Screen Name: Lisa
Age/Age Range:23/24
Family Life: Engaged 4 years this August
Occupation: Americorps*VISTA, non-profit human services community work
Hobbies and Interests: getting my nails done & pedicures (which I never did until several months into this weightloss journey), ANIME (Japanese animation) & manga, reading, shopping (much more now that losing weight, I found it's more fun), being outdoors (in selected areas), looking at new fitness equipment, videos, toys, etc
Favorite Music: Almost anything 80's, country, J-pop, select russian/ukranian music, commerical jingles
Favorite Color(s): Indigo, lavender, dark green
Favorite Exercise/Workouts: TAE-BO!! (has to be Advanced), Pilates, Crunch Bootcamp. I reallllly want to return to weight lifting and cardio machines when I recover from my shin splint / knee injury (hopefully a month or so).
What are your fitness/health goals?
Appearance-wise: I want to return to my newly engaged weight (170lbs 4 years ago), but doing it in a healthy way this time. The interesting thing is that I am almost in my old clothes (I kept them ALL, haha!) - but I'm still a good 35+ pounds heavier now than I was then. I figure by the time I reach my old weight, I will really be a hardbody.
Ability-wise: I want to take up jogging/running when I am able, mountain biking, continue advanced kickboxing and eventually take up an extreme sport or two - probably rock climbing. I would like to be able to do some of these extreme things with the fiance, and have healthy fun (also not have to worry about having a heart attack while trying to do so!)
What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? Trying to picture my 265 pound flabby body in a wedding dress
, plus being generally unhappy, uncomfortable and overly self-conscious
What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? I have to be sure of my will power, and especially my desire and ability to move and do for myself. My sweetie is an excellent cook and loves to cook for me. He also likes to wait on me hand and foot and give massages ( I know, it's a hardship). I have a ridiculous sweet tooth, especially for home-made baked goods (my moms way of showing love).
If I make a strong commitment, I an stick to it. I've already lost 40 lbs, almost half of my goal. I would really like to be down to goal (165 lbs) by next June - so I can have this weight thing in hand before starting graduate school.
What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve?
1* Portion control - Admitting when I need to bust out the measuring cups (don't you hate getting things dirty just to measure?) when my portions creep back up.
2* Keep on JOURNALING - I just starting using FitDay free tracking software. My notebook at home includes daily foods (not amounts), exercise, vitamins and miscellaneous notes. I needed something just for weight related stuff. It helps keep my legal.
3* Finding moderation - that balance from working out too long/hard or not eating enough VS. not working out enough or eating too much. Sticking to my guns when someone tries to sway my actions - enough if it means be a pain in the keister.
(Evil motivation
) Who do you want to look better than?
:
My exercise-freak cousin (who I owe a big thanks, she's the MAJOR support along the way, with lots of tips and advice). She has a good 15+ year headstart on the fitnes thing though (but she's 12 years older - so maybe).
I want to look BETTER than I did 4 years ago, just as skinny (low body fat) with increased muscle tone and flexibility. I want to be able to bench press my honey (125 lbs).
What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size?
That little red sparkly dress that was my first "thin" outfit. Or maybe my least forgiving pair of pants - the REAL test of size.
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