Comments (11)

By kilax, September 21, 2008 8:11 am

I must say that I loved suze’s post “discovering my inner fashionista” – probably because I am thinking around the same lines right now. Please read it when you get the chance.

Suze writes about how she never thought fashion was accessible to herself, being a larger woman. She disregarded it and considered those concerned with fashion to be “vapid and shallow.”

But then she realized that there were fashionable pieces available to her. She started taking more time in her appearance, and realized that her size didn’t matter. Taking care of her image made her feel better, overall.

I can’t believe how close this is to what I am feeling. I ignored fashion, and wore the same slacks and button-down shirts for more than a year – just because I was overweight and didn’t feel like taking care of myself.

Once I started eating healthy and exercising, something just clicked in me, and I wanted to start dressing nicer, wearing my hair nicer, and being more coordinated in general. I find myself picking up fashion magazines, actually LOOKING at the ads and fashion spreads and magazines, and imaging how certain outfits would look on me.

And like suze, I thought all of this was ridiculous, vain and shallow. But now I realize how much better it makes me feel to be “put together.” I understand impressing other people isn’t the only reason to care about how you look – it’s really about feeling good being yourself. Yes, I want the my colleagues and clients to think I look decent, but putting more effort into myself… makes me a better version of myself. I am more confident and more cheerful.

Even as I write this, I feel a little uneasy. I think that’s because caring about fashion goes against everything I have programmed myself to believe, as a larger woman. But I am ready to fight that. Thanks for sharing it too, suze.

(Unfortunately, “caring about fashion/style” hasn’t been easy on my pocket book! I’ve even added a new “fashion” category here, so I can start sharing some of my favorite fashion items with you)

Comments (25)

By kilax, September 20, 2008 9:35 pm

Today was our 5K!

Before the race…

… and after!

Our neighbors came to cheer us on and took a few photos. It’s always nice to have someone there to cheer you on through the finish line! (And I should write an entire post about how wonderful these neighbors are – a husband, wife and daughter. They actually live in our neighborhood, not next door.)

Two of our neighbors and us

We’ve been running in the dark, most weeknights, around 8:00. It’s the earliest we can get outside to run. I was thinking this race would be easier than our night runs – we would actually be able to see where we were running. BUT, it was a lot hotter than when we’ve been running, since we’ve been running at night. It was about 80 degrees, and I think it is normally 65 (or less!) when we practice. I had a hard time breathing. I am kind of disappointed in that. I am happy Steven was there to push me and keep me going.

Oh well. Our finish time was 29:00! That’s encouraging enough that we may sign up for a few more 5Ks in September/October, or maybe even train for a 10K!

Quite a few people showed up for the race! It’s always fun with a lot of people there!

Running up the last hill. Check out my… “muscular” legs.

I always try to sprint the end!

Comments (14)

By kilax, September 19, 2008 5:47 am

Are you a creature of habit, food wise? Do you eat the same thing everyday? Are there any foods/drinks, you feel like you have to consume on a daily basis? Or… do you like some variety?

Since I am on the “healthy lifestyle” quest, I am very conscious of what I consume everyday. I generally eat a rotation of the same food groups each day – vegetables, whole grains, fruit, (soy) protein – but I try to eat a different variety within that group each day so that I don’t get bored with it.

I have to have carbohydrates everyday though – I could never give them up. I like to “graze” – eating small snacks throughout the day, rather than typical “meals,” to keep my metabolism up. I finish with a medium-sized dinner. I don’t feel like there is one food I must have on a daily basis though, except warm oatmeal at work for breakfast. It makes starting the work day so much more pleasant for me.

You know, I really hate being this conscious of food, and what I am eating all the time. It makes dining out a TOTAL headache. BUT – I am trying to enjoy life and enjoy food. I am trying not to feel guilty if I eat something that is a lot higher in calories than I normally would. And I am hoping that this will all become more natural with time. I mean, it has to!

Comments (17)

By kilax, September 11, 2008 12:49 pm

When people find out that Steven and I are vegetarians, or when it comes up in conversation, a very typical response is, “I’m practically a vegetarian myself! I rarely eat meat!”

It gets so old.

I understand why people say it – they’re trying to relate to us. They’re trying to make us feel welcome. They’re trying to make us comfortable. They’re trying to make us like them. I appreciate all of this.

But – when I’ve seen you wolf down an entire plate of ribs / 10 pieces of bacon / a huge steak / half of a Thanksgiving turkey, I know you are not “practically a vegetarian.” Especially if I’ve never seen you eat a meal without meat in it.

This all sounds judgmental. But, it all honesty, I don’t give a crap who eats meat and who doesn’t (although I do notice). I dated Steven for 3 years before he became a vegetarian, and it never bothered me. I even made cold cut meat sandwiches for him to take to work. And we served prime rib at our wedding (with a vegetarian option, of course).

If you don’t bother me about not eating meat, why the hell should I bother you? Unless you’re shoving your meat dish in my face, harassing me, I don’t give a crap.

A few weekends ago, we met a friend of my uncle while having dinner at my Grandma’s. The friend’s response to finding out we’re vegetarian was surprisingly refreshing:

“I think I would just die if I couldn’t eat meat!”

Side Note: Even though it’s been 7 years since the 9/11 attacks, I still get a huge lump in my throat when I see the photos/videos. I guess some things hurt for a lifetime.

Comments (16)

By kilax, August 27, 2008 5:48 am

Did you hear about the Chicago-area woman who held a “Battle of the Bridesmaids” 5K to decide on the bridesmaids for her wedding? (Article here)

The race, and her wedding, were both last Saturday. Seventy-five people (men and women) showed up for the race. The top three female finishers got to be bridesmaids – they were fitted for their dresses on the spot. Surprisingly, the bride knew the three women from other races.

