Weight Loss Wednesday: Muscle Atrophy

Have you taken a gander at the My Fitness Pal widget on the right side of my blog? Well it states that I've got 75 pounds to get to my goal weight. I've lost almost 30 pounds since signing up in 2010. Yeah I know, slow goes it. Anyway, one thing that number doesn't account for is inch loss.

Well I was going over my progress and inch loss and noticed something quite odd. It isn't really odd as it is more alarming. I found that while I've lost almost 30 pounds my inch loss is very minor. Extremely minor to be exact. You know what that means don't you? I'm losing muscle!! *gasp!*

Yep folks that is the only logical thing. You see when you weight train or even cross train where you're not only doing cardio but you're also working your muscles a bit at the end of the day you're strengthening them. Making them short and thick or long and lean. Well I ain't doing either. I'm losing muscle because I'm not doing much in the strength training department. I'm keeping it real folks. Yeah I will do a few squats here and there, but nothing that equates to muscle building.

You see muscle weighs more than fat but takes up less space. You know 'cause it's dense and what not. So when I evaluated my progress over the last 3+ years and loss less than 10 inches overall that's an eyeopener. I should've seen the signs. I'm an all or nothing type of fitness person I've realized that it takes my body about 2 weeks before I start to see the effects of muscle loss. I start to feel run down and tired for no reason, I have a hard time sleeping, and lets just say I'm not as "regular."

How do I know? Well think about how you feel when you've worked out consistently? You have more energy, you sleep more soundly, you crave healthier foods, just to name a few. Maybe I'm just speaking for myself but that is what I experience with regular exercise. I assume the opposite occurs when you don't work out.

With that being said I'm off to do a bit of weight training. I have to admit working out is not fun anymore, it never really has been. Unless I pop in my Zumba DVD, then it's a party! What happens when you're not in the party mood? Ugh.

Tasty Tuesday: Cucumber Subs

You can't say this doesn't look just a little bit yummy! My local grocery store has cucumbers that are 2 for $1.50! I know what I'm having for lunch this week!

So what would you "cuke" fans load your sub with? *Let the salivating begin*

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Fashionable Friday: Happy Birthday Mom!

Last Friday was my mom's birthday and we took her out for dinner. Here's what I wore.

It's nice to be able to find preppy clothing that fits. It is getting easier and easier as I get smaller. I just hope my wallet can handle the destruction when I reach my goal weight! Ha ha!

Mediocre to Marvelous: How do you do it?

Today's installation of M to M is more of a question than a strategy, plan, or recap. I'm having a very difficult time with changing up how I normally do things.

For example, when I am faced with a challenging decision I tend to avoid it until I MUST face it. Another example and one that is more weight loss related is when I'm stressed I tend to go to sleep (avoid) or even eat (not so much anymore but on occasion) but what I really would love to do is exercise to alleviate that stress. I don't know, jumping into bed seems more appealing than lacing up the sneaks. I do this unconsciously. It's just not my go-to stress reliever, with that being said...

How do you basically reprogram yourself to become the self you want to become? Did that make sense? I sure hope so.

I need more...but do I?

Lately I've been thinking about my future once I'm done with school. I feel like I don't know much more than I did when I entered school. I may be over critical but I truly believe I could've learned more. Why I'm saying this is that I feel too "green" to enter the workforce after next semester. I just don't feel comfortable securing a job. I've spoken to an instructor about my concern and he suggested I "create" my own self-study course. I can earn up to 3 credit hours and hopefully walk away with knowing a little something something before I apply for work. I thought it was a great suggestion and I just may do it...with at little inner apprehension of course.

This morning after bus stop duty I was explaining to the other moms my dilemma. They completely agree with my feeling of not learning enough. I felt validated. I then returned home to start working on a class project only to avoid it and visit the ultimate time waster (not Facebook) Pinterest. While browsing through new pins I found an article that I thought was the perfect answer to my dilemma. The article was about Sir Richard Branson. It talks about the habits of successful people. Basically, they start before they feel ready. That has ALWAYS been a problem for me. I feel like I need to know ALL the answers before I venture into something new. All the while just wasting time and not just STARTING!

I thought the article was just what I needed to read given my current dilemma. I clearly know enough to secure an entry level graphic designer position. Unfortunately something inside me thinks I need more. Which causes time to past and before you know it haven't started anything and I feel like I've never progressed as a designer.

Do you experience the same dilemma? Do you need to know EVERYTHING before starting?

Oh yeah...Happy Halloween!

Why do I do this to myself?

I'm starting to question becoming a freelance designer. I say that because there is so much that goes into running your own business that quite frankly I'm not in the mood to take on. Don't get me wrong I've worked for myself in the past and did okay. I guess being a creative person I don't like the mundane bookkeeping and all the other administrative mucky muck that goes with running a business.

That doesn't even include the fact that I feel a bit inferior to other established designers. I know, I know, I shouldn't compare myself. But really you can't tell me you don't compare yourself to others following a similar path. I think it's human nature. Unless you're a zombie. (Don't get me started on the over-zombification of America. What the heck is that about?) I guess I'm at a point that I feel more intimidated than inspired by designers in my field.

Plus, I'm starting to feel like I should have chosen another school because I don't feel like I know more than I did when I enrolled. I guess I thought school was going to be the "be all end all" and it ain't.

Yep that's right you've entered the "wah wah" zone. The place where I bitch and complain about how life is not going the way I planned. Welcome.

I guess this is where the adult tells the inner child in me to suck it up and move on... *sigh*

Tasty Tuesday: Baked Eggs

My go to meal for breakfast, lunch, dinner or even a snack!

Baking your eggs this way makes life so much easier. At least for me it does.

1. I spray the pan with non-stick spray
2. Crack the eggs or pour egg whites in each cup.
3. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper on each
4. (Optional) Sprinkle parsley flakes on each egg.
5. Bake at 350F for 15 minutes.
6. Enjoy!

Perfect for making breakfast sandwiches!

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