0 Let me tell you a story...

I was asked to do a guest blog on a friend's site that will be posted in the coming weeks. I thought this one was good to put here too because it tells you more about me and my decision to begin my weight loss journey.  I felt it was a good reflection of the past 3 months and considering I have not been able to blog until now, it's somewhat of a refresher. Consider it DLC (downloadable content) to the initial post. The back story to your FAVORITE character (tee hee).

And so it begins...

I was the person that found every excuse about changing my health. “It’s too expensive to eat healthy or join a gym..” or “I will make an idiot of myself.” I was constantly worried about what others would think of me.  Like many times in my life, I decided to ‘take charge’ and ‘do something about it’ (Notice the quotes? Yeah..said it before..many times).  Now mind you, I had joined a gym in August before my 30th birthday. I had promised myself then that I was..blah blah blah yeah you get it.  I went off and on and then fell out of the gym ‘routine’. Eventually, I went to California for vacation in November to Blizzcon (every Blizzard gamer nerd’s dream!!). I had my first ‘fat realization’ while we were in California. We went to an amusement park in Buena Vista and I was too big for the rides! Being embarrassed is an understatement! I ran and cried like big ol’ baby. Blubbering on and feeling horrible about myself. 

Fast forward to December-ish time.  I have been long time friends with Zach and his wife, Kathryn. Curiosity peaked when I saw them transform their health, their bodies and their lives. Seeing their transformation was the proof that I needed to show myself that even I could do this.  No shakes. No special diets. Just good food, exercise and lifestyle change. I had even said, well if I were to hire a trainer, I would want Zach. He knows what it’s like to actually be overweight. (Cue the light bulb) So…what was stopping me?

ME.

No one else. I hid behind the excuses. Eventually, I just threw up my hands and said to myself “Screw it! Let’s do this!”  I made a commitment to myself that I would put MY HEALTH first.  I would work around that and let other things fall into place. I am in a better mindset now than I was even just a year ago.

Summer of 2013 before my 30th  birthday I weighed 330lbs. I had ‘girl problems’ and things weren’t working right (I won’t go into detail on that to spare you men that might read this ;) ). I had high blood sugars and if I kept up the way I was going, I was going to fall into that old family tradition of diabetes. Who wants that?!  After a month of these changes in my habits, I noticed changes in me. I craved healthier foods. I LOVE to juice (which surprises me still). In February, I went to the doctor and she took my Metformin (a medicine I take to help control the blood sugar) down to 500mg (I used to take 1500mg per day when I started the meds in 2009) and my AC1 level went from 7.2 to 6.4 within a year.

Now, I weigh 309. Yes, I still have a long way to go. But my biggest successes these past

3 months have been turning my eating habits around and dropping 2 pant sizes! I think

that’s a pretty big deal. I am an avid gamer and love spending time in front of the console or computer but I have not let it rule my free time. I now work out 4 + days a week consistently. I broke free of the treadmill’s grasp and actually DO something at the gym.  I don’t worry about other people, just me.  I feel accomplished when I can successfully lift heavier weights, add another mile on the exercise bike.  Eating more holistic foods, leaving out the empty calories and processed crap, have helped me become the new me. I have many small battles to fight to win the war, but I will destroy them one by one until I get the healthy me I so very much deserve.

I am doing this for change..not for diet. I am doing this for a new lifestyle..not for a few pounds. It's like playing a video game.  Like old school Mario for instance.  You try and try and each level..a new obstacle. Each level you face the same ol' boss.  When you think you've defeated him and won the princess...BAM!!!! Just kidding!!! Your princess is in another castle...(Srsly..how many castles do you have in Mushroom Kingdom..just sayin'). 

Anyway, my point is I have created obstacles and I have gotten past them to face my own epic boss...weight loss.  At some point, I get to the point to where I've been to so many "castles" I get tired of searching. Searching for that right path to take to down the boss and get epic lootz.  So, this time.. I am telling myself to...

Just start over.

