2 days of work under my belt.

Two days of work have gone by. I think I'm ready to start taking on the office? Well... ready or not. Doc is back from vacation and I'm going to be doing just that today. Here's hoping I don't make an ass of myself on the phones with the customers or give someone the wrong supplements. It's a busy day. I just hope that it all goes without a hitch so I can build some confidence. heh. I mean, I have confidence, but so I can validate it.

I've been cruising dollar stores these past couple of days; picking up household items and looking for a good, cheap water bottle. Looks like I'm going to have to break down and buy a nice expensive one (that I hopefully won't lose). And find a place to buy one. The outdoors stores aren't as frequent and obvious here. So much getting used to! 

Fluids

Monday - 80oz. 

Tuesday - 100oz. 

Goals

- Buy water bottle 

- write out this week's schedule. 

- take stock of what pots and pans are in this apt. 

- make a menu. 

- make a grocery list. 

My calories have been out of control in the evenings when I get home from work because I don't take time to stop and snack during the 5 hour shift... that happens to fall very awkwardly from 1:30 - 7:30. So I'm rushing to get there during what would normally be lunch (skipping it) and working through dinner time. Getting home and ordering something while I much on stuff waiting for it to arrive. TERRIBLE HABITS! I've only done it twice. But it has to change before I like it too much.

Here's how I want my typical work day to look. 

9am up. eat something. 

9:30 go to gym. 

10:30 home to shower

11:00 get dressed, pack bag. 

11:15 eat something and make snack to go. 

11:45 brush teeth, run out door. 

12:00 be to station or on train. Use train ride to make menus and list out thoughts. 

1:00 be to the work area with a little extra "train running slow" time, eat a snack. 

1:30 work. 

4:30 Take a little break. 10 min. Eat snacks. 

7:30 Off work... head to train, or to shops for water bottles. 

8:30 home. Make a real dinner and maybe a snack for tomorrow (kale chips?). 

9:30 clean up the house EVERYDAY. I'm telling you this one room, two people, one cat thing gets messy. 

10:00 sit down and dink around on my laptop, read blogs, write emails, update facebook. etc. 

12:00am bed. 

Let's talk about those "eat somethings" I would like it to look like this. 

pre-workout: usually fruit & yogurt, sometimes just one or the other. 

post-workout: peanut butter on toast. 

train snack: sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, or baby carrots

work snack: string cheese, almonds, apple. 

real dinner: protein + veggie + fruit 

laptop snack: cottage cheese. 

Yesterday it looked like this. 

9am Breakfast: raspberries + 1/4 c yogurt. 

11am snack: spoonful of peanut butter. 

8:30 pm: waiting for dinner to arrive... 3 spoonfuls of ice cream, a slice of cheese. 

9:30 pm dinner: cheese pizza, the entire 10" thing. 

So Friday... I have some shopping to do in order to make next week run a little better. This week, I'll find a way to eat what I have (not in one sitting) and make room for the stuff I'm bringing home.

Big Fat List Makin'- Brain Organizin' Love, 

Nanette

SSSD week 3 wrap up.

Weight: 298 (-0)

Measurements:
Waist: 45.5"(-.75")
Under waist: 56.5 (-.5)
Hips: 60.5" (-.5)
I'm back to the measurements two weeks ago! :)

Workouts
Monday - none
Tuesday - Walking around the park for 60 min.
Wednesday - Gym 60 min. (30 cardio, 30 weights).
Thursday - Walking around 30 min.
Friday - Walking 1 hour.
Saturday - Walking 1 hour.
Sunday - Walking 30 min.

Challenge: Try the ab machines at the gym. I did the rotate-y one... and the assisted crunches one. I think I get a better work out without them though. But the rotate-y one popped my back in the best way possible!

Honestly... I can't really say I committed to fitness this week. I deserve a -0 this week. Because I ate. Boy did I eat. Pizza, burger, cannoli, cheesecake, sushi, ostrich, nachos. If anything I'm surprised I was able to maintain.

