Reflection XV: The One With a Final Set

Greetings, earthlings. 

Only thing new is that I have been inspired. I've done some research on intuitive eating and it really seems like something I could do. For those of you that I have no idea what I'm talking about: https://www.intuitiveeating.com/content/what-intuitive-eating

As you may know, this will be my last reflection. I have very much enjoyed working on my 20% project this semester. Makes me glad I decided to change my focus three weeks in. I plan to continue my workouts throughout the summer, and hopefully throughout my life. I could go on about how much this project has changed my view of myself and of the world, but I'm sure no one cares. I've been at this for fifteen weeks, so here are my measurements as of today:
height - 5 ft. 6 in.
weight - 118.4 lbs
chest - 34 in.
waist - 25.5 in.
hip - 31 in.
thigh - 19 in.
calf - 12.5 in.
arm - 10.5 in.
neck - 13 in.
*all measurements taken at largest point of specified body part

And here are my pictures this week:

Previous pictures for comparisons (remember that this is technically my twelfth week because I started three weeks into this project):
Week 1 pictures - http://twentypercent15.blogspot.com/2015/03/reflection-iii.html 
Week 5 pictures - http://twentypercent15.blogspot.com/2015/04/reflection-viii-one-with-pictures.html 

You may have noticed some changes; I certainly have.

As for my 20% presentation, it is finished. I'll be adding my pictures after I post this last reflection, and I will then be ready to present on Monday.

Farewell, lovelies. It's been a wild ride.

Reflection XIV: The One With Cat Freaking Out Because Finals Are Approaching

Apologies, but I am going to have to delay my pictures another week. My camera battery is dead and I can't seem to find my charger. Anyway, here are some updates:

• I have been noticing changes in a few more areas. As I mentioned, my stomach is a bit flatter and I'm kinda getting a butt. Other than that, my collarbones and hip bones are much more noticeable now and I've been obtaining some indents in a few places. Also, my calves are returning.
• I have gotten a bit lazy with my cardio recently, but I am still getting at least one HIIT in everyday.
• I've also been finding myself doing extra calf raises and squats (and sometimes crunches) everyday. Idk, I am just loving the benefits.
• Still haven't found avocado ice cream.
• I have been loving my body recently.

Other than all this, I've been preparing my presentation. I'm presenting on the first day (June 8), so I'm a bit nervous. My presentation will be similar to that of my midterm-- I've created a PPT and I just stuck all my pictures, goals, etc. in it. It's nowhere near done yet because I've been overwhelmed with tests and projects and I even have my geo/trig final this week. Haha, yeah. My death has arrived. Wish me luck.

Reflection XIII: The One With Absolutely Nothing New

Sorry for everything being late recently. Teachers are bombarding us with last minute projects and tests and much more to stress over. Pictures will be included in my next post.

So I tried the maple water. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great, so I won't be buying it ever again. I have yet to find avocado ice cream anywhere, but I am excited to try it. As for my workouts, not much is new. I haven't been going to the YMCA at all lately, but I have been swimming a lot.

Anyway, remember the protein powder brownies I mentioned a few weeks back? Yeah, I forgot about them too. I was recently reminded of the recipe and I want to try to make them this week. Here's the link: http://runeatrepeat.com/2013/04/04/protein-brownies-recipe/

Reflection XII: The One With Avocado Ice Cream

Update: I've been sticking to two HIITs a day, but haven't been going to the YMCA as much as I'd like to be. There's been too much going on in school recently.

I was creeping on this woman's blog (http://runeatrepeat.com/), and I came across a few cool discoveries. Among them:

• Trader Joe's sells maple water???? I did not know this. I'll be going to get some this week- I'll keep y'all updated.
• Avocado ice cream is a thing. Who would have thought? I am very curious and shall scavenge all ends of the earth to find it.

So now I have a few fun things to try this week. Everything regarding my workouts is pretty much the same; no new changes.

Reflection XI: The One With a Dramatic Change

I AM SO SORRY THIS IS LATE. I suck at time management and I've been preoccupied the past few weeks.

Anyway, I have kinda changed up my routine. I started going to the YMCA everyday after school, so that I can do my lifting there. Immediately after school is usually when I would do my cardio, so I now do that in the middle of the night when I can't sleep. Perks of having insomnia. :)

Pictures will be posted at the end of this week because I haven't had a chance to take them recently.

