It's time.

Today is the day. I'll be in a testing room for 420 minutes (+/- restroom breaks and a 45 minute lunch break).

I like to get it done ASAP but scheduled a later test time to give myself a) enough sleep b) calmness in getting ready for the day and c) a quick workout.

Source: Uploaded by user via Julie on Pinterest

*On another note, I've used up all my storage space for pictures... time to move on up?

What happened to my iPhone camera?

Does this ever happen to you - when your iPhone camera app doesn't work? I decided to use Instagram since I was in the mood to take a few pictures. In the bathroom of course. I love the retro look of the bathroom.

Fresh Produce shirt from today. Those pants I bought are from Anthropologie by the way! Sweet. I even put on some CoverGirl lip stain.

Spicy jalapeno chicken sausage from Trader Joe's on a chopstick.

 

And we're off to the store! See ya in the morning!

Big things

• iPhone 4 ($99)
  
• CTEL study book ($50) I need to order it.
  
• CTEL exam ($350) And take this exam to get my CA credential again.
  
• Nike Free ($60-75) The ONLY shoes I've ever had that don't hurt. I want a cool color though like the ones I have. I didn't want the color but they were cheaper and now I LOVE them!
• Mac laptop, the cheapest one ($1000)
  
• Trip to San Fran/NorCal ($300)
• oGorgeous Beverly Bow Tie Yoga Bag ($79) I have so many bags already and I just got my lululemon bag, but this carries my mat. Only if I did more yoga! Electric blue is hot (my shoes!) and so hot that I'm totally painting my nails electric blue and gray tonight! Maybe next year.
  

Pinteresting wedding cakes, etc

Who hasn't been taken by Pinterest? I'm obsessed too, and here's the first installment of pictures I enjoy: weddings cakes and cookies, and one cocktail I'd like at my wedding... if I ever get married.

Source: erineverafter.blogspot.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: stylemepretty.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: mrobincakes.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: None via Julie on Pinterest

Source: instyle.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: suitiecentral.blogspot.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: strawberry-chic.blogspot.com via Julie on Pinterest

I once made their Jewel Heart Cookies when they were on Martha Stewart. It was a long long time ago, but I want them for my wedding. When I saw these on Pinterest, I knew they made them.

Source: thejewelsofny.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: latimes.com via Julie on Pinterest

How to [self-]love

Just because it's Saturday doesn't mean I get to sleep in. It's 7AM all week.

However on Saturdays, I'm not in a hurry to get to work. Sometimes that's a disadvantage though: I can get lazy or bored with my day. Usually the first rather than the latter.

I'm starting my morning with a trip to the farmer's market then straight to the gym by the market.

It's my first trip to this particular gym and since it's the weekend, in going to a 10AM TurboKick class.

I've laid off doing Turbo too much. A typical week includes 2-3 classes, but my work schedule only allows for 1 or 2.

Last night: "Dexter" & nail painting. One thing that stuck with me when reading Fat Girl's Guide to Life was how she related nail painting with self-love.

*It's a matte grey not black.

After struggling with finding self-love, particularly for my body, I'm making progress. Work has required I make a schedule to fit in workouts and meals. Lifting away the stress of being unemployed and deciding how much to work out had led me to focus on the here and now rather than future events.

My body is responding well. Of course I'm glad.

Fit Friday: Jillian's podcasts & reads

Even though some people don't like Jillian Michaels for her comment on not wanting to have a baby to save her body, I still like her. I've been listening to her podcasts while surfing the web and found some agreeable information.

• Conventional food has pesticides that could kill you. Go organic.
  
• There's no such thing as a fast workout. Bob Harper says so too in "Cardio Rev Conditioning."
• There's no such thing as a plateau. Less than 20 pounds are vanity pounds.
• She got a caller that reminded me of myself - see last bullet. To combat the vanity pounds, I need to be patient and eat quality food. I also need to give myself a break: I work out A LOT.
  

