February Progress Pictures, March Goals

And nowwww it's that time of the month you've all been waiting for!

You know, where I post bare midriff pictures 

of myself to remind me 

why donuts are evil 

(which I ate one again today, GD it!)

6 months in pictures.

October through Feb

Stats for February 28th

weight 150.6 (up by .8)

neck 13

arm 11 (up by .5, guess that's not bad if it's muscle right?)

thigh 19 1/2 (up by .5 see above)

chest 35

back 33  (up by 1)

waist above belly button  31 1/2 (up by 1/2)

waist at belly button 33 1/2 (up by 1 1/2)

waist below belly button 32

hips 34 1/2

so I gained 3" but I think last time I measured in the morning and today I measured after work so I'm not going to sweat it.

This was a difficult month for me with my birthday "weeks" with all the partying and vacationing.

To be honest I don't even know where my February calendar went. I never wrote on it after I made it. HORRIBLE! It definitely works better if you put it  on the fridge and do the sticker thing every day. 

This was my first month with entirely without the trainer and I did mostly just go once a week. I never missed a full week though so it could be worse! We got Scott signed up for the gym the other day so we can go together now. We went together the other day and it was fun!

My goal for February was to run 50 miles. Apparently in Runkeeper I should have made it say 50 miles by March first not February 28th because it apparently cut it off YESTERDAY. I realized that after I finished my run, all excited that I did it. So F U Runkeeper! I ran 50 miles!! (plus)

My new goal is 50 miles for March, sounds like a good attainable number.

and to run a 5k under 30 minutes. SOOO close today.

If I hadn't walked a bit to catch my breath a few times I totally would have made it. I was kind of giving up thinking I wasn't going to make it but then realized I still had 3 minutes left and was getting close. Darn it!

Here's the calendar I worked up, maybe I can actually not lose it this month. 

I'm sure there will be a LOT of cycling miles for this month too.

Here's to a productive March! 

Happy Birthday Trevor!

Today is Trevor's Birthday!!

He's double digits today! 

It's hard to believe that my "baby" is 10.

It's definitely nice not having to take care of a baby anymore though haha!

He picked out a present for himself last night at Target, a game for his 3DS

We are going out to dinner tonight, his choice of places which of course he picked Chinese food.

 I'm hoping they have something not fried or bathed in salt.

I'm not going to be a baby and make him pick something else because I have fat girl issues. 

We're going to have family over for a party Saturday night and instead of a friends party we are taking one friend with us to the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz. 

Hopefully most of the rides will be open!

Wish me luck with dinner!

I'm Getting Famous!

Well not really haha but it feels kind of cool to see this little email interview I did for this website, go check it out!

Just keep moving just keep moving

I'm starting to feel a little bit more excited about exercising again.

Lately I've been kind of in a little bit of funk. I feel like I've about topped out at 6 1/2 miles of running. It's hard. REAL hard. I want to keep moving forward and adding more mileage but in a way I feel like I should be able to do a distance easily before I move on. What do you think? Maybe I just need to start fueling myself while I'm running so I don't run out of steam. I think I'm going to make it a goal to run 7 this Saturday.  I bought some different kinds of fuel to try out. Probably all disgusting but we'll see how they work.

I'm signed up for another 10k the next weekend (March 16th) in Del Valle. It probably going to be a bit hilly  but at least it won't be a boring run!

Now that I have my new bike I'm super excited to go out and ride. It only takes me 1/2 an hour to ride 7ish miles around the club. I have a little route that I do, out and back. It's a bit painful on a road bike though. There isn't that much to absorb the crappy roads. I really need to go get myself some padded shorts and some gloves.

I'm looking forward to Scott getting his road bike so that we can go for rides together. I'm a little bit scared to go by myself out on the main roads. I'm sure that will subside after I get used to riding on the bigger roads but I think I'll wait for him before I go on any rides out in the big bad world.

I think we are working on a little routine together. I usually like to run Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. I'd like to be hitting the gym Tuesday and Thursday. I made it only once again last week. I need to try and get in there! Don't want to lose my guns :wink:

I'm thinking if I can fit in a bike ride before Scott gets home I can do that and then we can do the other things together. We'll see how well it works! It's hard to coordinate my own stuff sometimes let alone everyone else's.  

