Yeah, the fluffy cartoon character. Well, more specifically, some dude dressed up as Tigger beat me last night in my second 5k. Also, a lady and her dog, both dressed as Super Woman, and some old, fat guy wearing WAY too short American flag shorts. All of them crossed the finish line before me. There is some good news though. First of all, I crossed the finish line. Secondly, I improved on my last 5k time and finished in just over 38 minutes. Third, I ran the ENTIRE race!!!
I've been sick since last Friday, not able to run or really exercise at all. I tried to run on Wednesday but was still too weak and only ended up finishing two miles. I was seriously worried about how I'd do last night and told myself to just do as much as I could handle. That there would be no shame in walking if I needed to. But then it happened, the adrenaline kicked in and that really mean, really competitive Tricia in my head piped up and wouldn't let me stop. So I didn't. I didn't run fast but I kept a fairly even pace throughout the whole race. There were a couple of times when I thought there was no way I could keep going but I pumped my music and even danced a little while I was running just to keep myself in it. I figured if there were people running in wigs and dressed as superheroes, then me doing a little dancing while running wouldn't look that crazy.
After the race we went for sushi and it was SO delicious. I haven't had sushi in six months! We ordered it with brown rice and couldn't really tell the difference between that and the real thing. It was definitely a nice reward for doing so well in the race. Rice isn't normally something I would eat on my diet but I'm getting to the point where I need to find ways to incorporate more carbs into my diet. This isn't a problem I've ever had but, since hitting my goal weight, I haven't figured out how to stop losing weight. I'm down another 3.4 pounds.
I know I need to eat more carbs but I'm not sure the best way to get them. I've been eating a piece of low carb, wheat toast every morning and I've been eating an occasional low carb wrap and some peanut butter here and there but I haven't added any substantial servings of carbs to my diet. I'm going to have to do some research on good, healthy, complex carbohydrates and try to squeeze them in. It's really hard because I'm not hungry. Some mornings I feel like I'm forcing myself to eat the toast just to get some carbs. That probably isn't the healthiest behavior to learn at this point. But I guess this is what maintaining is about, figuring out a healthy way to stay at a healthy weight. So, that's my new mission.
In other news, my first week on the new job went okay. I am very clueless at this point and have just been trying to absorb as much information as possible. My employees, I think, are warming up to the idea of me as their supervisor. I had to do my first staff meeting and also had to participate in my first video conference with supervisors from around the country. It was quite terrifying but I survived. I'm really excited about learning and trying to make good changes but need to realize that may take some time. It's one of my weaknesses, no patience. I want to be the best and know everything right away. But, I need to learn how to be more realistic. Just like training for my 5k's, I had to walk before I could run.
I hope you all have a Happy Halloween!!!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
An October to remember
In the history of Octobers, this one is ranking up there with the best. Honestly, I don't think I've had a month this great in a really long time. I'd hate to jinx it by putting it in writing but I feel like it needs to be commemorated somehow. Usually Joe and I are wading through the shit that comes along with our bad luck but right now things appear to be on the upswing.
I started out the month in grand fashion having just completed my first 5k. Technically it was in September but the high carried over into October. By finishing the run I proved to myself that I am strong and able to do anything I put my mind to. It also inspired me to continue my training and to sign up for my next 5k, which is coming up this Friday.
Then last week I hit my goal weight. When I started this diet I honestly didn't think I'd make it. But, once again, I proved to myself that anything is possible. I look better, I feel better, and I have more confidence in myself.
Finally, the event that has really put the cherry on top of this month, I've been promoted at work! I am now... wait for it... THE BOSS!! Seriously. I am now the supervisor of Library Services and the Engineering Document Center. I will be managing 12-17 employees. Crazy, right?! I am honored that my bosses think so highly of me to promote me from basically the lowest position in my department (pay wise and responsibility) to the boss. I even beat out a couple of women who had more experience. But, they said that I blew them away in the interview and that they think I'm the right person to transition the department into the future. I am a little nervous but also very excited. In my current position I don't feel like I've worked at my full potential. Now I feel like I have that opportunity. And, the job came with a pretty sweet raise too.
