Shopping around ~ Jully

For as long as I can remember, shopping for clothes was never an enjoyable experience for me...

I've rarely stepped out of my comfort zone, meaning the stores I knew carried my size. Once I would find something that fit, I would buy it in multiple colors, mostly black.

Buying jeans was the worst part of it all. Once the low hip jeans were in, forget it! I've had the same 3 pair of jeans for a few years now. Crazy, right? So many times I've walked in and out of stores and nothing fit right.

Well, this weekend I fit into a pair of 31 waist (actual waist is 34.5 and hip is 42) at our own Tenafly Street Fair. The SeeSaw Boutique were selling major brand name jeans for $20. Before, I wouldn't even bother looking, but now I have the courage to even ask "What's the largest size you carry?". So I try a few of them on and one of them fit. I mean, it zipped up and I knew that if I walked around in them at home, it would stretch and be wearable. I actually wore them that very night, and I wasn't out of breath!

Today, I shopped (actually, SHOPPED!) in Nolita. I even ended up with 2 cute summer dresses from Calypso, the outlet. It's a great feeling to have options and to buy outfits that make you feel perrrty.

As for the working out, there was running on Tuesday (4 miles), the last Salsa class on Wednesday, but no Pilates Thursday. On Saturday, I didn't have my session, but I weighed myself at the Studio and I was 181 lbs! I know it's still over 180, BUT I feel good about it... really good. I also ran 5 miles on Saturday and hiked today.

The eating part has been good too. I've replaced bad snacks with grapes, edaname, and I always carry a mix of Ultra meal with me. I've been eating slowly and more consciously. It's still hard to give up certain items here and there, but no overdosing.

Tomorrow will be the start of the last week of April and the beginning of May, I'll just keep going.

Just a week off ~ Jully

Last week seemed like everyday was an exception.
Weekends include big family meals, curious friends who like to try new delicious places, and more friends with incredible cooking skills.
Each Monday is a chance to get back on track, then Monday comes and goes. Tuesday, I try again. Tuesday becomes Wednesday and you know the rest. Before you know it, it's the weekend again.

So here's the lesson... there ARE no exceptions! There ARE no days off...

The good news, I didn't gain any weight this week.

I didn't attend running class on Tuesday due to the rain, but the Salsa class on Wednesday was still on. Dancing is absolutely fun and it's a crazy work out!
Thursday was the Pilates class. It was so good to see Shannon, she is one of those people that just bring a smile to your face. Our sessions are always very informative and therapeutic. At our usual weigh-in, I was at 182lbs (-1 from last time).

On Friday, I went to Pio Pio in Murray Hill with my friends. I did NOT have a single french fry nor a fried Yucca. Here's the bad part, I honestly had $1.00 ready in my hand for about 10 minutes to give to the couple sitting next to us for 1 french fry and yucca fry. I know this sounds psychotic, but I REALLY wanted it! But... I didn't do it. At some point in my train of thought, I realized how embarrassing that would be, did I really need it THAT bad? It was hard, but I didn't have the fry.

I had great session with Virginia on Saturday. She prepped me for my 3 mile run later that day. My legs were burrrning!

And today, I had a long run (1:10) under the gorgeous sun. I feel really good.

Anyways, if you're keeping track of your meals, I highly recommend My Fitness Pal. It helps me keep track of my work outs too. By logging everything, you'll notice things. For example, I noticed that I sometimes don't even eat enough. Who would have guessed THAT?

RUN! For the parks ~ Jully

Today, I completed a 4mile race in Central Park. (Picture above is of YoWon and me from this morning) My goal: run below 12min/m) and guess what? I'm came in at 11:40min/m!!! The run was called "Run for the Parks", but really it was a run for (or from) Jully.

Yesterday, I had my Pilates session where Virginia prepared for my run today. Thanks Virginia!
At the studio, Jessica (owner of JFP) and I talked about the nutrition part. She agrees, we ALL know what we should not do/eat, but it's so hard to be in control of it.
As of Monday, I did my best to keep to the Plan Dr. Karen prescribed. The first day, I was close to panicking. I felt like I ate all my allowables way too early during the day, and for dinner I didn't know what to do. For the rest of the week, I did a little better. Thursday and Friday, I added the "Ultra Meal" shake, which did fill me up before dinner. On Friday, I took my shake way too late into the night, which prevented me from going into deep sleep. It was like I had coffee at night. I'll have to adjust that this week.
So, April is here folks! Only a few more weeks before bikini season!!! Right...
I'm fortunate that I have friends who will keep me active. Running, Dancing, and now I've added TENNIS to the list. I really enjoy it! It makes me feel really active AND it allows me to catch up with my girls!
Anyways, now I'm off to get a "Chinatown" massage.
Enjoy the sunshine today!