The small things

With the aid of myfitnesspal.com and fitbit, I've been able to slowly creep my way back down in weight and increase my activity level. Fitbit has painfully shown me how much I sit on my rear end all day:

I love that on the fitbit website it will graph your active score, or calories burned, steps taken, and floors climbed. I usually will have the website open at work and try to get up and talk a walk or something if I have had grey for an extended period of time. 

I've started doing two small things that have helped me feel better and clear my mind so I can work better. I've found that these things are also quite enjoyable. The first thing that I have started doing, is going on little walks. One around 11 and one around 3pm. The first one is a determined course and is usually somewhat brisk. For the afternoon one, I like to wander and just enjoy finding random little things or think about random things. I find this really relaxing. The other day I went on a walk and found the following in a random field. It made me smile. So random.

After work the other day, I took a simple walk in the foothills behind where I work. It was a beautiful walk and easy however, I was surprised at how many calories it burned. These things are so enjoyable, but it's just a matter of getting up and starting. The other thing that I have been doing is, every time I go to fill up my 1 liter water bottle I go all the way up the stairs and all the way back (about 3 floors). It is nice.

1. Last thing. So on MFP I added some random people for motivation or for inspiration. One of the guys that I friend-ed was super nice and informed me about a couple things in regard to weightlifting. One of the things that he sent me was in regard to workouts for knee pain. I thought I would share the article in case I need to reference it again. Thanks!  http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/most_recent/singleleg_training_modifications_for_knee_pain

Famous last words.... "I trust you....."

This was a post from right before pre-surgery that didn't make it out before I fell off the face of the web. But I would feel like it was wasted if I didn't share it now:

So, this weekend I went to get my nails off. Not only because I was about ready to rip them off myself but because I was thinking of playing in a rugby tournament this weekend (I know, I know, I was supposed to give that up...but the fates intervened and the tournament was canceled anyway so I didn't have to make that choice myself.) I thought that the acrylic nails looked really nice but even the night that I got them on I was going to bed and felt, well I don't have a good word for it but kind of like claustrophobic. I have this thing where I can't handle things on my person that aren't normally there...so that first night was torture trying to get my mind off of them so I didn't rip them off. And then lately as they started to grow out I kept on picking at them. Also, Another thing that I found that was complete opposite from what I expected was that it is really hard to scratch your skin when it itches when you have fake nails...they are too thick to scratch. I did however, love tapping my fingers on hard surfaces when I talked though...weird I know. Anyway. So I went to get them taken off. It was intriguing. First off she sanded down the fake nails a little them she had me soak my fingers in acetone. It was crazy how the acetone turned the nails into this glob...

 I'm melting! melting! Oh, what a world! What a world! Who would have thought a good little girl like you could destroy my beautiful wickedness? Oooooh, look out! I'm going! Oooooh! Ooooooh!

...and then she wiped it off with a paper towel. This was a messy and long process but very intriguing. I couldn't help wonder about people who work in nail shops if they have higher levels of certain types of medical problems due to working with all those chemicals all the time. Anyway. So they are off and my nails feel extremely tiny! When I got the fake nails on they clipped my nails down shorter than the end of my finger tip and since it hasn't been that long since I got them on my nails are really short right now. My roommate has been talking about how she wants to get a shellac manicure and when I was at the nail place the person suggested I get a shellac manicure. And that is what I did.

And I feel like I wasted my money. lol. The nails look like I painted them myself, in a color that I was cajoled into getting...I guess the thing about Shellac though is that they don't chip or wear off as fast as normal nail polish...idk. Anyway. So while all this was going on...I agreed to have the same person do my hair that was doing my nails. Ya, don't get your hair cut from a person that you don't understand very well...




















I felt like I was sporting a skunkullet. A skunk mullet. Bad. My hair is pretty dark and those strips were blond blond. I had layers at weird places and...ya....just bad. I felt like I walked with my head down trying to avoid people I knew.  I had it "fixed" by another hair stylist a few weeks later after I hid my hair beneath braids and scarves and hats for a week. It made all of the difference (and while perhaps not worth the extra $60 I spent, it was probably close to worth that much).

But later I did have a fabulous experience getting a pedicure. It really was amazing! I think that I will continue to pamper myself with one every once and awhile. It really does feel really good. I don't know why somebody never sat me down before and explained to me the degree to which it makes a big difference in your life.

Side note: I got thinking maybe there was a weird disease that people have where their body mentally rejects anything that isn't natural and just for fun I hit up the web. Didn't really know what search terms to use and didn't really find anything (not that I was really expecting to) but I came across this website: http://webecoist.com/2010/07/19/worlds-15-weirdest-diseases-medical-conditions/ all I can say is....Crazy!!

Long time. I know.

So, it's been a little, *cough*, ok, long while since I last posted. And yes, I thought that this adventure was dead in the water. But alas, I believe I will revive it again. I stopped because financially I needed a break as well as mentally and physically. I tore my ACL playing rugby and have spent the last four months recovering from knee surgery.

