Jeniko's "New Me" Diary

[jeniko]

I guess I'll begin a diary to help with my motivation.

I started at about 145 lbs (give or take; my home scale probably isn't the most accurate thing, but it's the one I'll be using for the most part) on Dec. 30, and I want to get to around 127 lbs by summer. I was 127 a couple of years ago, and I felt great and comfortable and also looked pretty good! I'm just over 5'6", and that seems to be a good weight for my body type.

I'm going to go the old-fashioned route and use diet and exercise. Specifically, I have some new workout videos. A couple of them are newer Pilates DVDs, and a couple of them I got from the clearance section for a buck each at Half-Price Books. Those ones are old and cheesy, but they still do the trick!

I've practiced yoga for a few years now, and I have a great routine book by Rodney Yee that I'll use as well. And when it gets warmer, hopefully I'll find the time to take some hikes.

I don't have a whole lot of support as my family doesn't really talk to me and the few friends I have live hours away. My boyfriend is around, and I love him, but he's usually not as concerned about working out or eating healthy. That's my main reason for getting the videos-- even though it's cheesy, it's encouraging for me when the people on them cheer you on.

As far as diet goes, I want to eat more fruits and veggies and go back to the Japanese diet. I used to live in Japan, and even before that, I spent summers there with my best friend when I was young. So not only is the food super healthy, it's nostalgic

I've been working out since Dec. 30, and have only taken one day off. So far, so good!

 

[jeniko]

Four days later, and this is the first time I've taken a day off from working out in a week. Reason being, because yesterday I did a very difficult pilates workout (MTV Pilates Mix, ouchie~) and today I'm feeling a little sore! I think I'll do some yoga stretches to loosen up, and hopefully persuade the BF to give me a massage as well

I've been doing so much better with my eating. I've been making a conscious effort to add more fruits & veggies, with breakfasts like whole grain toaster waffles & lite syrup, or toast and OJ, and I've been eating lots of soups. I hope to make one of my favorite soups sometime soon-- it's Italian cannelini bean & tomato. Very rustic & tasty! (If you want the recipe, I'd be happy to share!)

You know, my initial goal was to lose 12 lbs, but I want to get down to 127 from 144, my current weight (as of 5 days ago... maybe I should check the scales again ><; ) So that's 17 lbs! It seems so difficult when you think of the weight in terms of how big 10-lb sacks of potatoes are. But my new mentality that I'm striving to maintain is:

One day at a time.

I know I can do this. I've done all sorts of other challenges before and succeeded. I know I can get well again and figure out how to tailor my weight loss to this condition. Now that I've quit working at a place in which I'm surrounded by heavy smokers, I'm definitely feeling a bit better. I can't wait to go hiking again in the foothills with the nice, clean air, ahhhhh.

Tomorrow after visiting the Doc, I'm going to try to go for a nice walk at one of the local metro parks. Not the best scenery or workout, but I think it'll do. Especially if I do some yoga or pilates when I come back home.

This lifestyle is not just about losing weight. It's about a new lifestyle that includes feeling good physically and mentally and knowing that I am not alone, even though it feels like it sometimes. It doesn't matter that people don't want me in their lives anymore if I am confident about myself and like myself for who I am. I don't need anyone's approval but my own, and this is the year I will establish that love.

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