In other news, I'm reading about fitness a lot lately. Here's where I am:

• Four things to do after your workout, duh.
• I need to get my hands on some Naturally Nutty butters NOW! Please send me discounts. I'm still waiting on My Better Butter to have some new discounts before I get any.
• Pre and post workout snack ideas abound, but here's a good summary
• I absolutely love our local women's health seasonal magazine, Breathe.
• She looks rather scary, but it's a good site: Love Veggies & Yoga.
  

Sugar, we're breaking up.

After delivering chocolate PB cupcakes and strawberry lemonade cupcakes off to the American Cancer Society offices, I decided that I'm eliminating my last vice once and for all. I cut out French fries and for awhile, PB. It's all doable. I mean, I'm here with a ton of weight loss.

Last night, as I was baking, I listened to a Jillian Michaels' podcast in which she says there is no such thing as a plateau. There's no such thing as can't, only won't. However, she does say that there is only a plateau when your body is healthy and you're only trying to lose vanity pounds (less than 20 pounds). If that's the case, yes, I'm trying to lose vanity pounds, but I don't believe in plateaus. There must be something wrong when I gain so much in such a short amount of time for few reasons... though I realize I lost too much too fast also.

Anyways, my one last vice: sugar. I was okay when I wasn't baking. I was still eating sweets though which I shouldn't. It's a self-control issue and I need to get myself in control.

I'm sharing a picture because every post needs one.


This is me a year ago, almost exactly. I was at the same weight I am now except I'm more fit today. In terms of health, I'm trying to figure out how to make sure my body's not cannibalizing itself anymore so I can build muscle.

My goal is to lose 10 pounds and maintain it because anything less than 115 I've realized makes me look freakish and scary. I'm built with tiny arms that just look gross if I lose too much yet my legs look normal. I'll just have to deal, but this picture is being posted to remind me that I still look good and I don't need to lose too much.

Confessions

This was the story of my life too. Read hers and you'll get me.

I was listening to a Jillian Michaels Show podcast ("Going Vegan") and a caller talked about her intense workouts. She didn't say it, but she's obsessed. I can tell because that was me. She wouldn't say she was either working out too much and if it was hurting the rest of her life. All of her answers showed hesitancy.

Unlike these two women, I was more intense. I worked out 2-3 hours in the morning and then 2-3 more hours in the evening for about a couple of months. Then I went to California, worked out an hour and a half (on the elliptical then weights) everyday, and walked a lot (4 hours under the Vegas sun when we were there everyday).

I have a friend who appears to work out more and at a higher intensity. When she posts, I think I have to do as much. But honestly, I was there and it didn't work so well.

I didn't eat that much. My body was cannibalizing itself. I lost my period and I've yet to get it back.

I can't be sure, but it's highly probable that my body couldn't take it any longer.

I started working and baking too. The weight came back with less working out and lots of sweets. I'm at 130, a much better 130 now than last year.

I went down to 111 lbs at my smallest. I looked kind of scary. Sometimes, if I didn't pay attention to my arms, I looked great.

I have to figure out how to work out to my heart's content but make sure it's healthy. Today was good because I did work out, but it wasn't the usual kind. I like that, trying new things.

The thing is, I know. I know it all and I just have to do it. I have to cut out the crap (sweets) and eat more. I can eat more veggies easily, but it's hard to eat more. I used to be about volume, but now I prefer the feeling of hunger so I know when to feed myself.

Eat when I'm hungry. That's hard. I crave sweets. I make them too. So stop it.

I need another hobby. Watching "Bones" has helped. How about some books?

I'm going to rededicate myself to health. Raw foods, green juices, and the like work, but I seriously do need to cut down on the sweets, sleep more, and enjoy life. I am Type A, if you must. I can't relax much. It seems everything needs a purpose.

Pictures, just cause:

I bought a peony from the tailgate yesterday. The only "vase" we have is a used 40 bottle. Not me, my roommate and friends.

