30 Day Weight Loss Challenge, Day 2

I’m going for a walk instead of run today.

Only two miles, too.

I wish summer would come so that I can have loads of time to burn calories.

“Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos - the trees, the...

I had one today.  It was amazing.  I just realized a few things:

1. Obviously I can’t control everything in life.
   What I mean is: I can’t control that my parents have financial problems.  Technically, they don’t have money problems.  I was not, however, aware that there is a difference.  There is, though.  My parents have money.  It’s locked up in CDs right now, though, and they are unable to use it.  They have a lot of money they can’t touch until August of this year.  I can’t control this.  I, however, can control what I use of theirs.  For instance: electricity, water, food, beverage, etc.  I can control all of these and put myself on a $20 budget for food and drink.  I can control the 20 minute shower I take, or for how long I let the water run.  I can control what I leave plugged in or what light I leave on.
2. Stress management is key in my life.
   I can’t stress over every single, tiny, little thing.  That is so not healthy.  I’m really bad about it, though.  I need to learn to be logical and just not freak out before I know I have to.  And, even then, you never really should freak out about something.  For instance: food and exercise.  I always beat myself up so much for not walking that extra minute or mile.  I always beat myself up if I don’t workout.  I guilt myself out of eating what I really want which will only hurt me in the long run.  If I eat something that I think I shouldn’t have, then I stress about it.  Stress actually causes weight gain.  I need to learn how to manage it.  Ideas anyone??
3. Food is food, calories are calories, working out is good, and water is key.
   Some of you do not agree with me.  That’s fine.  I have my own mottos.  I don’t always have the patience to let the tea heat up, and I have found no alternatives to hot tea.  I’ve heard that the instant powder tea is bad for you so I don’t drink it.  Instead I opt for water with a little lemon in it.  Food, no matter what, is food.  If I’m craving something, okay.  Well, I’m probably going to have a little of that something and get over it.  I can’t feel bad about going over my calorie count anymore.  I’m eating healthier, exercising a lot more, drinking a lot of water, and I’m good.  I’m happy.  Some days I hit the slump of, ‘why do I bother.’ But I pretty quickly get over it.
4. Moderation is your best friend.
   I come from a binging type of ordeal.  I’d deprive myself so much that I’d eventually just cave and eat a shit ton of whatever I wasn’t allowing myself.  Bad.  This is so bad.  I think what a lot of people who take the weight-loss ‘plunge’ (if you will) forget is you can’t cut yourself off completely.  I have so many vices.  For instance: I absolutely LOVE pasta.  I eat it at least once a month.  It doesn’t matter when, I just do.  I love ranch potato chips (not a good example since I gave them up ‘cold turkey’ and never looked back).  It’s OKAY to treat yourself guys!  In fact, most people encourage you to!  Just keep it light.  Usually once you have a tiny amount of whatever you’re craving, you’re good to go.
5. Live freely.
   You cannot spend your life counting calories, staring at the numbers on the scale, or wasting away.  I haven’t gotten to the point in my life where I don’t count calories anymore.  I haven’t gotten to the point in my life where I don’t weigh myself anymore.  I still fret over small things.  I realize, though, that I don’t always want to be this person.  I gave up drinking because it’s a lot of extra calories.  I won’t always not drink.  I will some day learn to incorporate it into my diet (hopefully by my 21st birthday).  I want to be able to incorporate it in at least 2-4 days a month and be okay with that.  i want to know I’m okay drinking a six pack of light beer.  I won’t let somebody tell me that isn’t okay.  I enjoy drinking.  I aspire to be the girl who can go to the gym, not count calories, and live a somewhat guilt-free, stress-free life.

While I haven’t found cures for all of these things, I’m working on it.  That’s really all I can do.  I still have my days where I’m a complete jerk to myself.  I’m going to slowly ease myself from this attitude, though.

ways to de-bloat with simple food swapping:

it’s basically a give & take. a lot of the foods mention are what i have to eat because i’m anemic & need all the iron-based foods i can get. but you can always go around it, i believe. eitherway, the best way to de-bloat, diet, & maintain a healthy body is to drink lots & lots of water!

I FEEL GREAT! 