The last four months have been an incredible struggle for me to survive let alone care about the fact that I look like a frantic lunatic. When dressing, I mainly looked for attire that would work with that massive brace. Trying to get around, walk again, go to work full time, go to school full time, go to physical therapy, stay up to do homework, and other family and personal stresses has taken quite a toll on me and my appearance. I own two pairs of TOMS now and have worn them almost every single day for four months straight.

Four months of feeling like this was four months too long.

Only recently have I started wearing heals and I can only tolerate those for a couple hours at the most. I had my nails taken off, and now finally (only 4 months later) are my natural nails back to normal looking. The biggest change that I feel is that I haven't been active for months and my body has become even more of a massive blob. The thing that really woke me up was that I stepped on the scale and it read....I don't even know if I can post this.... 203.7 lbs. Gasp. So, I have taken action. My goal is 150 lbs. It's where I technically should be but haven't been there since HS. So. It has begun.


1. At physical therapy I've started running on an anti-gravity treadmill that lets me run at a percentage of my body weight. (http://www.alter-g.com/product/anti-gravity-treadmills) This lets me run and get a great work out but doesn't kill my knee. I tried running outside before this and ended up doing a limp run two blocks out. This makes me feel great and has drastically boosted my recovery.

2. A friend showed me an app that she was using called my fitness pal. (http://www.myfitnesspal.com/) It has been amazing. I typed in my goal, my weight, and other information and it helps me track my eating and my exercise. It has a function on my phone that I love that allows you scan barcodes of foods to insert in the nutritional info and such. It also allows you to insert in recipes and then it calculates the info for you as well.

3. I've also bought a "fitbit", an amazing pedometer that links into my fitness pal and updates my exercise and then adjusts my calories I can consume through out the day. It is neat. Nay, it is beyond neat. It has really motivated me to move more and it makes it fun to try to reach certain goals. (http://www.fitbit.com/). It also tells me how well I am sleeping and the website gives me awesome random things to look forward to. (Like how many flights of stairs I've gone up and what that is equivalent to: Today so far I've climbed as high as The Hollywood Sign or 5 floors). I really like that not only can I put it in my pocket or clip it to my waistband but I can also clip it to my bra, as I often wear things to work with no waistband or pockets.

4. As my knee is getting stronger, I've really been tempted to go back to playing rugby. At least for now, I really really need to stay away so that my knee can fully heal. It has been extremely hard, especially lately as this weekend is a tournament in Las Vegas that my team and friends have been asking me to go to. As my facebook newsfeed is filling up with comments regarding all the fun that I am missing right now I desperately need something else to distract me. I've started Salsa dancing lessons (http://www.utahsalsa.com/) and have started going out dancing more. I used to go Latin dancing all the time but as my local friends changed, this dropped off. But, even if I go alone, I am making it a priority to go. It's a great way to strengthen my knee without killing it and it helps distract me. Tomorrow night I've made an appointment with the dance floor so I can dance away my Vegas envy.

So, for now, it is this. Weight loss!! and also, being healthy. I am trying to eat better and get the vitamins that I need. I started taking the Women's One-a-day multivitamin. Because having the proper vitamins makes your hair, nails, and skin pretty right? lol.

I challenge you to a duel!

So, I saw this beauty in Burlington Coat Factory and I decided that I would be a nice challenge for me. So, I have the goal of wearing this for a full day and trying to see if I can get comfortable wearing it and not feel as those a bird had landed on my head and was squawking for attention! : D

What can you buy for $481?

This is what I bought for $481.32: ($30.86 of this was taxes)

4 pairs of heals ($20 each)
3 skirts
3 pairs of capris (1 capris came with another belt)
2 pair of pants
1 purse
16 Shirts (I shirt sweater came with another belt)
1 sweater thingy
11 Pairs of Earrings
2 Necklaces
26 Bracelets (25 of those fine silver bangles)
8 headbands
1 pair of leggings
1 belt

The mean $$$: $9.79
The median $$$: $7.99
The mode $$$: $14.99
Most expensive: $24.99 (The purse)
Least expensive: $2.98 (A t-shirt)

The things I was thinking that I needed to buy when I was at the cash register:
A jewelry holder. (I mean come one where am I going to put all this crap?)
A jacket. (I tried on this beautiful white jacket that was made out of cloth spun by fairies or something but too small and they didn't have one in my size.)
Flats. (I love heals but I walk way too much to wear them too much.)
A watch. (I can't explain this one. I hate wearing them and I use my cell phone for the time....I think it has something to do with the fact that they pump something into the air in places like this that make you think that it's a great idea to buy everything that you see...)

Three of the four pairs of shoes that I bought...suede (I called it creme but my roommate corrected me), animal stripes (zebra??) and a greyish pair. My favorite is the grey ones with a zipper on the side...mostly because I can walk without the feeling that I'm going to roll my ankle...

