Fat Kid Problems... Still in Effect

I really focused on losing weight summer time of 2013 and I've lost a total of 90lbs. Currently I've been up from my lowest and have gained 10-ish lbs (give or take a few). I have been working with a more weights so the up in numbers could be the development of muscles but I am still hating the look of my body. Even though people have been looking at me as inspiration or asking for tips on my weight loss journey, I'm still unsatisfied with my physical appearance. I can't help it when I look into the mirror I still see this fat person staring back at me. I always try to persuade people to believing that if you really want something you have to work hard for it and I've always believed in it myself but it's getting more and more difficult to. Yeah I've lost a good amount of weight but in my head it just doesn't seem good enough. I don't think I'll ever be okay with taking my shirt off in front of people so public pools and beaches for me are terrifying.

Don't get me wrong, I'll still continue to workout and watching what I eat. I'm starting to think I'm developing some kind of psychological thing on why I'm not completely happy with myself.

Running for Komen

This was written up a little late but I just wanted to make an entry that I did a run for Komen Race for the Cure on October 4, 2014. It was a very cold day but a few friends of mine got together and ran the 5k. I'm just happy after such a long break from working out and after my European Vacation I was able to make this run. I know 5k isn't really that far but I still think it's an accomplishment to be as fit as I am and to make the run possible, also it doesn't hurt that it's for a great cause too. 

If you're interested in Donating at all please go to the following link.

http://iowa.info-komen.org/site/TR/RacefortheCure/WAU_IowaAffiliate?px=19133945&pg=personal&fr_id=4545

Back from Hiatus

It's been so long (I feel) that I've wrote any kind of blog entry. I'll give you a quick run down of what's been going on. As you know I've been planning a whole Europe Trip with my friends and I just got back from that a week ago. It's seriously amazing and I didn't write too much about it yet, I'm planning on doing so here in the upcoming weeks. You will be able to check that out on my other blog that focus on Traveling (HERE - http://otistravels.wordpress.com)

I have been focusing a lot on being more active so I do plan on running a 5k this coming weekend for breast cancer. (More info http://www.komeniowa.org) It's a little hard after my long trip to get back into running but I'm trying. Because it was a vacation I let go of my diet and just went all out on eating and drinking whatever I want at the time. Now I'm back home though, I'm ready for the challenge.

It definitely really bites coming back from this travel life for 3 weeks and then having to go back to reality in my office/cubicle life. I have motivation though, got to work for that money to fit more travels in my life.

Love you all!

DAM to DAM Half Marathon - Checked Off!

Getting official gear from Dam to Dam

Holy crap! I did it! I ran a freaking half marathon this past Saturday and it feels so bad but definitely more good. I'm sitting at home right now Sunday afternoon and my whole lower body is aching.


The map of my run half marathon course

Bob's selfie before the run

I really do wish I had a better clocked time but perhaps next year if I decide to do it again I'll train better to keep my pace more consistent. I'm really just proud of myself that I was able to actually do this. Personally, this is such a great a great accomplishment for me. I've wrote about it quite a few times but just last year I was heavily overweight and was not active at all. I ate and drank a lot; definitely not the visual of a person you would think is capable of doing something as grand as running a half marathon. Suddenly last year mid summer 2013 I thought I need to completely change my life. I was sick of being fat so I changed it. I started eating better and exercising 6 days a week with the Insanity program and it really did change my life. As of today I probably lost 90lbs and I'm still working on achieving a better body. I cannot believe in the year I was able to change my whole life and be such a happier person now. I'm literally almost coming into happy tears right now as I'm typing and reflecting on this past year.

After the run Bob, me, and Jan Jan

I just want to let everyone know, if you're struggling with weight. You can't have someone tell you to do the work, you really have to want it and make this a main priority or you're never going to achieve your goal. Don't be me at one point thinking you'll never lose the weight and just stuff down whatever you want down your gullet. It's you and only you who is able to do the work and educate yourself about food and take the necessary steps to losing weight. When you do actually see the results yourself and have people tell you about the change, you'll definitely feel you're on top of the world. I am feeling that high right now and I feel like I can do just about anything. This was my biggest life's struggle and I was able to overcome it. Now I'm ready to knock out some more goals.

Love Life.

Follow Up on the 2 Weeks of Vegetarianism

I never really followed up on my 2 weeks of Vegetarianism. I have to say that it actually wasn't hard. I'm a person who eats vegetables anyway so just consuming more to make up for the meat wan't too bad. Here's a list of 10 things I've noticed..

