Midterms

Its been 'one of those weeks'. I have had more papers due this week than I have had the beginning 4 weeks put together. A Bible midterm on Women of Genesis and Exodus- I spent an enormous amount of time on this essay and am hoping for a fantastic grade, as well as a commentary summary in my literature class- not expecting that good of a grade on this, I had a difficult time summarizing a summary and having enough to make it sound intelligent. This paper is rewritable though, so I am not too worried.
I had my first official day as a hospital volunteer on Tuesday, it was amazing. Before I had just been shown around, kind of getting acquainted with the area. I was able to observe a circumcision, and just had a great time running around, and just being in the hospital environment. Being a doctor is defiantly just in my bones. I have also started babysitting for some extra cash (well not really EXTRA- just enough to pay bills) I enjoy it, I love kids and it works well with my schedule.
So between school, babysitting, volunteer and homework...I haven't had any exercise time. Last I exercised was Saturday (a fabulous 2 hour workout) but am disappointed I haven't done anything since then. I plan to go for a run (outside in the brisk fall weather) this afternoon. Despite the lack of exercise, I have lost an additional 6.2 pounds since October 19th. I find this absolutely fabulous. As long as I have a any amount of weight loss I am happy.
I am still training for the 5K so I am slightly behind on that, but some pushing and dedication and I can defiantly get back on track.
I think I am going to break tonight...curl up with hot cocoa and a good book. Relax and have some me time. Then start on weekend homework tomorrow.
My brain deserves a break for a night :).

Reality

Weight Loss- I feel like yesterday I ate the whole house, I was starving all day. PMS gets a big thanks for that. I should be in the gym right now, as opposed to blogging. I want to be able to run consistently .5 mile by Friday. That is part of my schedule for the turkey trot (5k Run on Thanksgiving). I tried being half way decent with the truck load of food that I consumed yesterday. I did do better today.

School- busy busy busy...I went to the library today after class for about 3hrs to study. It was so nice to be away from the distractions at home. Whenever I begin to study at home, there is always TV, computer, or phone calling me instead. I was able to achieve so much in those 3 hrs and felt so good about it. I am thinking of going up there every couple days when I need to. I have a math test Friday and a Bible quiz Monday...So the rest of the week I had better get going and study study study. I am going to try my very hardest to achieve straight As. Obviously I want to get accepted into an amazing medical school, and that is going to take so much effort to get those fantastic grades.

Sunday

Today is going be a busy busy day!
I have homework this morning, a interview for babysitting at 2pm, and then my siblings and I are getting together to do pictures for grandparents, and parents for Christmas. I have a nice chunk of homework in every class. 2 reading analysis, just reading in general, math work, critical thinking...
I want to make some time for a work out as well. I had some great gym time yesterday, I did 30 minutes circuit training and about 30 minutes walking/running intervals on the treadmill.

I have my first day of volunteering at the hospital Tuesday. I am so excited, because my profession will be obstetrics and women's health. I talked her into placing me in women's health (mother-baby specifically) normally they do not place people in there, its all strictly in lock down to protect the mothers and babies. Then Thursday I have an appt to go see about donating plasma (some extra cash and getting to help the world).

Alright I better get started on that homework!

Change

I am changing things up a little bit. Not only am I blogging about my journey towards weight loss (I am still SLOWLY losing, down 22lbs) but it will include my life in college...dealing with the financial struggles, everything extra I have to do to try my best to get into a prestigious medical school.
My dream/ultimate goal is to get accepted into Yale School of Medicine, or Harvard Medical school and work my way towards becoming a maternal fetal specialist.
At the same time, I will be more than happy to get accepted into ANY medical school.
I am currently at the community college in Springfield, OR. I am getting all my pre-reqs and arts and letters out of the way while its cheaper. I will transfer to University of Oregon Summer term 2011, enter as a junior and pursue my BS in human physiology. I will graduate in 2013 and go to medical school Fall 2013. At least that is the plan....who knows what life will throw at me between now and then.
I am working through applying for numerous scholarships; my goal being to have all my undergrad paid for with the exception of this year. I am taking four classes this term (Bible, Writing, Math, literature) consisting of 16 credits.
It's busy, crazy, and exhausting!

