Five Four - October Package

A year ago I fell into this website Five Four. It's a subscription club for $60 a month you get clothes delivered to you monthly worth up to $120.00. I don't know why I didn't make more entries like this but I like to just tell you what's I got in this month's package.

1. Jacket - $88.00
2. Scarf - $25.00
3. Socks - $12.00

If you're interested in starting up your own membership use this link.

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

Stick It Out! WRITE

I don't know what to expect in my new travel blog I created using wordpress. It would be a dream to be able to live off of writing but I know it's pretty far fetch especially with how many travel blogs there are out there already. I need to be more strict about writing and perhaps start a schedule. I used writing as a way of therapy but I do really enjoy it so if I could somehow move to a career in the writing world, I think I would actually find something I'm happy with. I think in the next few months I will work on my craft, find out what other people are doing and stick to schedule.

If you haven't yet, please visit my Travel Blog (otistravels)

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!

Driving is a Privilege

I never really thought how useless I would feel without a car. Des Moines isn't a big city so going without a car is pretty difficult. Since it's been raining like no other, it just makes it feel even more difficult. It's so easier when you can just get up and go do things yourself and run errands. Having to ask for rides is awkward because you don't know if they're already busy with something and you don't want to inconvenience. I feel you have friends and family who will say that they would be happy to help you out when you need but I would sometimes call bullshit that they're just saying that to be nice. (This really could just be me thinking the worse.)

When I do get my car back, I'll definitely will be taken advantage of it. I want to do like a solo weekend trip or something perhaps. Something to get away also just to know that I can.

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.

Google Glass

I've always thought Google Glass is a little too much and too weird to use in today's world. Maybe sometime down the future I can see it being more useful but right now it's kind of awkward. I must say though, Google totally got me with this commercial or whatever this is called. Watch and tell me they did not get to you. If you can then you don't have a heart.

Otis, It's Now 2014.

I think it's time to change the whole layout for this blog. I don't know what I'll do, something simple and lighter. I am also not digging the banner I created way back with very lack of photoshop skills. I'm most likely going to use one of the default blogger templates. I really want something more brighter and welcoming than this darker feeling. I do feel I've changed since first creating this blog and perhaps I'm more of a happier person now than I was 8 years ago... Wow I cannot believe I stayed dedicated to this blog since 2005. Yes, I'm aware there have been huge gaps but I still come back to it... We'll see what comes. Stay tuned.

Fun Photo Shoot Day

I like to do these random photo shoots with my cousin and this past Saturday, that's what we did. Here are some pictures we took. Pictures were taken at Walnut Woods State Park and Valley Junction in Des Moines, IA.

Just Any Other Day

Work has been difficult to go through the week. I could really take some time off but that isn’t an option at the moment since I am using up all of my vacation time for my upcoming trip to Europe at the end of August. I really try to stay interested and keep busy but it’s been so difficult to come in doing the same thing everyday just trying to stick it out for the weekend. I am really itching to do something, anything. Maybe a weekend trip or something to keep me sane. The bad thing is that I don’t have anyone even interested in that also I’m still thinking about how I have to save for this huge trip.

When I’m not at work all I’m doing is just browsing the internet about Europe just counting down the days til I’m there (100 Days today!)

I don’t know what else to talk about today so I’ll talk to you later.

Preparing For a Half Marathon

 

I am doing a half marathon here in Des Moines called the "Dam to Dam." I have never did a run in my life so I'm really scared of how this will turn out. I really think I should have started with just a 5k but my friends were wanting to go all out and do the 20k instead so that's what I signed up for. I do run for exercise but I have never ran anything more than 5 miles and 20k in miles is 13.1.

I know there are training schedules people go by to prepare themselves for a run and honestly... I have not done much of anything. Just when I have time, I would run on the treadmill for a while or if it's a nice day I'll go out. I don't think I really pushed myself I just go for as long as I can and then I'm done. I still haven't broke that 5 mile mark yet either and run is the end of this month.

I will be trying to run from now to the day of the run every other day. I don't want to be completely sore or out of it so I think I will need rest days. I'm completely nervous about this run. I just hope I can complete it at a good time.

Have you done any kind of major run? I would really like to know how you did.

