» obesity

Thursday Night Bootcamp

Julie The Wanderer — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:06:04 +0000

Tonight’s bootcamp was intense! Bootcamp tonight: Run 4 laps, 100 Squats, 50 situps, 25 pushups, 25 lunges, 25 pushups, 50 sit-ups, 100 Squats, Run 4 laps again. I don’t think I have ever sweated so much in my life! My big accomplishment was that I ran the 4 laps in the beginning and the 4 laps at the end without stopping. This tiny accomplishment made me feel really happy! It’s the wonderful small little pushes you give yourself that make all the difference. At one point, I think while I was doing one of the sets of 100 squats, I could feel my heart POUNDING inside my chest. I just thought about how hard my body was working. I almost stopped at the last set of 100 squats – I reached 80 and I felt really sick to my stomach and started actually feeling a little cold – like my body temperature was going down. Josh, one of the trainers came over and helped me do the final 20 squats. Then I ran my 4 laps and it felt sooo good to be done! It definitely felt like an accomplishment of mind + body.

Happy 2-Year “Bandiversary”!

Julie The Wanderer — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 02:18:08 +0000

I have passed the 2-year mark since getting my lap band. Time is going by so fast, it seems. I am sometimes not sure time really reflects change or change reflects time. Perhaps they are like odds and ends, ups and downs – you really can’t have one without the other.

I have started fitness bootcamp and this is a brand new endeavor that I never-in-a-million-years thought I would take on. When I look back on my life, I dreaded any type of physical activity that involved me being around other people. I loved playing basketball – but I was always the slowest person on the team. Those damn suicide drills literally felt like emotional & physical suicide. I despised P.E. class. I cringed at the fitness competition my elementary school had to do each year. Recently, my best friend and I visited our Elementary school and I laughed at how I would cheat on the number of straws I had to represent how many laps I took around the field. What a nightmare! I didn’t as much mind the gym – everyone kind of keeps to themselves. But to workout with people was a total non-desire. It always made me so anxious that other people would see what poor shape I was in!

I turned a corner 2 weeks ago when a friend of mine convinced me to join Fit Wit. She told me how nice everyone was – said there are some people who are super hardcore fit – and others who are average – and some that are beginners – but that everyone is very supportive. I really hated the idea of doing something that put me in a situation where I had to exercise with other people in a confined space – do drills and stuff. Well, long story short I decided to do Fit With b/c I was awarded 1 free session (6-weeks) b/c I wrote a blog entry for a competition they were having on why I deserved a free session.

Today was the first day of my 3rd week doing bootcamp … and I can’t believe these words are about to come out of my mouth … but I LOVE IT! Everybody is so nice and supportive! The trainers definitely push you, but they aren’t like those psycho trainers you see on TV (I am thinking of the Military sergeant in the movie Full Metal Jacket). And on top of this, I am really enjoying all the different activities we do each night. It spices it up. I am not dreading saying to myself, “Ugh, I have to go to the gym and get on the treadmill for 30 minutes). Instead, there are little activities you do in short but difficult increments of time. Everything is thought out for me too, so I just have to literally show up and do it! I am still learning how to do the correct form for some of the stuff – like squats. And I get a full 1-hour workout 4 days a week. I haven’t lost any weight yet, I think my body is like, “Whoa! What the hell are you doing?” But I am staying confident that I am building muscle and the weight will come off. I don’t think I have ever pushed myself this hard before in such a short amount of time too. If I can do it, I know you could, too.

Last Friday was my 2-year Lap “Bandiversary” and I was awarded, serendipitously, camper of the week! I won 20-free dance classes! There are so many moments during the camp when I think to myself, “I f***ing can’t believe I am actually doing this!” I picture how scared I was 2 years ago going into the hospital and now knowing what kind of person I would become when I walked out of there. It’s fun to push myself. Even though I have lost 90 lbs, I want to push my body and mind even further. I want to be in tip top shape. I want to keep changing over time into being a better, healthier “me.” It takes time, and I know I am not perfect, and don’t always eat perfectly or have the perfect thoughts or attitude or energy – but at least I am making baby steps!

