Without even trying, (at least it doesn’t feel like trying) I have been maintaining a weight of 173 for about the last month and a half.

I have not been calorie counting.
I have not been meal planning.
I have not been meticulous about my diet.

But I have been able to maintain!

For once in my life, my weight has not been yo-yoing. There are the daily fluctuations, and even the monthly ones, but in general, I have kept at a steady weight.

How have I managed this?

I think it’s because I’ve finally realized that I’m not on a “diet”. I’ve finally come to terms with this being a life-long change, a process that will be ongoing, forever.

What was not habitual, things like working out, running, drinking water, eating vegetables have become second nature.

I don’t think about going to the gym any more.
I just do it.

I don’t think about guzzling water like a fish.
I just do it.

There are definitely days where my inner food goblin takes over and all I want to do is binge, binge, binge but I realize that one rough day is nothing in the grand scheme of things.

I believe that when you change your mindset, when you change the primary focus from being about weight loss to being about health, that things will start falling into place. My experiment with scale purgatory has helped me focus less on the number. I’ve been judging myself based on how well my clothes fit, on how much energy I have, on how happy I am with myself.

Being healthy and happy is something money can’t buy.

I know that I am not at my ideal weight right now, and I’m fine with that. The fact that I have been maintaining amazes me more than how much weight I’ve lost.

Even though I’ve lost 50 pounds since February, I feel much more accomplished from keeping those pounds off than I do from losing them.

Do I still want to shed some pounds? Sure.
But am I upset that I’m not losing every week, or even every month? Not at all.

What are your tips for maintaining?

What healthy habits have become second nature to you?

Related posts:

1. A Life Worth Fighting For
2. A Merry Life
3. Weigh-in #18: A New Decade

Of course my stuff arrives the day I decided to complain about my scale being MIA. Aside from satisfying my scale addiction, I was also super ecstatic to get and unpack the rest of my stuff.

 

In that time, I realized that too much of a good thing can become a bad thing.

I also moved from California to Washington, DC, and today is my first day of law school orientation!

And I decided that I couldn’t rely solely on intuitive eating because I kept sabotaging my weight loss efforts so I switched back to calorie counting mixed with a good dose of “listen to your body” eating.

But the exciting part, the part you’ve all been waiting for, is that I finally did it.

I reached over 90 pounds lost from my heaviest.

When I started this journey in 2006, I was at 263 pounds. Over the past few years, I’ve yo-yo dieted, going hardcore gym then binging, repeating the process over and over again.

It took me awhile to realize that there are a lot of mental issues that need to be resolved before permanent weight loss and healthy living can happen.

This journey isn’t only a few months long. It isn’t about losing 10 pounds in a month. It isn’t even about losing weight at all. It’s about finding overall health, both mental and physical.

I honestly believe that if you are mentally healthy, your physical health will follow the same path.

Since I moved to DC, I have been walking everywhere. It’s an efficient way to see Washington, DC plus I can save on taxi and metro money.

Last weigh-in weight: 177.0

This week’s weight: 171.0 (down 6.0)

I have never broken past the 175 barrier.
I have never reached 90 pounds total loss before.
I have never been so close to the 160s.
And I have never felt so certain that I can do this.

I am more than just a number though. This journey is not about how much weight I can lose in one year, or how quickly I can reach my goal. It’s not about having an amazing weigh-in every week. It’s not only about the number on the scale.

I am a barefoot-running, half marathoner.
I am a cook making healthy, delicious food.
I am a work in progress, and I always will be.

This is a lifelong journey, one where I am always improving and bettering myself, each and every day.

I finally did it.

92 pounds lost.

What’s one important lesson you’ve learned on your healthy living journey?

What’s one thing you want to improve and become better at?

Related posts:

1. Weigh-in #18: A New Decade
2. Day One
3. Weigh-in #1

Originally, I didn’t want to weigh-in today. But I decided that I needed to resume my official weekly weigh-ins.

They keep me focused.
They keep me motivated.
They keep me goal-oriented (even if I don’t achieve my goals every week).

I don’t accomplish the goals I set all the time. But having them there, knowing that there are things I want to achieve, forces me to work and strive harder.

I didn’t meet any of my goals this week.

Not even a single one.

And that’s ok.

I tried.

But I overestimated my strengths and abilities this week while goal-setting. I thought I would be able to do a two-minute wall-sit easily, but after a week of plenty of leg work and running, my quads weren’t feeling it.

I thought I’d be able to do a two-minute plank by now. Close, but not quite.

I didn’t get my swim in. No excuses. I just didn’t do it.

And Tara, I give you permission to nag me about making your dish. It’s taken awhile (far too long).

I barely even cook for myself now. I need to get back into the kitchen. I like it there. I like creating food, but I just haven’t felt that burst of creativity.

You know when writers have writer’s block? I have cooking and photography block.

Where’s my muse?

I need to rekindle my love for cooking soon.

The thing I’m most proud of this week was realizing that being vulnerable can be a beautiful feeling. It has helped me grow as a person, and even though I always want to put up a very powerful, strong appearance, I’ve discovered that I’m actually very sensitive.

The most important thing I’ve learned from this experience:
You can only fail if you stop trying.

Never give up.

Last week’s weight: 178.2

This week’s weight: 177.0 (down 1.2)

Last week’s goals:
1. Pack 1 box to ship to DC.
2. Swim 1600 meters.
3. Do a 2-minute plank.
4. Do a 2-minute wall chair.
5. Make Tara’s Couswalnachalicious.

This week’s goals:
1. Pack 1 box to ship to DC.
2. Swim 1600 meters.
3. Do a 2-minute plank.
4. Do a 2-minute wall chair.
5. Make Tara’s Couswalnachalicious.