So I have landed the job. That stress is out of the way. I go into the office today to get my schedule and to begin to build structure in my life. I'm so excited! I will learn about nutrition. I will be able to get myself regularly to the gym. I will be able to afford living here for at least a little while and meagerly, but it will be something.

I have no more excuses. No more moving worries, no more cash flow worries, no more impressing people worries, no more Will I have to move back to Idaho? worries. The good mental place is being prepared. I will be good. I will be fine.

I still need to have a little quiet time with a schedule and some paper to write it all out. Quiet time seems to be in short supply here.

I'm really excited to try and get 100 oz of water in. I've been so dehydrated. This will also give me an excuse to get to a sports store and buy a nalgene or camelbak water bottle!

Big Fat Let's Get Going Love,
Nanette

The Job Update...

I got the phone call today while I was out with Jeff (dear dear friend) in Central Park.

I have a job! I start on Monday. Part-time in a nutritionist's office! I'm going to learn so many things there... mostly office related, but I'm sure I'll pick up some health tips along the way (maybe I can share them). I'm not going to give anymore details about where exactly I work for privacy reasons. But yeah... I'M SO EXCITED!!!

Thanks for all your support, guys. Now that I've finally landed something, I'm sure that structure will come back to my weight loss efforts. Set gym times, packing lunches... creating a new "system."

Also, last night, got a good round in at the gym. 30 min cardio + 45 min weights. I ate too much too close to the workout and nearly vomited on the way home.. gotta give that a little more time.

Another bit of good news! Jeff has offered to do a little basic tailoring of my work clothes for me! So I don't have to buy a whole new wardrobe just some essential pieces.

Big Fat EMPLOYED Love,
Nanette

Two days... and the second interview.

My no spending thing lasted two days. TWO DAYS. Because I left the house without a water bottle. I'm going to keep going and see how minimally I can spend though. Good for budget. Good for body.

I had a call-back interview today for a Nutritionist's office. It would be so great... I want it... But I fear that I kinda screwed things up a little in my interview today. They asked for pet peeves. I told them that poor communication is a huge pet peeve of mine. You know, the kind that leads to the confrontation that goes like...

"why didn't you (insert request)?"
"you didn't tell me that you wanted (insert request)."
and then I get all pissed that someone was IMPLYING instead of actually voicing expectations.

And the other pet peeve is tardiness...

I always run early. I make air tight, fool proof schedules so everyone gets what they want.

I shouldn't have said that. It's a Doc office. Everyone runs late. The doc runs late. He doesn't want to hire a harpie. Granted, I should have told him that I like to learn what people are like and then tailor my time expectations of them.

I just sounded really uptight and that's the last thing I left them with. I should have turned it around into a positive. But I didn't. There's a nugget of "didn't get the job" sitting in the pit of my stomach. It's sitting in a cloud of hope though. I REALLY WANT THIS. I could learn so much about nutrition working there! It would be SO beneficial.

I'm laying here...  wanting to throw a 4 year old tantrum. I know I can do this job. Just hire me. I'm friendly! I'm energetic! I'm organized! And over the moon for post-its! I wanna kick and scream until I get my way (probably an excellent way to burn calories). But it won't get me anywhere.

Sounds like a good time for the gym. Kicking and screaming and taking it out on my body. Getting out this nervous energy, maybe move me away from that crying tantrum feeling... that's coming from the niggling doubt that I blew it.

Big Fat HIRE ME, MISTER Love,
Nanette

Best Intentions...

So... here we are on Tuesday and I STILL HAVEN'T BEEN TO THE GYM.

Monday was a lot of running around. (grocery shopping, job interview, meeting an Idaho friend and stuff).

Tuesday was a lot of running around. (two interviews, a long walk through central park, a long walk through astoria to find the groupon restaurant laura and I were going to had closed permanently, then a long walk to find a different restaurant and then getting home late late).

