Time Goes On

May has been a crazy month. Actually, let me back-track. This has been a crazy year. I started working toward my Master's in Strategic Communications in July. I've been struggling with a lot of personal things such as motivation to work out, weight, trying to focus on school, losing my social life, and trying to truly understand being in love. It's been crazy to say the least. A lot has changed and it's difficult for me to express those changes in a short blog post. Let me just stay more recent…

On May 12th, I was let go from my job. It's amazing how time has been flying by. The first week I ran some errands I had been putting off and frantically searched job sites. I had two interviews the week I was let go so I was sitting on the edge of my seat. Needless to say I received good news - I have a job again! It has always been my dream to work at Balboa Park and now I do. I am extremely excited for the next adventure in my life. 

It's the end of May and I am one month away from being done with school. I will have my Master's degree. I wish I felt more accomplished but I don't. I even considered going back to school to get a Professional Certificate in Marketing but I can't justify the eight grand that would be. I've been debating on whether or not I should walk at my graduation. Some people from my program are walking and asked me if I am doing the same. I haven't even applied for my graduation yet… or do I still do that in Grad school? I don't know. 

Where does the time go? This year is moving too quickly. I remember it being a miserable hot summer like it was just yesterday. The miserable, hot summer is back. 

And I'm back!

I've been a very bad blogger lately. I don't really have a good explanation other than, I've been busy. The problem with me is that I let life and people get in the way of my routine. For a while I was talking to an exboyfriend who took up a lot of my free time. I thought we were on a good path and so I allowed him to take up some of my time, however, recently he disappeared. This isn't me trying to call him out on my blog but I need to remind myself that I always need to put my needs before others. 

Just tonight I read this quote in "Practical Paleo": 

"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results each time." 

It really hit home for me because I've gone through this cycle with this exboyfriend before. I've set my needs aside before and I was always walked over or forgotten. This isn't to say he's a bad person, but the situation definitely wasn't good for my mental health. 

During the past month, a lot has changed. I joined Crossfit Chula Vista and took the "on-ramp" course which is basically an intro to Crossfit. I enjoyed every minute of it except for when I couldn't breath. I also changed my life-style in the sense that I no longer a vegetarian. My first class for Crossfit was basically an attack on my diet situation. Not a bad attack but an attack none-the-less. I decided to challenge myself. I never stopped eating meat to make a political statement, I stopped because I needed a life-style change. Three years later and I still felt like something was missing so I decided to use the information I learned and begin my "paleo" journey. Has it been easy? Well, yes and no. The first week I was a little nauseous from the meat but eventually my body stabilized and I feel great. I sleep better at night, I have more energy during my workouts, and I'm slowly learning to control my eating habits. No processed foods, no grains, no legumes, no sugar - What do I eat?! Everything else! 

Here are some pictures from September.... 

Feeling pretty at work

Learning to embrace my body for what it is

Destroying my legs with box jumps - seriously my nightmare. Everyone said, "Jump higher!" and I said that my body just wasn't ready to do that. I was right but I'll get better. 

Working hard or hardly working? Ehh... 

It's easy being paleo! I'm really excited about this haul. 

To end this post, I'd like to share that I reached an amazing milestone....

You read that right - 199.0!

Right now, my weight is currently fluctuating but I was excited to see me break the 200's. I just want to say good-bye to them once and for all! 

This has been a long, difficult month for me but I'm hoping October and the rest of the year get easier. I also hope to continue sharing my journey with everyone. Anyone out there?

I'll be here!

"Wicked," baby!

Last Saturday I was fortunate enough to see "Wicked" with Jessica. It was such a fun experience. We both decided to get dolled up for the occasion. Anytime I can whip out my red lipstick, I know it's going to be a good time! There's something about red lipstick that makes me feel sexy. Did I just say "sexy"? Yes I did! But anyway, after our hike that morning, Jessica and I rushed home and rested for the evening's events. Our seats were in the way back (waaay back) but it was okay because we rented binoculars for $5. Not bad on top of our $32 dollar tickets. The songs and acting were great, I was singing "Popular" in my head all week. After the play we went to sushi and I indulged in a couple of drinks. 

Trying to look cute! This was the first time I wore these wedges that I found at Ross!

A close up of my necklace and red lips. 

At Civic Theatre in Downtown San Diego!

Jessica matched the parking garage!

Jessica looking cute in her dress outside the theatre.

Inside the lobby.

