My weight is... ~ Jully

I've reached 172.5 lbs. Yep, it's taken me 8 months to lose 15.5 lbs.

YES! I've lost over 15 lbs!!! Some of my clothes fit me better now than when I bought them.

In order to reach the 150 goal, I have to lose 22 lbs in 8 weeks. This means 2-3 lbs per week. I know that if I stay on track, I'll be able to do it.

The past month has been tough.

The pilates sessions have been, as always, therapeutic and enjoyable. Virginia has continued to maintain our sessions challenging without being extremely painful. Our schedules have gotten in the way, but by next week I believe we'll be back to normal.

The rain has decreased the days for running, but I did reached 8.8 miles last week. I still have about 1 month and 1/2 to the half marathon, so I've got tons of more running to do. Well, at least the physical discomforts have been manageable, meaning, I've stopped being a baby.

I have also added some tennis in the past weeks. My coach is out in Long Island, she's actually just a very close friend and a heck of a player. Tennis has been exciting, focusing on each move and my progress has encouraged me in other areas of my life too.

I have been paying weekly visits to a therapist. I'm still very new at this (4 sessions into it), but so far it's been challenging to understand the "why"s of me.

Our last Nutritionist session was this past Saturday. Dr. Karen has provided a few tips and recommended a few products to help me get to my goal. The photo above was taken by her, the weight on it is 125lbs, which is what I hope to be someday. She so confident I'll get there, that actually puts me at ease.

Listing all of this here, makes me realize there's a lot of "activities" going on, but it's hard to describe what's going on in my head.

I want to keep moving forward and want to reach a point where I am proud of who I am in all aspects of my life. I want to be physically healthy, and mentally focused and strong. Ultimately, I want to be happy (... and will always continue to be cheesy, I'm sure).

Are you connected? ~ Jully

Since the last posting, the pilates sessions have resumed regular schedule, running continues to challenge me, and I continue to explore ways to stay on path.

Let's do a quick recap (again), shall we? Last year, I was 194lbs barely running a full mile. Yesterday, I weighed in at 178.5 and completed a 10k (6.2m) race. In 3 1/2 months, I WILL be 150lbs and run a 1/2 marathon (13.2m). I should be at 176lbs at the next weigh in, this means losing 2.5lbs by Thursday. Well, let's get to it, right?

During our Thursday's session, we actually stayed an extra 30-40 minutes just talking. These past weeks, I also saw a range of all my friends, people who know me since I was 15, 18, 23, and so on. We are all at different places in our lives, but when we meet we revert to our true silly selves! (mostly, I'm the one who's silly!) Naturally, this Pilates experience and the people I've met are now part of my present and future. I hope our relationships continue to grow further.

Generally, something most people don't do enough of is to appreciate the experiences (including the bad ones, the ones that force us to grow), the people (especially the patient ones), and the incomprehensible connections we have with each other. All these people in my life have contributed to who I am today.

Anyways, on Saturday (5/16) I woke up at 7am and headed to the Healthy Kidney 10k Race in Central Park. I was actually very nervous about it, but I did it! I actually completed it!

Right after the race, I headed over to my session with Dr. Karen (Nutritionist) which was very good. From her, I learned that certain foods can trigger the uncontrollable sensation we feel at times, which is why we have to be aware and avoid the bad triggers as much as we can. Eat what makes us feel good afterwards. Then after our session, Virginia was all ready for me.

This Saturday session was perfect for me! She had a bunch of new exercises and a few new props too. She customized the session for my post run, I know it was all just for me. I felt amazing during it and afterwards!

After the hottest shower EVER, I took the good long nap. When I woke up, it was time to have a great time with my friends.

Today, we (Shannon & Virginia) were planning to go to the "Run the Palisades" for Diabetes 5k race, but due to the rain we passed it up for the next one. Still determined, I did go for an easy run (3 miles) at Rockland Lake with my aunt. After that, my aunt put some needles in me (she's an acupuncturist) for a pulled muscle in near my hip (front thigh). It actually worked! I know, am I lucky or WHAT?

Below are some pictures, if you weren able to check them out from before: (brought to you by sister, Juanita)

At last, NOT LAST! ~ Jully

Surviving without our Pilates sessions has been boring!
Last week and this week, due to some conflicts in our schedules we were not able to meet.
I canNOT wait until Thursday's session. Catching up with Shannon and Virginia is what I look forward to the most. I go into the sessions thinking that I really don't have too many exciting things happening in my life, but I come out of there feeling like I didn't have enough time to tell them enough. I am absolutely lucky to have a great relationship with them.

Our nutritionist session with Dr. Karen will be in Mid May and I'm looking forward to it this time more than before. For the next sessions I have some records of my eating habits, and I'm already on my 2nd Ultra Meal. I really think that shake makes my stomach flatter. Is THAT even possible? I'll have to ask in our session.

Oh, I also went to dinner with my friend last night and here's her quote "Wow, this is a first. I ate more than you!". Ann has known me for over 7+ years now. She's seen and heard about ALL my struggles with food. It felt absolutely amazing to hear her tell me how excited she was for me.

As for the running...
I FINALLY didn't come in last at our Tuesday's class! Granted most people were too exausted due to the heat, and I may have an advantage due to the fact that I was born in South America (or not!). I didn't stop and kept on going. I felt like the tortoise trekking along. Although these classes are somewhat incomprehensible to most, they really challenge me each time physically and mentally.

Wanna hear something crazy? I registered to NY's 1/2 Marathon today. CRRRAZY, I KNOW!And what else is crazy? I am signed up for the following races:
5/16: 10k Kidney Run
5/17: (tentative, waiting on Shannon to confirm) 5k Run the Palisades for Diabetes
6/7: 5k Tenafly Run
6/11: 3.5m JP Morgan Corporate Challenge
8/16: 1/2 NYC Marathon

Yes, I know... Who is this, right? Well, I'm Jully.
I'm starting a new chapter in my life where I'm learning little things about myself SLOWLY. I'm opening up in every sense of the word. Welcoming suggestions, eager to take on new opportunities, and just learning to express myself.
And you thought I was already a happy, positive person? Well, now I'm all that inside.

Last year around this time, I was a completely different person. I had ended a great relationship with a great guy, I had 8+ weddings of family and close friends to attend and contribute to, and my weight just struggled with me.
I was so depressed that I had NO idea I was depressed. I just kept waking up and kept going through the motions.

With this new beginning, I've spent sometime thinking about this, and I've decided to set a goal for myself. By my birthday this year, I want to reach the lowest weight I can recall ever weighing: 150lbs
If I get to this point, everyone MUST come out to celebrate with me. Now, who needs more motivation than that?

And now... finally, here are some pictures from back in December 2008:

Pilates