Tomorrow... 90 degree weather, 89% humidity. I'm staying in for the most part. No interviews. I'll be researching temp agencies... and hoping for a call from the chiropractor/nutritionist guy that I interviewed with today (p.s. It seems like the perfect fit. Health and nutrition on top of getting paid, perfect).

I'm also extending a personal challenge to myself. I've already paid for groceries for at least a week. I have an unlimited metro card. I have a gym pass.

Aside from $10 for laundry in the next two weeks. I'm going to see how many days I can go without spending a dime in the city. Boys buying things for me doesn't count. NO PERSONAL SPENDING.

Tuesday: Check - Laura got dinner and I packed lunch.

I'm slowly putting weight back on from the food poisoning. So this is also a health thing. I have a ton of produce in my apt. I just need to eat it... and veer from things like ordering pizza or ostrich burgers or fried things.

Tomorrow, I may be staying in, but I can sit down and have some time to myself to think about my schedule and get my mind in the game. Scheduling a sacred workout time and a menu from the stuff I just bought (ummm... $.75 for a thingy of raspberries, awesome). It'll be nice to have some non-fevered quiet time. Also, I commit to working out tomorrow. Hold me to it, folks.

Think. Center. No dates. No interviews. Just getting my brain and body in sync.

Me + Central Park + a tunnel. 

Fake Rock Climbing. 

The courtyard of the place I Interviewed today. Everyone looks so posh. I need a makeover. 

I love random graffiti... and they have such good taste. 

Big Fat Get It Together Love,
Nanette

SSSD Update!

Weight: 298lbs (+4) gaining back the weight from sickness. 

Measurements

Waist: 46.25" (+.75")

Under waist: 57"(+.5")

Out at the park this week. 

Hips: 61" (+1") 

6 hours of exercise!
Tuesday: 1 hour - walking. 

Wednesday: 1 hour - walking

Thursday: 2 hours - walking + trainer. 

Friday: 30 min - walking (LAZY)! 

Saturday: 30 min - walking (girls night... too much food). 

Sunday: 1 hour - 30 min elliptical + 30 min weights Upper body. 

SIX HOURS!  I made it! Granted, I kinda nickle and dimed the walking time because I didn't get the gym pass until Thursday. 

I'm not shocked by the numbers this week, since last week was the midst of the illness stuff. But the good news is, is that I didn't gain it all back. So I still consider it a solid -2lbs. Also, last night was salt salt salt and mojitos. 

Today at the gym was absolutely fantastic. I can do this every day and not worry about it. 

20 min on the elliptical. 

chest fly. 10 reps x 3
Rows. 10 reps x 3
Lat raises. 10 reps x 3
Tricep 3 ways.  10 reps x 3
Crunches. 10 reps x 3

Squat machines. 10 reps x 3

I also found the tiny stretching area. So I have a place I can do my bodyrock/Zuzana Lights stuff too and have a place for it where I won't have to worry about waking the neighbors. I'm really quite pumped. Today I felt like I owned that gym. I got what I needed done! 

This week...  

Try a new work out or machine. 

Easy-peasy! There's a whole gym that I need to explore. I want to venture into the "core machines" which I've never used before. 

Big Fat Feelin' Better Love, 

Nanette

The Dates...

Okay... I promised... so here we go.

Saturday (landed): Date with the boy on the upper east side. We had pizza (my first of the trip) and watched movies at his place. He's going to school and that's about it. No work. But he lives with the parents so he can survive. They go to Martha's Vineyard on the weekend so it wasn't too awkward. But leaving time came and he refused to walk me to the subway. Instead HE GAVE ME DIRECTIONS. I asked him again "So, it's my first day in this city and you're just going to GIVE ME DIRECTIONS? Why not just walk me?"

