Current Weight: 231.3lbs (-29lbs)
So it has been some time since I last wrote and that is mainly because I have been on break from work and not much has come to mind relating to Student Affairs. I was able to lose some weight while I was home and I tried out a new type of spin class. I really enjoyed having the bike lean with you as you work out. I definitely felt the burn in areas I wasn't sure existed.
It is now 2013 and for many that means resolutions. I made sure that this year my resolution did not have anything to do with weight loss. For me resolutions have never worked out and here I am three months in and I am very happy with my progress. So for now I will keep up what I am doing and continue to work out and eat right. I have slowly removed meat from my house which is interesting. I still eat meat/fish when I am out but for now I am trying to keep a meatless kitchen. Will it last? I am not sure yet but for now I am okay with it.
Sorry for the boring entry but like I said...I am on vacation. So Happy New Year friends and for those wondering my resolution this year is to worry less ;)
Till next time...
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Sunday, December 9, 2012
The Utility Belt
Current Weight: 237.8lbs (-22.2lbs)
I thought I would chat today about the utility belt I have created that has lead to my success thus far in this weight loss journey. I am a firm believer in the statement "It takes a village"...so here are what the tools I keep in my belt.
My Fitness Pal: This FREE application for the iPhone and Android allows you to track your daily food intake by calories, carbs, and all that fun stuff. Daily when you complete your journey the application projects your weight in five weeks (how's that for motivation). This app has a built in community of others losing weight and the motivation from them is fabulous. This application is a MUST have. If the app doesn't have what you are snacking on...no problem it has a built in scanner that pulls the nutrition facts from the barcode.
Healthy Pantry: It was hard at first but going through your fridge and cabinets is a must do. By removing temptation you are setting yourself up for success.
Group Fitness Class: Undoubtedly across Student Affairs professionals on any campus there is a group of motivated colleagues so get them together and set up some classes with your on campus gym. The group I put together is a Spin Class that meets once a week and is just administrators on campus. Honestly, the best hour of my week. Reach out and make connections...support systems are a must!!
Hungry-girl.com: This website is my savior. Lisa Lillian AKA Hungry Girl takes everyday foods and makes them in healthier ways without sacrificing flavor. Some of her staples have become regulars and her Super Market Guide has reshaped how I food shop. She sends out a daily e-mail which identifies recipes low calorie finds and eating out survival guides. I highly recommend you check this out following reading this sentence!!!
So there ya have it! Those have been the tools to my success. I have reached my first goal of 20lbs down and I will be using these and more to get to my final goal of 60lbs. What's on your utility belt?
-RC
I thought I would chat today about the utility belt I have created that has lead to my success thus far in this weight loss journey. I am a firm believer in the statement "It takes a village"...so here are what the tools I keep in my belt.
My Fitness Pal: This FREE application for the iPhone and Android allows you to track your daily food intake by calories, carbs, and all that fun stuff. Daily when you complete your journey the application projects your weight in five weeks (how's that for motivation). This app has a built in community of others losing weight and the motivation from them is fabulous. This application is a MUST have. If the app doesn't have what you are snacking on...no problem it has a built in scanner that pulls the nutrition facts from the barcode.
Healthy Pantry: It was hard at first but going through your fridge and cabinets is a must do. By removing temptation you are setting yourself up for success.
Group Fitness Class: Undoubtedly across Student Affairs professionals on any campus there is a group of motivated colleagues so get them together and set up some classes with your on campus gym. The group I put together is a Spin Class that meets once a week and is just administrators on campus. Honestly, the best hour of my week. Reach out and make connections...support systems are a must!!
Hungry-girl.com: This website is my savior. Lisa Lillian AKA Hungry Girl takes everyday foods and makes them in healthier ways without sacrificing flavor. Some of her staples have become regulars and her Super Market Guide has reshaped how I food shop. She sends out a daily e-mail which identifies recipes low calorie finds and eating out survival guides. I highly recommend you check this out following reading this sentence!!!
So there ya have it! Those have been the tools to my success. I have reached my first goal of 20lbs down and I will be using these and more to get to my final goal of 60lbs. What's on your utility belt?
-RC
Sunday, November 25, 2012
On The Edge Of Glory...
Weight: 244lbs (-16lbs)
So the day I knew would happen has occurred...my first plateau. I have been mentally preparing for this day since I first lost 4lbs but I wasn't expecting to take it so hard. This week had been one of my best food intake wise and exercise was pretty consistant with past weeks. This week I even upped my veggie meals by almost double.
So when I looked at the scale this morning all your typical thoughts came across my mind...why am I doing this...I was soo good this week...blah blah. I then took to google and read about 30 articles on plateauing and how to break that...dramatic I know.
So my final answer to this problem...I picked myself up...went to the gym and added on 10 extra minutes to my routine. I will be continuing to eat how I have been and allow my body to catch up with my new attitude on life. I will not let this plateau slow me down...if anything I will use it to motivate me to work harder.
