Week 7

I started on Monday weighing 154.2. That was up 6.6 lbs from my lowest a couple of months ago. Scary! I knew I needed to turn this around again. It has been hard and I have had lots of sucesses and failures this week. Some days I ate healthy but didn't exercise and other days I exercised but didn't necessarily eat healthy. However, this morning I weighed 152.4. I was happy to see that I have changed the flow of things and hopefully over the next couple of weeks I get the exercise and healthy eating both back on track on a regular basis.
My original goal was to be 135 by my birthday. Well, my birthday has come and gone this week and oviously that didn't happen. So new goal 135 by April 9th which was the day that I started on this journey. One year- 43.4 pounds thats the goal.

Week 6

Not a good week for eating healthy. I know I am up... probally a couple of pounds. (Didn't even weigh myself because I didn't want to see). I can explain it in one word.... Thanksgiving. It is sooooooo rare that we get together as friends and have home cooked meals I couldn't say no.
But today I resolved that today is it. Starting tomorrow I am back to eating healthy again. I think I am ready. I have the same resolve that I had when I started this whole journey in April. I haven't felt this motivated in a long time actually. I am ready. So get ready to see a new..er me over the next couple of months.

Weeks 3,4 and 5

Back up again to 152.4.... But this time I have a viable excuse. About 3-4 weeks ago I woke up to a lump the size of a large marable on my back. It was extremely painful. I went to a skin doctor and they gave me a handful of pills (5 pills 3x a day). Medicine can slow or stop weight lose and in my causse it did. Last Monday I had the "lump" removed and now have 4 stitches in my back. I get the biopsy back next Wed. Everyone, doctors, is sure it was just a cyst but prayers are appriciated.

Futhermore, it has been raining for 2 WEEKS straight. Being sick and raining were not good. I was just not motivated to "do a video."

However, to the sun is OUT... so excited. So I am out of here. Off to do some exercising.

and P.S. I got a new camera... lost the old one.

Week Two and Three

This morning I was down again to 148.2... that would make 4 lbs. 3 weeks. It has been tough. I forgot how time consuming it is to eat healthy. BALENCE continies to be my biggest struggle. Balence between work, play, house cleaning, fixing, eating, and cleaning up after meals. And it's just ME! How people do it with husbands and kids, I don't know.
Plus with halloween around the bend I have had alot of candy around which I have eaten. Thankfully I got to play a couple of good games of soccer and the surf has been really fun. I feel healthier again and have more energy which I lacked for a couple of weeks there.
I also found a new breakfast shop that opens at 6am and serves healthier choices. That has helped sooooo much. I can even take it for lunch if need be.
Next month there is an open registration for a Internation Surf Competition. I am thinking about joining. Hoping it will motivate me back into do some strenght training again. Today I surfed Overhead waves in a place called Dong He... scary... at least for me. I was told that I probally wouldn't make it to the outside but got lucky and timed it right. It was good for me to overcome some of my fears. I only caught one wave but it was so fun riding down the wave. I think I overcame some of my fear and look forward to seeing what I can do with surfing. Here is a picture from last weekend... can't find my camera.

Starting with a clean slate

I spent the majority of this weekend deep cleaning my house. It is a thought that a person's house (the mess or lack of mess) normally reflects the person health. I know that is true for me. However, I find it soooo hard to balance every thing; work (11-12 hours a day), the shopping, cooking, cleaning, exercising, getting 7 hours of sleep of night, etc. If I do all of these things I feel like I have no social life, and if I do all the cooking and cleaning then I am too tired to exercise... it is a never ending cycle.
Nonetheless the house has been neglected over the last few weeks and I my diet and healthy living when down with it. So, like last time I started with a deep cleaning of my house. The fridge was first. I remember watching the short lived series called "Losing it with Jillian" (yes, my healthy guru.) She talked about how the kitchen is a direct reflection of your pysical health. (This may not be true for some, but I think it is a pretty good assumption for most.) Look at your own kitchen and tell me what you think. I spent hours cleaning, throwing away bad items, shopping, cutting up fruit and vegetable, cooking (taco soup)... I finally feel like I got Just have to wait and see.