Starting over. New game. 5 "mans" left.  I am taking a new route in my epic journey. Making it my personal quest to lose the pounds and become a healthier version of me.  The same (try to be) funny, geeky, gamer nerd that I am. Just make it to where I can own someone in DDR or Just Dance hehehe.  Kidding.  I have made my own blog and I casually throw up my own little advancements in my journey.  I correlate my weight loss and health goals with my own achievement lists.  Anywhere from bike 15 miles in one cardio session to completing a juice fast.

It helps me to create small goals to tackle along the way.  If I sit here and say, I have to lose over 120lbs to be in healthy-ish weight range….that is a horrible daunting number to even remotely think of hitting.  At first, I wanted to throw my hands up but I wouldn't let myself. So, I decided to make a long list of smaller attainable goals to work toward.  These goals help me grow stronger, lose weight in increments.  Focus more on making smaller changes and seeing the bigger picture as opposed worrying about how long it takes to get there.  Change takes time.  I already see it. 

Shhh! Don't mind the messy hairz...

0 Week 5 - Finding Positivity in Your Plateau

This week was a hard one. I lent my juicer to a couple friends to help encourage them to try juicing.  I MISSED IT SO MUCH.  Who'd a thunk?  I missed the energy from drinking juice. I missed not having to meal plan or think of snacks that are healthy.  It was easy to juice, grab a jar for a snack and go!
But even without my juice this week, I rocked 5 workout days this week.  I learned about HIITs (High Intensity Interval Training) and implemented that on the stationary bike. It really did cut cardio in half!  I even did more miles on the bike with HIITs than walking treadmill for 45 minutes.

Every Saturday is my weigh-in day before I go to training. I do my normal routine, bathroom, don't eat or drink and weigh....

When you hit your plateau...

Yeah I hated my scale. Yeah, I hated myself for a minutes. No, I didn't replace the scale. I did rage face like that though! I had hit the same weight 3 weeks in a row. I know you're saying "well at least you didn't gain!" and you're right. I kept telling myself and considering I was PMSing (sorry guys) and girls you know you want to EAT ALL THE FOODZ when it comes to that week. Valentine's day brought cakes and chocolate pushed my way..I politely turned it down. I survived another week but it made me realize that I have hit a plateau since I started this whole thing (for real) 5 weeks ago.  My trainer friend encouraged me and we had an awesome workout Saturday.  Then he went the extra mile and sent me 3 workouts I can use when I go to the gym for the week!  This is really good because when I get to the gym, I need focus, a checklist. I will have to push myself more to get over the hump.

Since I was having a hard time this week really staying positive, I thought today would be a good day to reflect on my Achievement list!
This made me feel tons better!! I added one to this list that wasn't originally on there only because I thought it would be more of a long term goal.

 January 10th through February 15th:

• Achievement Unlocked! "5 Dailies Complete!" Complete 5 days of isometric exercises every morning before work.
• Achievement Unlocked! "Sugar Overload No Mo'!" No soda for 1 month.
• Achievement Unlocked! "Juiced!" Buy a juicer!
• Achievement Unlocked! "3 Day Reboot" Complete a 3 day juice fast.
• Achievement Unlocked! "Drink Apple juice cause OJ will kill y...nevermind" Complete a 5 day juice fast.
• Achievement Unlocked! "Better get a belt!" Drop one pant size!

I can't even believe I have completed all of this in just over a month.  The before me...wouldn't think twice of even thinking up some of these. Another part of me would have made the list but it would just lay there an collect dust.  I am happy for change :) 

Since I have completed several of the achievements from the previous list, I decided to add to the list:

•  Complete the Xbox Fitness Achievement "That was my Everest":  Jumped, climbed and squatted the height of Mt. Everest (8,848 m). 
• Lose my first 10 pounds since January 10th.  (3lbs shy!!) 
• Earn 25 Starts on Xbox Fitness: The workout stars are awarded based on your cumulative fitness points (FP) for the session. To acquire this achievement, you simply need to have 25 workout stars. It's like leveling up when you do a workout. 
• Run, Bike, Walk - Perform 16 miles in one week of cardio. 
• Buy a bike, ride a greenway.
• Do a (regular) push up.
• Do a pull up. 
• Drop 2 pant sizes.
• Complete first cosplay for myself.