Life: The Battle of Calories & Control

Julie The Wanderer — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:24:10 +0000

Things are going pretty well in my life. I mean, I can always find something to complain about, “I need more money” … “Oprah is leaving me next year. WHY!!!!!” Last week really put a lot in perspective for me. I know 2 people who lost their lives. One was a sorority sister of mine, only 26-years-old, who died after a 2-year battle with cancer. The other person was friend of a friend who tragically died on Tuesday in an auto accident on her way to work. This really puts things in perspective, especially as we inch toward Thanksgiving.

I will never forget when my sister pulled me aside during our “you need to lose weight” talk. We were in the Bahamas during Christmas of ’06 – when I fell off that jet ski – and was the moment I realized I needed to lose weight. (Read my blog entry about it here.)

Although I didn’t have major medical issues, I knew I was on my way to having something like diabetes if I didn’t lose weight. I was still in denial. I remember saying to my sister, “What if I try really hard to lose weight and I end up dying from something else, like a coconut falling on my head, or a car crash?” And she said, “Well, at least you know you tried everything you could.” So it was kinda like one of those thoughts, “What if I tried really hard to not die from a bad heart or diabetes but something else ends up killing me anyways.” I guess that’s a normal reaction. But I knew I needed to do everything I COULD to be healthy. We are out of control in so many ways in our lives. So if I end up dying from a coconut falling on my head, I guess so be it. At least loved ones, and my own Spirit, won’t be able to say, “If only she had done something about that weight. She could have lived longer.”

This brings me some sort of peace. Also a little anxiety when we realize how out of control we are. Elizabeth didn’t ask for cancer. Errin didn’t ask for that fateful Tuesday morning. But perhaps there is some peace in something happening to you that’s outside of your control. It brings up Spiritual/Religious/Existential questions. But nobody can ever say, “If only they had done something different” It was what it was. So for me, I am trying to live a healthy life so that I can have as many years on this planet as possible … to travel the world … make a difference … have a family. And if something, by fate’s chance, happens. Then it is to be. At least I can say that I am taking my own health in my hands.

I am proud to say that I have officially lost 93 pounds!!! I can’t believe it! I had a huge drop this week – I lost like 6 pounds. I am not really sure why…I haven’t been overly trying, nor have I not been trying. Plus, it’s the holidays, and even the healthiest of people are overcome with food temptations! I am only 6 pounds away from losing 100 pounds! I honestly can’t believe it! The Lap Band has honestly saved me. It’s been hard, lots of acid reflux, vomiting, saying “no” to cookies, waking up at 7am to train for my first 10K, etc. It has not been easy. But it’s surely been worthwhile.

Visit my blog at Live Life To The Fullest

Hello…Again!

Julie The Wanderer — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:18:37 +0000

I don’t know why I have been on a writing hiatus lately … I just honestly think I have been feeling like I don’t have anything to write about. This is completely untrue! I mean, blog writing is just about writing – not necessarily about writing anything witty or inspirational or downright honest. Blog writing is just about writing! It makes me super happy to write. So I must keep writing. I’ve been so busy lately with my job and my recent photography show and being with friends. All wonderful things though that I should be proud of!

I feel like I have been eating out a lot lately. I have been working out on and off – I haven’t been as strict but I haven’t been slack either. I need to be a little more strict though – like tonight I didn’t work out but I should have. The trick is not making myself feel bad about this. Tomorrow is a new day!

My favorite thing I ate today was a tiny sliver of cheesecake at work. If you know me, you know that I LOVE CHEESECAKE. I swear – cheesecake is the only food that I literally feel like it goes straight to my soul. When my mom was pregnant with me, she only had a craving for cheesecake. So it’s not surprising that my favorite food in the world is cheesecake. A co-worker made some and I took a little sliver of it b/c I didn’t want to feel denied – but I also didn’t want a whole piece. It’s nice that I can show myself that I can have a little of this and a little of that and still feel in control. I will admit, when I go to NYC in 2 weeks, I am definitely going to have to get NYCheesecake (to me, the “C” in cheesecake is deserving enough to be part of the NYC abbreviation).

