Shake It Out

It's the start of week four which means I have officially passed the "21 days to form a habit" marker. Here's the progress for the week: I lost 2 pounds! My total for the month as been 5.5 lbs lost and 5 inches from the last time I measured myself two weeks ago.

A few things I've found out about myself in the past three weeks:

• I like to run to semi-slow music. It's relaxing, and it helps me relax and focus. The past two weeks, I've listened to Adele and Florence + the Machine. Florence has really become my new obsession. Even though her albums are quite old, I love them. Especially No Light, No Light and Shake It Out. Drumming Song is also a good one. And of course, Adele. That girl is a beast.
• I like running in the morning. It makes me feel a bit better as the day progresses. My body has also adjusted to waking up earlier. Last semester, I could barely pull myself out of bed before 9am. Now, I'm up between 630-7am every morning. I also like running after work. The drawback to running after work is diminishing sunlight. I don't like running or walking home at night. Too many Criminal Minds episodes.
• I have to start strength training workouts. All this running is great, and I'm seeing improvements in my upper body and my thighs.. but not my hips! During my run last night, I saw my shadow and goodness gracious, if it wasn't clear that my waist is a lot smaller than my hips (currently 10 inches).  
• I'm in a cooking phase, and I think I may try to keep it up. The outcome is always a fun surprise. I record Giada DiLaurentiis shows from the Food Network. I've tried three or four of her recipes and really like them. Last night, I baked salmon in foil, and then had black eyed peas and salad. It was so good, but I dropped one of my salmons. Thankfully, I made two but one was supposed to be my lunch today. Le sigh.
• I bought this heart monitor and used it yesterday, but have no idea how it's supposed to work. Towards the end of my run, I just timed myself. I found that my heart rate was at 150-160. At the end of my run (which is uphill), I was at 180-190. I really have no idea if that's good or not. I've read conflicting statements on how to track my heart rate. I'll probably read the directions more carefully tomorrow. I would like to get an exact reading.
• My uncle and two partners have opened up a nutrition bar in Long Beach which sells Herbalife memberships. He's been telling me about it since I moved out here and I think I'm going to finally commit. I got my Health Report done which tells your weight, BMI, Body Fat Percentage, Muscle Mass and all that other good stuff. I really felt like I was on the Biggest Loser going to see Dr. H. Apparently, my metabolic age is 90 years old. Yikes! So we set a goal to lose 86 pounds by December. That's roughly 2 pounds a week, which I'm on the right track.
• I can handle three classes, a full time work load and still have a semi-social life. I have to be very diligent in managing my time but I can do it. And do it well.
• I'm really scared I'm going to end up an old maid, as Anne Shirley would say.

I see black people!

I seem to be writing a lot about my weight loss journey.. so lets switch it up.

I had a brotha sighting today!

(Tangent ahead) I walk to work now. Since I live 5-10 minutes away from campus, and the weather has been in the 80s, it just seems like the sensible thing to do. Save gas. Get some exercise. Enjoy the weather before I'm cooped up inside all day. And it gives me the chance to process my day. (Back to the story) I got off work around 430pm and was walking home. On the way back, I did my mental checklist and tried to figure out if I wanted to run or not. (Another tangent) It's really hard to get motivated to workout. Don't get me wrong.. I really love running (who would've thought?). I feel empowered and ready to take on the world. But before my feet pound the pavement... I'm actually debating whether I want to feel this sense of euphoria. I told a friend a week or two ago that the hardest part is getting there, whether it's the gym or the outdoors. I'm not sure why.. You know you want to but you just start thinking about all the other things you could be doing. (Back to the story) The thing I was debating doing instead of running was laundry and homework. So on my walk home (it's a great time to process the rest of the evening), I decided to start my laundry, and then go out for my run. That way, when I come back, it's time to switch the load. (Tangent again.. sorry) The sunset was beautiful today! There weren't a lot of clouds in the sky but the ones there reflected the most beautiful array of purple, blue, pink and orange. It was gorgeous. I really want an iphone so i can listen to my music, take pictures and have my phone readily available. Anyway, as I was locking up my apartment and admiring the sky, I saw a brotha! Not a brother, as Rick Perry would refer to Hermain Cain. But a brotha!!! Hermain Cain's cousin. He was wearing all black, had the black man strut and just looked so "out of place" that I almost wanted to follow him to see if he was going into one of the apartments or just walking by. I didn't see his face but if he had turned around and saw me.. he probably would've thought I was attracted to him or something, because I WAS staring. But ONLY because he was black! There was no pull. More shock.

