Sunday, January 30, 2011

Health in General

EPIC FAIL.  That's what this past week has been.  I can talk a lot of talk about trying to work out at my little gym at my apartment but I sure can't follow up. 

That being said, I've lived an extremely unhealthy life this week.  That included having at least one drink the past 4 nights.  WOW.  That sounds like I have a problem, but to be clear I typically don't even drink unless there's a special occasion.  And every once in a while the fiance and I will have a "craft" beer from time to time on Friday or Saturday nights.  But really I don't drink all that often.

That being said, my diet has consisted of the bottom of the barrel junk food including (but not limited to) tater tots, pizza, beer, rum, ice cream, chips, hummus etc.  I've had very few vegetables and tons of refined carbs.  Basically I feel like a pile of lard today and I'm having difficulty breathing.  It feels like there is a small child sitting on my chest and I just can't get a full, deep breath.  I'm constantly yawning even though I'm not THAT tired.  I remember feeling this way a lot in college, I even went to the doctor to see if I had asthma - I don't.  But he prescribed me an inhaler anyways.  I now realize that diet plays a huge part in my general well being.  I haven't had this breathing issue in a long time and it would be a little far fetched to claim that this was just a coincidence. 

So I'm gonna chalk this week as a lesson learned and I am now waiting for my super delish chicken to finish cooking.  Only 15 minutes left!  Yeah nutrients!

Friday, January 28, 2011

Germany Trip

A fellow blogger that I stalk follow posted her two-year plan a few posts ago and it made me think about my own plan. 

I obviously have a pretty busy year (or 1/2 year at this point) with the wedding coming up but I've been extremely motivated to learn German.  I have subscribed to "word-of-the-day" emails, purchased Rosetta Stone's 5 volume German set, and purchased supplemental books to help when the Rosetta Stone is just too much for me.

I have a love for languages.  There is something about learning a different language that really appeals to me.  I think for the most part, I like to listen to people speak when they think no one understands them.  That's what I do when I'm at the grocery store and I hear a Spanish speaking family or when I'm riding the bus or walking around town.  It always gives me a thrill when I pick up enough of their conversation to make me feel like I'm somewhat fluent in Spanish. 


My ULTIMATE Spanish speaking experience I had was in Barcelona (or Barthelona as they pronounce it) with two very English speaking friends.  Some SPANISH man came up to me when we were by this Gaudi building in Spain and asked me for directions... I knew EXACTLY what he was talking about and gave him VERY specific directions (one block north, three blocks west - or something like that).

The feeling was such a rush.  I was able to help a Spanish speaker with directions in SPAIN?  How does it get any better than that?  It doesn't.

Until my next challenge.  Learning German.

Within the next 2 years, I wish to take a trip to Germany with the future husband and be fluent enough to do something similar.  After the wedding, when I stop bleeding money, I will start saving a small portion of my paycheck towards a special travel savings account which won't be touched until the time is right.  In the meantime, I must once again reiterate my 2011 goal to practice my German on a more regular basis.  Until now I've had no discipline in my German studying, but now I realize that watching Judge Judy isn't as important as this goal is for me.  I will dedicate 30 minutes, 4-5 days a week, to studying German using the tools that I have at my disposal.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

I WILL!

Whew, you know when you've finished a big project at work and your life feels like it can finally resume?  I'm pretty relieved actually because I'm in that very state right now. 

So anyways, a quick reflection on my week so far - I've been LAZY!  I'm not proud of it, but I haven't been eating that well either.  I feel kind of like a big ol bag of crap right now and I need to snap out of it!  Hopefully now that this monkey is off my back I'll be able to get things back to normal but my tiny little gym isn't going to reopen until TUESDAY!

Public Statement:  I WILL go to the rinky dink gym that's free in my apartment complex.  I WILL do both cardio and some resistance training.  I WILL do this every single day until my gym opens back up on Tuesday.  

