means not injurying myself. To me, these two sides need to be balance and it is something I will continue to strive to do.
Long story short, I ended up giving up about 25 minutes in. I couldn't do it anymore. My muscles were screaming, I wasn't liking the feeling, and I thought that inleast the first part (yoga) would be done by now. Not so.
Now, I can be a world class giver-upper when it come to exercising. It's true. But at the same time, after years of yoga, I've learned that if I'm feeling pain, I need to take a step back and modify or stop. In this situation, after 25 minutes, I decided that stopping was the best option.
Nevertheless, I find I still have those feelings of, "I could have stuck it out!", "Don't be a quitter!". And feeling those things are rough, but necessary. They are what help motivate me to try and get myself out there, into physical activity, to lose that weight. At the same time though, I have to help myself and by helping myself, it means not injurying myself. To me, these two sides need to be balance and it is something I will continue to strive to do.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Dancing in my underwear can be considered cardio?
So apparently dancing around in your underwear can count as cardio. Strange, but true.
Well, there are a few guidelines to this. The music should be relatively fast and you need to do it for 30 minutes.
Now, given that I know this and that I really don't like going to the gym for the first three weeks of January, mostly because I'm looking forward to all those people who can't keep their resolutions (but not I!), I thought I would give it a try. I closed my living room blinds, loaded iTunes, and played a playlist filled with fast pace songs that I like.
Needless to say, this was some of my most fun cardio to date. I could do it at home, with no need to put on special clothing, and listen to music I wanted to. I could also try my own interpretation of different types of dancing, including modern, ballet, hip hop, and Irish. It was like being a kid again!
That being said, I think half an hour was a long time to keep my attention. I love dancing, but I think I would prefer to dance with my friends at a bar or take a class.
Either way, this type of cardio might be one that I can turn to in my hours of cardio need, which definately means a plus in my books!
Image found at .
Well, there are a few guidelines to this. The music should be relatively fast and you need to do it for 30 minutes.
Now, given that I know this and that I really don't like going to the gym for the first three weeks of January, mostly because I'm looking forward to all those people who can't keep their resolutions (but not I!), I thought I would give it a try. I closed my living room blinds, loaded iTunes, and played a playlist filled with fast pace songs that I like.
Needless to say, this was some of my most fun cardio to date. I could do it at home, with no need to put on special clothing, and listen to music I wanted to. I could also try my own interpretation of different types of dancing, including modern, ballet, hip hop, and Irish. It was like being a kid again!
That being said, I think half an hour was a long time to keep my attention. I love dancing, but I think I would prefer to dance with my friends at a bar or take a class.
Either way, this type of cardio might be one that I can turn to in my hours of cardio need, which definately means a plus in my books!
Image found at .
Monday, January 3, 2011
Day 1
As I had decided over the weekend (due to friends in town and yummy food lying around), I came to the conclusion that I was going to start my resolution on Monday, January 3rd.
So now that today has come and gone, how did today go? Well, as far as first days go, not so good.
I was able to fit in a workout tonight for about 40 minutes. I did it at home, in front of my laptop, while watching an episode of Miami Ink on Netflix. I was able to do a bit of cardio, without a machine, and some weights and sit-ups. Now, was this the most ideal workout? Probably not. Did I inleast fit a workout in today instead of doing the whole, "Oh well, I'll do it tomorrow?" ? Yes I did. So in some ways, I have been successful today in moving one step closer to my goals. Now just to keep up the hard work...
So now that today has come and gone, how did today go? Well, as far as first days go, not so good.
I was able to fit in a workout tonight for about 40 minutes. I did it at home, in front of my laptop, while watching an episode of Miami Ink on Netflix. I was able to do a bit of cardio, without a machine, and some weights and sit-ups. Now, was this the most ideal workout? Probably not. Did I inleast fit a workout in today instead of doing the whole, "Oh well, I'll do it tomorrow?" ? Yes I did. So in some ways, I have been successful today in moving one step closer to my goals. Now just to keep up the hard work...
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Starting Weight and Measurements
So on December 31, 2010, I weight and measured myself to see where I am starting. Here's the results, with a BMI calculation as well:
Weight: 165 pounds
BMI: 28.3 (Overweight)
Bust: 36 inches
Waist: 36 inches
Hips: 41 inches
After doing some research (I heart you Google!), I discovered that to have a BMI in the healthy range, I need to weigh 140 pounds, with a BMI of 24. Hence, my goal weight is 140 pounds by May 1, 2010.
25 pounds in 5 months? I can do it!
Let the weight loss begin!
Image from LiveStrong
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