4 lbs down... 10 more to go! :) day 5

Hey, guess what?!! I lost 4 lbs this week. OMG, right? This whole new plan is so far, so good. It's working! Now, the trick is to get through the weekend without screwing up. I know last night I went over my calorie count. But I felt I did it intentionally, not by mistake. I mean, what I meant was that I knew I wanted to go over. I had just ran 4.5 miles and was seriously starving afterwards. Honestly, I felt like I could eat a whole cow (well, not literally.. and not seriously :P), but you know what I mean. Anyway, after I got back from running, I had some dinner. I was very conscious of how many calories my dinner meal should be. Mum, Mark and the girls made homemade pizza last night. So being calorie conscious as I have been all week, I only took a small slice of pizza. Of course when I saw the baked drumsticks that Mum did along w/ the pizza on the kitchen counter, I automatically went for one. Took a bit, and then realized, OMG, what am I eating? After a few seconds pause to re-examine what I have just eaten, I checked the calorie count on the drumstick. When I discovered it was under 200 calories, I decided I could have the entire drumstick! Not bad huh? And to make it a decent meal, I added a side salad w/ some cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a few carrot sticks. I like to think I did okay.

Anyway, after dinner I decided to bake some cookies. I've been itching to bake all week. Earlier in the week I had made some shortbread cookie dough. I had originally scheduled to bake them tonight, but last night... I just felt the urge to cook/bake/do something in the kitchen. It must have came from that long run I just did. I don't know... I was like one crazy machine who couldn't stop working or something! :P Anyway, baked plenty of cookies last night. By the end of the night, I wasn't sure how many calories I had eaten, whether I had gone over my calorie count or not (since I couldn't get online to check... this blog is my food journal, btw). So I decided I would go ahead and have some cookies. And it was okay to go over my calorie count.

Lalalalala... it's all good. I lost 4 lbs this week, so I'm happy. Let's hope I do good next week. I don't expect to lose another 4 lbs, but at least to maintain or lose 1/2-1 lb! :)

Okay, here's what I've eaten/plan to eat for today:

BREAKFAST:
- 2 Jennie Lean turkey bacon slices (40 cal)
- 1 fried egg (80 cal)
- 8 oz fat-free milk (90 cal)

AM SNACK:
- 1 small banana (95 cal)

LUNCH:
- Eating Right Lemongrass Chicken (230 cal)

PM SNACK:
- 1 medium orange (75 cal)
- 4 oz fat-free milk (45 cal)

DINNER:
- 2 tacos - 4 mini corn tortillas w/ chicken, black beans, guacamole, salsa & cilantro (500 cal) -- ate so much, ahh! i feel fat!!
- 8 oz fat-free milk (90 cal)

TOTAL CALORIES: 1080

Update later. :)

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UPDATE:

1. Eat between 1,100 to 1,250 calories per day -- Okay, only 1,080 calories... well, as long as it's not over 1,250 calories, so this is okay. =P
2. Walk/run 10,000 total steps per day -- NO, 6,574 steps... got way tired.
3. Run at least 10-15 miles a week -- TBD (9.55 miles so far)
4. Drink 2 glasses of milk per day -- NO
5. Eat at least 2 servings of fruit per day -- NO
6. Eat at least 2 servings of veggies per day -- NO
7. Two stretch/pilates sessions a week -- YES! (done)
8. Two strength training sessions a week -- TBD (still 1-1/2 to go)
9. Two abs sessions a week -- TBD (one session so far)

Today's piggy bank deposit: $4 --- oh well, better try tomorrow. :)

TOTAL PIGGY BANK TO DATE: $5

still going at it... day 4

Alright, today's Thursday. That means the DSE runners' club hold their usual summer running series at Lake Merced tonight. I've heard about it on active.com, but have never attended one. I think I'm going to go tonight and run that 4.5 miles. I really just want to try it and see how I do. The DSE club is also the one that's holding the 5k/10k event this weekend. I'm pretty sure I'm going to run in this weekend's race.

Anyway, we'll see how today goes... I really hope I do go out and run that 4.5 miles tonight w/ the other runners who's participating in the running series. I guess we'll see.