The hardest part about working out at this facility is that I usually go to my apartment first and it's just oh-so-cozy, and look- Judge Judy is on the DVR, and I have all those yummy things to snack on... or drink ;)  I get to wear my jammies and relax after a long day.  Laziness won't cut it and Future Elizabeth certainly won't be happy when I'm not looking and feeling awesome on my wedding day because of my behavior today. 

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Swivels

Sometimes, someecards is the only way to express yourself.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Derailed

Ugh, tonight after work I felt defeated.  The gym that I have access to is CLOSED yet again, and won't be open until February 1st.  I'm a realist, I don't want to go work out at the rinky dink gym that's free in my apartment complex.  But what am I gonna do the next week when my access to cardio equipment is unavailable? 

Seriously. 

I have no willpower right now to turn on a workout DVD.  Seriously, the biggest loser is on, that's basically like a workout, no? 

So I'm keeping busy CLEANING!  Since I'm getting home earlier the next few days, I'm planning on being active in more practical, everyday ways.  Today was kitchen cleanup day!  I cleaned the gunk that was stuck to the counters, cleaned the dishes left in the sink, scrubbed the stovetop, and cooked a super yummy chicken dish. 

The fiance better be thankful, tomorrow I'm cleaning the bathroom.  It's a date. 

In other news, I filed my taxes recently and I've got about 1,000 buckeroos coming my way.  I have this undeniable, unavoidable urge to SHOP!  I want to buy this dress to wear to my rehearsal dinner!!! 

It's very springy and fun (in my opinion).  I'm probably gonna buy it no matter what, but what does everyone think?

Monday, January 24, 2011

Loooong time - no work out

I am currently on the longest non-working out streak I have been on in months!  Thursday I had drinks with a coworker, Friday I went out to dinner with a former coworker and for both of those days I skipped my workout.  Saturday and Sunday I was just plain lazy.  And today?  Well I had every intention to work out but the gym in my building was closed!  GRRRR....  Hello early train home and Judge Judy on DVR! 

Oh well, I am going to embrace this break.  And go to the gym tomorrow! 

Who's with me?

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Weekend Roundup

Whew!  This weekend flew by...  It's Sunday night and the fiance and I have had a long/tiring weekend.

The poor fiance had to work a "half" day on Saturday, which for him means from 8-3.  By the time he came back I was bouncing off the walls to do something.  I was practically begging him to go to the mall with me because I wanted him to get some new clothes and I felt that I needed to be there to supervise his purchase of jeans from anywhere but Wal-Mart.  His rule of thought is to not spend more than $20 on jeans, I tell him that he'll spend $20 on a case of beer so why not splurge on some clothing that will last years?

We did not end up going shopping on Saturday, but I went to Target though and made flash cards for my new German vocab and some markers to make them pretty! 


Do you like my airplane?  Or my impressive use of space for the "to cover" verb.  Klingeln is my new fave verb as it means "to ring a bell".  Seems like an unnecessary verb for one starting out but I'm loving it.

So today, Sunday, the fiance and I went to Bed Bath and Beyond to register for gifts.  Does anyone have fun doing this?  Registering is harder than it seems like it should be... but there for sure was a distinct difference in our Target and BBB experience.

To illustrate the difference in service I'll first explain our Target registration:
"Here is your scanner - have at it"

For our BBB experience we had a much higher level of customer service, which you think I would love, right?  Well it was actually quite annoying...  The fiance and I come from Iowa, we're not exactly the epitome of class.  Before even registering we decided that we don't need a china set that costs $100 or more, we want the practical every day use china.  The woman that was "guiding" us through our registration was convinced that we needed high end stemware and china etc.  In an effort to get her to leave us alone I gave in and said that her opinions of things we don't need were fine and to add them to the registry... so I'm going to have to delete some things from the registry right now.  

The whole experience was way too involved, like this woman really doesn't need to be there to throw in her input for what she thinks looks good together...  So anyways, we have a follow up appointment next weekend to "finish our registry".

This begs the question:  If you knew someone was registered at Target and Bed Bath and Beyond, which store would you choose to purchase a gift for the couple?  The fiance and I think we have our answer but I'd like your input.