Starting Over (Day One)

There are several reasons why I am starting over. One reason is because I can no longer keep track of what week I am on. Another reason is because I really feel like I need a fresh start with fresh goals. I am really proud of how far I have come but I am not happy at stopping here... where I have been for the last couple of months. So new start.
Today, October 15th I weigh 152.2 pounds. My waist at my belly buttom is 93 cm and my hips are 103cm.
For most of my previous goals I have reached. I wanted to be able to wear ROXY brand clothing which I can. I wanted to feel confident in the things that I wear and for the most part I do. I wanted a clean bill of health, which I have. However, I still want to lose at least 17 pounds. I want to continue to get as healthy as I can. Reduce my risk of getting diabetes or heart disease (both run in the family). I want to do a triatholon in March or April of next year so I will be training for that starting Monday.
If you are still following this blog please pray for the straight to fight through this platue and to stay focused.

Week 25 Back on Track

So I don't know what happened but when I recounted how many weeks it has been I came up with 25 instead of 24. However, if you are following this it has only been one week since my last post.
I am back on track.... and once again, finally, under the 150 mark. This morning I weighed 148.7. I have started to exercise, eat healthy (which means preparing most of my own meals at home), wearing my body bugg and taking care of myself.
I is scary how I really just couldn't make myself exercise there for the last month. I thought that I had made life time habits but I learned this last month that it is going to always be a fight (of will and self) to continue on this journey. When I am "standing on the outside" (not doing what I know is good for me) it seems so hard. But even just 3 days make on track I have more energy, will power, everything. One healthy habit leads to another. I wish I could alway realize that but it is easier said than done.

Week 21-23

Today I weighed 150.9. Yes, that means I am up 2 lbs from 3 weeks ago. These past 3 weeks have been a struggle for me. I haven't exercised for 3 weeks (besides surfing on the weekends) because soccer has been canceled. I am just not motivated to do it by myself. I can't seem to summon the energy to do a video or run around in circles on the track field. I fight with myself every night and lose to I am too tired I want to just sleep or do watch TV.
Well, that's all going to change tomorrow. Soccer is starting back up. I am going to take time this weekend to get organized again... buy a new journal. I have 15.9 lbs to lose. I will do this!!!

Pet Peeve.. "She's on a diet".

I am really struggling when people tell other people... "She's on a diet!" I define a diet as a short term solution, a quick fix... You can only diet for so long. Take the Atkin's diet or South Beach diet. They might help you lose weight but overall they aren't healthy for long term results.
When I started this journey to a healthier me lots of people wanted to give me advice. So said,"I saw this diet online where you eat tuna fish sandwiches for 3 days a week and then whatever you want the rest of the week!" or you need to do this or that...
I knew that none of these things would work because they where short term... I needed to learn how to change my eating habits and ways that I viewed food for the rest of my life. I have said from the begining, "If I can't do this day in and day out for the rest of my life, then it isn't the right thing for me."
Yes, I have limited some of the foods I eat but WE ALL SHOULD... Sugar... you shouldn't be eating tons of it, white flour is no-no, vegetable oil= tons of health issues, etc. I am making HEALTHY CHOICES, not DIETING!
Ok, so that's that.

Week 20

FINALLY! I have finally dropped below the 150 mark. (When I lost weight 3 years ago that was the lowest I ever got and I only saw that number for a couple of weeks). This morning I weighted 148.9. That means I have lost a total of 29.5 pounds! (That is like carrying a 2 year old around). I truely can't ever remember weighing this before. I know for a fact that it hasn't been since high school!
After 20 weeks it is no longer difficult to "do the right thing" anymore. It's habit. And I don't desire eating like I used to. I have no problem saying "No" to foods or activities that are not healthy for me. I am truely a whole new person.

Week 19

I am now 150.2 lbs which means I have lost 28.2lbs since I started this journey! Being back in Taiwan has really helped to boost my weight lose again. IT SO HOT and HUMID here that it's like living in a sauna. I have been swimming and surfing alot to keep cool and playing soccer at night with friends. Loving life!