So, all in all, I got to say that this October has been pretty fantastic. With one week to go, I can't imagine too much more excitement but Joe is up for his review (and hopefully raise) this week so fingers crossed that it just keeps getting better.
I started out the month in grand fashion having just completed my first 5k. Technically it was in September but the high carried over into October. By finishing the run I proved to myself that I am strong and able to do anything I put my mind to. It also inspired me to continue my training and to sign up for my next 5k, which is coming up this Friday.
Then last week I hit my goal weight. When I started this diet I honestly didn't think I'd make it. But, once again, I proved to myself that anything is possible. I look better, I feel better, and I have more confidence in myself.
Finally, the event that has really put the cherry on top of this month, I've been promoted at work! I am now... wait for it... THE BOSS!! Seriously. I am now the supervisor of Library Services and the Engineering Document Center. I will be managing 12-17 employees. Crazy, right?! I am honored that my bosses think so highly of me to promote me from basically the lowest position in my department (pay wise and responsibility) to the boss. I even beat out a couple of women who had more experience. But, they said that I blew them away in the interview and that they think I'm the right person to transition the department into the future. I am a little nervous but also very excited. In my current position I don't feel like I've worked at my full potential. Now I feel like I have that opportunity. And, the job came with a pretty sweet raise too.
So, all in all, I got to say that this October has been pretty fantastic. With one week to go, I can't imagine too much more excitement but Joe is up for his review (and hopefully raise) this week so fingers crossed that it just keeps getting better.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!
I did it. 30 pounds today!!! Technically, 30.2 pounds, but who's counting. I am simultaneously stunned and excited. Stunned because I wasn't expecting it today and because I can't believe I actually did it. I'm so proud of myself for staying focused and really pushing myself to keep it up.
It's funny because even though I've seen the pictures and I've watched the numbers on the scale go down and I've seen the clothes sizes drop, I don't feel like a thin person yet. I don't know how to let go of the chubby girl that I've been my entire life. I wish I could see in the mirror what other people see when they look at me. Because I don't feel entirely different. I don't feel like I look that different. But obviously I do because the reactions I get from people who haven't seen me in a long time are overwhelmingly positive.
I am happy at this point though. I'm going to shift my focus from weight loss to maintenance and toning. I have no idea how to do that yet and it is kind of terrifying. Now that I'm here and I know how hard I've worked to get here, I am so scared to go back. I am afraid that if I slip up that I could be back where I was in no time. So I think I'm going to start with small changes. Add in more complex carbohydrates here and there. A piece of high fiber wheat bread with breakfast or a sweet potato with dinner. I want to try to stay as far away from processed foods and simple carbohydrates as possible. I will just have to be conscious of how my clothes feel and what the numbers on the scale look like.
So now's the time to come clean. To be honest about the numbers. I really wish I would've taken my measurements when I started because I know I've lost a lot of inches. I can tell in my waist line for sure. But, I started overweight at 5'6", 170 pounds with a Body Mass Index of 27.44 (overweight range is 25-30). I am now down to 139.8 pounds with a BMI of 22.59 (healthy range is 18.5-25). The healthy weight range for my height and frame is 130-144 pounds. I've gone from a clothes size 12-14 to a 6-8!! Shocking!! I haven't been this size since I was 19 years old. I've also gone from barely being able to run on the treadmill for 1 minute to running 2.75 miles straight.
I am so proud of my accomplishments and so glad that I've been able to share them with all of you. I definitely don't feel like my journey is over because I'm sure maintaining will be just as much of a challenge as losing the weight has been. But I feel like I've got the tools, the attitude and the determination to keep it up. Plus the added pressure of staying in those size 6's!
It's a good day.
It's funny because even though I've seen the pictures and I've watched the numbers on the scale go down and I've seen the clothes sizes drop, I don't feel like a thin person yet. I don't know how to let go of the chubby girl that I've been my entire life. I wish I could see in the mirror what other people see when they look at me. Because I don't feel entirely different. I don't feel like I look that different. But obviously I do because the reactions I get from people who haven't seen me in a long time are overwhelmingly positive.