We have less than 6 months til the big day!  I am getting so excited!  I should mention that this weekend was an epic fail in the health category, I haven't worked out since Wednesday, I've ate far too much ice cream and other "bad" foods.  Oh well, just need to make better choices tomorrow, right!?

Saturday, January 22, 2011

This one's for you, Frau!

Ich lerne Deutsch!

One of my goals for 2011 (continued from 2010) is to learn German.  Last year I purchased Rosetta Stone's 5 volume German set and I completed the first disk in about a month or two, but I've been stuck on the second disk for nearly 7-8 months... I blame my laziness and my lack of tools to learn.  So this weekend with a gift certificate from my mom for my birthday (THANKS MOM) I purchased 2 German workbooks.  One to help with vocab and the other to help me learn verbs and how to conjugate them.


Today I did self directed homework that mimics the Spanish homework I had in high school (Thanks for the excellent teaching, SeƱor!). 



The above pictured are the first lessons worth of verbs (yikes) with 2 exercises worth of conjugation.  My hand hurts!  But I've already learned more basis about conjugating that I learned through Rosetta Stone!

What have you done this Saturday to get you closer to your goals?

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Can't wait for the weekend

I know I can't possibly be the only one that's thinking this... but I just can't wait for the weekend.  It has been a loooong short week... But one of my fave co-workers and I went out for "my boss makes me cry" drinks today (but don't feel sorry for me, I'm seriously so awesome it doesn't even matter). We each had 3 martinis - delish.  I wish I took a picture, they were so yummy!  Pomegranate Martinis with blueberries (or later on, blackberries - I suspect they switched the fruit because they were getting low and we had already had 2 martinis by that point!)

What are you doing this weekend?  I'm planning on catching up on my Judge Judy on DVR, watching Going the Distance, and MAYBE working out.

PS: Losing Weight Benefit Number 67:  You feel the effects of alcohol MUCH faster :)

Monday, January 17, 2011

Biggest Loser Monday

I watch the Biggest Loser.

I don't agree with their philosophy on faster is better weight loss.  Or that they should look purely at weight loss rather than fat loss.  (Theoretically, a contestant could cut off their leg and lose 40 pounds and it should count towards their percentage weight loss)

But I watch it anyways.

Why?... Well it's motivational, and the contestants personal stories pull me in.

Other than that, can someone please explain the hypocrisy of  the show?  If it's supposed to be motivational and try to get America off the couch and being more active.

Then why is it 2 hours long?

Sunday, January 16, 2011

I went to Jared

I went to Jared to get my ring sized, turns out I'm a full 1.25 sizes down from when I last had my ring size measured before I was engaged (and only 70% of me was curious to know my ring size so I could casually drop hints to my then boyfriend/now fiance).

Tomorrow I have the day off and I'm getting my dress altered.  It's a little bit too long and I need to trim it down.  Other than that I think it fits pretty well.  Overall I'm excited to go to a store with flattering mirrors in every direction so I can check myself out in the dress again.  That sure beats walking around in my bedroom with the door locked screaming at my fiance that he can't come in looking at it sitting in the closet in it's bag.

Since I have the day off and the fiance doesn't I think I might go catch Black Swan.  I just need to see it.  If I haven't mentioned it before, I have the teeniest girl crush on Natalie Portman.   LOVE HER!  And I just saw on the Golden Globes that she's pregnant.  Oh she's going to have a cute little baby :) 

Putting Myself Out There

Thank you to all of my friends and family that read this blog, and thank you to my new readers.  I'm really getting excited about putting my story out there for the world to see and to be held accountable by all of my readers.  I know that you are few and far between right now, but I do appreciate you all so much.

It's beyond motivating to share my story with you and to hear your feedback and read your comments. 

I just mentioned something out loud to my fiance.  Until I said it I wasn't sure that I even had this as a goal.  I want to have 100 followers by the end of 2011.  A lofty, yet not at all unachievable goal. 