I have been at this for two months, and I am honestly so glad that I made this decision. Regular exercise has changed my life for the better. I'm seeing physical changes- just my abdomen and legs, for now- and I'm also feeling mental changes. Working out gives me this euphoric high that is making me a much happier and much more positive person.

Reflection X: The One With a HIIT and a Miss (See what I did there? Haha, I'm not funny)

Yooooooooooooooooooooo- sorry, I was excited. I may have gotten Taco Bell again today. In other news, I did convince my mother to buy me a set of five pound weights, which is unfortunate because I should be using at least ten pounds. Anyway, my fitness class has started Project Adventure so I can no longer lift during class. I think I'm going to start putting my YMCA membership to use and take advantage of their gym (and possibly a personal trainer?).

I have noticed a teeny change in the way my abdomen looks ... I'm starting to really like the way I look in my clothes, and I've started running in just shorts and a sports bra. Yay, self esteem!
PICTURES WILL BE POSTED NEXT WEEK

As promised, here's the HIIT that I practically live by. Notice there are no burpees? Yes, that's because I don't believe in torture. :)

20 lunges (10 each side)
50 crunches
10 hip bridges
20 high knees (both sides=1)
25 squats
1 min. plank
30 calf raises
30 sec. water break
30 mountain climbers (both sides=1)
15 scissors (both sides=1)
20 butt kicks (both sides=1)
25 plié squats
15 push-ups
1 min. wall sit
300 jumping jacks

*Keep in mind that I work my body to certain extremes, and if you're looking to try a HIIT you should adjust this or find a different one because if not, I guarantee you will not be able to finish it without cheating. Don't cheat yourself; adjust it.
**Also, make sure you aren't doing the same HIIT everyday. You need to change it up. Don't let your body get used to any schedule- you won't be working your muscles and therefore won't be benefiting.

I have noticed that my reflections get a decent amount of page views and no one is leaving me comments ?? C'mon, guys! I'd really love some feedback, or a question, or advice, or really anything.

Reflection IX: The One With Taco Bell and a Triumph

Hello, friends. This week I didn't get much lifting in, but I did do more cardio than usual so I'm pretty happy. I am beyond glad that I chose this as my 20% project because it is honestly making me feel so much better about myself, even if I can't yet see a physical change. I'm slowly learning to love myself, and I had no idea these effects would be setting in so soon. I've also been doing really well with watching what I eat, so I rewarded myself today with Taco Bell (sorry,diet).
For the upcoming week, I'm going to try to get more lifting in. I'm trying to persuade my mother to buy me a set of five pound weights- we'll see how that goes. With next week's reflection, I want to post an original HIIT, considering I've kinda shmooshed a bunch together to create the one I usually use. So you'll have that next week. The week after will be time for the next set of pictures. Hopefully I'll be able to notice some sort of change in the mirror by then. I did try on last year's shorts today and MOST OF THEM FIT, so I'm excited about that (if you couldn't tell).

Moving on, here's a thing I've been wanting to post for awhile now. If you remember my third reflection, I included a list of "rules" to keep me healthy and focused. The rules were as follows:

1. Always graze. Consume at least 100 calories every 90 minutes.
2. Minimize junk and processed foods (eventually I will cut them out completely).
3. Drink tea all day.
4. Exercise at least 30 minutes daily. No excuses!

Well, I have adjusted the list a bit, and I've provided reasoning for what may seem weird. It is now:

1.  Always graze. (consume at least 300 calories every 2 hours)
1. Grazing is something I've lived by since I was diagnosed with hypoglycemia as a kid. But I would recommend it to anyone because it keeps your energy levels tamed, and glucose feeds the brain so eating often literally makes you smarter.
2. No junk. Minimize processed foods.
1. I'm really trying to cut them out entirely. I'm really trying.
3. Drink at least 64 ounces (8 glasses) of water everyday.
1. Hydration is important. Enough said.
4. Drink tea all day.
1. Tea suppresses the appetite. Remember: you shouldn't eat to feel full; you should eat to care for your body.
5. Exercise at least 30 minutes daily and stretch everyday. No excuses!
1. This needs to be here. I need to constantly remind myself of the goal I'm working towards.
6. Make sure you're consuming less calories than you're burning off.
1. This is how you lose weight. You could literally eat whatever you want and as long as you follow this rule, you are guaranteed to lose weight. My brother, Mike, is a perfect example. He is at the gym for 3+ hours six days a week. He keeps count of his calorie intake, eating whatever he wants, and then burns more calories in his workouts than he's consuming. 