"I've got stuff to get done before my parents get back." {Immediately feel like he's not interested AND like I'm in 8th grade}. Kiss grade: B

Sunday: Friend date with my old housemate, Tracy. She's one of my favorite people in the whole world.

Monday: Date with Graphic Designer. We talked online for like... 10 minutes and then decided to go to dinner together. He took the train to my station. We explored the neighborhood for a little while (which was nice to have company while doing). Then went to a place called "The Farm" for dinner. Cute guy. Shorter than me. But he's cute. And apparently he makes money. Heh. We talked about living cheaply and about how we both agree we'd rather have a good savings account than a fancy overpriced apartment. We got into some huge discussion about the current presidential race. I'm predominantly Democratic, though I don't belong to a party. But there's no way in hell I'm going to get behind Romney after he's buddied up with Frank VanderSloot and Tom Luna. No Second date so far. No physical contact whatsoever on the first date. But he was sweet and I WALKED HIM TO THE SUBWAY.

Tuesday: Date with the Stock Broker. I met him near City Hall. (But didn't take my camera, sorry guys). He took me on a walking tour of the area. Took me through a Century 21 and told me to pick out whatever I wanted. I told him I couldn't do that. I just couldn't. We walked by the 9/11 site and watched some of the construction. Then went for sushi at this place where all of the owners and servers knew him by name. He talks a mile a minute, so I had a hard time getting a word in edge-wise. Then he started telling me who I was since I wasn't doing much talking. "You're too quiet. You stick out. You're bright eyed. New York will take that out of you. You don't seem to have a personality (my personal fave). You are naive. You are going to be easily taken advantage of here." And I know that most of it was coming from an Impose a personality place... and partially from the protection place... and the you've been warned place. But seriously?! No personality? Maybe if you'd SHUT UP for 5 seconds or maybe ask your date some freaking QUESTIONS instead of just telling your date what's she's like... maybe you'd find that she does have a personality... and manners to boot! No kiss. But a very lovely time aside from getting mad for that bit.

Wednesday: Date with the Israeli guy. We wandered for a good 1.5 hours through East Village. I was aiming to get away from traffic and loud noises and he was trying to aim us toward hustle and bustle. So I was feeling a little impatient off the bat. Then his nerd potential started to slowly reveal itself. Obsession with asian cultures, kung fu, japanese tea service, anime. Which is a BIT much for me. But he's 100% sweet. Like me, he's 100% poor. So we split the cost of things. He's terrible at math. Because it wound up with me paying $4 more than my share. But really? It's $4. I'm not going to make a big scene over it. (rather, just report it to my blog). We went to Union Square and he was all sweet. Kissed a little. Then walked me to my train... and waited for it to arrive before catching his own. Kiss score: D.

Let me break this down for any of you boys out there... Awesome kissing does NOT START with your mouth open. That's something you work UP to. Little kisses that get bigger. Not I'm going to eat your face like a sandwich.

Thursday: Date with Madison Square Garden Sports Journalist. Little asian guy. We've been talking for like... 2 months. Nice. Nervous. We went out toward Atlantic Avenue (see monopoly) and wandered around for another 1.5 hours. It was pretty late, like 1am, because he has odd working hours and I didn't feel like going to bed yet. So we wind up on the Brooklyn Promenade (romantic-y bay outlook area/park). And he tries to get all frisky. I'm okay with kissing. But anything else, ESPECIALLY on the first date, ESPECIALLY in public. Not so much. I physically had to remove his hands from me and say "I'm serious when I say stop it." So there's a little rape-y vibe happening there (good thing I've got 4 inches height and 130lbs on him). And he happens to be the absolute worst kisser I've ever experienced. I've never clinked teeth before. Or felt like my face was going to be chewed off...   or felt like I was kissing a drinking fountain. Not sexy. Overly aggressive in every way. Such a turn off.

