My mom and I have been switching up places to walk. Instead of just walking in our community, we’ve hit up the beach and I must say, San Diego is simply gorgeous. The sunset on the horizon makes for the perfect stroll time. Plus, you see all these surfers out there, toughing out the cold and trying to ride some serious waves. It’s amazing all the details you notice when you walk too. I’ve driven down that stretch of road so many times but never saw the houses in the back street, the alleyways, the crazy dogs, the beach front properties.

I pretty much talk about life with my mom. What her aspirations were, what her life was like when she was growing up, what it was like after marrying my dad, and all these sacrifices she’s made. It almost makes me not want to be a mother because of everything she’s had to give up just to have the family she has now. It seems so self-less. I’m in the “me” phase of my life. I’m working on what I want, what I need, what I hope to achieve. The only person in this equation is me. It’s hard to imagine being married and having to factor in somebody else into my life decisions.

The one promising thing about my family is that they have been supportive about my weight loss. They don’t eat what I make (though they do try some) but my mom helps me with dishes, chopping, and recipe ideas. They’re pretty good with not forcing me to eat what they’re eating. It’s helpful to have friends and loved ones tell you what a good job you’re doing. I can’t stress the importance of encouragement. Sometimes, everyone just has a bad day and you need that one phrase, one comment, one smile to push you through so you can continue forward.

What does your family and loved ones do to encourage you?

Consumption: 1673 calories. 7.4g of fat. Total steps: 15,589

Data for February 24.

I made a quesadilla and I must say it turned out pretty well. Peanut butter and pretzels for snack. Yum. I love peanut butter. I’m thinking about making a peanut butter caramel brownie. Healthy styled. Recipe coming soon. Dinner was potato and leek soup. I’ve never cooked with leek before but it’s pretty similar to green onions. It has a stronger flavor though which only adds to the potato soup. I liked it. Will try to experiment more with leek.

Workout: Treadmill. Quads. Hamstring. Lunges. Deltoids. Bicep.

I can do more lunges! That means my legs are getting stronger, and muscular quads equals more calories burned! I think the quads and lats are the two biggest muscle groups in the body. Correct me if I’m wrong. I’m aiming to be able to do real push-ups soon!