Week 8: Fogo

Life is getting hectic again, and things are beginning to pile up. Just a quick update this week (I know I missed last week).

I went to Trader Joe's finally and did some grocery shopping. What I liked was that they sold a bunch of complete meals for relatively cheap; what I don't like is how bad some of those meals are (a Penne Arrabbiata and Pad Thai meal was not what I desired). But, they are affordable and there are many more options to try, so I will definitely be returning there for most of my groceries. It will be a Whole Foods trip for produce, and a Trader Joe's trip for everything else.

I slap myself on the wrist because I still haven't even attempted jogging. I have thought about it, but then snow falls and I get lazy. I'm not going to set a goal to do it by next week because I need to stop disappointing myself.

Friday I really broke the diet though by going to Fogo de Chao for a friend's birthday. Basically it's an all-you-can-eat buffet, but with really good steaks delivered straight to your table. I indulged on so much meat that night that I hardly had anything to eat the following Saturday (which was a poor choice when I had to go to work for six hours).

Mario and I have not talked lately, but I will rectify it. I'm sending him a text now. In evaluating things so far, it hasn't really worked, and it is all my fault (for what I haven't accomplished).

Tomorrow: I'm buying a scale. I need to just do it. Having that there, taking weekly weight measurements, will motivate me to start shedding the pounds even more. I also need to talk to Mario again and really get motivated for doing the right thing.

The MyPyramid plan website is somewhere I haven't gone since last month, so maybe its time I spent another week monitoring everything I eat. That would also be a good idea. I'l start tomorrow.

Alright, that wasn't a quick update. I lied. SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!

Week 6: Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Hi all,

So my running plans got a wrench thrown in them. I was going to go out and do it today, but lo and behold, it begins snowing like a motherfucker. So unfortunately, I can't go out running for a little bit until the snow stops coming and the roads get cleared up. It just isn't practical.

I stayed relatively free of bad stuff this week. I had a delicious homemade chicken salad last night, though I also had a beer because my more obese roommate is trying to lose weight and was about to drink one. I took the bullet for him (in otherwords, just straight up took it so he didn't undo the work out he at least did).

And Super Bowl Sunday say me being about as unhealthy as I've been this year. At my restaurant, Buca di Beppo, it was our Christmas Party (Buca likes to hold this event on the Super Bowl), and there was an array of meats, potatoes, and all sorts of crap. I ate until I felt like I was going to burst, and then ate some more. Then after work I caught the last half of the Super Bowl and about 10 beers. So Sunday, to say the least, was counter productive.

So here's my new goal: no more alcohol, soda, or anything for at least the rest of the month. They are useless calories that I do not need. Also, once this snow settles (which isn't going to be until sometime tomorrow) I will go for my run. Goal for the weekend: 30-minute jog along the lake.

If I fail either of these goals, I will force myself to sit outside in the cold for 15 minutes to think about what I did.

Week 6!!!

Weight?

Well, it seems I have fallen behind once again in my journey to salvation. I am still doing very well on the other hand. No major weight loss, but I am eating my share of veggies/fruits. Last week was a very bad week for me. School was stressing me out and I got really behind in everything. I am still pretty behind.

It sucks. It really truly does. Losing weight is hard!!!

My leg was really messed up last week. For some reason I got into an accident and my leg was super sore the entire week. I found myself eating alot more of the same shit as always. But, the good news was this week I am off to a good start. I took a day off... I am not super ahead of the game, but I am doing pretty well in terms of school ( still behind).

I have been drinking alot of water laelty which is not a bad thing, I have been focusing alot on that. Water drinking that is. For dinner I think I am going to have rice and some sort of sauce on that rice... I need to limit the amount of plates I have. Being in a dining hall is rough, because of the amount of food they serve! SO WATCH OUT FOR THAT MARIO!!!!

Goals for this week: More fruit less shit....hahaha Pretty much my motto for this week. ALSO SAY AHEAD OF THE GAME!!!! :)

Wish me luck. I also need to call jordan, I miss his handsome voice.

Week 5: The Alcohol Syndrome

Hello all. I know it has been two weeks since my last official update, so I will try to explain all that has happened, where I am at now, and what needs to be done.

Two weeks ago I headed back to the Windy City to return to schooling. Sadly, something happened on my plane ride over: I broke my soda ban. I have an ingrained habit of ordering a Ginger Ale while on a plane (the only time I like the stuff), and did it without thinking and was drinking it before I realized what I had done. I didn't take this reflex as an automatic sign of failure, and have continued resisting the urge to drink soda, which has proven fairly easy now.

Still, three sodas in one month is a good start, and nothing to scoff at. True to my goal, I went and shopped at Whole Foods and was astounded that my bill was nearly $80 for supplies that barely got me through one week. There is a Trader Joe's nearby, but I seem to be too lazy to traipse down there and get stuff because I don't want groceries on a bus...it's kind of weird. However, I'm going to have to suck it up.

Then, on Sunday, January 24th, I turned 21, which opened up the gates of alcohol to me. I went to a bar, and had a few drinks (a Jack & Coke among them, which again breached my soda vow), and got somewhat drunk. Over the next week, I had alcohol in some shape or form nearly every night, which finally culminated in this past Sunday, when I drank tons of Gin and got really, really drunk. Awaking February 1st with severe nausea, I have now decided that my alcohol intake is over, for now. It doesn't contain an excess of sugar like soda does (unless you are having sweet mixed drinks), but it is an unnecessary source of calories, and does not help me towards a healthier lifestyle. I will limit my alcohol intake to the maximum of once a week, minimum not at all.

I also returned to work at Buca di Beppo, where I host and hopefully will soon serve. This was definitely a nice step in the right direction as the job keeps me on my feet for hours on end, and relatively active for portions of the shift. No, I don't break a sweat unless it gets really busy (which it didn't), but it is still a nice step forward to working out more.

My roommate also recently joined a gym in order to lose weight as well. I have considered joining up with him, but at the rate of $50 a month (plus initiation fees), it's not something I feel I necessarily can afford right now. Yes, I can ask my parents, but I don't want to run to them for EVERYTHING we do.

Besides my excessive alcohol intake, I've been keeping relatively healthy, eating a balance of fruits and vegetables, a salad here and some carrots there. I have lapsed a time or two, including when excursion for fried chicken, and these moments of weakness are only human, but need to stop if I am to lose weight in a healthy manner.

I guess my next goal: working out! How? I think I need to jog this week. That's right: jogging. It's free, and is an easy way to begin to burn calories I intake. There are also a few work-outs that can be done at home that I will start trying. My goal as of the next posting will be to have jogged once, at least. Baby steps. How far, I cannot say. I cannot go the distance and would be surprised if I lasted past 10 minutes, but this is Chicago and everything is flat, so I don't have to worry about hills.

Until next week!