So, I think I did pretty decent yesterday. I went out last night and ran (or I guess you can say "jogged") 2 miles. Lately I've been trying to get my time/pace lower. Before the last two runs, my pace was at 12 minutes and something. Now, it's down to like 11 minutes and something seconds, which isn't so bad... it's kind of like a whole minute faster. Anyway, my goal is to run at an 11 minute pace (at least!) for the Nike+ Human Race at the end of the month.

Oh, speaking of the Nike+ race, I just found out that neither Mark or I will not be down in LA in time to pick up our runners' packets. I feel so silly!! Our flight doesn't arrive until after midnight Saturday night and according to the Nike+ website, we have to pick up our packets days before the event. They will absolutely not have packet pick ups the day of the event. Ahhhhhh! Now, I have to try to see if Lindsay or anyone in LA can pick up our packets for us. It sucks, cuz I hardly know anyone! There's Lindsay... and then there's KB's bf... and that's it! If those two can't do it... I guess I'll have to change my flight and leave SF way before Mark on that Saturday to get down there in time to pick up our packets before they closes. Well, stay tune for this story I guess.

Alright, here's what I've eaten/plan to eat for today:

BREAKFAST:
- 2 homemade blueberry pancakes, made w/ 1/3 cup fat-free milk & 1/4 cup blueberries (200 cal)

AM SNACK:
- 8 oz fat-free milk (90 cal)
- 1 small banana (95 cal)

LUNCH:
- Lean Cuisine Shrimp Stir-Fry (230 cal)
- water

PM SNACK:
- 1 fuji apple (55 cal) -- OMG... was it just me or was it the fruit?! it made me super sleepy!

DINNER:
- 1 small slice of homemade pizza w/ cheese, tomatoes, r&g peppers, turkey bacon & sauce (200 cal)
- 1 small (2 oz) chicken drumstick w/ skin (150 cal)
- 1 cup baby romaine w/ cherry tomatoes, cucumber + 2 tsp italian dressing (50 cal)

EVENING SNACK:
- 8 oz fat-free milk (90 cal)
- 4 small homemade cookies (160 cal) -- couldn't help it but try my new shortbread cookies... they were delicious!

TOTAL CALORIES: 1320

Intended workout: 4.5 mile run @ Lake Merced w/ DSE Running Club (let's hope I can complete this within an hour?!! ahhh!)

We'll see... stay tune! :)

---------------------

UPDATE:

1. Eat between 1,100 to 1,250 calories per day -- NO! (1,320 calories... that's okay, i ran 4.5 miles!)
2. Walk/run 10,000 total steps per day -- YES! (19,418 steps)
3. Run at least 10-15 miles a week -- TBD (9.55 miles so far)
4. Drink 2 glasses of milk per day -- YES! :)
5. Eat at least 2 servings of fruit per day -- YES! :)
6. Eat at least 2 servings of veggies per day -- YES! :)
7. Two stretch/pilates sessions a week -- YES! (done)
8. Two strength training sessions a week -- TBD (still 1-1/2 to go)
9. Two abs sessions a week -- TBD (one session so far)

Okay, I know Iwent over my calories for today, but that's okay. I figure I ran 4.5 miles. Oh boy was it far.. or the farthest distance I've ever tackle nonstop (w/out walking, anyway). Well, I baked some delicious shortbread cookies last night. They were sooooooooooo good! Some lime meltaways, cranberry & poppyseed shortbreads... mmm, mmm, yummy! :)

Alright, more tomorrow. Tomorrow's weigh-in day... I won't I do good. :)

weight loss in sight? day 3

Alright, it's only been two days since I've officially started this new thing. So far, I'm doing really well. I've looked at my calorie count as if it's money or something. So yes, for example, I only have 1,250 calories to spend each day. I find it that I'm more cautious and aware of what I put in my mouth these days. Seriously, for example, I don't want to waste 250 calories on junk food. I could spend 250 calories on an actual lunch meal! Just the other day I dreamt that one of my cousins baked some cupcakes. She's not typically a sweets baker, but she attempted to make some cupcakes. In the dream, I found myself downing two whole cupcakes with tons of frosting. Then I realized, OMG... I've just eaten two cupcakes. That's probably like 700 calories... what was I thinking? And now I have to go through the rest of the day w/ 550 calories left and it's only 9 a.m.? OMG!!! Suddenly I woke up and realized it was only a dream... but seriously, this new plan I've set up for myself is really making me aware of the kinds of foods I eat, want to eat and should be eating.