My diet was decent today:

• Fiber bar in the morning
• Pizza roll for lunch (horrible.. I know)
• Apple for a snack
• Small portion of wheat noodles and Alfredo 
• A ton of water

Now I am going to make something small for my post workout meal. 

Today was my first day of the biggest loser. 

At the first station, we walked up and down a hill ten times. Then we ran around it, when the whistle blew, we ran up it, down it, and then around it again. Then we ran up and down it five more times. 

At the second station, we went around a track and each light post had a different exercise (sit ups, push ups, squats, lunges, etc.)

Then at the final station, we sprinted to a fence, jogged back, did twenty push ups and sit ups and repeated four times. Then we stepped up on a bench, fifteen on each leg. And then worked with weights. 

I am tired… But feel GOOOOOOD.

someone give me homemade cookies!!

Inner thighs workout, via POP Pilates :) only ten minutes and works magically. 

“Nowadays the clinical history too often weighs more than the man.”

- Martin H. Fischer

How tall are you? Do you like your height?

On my state ID, it says 5’5” and when I get my drivers’ license, it will say 5’4” because that’s what it says on my permit.

In reality, I’m 5 fee, 4 and a half inches. Have been for a while, so I better get used to it!

I wish I was taller because that way maybe I would be a little thinner, but I also love being able to feel tall when I wear heels.

Luto by Pedro Lucena on Flickr.

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Audax Health Solutions located in Washington DC and hopes to improve the human condition through connection. Audax Health Solutions is built to show you the power of the human condition through connection.

I’m not surprised. I’m still at the same weight as last week. Better than a gain I suppose. Going to mix things up this week with circuit training and more cardio and endurance stuff rather than strength.

Last week I talked about starting Chalene Johnson’s “Turbo Fire” workout. The picture below speaks for itself. I haven’t sweat this much (including my pony tail!), and needed to stretch as long as I did post workout in a long time! Although it was my first class, I used the hand weights to kick it up a notch. Holy crud, it was intense! The moves were confusing at first, I even had to rewind a few times to make sure I got it down, but once the music starts going, and you get into the groove, it gets a lot easier. I’m looking forward to tomorrows class!

I don’t plan on posting everyday. I only wanted to post my first thoughts on the workout and hopefully will be able to post my progress at the end of every week.

AND HELLO TO ALL MY NEW FOLLOWERS! ? ? ?

Want To Know What To Eat To Lose Weight Fast?:

http://wee.fm/7oeg Here’s a great post by [author], check it out: Want To Know What To Eat To Lose Weight Fast?

Can you train for a marathon, tri or other endurance event powered only by plant-based foods? Some...

I always feel so great after a workout. Jamal is right - you may not always want to go initially but, afterwards, you never regret going.

These past 2 days I’ve been trying my best to keep up with Jamal’s workouts. But, tomorrow, I get to try out some new fitness classes! I’m super pumped for some Cardio Jam!!!!!

Oh yeah, I’m starting a health/exercise book :)

Breakfast: porridge w/ sultanas, apple and cinnamon

Snack: red grapes, green tea

Lunch: leftover veggie nosh

Snacks: carrot sticks dipped in low fat cream cheese, green tea

Dinner: chicken stirfry

Dessert: baked apple w/ teaspoon sugar and cinnamon

Approx 1300 cal

Exercise: YouTube yoga/pilates workout, skipping rope

Really good day yesterday Was cramming for a psych exam and struggled to beat boredom eating! Really sore knees though, think I should give the running a miss today until they’re better.

I stumbled across the most awesome thing the other day.  PBS has episodes of Julia Child’s The French Chef!  What better than to watch her cooking Indian food??  My two favorite culinary themes (Julia Child and Indian food).  Since I am taking a Punjabi cooking class this week, I relished in Julia’s attempts to try her hand at Indian cooking.  Her usual kitchen antics of sticking her fingers in boiling water, dropping things, and asking hilarious questions continued throughout the 30 minute show.  ”Now do they use chopsticks in India?”  ”No, we like to eat with our hands and savor the experience of eating our meals.”  ”Oh, how…..interesting” I love her!  