I am happy at this point though. I'm going to shift my focus from weight loss to maintenance and toning. I have no idea how to do that yet and it is kind of terrifying. Now that I'm here and I know how hard I've worked to get here, I am so scared to go back. I am afraid that if I slip up that I could be back where I was in no time. So I think I'm going to start with small changes. Add in more complex carbohydrates here and there. A piece of high fiber wheat bread with breakfast or a sweet potato with dinner. I want to try to stay as far away from processed foods and simple carbohydrates as possible. I will just have to be conscious of how my clothes feel and what the numbers on the scale look like.
So now's the time to come clean. To be honest about the numbers. I really wish I would've taken my measurements when I started because I know I've lost a lot of inches. I can tell in my waist line for sure. But, I started overweight at 5'6", 170 pounds with a Body Mass Index of 27.44 (overweight range is 25-30). I am now down to 139.8 pounds with a BMI of 22.59 (healthy range is 18.5-25). The healthy weight range for my height and frame is 130-144 pounds. I've gone from a clothes size 12-14 to a 6-8!! Shocking!! I haven't been this size since I was 19 years old. I've also gone from barely being able to run on the treadmill for 1 minute to running 2.75 miles straight.
I am so proud of my accomplishments and so glad that I've been able to share them with all of you. I definitely don't feel like my journey is over because I'm sure maintaining will be just as much of a challenge as losing the weight has been. But I feel like I've got the tools, the attitude and the determination to keep it up. Plus the added pressure of staying in those size 6's!
It's a good day.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Look how far we've come
Six years. Joe and I have been married six whole years. It's weird for me because I go from feeling that the time has flown by to not remembering my life without Joe in it. We've been through a lot in our six years but I'm looking forward to everything that is still to come.
We had a very nice anniversary. Joe actually left on a work trip to Atlanta today (our actual anniversary) so we decided to celebrate last night. We also decided to treat ourselves to a night off the diet so we got all dolled up and went out to a nice dinner. We picked a place in Orlando called, Fleming's Steakhouse. After browsing the online menus of a ton of different restaurants, this one just looked too good to pass up. We're very glad we picked it because it was delicious.
From the moment we walked into the restaurant, we were treated very special. When we made the reservation the hostess asked if it was for a special occasion. Joe told them it was our 6 year anniversary so everyone was prepared for us. They all told us happy anniversary and were just very pleasant and polite every step of the way.
On the way to the restaurant, I was trying to plan out my carbs. Something I've gotten in the habit of. I figured I'd skip the bread basket because it's not that big of deal to me but splurge on dessert. Well, epic FAIL on that one. They brought out the bread, which I like to think was baked by angels, and it was all over for me. It was rosemary infused bread with a roasted tomato butter spread and a champagne infused brie spread. Okay?! How is a girl supposed to refuse champagne infused anything?! I ended up enjoying three slices. And I don't care. That was the best bread I've ever eaten in my entire life. True story.
Then came the appetizer. Lobster tempura. Yup, deep fried lobster. About a billion carbs. We actually expected it to be much smaller than it was. It was 4 lobster tails and came with tempura mushrooms, red peppers, and asparagus. It was so delicious. I actually liked the tempura veggies more than the lobster but everything was so good. Being that we hadn't had any carbs in a while, we were pretty much full by the time we finished the appetizer. For dinner we didn't do too badly. I had a fillet and creamed spinach while Joe had seared scallops and chipotle mac-n-cheese. We hardly touched the mac-n-cheese though because we were pretty stuffed from everything else.
But since I'd been planning on dessert for weeks and since I'd been having naughty dreams about one particular dessert on the menu I had to save room for it. They boxed up half my dinner and I ordered the... wait for it... caramel walnut turtle pie!!! Yeah, I figured if I was going to cheat, I was going to make it worth it. On this diet, I think more than the taste of sweets, you begin to miss textures. Smooth, creamy, gooey... you can't get those textures from meat and veggies. So I was really excited when the pie came out and it was all those textures combined. It was so sweet and so decadent that we could only eat a couple bites each but we enjoyed those bites immensely.