Friday: Friend date, turned date with Record Store guy. I've been talking to him for 2 months or so as well. And we both sorta agreed that friends is a good place for us. That being said... I was going to go meet my new friend. I took a train 2 hours out of the city to hang out. I stayed over at his other friend's place. Record Store guy was so nice and funny and easy to spend time with... and again, we were pizza and movie-ing. But this time it was great. And we were doing just fine with the friend date... until he kissed me. And thank the up-aboves he did! FINALLY a good kisser. I was losing hope for NY. He drove me back to my place on Friday... and dropped me off at my door. I want to see him again. But I'm not sure I can with the distance.

Saturday: I become the queen of poops and dating stops for a little while. I had to cancel the second date with Israeli guy. But we rescheduled.

Big Fat Boys Are Confusing Love,
Nanette

On the Up and Up.

I'm feeling better!

Yesterday I got out of the house and I'm a much happier person already! I made it out to get laundry done. I went to tea/coffee with a guy. I signed up for the gym and got my pass. I had an interview. I went to a concert. There was a lot of living to make up for.

Today I went into the gym to have my free session with a trainer. Let me just say... DEMOTIVATING. This super hot, fit, black guy saying, "your core is so weak." When I'm sweating there thinking, "you try this at my weight and say that it's easy, Mother F*****!" He looked at me like I was crazy when I told him I wanted to lose 145lbs in the next 1.5-2 years. He looked at me like I was even crazier when I told him I've been doing Tabata style body weight exercises and have lost 70 (ish) pounds already. And again, I was met with surprise when I told him I normally work out 5-6 days a week.

We did the fitness assessment and I've lost a little bit of what I can do over the past 4 weeks of no training. I was raining sweat, but I do that at the mere mention of exercise. And he's standing next to me saying, "Quit when you can't do it anymore." So I kept going. My version of can't do it anymore is muscle fatigue and an actual inability. I was slowing down on the stair step thingy. Before time was up he told me to just stop.

Boils down to this. No positive feed back. No vision expressed for where we could be going with this or what kind of things he's looking for. No explanation of what muscle groups are being used. Some form advice and a whole lot of joking around with the other trainers. Including racial and sexist jokes. No thank you, sir. I refuse to pay you for your time.

Game plan. I'm going to do what's been working so far. Some tabata and then additionally...

Friday: 30 min cardio. 30 min upper body weights (8-12 reps, 10 machines).
Saturday: Off - Busiest gym day.
Sunday: 30 min cardio. 30 min core.
Monday: 30 min upper body weights. 30 min cardio.
Tuesday: 30 min lower body weights. 30 min cardio.
Wednesday: 30 min cardio. 30 min core.
Thursday: 30 min cardio. 30 min lower body weights.

That trainer can suck it. I'll continue to find success and he won't be a part of it. That's for damn sure. My workouts are a positive experience and I don't need a freaking rain cloud around reminding me how fat or unfit I am, but rather one noticing that I'm willing to challenge myself and work harder than I ever have to reverse that. Sorry sir, aside from today, there's no room for you in my weight loss story.

Plus imagine how devastating that would have been for me if I went in there 70lbs ago and in a much more fragile state of mind. Gah! Getting mad all over again. Chill out, Nanette

Big Fat Trainer Shopping Love,
Nanette

6 hours of exercise: hour one.

So I got scheduled for an interview yesterday. Still under the weather, I decided to go anyway. I mean, I'd been slave to the toilet for like... 2 days already. I hadn't eaten anything, so I should be fine. Showered, dressed up, put on a little makeup. Started hoofing it to my train.

I decided to take the train that's further away from my place because I certainly wasn't going to be able to go to the gym yet in my current state of don't-poop-your-pants. I kinda booked it because I was excited about the interview.

The train was taking FOREVER. Meanwhile, My hair is starting to dry and some of the moisture was finding it's way down my forehead. Not unusual. Then I started feeling clammy everywhere else. Whatever, Nanette, just take off your jacket. Cool down. No need to run anywhere.