Week 18

My boot camp friends

Owner and Trainer Chris Garcia! I've learned soooo much from him this past month! Thanks a million.
153.8... that is what I weight! I was discouraged that I didn't break the 50's while in America until I got a body fat composition analysis done at Pure Living Fitness. Though I am still over weight by .7 on my BMI (which I think is about 4 lbs), my lean body mass (muscle) is exactly spot on. It said that I needed to gain 0.01 of muscle. haha! I need to lose 16.1 lbs of fat to be at my ultimatum health. VERY INFORMATIVE. Lots of good numbers to know too.
Also another encouraging thing was that I tried on a pair shorts that I brought with me from Taiwan that didn't quite fit me and they fit perfect now. Though I haven't seen much difference on the scale I can see it in my clothes. That's nice!
I am headed back to Taiwan in just a couple of hours. Looking forward to getting back into a regular routine. Vacation isn't a great time to eat healthy. I always lose about 5 pounds my first month back in Taiwan because of the heat and stress of a new school year and playing soccer.

Week 17

Picture from last week in South Carolina.
Same, Same I weighted 152.7 again this morning. I was actually worried that I had gained weight while on my South Carolina because I wasn't exercising much and ate a few times off my diet. Going to work real hard this next week to see how "low I can go".
Oh, and I highlighted my hair! That was a big step for me because I thought I would never dye my hair again after a bad hair dying session in high school. However, I love it this time. Takes so getting used too but I wanted to do something different and step outside my comfort zone.

15 1/2 weeks (My vacation within my vacation)

I thought that since I am going to be traveling again for a week and using a different scale I would just record today's sucess and then wait till next week to see what the scale says that I have been using. So... 152.7 this morning. That means I have lost 25.7 pounds so far.
I have never worked out so hard before. Boot Camp is literally kicking my bum. I love it though. The boot camp group and trainers feel like extended family aready. I am going to miss them while I am away on vacation to South Carolina this week. However, I am not going to miss the exercise part of that equation. (I will be exercising however... taking Ripped in 30 and Weight Lose Yoga with me.)
I am a little disappointed that the weight is still coming off so slow after all this hard work... but bottom line it is coming off. I am only 2.8 pounds away from a healthy BMI. That is my goal now. Before I go to Taiwan I want to see at least 149.9. Thanks for reading and supporting me.

BOOT CAMP

So if you have Facebook you know that I have been going to Boot Camp. Before I came to the US on vacation I wrote my family explaining some of my fitness goals and asked for their support while I was in America. My aunt took it upon herself, God bless her, to enroll me in Fitness Boot Camp at Pure Living Fitness center in Glendora, Ca. She got a killer deal through www.livingsocial.com. I wasn't sure what it was going to be like but i was willing to try it since she had already paid for it.
It's intense. It is exactly the type of workouts that I have been reading about in the Fitness books. Muscle confusion! You work out one part of your body then another giving the previous body parts "a moments rest". Never letting your heart rate go down though.
What do we do? This was this morning in a nut shell. We speed walked on the treadmill for 10 mintutes while the trainer talked to us about our fitness goals and eating healthy and answered questions that we have,etc. Then we used medicine balls (I think that is what they are called) and did different arm exercises just to get warmed up. You swing the ball over your head then through your legs, you twist side to side you go knee to sholder, you do a lunge and touch the ball to the ground and bring back up, etc. Then we did jumping jacks. The we did a different variation of a lunge that caught my legs on fire. From a standing position you bend,back straigh, down touching the right knee to the ground and left knee to 90degree angle. The up again. Do 15 on each side. The push ups till you can't do it anymore. Then back to the other one but jumping straight up this time. Back and forth between this and push up a few more times. Then a quick run on the trend mill then standing on a vibrator things that was CRAZY! It is suppose to help lower your heart rate faster and relax your now fagtued muscles. Then more leg exercises with jumps and squats. Pull ups with these strap things. Back and forth a few times.... It is exhausting but possible because you are switching back and forth so your legs get a rest while you are working or arms, and vise versa. Every time is different. Some times there is more focus on abs or bum and other times arms or shoulders or legs. Anyone in the Glendora area I would totally suggest trying it out. There are always several trainers and there are people of all fitness levels. They do this boot camp, ZUMBA, and personal training. It's not a gym! So it's you and only a few other people at most. You get to know the other people fast because you have encourage eachother to get through it. There is a good vibe in the room and all the trainers are their to really help you meet your fitness goals. Just wish I could get them to move to Taitung... I would make the sacrifice to go full time.
Oh, and they have a great deal for next month if you are thinking about doing it. Contact them ASAP... tell them I referred you.