After our dessert, the waiter brought over a special gift from the restaurant. It was four homemade chocolate truffles. We were both so stuffed that we couldn't even begin to taste them. We had the waiter box them up and we brought those home too. We gifted them to my mom this morning since our cheat day was officially over. It's nice every now and then but man, we really pay for those cheats the next day. It almost feels like being hung over. I don't know if you're body goes into shock from all the sugar or what. We both had headaches and belly aches this morning. It really reminds us why we continue to eat the way we do. We just really feel better without all the crap.
Anyway, 6 years down, many more to go. Just for fun, I've attached a couple of pictures. One from our wedding day. One of us just before we started our diet 4 months ago. And one from last night. Look how far we've come!
We had a very nice anniversary. Joe actually left on a work trip to Atlanta today (our actual anniversary) so we decided to celebrate last night. We also decided to treat ourselves to a night off the diet so we got all dolled up and went out to a nice dinner. We picked a place in Orlando called, Fleming's Steakhouse. After browsing the online menus of a ton of different restaurants, this one just looked too good to pass up. We're very glad we picked it because it was delicious.
From the moment we walked into the restaurant, we were treated very special. When we made the reservation the hostess asked if it was for a special occasion. Joe told them it was our 6 year anniversary so everyone was prepared for us. They all told us happy anniversary and were just very pleasant and polite every step of the way.
On the way to the restaurant, I was trying to plan out my carbs. Something I've gotten in the habit of. I figured I'd skip the bread basket because it's not that big of deal to me but splurge on dessert. Well, epic FAIL on that one. They brought out the bread, which I like to think was baked by angels, and it was all over for me. It was rosemary infused bread with a roasted tomato butter spread and a champagne infused brie spread. Okay?! How is a girl supposed to refuse champagne infused anything?! I ended up enjoying three slices. And I don't care. That was the best bread I've ever eaten in my entire life. True story.
Then came the appetizer. Lobster tempura. Yup, deep fried lobster. About a billion carbs. We actually expected it to be much smaller than it was. It was 4 lobster tails and came with tempura mushrooms, red peppers, and asparagus. It was so delicious. I actually liked the tempura veggies more than the lobster but everything was so good. Being that we hadn't had any carbs in a while, we were pretty much full by the time we finished the appetizer. For dinner we didn't do too badly. I had a fillet and creamed spinach while Joe had seared scallops and chipotle mac-n-cheese. We hardly touched the mac-n-cheese though because we were pretty stuffed from everything else.
But since I'd been planning on dessert for weeks and since I'd been having naughty dreams about one particular dessert on the menu I had to save room for it. They boxed up half my dinner and I ordered the... wait for it... caramel walnut turtle pie!!! Yeah, I figured if I was going to cheat, I was going to make it worth it. On this diet, I think more than the taste of sweets, you begin to miss textures. Smooth, creamy, gooey... you can't get those textures from meat and veggies. So I was really excited when the pie came out and it was all those textures combined. It was so sweet and so decadent that we could only eat a couple bites each but we enjoyed those bites immensely.
After our dessert, the waiter brought over a special gift from the restaurant. It was four homemade chocolate truffles. We were both so stuffed that we couldn't even begin to taste them. We had the waiter box them up and we brought those home too. We gifted them to my mom this morning since our cheat day was officially over. It's nice every now and then but man, we really pay for those cheats the next day. It almost feels like being hung over. I don't know if you're body goes into shock from all the sugar or what. We both had headaches and belly aches this morning. It really reminds us why we continue to eat the way we do. We just really feel better without all the crap.
Anyway, 6 years down, many more to go. Just for fun, I've attached a couple of pictures. One from our wedding day. One of us just before we started our diet 4 months ago. And one from last night. Look how far we've come!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
The Final Frontier
I am hearing the music from the beginning of Star Wars as I'm starting to write this post. That's because I am entering a new frontier. A galaxy that no Tricia has gone before. A place I didn't even know could exist. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have entered into the world of skinny jeans.