The ride was horrible. Tons of people in a tiny car. Everyone touching. Humid. I'm still clammy and doing anything I can to catch a little breeze.

I hopped off the subway and got up to some fresh air. Thank God. Still sticky and trying to sorta slow down and give myself a second to breathe and cool down and calm down, I sorta meandered toward the job interview. I found the building pretty easily. Showed my ID. Got on the elevator... went full body clammy again. My wet hair still hadn't dried. Humidity? Sweat? Gross.

The gentleman met me for the interview... I sat down and filled out some more paperwork and tried not to drip on my light-colored sateen jacket. My eyes weren't fully focusing. A fever was setting in. I finished the paperwork with a few scribble out errors (ugh!) and sat down for my interview with the business owner. He had a fan in his office. I feel that was my only respite.

I tried too hard to be friendly. I came off cavalier and entitled. I dropped a name. I discussed the Tony's (it's a garment place). I sat in my puddle thinking "god, I hope my dress doesn't look like I peed myself when I stand up." It was a terrible interview. On the way out the gentleman asked if I needed to use the restroom. I didn't know if that was a sign? Did I look like I'd peed myself? Like I needed to collect my thoughts or something? Did I have a sense of urgency about me? Maybe.

"I was planning on stopping by on my way out. Just near the elevator, right?"

"You'll need this." He hands me the key attached to a lacy thong.

Maybe he only offered because that's the polite and mannered thing to do? I don't know. I've never offered my toilet to someone on their way out. Is that a New York thing?

Anway, I berated myself the entire way home. I blew the interview. It would have been such a great work space too. Lots of clients, fast-paced. IMPORTANT work. ugh. Sitting on the train, I started getting light headed. And the lady next to me with the perma-sourpuss face kept rubbing up against my arm fat, making me more uncomfortable about my current dewiness.

I stopped at the corner store on my way home and bought 3 gatorades. Drank one on the way home. Felt my head come back to earth. Drank one while I told Shasta (roommate) about the terrible day. Drank one and fell asleep.

Didn't get the laundry done. Didn't get a call back on the interview.

However...

Didn't poop myself either.

And I got about an hour of walking in. (1/6 of the way there on the weekly challenge).

So it wasn't a completely negative experience. Still sick. Still dehydrated. Still have another interview tomorrow. I will blow them away. They will hire me. I WILL HAVE JOB.

Big Fat Fever-ing Love,
Nanette

SSSD week one wrap up.

Weight: 294 (-6!)

Measurements
Waist: 45.5" (-0")
Under Waist: 56.5" (-1.5") WHAT?!
Hips: 60" (-2/3")


Accountability
So, Myfitnesspal hasn't been working out for me. I've been carrying a post it every day and writing down everything I eat on it. I don't know the exact amount of calories I'm eating, but I'm aware of the ratio of veg/fruit/protein that I'm getting.

Part of this losing so quickly has to do with a rather upset tummy. I've been spending a bit of time on the toilet the past 24 hours and dropped 4lbs overnight. So I'm staying in and hydrating today and probably going to eat some cottage cheese. Gotta try and solid things up. heh. TMI? I don't care.

Photos...   Okay guys, Here are some photos of the NY move. I'm not a great photographer, but you'll sorta get the idea.

Shasta... The bed we sleep on together. There's more to the apt. But probably not too interesting. 

After I went to see Allan, I know, I should have gotten a photo with him. 

The Room I share with Shasta. 

The courtyard of our apt. 

The street view in front of our little abode. 

My local station. Lovely outdoor station, I may hate that in the next few months. But for now, It's charming. 

My friend Laura and I out on Union Square after a very successful interview. 

graffiti that made me laugh. 

Forgetting I'd zoomed in. 

Right BEFORE my interview with Allan. 

So there are some of the adventures. I'll have more soon...   and I'll probably post some more about the dates and stuff later this week. 6 dates, 8 days. Tell you what, that's one way to keep the grocery bill down.