Same goals. New week.

Do you like to cook?

What are your inspirations for cooking?

What is one new food/dish you’ve tried this week?

Random: How much do you love Nutella and/or peanut butter?

Related posts:

1. Weigh-in #16
2. Weekly Challenge #3: Mutiny!
3. Weigh-in #19

I have been trying to run an 8:30 mile for at least 2 months now. I could never do it. It was a mental roadblock, one that I was determined to overcome and conquer.

The closest I had ever gotten to an 8:30 mile was when I ran an 8:36 mile towards the end of April. Then, I kind of just let that feeling sit for awhile. I decided that I wouldn’t beat myself up over my speed since I had bigger, greater things to focus on: my first Half Marathon. I came to the conclusion that if I give it time, the speed will come. So that’s what I did.

Last night, I decided to attempt the elusive 8:30 mile again. All of a sudden, I was holding an 8:30 pace pretty comfortably. Am I getting faster?

The first five minutes, I felt strong, like a gazelle. I cranked up the speed.

I ended up holding an 8:13 pace for about 2 minutes. With only a tenth of a mile left, it was game on. I don’t think I’ve ever sprinted that quickly in my life before. I was running at a 7:00 pace. I felt like Forrest Gump. I finished the mile, huffing and puffing.

But I finally did it.

I conquered the 8:30 mile. Even better, I ran an 8:21 mile.

I couldn’t stop smiling the rest of the night. I finally did it. I had overcome a huge obstacle. I’ve proven to myself that with time and persistence, I can accomplish anything.

My new goal? An 8:00 mile.

I can do this. I will do this.

Last week’s weight: 179.4

This week’s weight: 177.4 (down 2.0)

Last week’s goals:
1. Practice guitar for 30 minutes every day.
2. Go rock climbing once.
3. Swim 1700 meters once.
4. Make Tara’s Couswalnachalicious.
5. Walk for 30 minutes every day.

This week’s goals:
1. Swim 2000 meters once.
2. Make Tara’s Couswalnachalicious.
3. Do 8 full push-ups in a row once.
4. Drink a gallon of water a day.
5. Run a 5K once.

What obstacles have you overcome recently? What are your goals for the week?

Related posts:

1. 9:50 Mile
2. Weigh-in #4
3. Weigh-in #19

This was my recovery week. It seemed like it lasted forever. As much as I wanted to go out and run, I know it’s essential for me to rest and recover. There’s no point in rushing out, running and then injuring myself. I’m trying to be patient with my body and listen to what it needs.

I have learned so much from running. It’s become my stress reliever. I always feel rejuvenated after a run. It’s like all the negativity gets sweated out, and I’m reborn after every run. I love it.

Besides running, I’ve discovered that I enjoy swimming as well. I swam my first mile Monday night, and although difficult, it made me proud. It’s another accomplishment to add to my list. I will keep swimming, partially because it’s wonderful cross-training, but mostly because I find it relaxing to be in the water.

I also had my first Q&A with David from Running Because I Can. If you’ve got any questions for me, shoot me an email at halfofjess@gmail.com. I would LOVE to hear from you!

Last week’s weight: 179.8

This week’s weight: 179.4 (down 0.4)

Last week’s goals:
1. Drink a gallon of water a day.
2. Do 6 full-form push-ups in a row three times.
3. Stretch every day.
4. Make Tara’s Couswalnachalicious.
5. Hug my parents.

I loaded up on water, I stretched, and I hugged my parents. I even managed to do 35 full-form push-ups yesterday. Not in a row, though. My max right now is 7 push-ups in a row. I’m aiming for 10 in a row by the end of summer.

Tara, I promise your surprise dish is coming soon!

This week’s goals:
1. Practice guitar for 30 minutes every day.
2. Go rock climbing once.
3. Swim 1700 meters once.
4. Make Tara’s Couswalnachalicious.
5. Walk for 30 minutes every day.

What are your goals for the week?

Related posts:

1. Weigh-in #22: The Downward Trend
2. Weigh-in #20: The Elusive 8:30
3. Weigh-in #18: A New Decade

A big thanks to everyone for all the encouragement and support I received before and after my first Half Marathon. It was Half of Jess’s first Half, but it’s certainly not her last!

What now?

My first full Marathon! I signed up yesterday. On November 13, 2010, I will run 26.2 miles in Richmond, Virginia. I know I can do it. Patience, dedication and persistence will pay off!

 

Last week’s weight: 181.8

This week’s weight: 179.8 (down 2.0)

I am in the 170s! I haven’t been in the 170s since 2006. This is a monumental moment for me. I have only been in the 170s once since I started my weight-loss journey back in 2006. After that, I always got stuck in the 180s. I’d get frustrated, then give up, and pretty soon, I was back in the 200s. The 180s was my tripping stone.

But not any more. I’m not on a weight-loss journey this time. Weight loss is only part of my quest for healthy living. That change and crucial shift in mentality is what makes it easier for me to keep doing what I’m doing, to keep pushing myself each and every day.

It’s not a diet. It’s a way of life.

Last week’s goals:
1. Drink a gallon of water a day.
2. Stay under 1800 calories a day.
3. Swim 900m nonstop once.
4. Do one assisted pull-up with 80-pound counter.
5. Finish my first Half Marathon.

This week’s goals:
1. Drink a gallon of water a day.
2. Do 6 full-form push-ups in a row three times.
3. Stretch every day.
4. Make Tara’s Couswalnachalicious.
5. Hug my parents.

What are your goals for the week?

Related posts:

1. Weigh-in #21: Dear Jess Pt. 3
2. Weigh-in #5
3. Weigh-in #20: The Elusive 8:30