Inside the theatre. That dragon was only used once which I found strange since it was a focal point during the whole play!

Adjusting the binoculars before the show begins!

And I'm just being goofy before the show begins... 

Definitely a fun night for me! I need to think of something to reward myself with once I get to the 200's. I'm getting there before September... or at least, that's what I'm challenging myself to! 

Until next time, keep smiling. 

Monday Weigh-In 005

Down two more pounds! GOOD BYE!

Wow, I can't believe it's already week five. It's been five weeks since my first weigh-in and honestly, there hasn't been much movement on the scale. However, there has been some movement in my butt! I've been trying to be active at least five days out of the week. Today I didn't want to go to the gym. San Diego has been beautiful lately - the sun is out and the wind is blowing - it's the best of both worlds. I asked my coworker if she would like to join me on the Balboa Park trail and she agreed. I was excited because I've been thinking about the stairs we climbed and I've been wanting to try them again. Balboa Park isn't the safest place to be alone so it's really important to go in a group. Last Wednesday, I went with a group of my coworkers. Cathy had us running a little and let me tell you, I was struggling but I managed to run 1/4th of what we did. Now THAT'S an accomplishment! This time, Cathy and I just walked the hills with her brother. It was very relaxing and after they left - I went back to the stairs! I ended up burning 477 calories in an hour. 

The girls running ahead.

Rex trying to keep up with Yavana's son! 

Beautiful view of Balboa Park museums. 

Here, Cathy is warning us that the best is yet to come!

The infamous stairs! 

And up we go. These stairs are killer - they're almost NEVER ENDING!

Thank you California Conservation Corps! 

It's been really important for me to get out of the house and be active. I may be losing weight at a slower rate but I'm happy that I feel more motivated to go work out. I'm still logging my food and keeping track of my calorie intake. This has been CRUCIAL to my weight loss. If I miss a day, I feel like I've cheated on myself. While I understand the need to have a "cheat" day - I feel for me, it's more important to just have one "cheat" meal a week. It'll keep me sane but it will also keep my calories on track. 

Do you have a cheat day or a cheat meal? Share your cheat! 

Thanks to everyone who has been commenting and supporting. It's been amazing to talk to everyone. Keep in touch! 

Until next time, keep smiling! 

Kristen 

The Way Things Fit

I've been working really hard to track my food intake this week. Some days I want to just throw in the towel and "guesstimate" how much food I'm eating but it didn't work for me in the past, so the more "educated" part of me know it's not possible to not track right now. Every day it's the same thing. I wake up, I make breakfast, I make my lunch, get ready for work, and I track. It becomes really time consuming. However, this week I made more of an effort to look nice enough though I didn't wash my hair. (Who washes their hair every day?!) Here are the outfits I wore this week. 

Wednesday

Dress: Target, L

Cardigan: Old Navy, XL

Belt: Old Navy, XL

Sandals: Target, 9

This dress hugged my curves (and my stomach) and at first I was self-conscience about wearing it but I figured, I better get use to it because it's such a pretty dress (and my boyfriend bought it for me as a gift!) A lot of my coworkers really liked the dress and thought it was cute. That made me feel good.

Thursday

Blouse: JCPenney, I Heart Ronson, XL

Cardigan: Target, XL

Pants: Old Navy, 16

Shoes: Target, 9

Friday

Jacket: JCPenney, L

Shirt: Target, L

Jeans: Old Navy, 16

Sandals: Target, 9

Accessories: Necklace, Old Navy; Blue Glass Ring, Hawaii Market Vendor; Large Silver Ring, Target; Flower Silver Ring, PacSun

I'm starting to feel good in my clothing and that's what's important to me. There was a time when I couldn't wear those brown dress pants from Old Navy. They wouldn't even CLOSE! I was embarrassed for myself - it's not like anyone outside of my bedroom knew I couldn't fit them anymore but just knowing that I had once again let myself gain weight made me upset with myself. I knew I had to make a conscience effort to fit these pants and feel healthy again. When I gained weight I felt sluggish, heavy, and all-round depressed. It's really draining to constantly tell myself that my body deserves better and then I don't follow through. On my 25th birthday I knew it was time to stop making false promises and to finally commit myself to a program that worked for me. What worked for me was actually GOING to the gym and keeping track of my food intake. That's the only way this journey can go... so far, so good. I cannot wait to have to buy NEW clothes! 

Until next time, keep smiling!!

Kristen