I found some great trails to start running around town.  My goal is to be running a few times each week.  It was a gorgeous way to spend a Saturday afternoon.  The air was crisp and clean, and the trees and plants had this refreshing smell to them.  It honestly reminded me of a summer in Bavaria (without the beer and bratwurst!)  While my stamina certainly left something to be desired, I hope with practice it will improve.  I need to remember to just leave some shorts and running shoes in my car.  If I have to drive home from work to get my things to exercise, I will not be motivated to go back out!  I also must remember to watch for bikes; as was the case in Munich when I was there a few summers ago, I nearly got taken out by a group of over eager bike enthusiasts.  They are so hardcore.

I got home all rejuvenated from my run, so I decided to cook a batch of Greek style spinach with brown rice.  The recipe is pretty standard, so I will attach a link here ( http://greekfood.about.com/od/spinachrecipes/r/Spinach-And-Rice-Pilaf-Spanakorizo.htm ).  In the spirit of being healthy, however, I substituted brown rice.  The only change is the cooking time increases just a smidgen, but otherwise the recipe is still just as good and the change is not at all noticeable.  I like this dish because it is rather healthy, it stays for quite a few days in the refrigerator, and you can make a huge batch to last you through the week.  Also, in my opinion, it is just as good cold as it is hot!  I would add some feta on top as well, but again, in the interest of cutting calories I left it out.  

Not pictured are the two perfectly hardboiled eggs that I made with this!  I used the method that Ina Garten recommends: Start off with cold water, add your eggs, bring up to a boil for 2 minutes, turn off the heat and let stand for about 5-7 minutes.  The Barefoot Contessa knows best!

Luto by Pedro Lucena on Flickr.

hello, to no one

NJ Small Business Health Insurance for Your Employees:

It is not easy to make your employees stay for a long time if you are an owner of a small company. This is one thing that is hard to manage when it comes to running your own business. It is a natural way of people to always seek for jobs that can give them more benefits. They can even choose to start their own businesses as long as they have enough resources to do it.

Nomz that I made today. Sauteed kale sprinkled w/sea salt, organic white beans w/ onion and fire roasted crushed tomatoes and red peppers, and veggies that I steamed myself the night before, then sauteed in a teensy bit of butter, sprinkled with cilantro and thyme (I’m weird like that. Shut up).

How To Retain Employees:

For a small business, one of the challenges is keeping employees within the company. If you are a business owner, you know just how hard this can be. Many employees are always looking to move on, to take jobs that are more lucrative, or to start their own companies. This can create a fair amount of chaos on your staff since you will constantly be replacing people.

Retaining Employees with NJ Small Business Health Insurance:

A major challenge for any small business, including those in New Jersey, is to keep employees. Employees look to move forward and take jobs that have better benefits or even to start their own businesses. This creates a high turnover rate of staff, causing a constant replacing of people.

NJ Small Business Health Insurance for Your Employees:

It is not easy to make your employees stay for a long time if you are an owner of a small company. This is one thing that is hard to manage when it comes to running your own business. It is a natural way of people to always seek for jobs that can give them more benefits. They can even choose to start their own businesses as long as they have enough resources to do it.

Drunk Driving By the Numbers:

Drunk Driving by Car Insurance Comparison.org

Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and plums

I’ve started this blog with healthy weight loss in mind, to keep myself accountability and achieve my goals.

Follow My Fitblr :)

Follow My Fitblr :)

Yaaaay, ask me anything in my new 'ask me' button! :]

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Really want to sort out what im gonna do with my weight.. it’s so easy to put on weight but so...

Really want to sort out what im gonna do with my weight.. it’s so easy to put on weight but so hard to lose it :( Weh

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Enchantée!

Now let me introduce myself….

My name is Ailisha and I’m a teenage student living in Austin, Texas. I was born in Alberta, Canada and I’ve been living in the states for almost 10 years now! I’m a lifeguard as well, so lots of time spent in the Texas heat. I love spending my friends and my family! I speak fluentish french as well so si vous avez des questions en francais, vous pouvez me demander! 