Progression over the last 4 months

Starting Point

After one month

After Two Months

After Three Months
After Four Months (today)

Week 16 (Vacation Week 2)

This morning I was 154.2. That means I have only lose .2 pounds last week. I was a little disappointed because the day before I was 153.7. Not sure as to why I was up today but I have some guesses. Possibly water weight. Also I started Fitness Boot Camp (I'll write a blog about it next) this last week and I am gaining muscle mass which I might be trading out for fat. Another platue. Don't know... I wish I can see progress from the last month but it's hard. I know I see progress from 4 months ago. I wore size 14-16 now I wear a size 10! I tried on some pants that I left here last year that didn't fit and I swim in them now. So yes, I see progress... but sometimes I get impatient. It motivates me though. I am more determined than ever.

Week 15 (On Vacation Week 1)

I am now officially on vacation. (That's why I am late with this blog entry.) Using a different scale I weighted 154.4 on Saturday morning here. (I seriously considered bringing my scale but decided against it because it is made of glass and I would have to take it to all the different places that I am staying over the next 5 weeks.) I am now down 24 pounds. It feels weird not weighing in every morning and a little scary. In the past it was when I wasn't caring about my weight that I wasn't checking.
I definately care. I have been eating really healthy (using meal ideas from Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30 meal plan). I have tried to exercise but that is easier said than done. I actually started boot camp today and had a blast. (Best explained by watching the Biggest Loser workout sessions.) All in all things are going well. I won't know an offical number until I return to Taiwan on Aug. 22nd.
NOTE: No picture this week because I just traveled 8000 miles!

Week 14 (Goal Date #1)

Remember these were the shorts I couldn't fit into. Now look at me!


I had a goal to lose 28.4 pounds in 14 weeks. I have lose 23.1 pounds! I didn't meet my weight goal but I am still really proud of myself. One area that my goal was met was in how many inches I have lost on my hips and waist. I wanted to be a size L for the brand ROXY and I have accomplished that!
My current weight is 155.3 lbs
My current measurements are
31 inches waist;
41 inches hips.
I have lost so far ...

3.25 cm off my arms
4 cm off my legs
17 cm (7 inches) off my waist
11 cm (4 1/2 inches) off my hips

I still have 20 pounds that I want to loss. My aunt signed me up for boot camp while I am home so I am hoping to lose 8-10 pounds in the next 5 weeks while in America which would leave me with 10-12 to lose one I get back. I am hoping to lose all 20 pounds by November 1st. The way I am estimating now is 10 pounds while home and then a pound a week for the following 10 pounds. I am learning that those last 10 pounds are considered vanity pounds and aren't as easy to lose at the ones that were needed to lose because I was over weight.
Jumping on a plane in a couple of hours and headed to my America homes. Looking forward to some R&R and time to reflect on the other areas of my life that still need work; aka connecting with friends and family and God again.