Recently, just these past couple of days, I've noticed that usually towards the end of the day I still have about 100-150 calories left to spend. It's always so tempting to spend it on sweets or junk food. It's still hard for me, but I'm trying to get through it slowly. I think I used my last few extra calories on a small green salad w/ deli meat and some baked cheetos. I know last night I couldn't resist the Neopolitan ice cream sandwich in the freezer. It was seriously calling my name. So with a few calories left to spare, I decided to half it w/ Mark. It was quite good and just satisfied my taste buds.

Well, I hope this is the start of something beautiful... because when I stepped on the scale this morning, it read 106. Let's hope this number sticks for Friday's weigh in. :)

Alright, let's see what I've eaten/plan to eat for today:

BREAKFAST:
- 2 homemade blueberry pancakes - made w/ 1/3 cup fat-free milk instead of water! (200 cal)
- 2 tbsp syrup (105 cal)
- 1 slice turkey bacon (35 cal)

AM SNACK:
- 8 oz fat-free milk (90 cal)
- 1 small banana (95 cal)

LUNCH:
- Lean Cuisine Salmon Mediterranean (230 cal)

PM SNACK:
- 2 small plums (60 cal)

DINNER:
- Veggie burger >> 2 oz Gimme Lean ground beef style patty, 1 whole wheat bread, salad greens, cherry tomatoes + ketchup & mustard (150 cal)
- 1 cup salad greens w/ cherry tomatoes, cucumbers + italian dressing (70 cal)
- 1 cup steamed cauliflower (30 cal)
- 3 french fries (35 cal)

EVENING SNACK:
- 2/3 cup fat-free milk (60 cal)
- 8 pieces of Lays baked cheetos (30 cal)

TOTAL CALORIES: 1190

Updates to come later. :)

-------------

UPDATE:

1. Eat between 1,100 to 1,250 calories per day -- YES! (1,190 calories)
2. Walk/run 10,000 total steps per day -- YES! (10,481 steps)
3. Run at least 10-15 miles a week -- TBD (5.15 miles so far)
4. Drink 2 glasses of milk per day -- YES! :)
5. Eat at least 2 servings of fruit per day -- YES! :)
6. Eat at least 2 servings of veggies per day -- YES! :)
7. Two stretch/pilates sessions a week -- YES! (did the second one today)
8. Two strength training sessions a week -- TBD (still 1-1/2 to go)
9. Two abs sessions a week -- TBD (one session so far)

so far, so good... day 2

I did great yesterday, I think! I accomplished everything on my goal list and didn't have to deposit any dollars into the piggy bank. :) So far, so good I say. I didn't think I would have enough energy to go out and run last night, but I made myself go and I ran 3.15 miles! Yes, I haven't ran as much lately and was kind of itching to run more. Lately, I've only kept my running to 30 minutes max. Last night, I knew that if I wanted to run a 5k (3.1 miles), I would have to run longer than 30 minutes because there's no way I can complete a 5k in under 30. Anyway, my time was pretty decent. I did the 5k in 34-1/2 minutes... which isn't too bad, but I guess if you considered the fact that most of the running was on a flat surface, then maybe it's not super correct?! I don't know, I figure a typical 5k course would include some hills. Of course my run last night did include some stairs climbing, semi-step hills, etc... but most of it was around this huge soccer field and I don't think there was any incline in that at all. :P

Anyway, so there's a 5k/10k happening across the street by my house this Sunday. Again, I think I'm going to do it. After last night, I feel like I should at least try. If I ran a pretty flat surface under 35, I think I can run this Sunday's 5k course in 40 or at least 45. I know the time's not great, but it'll be a start... especially when I have the 10k Nike+ race at the end of this month.

