Friday, August 31, 2012

Stronger..Stand a lil taller..Footsteps even lighter..

You guyz I can finally do a sit-up!!!! I know some of you are thinking why make such a fuss of it, right!?! I naturally have a big bosom of 40DDD-40F which for me has made sit ups almost impossible until this week. I'm thrilled. Its surreal. I'm on cloud nine and in Jillian Michaels' heaven all wrapped up in one. I'm elated and so so proud of myself. 

Earlier on this week when I realized I could actually do a sit up I simply couldn't believe it. Until, I woke up the next morning unable to laugh because my stomach area was so sore. WooHOO!!! And boy was I happy. So all week I have been doing sit ups just for the heck of it. Just because I can *insert a coy smile here* And guess what? I'm still a 40DDD/40F which means am just stronger now. Which is the result of pushing myself and refusing to succumb to the inability to do something. Refusing to let negativity make me lose sight of the bigger picture. Which in my case, for me, is getting stronger and becoming more fit everyday.

This truly motivates me. It makes me want to keep at it. It reminds me what am fully capable of. I'm a whole lot of woman that's for sure. Lately, I catch myself moving things around to accommodate my workout. For example, I like to workout at around 8pm and today I had to meet a friend at 630pm and I knew I would be out later than 8pm. So instead of cancelling my workout I chose to workout at 5pm and get it out of the way instead of risking not getting it done at all if I stayed out late. I like that becoming more fit is becoming such a priority in  my life that I'd rather not miss it and I'm striving to keep it that way.

Today marked day 4 of Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred Level 2. Yay!!!

I hope e'rybody had a great week and ya'll have an amazing weekend.

Currently listening to (on heavy rotation): Stronger by Kelly Clarkson

Xx,
OverWeight In SoCal
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Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Is It Fall Already!?!

Well, after not working out as much as I do last week, I resumed my workout yesterday. Oh thank goodness because I was almost going out of my mind for a minute there. I jump started myself back into things with Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred level 2. And oh boy. It may be only a mere 20 minutes but its pure insanity and hardcore. I literally sweat dollops...dollops people no exaggeration here. I get revved up that much.

I gotta say though after two weeks of running and power walks with my 10lb dumbbells in tow I was well prepared for level 2. I could tell I wasn't so easily tired as I was in Level 1. And I liked it. I'm getting stronger with each workout and am so proud of myself. I truly look forward to my workout sessions everyday. 

I believe the alternating power walks, runs and 30 days shred also break the monotony for me and keep me motivated. I cannot wait for Fall to really kick in so I can go back to hiking. I surely cannot hike in this California heat. It's 2230hrs as I type this and its still in the high 70s degrees. I just need it to cool down some already.

My nasal congestion is acting up from all the a/c :( Yet I cannot survive the heat without a/c so I have it set at 70 degrees all day and night. So despite today being 101 degrees I was chugging cuppa teas to soothe my sinuses. Loudest ICK heard 'round the world I tell ya.

My diet this week has mostly been mixed veggiez, a side of basmati steamed rice with either Tilapia or Salmon and water or Gatorade. And a single cocktail/glass of red most nights because it is summer after all. Although, earlier on this week and last weekend I over indulged in Ben & Jerry's Americone. That stuff is so delish. I couldn't keep it in the house because I could easily inhale a whole tub in one sitting. Once in a while though I do allow myself to over indulge so its a-okay!!!

I'm proud to report my water chugging is slowly increasing. I'm nursing a mild headache tonight and I know its from heat dehydration despite all the water and tea. Is it Fall yet? ready to break out my boots and scarves. I know, you ask, what winter in SoCal? haha

Xx,
OverWeight In Sunny SoCal
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Sunday, August 26, 2012

Bleh week

Need I say more or is this post's title self-explanatory? 

This past week has just been bleh and then some. I've had a myriad of doctor's appointments. Literally, Monday through Friday I was driving helter-skelter across town racing from one doctor's office to the next or anxiously awaiting a procedure. Let me just say this, as an ER nurse I work my little behind off to save lives and do patient advocacy but being on the receiving end, as a patient is a completely different ball game all together. Anyway I digress for lack of strength to divulge or go into further details at this point. But ya'll send me happy thoughts, positive vibes and prayers.

Last Sunday I took a break and did not workout. On Monday, the boy and I went for a quick 2.2 mile power walk. On Tue I did a 1 mile walk in the blazing Cali heat. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday due to aforementioned reasons I did not workout. On Saturday I took it easy because I was status post a major procedure done on Friday. This morning I woke up and all I wanted was a street-side cafe breakfast with lotsa coffee, yummy breakfast entrees, sunshine and laughter so I dragged the boy out of bed to which he obliged. Quick shower, ditched the car and walked down to the village's breakfast cafe and had a sumptuous breakfast :) The walk was so refreshing yet just a tad bit much on me. But all the same enjoyable and somewhat liberating. I soaked in the sunshine and fresh air and loved it.

