Been busy...

I can't believe I haven't written in about a month.  I've been super busy with work, moving my grandfather, family visits at my apt, and a little bit of traveling.  But I'm still here...

Over the past month, since it's been a crazy one, I have been trying to maintain my gym visits, but they've been down to around 2-3 times a week.  I've been eating really good some days and not so good other days (for ex. my mom and I had pizza and Carvel for dinner one of the nights we stayed at Grandpa's).  But I haven't seen too much of a change in weight, I have to remember to check the gym scale tonight to make sure.  So overall, things have been going okay and I'm trying to get back on track to continue with my weight loss struggle.

I'll check back in soon!

Ali

One lb down, 7 to go!

I mentioned last week that my scale was weighing in a slightly lighter me, but I wanted to double check on the gym scale.  Well I haven't been forgetting, it's just the scale at the gym has been broken.  They finally brought in a replacement scale yesterday and he has confirmed what I hoped was true... I lost another pound!  Finally!  I know one pound might not sound like a lot, but I had lost 5 lbs so quickly and then couldn't get below 123.  So, for me this is a big accomplishment! 

I also started running again last night on the treadmill in order to prep for the race in May.  I remember now why I switched from running to the elliptical.  My knee is killing me - thank you Daddy for my weak joints!  (He's had two surgeries on each of his ankles and two on each of his shoulders.)  I pushed through and ran 3 miles, but 1.5 of those was in sheer agony.  I think I'll slowly get myself back into running so I don't end up killing my knee altogether and giving up.  So,it's back to my usual 6 miles on the elliptical today so that I can actually enjoy dance class tomorrow.

Have a good day!

Ali

Relay Race Prep

So my best friend from high school, Marina, called me today to ask me to run a relay race with her in May.  We each have to run 6.5 miles. 

My initial reaction: Yea I can do that, I ran track in high school.  Count me in!

Five minutes later: What the hell was I thinking??  I may have run track but I was a sprinter and never ran more than 2-3 miles!

Sure, I can run 3 miles no sweat, and 4 miles with a little huffing and puffing.  But will my asthma hold off for 6.5 miles?  I'm determined to find out!  I'm heading to the gym in a half hour for my ab class and usual cardio.  But tonight, instead of staying on the elliptical, I'm going to get on that treadmill and start training for the longest race I've ever run. 

Who knows... maybe this will be the motivation I need to do the half-marathon I've always wanted to run!

*Ali

DANCE THOSE LBS AWAY

Since my chicken wing incident on Monday, I've been really pushing myself to make good on the rest of this week.  Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday I had incredible gym workouts and Wednesday I started my new hip hop class - so much fun!  I had been taking some dance classes at Broadway Dance Studios this summer and fall, but they're overly intense there.  I'm not looking to be an actual performer, I just want to have a fun workout.  So for me, repeating one step over and over until every person in the class gets it right is just a waste of my calorie burning time! 

This new class is run by two awesome girls who work normal jobs and just rent out a space once a week to throw dance classes.  They're way more laid back and I actually like the routines better!  Plus you're dancing the whole time, not standing around waiting for each step to be perfected. 

The good thing about getting back into my dance classes again is that it's a break from the monotonous gym workouts and it really gets you sweating and burning those calories.  Back when I lived in Buffalo, I was also taking a belly dance class... best ab workout I've ever had!  I have to find a good studio for that again.

I was thinking I might take a day off from the gym today, but I weighed myself on my scale at home this morning and it looks like I may have actually lost some weight!  So I might go to the gym anyway so I can weigh myself on their scale to make sure.  I don't want to post any false info! ;)

Keep ya posted!

Ali

Peer pressure moment...

Think after-school special.  An innocent young girl surrounded by her "evil", alcohol-abusing friends.  Only, in this instance, exchange alcohol for chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, and nachos (fully loaded).  Now you have a small understanding of how my night went last night.

A group of us went to watch the Ohio State vs. Louisiana football game last night at a nearby sports bar.  And although I successfully managed to "say no" to alcohol, I can't say I was as strong willed when it came to what foods I so gracefully shoved down my throat.

I started out by ordering a Thai salad... you can't really go wrong with grilled chicken, avocado, and bean sprouts.  But imagine being surrounded by six other people wolfing down all of that greasy goodness and in between each bite tempting you, "Are you sure you don't want any?"  Eventually, sadly, without even answering yes, I just grabbed a spicy wing and that was the end of my innocence.

How am I ever going to drop below this irritating 123 pound plateau I'm on if I keep giving in to temptation?  I think the next time I go out I'm just going to wear a blindfold and clothespin my nose shut.  But at least one good thing came from my nauseating lack of self control... the unbelievable work out I had today in an attempt to sweat off every last ounce of hot sauce and melted cheese. 

And so while I remain unable to lose a single pound, at least I didn't gain one!

Cheers!

Ali

Checking In...

Hello again!  I got a friendly reminder that I hadn't written again yet, so I figured I'd check in real quick!

I've been going to the gym regularly and working really hard.  My eating habits could use some improvement but I haven't been horrible.  My boyfriend and I had a small party at our place on Friday and I baked some goodies for everyone.  I'm a pretty good baker (not so much cook) so even I couldn't resist the delicious snacks.

I've also made a decision to slightly alter my drinking habits.  I'm not a big drinker to begin with, usually once a week.  But instead of drinking beer or mixed drinks, I'm going to try to stick to wine... and just one glass, two tops.  I figure this should help cut down on unnecessary calories.

I'm still new to this blog thing, so I need to try to remember to check in more often.  Thanks Shelley for the reminder!! 

Talk soon!

Ali

Day 1 of blogging!

My whole life I have been pretty active and healthy.  My father is big on sports so I grew up playing soccer, softball, and running track.  I was also a dancer.  If I wasn't practicing for a big game or recital, I was outside playing with my brother and friends.  The usual activites were tennis, badmitten, swimming, skiing, sledding, football, jumping on the trampoline, and the list goes on...

Now that I'm older, I obviously don't have time to go outside and play all day (nor do I have the energy to do so).  I go through stages - for a few months I'll be really gung-ho about working out and then I'll miss a few days and fall right back out of the routine.

I've been at around 128 lbs for a year now and I wouldn't say I'm overweight, I'm just not as happy in my skin (well, clothes) as I used to be.  I miss my slimmer, more toned body.  So about a month ago I decided I've had enough of feeling "fat" when I look in the mirror or see pictures of myself.  I want to be able to look at myself and think "wow, I love the way I look and I don't want to change a thing."

For the past month now I've been going to the gym 4-5 times a week and doing an hour of cardio.  I do an ab class on Mondays, and moderate lifting two of the other days.  I have an athletic body shape so I bulk up real easily (especially the thighs - thank you soccer) so I try not to lift too much, I want to look leaner.  My goal weight is 115 lbs.  So far I've lost about 5... I'm hanging out at around 123.  However, I'm trying to remain realistic.  I know my body likes to hold on to muscle, which as we all know weighs more than fat.  So, as long as I continue to feel better about the way I look, I'll consider my weight loss successful.

As far as my hopes for this blog: I figure this is the perfect place for someone like me who goes through work out phases.  If I'm sharing my efforts with everyone here, I will be more likely to push myself.  My father raised a team player and I'm hoping my teammates here will help me reach my goals.  And in return, I'd love to help more hopefuls like me reach their goals as well!

*Ali