My two thoughts were: Why would this woman want strangers in her wedding party? and Why would a woman want to be a bridesmaids in a stranger’s wedding? But hey, to each their own! It was an interesting story.

Steven and I signed up for a 5K in September – but we don’t have to be in a stranger’s wedding if we place in one of the top three spots (ha!).

Comments (18)

By kilax, August 21, 2008 1:09 pm

We have monthly “birthday celebrations” in my office during the months that the staff has birthdays. The company orders treats and we all sit around in the conference room, chatting for about 30 minutes (or more!) while enjoying the treats. It’s actually a nice break, to just sit and chat with everyone. I think of it as a morale booster.

Sometimes the company orders individual treats, like drinks from Starbucks (bleh), and sometimes they order one big thing, like a coffee cake.

You may recall that I am on a “healthy lifestyle” quest. Whenever they order individual treats, I try to order something healthy or low in calories, like a fruit cup or a diet soda.

Today was the August celebration (duh) and our receptionist/secretary/all-star came up to me and said, “I’m going to order that cinnamon-cake thing from Corner Bakery. Do you want a fruit cup, since you are so being so good [healthy-eating wise]?”

She didn’t say it meanly – she was being nice. She noticed I’ve been watching what I eat, and actually asked me if I wanted an alternate item for the birthday celebration. I thought it was very nice that she provided that option for me, because some people are actually pretty mean when you are eating healthy. They become “food pushers” who want you to eat what they are eating or what they are making. I’m happy no one in my office is like that.

But damn, that cake smelled good when I was sitting there eating my fruit cup!

And a little bit of housekeeping… called “How I Blog.” Continue reading 'Fruit Cup'»

Comments (15)

By kilax, August 19, 2008 5:14 am

Pros of exercising INDOORS, on the treadmill:

• Flat, even terrain
• No wind! No resistance!
• Flat screen tv to watch
• Proximity to shower/bathroom
• Ample light
• No one can see you huffing and puffing
• No funny outdoor smells
• NO BUGS IN YOUR BRA

While Steven and I were walking home after running in the park last night, the area under my right breast really started to itch. Sports bras are a bit uncomfortable, so I figured that was all it was, and kept itching at it. I hurried up to the shower to peal it off and found…

… a little black bug with tiny legs.

GROSS! GROSS! GROSS! GROSS! GROSS!

Gross.

You can probably guess that I took a LONG shower and scrubbed extra hard.

In all honesty, I prefer running outside over running on an indoor track, and I prefer running on an indoor track over running on the treadmill. But last night we had to run in the dark. And it’s August! I can’t get home any earlier, so I guess I will be using the treadmill a lot more (than I prefer) during the colder/darker season. I’m lucky we have one at home.

Comments (6)

By kilax, August 17, 2008 8:11 pm

Although Steven and I didn’t do anything productive in the true sense of the word this weekend, we did:

• Purchase tickets for the two of us and my parents to see Robin Williams at the Chicago Theater on September 27. (I HATE TICKETMASTER. I had four seats together, then it wouldn’t recognize my password, so I lost the seats. Now we are not sitting together. Sad face.)
• Exercise! We went jogging on Saturday, and will go jogging again tonight. I’ve gone jogging everyday this week except for Friday!
• See Tropic Thunder. It’s true, Robert Downey Jr.’s performance is brilliant. It was a bit drug out, but still really funny. And although the “retard” bit was a bit offensive, I don’t think it was that bad. I honestly wouldn’t have thought too much of it if I hadn’t heard about all the controversy before hand.
• Locate and purchase a copy of Mario Kart for the wii. Now Steven can be happy. I hope.
• And… meet up with Felicia (and a friend) from Confessions of a geeky blogger! We met for lunch at Rock Bottom Brewery and had an awesome time. Felicia is one of those girls you like right away – 100% friendly, open and lots of fun! And I love her voice! Is it weird to say that? She just comes off as a warm and true-to-themselves person. If that makes sense. I’m so happy I got to meet up with her! I hope her friend wasn’t too bored with us – but I doubt it, she was just as cool as Felicia.

Comments (12)

By kilax, August 14, 2008 12:32 pm

Thanks for the lolcat, Christina

Coincidentally, my infrequent posting corresponds directly to the increase of daily exercise in my life.

Instead of my usual evening routine of eating dinner then lounging somewhere with my computer, I am now eating dinner, exercising, taking a shower… and maybe turning my computer on to check my email.

But it’s more than that. My “quietness” seems to have seeped into real life as well. People I see every day are asking me “Is something wrong?” “Is everything okay?” “Why have you been so quiet lately?”

Nothing’s wrong. Everything is okay, and actually, I feel happy! But I don’t know why I’ve felt so quiet lately. All I know is, I don’t quite feel like myself.

If that makes any sense.

Comments (10)

By kilax, July 24, 2008 9:51 pm

I slipped on my favorite pair of Asics the other night for a walk.

Wow.

I haven’t worn them in such a long time, I forgot how comfortable they feel. Perfect support. Nice snug fit, but airy and breathable.

All day today, I was fantasizing about going running outside when I got home. This is strange because I haven’t truly exercised since May of 2007 (despite resolutions made here)… and probably wouldn’t be able to run more than a minute. Of course, I never found out. I sat on my bum all night.

But I miss the way running makes me feel. I miss feeling like my day isn’t complete until I get a run in.

Maybe, just maybe, I will go on a jog this weekend.

I don’t expect you to humor me, because I have written something very similar before. I guess, just humor me while I continue to write about health, exercise, weight-loss blah blah blah for as long as it… humors me.