ugh, I feel oddly bloated. I’m not sure why. 

Anyways, this weekend I’m heading to the happiest place on earth!!! So excited for this road trip. Then in about 3 weeks I’ll be in New York. So much delicious food and also so much walking.  

I’ve taken a bit of a break from my running and just doing my daily walking with my friend. I’ve had so much going on lately that I just haven’t had time to hit the gym after work. Luckily my friend is still willing to walk with me even while TOM is in town. While I lost 30lbs, she’s lost 10 and I’m so proud of her!!!

I think after New York, I’m going to create an actual workout schedule/menu again. It will be easier once I get back and be better going into the Fall/Winter season when the holidays come around…

Dammit, I hate you. Ugh…I think I figured out why I used to hate running…my feet would always be in pain after.  Recently I wouldn’t feel it until after I sat in my car, started driving, and my adrenaline started waning. All of a sudden I would feel this sore pressure near the “arches” of my feet. MOTHER FREAKING EFFER!!! It hurts bad. Today I can’t go running because I have errands to do and I really don’t want to be sweaty. 

My arms also hurt because I move them when I run. But that’s a better sore pain…like a “I worked out so it feels good” kind of pain. lol

So I knew Summer and TOM would have an effect on my initial goal.  I wanted to be down to 130 by the time my cousin’s wedding rolled around (August 11).  It’s probably possible, but the wait the weather is, I can’t avoid cold jamba juices or skinny cow ice cream. 

I am currently 156lbs—after TOM left and had 2 girls nights that involved alcohol (which usually causes me to gain a bit).  From now until the wedding it’s going to be pretty clean eating (mostly vegetarian) as well as about an 1.5 hours of exercise a day (mostly cardio)  I’m hoping to use the gym more at work now that I know I can physically run for 30 straight minutes and not feel so tired or so much pain like I used to 35+ lbs ago. 

There is also a Disney trip planned for after the wedding.  So If I plan to get down to 140lbs by the wedding, I would like to get to 135 by the time the trip rolls around.  That’s about a 5 day difference.  

Today is July 14th. If I want to lose AT LEAST 16 lbs by August 11 that about losing .57lbs a day or more (which is possible). Losing an extra 5 in 5 days also seems possible.

I’ve noticed that as I eat more veggies and fruit and drink lots of water, the weight does kind of fall off. Considering that I didn’t take the supplements yesterday and still saw a huge difference from two days ago, I feel like I may not have to rely on it as much. I also do like the endorphin rush I got yesterday after running….felt sooo good!

I am very determined. No junk food, not eating a lot of meals out. NO late meals. Lots of water. Moderate exercise (because I can’t spend all my time in the gym, I gots shit to do LOL) 

I’m excited!

You know how people who exercise a lot, and I mean A LOT, say that they always like the “high” they get from the endorphins?  Well I never usually get it, probably because I’m use to just walking or walking fast.  

Today I used the gym at my workplace to kill some time to wait for traffic to pass.  I stretched a little and started on the the treadmill.  I started walking but then I felt like I could do a spurt of jogging/running. That little jog/run lasted 30 minutes! I felt so good after! I actually got an endorphin high!  I almost didn’t want to stop running but I had to be somewhere so I got off and did some more stretching. When I went home, I went walking with my walking buddy and told her that I think we can push our walk a bit further now since our stamina and energy has increased over the past 3 months. 

It really just felt so good! I did get hungry after my run but I ate an apple to tide me over until I could make a healthy dinner. I think I gotta keep this running thing up…lol

I’ve been on a crazy emotional roller coaster the last two weeks (maybe hormones?).  It’s been tough which is why I haven’t been posting as of late. 

I will say my weight has been maintained—I actually lost about two lbs so I’m down to about 158.  I usually have a ritual in the morning (which I recommend to anyone going on a diet) is to only weigh myself in the morning after I get up and after I use the bathroom. This way there is no false weight and I do feel disappointed if it looks like I gained like 2 lbs (only to realize it’s just water).

Yesterday I made such a great salad for lunch, oMFG I can’t explain it! LOL I experimented and made my own Honey Dijon Truffle Mustard Dressing for a salad with roma tomatoes, slivers of red onions, capers, goat cheese, and maple syrup toasted sesame walnuts. DELISH!!! I made it again today for lunch because I can’t get enough!

I also experimented with Steamed Lentils and Goat cheese (I had lots of goat cheese around!).  Added some of the walnuts and BAM! Very good dish.  It was also very VERY filling. I think the walnuts are a great way to fill up without having to eat to much. So happy!!!