In the last month and a half I have managed to lose and keep off 13.2 lbs. Seems like a small amount for such a big person but I will take whatever I can get. I have really been working towards just living a healthier life, smaller portions better fresher food, and of course that exercise. In two weeks my goal is to be able to run a mile all together. The farthest I have done so far is .3 of a mile. I love the feeling of my endurance getting better. Able to go faster, harder, longer and all while feeling less winded.
I plan to be able to RUN a 5k in the fall, I am steadily working towards that goal.
I believe my life style change has exceedingly helped, I now am less stressed, more focused...and just feel overall better about life. I weigh in at 234.4 now and I strive to be about 140-150. I am open to other numbers, just where ever my body takes me. Where it makes me feel comfortable and healthy in my skin.
I need to kick my running training up a notch and push myself farther and faster than before. I also really enjoy the elliptical in my apt gym. Of course I try to weight train too, because I dont want to put in all my hard work and reach my goal weight only to still be flab and high % of fat, I want to replace that fat with muscle, reach my goal weight being toned and fit.
I am trying to average a 3 lb loss every week, at least while I am still this big I can, as I get smaller I know to expect smaller numbers.
I strive to hit my first goal... 219- I always have trouble getting out of those terrible 220s.
and after that it will be under 200....fantastic.
well I had better get to my Sunday- much to do today.

Day 2 of new journey

I don't have much to say...but I think striving to blog everyday will help hold me accountable.
Right now my goal is to put myself at my lowest weight from before at my weight loss efforts...I have 16.5 lbs to get there. The last month I have been on some meds that I think have blown me up a little...but no excuses...just have to work harder and get those pounds off.
I read somewhere...just focus on 10lbs...10lbs at a time...so for my first 10lbs I have 2.9 more pounds to lose.
I really am going to try and push myself on my water consumption...I used to be extremely good with it, drinking about 130oz a day...lately I am lucky if I get 20oz. I know that will defanitely help put off some water weight going on.
I have been eating extremely well...counting weight watchers points- everything in my cupboards and fridge have a point value written on them with a sharpie.

Back to square one...

Oh my gosh! its been a while...
Well its like being back in square one, I just recently moved and have had so much going on...I am just now getting settled into the new place. I moved Monday the 24th of May and since the 25th of May (one week) I have lost 6.6lbs :)!! YAY for little changes!!
I have been really watching what I eat, and some small exercises. I started Jillians 30 day shred today and I am still drenched in sweat...
also me and my new roommate are going to start walking/running, I have a goal to try and completely RUN a 5k by Sept. Adding the exercise to my extremely good eating I am hoping will help lose these lbs.
I have about 80-100 lbs to lose...still...but I will get there...just gotta keep trying.
I am hoping by July next year I may just feel good enough to be comfortable in a swimsuit...maybe even a bikini? I guess only time will tell.

I moved to go to school, and school doesn't start until June21st so I have time to kick butt with exercise...to cook and be very particular about food...there aren't any excuses!
I took all my measurements today and will continue to every week...keep track of inches as well as pounds.
Wish me luck!
:)

Lets start week 3!!

Todays weigh in pretty much sucked, I am still below my initial but above last weeks. I think I am a little bloated. I have decided that if I really want this (and I do) I really need to TRY and give it my ALL. So this morning I woke up and did 40 minutes in the gym. I did a circuit work out and burned about 600 cals. I want to do that 5 days a week again, I feel so much better when I work out...and when I do good. I can tell my body loves me so much more...I was made to be active, and I was made to not have all this excess fat on my body.
I am excited to get fit and healthy.
I can't give up, this is my year! this is when it will all happen....
I will have to work for it...but I will, and I will eventually get there.
:)
So here is to starting a new week, to a smaller and better ME!

Week 2

This week kind of sucked for me, but that means it can only get better :)

I have a feeling tomorrows week 2 weigh in won't be that good. But I am very determined to make week 3 the BEST week.