I should be ashamed of myself... but I NEVER see black people here! Scratch that.. I rarely see black people but today, they were popping up everywhere. I saw two black girls (who apparently live right below me) for the first time walking to campus! In my three classes, I'm the only "black" person and then there's Nicole but she's mixed like me, so I guess together, we could be one "black" person and then in my leadership class, Shanda's there with me. We are THE minorities in a room full of minorities. I am THE minority in a valley or empire (whichever you prefer) of whites and hispanics. I haven't felt any kind of discrimination, but it's just weird not seeing people who look like you. Especially after living in Bull City. I don't feel out of place, but I definitely feel like something is missing...

And it's black people!!

Although I have begun to fancy some of these international guys. I just wish they were a little bit taller...

Progress!

I wasn't planning to blog today BUT a few things happened that made me super excited for my tomorrows.

1. I woke up this morning weighing 3.5 lbs less than I did last Sunday, and 2 inches lost. 
2. I ran for 30 minutes straight for 2.3 miles and then walked another mile home! I was not sure if I could make it but I did! No this is not the best number BUT it's what I can do and I'm quite proud of it. 5K.. here I come!
3. I finally had my Hollywood touristy moment today. I went to the Wax Museum, the Guinness World Record museum, and then went to Griffith Park and saw the Hollywood Sign. It really wasn't anything special BUT it got me motivated to visit Griffith Park again for a hike!
4. While at the Guinness World Record museum, there was an exhibit for the heaviest man weighing in at 1,000+ lbs. I really don't know how he lived to be that big. Anyway, they have a scale and Diana (my mentee) wanted to weigh herself. Chica came in at a whopping 115 lbs (skinny minny). She then said "I want to see you on the scale." Well, the old me would've said no and walked away. However, the new me stood on that scale. I thought of all the Biggest Loser contestants and looked at my number. It was a lot higher than I wanted it.. but I thought of how I would like to come back in the summer to see how much I've lost.
5. My heart rate monitor came in today! I have no idea how this thing works or what it'll do but I'm excited to have it.

Other super exciting news that happened this weekend:

• I bought my plane ticket for Hawaii! I'm going to the Merrie Monarch!!!!!
• I found a 5K to run in March. :D

Two Weeks Down, Nine to Go

Today concludes week two of my 5K training schedule. I won't be able to run 30 minutes today, but I'll do it tomorrow morning before church. I did well though. On Tuesday, I ran for 15 minutes (1 mile) and on Thursday I ran for 20 minutes (1.3 miles). Last week, I ran for 15 minutes on Tuesday and Thursday. My goal next week is to continue running on T/Th/Sat but add strength training at the gym on Mondays and Fridays.

As much as I am not a fan of tracking my food, I think I'm going to start. I stepped on the scale today and I haven't lost a pound in two weeks. I haven't measured myself yet, but I will tomorrow to update my numbers. Mom offered to sign me up for Weight Watchers. I may try it... in a month or two, or maybe tomorrow. I'm unpredictable and spontaneous when it comes to these things. I just don't like these weight loss programs. Call it pride- I want to say I did it on my own. My diet will be important this semester though. I'm taking three classes and working full time. I am not eating out for lunch, but bringing meals in (turkey sandwiches, soups and salads). I also have to drink more water but they say you should be drinking half your body weight... well that seems slightly impossible when you cross the 200 lbs mark.

Anyway, I'm rambling. Just wanted to let everyone know the running is going well. I found a few 5Ks in March that I may run in. Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure is on March 24th in LA. I would love to run that but they're going to be in Dodger Stadium and I hate running in circles... I just don't run the distance that I would if it's a neighborhood. I get like that when I'm on a treadmill too... I have to cover up the time and distance or else I'll stop sooner than later. If I see the "finish line" too soon, I have a harder time pushing and convincing myself that I can or have to go further.

F*** Chocolate Covered Almond Clusters

Normally, I don't curse. BUT I bought these chocolate covered almond clusters from Trader Joe's last week thinking it would be a great mid-day snack for work. I left them in my office over the weekend and came back today to find them on my desk. It made me a little happy inside. So I had two before my meeting. Then another six afterwards (eight all together). Each cluster had about four almonds in it. I just so happened to look at the container to see the calories.

190 calories in 2 clusters!!!!!!!