I painted my toes raspberry sorbet this week.

Change of plans

Its been awhile, but I'm here at Dobra Tea again about to have a Darjeeling First Flush. That's what they suggested.

I went to bed at 10PM last night. Fridays are my earliest nights. It's when I feel like I can finally relax.

First, tailgates. I hit up both of the Saturday ones and bought a peony and a gluten-free chocolate chip cookie. I just had to.

For breakfast, my Shakeology.

I attempted to go to Black Mountain's Cheshire Fitness and Racquet Club for sister slam Turbo Kick, but it was canceled. Instead, I drove back and now that the idea of weight lifting was out of my head, I decided to test out my free class at Happy Body Pilates, Yoga, & Bodyworks. I didn't know that it's a little farther than I expected.

Since it was early, I got a chance to hit up Foot Rx Running. I've heard about their foot testing, or well, that's what I'm calling it. They put a pair of Nike Air Pegasus on me then had me walk on a treadmill while videotaping it. It was interesting watching my feet walk. They don't seem weird - I land on the outside like most people but I don't overdo anything too badly. I just have wide feet. :( Probably from my fat days.

Speaking of fat days, I looked at pictures of myself last night. Here are some pictures I thought I'd share of me at a hot 118-120 and me at a scarier 111-113.



This was after my vacation... it doesn't look bad until...


Here. I look flimsy. My arms are minuscule. I have a thinner upper body, but this is ridiculous.

My goal is to get down to 120. Right now I'm somewhere around 130, but I haven't weighed myself in forever. One thing that needs to be controlled: my intake of sweets. Definitely.

I tried a reformer Pilates class. I got on this cool apparatus. Part of it worked my inner thighs, but everything else was too short to do much. I hope it's one of those things I feel tomorrow.


(source)

Afterwards, I headed to the other side of town to go to hot flow yoga at the Asheville Community Yoga Center. They have an amazing yoga room with wood floors and the ceiling has flowing white cloth that makes the room light, airy, and appear larger than it already is.

This isn't typical for me. It's low impact, but it was a good 2 and a half hours with a bit of sweat due to hot flow.

I went downtown and bought myself another pair of lululemon Wunder Unders in reversible black and navy! It's well worth the splurge.

I stopped by Bake it Pretty to peruse. I haven't been able to find a suitable cake plate, but they have some great ones. Sadly, they're out of stock and they just stocked up this week!

So besides a bit of cupcake (mostly for the filling), I haven't had much to eat. This tea should keep my belly warm until dinnertime. I have nothing planned. Never let this happen to you! Ugh, so I decided not to eat until I figure it out. I'll make a lovely and elaborate meal and watch some "Bones" to end my day.

My dream home

And from a segment called my dream home:

Big thoughts on a big dream...

I couldn't resist making the strawberry milk cake for pre-Valentine's Day. I'm not a master at cakes. Mine always crumble when I try to remove them from the pan so I left it in there. I couldn't decorate it the way they did, but it looked like a bed for this scantily clad Ken doll. The cake was good too. I used a different frosting though, the same one I used from strawberry whoopie pies - a cream cheese frosting. Yum.

Because I was in the mood for strawberry milk cake, I bought strawberry extract, strawberry preserves, and real strawberries. I had to make strawberry flavored whoopie pies because I was already set to make whoopie pies. The cookies were superb and not super soft like the Elvis whoopie pies.


I was talking to Yancey about starting a business. My co-workers ask if I'm trying to become a baker. Well, cupcakes are out. How about whoopie pies? There aren't really any businesses in the business of making them and I'm quite good at them. I also love that I could do so much with them such as these vanilla and matcha whoopie pies.

Woodland flooring

(Design Crush Blog)

Until Valentine's Day, I need to get my hot body

NO SWEETS
NO BAKING
NO EATING OUT

UNTIL VALENTINE’S DAY!