Week 13

I am down 24.4 pounds.
This week has been a big week for me. Listening to Jillian Michaels podcast I realised that it is really important to stay on top of your doctor's appointments. I hadn't seen the dentist in almost 4 years. I can't remember the last time I had a physical (besides the one you get for STDs and leparcy when applying for your resident visa in Taiwan). So finally I swallowed my fear and went. Both had great outcomes. The dentist said my teeth look better than 4 years ago. I started brushing and flossing after every meal these last 3 months when I found out that gum disease is thought to be linked with heart disease (which runs in the family). I only had one cavity and filling that needed fixing. I went to the doctor and explained some of my family history and asked to get a full range of test done to make sure that everything is ok. I had an EKG done and chest x-rays. I get blood test on Monday done. I am going to try and make an appointment to see a dermatologist to check for skin cancer signs. And I am going to make an appointment at the womans doctor (most dreaded!)
I realised that I couldn't say why me if I got heart disease or diabetes or cancer even if I wasn't doing the things I need to do to prevent these things. With education I have I have to do everything I can to be healthy then above that I give control to God for my fate.
One more week unitl I board a plane back to the States for a 5 week vacation.

100 things to do before I die

Been watching some of the Buried Life on line. I honestly really like this show even though I don't agree with some of the ... behaviors let's say on the show. I love the premise behind it; go after your dreams and help other people along the way to do the same. They wrote a list of a 100 things that they wanted to do before they died and made a TV of them doing these things. For everything they checked off their list they helped someone else check something off their list. Pretty cool, huh?
So I have started to make a list of my own. I have come up with my first 18... it's not as easy as it sounds. I have already done sooo much in my life but it's been good thinking about what I really want. Here they are in no particular order.

1. Write a book.
2. Adopt a child.
3. Go on an epic surf adventure.
4. Learn how to roll a kayak.
5. Buy one year of school clothes for a child in need.
6. Go to Palau.
7. Wear size 8 pants.
8. Learn to dance.
9. Buy a tomb stone for my mom’s grave.
10. Get a PhD.
11. Get a reward for teaching.
12. Complete a triathlon.
13. Find my biological father (see a picture of him.)
14. Lead someone to Christ
15. Go on a short term mission trip.
16. Right a wrong.
17. Read through the entire bible.
18. Learn to play a musical instrument well.

Week 12

I am down 22.5 pounds. In the last 3 months I have lost almost 6 inches on my waist and a little over 4 inches on my hips. I went from not being able to wear some of my clothes because they were to small to not being able to wear some of my clothes because they are too big. I have 5 pounds to go to meet my go to US weight and 2 weeks to do it in. I am actually really happy at where I am at. I am about 5 pounds away from being out of the overweight category.
I am confident that I will get there. SUBWAY opened up in Taitung today which makes it soooooo much easier to eat healthier because the reality is I just don't have time to cook every meal. I need something easy and healthy to take for lunch every day. 3 monthes down 2 1/2 months to go till I meet my goal weight.

**NOTE: Week 11 post just never happened because we were wrapping up the end of the school year and this teacher was super busy.**

UNLIMITED

So as most of you know (if you have been reading this blog) that I have ventured on a journey of self discovery with Jillian Michael's through her book UNLIMITED. This post is basically book review.
First off, I give this book 5 stars. This book came to me at a time in my life that I had already committed to change. I needed something and now I know what it is.
Jillian breaks the book into 3 steps (can't remember what they are, sorry) but I broke the book into Seven Steps!
Step One: What do you want? (That's the G rated version). What are your goals in life? Be specific. And I am not just talking about weight lose here. BAD example: I want to be healthy. GOOD example: I want to lose 45 pounds, wear a size 8, feel sexy in my clothes, etc. Jillian makes a good point... Not having a specific goal is like saying I am going Northwest...instead if saying I am going to the top of the Statue of Liberty. If you don't have a specific goal how are you going to know when you have achieved it. BE SPECIFIC!
Step Two: Visualize what that looks like. This will help with step one. What will it look like when you have achieved that goal. Make a Vision Board to help you. (See my Vision board in a previous post).
Step Three: Idenify the things in your life that have been/or will keep you from achieving your goals. (Physical, Mental, Emotional, Pyscological,etc.) You need to go deep... Jillian give great advise on how to do this... so read the book.
Step Four: Develop a plan. How are you going to achieve your goals. How are you going to "beat your demons" (again see previous post). Start Long term then short term. Go hour by hour if need be. What strategies are you going to use when temptation comes a knocking? Have a Plan A, B,C..
Step Five: Share your goals with those around you. Gather people in your inner circle to support you and encourage you. Distance yourself from those that will keep you from achieving your goals. Find a mentor!
Step Six: Educate yourself! If you want to lose weight then listen to podcast (I listen to Jillian's) about that subject. If you want to be a better mom, read parenting articles. If you want to be a better teacher, then research teacher's who have recieved the Excellent Teacher of the Year Awards... and so on.
Step Seven: Make It Happen! Action! Go! Do it! :) You get the point.
If you like what you see then I really encourage you to go get this book. Jillian is much better at explaining all this than I can in just one post. I have taken all these things to heart over the last 11 weeks. My life, my outlook on life, has changed in big ways. I have lost 21+ pounds and about that in emotional baggage too. I haver come to understand myself better. Understand why I do the things I do... how to change the things I don't like about myself.
This journey is in no way over... it really has just begun. I love to hear your stories and if you have been inspired to buy book. (NOTE: If you buy the auto version... be careful... there is some "language" in this book.) Thanks for coming along!