As for being overweight, I have been my whole life. I think growing up into a young woman and beginning the journey to spend the rest of my life independently from my parents, it is very important that I learn to maintain a healthy lifestyle. My goal is, yes weight-loss, but also confidence-gain. Throughout my journey I’ll make sure that I feel just as good on the inside as I look good on the outside haha. 

I’m not going to promote anything that is unhealthy for my followers or anyone for that matter! You don’t have to be a size 0 to be beautiful, or even a size 4! You’ll see thinspo on here but I promise no ribcage or hipbones.  

Well I hope you follow me on this life-changing process! If you have any questions please feel free to ask! 

xx,

Ailisha

A little bit of perspective and a dash of inspiration.

Last year, I was terribly overweight and diagnosed with diabetes. Through regulating my diet, daily yoga, playing on a soccer team, and some Tae Bo, I have now shed 60 pounds and my diabetes is on track.

This is me last May:

I thought I was happy. I had fun. But I wasn’t healthy, and I had a lot of issues to work out.

This is me now:

Much happier. Much healthier. Sorry for the bright flash.

I’ve still got a long way to go, but I think that this is a good milestone for me. I wanted to share this in case there is someone out there that might be looking for a little inspiration.

Weight today: 234. No change. At least it’s not going up!

Weight today: 234. No change. At least it’s not going up! 

Your health should be first

Something interesting I read while revising for an exam…

Modern day woman represent a shift from an external judging male gaze to a self-policing narcissistic gaze. We are so hard on ourselves nowadays.

Sexual objectification can be presented not as something done to women by some men, but as the freely chosen wish of confident, assertive ‘liberated’ females.

The beauty myth attacks women physically and psychologically and leads them to willingly submit to regimes of torture (e.g. dieting and plastic surgery)

Remember that your health is the most important aspect of your lifestyle change, helping you feel happier, energetic, fit and most of all confident in your own body. Not striving for an unattainable goal.

(some of this is taken from ’Advertising and Postfeminism’ by Rosalind Gill 2007, for those of you interested)

Before I started losing weight, & a few weeks later.

Before I started losing weight, & a few weeks later.

A journey of a thousand miles will begin with a single step. -Lao Tzu

I weigh 240 pounds. 

I’m not going to tell you my name, because of what I’ve already told you. I’m so embarrassed by my weight, I’m not going to give you any clues as to who I am. 

I’m hoping that by keeping a blog, my weight loss will go easier. It sure as hell hasn’t gone easily so far. This is the heaviest weight I’ve ever been at, and ever hope to be at. I’m starting the first step of the South Beach Diet program. I know that diets don’t work in the long term, but I am so desperate for any positive change in my weight that I’ll try anything. 

Today, I will be healthy. 

Today, I will be happy. 

Here goes nothing. 

This green tea tastes worse than a Chinaman’s seamen.

This green tea tastes worse than a Chinaman’s seamen.

I’m sorry I’ve been MIA this last week, our net is still really slow/down and i give up...

I’m sorry I’ve been MIA this last week, our net is still really slow/down and i give up after a little while. so I’m posting this now before i lose my shit haha. (don’t fret, the net will be back with a vengeance by the 6th of June)
so this last week has been a hectic good/horrid week.
I’ve been eating 1500 cals roughly, to try and increase my metabolism again before i lower them too 900-1200. and i don’t know what to do with all this food. it doesn’t feel natural haha.

also I’m doing level 2 of the 30DS, and it’s actually killing me. and my boyfriend hurt my legs/knees this week so it’s a bit more painful that i was expecting…
I’m going to post my stats now before and now through the 30DS
bust: 36” now 35.1”
under bust: 31” now 30”
waist: 29” now 27.2
hips 35” (haven’t changed) :\

now I’m pretty pleased with this, so there is no complaining except about my hips… my damn love handles must go.
and i haven’t weighed myself, other wise i’d probably post about that too.

no onto a different subject, I’ve finally got a job. at KFC… yep, unhealthy.
i don’t mind though… i heard that working there you get over the food and i never really cared all that much for KFC. ALSO 2 other places potentially want me.
brumbys (bakery) & the body shop (healthy beauty shop) so I’m pretty excited because all these places are casual so i can maybe pick another job and work 2 jobs a week. fingers crossed.  I’m in a wonderful mood right now.