1. It's true I did get hungry more often.
2. Hummus is still amazing.
3. Avocados are still amazing.
4. Cheese shouldn't be replacing meats.
5. Sweets like cake shouldn't be replacing meals.
6. Fake soy meats are still gross and can never get used to.
7. Falafel is still amazing.
8. Indian Curry is still amazing.
9. Nutella and Peanut Butter FTW
10. Thanksgiving was awesome!

Yes it was only 2 weeks so I wasn't depriving myself that long. I didn't really do this diet to lose weight per se. I did it for myself as to have self control and I think it did just that, it still helped me out to this day of what I consume.

Because I'm Happy!

I am loving this whole new lifestyle change of watching what I'm eating and exercising as much as I can. I have never been a really fit person, even when I didn't weight as much as I did in my earlier 20s, I was still never in shape. I would sometimes look at old pictures and I really never want to be like that again. I think about what I did to get to that level and I had no excuse, I was simply lazy and fat and didn't want to workout. The word motivation is used loosely and a lot of times using the "lack of motivation" for me is complete bullshit.

Motivation is the reason to do something and how do you not have a reason to move and exercise? Is it because you're busy watching TV and eating greasy fast food after what you call a "long day" at work? Motivation is to be healthy, to look physically good, to put some extra years in your life, to be a happier you. How does that not make you want to get up and change? I have to say when I thought "I wasn't motivated" was just me saying that I'm lazy. It's bad now that in the back of my mind I have this judging in my head seeing heavier people making wrong decisions with putting extra salt in their Mexican food (which already comes with tons of flavor and salt) or hear stories of couples fighting over food. I really do believe for me that if I can do it, anyone can. I was not a healthy person, I drank multiple times a week, ate the greasiest of food, a few liters of sodas a day, and cheese? YES PLEASE! 

It was hard to change my ways and some people may just take longer or perhaps never happen at all. I just wanted to be healthy and not want to live a life of having to rely on drugs to last through the day. I want to take control over my life.

Having the Winter Blues

I am having the winter blues right now. It's mid-January and the winter cold is just making it really difficult to get up in the morning and get ready for the day. All I'm wanting to do is just stay in my warm bed and do absolutely nothing. The only thing that's motivating me to get up for the day is that I need of money for my trip to Europe at the end of Summer. I really feel the worst part of winter is having to wake up a little earlier for the day to warm up the car or sometimes clearing off the snow on it.

Once Spring time hits I will try to make the most out of it. With all of my lifestyle changes recently of dieting and exercising I really want to take advantage of being outdoors and pushing my body a little more than it's used to. It's almost like getting a new toy and really want to take it outside to see all it can do.

Christmas! You Messed Up My Diet!

It's now after Christmas Day and I am officially off the vegetarian diet. It went pretty well I must say, I really did have cravings of a juicy rare steak and some fried chicken but I was able to handle myself and not cave in. The bad thing though coming out of being a vegetarian on Christmas Eve is that family gets together and we all eat. Feeling completed liberated with food, I thought I would have a moment of eating meats and my favorite dishes only my mother can make.

Could be all of the salt and water I'm holding in but I went on the scale today and have gained 5lbs. Oh my god! I totally relapse with food. I managed to keep control over food the past 2 weeks but it only takes 2 days to kick you off balance again. You can workout as much as you want but diet is everything for success. Definitely need to cut my portions these few weeks and work my ass off in Insanity and the treadmill.

Temporary Vegetarian

So I think it's time to do another quick goal. Starting today I will be vegetarian up through Christmas Eve. I know it's not a long time (2 weeks) but I really do love to eat meat so I'm sure I can't go that long without it. Obviously, I'm not doing this for political reasons since this is only temporary. As much as I'm all about trying to get fit, I may or may not lose weight during this diet but that is not the case I'm doing it. I think I'm doing it mainly for myself, I am totally building willpower and to have that control over yourself is kind of an accomplishment.

I have finished the whole 63 Insanity program so really for me to complete that with no skip days at all makes me feel like I can just about do anything. Also to set small goals for yourself is what I think everyone should do. You always feel that self achievement when you finish, even though some may not think of that way; it's your personal goal and you and only you did it for yourself.