On a lighter note, I have been eating lotsa yummy fresh and healthy food this last two weeks. I'm the biggest seafood lover and I have been alternating between yummy Salmon and Tilapia. My tummy is much much smaller which probably means I have been bloated this whole time and didn't even realize it until now. Yay to small changes making a huge difference!!! I'm definitely not chugging as much water as I should AND am working on it BUT I'm also not drinking any soda/concentrated/carbonated drinks. Win-lose I know.

I'm hoping to make a quick recovery and be able to pound the trails BUTT IN by mid-week.

I hope everyone had a good week and an even better weekend :) Wishing ya'll a lovely week. 

Xx
OverWeight In Sunny SoCal
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Saturday, August 18, 2012

On Lapping Couch Potatoes

On Friday I didn't workout I decided to take a break after three consecutive days of power walks/runs with my 10lb dumbbells. However, I went to my local farmer's market and did some 30 minute walking around shopping different vendors. I always look forward to Friday because of all the fresh healthy steals I score at my local farmer's market. Last night I was in the mood for some ribs and coleslaw and they have a roadhouse truck that makes the best of both at the farmer's mkt. I stopped by and got us some grub for dinner. We enjoyed the yummy ribs. I could only eat one with a side of rice, coleslaw and a little tri tip but boy was it delish.

Today was our lazy day. We did some essentials shopping and then came back home to escape the heat. Plus the boy had some assignments to get done. I caught up on all my TIVO'd shows and just lazed around. At about 8pm I could tell something was missing. I was getting a little fidgety and I couldn't place my finger on it until I realized that was around the time I usually would go to the gym or out for a run/power walk. This was so motivating coming to the realization my body was telling me something was amiss. I go into my workout clothes, grabbed my dumbbells, the boy joined me and we went for a quick brisk 1.5 mile walk. Not much but you know what ? for every step, every mile, everyday means I'm still lapping everybody on the couch :) and I'm a step closer to a healthier and more fit me. Nothing could excite and motivate me more.

Which brings me to a total of 10.7 miles of runs/power walks on four days of working out this week. Yay!!!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Xx
OverWeight In Sunny SoCal
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Thursday, August 16, 2012

On A Roll

The summer heat is still ablazin in my neck of the woods hence my lack of blogging. I'm spending so much time trying to stay cool that the thought of incurring excess heat, despite a laptop fan, is beyond me. The only thing I look forward to is my workout at the end of each day. 

Last week on Wednesday I went for a 2.5 mile run with my 10 dumbbells in tow. My arms are getting so much stronger I love it!!! On Thursday/Friday/Saturday the boy and I had a myriad of chaotic errands to run. On Sunday  my girlfriends and I had to make a quick five hour outta town drive to be with our girl who recently lost a loved one. On Monday I was too beat from all the shenanigans to think about a workout let alone summon the strength to get into my workout clothes. 

However, on Tuesday I went for my 2.5 run/powerwalk with my dumbbells. I'm truly loving the extra kick I get from the dumbbells during my workouts. On Wednesday I decided to go on one of favorite running trails that I hadn't frequented in a whiile. I left a little earlier than I would, again my dumbbells in tow. I'm not gonna put those lil suckers down for what its worth. This trail is a good 3.55miles which I did in 50 minutes. Tonight, I went back to the same trail and did the 3.55 miles again. I'm on a roll and I love it. I think I need to UP my water chugging though because I get this dry patch at the back of my throat when am working out. Today was better because I  drunk some water on my drive to the trail and a little more before I started. Its a little hard to drink as I workout because my hands are taken up by my dumbbells. So I'm doing my best to hydrate a lot during the day, pre-workout and post-workout.

Sorry I haven't read all of your lovely blogs in a while. I will be making my rounds starting tomorrow. I hope everyone is having a lovely week.

Xx
OverWeight In Sunny SoCal
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Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Sod OFF DP!!!

In case you haven't a clue DP stands for Dorothy Perkins a UK based plus size store which U.S. shoppers have shopping access to via the internet. The first time I checked them out I was blown away. Quality apparel for great prices. What's not to like, huh!?! So I went ahead and scoped out their size chart and determined I was a size 16UK which is equivalent to 12US. I yo yo between a size 12 to 14. So I ordered a dress I needed for an all white party. Very cute ivory/champagne dress. Due to time constraints I opted for the express delivery which guaranteed delivery within 4 days tops and cost me a whooping $30 extra but what the heck I really liked the dress. 