Alright, here's what I've eaten/intend to eat for today:

BREAKFAST:
- 1/2 cup white rice (100 cal)
- 2 bites of eggplants (30 cal)
- 2 slices of turkey bacon (70 cal)

AM SNACK:
- 8 oz fat-free milk (90 cal)
- 1 small banana (95 cal)

LUNCH:
- Eating Right Orange Glazed Chicken w/ white rice & broccoli (300 cal)
- water :)

PM SNACK:
- 1 kiwi fruit (50 cal)

DINNER:
- Thai salad >> 2 oz Gimme Lean veggie ground beef w/ mixed salad greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, Thai salad seasoning + lime/fish sauce dressing (150 cal)
- 1 cup steamed broccoli (55 cal)
- 1 small turkey meatball (40 cal)

EVENING SNACK:
- 8 oz fat-free milk (90 cal)
- 1/2 ice cream sandwich (85 cal)
- random food bits (50 cal)

TOTAL CALORIES: 1205

Stay tune... :)

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UPDATE:

1. Eat between 1,100 to 1,250 calories per day -- YES! (1,205 calories)
2. Walk/run 10,000 total steps per day -- 10,218
3. Run at least 10-15 miles a week -- TBD (3.15 miles so far)
4. Drink 2 glasses of milk per day -- YES! :)
5. Eat at least 2 servings of fruit per day -- YES! :)
6. Eat at least 2 servings of veggies per day -- YES! :)
7. Two stretch/pilates sessions a week -- TBD (one session so far)
8. Two strength training sessions a week -- TBD (lower body today, 1-1/2 to go)
9. Two abs sessions a week -- TBD (one session so far)

YAY! I accomplished all my daily goals, I don't owe any dollars! :) Good luck to me tomorrow.

a new beginning... day 1 :)

Alright, so like I said yesterday, I'm restarting this whole diet/exercise thing. I was going to start it yesterday, the minute I wrote yesterday's blog... but Mark convinced me that I should start it today. Make it fresh, brand new day.. etc... since by the time I decided about all this, it was close to noon or already noon. Anyway, today's day 1. So far, I've done pretty good. We'll see how the day goes from here I guess. I'm really excited about this, so I hope I do good. :)

I know I didn't go for my run this morning, but I totally intend on doing some running tonight. I really wanted to run this morning, but unfortunately I couldn't cuz Christopher was up. Anyway, I plan on running tonight so I hope I run tonight. I haven't ran three miles in a while, so I really want to do that. I hope I have enough time to do that tonight. Oh, also, there's a 5k/10k this Sunday by my house. I'm thinking of going there the day of the race and signing up. It doesn't start until 9am. I figure my time at the moment still kind of sucks (a bit slow), but if I'm already registered for the Nike+ HumanRace10K, I might as well run some mini races to get myself ready for the 10k at the end of the month. Well, more on this later...

Okay, here's what I've eaten/plan to eat today:

BREAKFAST:
- 2 slices of turkey bacon (70 cal)
- 1 fried egg (80 cal)

AM SNACK:
- 8 oz fat-free milk (90 cal)

LUNCH:
- Lean Cuisine Thai-Style Chicken (220 cal)
- 1 small banana (95 cal)

PM SNACK:
- 8 oz fat-free milk (90 cal)
- 1 kiwi fruit (50 cal)

DINNER:
- 1/2 eggplant stir-fried in 1 tsp olive oil (135 cal)
- 1/2 cup white rice (100 cal)
- 1 cup green salad w/ cherry tomatoes & cucumbers + italian dressing (50 cal)
- 8 blueberries (5 cal)

EVENING SNACK:
- 1 cup green salad w/ 2 oz ham deli meat, cherry tomatoes & cucumbers + italian dressing (140 cal)
- 1/2 serving of Lay's baked cheetos (65 cal)

TOTAL CALORIES: 1190 calories

Stay tune... updates to come later. :)

-----------

UPDATE:

1. Eat between 1,100 to 1,250 calories per day -- YES! (1,190 calories)
2. Walk/run 10,000 total steps per day -- 12,159
3. Run at least 10-15 miles a week -- TBD (ran 3.15 miles today)
4. Drink 2 glasses of milk per day -- YES! :)
5. Eat at least 2 servings of fruit per day -- YES! :)
6. Eat at least 2 servings of veggies per day -- YES! :)
7. Two stretch/pilates sessions a week -- TBD (did one stretch session today!)
8. Two strength training sessions a week -- TBD
9. Two abs sessions a week -- TBD (did one abs session today!)

