Today I ran to the store.

This may seem pretty insignificant to you, but to me this was like a breakthrough of sorts. Before today, I would run to lose weight, to train for my half marathon...basically because I had to. But today, I ran simply because I needed to return a dvd to redbox and pick up my lady pills for the month.

It was about 2.5 miles there and 2.5 miles back, so I got a nice 5 mile run in, but the real goodness came in the fact that I really just thought to myself, "Ugh, I don't wanna go the gym..it's so nice out..maybe I'll go for a run...shit I still need to return that redbox...and I need my lady pills...wait I've ran past CVS (drugstore/convenience store) before...and they have a redbox...I CAN RUN THERE." Yea, seriously that was my train of thought. And yes, I most definitely did run with that sucker in my hand the whole way. I'm sure I got some weird looks, so you better believe my head was down. Once I got there the stares continued because Lord knows it's not normal for people to go running places, but whatever, I'll bring my sweaty self in and stand next to folks with no problem. You don't like my sweat in odd places, (ladies you know what I'm sayin)? Sorry bout it friends. Then to top it off I have a sweet runner belt that I got off groupon for 7 dollhairs:

Only downside to this contraption for me is that it sits pretty flat against you, so I had to lift my shirt a smidge to see over my giant boobs, and of course all of this happens as an old man is just hangin out behind me in line. Pretty sure I scarred him for life. Or made his day. Whichever. Anywho, made my way back home, feelin pretty proud of myself. Instead of making myself run, I did it for convenience. I feel like I just gained membership to a runners club or something. It's kind of like the first time a passing runner going at the speed of lightning gives you the "runners nod". Don't act like you don't know what I'm talkin about. Shit is real. Or I'm imagining all of this and whoever is reading this, is judging me. 

Anywho, after that joyous run that pretty much solidified this whole running thang as a lifestyle change, I decided to do this: 

Why yes, that is my bikini hanging on my wall. I'm the kind of person that needs constant reminders or I'll procrastinate and start using the "one more bite won't hurt" excuses. So I see this lovely thing every single day before I leave my room. It's my reminder to keep my shit together and steer clear of the candy bowl at work. Mind you, the candy bowl is full of the good shit, not that generic crap that has no name. But I digress, I didn't eat any or drink any soda today, so maybe this will work!

Any tricks you guys have to stay focused on your goals?

-Crystal

My Weight Loss Story: The Middle..

Oh helloooo,

Let's see where I left off. Ah yes, college graduation.

That dress was mighty snug, and I didn't even really want to wear it. But it was pretty much the only dressy thing I owned that still fit. womp womp. (Me and Mama Bear)

Back to the story. I graduated a semester early, said my goodbyes to my sorority sisters and friends, packed my shit and moved back home to Northern VA. Le sigh.. Now came the time for job interviews galore and following house rules again.. *side eye*. I went shopping with my mom to get some dress pants for said interviews and then came my moment of rock bottom clarity. I was in the dressing room trying on size 16 pants, a size that I'd pretty much gotten used to. Pulled those suckers up, and they didn't fit. I was literally breaking a sweat trying on clothes, which is absurd, and the little fuckers didn't even fit. Had to be a mistake, right? Wrong. I tried on 4 different size 16 pants, and none fit. I was on the verge of tears when I walked in, but now I was in full on bawling my eyes out mode. Mom brought me a size 18, and whadda ya know, the little bitch fit like a glove.

I was ashamed, I was embarrassed, and most of all I was in shock. How the FUCK did I let myself get that big? And when did it happen?! And why were my precious 16s not fitting?! I felt safe in a size 16. I had worn it for a year, and hadn't had to go up, so in my delusional mind, I was ok. NOT OK. At the end of the day I still needed pants, so we bought the size 18s. I cried the whole time in the line, like a toddler, while my mom hugged me. I'm sure I looked like a hot ass mess.

I woke up the next day and decided that I didn't ever want to feel like that again, and I never wanted to cry in a fitting room again, so I was going to make some changes. Simple as that. You know on that show about drug addiction, Intervention, when they say the addict has to hit rock bottom to want to change? Well my shopping experience was my rock bottom.

I downloaded both the C25K app and Myfitnesspal (skinnycrystal73 - add me!) from Apple, and got my ass outside. Now, let me tell ya, I had NO DESIRE to run. At all. Ever. The only thing that got me to do it was that I figured running would help me lose weight the fastest. That's it. I got my butt outside 4 days a week, doing whatever my phone told me to do for distances/times. I changed my diet completely and cut out all overly processed food and recorded every single thing I ate into Myfitnesspal. That thing is a lifesaver and is so so easy to use. My diet has changed a lot in regards to how much I eat, but in terms of what I eat, it's about the same. I stick to steamed/sauteed vegetables, whole grain carbs, some fats, and lean protein. That about sums it up food wise.

I promised myself that if I could stick to it and lose 30 pounds on my own, then I would buy myself a gym membership. I kept that promise. In April 2013 I bought my own gym membership, 3 months after beginning my journey. I signed up for my first 5k with my sorority sisters to make sure I had a goal to work towards, and just kept truckin along. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing in the gym, so I stuck to the classes offered. I dabbled in zumba, kickboxing, body pump (my absolute FAVORITE), spin, and bootcamp, before settling into a nice routine alternating between all of them. These classes, along with 5k training helped me to lose another 20 pounds over the next 5 months..

This was when I had lost around 50ish pounds. The weight in my legs was taking FOREVERRR to lose, so I was pumped when my size 16 shorts were finally too big.

I think that's all for now. Next time we'll get into closer to where I am now, weight lifting, and future goals.
I'd forgotten how much I love to write... puttin that English degree to good use!

Adios Bitchachos.
-Crystal

Good news, I'm actually not dead. This week has been cah-razy with my temp job, my part time job, and ya know, trying to live an stuff. But! I realized somethin, I haven't even told you kind folks about myself.

Way to go, doofus.

H'okay. My name is Crystal.

I've got a dog named, Tiger and a boyfriend named Leon. She is commonly referred to as "demon baby". He is commonly referred to as "the boyfriend".

We're a good lookin bunch, I know. Anywho, I'm a recent college grad, if by recent, you mean a little over a year. Whatever. I work part time at a dog daycare, aaaand I'm currently temping at some random place as a professional bitch-work-doer. I have a passion for working out, eating healthy (most days..),dogs, netflix, hangin with the same group of friends I've had since middle school, and harassing my boyfriend. I think that about sums me up. 

About the doggy: Her name is Tiger because she's brindle. duh. I got her from a family member over the summer of 2013, and I love that little psychopath to death. She wasn't very socialized when I got her, so I took her to the daycare I work at, aaaand it turns out she has fear aggression. She's nervous around dogs so she lashes out aggressively. Fabulous, right? No. It is not. Can't take demon baby on walks around other dogs because people think I'm hoarding a killer in my house. Whatever, still love her.

About the boyfriend: He's pretty spectacular. We met in the fall of my freshman year of college, started dating in the spring of my freshman year, broke up a couple times because college = drama, and we haven't looked back since! Still together and living in the same city, FINALLY. Our families have met and decided we need to get married soon, to which we have said, "Can you guys chill the fuck out? We're too young for that shit." I love him, he loves me, pretty sure we're set for now.

That smiiiiile. lawd. 

Alright, that's all I've got for you kitty kats. Have a faaaabulous weekend, dolls!

Crystal