(Each Goat Cheese Medallion) has only 70 calories in each 1oz serving—-which is truly enough for me to get my cheese craving out of the way haha)

I LOVE THE CHANGE!!! 

I’ve been sick the past week with a dreadful cold but I wanted to have a progress report.  30lbs lighter and I’m loving it! I technically didn’t start losing weight until mid-February, but look how far I’ve come! I’m so proud of myself  **hugs self**

Seriously, this is a huge milestone for me.  I have about 30 more lbs to lose to get to my goal weight by the end of summer/year. I’m believe with the right diet and exercise I will reach my goal! HUZZAH!!!

I so need to find some good ones.  I feel like my legs are toning and losing weight because I go walking in the evening and upstairs/downstairs plenty at work but I need to start focusing on my core.  I’m carrying a small weight around as well to work on my arms as I walk but I need some good workouts for my abs.  

AAAAAAAAND, LET THE GOOGLING COMMENCE!

I’ve done all 7 tips and it has helped me tremendously.  I’m so glad to have such a supportive group of friends to.  

So I’m pretty much maintaining around 161-62 lbs this week but I am definitely hoping to get over the 160 peak by this weekend.  Must maintain focus!!!

But guys, I cannot not tell you I feel right now! I tried on 2 dresses I ordered from Charlotte Russe and the emotion that came over me…I looked amazing! NOT to mention I feel great with my body.  These dresses, I couldn’t have fit before!  I almost started crying. This is an amazing milestone for me.  I haven’t seen this number since at least Freshman/Sophomore of high school…HIGH SCHOOL! 

I just…I can’t right now. T.T

Oh but on another brighter note: I love my greek yogurt mix from Trader Joe’s.  I basically buy the plain nonfat version, mix in some pomegranate seeds, cocoa pomegranate trail mix from Target and voila! HELLA good stuff!  

Thanks you guys for following me on this journey.  When I actually wear the dresses out I’ll take pics and post it for you guys to see. It’s so awesome!

*hops on scale 5 additional times*

I honestly couldn’t trust my eyes.  I can’t believe today I made it to 163 lbs.  Granted, I’m also almost naked when stepping on the scale (shorts and a t-shirt b/c it’s freaking hot as well these past few days).  I also just realized that my driver’s license weight (received when I was a junior in high school) was 169lbs so I passed it a fews weeks ago…LOL

But wow! I can’t believe it! If anything, I thought I gained wait since TOM came to see me last week and stayed for 4 days. haha.  I had lunch with a friend on Monday—pulled pork adobo sandwich with a tomato and mozzarella salad.  She noticed I had lost weight to!  Yesterday though, I barely ate anything (which isn’t something I condone, I just wasn’t hungry).  My co-worker even asked why I still had a Kinder’s sandwich left (I only had half).  I think yesterday I was just upset about stuff. Not to mention the heat has been giving me headaches up the wazoo.

163 is a big number for me, mainly because I kept thinking it was my license weight but also it is my weight from high school. I can estimate and say I haven’t seen this weight since at least 9 years ago. HOLY CRAP! Not to mention I had two avocado smoothies this past weekend and a major mother’s day banquet dinner (although my appetite was smaller this time around and everyone else ate more food than me so there wasn’t much for me to forage).  I also had a really great vegetarian dish at a friend’s house: lentils and roasted butternut squash (nom nom nom).

I am still taking the raspberry ketones and african mango from Creative Bioscience.  I probably will keep taking it until the end of summer or so. Depends, I would LOVE LOVE to get down to 130 by August.  33 lbs in 3 1/2 months? I think it is doable b/c of the change in my diet.  Once I get down to 125 or so, I won’t mind the fluctuation of 5 lbs give or take.  

I’VE ALSO STOPPED SNORING!!! I think when I was at my highest I was snoring like crazy and starting to have sleep apnea.  Very dangerous, and one of the reasons I wanted, and needed, to lose weight.  I also need to lose a lot of belly fat.  My mid section is the most problematic.  My legs are looking great though =]  Might be the swimming and walking I’ve started incorporating in my schedule…

So I wanted to share my happiness and show that I can still enjoy food and not worry too much about my weight.  Yes, TOM comes and always puts doubt in my mind for about 6 days, but then he leaves and I feel a whole lot better.  I’m starting to accept that my weight does fluctuate and I can’t be too bummed about it.  It’s life.