So far, so good. Yay! I don't lose any money tonight. Let's see what tomorrow brings. I'm excited! :)

a new start...

Alright, I hate restarting... but really, I want to be serious this time, for real. So here's the deal, starting right now, at this very moment, I want to be good and do good regarding weight loss, diet, exercise, myself... everything else, pretty much the whole shi-bang!

So to make this work, I've decided to write up a mini-contract for myself. For every day that I do not walk pass 10,000 steps or eat more than 1250 calories, I must pay myself $1.

"YOU CAN SO DO THIS" Contract:

I, mzrichee, vow to be true, honest, and give every effort possible to making this weight loss, getting back into shape, eating healthier possible. If I do not meet any daily/weekly goals by the time I hit the sack every night I must deposit $1 per goal into the piggy bank.

These goals are:
1. Eat between 1,100 to 1,250 calories per day
2. Walk/run 10,000 total steps per day
3. Run at least 10-15 miles a week
4. Drink 2 glasses of milk per day
5. Eat at least 2 servings of fruit per day
6. Eat at least 2 servings of veggies per day
7. Two stretch/pilates sessions a week
8. Two strength training sessions a week
9. Two abs sessions a week

So if you think about it, if I was to really slack off and not do anything, I could end up having to deposit $5 a day on most days, and $9 on Sunday if I really did not do much on that day.

I honestly think this is a doable, reasonable contract. I know I can do this. I just have to "JUST DO IT!"

I am so excited to start this new thing I've got for myself. I know I can really do this. I want to do this. I have to do this. I must do this!!!! I talked Mark into running the Nike+ HumanRace10K with me at the end of this month in Los Angeles, so I really need to stick with this and do well. I want to make sure that by the end of the month, I am so ready to tackle this 10K. I've never ran more than 4 or 5 miles at a time, so I really want to do well, be ready for this 6.2 miles.

Oh, today's the SF Marathon in San Francisco. I'm just so excited for all those runners out there today. Yesterday I drove pass the Embarcadero and saw all those people down at the Marathon Expo. So many runners picking up their packet, numbers, shirts, etc. It's just super exciting. I can't wait for that to be me next year. I really want to tackle a half-marathon. And eventually, one of these days, tackle a full marathon. I know it's quite the distance, but I just know I can so do it. Really, all you have to do is set your mind to it and anything, seriously, anything is possible if it's within your control. I believe I can do it. If any of those runners can, I certainly can! :)

Alright, so what have I done/eaten today? First off, I ate horribly this morning! My breakfast was more like lunch or dinner. I had 1/2 cup of white rice with a rotissere chicken wing and drumstick w/ BBQ sauce. I know, terrible! But regarding exercise, so far I've ran almost 2.5 miles (30 minutes total) and burned 198 calories doing it.. which isn't so bad.

Anyway, for the rest of the day I do vow to do good because the whole contract thing starts right now. So... good luck to me and let's hope I do really good!

Oh, when's the end date to all of this? Let's do this for 3 months... so let's say Sunday, November 2, 2008. :)

Best of luck to me!!!

day 12

Okay, haven't been running much this week. Need or MUST run tonight!

Here's my food stuff for the day:

BREAKFAST:
- 1/2 cup white rice (100 cal)
- 1 rotisserie chicken wing/3oz breast meat (400 cal)
- 1 tbsp Bullseye BBQ sauce (35 cal)

AM SNACK:
- 1/4 medium nectarine (20 cal)

LUNCH:
- 1/2 Caffe Pazzo Nancy Sinatra sandwich w/ side salad & dressing (600 cal)

DINNER:
- TBD

TOTAL CALORIES: too many... TBD :)