So there it is.  My story will be heard!  Thanks for being there for me :)

Saturday, January 15, 2011

1 Year of Weight Loss

I am not 100% sure of the date, but I'm relatively positive that today marks the one year anniversary of my weight loss journey. As you can see from my incredibly awesome before/after post I wrote at the end of 2010 I'd say I've done pretty well for myself.

Somethings you can't really see in a picture so I thought I'd write down a few of the thoughts that I had before and after.

Before:
-I'm so fat
-These clothes don't fit
-I have to untag about 30 pictures after going out last night hanging out with my friend who appears to work as a paparazzo (yes, that is singular for paparazzi)
-I feel like a slob, may as well eat 2 gallons of ice cream and a dozen cookies (maybe that's an exaggeration but still it doesn't seem to far off looking back)
-Candy out in the office? I'll have 10 pieces, they're small so it won't hurt me any...
-I can't lose weight, I've tried everything - I give up... (this is where Weight Watchers came in to play)
-I wonder if I can get away wearing this shirt I wore in college? What, it's wayyyy toooooo tight? FML
-I have a gym membership and go about 4 times a month so that makes my fit (and I'm lying to myself)

After:
-Check me out, I have a waist!
-Check me out, I have a collarbone!
-Check me out, I am awesome
-Check me out (you get the idea)
-Fitness and nutrition is a priority in my life, I must plan accordingly in order to succeed (for real, this is a regular thought)
-When I have a "bad meal" here is no such thing as "Starting over tomorrow" it's "start again RIGHT NOW"
-I'm gonna be a hot bride, I'm sorry to all you men folk cuz I'm gonna make you do a double take when I'm all glammed up and you can't have me :)
-I am physically fit and can do whatever I put my mind to!
-I'll do whatever it takes to be healthy and feel good
-Wow, these pants fit? I haven't been able to zip them up since (enter date at least 3 years ago here)
-My stomach doesn't appear to hang over my jeans like they used to... that's different
-My cheeks appear to be somewhat chiseled. When did I get cheekbones?
-This picture looks great for a profile pic, but I also REALLY like this one. There are too many good pictures of me to decide!! (There's a problem you WANT to have!)

One piece of advice I'd like to offer those just starting a journey of their own. TAKE PICTURES. Full Body. I know they're intimidating to take because you may not like what you see (yet) but I wish I did and now I don't get to see how I looked along the way. Or show you!

I feel completely different today, obviously. If you're reading this and you want motivation or other tips, please follow me! I plan to keep posting about my journey as it's still not over. If would rather remain anonymous, feel free to email me at thateasley@gmail.com. I'm happy to share motivating tips or give you my two cents for any questions you have. I look forward to hearing from you!!

Friday, January 14, 2011

5k Baby!

Happy Friday Blogger World!

I wanted to share an announcement that I just signed up for a 5k today! It's something I know I can handle, I want to race in something where I know that
a) I can finish
b) I can race to try to beat a goal time.

So my goal for the 5k that's coming up in April, a solid 2.5 months away, is to run at a pace that is faster than a 10 minute mile. Currently I run at about an 11 minute mile on the treadmill, and actually recently I've been having trouble even running for the full 30-35 minutes that I try to run when I'm working out. This will be tough but doable.

April is an iffy time of year in the midwest, you never know if you'll see snow or scorching heat. I'm hoping that it's a happy medium, perhaps a comfortable 65 degrees. I'm also hoping that the snow has melted by then and that the dirt underneath has reasonably dried up so that it doesn't turn into a slippery mudslide.

Oh I would also like to share a personal victory. Today I weighed myself and I have officially reached the 25 pound mark of weight loss. One year ago tomorrow I joined Weight Watchers and weighed in at 174.4 on that day. This morning I weighed in at 149.4! So I broke that 150 pound barrier that had been taunting me for about 3 months and also completed a milestone today! I think that sharing my weight honestly on this blog has been somewhat of an instigator. Even more motivating than the scale at Weight Watchers!