So the day I knew would happen has occurred...my first plateau. I have been mentally preparing for this day since I first lost 4lbs but I wasn't expecting to take it so hard. This week had been one of my best food intake wise and exercise was pretty consistant with past weeks. This week I even upped my veggie meals by almost double.
So when I looked at the scale this morning all your typical thoughts came across my mind...why am I doing this...I was soo good this week...blah blah. I then took to google and read about 30 articles on plateauing and how to break that...dramatic I know.
So my final answer to this problem...I picked myself up...went to the gym and added on 10 extra minutes to my routine. I will be continuing to eat how I have been and allow my body to catch up with my new attitude on life. I will not let this plateau slow me down...if anything I will use it to motivate me to work harder.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
16 lbs update
Current Weight: 244lbs (-16lbs)
So last week I messed up and forgot to post on Sunday. So I will do my best to keep on my schedule of weighing in and then blogging. Anyway, 16lbs are officially off of me. When I put that into perspective that is four of my puppy Scout...insane.
Not sure if many lessons were learned this week regarding a connection to my career. I did learn to buy healthy snacks for my office as opposed to keeping candy in my jar. The snacks disappeared at a slower rate then usual but it's nice to be consistent in my new life style.
I have been adding in Just Dance 4 for the Wii into my work out routine. It's perfect for that day or two you just don't want to go to the gym. I also like it when I am just have some down time.
Went to a squash cooking class this week at the DeLand hospital - learned some new things and I just bought a spaghetti squash and will attempt to make that at some point this week. Looking forward to it perhaps being a good substitute for pasta - my grandmother would kill me if she knew.
Anyway till next time...
So last week I messed up and forgot to post on Sunday. So I will do my best to keep on my schedule of weighing in and then blogging. Anyway, 16lbs are officially off of me. When I put that into perspective that is four of my puppy Scout...insane.
Not sure if many lessons were learned this week regarding a connection to my career. I did learn to buy healthy snacks for my office as opposed to keeping candy in my jar. The snacks disappeared at a slower rate then usual but it's nice to be consistent in my new life style.
I have been adding in Just Dance 4 for the Wii into my work out routine. It's perfect for that day or two you just don't want to go to the gym. I also like it when I am just have some down time.
Went to a squash cooking class this week at the DeLand hospital - learned some new things and I just bought a spaghetti squash and will attempt to make that at some point this week. Looking forward to it perhaps being a good substitute for pasta - my grandmother would kill me if she knew.
Anyway till next time...
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Homecoming & Weight Loss
Weight: 150 lbs (-10 lbs)
The first big moment has happened. I have lost 10 lbs and during the week of homecoming! I couldn't be happier. As I reflect on how Homecoming played a part in this I think I came up with some great advice for others in the field.
Homecoming is going to require some late nights which means that pro-staff bonding usually occurs following and will most likely include some food. Well my team decided to hit up iHOP at 1:00am and for me I was able to find the best meal possible there. By using egg substitute and turkey bacon I made a better choice. Most iHOP meals seem to be +1000 calories but mine was 400. Okay in my book.
Well the next day was the football game and food truck bazar. Yes, food trucks. I decided that the best way to tackle these trucks would be to make it a vegetarian afternoon. I enjoyed some new types of food and was able to stay away from too many calories from trucks that it would be hard to guess at.
Another way I was able to be proactive during such a busy time in our field was volunteer job choice. I made sure that the position I had involved walking. When I was at spots that I had to stand I walked around or sat in roman chair in order to increase my activity.
I hope some of this advice helps you when big event weekends occur on campus. Looking forward to continuing solving the heavy issues in student affairs.
Until next time..
The first big moment has happened. I have lost 10 lbs and during the week of homecoming! I couldn't be happier. As I reflect on how Homecoming played a part in this I think I came up with some great advice for others in the field.
Homecoming is going to require some late nights which means that pro-staff bonding usually occurs following and will most likely include some food. Well my team decided to hit up iHOP at 1:00am and for me I was able to find the best meal possible there. By using egg substitute and turkey bacon I made a better choice. Most iHOP meals seem to be +1000 calories but mine was 400. Okay in my book.
Well the next day was the football game and food truck bazar. Yes, food trucks. I decided that the best way to tackle these trucks would be to make it a vegetarian afternoon. I enjoyed some new types of food and was able to stay away from too many calories from trucks that it would be hard to guess at.
Another way I was able to be proactive during such a busy time in our field was volunteer job choice. I made sure that the position I had involved walking. When I was at spots that I had to stand I walked around or sat in roman chair in order to increase my activity.
I hope some of this advice helps you when big event weekends occur on campus. Looking forward to continuing solving the heavy issues in student affairs.
Until next time..
Sunday, October 28, 2012
a change would do you good
Weight: 255lbs (-5lbs)
Well weigh in went very well and I am ecstatic with having lost 5lbs in two weeks. I thought that since this update is so close to my last that I would use this post to explain a bit more into who I am as I did not do that in the beginning. So here we go...a bit into who I am.