I ran (more like jogged) this morning... a mile. I probably burned about 400 calories. It was freezing this morning but I was still glistening. I felt good. Was a bit out of breath.. felt my muscles tightening. It was fantastic! However, my hard fought mile was decimated by two itty bitty bite sized f***in chocolate covered almond clusters. I was sooooo pissed. I don't want to be the chick who checks calories and yadda yadda but low and behold, there I was in Albertson's four hours later looking at calories while I shopped for soup.

Trying to lose weight is a pain. "Dieting" is a chore.. an unfair disadvantage. I want a leveled playing field!!!!! I think every female should be between a size 5-10 until they're 25 and then after that, if they want to maintain they can and if they don't.. well it's their choice. But being "overweight" for most of my life.. that's tough. In high school, I wore a size 14-16 and people (adults and peers- side note: people think adults are so mature. They're not.. they're just grown up children.) made me feel like I was one of the fattest girls in school. I look back and envy that girl. Unfortunately, that girl didn't know she was perfect. So now.. I'm a plump 22 trying to get down to my high school size. I miss that girl.. with her 14-16 hips, and C cup bra size. Don't get me wrong... I like my DDs but they're so overwhelming...

Anyway, back to the clusters. I don't think eating eight will set me back too much. The clusters alone were 760 calories. I did have a pretty healthy breakfast (oatmeal with apples) and for lunch I had a Greek quesadilla (spinach and feta cheese) with a curry potato soup at The Press. I'm hoping that breakfast and lunch were no more than 850 calories. For dinner, I'm making pizza (goat cheese, olives and sauce- it's delicious!). Since I'm making my own pizza, the calories should cut down immensely. Hopefully, when all is said and done my daily intake will be no more than 1800. Those freaking clusters just made me so mad.

How do you enjoy life when bite sized clusters are so bad for you!?!?!?!

And don't say moderation.

Sunsets in California

I'm so proud of myself! I finally got the header picture to fit! Hopefully blogger can add a function that lets you edit your pictures in the future. It took forever!!!!

I didn't really pay attention to sunsets in NC. They just weren't as important as sunrises. But here, I catch them all the time. This semester, I'm excited to get off work at 4pm so I can watch how the sky changes colors. Such a gorgeous sight. Sometime in December, Diana and I decided to visit Mt. Baldy since both of us had never been. Because this was a spontaneous trip, we were not dressed properly and didn't make it all the way. But on the way back, we rounded the corner and came upon a beautiful sunset overlooking the San Gabriel Valley. The picture I took is this blogs main header/title. Wasn't it lovely?

"I Still Believe Love is the Most Durable Power in the World."

Today is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and I am not out volunteering! That seems so strange... especially after 2-3 years of it being my job to get others to volunteer on this day. My consolation- I spent yesterday afternoon with my mentee and the next few weekends, I'll honor his legacy by getting others to volunteer. So don't judge me. :)

Anyway, my favorite MLK quote comes from one of his sermons, The Most Durable Power. It's been awhile since I last read it, but the quote was "I still believe love is the most durable power in the world." How simple, reassuring and yet, heartbreaking when you imagine the world that he lived in.

Love.

I can think of all the ways I want love to take over my life, but first and foremost, it starts with me. I tolerate myself. How pitiful but it's true. I tolerate my looks, my body, my job, my social life, and when I lived in Durham, my surroundings. I didn't love any of it. There were parts of my life that I enjoyed, but full out love.. that power was only designated to my immediate family.

This year I am committing to discovering and opening myself up to the possibilities. I made my first ever vision board (thanks to Beth) with my little sis last night. It doesn't depict everything I envision for myself this year, but it describes what is most important: my health, my finances and embracing the unknown. This year, I envision loving my body: my hair, my eyes, my lack of a neck, my scars, my fat fingers.. everything. I envision being financially stable before I graduate! I'm going to try and not put a picture on the unknown... I know what I would like, but I've known that for years. Obviously, I was doing something wrong. So I'll try something new.

So here's my vision board! And a few of my favorite clippings read as follows:

• Reaching Goals: whatever your health goal, there's a good chance drinking more water will help you achieve it.
• You in Shape Success Story: I Get a Rush from Running!
• I Use it to Remove Doubt.
• Pay it Forward.
• Share Your Story of who you are... and everything you are going to be.
• It's Your Choice. Embrace It.
• Commit, Always Commit.
• Mission: Education First! Critical
• It's in our nature to be Strong & Balanced.
• History Made its Mark. Make Yours.