What's going on Valentine's Day? I have no clue. I think I may take myself to Nine Mile for dinner with zucchini instead of pasta.

Not only will this save my body, it'll save me money.

Another # on my list.

On my list of 23 things to do at 23: a 5K. Here's one on April 30th.

Power and yoga

I've tried a few yoga classes. Well, mostly hot yoga and general yoga.

Power yoga was great. It's a little more intense than regular yoga but not as crazy as hot yoga. Actually, I'd like to find a spot to do hot yoga since it's cold right now. Since I lost weight, I get colder. Maybe that or I have some other type of problem. Who knows. Anyways, I loved it. I felt energized after.

Staring at my body in the mirror, I saw the trouble spots but I also recognized that they will go away with some hard work. Just one week of fun classes and I've already started seeing definition in my legs again. :) I also like the soreness I feel because my body's changing once again.

The question for the new year at my gym is "What motivates you?" My answer: Confidence in a strong body.

It's not about how I look. When I worked out quite a bit, I didn't care what I wore for other people. I wore gym clothes and when I did wear nicer clothes, I wore it for me. I don't wear things that hide the trouble zones like trapeze tops. I hate those so much. I also hate belts above the belly. Though I may look better to others, it constricts me and makes my belly feel huge. It's about how I feel, not how I look.

Reason to eat well: get rid of belly fat and get hit on at the gym. I rarely think I'm getting hit on unless it's super obvious. Most people are friendly or just drunk.

I'm waiting for clothes to dry and then go rollerskating. I haven't been since middle school so I'm pretty excited! It'll be a good workout too.

(Less than) 100 things

1. Get down to 115 pounds, and maintain.
2. Wear a size 3-5.
3. Drive a sporty but environmentally friendly car.
4. Wear a 2-piece bikini.
5. Paddleboard.
6. Rollerskate/blade.
7. Change my oil.
8. Work as a teacher’s assistant.
9. Run/bike a 5K.
10. Play on an intramural/community team.
11. Buy a Mac desktop.
12. Visit Portland, Oregon.
13. Visit Austin, TX.
14. Live in Atlanta, GA.
15. Go to the Iowa State Fair.
16. Visit Savannah, GA.
17. Visit Vietnam.
18. Visit Toronto/Quebec.
19. Visit Denver.
20. Keep a design blog.
21. Redo my closet.
22. Keep a written journal.
23. Become a group fitness instructor
24. Teach high school history.
25. Get my grad degree.
26. Attain a middle school license.
27. Visit Palm Springs.
28. Learn Spanish, and use it!
29. Go to an MMA event.
30. Live in Oakland.
31. Visit New York again.
32. Visit Chicago.
33. Visit Boston.
34. Bake doughnuts.
35. Own and watch all of “I Love Lucy.”
36. Ride a bike for a summer as my primary means of transportation.
37. Visit London.
38. Take care of my mom.
39. Get my teeth fixed. Braces.
40. Grow a garden.
41. Compost.
42. Paint/draw.
43. DIY all my pillows.
44. Work in the history field.
45. Work at a local establishment.
46. Visit Salt Lake City.
47. Visit Santa Fe/Albuquerque.
48. Watch a hockey game in person.
49. Raise a child, even if it’s not my own.
50. Fall in love.
51. Decorate a home.
52. Own a home.
53. Visit the Great Barrier Reef.
54. Habitat for Humanity
55. Enjoy Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
56. Visit Philly.
57. Visit Hawaii.
58. Snowboard.
59. Skateboard.
60. Plan a wedding.
61. Make madelines.
62. Visit Miami.
63. Go apple pickin'.
64. Visit Mayberry.
65. Visit Greece.
66. Have wine in Napa Valley.
67. Make faux sheepskin cloud rug.
68. Drive PCH/US 1.
69. Make a quilt.
70. Throw a block party.
71. Go to a Backstreet Boys concert.
72. Ride in a hot air balloon.
73. Ice skate at Rockefeller Center.
74. See the pyramids in Egypt.
75. See Machu Picchu in Peru.
76. Dress up and go to a Renaissance Fair.
77. Ride in a gondola in Venice.
78. Visit Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry Hotel.
79. Visit one of Frank Lloyd Wright's houses.