I am slowly starting to add more exercise into my daily life. I am still loving zumba, but I know I can and need to do more to reach the goals I have set for myself. I will start going to to the gym again, mon/wed/fri mornings and even if its just for 30 minutes thats better than nothing. I want to try for a good 45 minute circuit training session. A friend and I talked about doing one day a week where we train one another, and push each other hard.

I still need to work on my food, the points are great and I totally love them. I may go back to the original just counting calories though, just because I like to be able to log electronically and without joining weight watchers I cannot do that. I love spark people and that is where I am beginnig to log AGAIN.

This time will be the last time though, I am going to succeed this time.

That same friend is getting married in October, and I want to be able to buy and wear a killer dress to the wedding (hopefully in a size 10).

So thats my goal, not a weight...but a size. 10 by mid October :)

and I CAN do it.

Weekends....ugh

So far so good...yet weekends are my downfall.
I tend to have so much more temptation around me, I am thinking of ways to help me avoid temptation on the weekends. I think the best one is to always make sure I have a ton of healthy choices at home (including packable snacks) that way I am not tempted to eat out.
Eating out is one thing I do WAY too much of. It is defiantly something I have to be careful with.

I did Zumba last week, tuesday and thursday. I LOVED it. The second time was killer...I ate before I went, and also I think since you feel the muscles you used last time its worse. LOL. But all in all its still so much fun. I know its a good workout too, cause by the end I am like red faced, not breathing, DRENCHED in sweat.
I am looking for a little more to do on days I don't have zumba, but I want to be careful and not get caught up in the exercise side of things. Because food is always hard for me, so that's really what I need to focus on.
This coming week/weekend is my busy time at work, so this weekend I need to be sure to stock myself up on acceptable quick food. I might go grab some smart ones/lean cuisine just to be safe.
I am excited for weigh in wednesday...I am hoping for a 3 lbs loss (water weight and all) but I would be happy with any loss at all. :)

Day 1

Hello All,
I am embarking on a new journey of weight loss. I beleive the blogging will help me stay on track and help keep myself accountable. I am one of those pretty faces, big my whole life girls. BUT its time for a change, time to find self acceptance and be happy with who I am.
I have about 80 lbs to lose (I think!) I have always been big so I really have no idea what size I will like, but I do want to be healthy. I want a healthy BMI and to life a long fulfilling life, not a life that is restricted because of my size.
I have been through the whole weight loss thing MANY times, this will be the last time though. This will be it...a lifestyle change. I have done good before but never lost the weight, I always seem more focused on exercise than food (exercise is just easier for me) so now I will mainly focus on food (they say that is key). A friend of mine was very successful on weight watchers, she did not actually join but did it by just counting points (her whole family did it so she still had that great support team).
So now its my turn, she still has a small way to go, but they will lead/mentor me on my way to finding a healthy weight. I think the point system of weight watchers makes complete sense and seems pretty easy as long as your careful.
I was told to eat 27 points a day (possibly lower it later). There is a huge emphasis on portions, really watching the serving sizes and measuring and weighing everything. Which I have no problem with.
Technically I started today but my weigh ins will be on wednesday, I will weigh and also take measurements. I am ready for this, and I will be successful.
As for exercise I like group classes, yet gyms always seem SO spendy I recently found out that you can go to classes through the city (at recreational centers) for extremely cheap. I have always been interested in Zumba...so I am hoping to embark on that journey. They also have tons of dancing classes, which is fun and exercise all in one. I have always wanted to do some ballroom :). I also think it is so rewarding becuase not only are you doing cardio for weight loss, but there is so much toning involved. I am a woman, needy...I dont just want a skinny body but i toned one as well.
Another goal I have is to drink my water, once I get past the first week I do really good. Its the first week where I have to force myself to swallow those 100oz of nice water.
I have not quite gotten a reward system going, I am thinking at major mile stones something really good, and then maybe something tiny like everything 10 lbs. When I hit my goal though, we have decided to take a trip to Hawaii and wear bikinis!! That is 80 lbs away though...it sounds easier if I mention its 8/10 dresses sizes away...
To the beginning of a very successful journey!!