I Ran. I Mean... I Ran!

For someone who firmly believes her big ass should not be bouncing around a track, I think it’s a pretty big deal. Some people are made for running. They’re long, lean and have one important trait: Small boobs. I do not fall into any of the above categories. I’m neither long nor lean and I have a body type that’s more on the curvaceous side, even after I’ve lost weight. It’s funny that I’ve lost many inches around my rib cage, so my band size has drastically decreased, but my cup size has remained exactly the same. People say the first thing you lose when you lose weight is your bust. I have not lost the bust. Not at all.

So imagine my horror when Rob told me I was going to start running. I gave him my patented “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me” look and he explained that I’m plateauing again and we need to kick up the intensity and switch up the drills we do and running is now going to be a part of the workout routine.

I’m frustrated with my plateau. I’ve been sticking to my diet and working out really hard and have been fighting for every single pound. I’m somewhere around the 75-80 lbs lost mark but I cannot seem to drop weight quickly anymore. I feel like my body is strong and healthy but I’m definitely still a chubby girl. I need to drop more poundage. So after bitching and moaning a bit, I agreed with Rob that I had to start running to kick the metabolism into high gear.

So around the track my big butt went. About ¾ of a mile to be exact. For someone who’s never run in my life, I think it’s a pretty good start. Granted it was broken up (I took a lap around the track in between squats, swings, flutter kicks and see saw presses) so I did four laps on each circuit and did the circuit three times, but I still had to haul myself around the stinky, smelly track without stopping.

I was proud of myself. More and more I’m finding out I physically do more than I ever thought possible. It’s pretty cool.

There's No Can't In Push-ups

If I have an Achilles heel in working out it's push-ups. Can't do em. And let's be honest; I don't like doing them, either. I feel like there's a reason it's a man exercise... women just aren't built to do push-ups.

Sadly, Rob makes me do them man style, which means I'm on my toes. No knee push-ups for this girl! I'm totally pathetic when I do my push-ups. I can barely get half way down and battle the whole way up. I'm seriously sweating profusely and grunting after doing 30 seconds of push-ups. It's sad.

But every day I get better. I've gotten to the point now where I get mad at myself when I can't do something so I'm just that much more determined to get my body to do a solid set of real push-ups. I'll get there.

Summer summer summertime!

I’ve found all kinds of random things that are exciting about slimming down, particularly when it’s warmer outside.

First, I look better with fewer clothes on. I’d always been really self conscious about my summer wardrobe because let’s be honest; no one who’s as overweight as I was looks good in sundresses and tank tops. I’ve bought a few really cute strappy, short sundresses and I look pretty cute if I do say so! Along with those sundresses comes the conundrum of what do with undergarments. Last year I would wear dresses, but would be forced to wear some kind of Spanx type armor under my dress for a few reasons. One would be to hold my gut in. Another would be to prevent the oh so unappetizing inner thigh rub. Yes, my inner thighs still touch, but there’s definitely room to breathe down there, so I’m happily sporting sundresses sans Spanx and its pretty liberating.

Second, I can handle the heat MUCH better now. I no longer start sweating profusely upon stepping outside, which is nice. Yes, I still have what we lovingly refer to as the Meredith Sweating Gene, but I’m MUCH more comfortable in the heat.

Last, but certainly not least, my appetite has diminished quite a bit. I’ve been craving fresh fruit and veggies lately which has made the diet easier. And really, who wants to turn the oven on in 90 degree weather? Not me!

Yay for summer!

I'm not NOT writing...

I'm just suffering from writers block. I feel like I've already written about everything on my mind.

So until I find some inspiration...

Refocusing

So… lots happening which equates to not a lot of time to write the ole blog, but I need to recommit to blogging. And losing weight.

Because I lost such a huge amount of weight in such a short period of time I decided to take a bit of time off from the extreme weight loss plan. Yes, I still dropped some pounds but I was definitely not losing weight at the rate I was losing it in previous months. I slacked on the diet. I allowed myself some cocktails. I didn’t work out as often as I should have worked out. And as a result, I didn’t really lose much poundage. But I did have fun and was able to relax a bit and give my body a break.

I knew I needed to get back on track, but sometimes I need a little push to make it happen. Like he was reading my mind, Rob said to me last week, “We need to talk. You need to start losing weight again.” It’s never a good feeling to get called out on your slacker ways so I was kind of embarrassed. But honestly? It was the push I needed to get my butt in gear and buckle down again. Of course Rob is right. He usually is.

So I’ve been buckling down. My diet has been on point. I’ve been back on the veggie soup for many of my meals which worked really well for me in the past. I’m not eating at restaurants. I’m hitting the gym. I’m laying off the booze. I’m refocused.

The truth is I really like myself when I’m hardcore on the diet. I’m really in the zone. Because I’m eating really healthy and working out a lot, I sleep much better at night. This means my work is better, I’m happier and I’m not tired during the day at all. I just have a lot of energy. It’s a great feeling.

So… here’s to kicking off Phase II of “Angie’s Weight Loss Journey.” You can expect more frequent blog entries and a soon to be slim Ang coming your way soon!

Losing the Dead Weight in My Life

I'm a bit overdue for an update, eh? Forgive me, I was on vacation and fully enjoyed relaxing with some of my oldest and best friends in (partly) sunny Florida.

I was REALLY happy because I was able to sqeeeeeze into my friend Megan's bathing suit for the trip. Granted, it was a little snug, but honestly, not too bad. I was very proud to wear a suit that is just a bit big for a girl that I think looks great. Yay!

Spending quality time with friends made me realize how lucky I am to have friends in my life that love me and care about my best interests. You may have noticed that I haven't mentioned my weight loss buddy, M for awhile. Well, that's because our friendship ended. I thought I would be really upset, but honestly, I feel really good about the negative influence being out of my life. It's very difficult to say good-bye to a friend, especially one that was a part of a big life change, but I have to do what's best for me.

Rob is nothing but professional about the "friendship break-up." We've been training on our own, now, and he says my workouts have never been better. Looks like working out solo agrees with me!

Street Cred at the Gym

I’ve been going to Chicago Fitness Center for awhile now. I’m actually there all the time since it’s where Rob trains me and I have my gym membership. Yet, oddly enough, I don’t have any gym friends. I mean, no one really talks to me. I’m not sure if that’s normal, but it doesn’t bother me in the slightest. I go in. I work out. I go home. I’m either swinging kettlebells with Rob or hitting the treadmill or elliptical on my own and I always use my iPod so it’s not like I’m begging for people to come strike up conversation with me.

Basically, I like to think I remain pretty anonymous at the gym.

Think again.

I was in the locker room yesterday and this perky gal started chatting me up talking about how nice it is outside and how she’d rather be anywhere than at the gym. I laughed and told her that if I hadn’t already paid my trainer for the week I’d be doing something outside, too. Then she said, “You train with Rob, right?” I said, “Yep, I sure do!” She then told me that her friends in the yoga class at the gym were talking about me and how great I look, etc. She asked if I’d lost all the weight by working out with Rob and doing kettlebells. I told her indeed, I did, and that she should check it out.

It was cool to be recognized by people I don’t know and don’t talk to or for my weight loss achievements. And who knows? Maybe I met an actual gym friend!