I ordered some cold weather running pants and a little glove and hat so now I have zero excuse not to workout even in a blizzard!

Tower of Terror: A View of the Past

Julie The Wanderer — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 03:16:15 +0000

I am sitting on my couch, cat is to my left and I’m watching Dateline and talking to my friend David on Gchat who is in Prague! And my friend Sean just got back from Ethiopia. I definitely have traveling on my mind since my friends are galavanting around right now, although I can’t complain too much – I traveled to Paris in January and am traveling to NYC in November!

My weight was at a standstill but now it seems to be heading South again – which I am really grateful for! I think it’s a mixture of a bunch of reasons, but I think I have hopefully gotten over my plateau. I weighed myself yesterday and lost 3 more pounds. This puts me at being down 84 pounds!

I went running today with the Atlanta Track Club – my friend Ben works for the ATC and organizes a running group for Monday nights. I sometimes feel intimidated because I’m not a “runner” – I am happy to run for a long period of time – I have run up to 2-3 miles, but that was after consistent running. After I got sick this year with that month-long sinus infection, it really took me back a few steps in my training – so I feel like now I have some catching up to do. I met Ben in the park with the other runners. There was this older man who wanted to run 7-miles. I was like, “Okay crazy man! Why don’t you start and I won’t follow!” Anyway, I did 2 miles of a nice walk/run combo. It was sooo hot today in Atlanta! And I wasn’t wearing my good socks and I should have worn my good socks. Socks really made a big difference!! I was so sweaty and gross, but still decided to go to my gym and lift weights. It felt great!

I am just really trying to focus on getting off my 100 pounds (short term goal). As Ben said, “just think about where I was this time last year.” I know! Two years ago I was traveling in California with my ex and visiting my sister and brother-in-law. Now 2 years later, I am in SUCH a difference place. Two years goes by quickly but it also goes by slowly, ya’ know? Like, I just can’t believe what 2 years means. It means changes and transition and ups and downs and strengths and faith and friendships and continuing to know I will reach my goals! Just gotta keep on persisting and truckin’ along! I really have to remind myself how far I have come! And know if I have made it here, I can make it there.

I actually am still not 100% comfortable looking at old pictures of myself. Maybe it’s because I am still trying to reach my goal weight? Or maybe a part of me is embarrassed at how much I let myself go? That time in my life was really important for many reasons – both where I was and where I was going. This is a pic my ex took of my sister and me at the Tower of Terror – this pic is kind of symbolic of what a crappy place I was at in my life at the time!

My sister and me in CA. Tower of Terror has multiple meanings here - so much was going on in my life when this picture was taken!!

Most recent photo taken of me this past Sunday

This is from my blog Live Life To The Fullest

The Real Race Is Within Yourself

Julie The Wanderer — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 15:19:23 +0000

Running on 10th Street!

After the race in Piedmont Park holding up my coveted Peachtree Roadrace T-shirt

Yeah! I did the Peachtree Roadrace! It was such a great experience! I woke up at 6 am to get ready – eat breakfast – stretch – listen to some upbeat music. I took MARTA to the Lenox station and found my group (8). I had about 40 minutes until my timed group finally took off – but it was so exciting to slowly keep moving closer and closer to the Start line. Once I was there awaiting the countdown – I actually started to tear up. I felt so silly, but I just couldn’t help it. I think I was just overcome by A) All the people + energy and B) Thinking about how far I’ve come with my weight loss and training. To some people, doing a 10K is second nature – maybe they grew up on the Track club or something. But to me, it was really a new beginning. Not only working out – but doing a street race like this with 50,000 other people. It just made me really excited and nostalgic of that time I sat on my balcony and watched it from afar…and now this year…I was finally doing it!I have to admit, it’s the best 10K for anyone to do for a first time. There are so many people that nobody is really paying attention to “you” – unless you were dressed in all spandex (as I saw). It’s a lot of fun with all the people and companies lining the streets to cheer you on. Everyone is in a great mood. And mad props to the Atlanta Track Club (Hi Ben!) for organizing such a great race!