Recent posts I've mentioned that I had already lost 25 pounds so this may seem anticlimatic for you... but I was rounding up. Rounding is a great thing.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

NSV - Ring Too Big

My ring has outgrown my ring finger. Or my fingers have shrunk big time. You decide. It's sliding off and on so easily that I've been forced to wear it on my middle finger for fear of it slipping off. Better go get 'er sized properly!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

I should be endorsed by the Double D's

As I'm writing this I should admit that I'm high... sort of. On Dunkin Donuts coffee. I would like to recommend the DD coffee if you've never tried it, it's smooth and makes you really feel the caffeine like that (picture me snapping my fingers).

Please, if there is a Dunkin Donut's exec out there reading my blog (I have high ambitions for this blog) please send me free coupons. I'm just saying, your coffee is totally worth every single penny.

***I swear I'm not being paid for saying this, it totally comes from the heart.

Happy Wednesday everyone! What are you doing this weekend?

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Diet Season

I hate to be nit-picky, but can people please stop talking about ridiculous diets they're starting to lose a few quick pounds for some ridiculous reason?

I love supporting people on their own weight loss journey, but just as long as they're doing it the right way. It kills me to read on facebook that someone is attempting a 500/day calorie diet. I know that type of diet isn't sustainable and to be perfectly honest, it's borderline anorexic. I'm no doctor/dietitian/medical professional in any way, but I have smothered myself in this past year with motivating, educational resources that advocate a slow and steady weight loss. I feel like this gives me enough "smarts" to say that those diets aren't the way to sustain weight loss. I'm just sayin'

So yeah, here's to a happy and healthy diet season. Take care of yourselves!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Changing My Name

How can I POSSIBLY part with such an amazing last name? I mean, EASLEY, common. How does one let go of such awesomeness. I consider myself somewhat of a feminist, I have asked myself why does my identity have to change? Why do I have to wait in line and pay outrageous fees for changing multiple forms of identification?

Well let's just say the fiance and I have come to a compromise, the terms of which we've decided are between the two of us. So in 6 months from now, I'm gonna be Mrs. Salton. I will bring on the awesome. I'm really good at that.

Friday, January 7, 2011

It's My Birthweek

I don't think people should celebrate the DAY of their birth, but the whole week of it.
Hell I'm turning another year older and I'm pretty proud of where I'm at today! It's been a fun year learning to eat properly and becoming more active.

This weekend I get to spend with my whole family, including lil bro that flew in from Seattle! I am so excited!!!


I am going to celebrate by making Spritz Cookies tonight (my first foodie/recipe blog to follow) and eating Edy's Take The Cake ice cream! Hey, I heard there's no such thing as calories on your birthweek and I tend to believe theories that directly benefit me! And the future fitter and healthier me will eat ice cream and cookies as part of her diet so darnit I'm gonna eat it too!

Also, a quick shout out to my new followers! I am excited to see you :)

Thursday, January 6, 2011

BIIIIIIIIIIIRDS!


Can we please talk about how I JUST got HIT IN THE HEAD by a PIGEON on my lunchtime walk?
I'm fine, thankyouverymuch, but OH MY GOSH!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Looking back in time

I have to tell you all that I'm so happy that I've started really writing in this blog regularly. I'm looking back to my post from January 15, 2010 (I believe) and it's my public confession that at the time I just joined Weight Watchers and planned to do a weekly update regarding my health and fitness routine. I want to get back to that point where I'm excited to share with everyone my gains/losses on a weekly basis. But ugh, it's SO HARD to tell everyone your weight. Why is that? It's just numbers. And to most people they don't mean anything except compared to their own weight which we all know is relative based on your height and body fat percentage.

I don't have much of a focus to this blog yet, although I know about a year ago I really wanted to make this a weight loss blog, I didn't really have a clue how to make it just about weight loss and still have people read it.

The fact of the matter is, although I've done great in 2010 I still have some work to do and given that I am 6 months away from my wedding, I should really be cracking down on my diet and exercise. I have been "stuck" at this weight for probably 4 or 5 months now which is a huge bummer, but at the same time those numbers are getting slightly lower.