The other pair I bought..if you remember from my last post....I danced early into the morning in a pair of ridiculousness high heals for hours?? Yes, these were the culprits! See, now you don't judge me for taking off my shoes, do you? (You just judge me for being stupid enough to buy heals that high...)

To give you an idea of how tall these heals are I've placed my tennis shoe next to them....

The weekend

Yes, I do realize that it is Wednesday and I have yet to blog about the weekend. It was quite an eventful weekend and I will admit kind of tired me out. Since last Thursday I have been quite good about getting ready in the morning and doing things that would align with this new year.

Friday night I didn't do anything in regard to my goals but went to a bonfire and it was nice. I do a little bit of freelancing photography on the side so Saturday morning I went south to Provo (30 mins south of where I live) to do a photo shoot for the cutest two little girls ever. After the photo shoot was over, I passed by a Burlington Coat Factory and decided to stop and see if I could find anything for my date that night.

I found more than just an outfit for that night. I kept on finding more and more things that I liked and that were a good price until I found myself at the cash register coughing up $481 for my loot. Although I seemed to have bought enough clothes and accessories to last me quite a long time I even found myself at the register thinking of other things that I would now need to find to go along with what I had bought. What?? Am I insane? I just spent $481 on clothes!!

Stifled by the hot summer heat on the drive home I thought about how I could have spent that money on getting my ac fixed in my car. As I carried in the fruits of my excessive consumerism into my apartment I looked over at my neighbors who's son has cancer and I thought about how I could have used that money to give them an anonymous pick me up of a couple hundred dollars. As I settled down in my ghetto apartment with the neighbor's weed and cigarette smoke drifting into my living room I thought about how I could have saved that money to go toward a house I was hoping to buy. But when I got dressed to go out I forgot about all those other things.

My date and I ended up watching a movie, going dancing, and then going out to eat. It was the longest first date that I have ever been on. When we went to the club we got into free...because he is a football player....(insert shake of head here..man they have it good). We went to a club called Elevate or The Hotel (http://thehotelelevate.com/index.php) not quite sure how that works out...is it two places or one??? Quien Sabes!??! In the club there were girls of all different shapes and sizes but they all had one thing in common: They were dressed to be seen. The social scientist in me kind of wished I could go around and interview these women or give them a survey to fill out. What are they thinking? What are their hopes? Are they here to have a good time or to meet someone? How much time did they take to get ready? What were their expectations of the night?

Main Dance floor of the club

I didn't know that people when to clubs to play pool...but I guess they do!

My date seemed to know a good majority of the club. I don't think that I would ever be able to seriously date this guy because I would be way too jealous that he knew that many attractive girls. It was nice though that he paid attention to me despite there being individuals competing for his attention.

 However, I was a little annoyed with him because I didn't know that we were going dancing and would have worn a different outfit had I known. I was wearing a shirt with 3/4ths sleeves, capris made out of this wool mix, my hair down, and heals so high I was practically walking tip toe. What does all of this equal? Extreme heat and uncomfortableness. I don't see how girls can put up with extreme discomfort for hours on end...you know the mantra...pain before beauty? (or is it beauty before pain...either way) I never understood that...and I don't think that I ever will....As we left the club (it was early in the morning at this time but the dance floor was still rocking pretty hard), I took off my heals and walked barefoot on the nasty nasty sidewalk, road, and parking lot...I had had all the pain that I could handle for one night...

Coming Soon: What can you buy for $481? ....and.... I challenge you to a duel!

I'm really into books.

So, yesterday I went to the University library to go check out a book and ended up getting checked out myself....

I asked this guy where in the library you go to pick up books that you have reserved online. While he was telling me where to go, he made it obvious that he was looking at my body. I was a little annoyed, as I wasn't exactly comfortable in what I was wearing (I was thinking something along the lines of "Don't judge me! I know I look a little silly..."). I went to leave but as I got to the stairs he asked me a question I couldn't quite hear. So I went back to him and started talking to him. I found out quickly that not only was he smart hardworking and nice he also happened to be a running back for the University's football team. 

Not bad, not bad at all. :D He asked for my phone number and I pretended to hesitate to give him mine. Well I don't know if my hesitation was genuine or not but regardless I kind of surprised myself in this whole acting coy thing. But we exchanged numbers and later on that night he called me, we talked for awhile and I agreed to go out with him on Saturday night (I randomly had plans for tonight already). You can be sure that after I left him and went looking for that book I could not wipe the smile off of my face nor stop the blush from overtaking my cheeks.

I'm a little surprised in that experience. I'm not surprised in the fact that this type of thing didn't really happen to me before (let's be honest, I looked kind of manly and perhaps people questioned my sexuality preferences). But rather, I'm surprised that I haven't really changed that much so far and already I'm seeing people interacting with me differently. Granted, the type of guys that I am attracting right now probably aren't the type of guys I would want to settle down with but it is kind of nice to receive some type of feedback that I am changing my skin enough that I really will be having a different experience for this year.

P.s. Now I have to figure out what I'm going to wear tomorrow night...man, I sound like a girl! ... lol.