My Weightloss Secret Revealed

Seems like a lot of people are now coming to me asking me what my secret is on losing weight. To that question I like to be smart ass and tell them it's this new thing called "diet and exercise." Yeah I do give a lot of credit to the workout video Insanity but in all honesty that's just my choice of workout. Anything that you do to exercise is your own prerogative as long as you keep at it with the appropriate diet. Definitely go out there and Google yourself to learn more about food of what's good for you and what kind of fats you should or should not be consuming and study what sodium does to your body. I have never read a Nutrition Fact on anything until I was really dedicated about losing weight. It's just that no one wants to do the work and they're all looking for shortcuts but for me old fashion diet and exercise is what works for me.

Side gripe: I have people on my Facebook would go through some kind of surgical procedure to lose weight. Then they would post before and after picture of themselves. It's very irritating seeing those pictures and people congratulating them on their 'progress' when they did not even do 1% of what I have done.

Kinda Bummed

I have a lot of things on my mind lately but I really can't narrow down what I wanted to write about today in this entry. I also don't want to over share of my personal life too. How is everything? I've been better, I got into some kind of bind that I will not share but let's say that it will be costing me. Work has been a little tougher recently with all of the clean up job that we had to do before we got this account. Fitness wise, I've been a little slacking. For some reason I keep getting this pain in my foot when I do a lot of running so something isn't right in my foot. I'm supposed to be running a half marathon and something like this will obviously not help in that. I really should maybe get it looked out but the doctor bill on top of my other issue is way too much as it is.

The only thing that's keeping me motivated though is my up and coming trip to Europe at the end of August. I swear if something goes badly with that or somehow that falls through in the next 4 months I will probably need to seek a therapist. 

This is not a very positive entry but it's the truth. I just hope things start looking up from here.

Comfort Food

I'm sitting here and thinking about one thing, Pho. I quite often have these cravings and only a few times I would satisfy them. Luckily there are a few restaurants out there in Des Moines that serve the dish. What? You don't know what pho is? It's a noodle dish that originated from Vietnam. There's different variations of pho when it comes to meats but the traditional beef is what I always go for.

For me, Pho is my comfort food. I would remember my mom making it on special weekends and that smell and the slurping sounds of the noodles and broth would just always make me feel better. I might have to get a friend to go get some with me tonight. I am sitting getting myself even more hungrier.

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.

Gay Rights... The Movement

I know there's this whole debate on equal marriage but whether you're for or against it. You have to admit that it's a pretty cool fight. Of course I'm for it. How would it affect me in any way other than more people in this country are happy? First off, I really want to say how I'm not really a fan of calling it "Gay Marriage," I mean you don't say a straight marriage or a bi-racial marriage so why would we have to add another label on something? I really did love what Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Queen Latifah, and Madonna did this year at the Grammys. I kind of wish I was watching it alone so I wouldn't have to be embarrassed of my watering eyes.

Living in Iowa, we were one of the first states to allow "Gay Marriage" so I've been proud to be among one of those states and every time I see in the news that there's another state to allow it just makes me full of joy. The reason why I think this whole topic is amazing is that I'm able to witness and experience this whole movement in my lifetime. There's been many human rights movements in our history of segregation of Black Americans and women's right to vote just to name some. I just know that this won't be an issue a few years from now but I love that I'm here to see it all roll out for a better and free America.

Completed My 35 Before 35 List

So I have completed my list of 35 Before 35 and created a separate page on this blog. Click on the links under the banner or go to the following link below.

http://okhounlo.blogspot.com/p/35-before-35.html

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.

Turning 30 and No Partying

I've decided that even though it's supposedly a big milestone me becoming 30 this year, I'm not doing anything special for my birthday. Everyone that knows me, knows that I like to spend money and if I really want to be serious about this Europe trip in late summer I need to stay focus and aim for my goal. My job right now only gives me 2 weeks of vacation but I'm planing on spending 3 weeks over in Europe. Soon I will have to talk to my boss in regards to that if I would be able to keep my job when I come back and to be honest Europe is way more important to me than this job and if it really does come down to choosing between this job or Europe. I would pick Europe. My personality doesn't look to trying to climb the "corporate ladder" to succeed but to really go out, explore and experience. I just have a bad shopping habit that always holds me back from doing more of it. No more excuses.