One Of THOSE People

I think I'm going to become one of "those" people. You know, the people you see bicycling around the city with their gear on, rain or shine? Yea. I think I might be on my way to becoming one of them. As you all know, I've been enjoying my bike immensely ever since I've gotten it. Usually it takes me 10-12 minutes to walk home (depending on how fast or slow I'm going), so if I needed to go back to my apartment to get something, it could easily turn into a 30 minute trip including me grabbing what I need and such. Today, it took me ten minutes to bike to my apartment, grab what I needed, feed and pet Shakira, and then get back. And of course I was so excited about that that I forgot to actually SEND the document that I went to my apartment to get until just now. I'm such a ditz sometimes :) It's just such an awesome and convenient mode of transportation--especially in a city like Seattle.

As I'm paying off my debt, I'm thinking of getting out of this apartment managing business and buying my own place. There are so many affordable condos out there, and now that I have a vehicle to commute with, living in Greenwood, Lake City, Shoreline, Maple Leaf, or any of the outskirts of Seattle proper doesn't seem so unappealing. It actually makes them more appealing because I think of how much healthier my body would get having a longer commute.

And when I think of all of the upkeep for a car--payments, insurance, gas, oil changes, etc.--and how expensive it can be, the bike tune ups, new chains, tires, and other gear I need to become a rainy day commuter don't seem as daunting. Sure, it's an investment at first, but having a bike will be easier on the environment, better for my body, and lighter on my pocketbook. I think that if I ever get married, and the situation would be possible, I'd want to be a one car household. It would be nice for myself or whoever I'm with to be able to bike to work, and use the car for recreational activities vs. everyday getting around.

This completely blows my mind because I don't think I would be on this side of this conversation even 6 months ago. I was scared of getting a bike because of hills, my weight, looking stupid, and now, I'm thinking of having a bike as my main source of transportation in the future. Craziness. My life, has changed. I am so thankful!

Don't Stop Get It Get It!

I don't know why I love this phrase so much. I use it often. Way too often.  It does, however pertain to this post. May 1st was my unofficial first day of refocusing my life back on weight loss and healthier living. Don't get me wrong--every day of my life I think about the choices that I'm making and how I can be better. But, I've been on a kind of hiatus from actively pursuing weight loss. It's been great, but as I'm bicycling and feeling stronger and falling in love with my body as it is, I'm also desiring more. I want to be more fit, I want to run farther, and I want to eat better.

So, I'm going for it. Today I biked 15 miles and challenged myself by biking up harder, bigger hills. And I did it. I got myself up those hills without stopping and I am proud. It reminds me of how powerful I felt when I took control and actively pursued a healthier, fitter lifestyle. I have a few, simple, straightforward goals.

1) Exercise 5 days out of the week.
--This will mostly consist of running and cycling for cardio and yoga for lengthening and strength. On rainy days, I will do some other cardio video at home.
2)  Drink water.
--Copious amounts of water. Not diet coke. Water. Not 8 ounces. at least 80.
3) Track my calories
--Everything that I put in my mouth will be tracked on my trusty spark people page. It's a great way to see what I'm putting in my body, and it encourages me to think twice about those sugary sweets I'm so fond of :)
4) Eat more fruits and veggies.
--I can be really terrible about getting all of my fruits and veggies in. I want to eat at least 2 pieces of fruit and 1 serving of veggies per day. I'm not sure if that's the appropriate amount, but it's a start.
5) Curb my sugar addiction
--I love candy. I also love cake, pie, cookies, fruit snacks, brownies ala mode, ice cream. I love sugar. I was most successful and feel the BEST when I let myself have these things occasionally vs. everyday.
6) Blog daily.
--Blogging keeps me accountable. That's pretty much it. I also enjoy writing (most of the time).
7) Continue with my 5k for every month, and run the IronGirl 10k in September
--Run for your rights 5k, May 7th
--Susan G. Komen for the Cure 5k, June 5th (make up for no 5k in April :-/)
--Fremont 5k June 10th
--See Jane Run 5k, July 17th
--Run 4 Thier Lives 5k, Aug 21st
--IronGirl 10k, Sept 11th

Don't stop, get it get it!