I am 24 years old from Long Island, New York. I grew up on the water and have always enjoyed that fact about my life. I have worked in the food industry since I was 14ish. I worked my way up from a bus boy to a food runner to a host to a waiter to a bar tender. I managed in and out of different restaurants bars and have always enjoyed being in that field. I graduated from Iona College with a bachelors in elementary education. At Iona is where I developed my passion for student affairs. I worked in admissions, residential life, orientation and was involved in the activities board and a fraternity. By being involved I met many wonderful mentors who led me to this career.
From there I moved to Indiana, P.A. where I worked in Residential Life as an Assistant Residence Director and I spent time working in Service Learning and I spent a summer at Washington and Jefferson College working in Conferences and Events. I earned a Masters in my two years at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Student Affairs in Higher Education.
Now as far as how all this connects to my weight - well it's quite simple. I kept making excuses that I would have time after college...after grad school...well guess what there are no more excuses I can make. I now have all that time I have spent the last 20+ years in school that I can now redirect towards myself and building myself into the person I want to be physically. After all I put plenty of time getting myself where I wanted to be professionally and education wise.
Till next time..
Well weigh in went very well and I am ecstatic with having lost 5lbs in two weeks. I thought that since this update is so close to my last that I would use this post to explain a bit more into who I am as I did not do that in the beginning. So here we go...a bit into who I am.
(buying noodles for RA training)
I am 24 years old from Long Island, New York. I grew up on the water and have always enjoyed that fact about my life. I have worked in the food industry since I was 14ish. I worked my way up from a bus boy to a food runner to a host to a waiter to a bar tender. I managed in and out of different restaurants bars and have always enjoyed being in that field. I graduated from Iona College with a bachelors in elementary education. At Iona is where I developed my passion for student affairs. I worked in admissions, residential life, orientation and was involved in the activities board and a fraternity. By being involved I met many wonderful mentors who led me to this career.
From there I moved to Indiana, P.A. where I worked in Residential Life as an Assistant Residence Director and I spent time working in Service Learning and I spent a summer at Washington and Jefferson College working in Conferences and Events. I earned a Masters in my two years at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Student Affairs in Higher Education.
Now as far as how all this connects to my weight - well it's quite simple. I kept making excuses that I would have time after college...after grad school...well guess what there are no more excuses I can make. I now have all that time I have spent the last 20+ years in school that I can now redirect towards myself and building myself into the person I want to be physically. After all I put plenty of time getting myself where I wanted to be professionally and education wise.
Till next time..
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Weight: 257lbs (-3lbs)
Today marked six days in a row at the gym. I have been doing cardio for 30 minutes a day and sweating a good 25 of those minutes. I have been pretty happy with the work I have been putting in. Being a Residential Life Coordinator (RLC) makes my job hours all over the place. What I have found to work best is to put into my calendar (and my coworker/co-gym-goer) and to go immediately after work. By scheduling it in I have found that it is harder to put off.
I was able to have a cool adventure today . Barbara (my co-gym-goer) and I worked out and then headed to Orlandos Veg Fest. Although I am not a vegetarian it was really exciting to learn about the culture and try the food. I got to try many things (meatballs, hot dogs, mac and cheese) all very satisfying. You really could not tell it wasn't the real thing (minus the mac and cheese, nothing can replace that). I was happy to experience a different world and see the animal rights side of healthy eating. I truly wish I had the will power to commit to a life like that but that sounds like a different blog for a different day.
Lastly - I made a step in the weight loss direction - I purchased my own scale. Now what stinks is it weighed me in higher than the last one but I am waiting for official weigh in tomorrow to determine if its all that vegan food or not. I am telling myself that the scale needs time to adjust mainly because I have worked to hard to have gained weight.
Till next time and heres hoping that tomorrows weigh in goes well!
Today marked six days in a row at the gym. I have been doing cardio for 30 minutes a day and sweating a good 25 of those minutes. I have been pretty happy with the work I have been putting in. Being a Residential Life Coordinator (RLC) makes my job hours all over the place. What I have found to work best is to put into my calendar (and my coworker/co-gym-goer) and to go immediately after work. By scheduling it in I have found that it is harder to put off.
I was able to have a cool adventure today . Barbara (my co-gym-goer) and I worked out and then headed to Orlandos Veg Fest. Although I am not a vegetarian it was really exciting to learn about the culture and try the food. I got to try many things (meatballs, hot dogs, mac and cheese) all very satisfying. You really could not tell it wasn't the real thing (minus the mac and cheese, nothing can replace that). I was happy to experience a different world and see the animal rights side of healthy eating. I truly wish I had the will power to commit to a life like that but that sounds like a different blog for a different day.
Lastly - I made a step in the weight loss direction - I purchased my own scale. Now what stinks is it weighed me in higher than the last one but I am waiting for official weigh in tomorrow to determine if its all that vegan food or not. I am telling myself that the scale needs time to adjust mainly because I have worked to hard to have gained weight.
Till next time and heres hoping that tomorrows weigh in goes well!
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