The Rush of Running

I wanted to run in a 5K in October, but time got away from me and my "training" died. So here I am again.. with a new goal: to run in a 5K before April. I started jogging last week. I ran a 15 minute mile. That was one thing that made me happy. It's been two months since I last ran, and I still kept the same pace.

It felt good to be out again. My muscles were in pain afterwards.. but I'm a glutton for pain. I wanted to be out there the very next day. Below is my training schedule (found on Train 5K). On my off days, I will do strength training to help with my weight loss. 

1. For the first 4 weeks, plan on training 3 times per week.
   
   • Run Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
   • Rest Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
2. During the 3 months of training, plan your longer runs for the weekend.
   • Tuesday-15 minute run.
   • Thursday-20 minute run.
   • Saturday-30 minute run.
3. Your second month of training, you will begin to get a bit more serious and increase running speed and times and run 4 days per week.
   • Tuesday-20 minute run.
   • Thursday-25 minute run.
   • Friday-30 minute run.
   • Saturday-35 minute run.
   • Sunday, Monday, Wednesday-rest days.
4. Your two biggest weeks of training of the 12 weeks will be weeks 9 and 10, the first two weeks of the third month. For those two weeks only, you will train for 5 days and rest for 2.
   • Monday-20 minute run.
   • Tuesday-25 minute run.
   • Thursday-30 minute run.
   • Friday-20 minute run.
   • Saturday-40 minute run.
   • Wednesday and Sunday-rest days.
5. From the start of week 9 (above), begin to do your runs a bit faster than your normal pace of the previous weeks. Also, do your long Saturday 40-minute run a bit faster than the other four runs of week 9. You are gearing up now for your race day. You want to get some idea what it is like maintain a steady pace throughout the 5K race.
6. Week 10 is exactly the same as week 9 except for one thing.... Your Saturday run will be 50 minutes at a good steady pace. I believe in over-distance training and it has stood me in good stead in my 30-year endurance racing career. The 50 minutes you run on this last big training day will be longer in time than your actual race. When that run is done and you feel like you are ready, there is just one thing left to do........
7. Taper. Cut your training down for the next two weeks leading to your race. REST.
8. Week 11 will look like this.
   • Tuesday-run 25 minutes.
   • Thursday-run 25 minutes.
   • Friday-run 20 minutes.
   • Saturday-run 35 minutes.
   • Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday are rest days.
9. Week 12 will be your final week of preparation and will take you into your race day.
   • Monday-run 25 minutes.
   • Wednesday-run 20 minutes.
   • Friday-You are going to run 10 PUPS. At least that's what I call them. They are really called 'pick ups.' Not really sure why. Just go with me on this. It's the day before your race. Go outside, or on an indoor track and do a 5-minute warm-up run. Then do your PUPS. Run a good brisk, (faster than you normally run) 10-second spurt. Use your watch. Rest for 20 seconds and do it again. Ten times. Do a 5-minute cool-down run. It will take you 15 minutes.
10. That's all. Your training is done! You are ready for your best possible 5K race.

"Don't Complain About What You Permit."

I have a few challenges in mind for this year: work 35 hours a week while taking 3 courses, reading 45 books in 52 weeks and losing weight! I also want to make friends. That sounds so funny and corny at the same time. But the truth of the matter is... I'm lonely. I have two good friends out here. One lives three blocks from me. Since I don't want to monopolize her time, we hang out once or twice a week. Lena's out here too but she's about an hour from me.. and the drive. No me gusta. The tough thing about growing up is your social network appears to get smaller. Think about it.. you make friends in school, work, and church (or your religious network). Graduate school is something totally different. I'm in a program specifically geared towards full time working professionals. So my classmates, as nice as they are have families, jobs and lives outside of the classroom. They come to campus for class and don't come back. My two part time jobs.. although I really like the people I'm working with, we don't hang out after hours. My church.. well, I'm starting there.

I went to church last night. It was a little different, but I like the idea of going on Saturday nights. I've never been big on partying so spending my evening in church is not that bad for me. I really enjoyed the service. Pastor spoke about the negative and positive ways that God notices us. He made us repeat "don't complain about what you permit." What a powerful statement. That basically sums up why I moved to California. I was bored and tired of complaining about it. I wanted to try something new and I felt like this was the way to get there. The same can be said about my weight loss journey, and my social life. So this is me.. taking over my life. No more complaining or second guessing... just doing.