Week 10

I have FINALLY reached the 20 pound mark. Yes, people I have lose 20 whole POUNDS! It was so good to see that number this morning! It is also the half way point on my weight lose journey. I am totally going to celebrate with a massage today! Yeah me!

Week 9

I did not lose any weight this week. I think there were several reasons for this.
1. I went on vacation over the weekend. I ate pretty healthy but it was alot of foods that I don't normally eat so my body didn't know what to do. I exercised seveal hours a day so I was alittle disappointed that the scales didn't show anything for that.
2. I seem to have problems losing at intervals of 10. I am close to losing 20 pounds nad I new I would probally platue again around this weight. This is a weight that I would lose down too several times and then never get any futher. It is a little scary but I am really motivated and reading UNLIMITED has helped me to see some of the mistakes I have made in the past so I am just going to keep going.
3. I struggled to exercise after the trip. I had such a good time down there I really didn't want to come back. I surfed 6 times in 2 1/2 days. Doing Yoga in my livingroom wasn't very motivating.
4. The weather finally turned HOT! It is so hard to exercise when it is as hot as it is here with the humidity.

Having said all that, I am not discuouraged. We all have bad days and weeks but I am not quiting... you can be sure of that!

Vision Board

One of the questions that Jillian Micheal's brings up in her book Unlimited is "What the hell do you want to do with your life?" (I know I used the h word.. I am just quoting here.) But seriously, what do I want? That's been a hard question for me to answer. She suggest making a vision board to help direct your thoughts and what not. The picture(s) above is my attempt at making a vision board. Some of the things already have or doing and some not yet. What follows is an explanation of what it means? (in no particular order)This is a working list... and is in no way complete.
1. I found out about Christian surfers a few years back when a couple of guys came on a scouting trip to Taiwan. It was such an encouragement to have other Christians around who encouraged us in our faith and had similar interest (aka. surfing). After returning to the States two years ago I went to the Newport chapter for CS. Immediately I felt accepted and encouraged. The bible studies were awesome and felt that I could be myself. I love surfing! (Just spent the weekend surfing 4-5 hours a day.) I want to be involved in Christian surfers ... somehow. Just found out there is a chapter in Northern Taiwan and hope to be working with them in the future.
2. I takes guts to surf. I want to surf like this girl. It challenges everything within me. I have to know myself better to be able to surf. (Half of you are shaking your head, right?) Ex. Every time I paddle out I know I could get hurt. (I almost died once.) I have to know what I am capable of. I need to know my limits. I gotta trust God to give me wisdom to make smart decisions. And at some point to have a take risks to get better. You have to push yourself physically and mentally and even spiritually. In Chinese surfing is 衝浪 (Chōnglàng). 衝 means to fight or do battle 浪 means wave... so to do battle with the waves. EXACTLY... surfing for me is a battle.
3.
4. This is a picture from the movie Every Child is Special . I want to be a teacher like this teacher. You just have to watch the movie to understand.
5.I am a volunteer hugger at a babies home. It has been such a learning experience and God has taught me so much. These babies are all up for adoption. One day I would love to adopt a child from Taiwan.
6. I want to find a husband who loves God whole heartily and it shows in every area of his life.
7. I want to live near the ocean. The ocean just makes me happy. I know that sounds silly but it does!
8. I want to be a light. I want to share my faith with others. I love the quote (from someone) "Preach always, use words when necessary." I want to see God in me just by being who God has made me to be.
9. I was asking the question, " What do I want"n for a couple of weeks and coming up with nothing. Then I was looking through a friend's photos and happened on one of them and their family on a camel ride through the Sahara Dessert. When I saw that picture I immediately thought, "That's what I want!" Not the camel ride, though that would be fun. The Sawyers are this awesome family who live abroad. They are passionate about their faith and sharing their lives with others. They have 2 beautiful children who even at a young age love God. The are always going on wild adventures (aka Camel ride in dessert). That's what I want. To serve God abroad (I actually don't even care where (if it's near the ocean :) ). I want to take adventures! I want a family that is knitted together in God.
10. I really respect Jillian Micheals as an expert on health and wellness. I love her "kick-ass" approach to life. I want to be healthy in all areas of my life which is what her books are all about... contrary to popular belief they are not just about losing weight.

