when i lost fifteen pounds a coupla summers ago, a lot of people noticed and asked me how much weight i had lost.  i always secretly wished that it was a bigger number. . . as in i had started at a higher weight. . . in order to have a greater success story.  welp, this time it’s going to be around a fifty pounds weight loss.  here’s to my developing success story and to yours too buddies! =]

i know some people that you should weigh yourself weekly so that you won’t get discouraged or whatever.  but i think i’m going to start weighing myself every other day or two so that it’ll be easier to track losses, maintenance, or gains.

it’s my first week with the rockstars, and everybody has been so supportive and enthusiastic with one another.  actually, i think buddyslim members in general are great cheerleaders.  one rockstar said to think of two pounds loss as six sticks of butter. . . heee i like that.  especially when i remember how i would consume one whole stick of cookie dough in a night.

i haven’t really talked much of my history with my weight.  i’ve always been a bigger girl.  i lost weight after my seventh grade year and maintained it for about two years and then started steadily gaining it back.  a couple of summers ago, i lost about 15 pounds and was probably at my most fit then.  i only maintained it for six months though.  a boyfriend and i broke up, and though i wasn’t heartbroken or very sad even, it kind of helped as a catalyst for binge eating behaviors that i already had.  i binge ate for almost a year and a half till just about a month ago.  disgusting, isn’t it??

now i’m slowly getting back to getting fit again.  i’m realizing that it’s ok if i fall off the wagon because i can always get back on.  i used to see it as an all or nothing approach, but i think a day by day approach is better for me.  and this time, i’m going to do it for me, my family, my future family, my friends, and my life =]

so i made some whole wheat spaghetti and tossed it with sun dried tomato pesto, salt, pepper, and a tablespoon of nutritional yeast.  yumyumyum =]

so. . . some realistic plans to achieve my fitness and nutrition goals:

1.) aim for around 1500 calories a day

2.) do some kind of physical activity 3 times a week

3.) ride my bike at least once a week unless it’s crazy hot!

4.) try not to eat out as much

5.) talk to family and friends and journal when i am stressed out instead of emotionally eat

i love moving that little bar to the right on the weight tracker, by the way.

cheers! =]

romaine and hummus

watermelon

100 calorie packs (especially the chocolate animal crackers, oreos, and chips ahoy). . . but just one pack!  i’ve eaten the whole box before =p

granola bars

edamame. . . you can get them frozen at whole foods or jewel

baked potato with vegan cheese, lots of garlic, chives, and salsa

japanese cucumbers from my family’s garden

grilled asparagus

i’ve rediscovered my love of cooking! =]

i kinda wish i had a blender though.

next up to try. . . vegan mashed cauliflower!:

boil a head of cauliflower, drain, then mash and mix with 1/4 cup of soymilk, salt, and pepper, and herb to taste!

i remember an article that said that people are more motivated to get fit during the summertime than the winter months.  i think that’s definitely true for me.  it’s way too damn cold in chicago to try to schlepp through two feet of snow to get to the gym.

there was a cute boy today at the gym who was lifting weights by me that kept on making “uRGhHH” sounds.  i was fighting wanting to giggle and being slightly turned on.  tee hee.

this is my third attempt at being vegan, my 24th day!  i’m hoping this time, my changes to my food and fitness lifestyle will stay.  i think things that set me back before were being too strict with myself and having unrealistic goals.  this time, i think i will try to be ok with pounds slowly, but surely coming off.  i’m trying not to eat out as much and planning my meals ahead of time.  i’m doing activities that i actually enjoy. . . i just started a swing dance class!  and i’m finding different ways to enjoy vegan cuisine.

hope all is well with yall. . . don’t forget to wear sunblock =]

so i’m hoping that this time, it’ll be for real yo.

i started eating healthy about two weeks ago, and exercising one week ago.

things that i’ve discovered that i like about this being healthy business:

my skin is clearer!  and i’ve got a tan from all this riding my bike outside.

i forgot how much i love riding my bike on the lakefront trail!

romaine and hummus = yumyumyum

i kinda like the good soreness in my arms.

awesome, regular poops!

happy 4th of july yall =]

ooh and i made my mini goal!  whoopie!

bummer.

i know that stress triggers my binge eating habits.  and how stupid is it that i’m stressed because i’m fat, and i’m fat because i’m stress eating?  answer: very.

i’m going out to eat at a poshy japanese restaurant tonight.  eating out is always an obstacle for me too as well.  i don’t want to be the girl that’s on a diet, and also i don’t want to be the annoying picky vegan girl either.

i’m not going to let binge eating consume me again, pun intended  yo.  i’ve never liked forsaking control of my own life to anybody else but me, and i’m damn sure that i’m not going to let my eating habits take control of me either.