Adventure Day Mt. Diablo

 Today we went on another adventure! We were going to go yesterday but it was super windy. So I played hooky on book club today (since I never read the book anyways) and we hit the road! Melissa opted to NOT go with us this time. No surprise there.

Trevor went with us. I knew it was probably going to be a bit much for him but I figured it was better to get him out than to have him home playing video games all day!

Like usual we had to go through the Altamont Hills (aka the Windmills)  to get out of the valley.

They are so beautiful this time of year all green with blue skies. The first time I saw Teletubbies I thought for sure they must have shot it in our hills.

So today's trip was to go check out Mt. Diablo. I've heard people talk about it and I've been seeing someone on Instagram post pictures from there. Now with a name like Mt. "Diablo" I knew it was probably going to be a little bit out of our league but I figured if nothing else we can walk around and look at the pretty scenery. 

We packed some food this time too so we wouldn't have to leave once everyone got hungry. Good thing too because by the time we got there we were all ready for lunch already!

After lunch we finally found what looked to be an ok trail for us to ride on. 

"Curry Point"

According the hand out the ranger gave us when we came in this suggested ride had "moderate climbs".

HA!

We went a ways  got off and walked the bikes up a ways  braked our ways down hills (I'M SUCH a chicken!) and pushed our bikes up more. At one point Scott was half way up a hill taking a "breathing break" and Trevor was behind me near tears and I said "that's it!" and started heading back. 

We got to a fork in the road where it appeared to be flatter and decided to try that side of the trail. I think they just do that to lure you in. That was a fun downhill ride but you know what happens after that? You have to go back up!

probably at least half if not more of our ride looked like that with Trevor pushing his bike up the hills. Half laying on it, DYING. haha

It was pretty though. I think I'd like to maybe just go hiking there.

I look fat because I have 4 layers of shirts on. I left them on the whole time we were there. Brrr

After we finally found out way back out to the truck Scott asked if I wanted to ride on the paved road. The paved road is awesome but I knew there was no way Trevor would be up for that so I told him to find us a nice picnic area and we'd hang out while he went and rode.

Check out this beautiful spot!

Right off a turn in the road. "Bridal Nook Picnic Area". Just the one table set back. Super cool! Trevor threw rocks in the empty stream area while I played on my phone and wondered if this

was poison oak. Still not sure if it is or not but it looks a lot like some pictures online.

After Scott came back we drove up to the summit to check it out.

AWESOME.

After we left I was dozing a bit when Scott decided to he wanted to go check out this bike shop. On Saturday we had went to a different one to try some road bikes to see what size I would need and to take one for a ride. He had found a better bike for just a little bit more money at this place. Guess what I got??

Thank you tax return! God knows I can't save money myself to save my soul. Lucky for us this year we got a nice return and this is a pretty nice present for working hard last year ;) I'm thinking I'm way more of a road bike girl than a mountain bike girl. Rocks are scary.

We had a little ride home still after the bike shop and Trevor was sooo tired. He leaned over on me.

I got caught taking this, he opened his eyes a bit. 

Then he crashed all the way out. He's just been dragging all night and I'm pretty sure he's going to sleep well!

After we got home there was just a bit of daylight left so I took my new bike out for a ride around the neighborhood. SO smooth. I love all the gears I hardly had to work at all. I can't wait to take it out on the real road. Too bad I have to work tomorrow!

Date Night Movies and DInner

Today we had plans to go on an adventure but it's freaking windy. Bom bom bommm sucks. Maybe we will go tomorrow instead. I have book club tomorrow but I didn't read the book anyways. What a slacker.

Yesterday Scott and I decided to go on a date night. I only had about 300 calories left for dinner so I decided I'd go ride my bike to burn a few more. I haven't rode my bike around the neighborhood in forever. Remember when that was my main exercise?  

Not even 300 calories. I find that majorly disappointing for some reason.  I'm really starting to look forward to getting my new bike. I think it's going to make a huge difference.

