Tuesday, July 7, 2009

I've got issues. ~ Jully

Date: 7/11/09 - Saturday
Weight: 170.5lbs
Goal: lose 20lbs in 6 weeks

During the 4th of July weekend, I went to the "Lucky" jeans store. I headed straight to the sale section (50-75% OFF!) and I picked a few pairs from the 32 size section. I tried them on and picked the winning one. The next morning, I went to wear them and noticed it was a bit loose. I had to ask all my friends, "Is this big? I think it's big?!" I took the pants off and tried again the next day. It was still loose, but I wore it anyways. Part of me thought they might fit better after a meal. Well, here's what finally hit me. I didn't even THINK to try a smaller size, I've got myself convinced that I'm bigger than my actual size. I've now wore them 3x and am finally convinced I should have gone with 1 (or more) size smaller.

Starting Tuesday (7/7), I started the "revised" version of the Isagenix program. Yesterday, I didn't have ANY of the products with me, so I had to monitor the eating on my own. By last night, I really felt like I should just get off of it because I wasn't really feeling any difference, if anything, I've been feeling fatter. Today, after my pilates session, I went to check my weight and stood there for a solid 3 minutes just waiting for the weight to balance. "170.5, what does that mean. How much was my weight last week? Wait, did I just lose 4lbs in 1 week? huh?"

So I've got issues. I think I'm larger and heavier than the reality. Eventhough the loss has been gradual, my mind and body are taking a little while to synch up to each other.

In any case, I'm feeling pretty damn good.

Sunday, May 31, 2009

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).

Sunday, May 17, 2009

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)






Friday, May 1, 2009

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

Sunday, April 26, 2009

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.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

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?

Sunday, April 5, 2009

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!