"Take a Hike" Saturday: Kwaay Paay Summit (Mission Hills Trails)

Last Saturday, I went to Mission Hills with Jessica and Maricela. I was really excited to get out of the house and explore. This time I decided not to bring Junior (my dog) because I didn't want to deal with ticks. However, Jessica brought Stella and she was a great motivator. Every time someone fell behind she would stop and wait. It was really funny. We first attacked the first hill I ever hiked at Mission Trails. We got up in no time and I was in shock. I was telling Jessica how the last time we went up that hill I felt like it took forever. I also wasn't as exhausted as the first time I got up that hill. 

After the hill we took a side trail that didn't really lead anywhere so we turned around and decided to go up to Kwaay Paay Summit. That was an intense hike. We kept comparing it to Cowles Mountain. The hills were very steep and took a lot of work to get up. We were hoping the trail would go up and then down toward the Visitor's Center but on the way up, we spoke to some fellow hikers who said the summit was the end and that we would have to go back down. Although it wasn't what we had hoped, we were ready to get to the top. Once up there, I was excited - dripping sweat and covered in dirt! I stood around at the top for as long as possible because I had to mentally prepare to go back down. The hike down was rough but it was very rewarding because it reminded me of how much my fitness levels have changed. Two hours later - it was time to head home for some SUSHI! 

Stella getting pumped for the hike!

The infamous hill! This was the first hill I hiked at Mission Trails. 

This sign is very confusing. Where exactly am I going?

Jessica is always head of us! Maricela and I gotta keep up!

A cute little bridge off our path.

Up, up and away we go!

New trail for us.

Steep, steep hills.

Looking out at Mission Trails and the 52.

Near the top! You're** I wanted to edit this so badly!

We heard that on a clear day the view is spectacular.

I'm on top of the world, hey! (Imagine Dragons got me up to this point)

Jessica lookin' cute and not a sweaty mess at all!

A little creature that Maricela spotted. I tried to get closer but it ran away.

845 calories - gone! Woo!

I'm really loving my Saturday hikes. I can't wait until I get to go on harder trails. I look forward to the challenges! 

Until next time, keep smiling! 

Monday Weigh-in 006

I'm back! It took me an entire weekend to reorganize my thoughts and to figure out a personal situation, but alas everything is back on track. I believe it takes a strong person to admit their faults and to want to change those faults. A lot of people walk around and think they don't need any improvements, which can be very liberating but it can also confine you to the status-quo. I believe that there is always room for improvement which is why I believe in weight-loss, healthy living, and overall improvement of body and mind. Eventually, I would like to share my journey to this point in my life but that will need some time to piece together and make comprehensive. 


While the weekend was very draining, I managed to come out on top. I ate as best I could considering the circumstances and took a personal day on Sunday to take care of my body. I don't drink very often but this past Saturday I partook in some festivities with some friends. It definitely took my mind off things and made me realize what was important. 


The results from a week of watching what I eat and exercising gave me this result: 

It's 3lbs. less than last week. I'm hoping I can maintain this for the next week or even lose 3 more pounds! 

I am currently working on running because I want another outlet. I was very proud of myself the other day. I ran for almost two minutes straight. I wanted to stop because I just feel really heavy trying to run and it was painful but I kept moving. On Thursday, my trainer, Dustin (this week), forced me to move my butt. I told him, "I can't" and he said, "It's all in your head." Boy, was he right! 


My ability to exercise is all in my head. When I think I can't, in reality, I can. I just need to keep reminding myself. I got this far and I'm so close to my first goal weight of 210. I would love to get out of the 210's and leave them behind. 


I gotta keep moving forward. 


Until next time, keep smiling. 

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