My dilemma started when after 5 business days there was still no parcel at my doorstep. What made it worse was that I decided to read up reviews online (read; Google & FB) and almost all the reviews were horrendous. A LOT of people complaining that they had been waiting up to a month if not longer for their packages. To say the very least the reviews made DP sound like a downright sham. Suffice it to say I started fretting that I wouldn't receive my order on time if at all I received it and what a waste of moola that would be. I called their CS who offered very little help after waiting forever to get through to them. I decided to take a chill pill, after all, it was only a dress that was replaceable. I was just gonna learn my lesson and not order anything from them. Their loss not mine. What do you know the day before the white coat party my parcel arrives. The dress turned out to be a little tight in the tatas area (what else is new?) so I took it in to the best alteration shop and they fixed that problem and I was good to go the next day.

I really liked the quality of the dress and since I had another event coming up I decided this time I'd order way ahead of time and give them time to their late delivery shenanigans. Again I paid $30 for express delivery, you know just to be certain it'd really get here on time. Of course they were running behind. I got the dress today and the straw that broke this camel's back??? they sent me a size 22UK which is equivalent to a size 18US which makes that four sizes bigger. REALLY? I'm completely done with their service. I will never again order from them. I will not even return the items (I will gift them to a friend) or better still do a giveaway on this blog :) Anyway, I digress and you must truly pardon me for the rant.

On a lighter note, I worked out on Sunday did a kick ass stairs workout for 45 minutes. On Monday I went on a short uphill walk. Yesterday, I took a break. Today I went on another uphill power walk totaling 2.4 miles in 39 minutes all the while holding my 10lb dumbbells (5lbs in each hand). The boy suggested this to me and I gotta say I loooove it. I chugged water like it was going outta style today because it was in  the100s degree Fahrenheit in my neck of the woods. 

Have any of you shopped with DP and what are ye thoughts?

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week. Especially because its already hump day meaning Friday is hastily beckoning. Yay!!!

Xx
OverWeight In Sunny SoCal
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Saturday, August 4, 2012

Good As New

After this, my right ankle is much better now and so is my scrapped knee. I just hate how the scrapped knee looks because its summer and I like to wear my cute short summer dresses. But with the ugly scrap I just wanna cover up lol. I have been cleaning it well and putting some shea butter on it and its healing pretty fast. I guess I'll be sticking to my maxi dresses this weekend.


I went out on a run on Thursday night. I had just finished doing some spring cleaning and my heart rate was all revved up so on my way to take out the trash I decided a run was a good idea. I threw on my workout clothes and headed out. I did a total of 2.4 miles and it was mostly up hill. It felt so good. I was a little scared of running for fear of falling on my already scrapped knee but it did not happen. Phew. Thank goodness. I mean who can take all that falling trauma? me I'd be scared for life lol


I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend. What plans do you have?The boy and I will be trying out a new restaurant that we saw on Diners, Drive-ins & Dives. We're so addicted to that show!!!


Xx
OverWeight In Sunny SoCal
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Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Down But Not Out

Yesterday despite the sweltering SoCal summer heat I decided to go hiking and the boy was kind enough to accompany me. We set out to hike on one of my favorite local trails. I really like this trail because its not only 1.75miles (one way) of hiking through the most serene nature complete with little water streams but also at the end of the trail is a little divine waterfall. 


This trail also has a lot of trees which made it cool for a summer hike. The trail steeps out on you and you can really feel your inner thighs begging for mercy. But why else would we workout if we didn't feel the impact? Before yesterday I hadn't hiked for about a month so I could really feel it. I stopped a few times on our way up. When we got to the waterfall we could tell the summer heat had dried it some but the water was so cool to touch. And did I mention what a positive and peaceful vibe one gets sitting by the waterfall? 


We sat by the waterfall for a few minutes before we started our hike back down the trail. I always like to run back down and yesterday was no exception. I must have been high on endorphins because I forgot about the trail's loose gravel terrain I slid and sort of strained my right ankle and badly scrapped my left knee. Quite the double whammy I tell ya :(  But that did not stop me as soon as the boy was done cleaning and kissing my boo boo we were on our way. I hopped and ran and walked and jogged but never once stopped until we got back to the car. We iced my ankle when we got home and today I took a break from working out to give it sometime to recuperate. It already feels better and hopefully by the end of the week I will be doing my Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred or back to running or even a walk at the very least.


How do ya'll deal with injuries?


Xx
OverWeight In SoCal


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