I loved seeing the mile markers and knowing I had just completed 1 mile – 2-3-4-5, etc. Once I got to the High Museum (where I work) I knew it was the 5-mile marker, which meant I only had about a mile and a half to go! Once I turned on 10th Street, I knew I would see Edward and David at the corner of 10th and Myrtle, so that gave me my final push to the end. I just had so much fun. It was hot and I poured a lot of water on my head. I did my walk/jog combo and did my best to just listen to my body as to what I needed to do then. Cardiac Hill sucked (the hill at Piedmont Hospital). I am not even that sore today – it’s crazy. I remember doing my very first 5K 82-pounds heavier, and I could hardly even walk the next day. My legs and abs are sore – but definitely not nearly as bad as I thought they’d be. Which shoes me that my body is in much better shape considering I just did my very first 10K.

I jogged to the finish line and it was at that point I wouldn’t let myself stop. U2′s live version of “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” played on my iPod shuffle and it took me to the finish line. It was kind of an exciting + spiritual moment and I was so proud of myself for rocking it out at the Peachtree Roadrace. Of course, the real race is always within yourself – and I am loving seeing how my body is changing due to my weight loss – and my attitude – and I am already thinking about beating my time next year

This is from my blog Live Live To The Fullest

Good For The Soul

Julie The Wanderer — Tue, 12 May 2009 02:39:31 +0000

Getting frustrated b/c I haven’t lost any weight in over 3 months! I’ve been eating well + working out. I’m feeling restriction with my band. My body must be in a SUPER STUBBORN place right now. On the other hand, I’m glad to be alive and healthy and headed in the right direction. Someone the other day said how crazy it is that Oprah gained so much weight back – when she practically owns the world and has her own chef and can demand any type of food at any time and can workout with professional trainers, etc., and SHE gained weight back. This proves the power of how hard it is to lose weight and keep it off. I’ve kept off my 80 pounds! But I just really have my eye on getting down to the 100 pound mark!!

I had a GREAT weekend in Asheville. I hung out with hippies and re-connected with some of my best girlfriends from college. We camped out and did morning Yoga and meditation and took a Thai massage class and I did a breathing workshop! It was very centering to be near all the nature again and my friends. It felt great to re-connect in a myriad of ways.

Now back to the real world, but it’s a good world to be in.

Morning Meditation

Doing Yoga is way more fun when you're not toting around 80 pounds!

This is from my blog Live Life To The Fullest

I Don’t Trust People Who Run While Wearing Gloves

Julie The Wanderer — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:25:15 +0000

This past Saturday was my very first running group! It was a really fun experience – maybe more fun than I had anticipated (sans the 7:30 am meet time). For starters, I had talked to my coach via email before the 1st run, and she placed me in the “Intermediate” group rather than the novice group. When I got to the meeting place, I was rather surprised at how fit everyone was. Not to judge, but if *I* was put in Intermediate, who would be in the beginners? I’ve only done two 5K runs, and the first one I walked the whole way and the 2nd one I ran 3/4 of the way, but not 100 %. I saw the “Intermediate” folks and they had their running gadgets and their breathable shirts with their wispy shorts on and I though, “Okay, I’m definitely a beginner.”

I didn’t let Ego get in my way. I felt more comfortable in the beginner group so I switched. There was one woman in our group who seemed upset that we’d have an interval of walking + running the 2 miles, and when I suggested to her that she might want to join another groups, she seemed put off. So during our run, we were in our little pack dog formation, and she always had to make sure she was right up in the front – the lead dog. She reminded me of the person in class who always had to sit in the front of the class to feel the smartest. Anyway, I thought it was rather funny. Oh, she was wearing running gloves or something which I didn’t get. Okay Tiger Woods. Whatever.