Wendy... over at Eat Sleep Move talked with me last night over the phone. Getting all the gory date details and hearing the stress garbage... I've had two job offers, but have been scheduled at either one, so I'm continuing on with my job searches as though I hadn't gotten my hopes up. Without employment, I can't make commitments to things like a gym or buying new, smaller clothing... It's just such a level of stress I'm unaccustomed to. This is the longest I've ever gone unemployed... going on 14 days.

I'm losing weight, but I fear some of that is my muscle mass that I've worked so hard for. As fitness has not been the main focus of my life right now. Anyway... Wendy, out of the sweetness and kindness of her heart, hooked me up with a gym pass for the next three months. When she did, I broke down sobbing. One less thing on the plate to worry about... I'm so grateful. I feel like getting to go to the gym is going to at least give me some structure, some alone time from roommate and a way to work some stress out.

This is such a great community... this fat blogging community. Allan is trying to hook me up with a job, Wendy has helped me continue to pursue fitness... All of you support me through thick and the pursuit of thin. I would normally be too proud to accept anything like a gym pass or a job offer, but whereas I'm probably in one of the toughest transitions of my life, I'm SO humbled by the kindness and selflessness of others... and I would be an idiot to not accept the help extended to me by others.

Silly date post later...


This week's challenge: 6 hours of exercise. 

Big Fat GRATEFUL & LOWEST WEIGHT Love,
Nanette

Life continues...

This guy I've been talking to for a couple months finally met up with me yesterday. It was late because he works weird shifts. Sports Journalist for Madison Square. He met me at my station. Then we went over to Atlantic Ave and wandered around Brooklyn Heights. I wish I would have taken my camera. We walked around for a good hour and a half before going out to the pier (aka: romantic outlook-y place). 

It was so nice because yesterday I spent THE ENTIRE DAY in the house (but I did get in a short workout). And ate some pizza. I needed the movement and the fresh air. 

Today I'm heading out on the trains to Wappinger's Falls to meet a friend. Another adventure. Another navigating experience. (I've done pretty well so far). 

I'm feeling really unsettled because I'm not used to being unemployed. I haven't been scheduled yet at either work place. So I keep sending out my resume (like a champ)! But I will say that I'm really enjoying the down time. I haven't had that in a LONG TIME. 

Update you with photos in a couple of days. 

Big Fat Dating Love, 

Nanette

SUPER Late SSSD

Summer Sizzle Slim Down Challenge!

Okay. So I didn't know I got in... and now I'm a bajillion days late posting my first thingy.

Requirements

Photos:

Measurements:
Waist - 45.5"
Under Waist - 58"
Hips - 60 2/3"

Weight: 300

This Week's Challenge

Accountability - write down everything that passes the lips!!!

Since I'm starting late... I'm going to track like a mad woman. That and I probably won't see a ton of results by Sunday. Which is lame. But it'll be okay. TOM is approaching (sunday). But my body isn't reacting to it like normal. Normally this week would have been a week of massive gain. But so far, I've just been dropping all the stuff I gained from the good bye dinners and breakfasts and brunches.

I have NOT been working out! Ugh! I know I'm walking more. I know that the city makes you work. But I really want to keep my fitness up as well as slim down. So I need to commit to a few exercises every day.

- 20 squats
- 10 pushups
- 20 side lunges (10 each side)
- 10 pushups
- 1 min plank.

Each day until Sunday as a get started thing. I brought a ton of post its from Idaho. Post its are my organizing source. I use them as a weight loss ticker on the walls. I use them as a makeshift calendar. I use them as workout guides.

Haircut and a New Low

I found a gym close to my place. Just waiting to get the working started before I can make any more financial commitments. I also took a little time and did about 40 squats, 20 pushups and a 2 min plank yesterday. Nothing crazy. Nothing even big. I've been walking around like a crazy person just exploring and meeting people. 