Dun, dun, duuuuuuunnnnnn......
I honestly didn't think I'd ever do it. As a matter of fact, while searching through old blog posts, I found this entry from April 27, 2008. And I quote, "I love flare leg jeans and can't even imagine stepping into ultra-trendy skinny jeans." But here I am, on the eve of my first skinny jean day. I guess that's why you never say never.
When I started my weight loss journey I would day dream about the clothes that I could possibly get to wear if I got to my goal weight. It was kind of like starting any other diet though. You're really determined but in the back of your mind you have that nagging voice of failure. The one that tells you not to get your hopes up because in a couple of weeks you could be back to eating Chinese take-out while watching The Biggest Loser (I've done it). I don't know what was different this time. I don't know what finally clicked in our heads and gave us the determination to see this through. I'm getting really close to my goal weight. As of this morning I was 2.4 pounds away. I haven't been this size since I was 19 or 20. I didn't think I'd ever get back here and I can honestly say that I am shocked to be here.
I think that sticking with the diet and meeting my goal of running the 5k has really changed my perspective on life. I think it's made me less afraid to try things. I have more confidence in myself now. I know that if I really put my mind to it, I can accomplish really great things. And I'm not afraid to try. Skinny jeans included.
It's a little terrifying thinking about wearing them to work for the first time. Even though I've seen the numbers on the scale go down and I've seen the clothes sizes go down and have had people telling me they can see the changes in me, I still kind of feel like that fat girl. I don't want to be one of those fat women from the Ricky Lake show that lost a little bit of weight and suddenly thought they could wear Daisy Duke's. Ya know? I know that I have a very distorted view of myself and my body so I trust Joe's opinion when he tells me something looks good. And he has put the stamp of approval on the skinny jeans.
So off I go into the wild blue jean yonder. I'm gonna strut my new ass in my new skinny jeans and hold my head up high. I worked hard to get here and I'm proud to show it off.
Dun, dun, duuuuuuunnnnnn......
I honestly didn't think I'd ever do it. As a matter of fact, while searching through old blog posts, I found this entry from April 27, 2008. And I quote, "I love flare leg jeans and can't even imagine stepping into ultra-trendy skinny jeans." But here I am, on the eve of my first skinny jean day. I guess that's why you never say never.
When I started my weight loss journey I would day dream about the clothes that I could possibly get to wear if I got to my goal weight. It was kind of like starting any other diet though. You're really determined but in the back of your mind you have that nagging voice of failure. The one that tells you not to get your hopes up because in a couple of weeks you could be back to eating Chinese take-out while watching The Biggest Loser (I've done it). I don't know what was different this time. I don't know what finally clicked in our heads and gave us the determination to see this through. I'm getting really close to my goal weight. As of this morning I was 2.4 pounds away. I haven't been this size since I was 19 or 20. I didn't think I'd ever get back here and I can honestly say that I am shocked to be here.
I think that sticking with the diet and meeting my goal of running the 5k has really changed my perspective on life. I think it's made me less afraid to try things. I have more confidence in myself now. I know that if I really put my mind to it, I can accomplish really great things. And I'm not afraid to try. Skinny jeans included.
It's a little terrifying thinking about wearing them to work for the first time. Even though I've seen the numbers on the scale go down and I've seen the clothes sizes go down and have had people telling me they can see the changes in me, I still kind of feel like that fat girl. I don't want to be one of those fat women from the Ricky Lake show that lost a little bit of weight and suddenly thought they could wear Daisy Duke's. Ya know? I know that I have a very distorted view of myself and my body so I trust Joe's opinion when he tells me something looks good. And he has put the stamp of approval on the skinny jeans.
So off I go into the wild blue jean yonder. I'm gonna strut my new ass in my new skinny jeans and hold my head up high. I worked hard to get here and I'm proud to show it off.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
The Joys of Homeownership
Remind me again why it's so great to own a home? Because right now, I can't think of very many good reasons.