Stay golden, babes.

Reflection VIII: The One With Pictures !!

Hi, guys!
So so so, guess who actually took pictures this week? I did!! *applause* I also have my measurements as of today. Nothing new to update this week, as it was average.

Here are my measurements:
height - 5 ft. 6 in.
weight - 121.8 lbs
chest - 34 in.
waist - 26 in.
hip - 33 in.
thigh - 20 in.
calf - 13 in.
arm - 11 in.
neck - 12.5 in.
*all measurements taken at largest point of specified body part

Here are my pictures:

In case you didn't notice, I'M GETTING A BUTT (thank you, squats!). Aside from that, I don't see much difference yet, but if you'd like to compare these pictures to the ones from my first set the link is here: http://twentypercent15.blogspot.com/2015/03/reflection-iii.html

This upcoming week, I'll just be keeping to the usual workout schedule, nothing exciting planned. I'll keep y'all posted. Please check out my other blog here: http://twentypercent15-cat.blogspot.com/ !!

Reflections VI & VII: The One With a Schedule and Goals

So I missed the sixth reflection and have decided to just combine it with the seventh. In the past two weeks, I have decided to throw out my calorie counting book. It was a waste of time and, quite frankly, annoying. As long as I can approximate my consumption and burn more calories than I'm taking in, I can successfully lose weight.

I promised pictures with this reflection, I know, but you'll have to wait until next week because: 1) I waited until 11:50 pm to write this and 2) my self-confidence was kinda shot down in the past 24 hours. So next week there will be pictures and measurements, even though you shouldn't notice any difference. Personally, I don't think I look any different. Although I do feel different, which is nice. I've started to use working out as a way to decrease my stress levels and adjust my mood, and it's working pretty damn well.

Last week, I promised I'd attach my workout schedule. It does differ from week to week, depending on how much access I have to a gym and also my mood. This week was spring break so all I really got in was cardio and flexibility training. Thankfully I brought a friend down the shore with me, so I was more motivated than usual (otherwise I probably would have accomplished nothing). Last week was a fairly normal schedule. Here's what I try to accomplish each week:
Cardio - 5 days a week
Strength training - 3/4 days a week (working a different muscle group each day)
Flexibility - 7 days a week (seems like a lot but I'm a dancer so I'm used to it)
HIIT - 5 days a week (we do them everyday in fitness class so I really only have to worry about 3 days a week at home)

I think it's good to just have a rough outline of what you want to accomplish every week. Motivates you to reach your goals. I don't know about you, but I like writing down what I'm going to do at the start of the week and crossing it out when I'm finished.

I've been updating my other blog a bit. I'm having a hard time finding the time to, but I usually do it in class. There are a bunch of cool recipes and little workouts that I've been trying on there. Check it out here: http://twentypercent15-cat.blogspot.com/

Reflection V: The One With Innovation & Cool Brownies

This week I haven't been doing too great a job of keeping track of my calorie intake, but I have been doing a great job of eating healthy. The only time I gave into my cravings was yesterday when I had ice cream and Oreos, but it was so worth it. Hard work deserves delicious treats!!

Anyway, the blog is going great. I added several pages that I'll link below:

HIT workouts & strength training - http://twentypercent15-cat.blogspot.com/p/quick-hit-workouts.html 

How to battle cravings - http://twentypercent15-cat.blogspot.com/p/hoe-to.html

Motivation/inspiration - http://twentypercent15-cat.blogspot.com/p/motivation.html 

So feel free to follow me on my journey on the other blog! I'm not exactly sure how often I'll be posting on it; we'll see. Also, I have decided to post pictures of my progress every four weeks. Since I posted my first set with the third reflection, you'll get more with the seventh reflection. Shouldn't be much of a difference, but I want to keep track for myself. 

I shall bid you adieu. Expect my workout schedule with the next reflection. And maybe some cool recipes! (I found one I really liked for brownies made with protein powder) 

Until then, friends.

Reflection IV: The One With a New Blog !!