Food has been pretty "normal" and sensible. 

Breakfast: banana. 

Lunch: Turkey + veg sandwich. 

Dinner: Burger + fries on 10th and Ave A. 

Snack: Ginger ale. 

Snack: serving of chips and 2 servings of cottage cheese. 

I visited my ex yesterday. He's a hair stylist. I've been informed that as long as I'm in the city, I've got free cuts. :) He took me to dinner... gave me a haircut and a welcome to the city gift (maps, maps, maps, candle and a canvas tote). I feel like one of the luckiest girls in the world to have such good friends. I'm very fortunate to have the positive people in my life that I do and the opportunities that life has presented. 

Hair: Before

Hair: After

Internet dating... is awesome in a large city. More than the dates themselves, it's forcing me out of my house and to think about how to get places and time my excursions. Last night's date and I wandered around east village for an hour or so (lots of walking) then took pause at a Japanese tea room. It was lovely. 

Best part of all... I feel like I'm putting in less effort on the weight loss thing. Just staying out and active and refraining from eating everything. I'm seeing results. 

Down to 300 today. :) New lowest weight! 

Big Fat VICTORY Love, 

Nanette

JOB! And food..

Here we are... day three in NYC!

I'm having a hard time getting in my 6 small meals a day. I just run and run and run. In a way, this is awesome. But I know that I'm dehydrated and that I'm hungry nearly 80% of the time.

Went to the organic co-op...   dropped about $50 and walked out with food for about 4-5 days. So it's a little more than I budgeted for. I found another grocer on my way to the B subway today... Really great produce and the prices are MUCH more appealing.

Saturday
1/4 a large candy coffee from Dunkin' Donuts
cheddar grits with poached eggs and butternut squash
Piece of sourdough toast with goat butter.
3 big pieces of margarita pizza (shhhh...)

Sunday
Turkey burger (no sauce, no cheese)
Side salad with balsamic.
Banana
Banana
Dried mango strips.

Monday
High fiber toast + apple butter and peanut butter.
Banana.
(so far).

I'm surrounded by food of every ethnicity and price... So many things I haven't tried or even heard of. I may fall into some calorie traps. But for the most part, if I continue to eat like Sunday... I should be fine.

I'm walking about 3-5 miles a day. No biggie... so that's the same as in Idaho. I'm very close to a Bally's  gym. I've got a little research to do about membership costs. But I would love to have access to a gym. As much as I love my neighborhood... I don't quite have enough trust to plug in my ipod and run without being paranoid or self conscious... YET.

Today... best thing! I went and met Allan. Yes. Scary, tell it like it is Allan. I got to see the restaurant he works for. Beautiful place and full of healthy things as far as the morning snack bar was concerned. I wandered around Rockefeller Plaza a bit and then took the train home. As much as I would love to really peruse that area... it just makes me want to spend the money I don't have. And it's not like it's a race to see all of NYC. I LIVE HERE NOW... I can take my time.

I have a job! It's an hors d'ouvres thing... wear black, look friendly, ask people how they are, offer tiny food stuffs. I have another job interview tomorrow with a staffing agency (helping the agency, not being staffed). I'm excited. I hope I'm what they're looking for. HIRE ME, PEOPLE!!! I'm 10 shades of AWESOME!

Big Fat Brooklyn Love,


Nanette

RFSC - Final Post.

Weight
Goal: - 18 lbs (295)
Actual: - 9 lbs (304)

Waist
Goal: - 2"(45")
Actual: - 1.5" (45.5")

NSV
Goal: size 24 pants.
Actual: size 24!!!

And... I packed up my life, sold and trashed the rest, lost a job, quit another, was homeless for 4 days, got a sublet in Brooklyn, lined up a couple interviews, said a thousand good-byes to loved ones AND MOVED 2000 MILES FROM HOME!

Great freakin' challenge results if you ask me.

Big Fat Losin' It Love,
Nanette