Since yesterday was "national margarita day" we were going to go to Mexican food. Apparently everyone in the city we went to had the same idea because they all had lines OUT THE DOOR. Um yeah. I can have a margarita another day. We decided to go to the new Mongolian BBQ instead. It's the same chain as the one we usually go to just in the other city we frequent. Plus I know that I can do it pretty healthy by just limiting the noodles and adding in more veggies. 

My bowl ended up being pretty spicy again That's the second time I've had that happen. I guess that's the downfall to this kind of place. You are going to get the flavors of all the people before you. I also went back and got another bowl of just veggies. I should have just stopped with what I had.

We decided to go to Safeway to pick up some snacks for the movies. I really wanted to get some of that chocolate popcorn but they didn't have any. We settled on some caramel and chocolate rice cakes and bought a case of water since it's the same price as buying two (and we needed water anyhow).

Way less calories than movie popcorn but I ate the whole bag which was a couple servings.

We went saw Identity Thief. 

It was a cute movie. A little dumb in places but pretty funny and entertaining.  I just kept thinking if she can make all those cards and ID's surely she could have used another name to get on the airplane?

Be Gone Fat Girl Thinking!

After my birthday week of gluttony I was up almost FIVE POUNDS. Five pounds people!! That might not sound like much but I've only lost like 10 pounds since JULY. Granted I've gained a lot of muscle but five pounds is a lot for me. (Oh to be back in those early days of losing weight where I would drop 5 plus pounds A WEEK!)

I weighed myself Monday morning and I really wanted to throw up. What the hell is wrong with me? I'm making so many excuses to allow myself to eat bad things.

It's my birthday!!
It's the day after my birthday!!
I'm on vacation!
Just one more meal!
Oh just one donut won't hurt!

This is how I always get derailed and end up back at 200 pounds. (I need to print this picture out and take it to work, that's some no pink box motivation if I ever saw it)

Nooooo I don't want to weigh 200 pounds again! I like my little pants and being able to see my neck!

So Monday I told myself, THAT IS IT!
No more crap!

And then I went to lunch at Elephant Bar with my high school friend. I met up with her in the parking lot and she said OMG you are so TINY! LOOK AT YOUR LEGS, they've never been that small!!

Umm thank you very much I think I'll have a salad for lunch. And a Mai Tai.
Because, you know, I'm all about balance.

I ended up the day on track and the next day I was down over a pound (obviously that wasn't a "real" gain) and today I was down a little bit more.

One day at a time, one day at a time.

If I can just keep my face from face planting in the pink box of donuts that seems to show up EVERY.FREAKING.DAY at work I might be able to some day lose that last 4 (now 7+) pounds to get to my goal weight.

And I know that is just a number but it's my GOAL and GD it, it sure would be nice to make it there!

Beach Sunset

We decided that we should go watch the sunset on Jessica's favorite beach. First we went to Target and got snacks. Then we stopped by the school to get more blankets and some shorts for Trevor to borrow.

The beach is really close to where Jess goes to school. Every time we are there we are just amazed at all the empty/abandoned buildings at Fort Ord. It's just AMAZING how many there are. Just sitting there. Falling apart and in decay. Just seems like they could do something more constructive with them than just let them all  go to ruins. Next time we go I'm going to try and take some pictures of the buildings.

Anyhow so we drove over to the beach parking lot. There were a few cars there. Jess said usually there isn't really anyone there.

We walked down the trail through this big break in the cliffs. HUGE cliffs when you walk through.  Very cool.

We mostly just sat on a blanket while Melissa and Trevor played down by the water. 

(with me screaming to stay up higher!! Those were some big waves!)

Trevor did bury himself in the sand though.

It was really pretty but a tiny bit foggy so not the BEST sunset but it was pretty awesome sitting on the beach all together. Sitting and relaxing and enjoying each other's company. 

Poor Trevor was freezing on the walk back to the car! 

We ended the night by going to Cannery Row and eating at Louie Linguine's again. Way shorter time to wait than anywhere else. I'm determined to find a good Mom and Pop place for us to eat dinner at next time though!

Scott and I split this. And now, I must stop eating crap!

No more giving myself excuses to eat delicious but bad for me food.  