Week Eight

Two months! I am down 16.4 pounds. I have lost almost 5 inches off my waist. Alot of people have been asking me if I can feel a difference. I can say ... a hesitant yes. I am able to get through a workout now without stopping. I have more endurance. I feel stronger. I can see that my pants fit very loose now (or pants that I couldn't wear before now fit.) I still have a long way to go but I feel more confident than ever. New habits have been formed. I am stronger in my resolve to ... just get it done. With God, the help of Jillian Micheals (books and DVDs :)) and the encouragment of my friends and family I know nothing is impossible.




These pictures were taken right before I was to go surfing. Hence the rash guard.

WEEK 7

Just finished Week 7 on the journey to a new me. I am offically down 15. 2 lbs. (6.8 kg for you metric people). This last week I have been super busy. My house looks like I have been robbed, with things laying everywhere. (NOTE: This is so not me. I get messing but not to the extreme my house is in now.) I don't know if it was because I was so busy and exhausted but food just didn't taste as good this week. I didn't have time to switch it up so I was eating alot of the same things... all healthy. Now that I am not going to be as busy I am going to try to cook some more new reciepts.
I can see a difference in my body for the first time. The board shorts that I am wearing I bought after going back to Ca 3 years ago. At that time I had lost 45 lbs. (About 13 lbs lower than what I am now.) I haven't been able to wear these shorts for the last 2 1/2 years. I have been trying them on every week to see how close I am to wearing them again and today they finally fit. :)
The last time I lost weight it was because I was under a huge amount of stress... the decision to leave Taiwan after 6 years. Working and making all the plans to go back ... I would forget to eat or just didn't want to eat. We were going to the skate park everyday.
This time around I am doing it by sweat and tears. Last night it was raining again (the story of the last few months) so soccer was a no go. I wanted to be lazy and not exercise. I had one more day of Yoga this week so I "could" skip it and still be ok. But it was a battle in my head. "You should do this!" "I don't want to!" Back and forth till I got angry with myself. "FINE, I'll do it!" It was one of the best work out sessions yet. I am stronger than I have ever been before. I have muscle. :)
I don't know why it is so hard to motivate myself to exercise before I start. It is always a battle but lucky I am winning that battle so far.

Cooking away

People have been asking what I eat. I think most people assume I am just eating salad... but that's just not true... for a couple of reasons. It is really hard to find a good salad in Taitung. (Only place I know of is Thyme.) Second I don't like salad unless it has lots of dressing which totally defeats the purpose of eating a salad.
I eat all kinds of different things. I eat chicken (cooked different ways), fish, shrimp, lots and lots of fruit, broccoli (which I don't really like), some vegetables, lots of beans, yogurt, oatmeal,egg whites etc. Here are some pictures of the staples in my house.

