Moving to WordPress

Hi everyone,

I am moving to WordPress. Find me there https://solotis.wordpress.com

I'm keeping this here until I'm comfortable with the whole transition.

Thank you,
Otis Khounlo

Five Minute Blog Entry

What can I say right now? I’m trying so much to try to save money that my weight loss and exercising has taken a backseat. I really want it all but it seems I can only focus on one thing and make it a priority… I guess it also doesn’t help that I’ve been getting pain in my foot again. I try to pride myself in still looking relatively young but I think I’m feeling my age with all the hiccups I come across. 

I’m really scared of possibly taking this European trip myself next year, I know I’ll be in a group tour that markets towards young solo travelers so I’m sure I wouldn’t be the only person who’s completely by themselves. Just reading people’s blogs and experiences though, I’m also a little nervous of being too old as well… I can drink like the rest of them but maturity level is also a thing and I don’t want a huge high school kind of experience either. 

It is getting a little late asking others right now to come on this trip with me, I had a friend who was really into it but being just let go of her job and wanting to go back to school it was very unlikely she would be able to save for it. I don’t think she reads this blog but I do always think she tries to take on way more than she can do which typically ends with let downs. There are just no small steps; you have to pace yourself when you want to get to that bigger goal you want. This was just a stream of consciousness entry and just putting down what I’m feeling at the moment.

Let It Go

People who holds grudges annoy the crap out of me. Why hold on to something for so long that overall doesn't affect how you live your life? I look at this way, for whatever the thing you're upset about would it still have any weight in a year? If not brush it off and move forward. 

This is something that has been bothering me lately. Get over it. 

Hate Handles

Not too long ago I took a picture with someone and they had my hand on my side. Then he mentioned my love handles... Let's just say it ruined my entire mood for the night even though I wasn't showing it in my face. I have lost a lot of weight, I'm aware of that but I'm still very much insecure about my body. I do brush off the compliments I get when people say I look great and congratulate me on my accomplishment but there's always moments like this one where I'm back to feeling down about myself. The acknowledgement of a known issue I was already aware of. 

I don't think I'll ever be completely happy with my body. It's the fat kid mentality that will carry on with me for probably the rest of my life. 

And please, I am not out here writing this entry to fish for compliments. I'm just here to state my problems areas which are my "love handles" and the rest of my body. 

Clean Up for 2016

Happy 2016! I've made some great changes in my life but I still hold on to a lot of the past. This isn't a mental thing I've held on to, I feel like I've already made that change. This is actually physical things. I'm not those hoarders you see on TLC or anything but I do hold on to a lot of crap that I just don't need. Why do I have floppy disks still? I have no devices that would read them or even I can almost say the same thing with CDs too... (It's almost there)

I don't really do resolutions because let's face it, we all don't follow through with them. I guess with it being a new year though I thought it would be a great start to have a clean living situation and get rid of things that I will never ever use. Most of the time I look at these things I have and ask "Do I really need or ever use this?" Most of the time, it's a "no."  Currently I have 3 bags of trash and there's still more to go through. It kind of feels good to let it go. I don't want anything for my birthday, the less "things" I have the better.

Okay I think I'm done for this entry. Hope all is doing well and let's make 2016 a clean one.

Quite Bummed

It's been awhile I guess and I'm sad to report that I'm not really feeling as happy as I have been. 2014 was such a great year for me and moving into the halfway mark of 2015, it's definitely not even comparable. Last year I lost tons of weight, started a new position at work, actually had money saved for a European trip and went on it, and completed a half marathon. So far this year I've actually gained weight (I don't think it's all muscle either...) been really bad financially, started drinking more again and work has been so damn stressful.

It's a long story to get into each little thing I'm dealing with right now but I feel like I needed an outlet and writing is always been a thing that soothes me. I need to stay positive.

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.

High School Again...

People are still in high school and I don't think you'll ever really escape it. There's always going to be someone that hates you or try to make your life miserable. I just had to bring this up because just recently I got mixed up into some high school crap about a he said, she said kind of deal. I mean believe who you want to believe but I think for myself it's easier to say "I don't give a shit" and move on. I'm not a person who really cares too much about what people say; or X that I could care but it's just easier for me to let go and move on because really it just doesn't matter what people's opinions are of me because I know for myself it's not true and who are they to pass judgement. I think that's why people fail in life because they're living life trying to impress some one and if you do things for other people and don't put your own happiness first you'll surely fail.

Just my two cents. 

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.