I received a suggestion this week that I should start a new blog to track my progress, and so I did. You can find it here: http://twentypercent15-cat.blogspot.com/
So this week I have:

• worked out a bunch (mainly cardio, because I don't own my own weights)
• persuaded my younger brother to run with me (yay!)
• logged my food and fitness every day (honestly very proud of this because I'm usually forgetful)
• gained one pound (that is totally okay)
• realized that I drink a lot of tea

So much work. I am actually proud. As of this morning, all of my measurements are the same. A friend of mine told me that I should start seeing results in 8 weeks, the people closest to me in 10 weeks, and everyone else 12 weeks. So in two months I should be one happy sunflower.

I'm gonna go now and update the other blog. Have a nice week, lovelies!

Reflection III: The One With an Unbelievable Amount of Work Done For a Lazy Person :)

Alright. Much progress has been made this week. I have:

• taken my before pictures for comparison at the end of the semester
• taken my measurements
• started a log of what I'm consuming and the exercise I'm doing
• created a list of rules to follow
• started somewhat of a routine workout schedule

What I've been doing lately is everyday I run for at least 30 minutes, I do at least 30 squats, and at least 25 crunches. In fitness class, I spend each individual period working a different body part. Tuesday I did back and Thursday I did legs. I'm also going to start working out during co when I can, starting tomorrow (arm day). 

The list of rules I've compiled are just to keep me on the right path. They are as follows:

1. Always graze. Consume at least 100 calories every 90 minutes.
2. Minimize junk and processed foods (eventually I will cut them out completely).
3. Drink tea all day.
4. Exercise at least 30 minutes daily. No excuses!

The food and fitness log is in a little book my mother had bought me awhile back titled "Diet & Fitness Journal". Pictures of it are below. I find it helpful to keep track of things and not overeat.

And finally, we have my before pictures. Apparently, cameras add like 10 pounds because I look awful. Anyway, here we are.

My measurements:
height - 5 ft. 6 in.
weight - 123.0 lbs.
chest - 34 in.
waist - 26 in.
hip - 33 in.
thigh - 20 in.
calf - 13 in.
arm - 11 in.
neck - 13 in.
*all measurements taken at largest point of specified body part

My measurements I'll be keeping track of in my journal. Weight will be checked every morning, and the rest will be updated weekly.
That's all, folks. Wish me luck. Actually, wish for me to not be sore. Thanks, friends.

Reflections I & II: The One With Nothing Accomplished

I cannot begin to explain how glad I am that I changed my 20% project. I have absolutely nothing to write about here because I haven't started anything yet, not even research. Perhaps I will get to that tonight, as well as taking my measurements. Ooh I might also do before and after pictures so y'all can actually SEE my progress each week. I am literally so excited for this project. JUST IMAGINE ME WITH ABS. Sorry. As I said, I am super excited. So I'll just post this now and update it later tonight when I have actually accomplished things. I was thinking of creating a Google sheet to layout my meal plans and exercise schedule. I plan on doing cardio at least four days a week and then throwing in some squats and ab workouts. I'm going to speak to my friend about what he thinks will work best for me because I haven't ever taken exercise seriously, to be honest. This will be fun, I tell myself for the hundredth time. Wish me luck, friends.

2nd Semester Proposal: The One With a Failure and a Fresh Start

Hello, friends. I had pursued designing for two whole weeks and all I came up with were a few lousy sketches. You could say it was a failed attempt at trying something that seemed riveting. So I have decided to change my 20% project. I will now dedicate my second semester to improving my health and getting into shape. Sophomore year has severely increased my stress level and my lack of time management skills and also decreased the amount of free time I have. For those reasons, I had to quit dance and track. Nowadays I don't get much exercise in, except for the occasional 3 a.m. jog. Luckily I already consume a healthy diet (I'm a bit of a health nut), but I would like to decrease the amount of processed and artificial foods I'm eating. I think I'll create a rough outline to guide me through my daily meal decisions and perhaps a list of rules (for example, consuming at least 100 calories every 3 hours, etc.). I think this could also help keep my blood sugar up (I'm hypoglycemic). Then I can create a schedule for my workouts. Since I don't sleep very much, I figure I can work out late at night. I can't be bothered with a gym membership so everything I do I'll have to be able to do at home. My final goal can be cutting my BMI down, maybe in half. With one of my upcoming reflections I'll be sure to include my weight, measurements, and body fat percentage. I can create goals when I have these numbers. Everything I need to know about working out and eating properly I learned last year in fitness (thank you, Mr. Stanko), but if I do have questions I can ask my current gym teacher. I also have friends that take working out very seriously and they'd be happy to help. But of course there is always my best friend, YouTube. Most of this project will be done outside of class (obviously), but in class I can work on designing meal plans and finding new workouts.