"You gotta beat your demons"

A friend (Matt) and I have an inside joke where we tell eachother that we "gotta beat your demons" (said with an English accent). This joke originally started when Matt ran into another friend of ours on the beach one day. The friend on the beach was eating these little tiny snails, which are popular here in Taiwan. He offered them to Matt which he declined. Our friend replied, "You gotta beat your demons!" So Matt ended up trying them after all.
Well this phrase has been running through my head alot lately. As I have mentioned this journey to be healthy is not just about losing weight... I want to be healthy in all areas of my life. So I bought Jillian Micheals new book Unlimited. Though I don't really agree or ...get what is talked about early on in the book there are some really good points. One point that has really hit home is about working through things that hold us back in our lives. Whether it is lack of confidence in yourself or running from close relationships with others... whatever keeps you from being the person you really want to be.
3 years ago I saw a theropist to help me deal with some issues from my childhood. Reading through this section in this book reminded me of that... and helped me to realize that there are things that I still need to work out. First you have to identify areas in your life that aren't ideal.
For me, I have this deep since of justice... that everyone should follow the rules, do the right thing. I can't handle it when I see people not following the rules. I get really angry and it affects alot of areas in my life. If I feel wronged by someone it is hard for me to get past that. I am also a perfectionist. Which really corelate with the following the rules thing. I want to do everything perfect. I have a hard time when I don't do something perfect or get an A++ on a test, etc. I have such a high standard for myself. I also have a hard time when others aren't perfect.
But where did this come from? That is the second step. Going back as far back as you can to see why you feel the way you do. For me, I think it has alot to do with my relationship with mom. My mom was very strict with me. As I was growing up I rarely felt whatever I did was good enough. There was such a standard laid out for me that was impossible for a child to reach. If I cleaned the entire house, my mom would find the one thing not done and complain about it. I was never good at school, a B and C student at best, even though I tried very hard. My mom tried to teach me problem solving skills. But the stress of always having to figure out the best way to do something was tough. Things that my mom considered common sense were not common sense for a 8 year old child.
The result of this is as a grown up to now repeat this same cycle over again in my relationships. I can't understand why someone will do something a certain why when it's "common sense" that it should be done this way. I don't have patience with people who don't think the way I do. I put unfair expectations on my friends and family members and on myself.
So how do I change? I am not sure... I working on that. Still reading the book but I think it has something to do with forgiving the person that made you feel the way that you do... in my case forgiving my mom for making me feel like I was never a good enough daughter.
If these words sound harsh, understand that I loved/love my mom whole heartly and I know that she loved me the same. She never meant to make me feel the way she did. (I think she had issues from her childhood too that made her the way she was.) I want to break this cycle. I don't want my children to feel the same way that I did.
There are alot of areas in my life that need changing and I hope as this journey continues that I will be able the work through these areas in by life so that I can have healthy relationships with those around me and not be so hard on myself. Really, I working towards a NEW ME!

Week 6 finished

Six weeks finished! I am offically 14 lbs down and half way to my goal for going back to the US this summer. I have lost 4 inches on my waist. I am so glad to have passed my first platue. I was getting alittle fustrated but I knew that I was doing all the right stuff and it would pass. I know that I have to step it up from here on out though. I have one more really busy week at work then it is smooth sailing till the end of the school year. I will have almost 8 weeks off from teaching. I am really looking forward this break. I have a goal of reaching my goal weight by Sept. 10th. It seems so long to wait and so much hard work to do to get there but I am really confident that I will reach my goal.

Yoga

When people used to say they did yoga I was not interested in listening. I thought yoga was this super spiritual practice of meditation that helped you try to empty the mind of all negative thoughts and so on. Sounded way too new age for me, so I never tried it.
Recently however I ran across Jillian Micheal's Yoga Meltdown and Bob Harper's Weight Lose Yoga and fell in love with the practice. The yoga in these videos aren't like the above mentioned. Basically it's body weight resistence training. Yoga with cardio. You hold different positions for a period of time and use your own body weight as resistence. It is such a good workout and actually FUN. I am stronger (great workout for surfers.) and have more energy. I highly recommend these videos if you are wanting to lose weight or a beginner's yoga video. If I can do it, you can do it.