That last one is weird to some of you that read this maybe?  Cosplay is "Costume Play".  To me, it's an amazing art form of costuming using many materials to recreate a character from a game, movie - whatever - using yourself as the canvas.  I follow several of professionals (yes they do this for a LIVING) and I decided that since I am on this lifestyle change of healthiness...why not really go for it.  Most things I would love to costume as.. I would never feel comfortable in.  I decided that while I may not be "skinny mini" I am going to do my best to complete a costume for DragonCon in Atlanta Labor Day weekend. :) 

I am so very excited for this. My friends and I have brainstormed things we might like to do. We may even be doing a group costume. Not sure. If money allows me to complete 2 - I will do it!  But I wanted to do something that I would feel comfortable in. Something that I can pull off since I am a curvy girl, I can rock it out just like anyone else. I want to do this for me..to have fun..because I have never done it before..

This is not my artwork - I do not own the rights to this image.

Meet the barbarian female from Diablo 3!  Now mind you, I don't know if I will do this exact gear set. I definitely won't be baring all on the thighs and stomach haha!  But I want to tailor it around me.  And if you know me, I feel like I "fit" her.  Plus I can make a huge axe or sword (*drool*).  I love the fur, the armor, the spikes RAWR!  So, that will be an adventure as I start buying supplies next week.  I will probably post progress on facebook.  I can't wait!! 

As always - thanks for the read. I appreciate you all. I am by no means the pro blogger and my stuff might be a bit boring but I do it for me. :) 

Until next week.... GAME ON!

2 Week 1 - Level 1

Nerd herd!
Oh I have missed you!  Let me say this has been a great week.  They probably won't all be that way but I will have to push through them.  So, Saturday (Jan 18th) was my first training session. I was nervous all week only because I didn't know what to expect.  I showed up at 10 am ready to go but without dread (which is odd for me!). He taught me importance of warming up the muscles before you actually stretch.  I always thought stretching was warming them up but I thought wrong.  I was shown isometric exercises that I could do in my home.  For example, one of my exercises required me to act like I was grabbing an orange and clenching as tight as I could.  While tensing these muscles, I would lift my arms alternatively while focusing on breathing.  Doesn't sound like much but after tensing several groups of muscles, you begin to feel them burn.

I even got to do a little bit of boxing. I felt kinda cool. I won't lie..

Cammy from Street Fighter

My "homework" for the week was to walk and keep a food journal.  That's it.  Well that's it so I thought.

I did great on my first week according to my trainer.  He suggested that I incorporate more healthy fats (ie avocados), increase my greens intake and watch the milk.  I eventually want to incorporate raw dairy but I have set a goal to purchase organic milk or just use my almond milk.
I will list a few days as examples for you!

Monday
I made sure to pack different tastes in my lunch (Sweet, salty etc)

Breakfast:

• Medium orange, 1 cup hot black tea with 1 tsp honey and a slice from my orange

Lunch:  

• Turkey and Mozzarella (organic) on Ezekiel bread (sprouted bread).

Snack: 

• Chai tea (with milk, honey) and a handful of almonds

Dinner:

•  Baked chicken breast (3 oz) (spicing with paprikia, pepper and pinch of salt)
•  1 cup quinoa with broccoli and onion sauteed.
•  2 fresh dates for something sweet.

Wednesday
Let me preface this with.... FOOD TRUCKS ARE AWESOME...when you're not watching what you're eating.  *sigh*  anyway my favorite food truck came to work..the chicken and waffle one. omg..the smells. People bringing in their fried, sweet Sriracha chicken..*drool*
But I made it. I just went and ate MY food when I started getting hangry. Yes. Hangry. Hungry + Angry. It's real folks. Nothing will put the fear in you facing a hangry female that smells fried chicken. *Shivers*
Onto the foodz!