23 to do at 23

I made this list over at listography and haven't revisited it yet. I'm almost halfway to 24.

1. Bake donuts or croissants.
2. Become a group fitness instructor.
3. Blog for a year.
4. Get a contracted, real job.
5. Get my car inspected.
6. Get my U.S. and world history plans set up and ready to go.
7. Go camping for a night.
8. Go on an actual, real date.
9. Go to the doctor/dentist for yearly checkups.
10. Go to the gym 6 times a week. Two hours a day of activity.
11. Keep a food journal.
12. Keep a written journal. About my feelings, and just about anything else I want. Pay off my credit card.
13. Learn something new. Anything.
14. Make something I talked about.
15. Oh yes, get down to 115. Get back down to 115.
    
16. Put aside $100/month for a desktop Mac.
17. Read a book every two weeks.
18. Revamp my closet. Paint my toenails every week.
19. Run/bike a 5K.
20. Sell stuff I don’t want – i.e. garage sale.
21. Set aside $100+/month to pay off student loans, or begin.
22. Take real before & after pictures once I hit 115.
23. Visit Savannah, GA.

Snowed in? No way.

It's snowing AGAIN. Classes were canceled. I guess I needed the morning off. Tonight I'll do a little since I have worked out a lot this week and my body is kind of asking for a break. Hopefully yoga is still on this afternoon.

Instead, I shall do the following, but I need more!

• Get coffee
• Get brunch
• Library if they're open

Snow day plan

Oh the snow keeps going. If I can get out of my house I'd be glad. I really don't have a lot to do at home so I'll be bored out of my mind.

• Slim in 6 video workout xs 2
  
• Random workout routines that I find online (Ashley Borden's and the Kelly Osborne one I posted)
• Hula hooping
• Celebrity Fit Taebo

It's the weekend so I'm not glad for snow. Actually, I'm done with snow if it cancels school. I want to have late starts and early releases, but if we have workdays, we have to make them up for the kids. :(

Day 6 and in need of a back-up plan for tomorrow.

No snow but we got a 2 hour delay. I woke up early to go to boot camp and step classes. Then off to work, a 15-minute break, and found out that kids were getting dismissed at 1:30. Except for my darling, all the kids got picked up by 1:30 when their parents didn't get notified until 1 or after. I'm glad they did though. We had to stay till 3:30 though, which gave me ample time to hit up kickboxing and yoga. I even stayed for hip hop, which became Zumba because the instructor couldn't make it. Okay, so the last class was a joke because I didn't do very much.

Meals

• Breakfast - 1/2 apple, green tea
• Lunch - 1 c. butternut squash
• Snack - 1 apple
• Dinner - 1 package (2 servings) Tofu House Shirataki noodles w/ 1/2 serving (1 tbsp) The Heat is On PB and lime juice; Ole Extreme Wellness Fiber tortilla w/ 1/2 serving (1 tbsp) Sunland banana PB and blueberries
  

Workouts

• 8:30AM - boot camp in which I used kettlebells, worked on my biceps/triceps, and did lots of squats
• 9:30AM - step class... I need more to get used to them
• 4:30PM - kickboxing!
• 5:30PM - yoga
  

Proud moments

• I learned to use a kettlebell!
  
  
• I tried my hardest with leaps in kickboxing.
  
• Yoga felt awesome because the instructor is funny and earthy.
• I felt all the workouts today during yoga.

Now it is snowing and accumulating quite a bit. I need a back-up plan for working out tomorrow. I was going to try step, weights, and yoga if I can make it, but it's kind of doubtful... :/