I can't believe how much we did in one day. Scott wanted me to drive home. I probably should have bought a couple cups of coffee when I realized that because it was VERY HARD for me to drive home. I had the AC blowing on me, the radio on high and had to sing to keep myself awake.

Cheaper to come home but much nicer to spend the night when we go there. 

17 Mile Drive

After we went to the tide pools we decided to go down 17 Mile Drive. 

We had actually passed the road to it on the way to the tide pools so it was just a couple turns and we were there. Scott and I had went there when Jessica was like 3. All I really remember from that trip was sitting in the car eating Lunchables and going to see the Lone Cypress. Back then they had more grown-up Lunchables. I totally remember mine having fancy mustard ;)

So we're waiting in the line to pay and Scott says we are only doing this if it's under $10. 

$9.75 baby! (weird though why not make it an even amount?) 

(also, new windshield is on my list of shit to fix next, I swear!)

The road winds up and down and around rich people's houses, golf courses and oh yeah, the coast. BEAUTIFUL views on both sides of the road.  We only got out 3 times, to walk on the rocks a bit (remember we just came from the tide pools), to see the Lone Cypress, and so I could go pee.

The water here was a beautiful turquoise color. Melissa said she wants to paint her room the colors of the ocean. Sounds good to me. 

Jess found a dead little crab wedges in some rocks. 

"crabstasche" 

Yes we are strange.

The Lone Cypress

from wikipedia 

Chief among the scenic attractions is the Lone Cypress Tree, a salt-pruned Monterey cypress (macrocarpa) tree which is the official symbol of Pebble Beach and a frequent fixture of television broadcasts from this area. In 1990 the Monterey Journal reported that Pebble Beach's lawyer, Kerry C. Smith, said "The image of the tree has been trademarked by us," and that it intended to control any display of the cypress for commercial purposes. The company had warned photographers that "they cannot even use existing pictures of the tree for commercial purposes."^[3] Other legal commentators have questioned the Pebble Beach Company's ability to invoke intellectual property laws to restrict others' use of such images.^[4]

We were enough to get a parking space in the "tree" area. There were a ton of people, including two tour buses. We went up to the AUDREY rail (wonder how long ago that was carved into that rail?)

and were greeted by this squirrel who was looking for some snacks. I'm pretty sure it wanted Cheetos. Sorry little squirrel I don't have any Cheetos.

 Trevor with the tree in the background.

 Scott and I

 Yep, looks like a tree. 

You can't see from the pictures but it has A LOT of help staying up and together. It has a large strap type thing around the left side of the tree and on the right there are wires/ropes holding it up.

After that we got back in the car and drove around until we found an area with some bathrooms. Next to the bathrooms was a real estate place with fliers in the windows with properties for sale. Yeah most of them were MILLIONS of dollars. Like two million for a crap house and up. 

That got Jess and Scott on a conversation about how unfair it is for some people to have so much money. I say if you worked for it good for you but if you were born into it, lucky lucky you!!

Scott wants to go back and ride bikes through the "drive".

"It's free if you go in on a bike"

Tide Pool Fun!

Sunday we got up early and took a day trip to see Jessica. We left almost two hours after Scott had wanted to leave and we still had to go tour Target a bit until she was awake enough to answer her phone. Good thing I drug my feet a little haha.

Once she was finally up we went and picked her up and went to breakfast at Denny's. Seems to be our spot when we go down there. The service was sooo slow when we first got there but man after we finally got our coffee he was wanting to refill our cup after we took every sip. Drives me nuts. I'd rather my cup was empty before I refilled it. It just messes up my whole sugar/creamer/coffee ratio if you keep putting more coffee in it.

After breakfast we decided to go check out this cool tide pool area she had went to a week or so ago. It was a LOT of fun. We probably spent a good few hours just playing around looking in all the nooks and crevices. We missed low tide by about an hour but there was still plenty to look at.

Do you see the seals? We were there for probably an hour before we noticed them.

I've never seen so many shells on a beach before. TONS!

Super fun, total cost of the beach? NOTHING. Free parking, free access, free fun and free education if you have someone who knows what you're looking at ;)