Random Angry Dieting Thoughts

There are a lot of thoughts that comes through my mind. Currently since I'm in my whole healthy kick of dieting and exercising. Here are a few of them.

• Annoying when people are giving diet tips that are obviously not taking their own advice. I didn't ask for any help and I'm continuously losing weight and you are not... 

• When you think you found a workout partner but they end up actually come out very unmotivated and actually hurting your own progress.

• I feel almost paranoid that people are out there hoping you fail and get fat again so they don't feel obligated to lose the weight too.

• People come out looking at you thinking you're some inspiration and asking you for help but then you find out later that night they're eating a bucket of fried chicken and on their 10th cocktail.

• I hate having to buy new clothes because all your current clothes are too big for you but you're not at the goal you want to be so you're going to have to buy more later again. I'm poor!

• A little embarrassing when you're going through your Instagram feed someone looks over to see a real muscle-ly dude on your screen. Don't get it twisted, I follow some health people and sometimes they take douchey pictures.

• People would always try to push bad food your way and thinking that just a little wouldn't hurt. I know it really doesn't but don't play with my will power it's really not that strong. If I said NO to you the first time I most likely won't say it again the second time. 

• Oh, how did I do it? Diet and exercise. Who knew that it actually works right? 

List of 35 Before 35

I’ve started a list for myself of “35 Before 35” which is basically that, a list of 35 that I want to accomplish before turning 35. My list isn’t completed with 35 goals so I’m not going to post it to this entry but I really do think it’s a list that everyone around my age should do. We’re no longer young but not too old so this is the time of no excuses that if we want to do something, it’s NOW. So far most of my goals have been set on my health and travel. Definitely want to make traveling a high priority. I just want to see the world, experience culture, and eat everything in sight. I really want you to think of a list for your own. It definitely is self motivating and crossing out goals would just make it more self gratifying. Stay positive, that’s the only advice. Things may be a little farfetched but not everything on your list needs to be big goals. Also If you haven’t already please follow my other blog otistravels. I do plan on traveling quite a lot in the near future and it’s a blog strictly dedicated to that. I am trying to work on that blog much more than my personal blog here so if there are any suggestions to make it better let me know. ---------------------------------- http://otistravels.wordpress.com/

Workout Mode is Still Going Strong

Goodness, it's been so long that I've made an entry on here! I really don't know what to talk about. I've at my new position at work for a couple months now and I'm already kind of getting bored of it. I didn't realize there was so much data entry involved. I've still been on the whole workout thing with Insanity, which by the way I have completed all of 63 days of it.

So now work has this whole "Get Fit" thingy so of course I want to be part of that. I didn't even give myself a break from Insanity program at all. After my final fit test I've done on the last Sunday I just went ahead the next day did week one of Insanity again and still going at it. I'm going through the calendar again but skipping the Fit Test days and doing cardio abs after each pure cardio routine. I just feel like I should step up my game and I don't need to check my status of how I do on the fit test anymore... Well maybe I will think about it on my 3rd run. Also I'm going to skip one week of the first month so I can do a complete month 2 just in time before China. I'm really dedicated with trying to be a better person physically but I still can't diet all that well.

Yes I am counting calories using MyFitnessPal but there will be days where I would just say, "eff it, it's a special occasion" and would eat more than my allotted calories. It's definitely not all the calories, I would most of the time be under calorie but what I'm eating is just not good for your body. I consume a lot of sodium and bad fatty foods. I really cannot stop myself from going back to it, which I know if you're good at portion control you can still be okay but I'm not so great with that either. I have lost a little over 20lbs now and of course I do want to lose more so that's why I have continued the Insanity routine. Just thinking about skipping a day I would feel so damn lazy so I always force myself to do it. Even on my Sunday "Rest Days" I feel really lazy so there will be weekends that I would jump on the treadmill for a few minutes to get some kind of workout in. I really want to lose the weight I've gained in the past few years, going through what I've been through and actually paying attention to the scale have made me realize how bad I let myself go. I really want to continue this journey, hopefully I can be at a point where I'm comfortable to take off my shirt in public. I still feel very far away from that...

Insanity Workout

Before I say anything else, I want to say I'm not promoting this or anything. I've seen a lot of people out there become spokes person for Beachbody and it's workout videos and I just want to clear the air and say that I'm not one of those people.