Easy about this project:

• finding motivation (bikini season is soon approaching)
• getting advice
• creating exercise routines
• EATING (sorry for the caps- food makes me happy)
• I'm used to being sore (perks of being a dancer)

Difficult:

• not owning weights
• finding the time

Reflection 14

So so so this week I have been so busy, it's tragic really. Sleep deprivation will be the death of me.

Pictures are saved on my flash drive (which of course is at school) so they will be posted with the next reflection (the last reflection???).

Midterms are approaching, which means presentations are also! I haven't quite decided yet but I think my presentation will consist of a PowerPoint highlighting the many aspects of realistic drawings and maybe showing some before & after (meaning good & bad) drawings of mine. The excitement is setting in.

So look forward to the pictures and stay fabulous.

Reflection 13

"Okay. Let me begin my three-part apology by saying that I think you're a wonderful human, with great potential."
^If you know where that quote is from, then we can be best friends.
But seriously, I cannot post pictures tonight because I was about to try to fall asleep and I thought to myself 'oh, I didn't post the 20% reflection.' So here I am. 
(sorry sorry sorry. the pictures are on my camera and I am in bed. ugh laziness prevails) 
I've done a bit more drawing in the past week-- mainly of cool people I know/find on tumblr. It's actually been really interesting, as I've gotten to experiment with tattoos and piercings. 

Pictures should be up next week (sorry again).

Reflection 12

This week I've been drawing a ton, since there's pretty much nothing else to do but sleep.
My progress is fab, if I do say so myself. I've been drawing a lot of faces (male and female), getting better at shading. My free-hand proportions aren't too bad now. Won't be able to draw the beach in pastels because I forgot to bring them (go, me!).
I will attempt to get as much drawing done in the next week as possible because I know I won't have much time when school starts again (midterms are approaching!).
I'll have pictures up with the next reflection.
Stay golden.

Reflection 11

So apparently all of my teachers are plotting against me. They have all (really, all) given me projects due today, so I've been quite busy this past week and haven't gotten much drawing done. I plan to get so so much done over break, as I will be down the shore and I have only one paper to write. If I'm feeling up to it, I'll draw the beach with pastels-- I've worked with them before and I'm not too bad. So expect pictures within the next week and a half. I'll be posting everything, or at least everything decent, in my sketchbook. Feel free to laugh until you cry. I am also going to try to convince my younger brother to let me draw him again. It didn't go too well last time, but I've improved greatly so I really want to give it a try. Maybe I can draw my cat too?? That'd be pretty cool...
Well, I hope your week will be fabulous. Stay golden.

Also, shout out to Aidan, a friend of mine whom recommended a great band to me that is perfect in every way and is excellent for getting me in the mood (to draw, of course). Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESAHQRm8POA .

Reflection 10

I was crazy busy this week with the start of winter track, an immense amount of schoolwork, the need to choreograph for VPA, and my sleep.
Despite that, I did get a chance to pick a few faces to draw and I have decided on Johnny Depp and Robert Downey Jr.-- two of my favorite male actors and also two men that don't possess the ability to age.
I must say that I also got a chance to color one of my previous drawings and you won't be able to see because the garbage truck picked it up this morning. Yes, it was that bad.
I've decided to take pictures of every page of my sketchbook and put them up over winter break (sorry, but that's the only time I'll have to do that). You will finally see the progress!!
Stay golden.

Reflection 9

According to my progress this week, I do not fail at life. By Christmas I should have the human body perfected. I really want to dedicate a chunk of time to going back to male faces because that was a disaster, so I think I'll be doing that between now and Xmas. I'm not sure when midterms are (mid-January?), but between Xmas and then, I'll be adding more body & face sketches to my sketchbook, experimenting with color (yay!), and maybe even drawing some more cats (because I was pretty damn good at that).
Sorry about not posting pictures... I really need to get around to doing that.. next week maybe?