Since I told you all my real weight a few weeks ago, I'll let you know the absolute lowest I've been lately is 150.0 which is incredible but I just can't seem to break through that 150 barrier. Does anyone else ever feel like this? Like a stupid number is somehow preventing me from getting to where I'd like to be. After the last few weekends of parties, drinking and eating, and another one of those coming up this weekend I am frustrated yet motivated at the same time. I'm frustrated that a weekend of drinking and eating pushes my weight up about 3 pounds or so which I know is mostly water retention and it's going to be gone in a few days, but at the same time, a lot of it is that I overindulged and I am sick of doing this yo-yo between those stupid 3 pounds and I just want to break through that barrier.

This is where the critics say "don't worry about the number on the scale but how you feel in clothes". Well the number is an arbitrary goal, yes, but my clothes haven't changed much in the last 4-5 months either, even with the addition of a regular weight training regimen.

Bottom line is, I need to get in gear. There is a skinny bitch in me that's screaming to get out and I want to meet her.

I have to say that my exercise is on point, I have never worked out so much in my life. I spend typically an hour in the gym every day M-F after work. This includes light weight training but mostly cardio due to the lack of variety of weight equipment. (excuses excuses) Am I overtraining? That can't be right... Am I eating too much? Or not enough? Believe it or not, you need to eat to lose weight (sorry if you're anorexic but it's not gonna work... although it will kill you).

It's like I'm struggling constantly with the WHAT AM I DOING WRONG part of my brain. Then I think about the ice cream cones, the chocolate covered pretzels, the cheese dip, the pizza dipped in ranch dressing and I figure... oh, that's why it's not working. Although I know that the future skinny me does get to eat pizza and that will therefore be a part of my regime during my weight loss journey because I need to continue sustainable weight loss, I just need to be more conscious of it, perhaps I don't need that third slice. Perhaps I just need to be more mindful. Perhaps I need to push through and make future me happy, specifically the future me on July 9th because she'll really appreciate all the work that past me has done.

MOTIVATED MOTIVATED DOWNRIGHT MOTIVATED!

So starting last week, the fiance and I decided to weigh ourselves weekly and share our weight with one another. On Thursday last week I was 153.0, tomorrow I hope to share a different number with you all, a lower one perhaps?

Well I'm going to the gym tonight. Then on my train ride home I'm reading The Amazing Adventures of DietGirl, I would like to shout out to the author Shauna, one of the hosts of Two Fit Chicks and a Microphone, another podcast I highly recommend. My workout will include 35 minutes of running on the treadmill and then lifting until it's time to make my train, which is about 25 minutes.

A new addition to my blog is now my Daily Mile calculator which tracks my fitness in miles and shares with you fine people. There is a "Send Elizabeth Motivation" link that should be tested to see if it works, hint hint. I love you all, thanks for keeping me focused!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Saturday, January 1, 2011

New Years Resolutions

It's 2011!

Time for the obligatory New Years Resolution blog.

Although from a newly "addicted to blogging" blogger who likes to discuss her weight loss efforts with you all, it's come to my attention that I don't really have a New Years Resolution... not right now anyways, and not about weight.

See in the blogger world, I've come to discover, that every day offers you a resolution. A resolution that you don't have to wait to tomorrow to do something incredible. There's a motivating thought to chew on.
Blog Resolutions:
To continue my motivation into the New Year and to help inspire others via this blog or in person. I would love to have more people following my blog because it's really fun to know that when I write these posts it's to an actual audience! Likewise if you have a resolution to comment more on my random musings, I wouldn't be sad about that!

Health Resolutions:
To drink more water on the weekends. At work I regularly drink from my 1000 ml camelbak water bottle which I highly recommend. In fact I might actually do a giveaway in the future using my own money to purchase a camelbak as a prize! (Note to self, must to an Elizabeth's Favorite Things blog post and do giveaways in 2011)

Relationship Resolutions:
To try and not let the little things bother me as much as they sometimes do. For instance: "Why don't you close the curtain when you get out of the shower" fights.

Other Resolutions:
Take more pictures! 2011 will be an eventful year and I want to remember it dagnabbit!