You know you've seen those informercials late a night for Insanity with Shaun T and he would explain it's a difficult workout that changes your body that would normally take 1 year to just only 60 days. It's pretty intense workout that's based heavily on cardio and I was very intrigued. I went ahead and went to the beachbody website and made my own purchase of Insanity. I will be starting this on Monday July 8, 2013 and what I did was watch the very last day's video. It really is fucking intense and I am a little scared of what I am getting myself into. I know I shouldn't expect to be doing what they're all doing on day 1 but it does make me nervous a little. After watching the whole hour long session of that workout, I think I should really look at it to what I should strive to work for. To really make myself into a better person physically. I really hope I can keep dieting throughout this 60 days and keep up with most of the workout.

I am not overly obese (in my opinion) but in the informercials and stuff I see for it, the people are not really big. Maybe a little bulge here and there but they're in a condition they can do a little bit more work and burn that off. I do have more than the people on TV but maybe that's because it is TV and they need better looking people to sell their products. I was a little hesitant about it but after doing some research and reading up on some message boards there are people like me or even bigger who have started this workout and are struggling but are keeping at it. I am serious about losing weight and striving for a better body so I will continue on this journey for a better self.

Day One in a few days! Wish me all luck!

I'm FAT - Jawbone UP and Myfitnesspal

I am fat. I am sick of it and so I decided to change it. I am currently dieting and working out and trying to be more active. Of course being the techie person that I am, I'm using some Apps that will help me along the way. Currently I am using myfitnesspal and also the Jawbone Up. I've had the Jawbone up before but with the fail product they released before I wasn't able to take advantage of it before. I do now have the updated product and it seems to be working pretty well for me.

If you're not familiar with the Jawbone UP. It's pretty much a fancy pedometer that also monitors your sleep and food intake which all syncs with your mobile device. The app i'm using is myfitnesspal and it's a pretty handy tool. It's basically a calorie counter but in order for it to work for you, you need to constantly input your data of everything you consume so it can tell you what and how much you should eat. What's great about these 2 things are that both apps talks to each other so all the workout and calories burned on Jawbone up reflects of how many calorie intake I can have that day on myfitnesspal. I've only been using these products for about almost a month and currently I've lost 6 lbs. Of course I would love to lose weight faster but I just have to keep it consistent. 

I know losing weight is hard to do but you have to keep at it. 

Just a quick snap on my webcam of the Jawbone Up

Master Cleansing

So I haven't let everyone around me know, but I have started the Master Cleanse. I'm not sure if you know what that is but basically it's a fast. You drink a lemon mixture with maple syrup and cayenne pepper for 10 days also going through a sea salt water flush in the mornings.

I'm doing it mostly to clean out my system, being how horrible I eat I wanted to start over on everything. Also losing some weight is just another perk of it as well. I am overweight and love food so this will be difficult for me but I'm determined to get through this. I do need to work on more self control as I have issues with spending money and eating so this will prove to me that I do actually have some will power.

Currently it's near the end of day 2 and I am okay. I'm not starving hungry right now but believe me, I can eat. A juicy steak, fried chicken, mashed potatoes... oh my god I'm just thinking about it now, maybe I'll make an other mixture in a little bit. Oh and by the way Instagram is not a place to go if you're fasting. People posting all of their meals just makes it more difficult.

Posted with Blogsy

So, Apparently I Need To Lose Weight...

I know I've gained weight, no one really had to say anything. I can tell when I look at myself in the mirror and every morning when i put my clothes on for work. I know a lot of people would say that they can't really see it or whatever but looking back at some of my pictures and videos I recorded in the last couple years, it's visible. I think it maybe just work and lack of sleep I don't know what it is that make me just go on a food binge after work. Work has been putting so much weight on my shoulders and it's not the work or the people there, it's upper management. They're just making us do some ridiculous things and making everybody just hate working there. I remember back a couple years that job use to be fun to go to I was happy going to work but now with all the changes they have implemented it's just not great.

I guess the reason why I'm writing this entry is because on Friday at work, a co-worker just was walking by and bluntly said "Otis you need to start losing weight." I have to say it completely threw me off, I know he wasn't trying to hurt me or anything but DAMN how could anyone just go around telling people that? I guess it's almost a reality check for me, I would use to like buying clothes but I haven't bought any new clothes because in my head it was like I was admitting and accepting that i have gained weight. (Sad... I know...) Well, I'm going to try to change my diet and start doing more physical activities. Maybe I'll do more outdoor activities once it gets to Spring... I don't know.