Sure, buying a home is a good investment... in the long run- not now, of course, because the economy sucks. But, overall owning a home is a nice, stable investment. Taking care of a home, on the other hand, really freaking sucks sometimes. Especially when, as in my case, your home was built in 17 B.C. Or at least it feels like it at times.
I swear with this house it's always one step forward, one huge leap back. We're short on money this weekend so we thought it'd be a good chance to stay home and work on all the little things that need to be done around here. Cleaning the gutters, cleaning the blinds, scrubbing the shower, washing the windows, dusting the fans... all the really fun stuff. Well, wouldn't you know that as soon as we get geared up to work on our projects for the day, something in our house goes bust.
This time it was the drain for our kitchen sink and washing machine. Oh it was just so lovely. I ran a load of dishes in the dishwasher and as it was draining, the sink in our utility room started to fill up with all sorts of lovely things like grease and old food particles. Fun. We thought we could get away with some Draino and a prayer. The sink drained so I started a load of laundry only to have the damn thing fill up again. This time with more food particles and grime and dog hair from the laundry. We knew then that Draino wouldn't be enough. Poor Joe had to saw open the pipes and snake the drain to clear the clog. Then he had to go to Lowe's to get stuff to fix the pipe. Poor guy. So he's only now getting to the real chores that needed to be done today.
It really makes me wonder what is so great about owning a home. Sure you get to fix it up however you want. But, once you've been in the house for a while, you're done decorating. And yeah, you don't have to share walls with anyone but you have annoying ass neighbors who hound you about what you're going to do about the dead plants in your flower bed. Oh- you guys don't have one of those neighbors? Hmmm... lucky you. And then there is the matter of the mortgage. You know they expect that every month?! How dare they? Joe and I laugh every time the bill comes in. Like, it's here AGAIN?! Didn't we just pay that?
Don't get me wrong, I do love my house. It is my safe and comfy little cocoon. But on days like today I like to fantasize about leaving it all behind and going to rent a place so that when anything breaks we can call the land lord to deal with it.
Sure, buying a home is a good investment... in the long run- not now, of course, because the economy sucks. But, overall owning a home is a nice, stable investment. Taking care of a home, on the other hand, really freaking sucks sometimes. Especially when, as in my case, your home was built in 17 B.C. Or at least it feels like it at times.
I swear with this house it's always one step forward, one huge leap back. We're short on money this weekend so we thought it'd be a good chance to stay home and work on all the little things that need to be done around here. Cleaning the gutters, cleaning the blinds, scrubbing the shower, washing the windows, dusting the fans... all the really fun stuff. Well, wouldn't you know that as soon as we get geared up to work on our projects for the day, something in our house goes bust.
This time it was the drain for our kitchen sink and washing machine. Oh it was just so lovely. I ran a load of dishes in the dishwasher and as it was draining, the sink in our utility room started to fill up with all sorts of lovely things like grease and old food particles. Fun. We thought we could get away with some Draino and a prayer. The sink drained so I started a load of laundry only to have the damn thing fill up again. This time with more food particles and grime and dog hair from the laundry. We knew then that Draino wouldn't be enough. Poor Joe had to saw open the pipes and snake the drain to clear the clog. Then he had to go to Lowe's to get stuff to fix the pipe. Poor guy. So he's only now getting to the real chores that needed to be done today.
It really makes me wonder what is so great about owning a home. Sure you get to fix it up however you want. But, once you've been in the house for a while, you're done decorating. And yeah, you don't have to share walls with anyone but you have annoying ass neighbors who hound you about what you're going to do about the dead plants in your flower bed. Oh- you guys don't have one of those neighbors? Hmmm... lucky you. And then there is the matter of the mortgage. You know they expect that every month?! How dare they? Joe and I laugh every time the bill comes in. Like, it's here AGAIN?! Didn't we just pay that?
Don't get me wrong, I do love my house. It is my safe and comfy little cocoon. But on days like today I like to fantasize about leaving it all behind and going to rent a place so that when anything breaks we can call the land lord to deal with it.
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