Everyone else in my group was super nice. It’s funny to have to strike up conversation with people when you’re running. Feels like a first date – lots of get-to-know-you conversation and heavy breathing.

I was wearing my iPod to get me pumped up. I rarely run without my tunes. But I realized I was being kind of anti social (Julie? Being anti social?) so I turned down my music.

We did a walk + run combo for about 2 miles (30-minutes). We ran through Ansley Neighborhood which was just so beautiful. Very picture perfect with lots of Saturday morning yard sales.

I have kept up my workout routine since Saturday. We have a 7-day running schedule so it’s like homework. Saturdays are just the day we all run together. I did buy some wispy shorts and a breathable shirt and a running gadget. I only look the part. I’m still a beginner. I am okay not being lead dog, but I don’t want to be last on race day along with the Atlanta trash pick up people. I love this challenge. I **NEVER** would have even thought about joining a running group in my former life, so it’s a cool step to see how my weight loss is creating new ways for me to physically challenge myself. I’m looking forward to this upcoming Saturday! I’ll keep ya’ posted!

Happy Trails.

This Is From My Blog Live Life To The Fullest

Running Group Starts Saturday

Julie The Wanderer — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 03:29:37 +0000

I start my running group on Saturday! I have joined a 10-week running group to train for the Peachtree Roadrace. I’m really excited! I heard from my coach today via email. She seems really nice and inspirational. I told her my times when I did my 5K and she has placed me in the intermediate group (not the novice group) which I’m actually a little surprised about! I got my training schedule and it pretty much involved some type of run/walk 5-6 times per week (including the group runs on Saturday mornings at 7:30 am!) This will definitely be an interesting undertaking. I’m kind of anxious about it but also really excited and proud of myself.

More to write about after my first run this Saturday morning!

This is from my blog Live Life To The Fullest

I’ll Have The Elvis Burger With A Side Of Tots…Or Not

Julie The Wanderer — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 12:51:14 +0000

Went to the Vortex last night for a friend’s B-Day dinner. I’m not the biggest fan of The Vortex because there really aren’t any healthy options there – but at the same time, I’m a big fan of it because of all those awful choices proudly displayed on the menu. What’s your fancy? A “Coronary Bypass Burger” – A burger with some fried eggs on it? Or perhaps the “Elvis Burger” – A burger with peanut butter and fried bananas? As one can see, any semblance of eating healthy is completely taken out of the equation. I am a big fan of the Vortex’s creativity. But something so benign as getting bleu cheese on your burger turns into a deep sea bleu cheese adventure. It’s none of that girly bleu cheese crumbles, but a slathering – a heaping – mound of bleu cheese. I think they literally take an ice cream scoop and dip it in a bucket of bleu cheese and plop it on your burger. Just ask my friend Katie, ’cause it’s what she got.

Well, I was happy to go and celebrate my friend’s B-Day. I ended up getting a turkey burger w/ no bun – cheddar cheese – and a side of cole slaw. It was the best choice I could have made I think. I didn’t want another salad since I had one for lunch. I did steal a few tots from a neighboring plate. Mmmmmmmm. Tots!

I realized today that my running group starts in 3 weeks! I am nervous and excited! I need to get some new workout clothes. I realized that due to vacations and a few weekend get-a-ways I’ve committed to, I’m actually going to miss 4 out of the 10 scheduled running days. I guess I will just have to make up for it o my own – which is fine. I feel bad, but I guess they have to expect folks will miss some since it’s prime time for summer vacay’s!

Oooooh, I’m off to test drive some cars right now! I am really excited. I’ve driven the same car since I was 15, and I love my Volvo, but alas, I think his time is near…

The weather is FINALLY nice today. Talk about seasonal depression!! Although I heard that next week we might have snow flurries. Insane!

This is from my blog Life Life To The Fullest