Breakfast:

• Smoothie (Pineapple (fresh not canned), Organic Strawberries, banana, spinach (YES! I didn't taste it at all), 1/2 c coconut water.  (All fruits I bought frozen at Trader Joe's)

Lunch: 

• 3oz leftover Tandoori chicken (I made it myself..recipe to follow)
• 1/2 cup quinoa
• Spinach and Arugula Salad with cucumbers, carrots and my honey lime dressing (2tsp honey + juice    from one lime - DE-LISH)
• 1 cup black tea, 1 tsp honey  

Dinner

• Sprouted toast x 1
• Scrambled eggs (2) cooked in coconut oil
• 1 cup quinoa with broccoli and black beans

Now, we can't have our greatest of days and not have some fails too right?

Saturday
I did my workout. I got home and immediately left again so the hubby and I could run errands.  He and his mother wanted Taco Bell. While he is on board with me losing the lbs, he still wants his fast food.  It's ok, it strengthens my will power.  I did well. I didn't even bite when he offered.  I did snap at him "NO!!" all dramatic like haha.  But we ran around a bunch of places. Hit the store - got a few things for his mother she needed. Got home and I was starved.  I ate well when I got home (eggs and a piece of toast and an orange). It was that night though.. I went out with friends and it was somewhat last minute but I love impromptu friend time!  I just failed to eat something at home and then we went to Chili's.  I did not eat a whole entree. I split an appetizer with a friend. While it's not as bad as it could have been. I can't justify it.  But I can't dwell either.  So we move on and its one in the books.
I just have to do better at my meal planning for the week and for the day.  If I had been eating like I was supposed to, I -probably- would have been ok.

Pusheen the Cat (www.pusheen.com)

Coins (Budgeting)

My "favorite" topic. How do I budget for life, bills and my good foods?
So the beginning of the month is tight just because we have to manage alot of our bills and sometimes that eats into our food budget.  Well this being the beginning of the week, we've already bought what we could afford for this week so I have to make it last.  I decided I needed to plan for the week to help me stick to cooking for dinner and lunches but also keep me from eating badly.
I took a pen and my notebook and set out to the kitchen to scour my cabinets and refrigerator with the items I DID have. I created a weeks worth of good meals for dinner and lunch on what I had without having to go to the store.

Hearts (Recipes)  

Rummaging for food to put things together really required me to get creative.  I had to search out for new recipes but that was fun.  I was able to find simple ones that wouldn't take tons of prep and easy to cook.

My favorite find was the hummus recipe!!
I had to add a small amount of water to loosen it up because it was really thick. I thought it was a little bit salty so I would probably cut that down.  Tahini (seasame see paste) is located is most international grocers. I did not have any of it around so I used a tablespoon of almond butter. It seemed to mellow the tartness of the lemon juice. Anyway, its super good with veggies.  It's inexpensive and tasty *thumbs up*.

My next favorite is the Tandoori Chicken recipe I found on All Recipes. I did not have the ginger but it didn't ruin the dish.  I don't have a grill but I just cooked these in a pan with a teaspoon of coconut oil (yum) and it was great!  I know its not "real" Tandoori chicken but the flavors of the spices go well together.

ACHIEVEMENTS!!!! 

And last but not least (hopefully you've hung on through this), I said I was going to start a small list of achievements for myself to work on.  And here are just a few. I will add to this list (especially as I knock them out) and hey if you know of something creative to add (within reason), comment below!
 Complete 5 days of isometric excercises every morning before work.

1. Complete the Xbox Fitness Achievement "That was my Everest":  
2. Jumped, climbed and squatted the height of Mt. Everest (8,848m).
3. Lose my first 10 pounds since January 10th.  
4. No soda for 1 month.
5. Buy a juicer!
6. Complete a 3 day juice fast
7. Complete a 5 day juice fast.
8. Earn 25 Starts on Xbox Fitness: The workout stars are awarded based on your cumulative fitness points (FP) for the session. To acquire this achievement, you simply need to have 25 workout stars. It's like leveling up when you do a workout.

Well that's all for now..Thanks for coming along Player 2.  Hope to have some interesting things to write about in the next week! If not..well..sorry I guess.  ha! Have a great week everyone!