Work, Work, Work It Out

I just went on a 9 mile bicycle jaunt to UVillage and back. I'm very proud of myself because I only left H&M with a smaller sized dress--I didn't buy ANYTHING new! Woo! I'm trying to be more conscious of what I buy, how many times I'm going to wear it, etc.

I was talking with the BFF and we agreed that we love the trek to UVillage. The Burke-Gilman trail is so convenient, there are sweet stops on the way (Gasworks anyone?), and it's not too strenuous. I'm proud to say that I'm no longer afraid of Seattle hills. This last long ride I made it up without stopping, and I ended up taking a detour that took me up another hill just so I could some more exercise in. Ridiculous...but awesome. My legs and butt are going to be BANGING by the end of the year...at least that's my hope :)

It feels like the year is going by sooooooo fast. I can't believe it's May tomorrow, and that summer is almost here. I really need to get back in the groove of running and watching my nutrition intake. I want to lose at least another 40 lbs before the end of the year, and I feel like I've just been coasting this whole year--and now we're in May and I'm like crap! The good news is, is that I lost 40 lbs of my weight pretty much in 6 months. So, the fact that the year is almost halfway over does not discourage me. Also, I'm pretty comfortable with my body. I like this size, and even though I do feel pudgy sometimes, I still feel confident.

Anywhoo, I have 2 5ks to run this month and I seriously need to get my running back into gear. I love how strong I feel when I run. There's nothing quite like the exhausted, allover burn you feel. I love running with my favorite music, with my sunglasses on, watching the people around me go about their business. Exercise boosts my confidence in who I am and what I can do. I never in my life thought I would call myself a runner, and I sure as heck never thought I'd be biking around Seattle. Funny how life changes when you start DOING things instead of wishing for things eh? Life is good :)

Mmmmusic & Cycling

Who can resist writing while "Wake Up" by Arcade Fire is blasting through the speakers. I love music. All sorts of music...pop, country, hip hop, indie, folk...it doesn't really matter what the genre is.  I do lean towards certain styles, but if I hear something that just...syncs...with me, I can't help but figure out what that song is and immediately add it to my playlist. I'm pretty slow on the uptake with music unless I make an effort to look up new stuff--I don't listen to the radio often and once I get in the music research mood I end up losing about 3 hours of my life.

My most recent love is Lupe Fiasco's The Show Goes On and Mumford & Son's cover of Wagon Wheel.  Nothing like a little Modest Mouse to get my attention and I can get on board with the message. And Wagon Wheel is already one of my favorite songs. There's something about the twang and harmonizing that just remind me of home. Home in the sense of Virginia and my childhood :). Add in a little British accent and my little heart melts. I really can't get over how it sounds when the lead singer from Mumford says 'rock me mama.' Swoon. So hopefully you'll forgive me for having both versions on my playlist. I just can't help myself.

I rode my bike twice today and it was wonderfully painful. My seat is not being very nice to my bum, but I love the feeling of whisking around Seattle with the sun on my back and cars ready to run me over at any time. I actually really do love wrangling with traffic. I feel very lucky to live in a city that puts up with cyclists and is pretty bike friendly. While I'm not really afraid of getting run over (although maybe I should be), I do fear someone opening their car door while I'm zooming past and knocking me off my bike. I had several daydreams in my head about said scenario whilst I was riding today and it made me suspicious of every parked car around Greenlake. 

I think I may just start riding to work. I know it's a pretty short distance, but I have these wonderful plans of taking my bike for a spin after work to get some much needed exercise in. I really do need to couple these with running as September is coming up quickly and I'm no closer to a 10k that I was in January.  Eh. That's a topic for later. I'm off to clean my apartment and then hop into bed.

I Can Ride My Bike With No Handlebars

Ok, that's not true, but I've been hearing that song way too much lately and when I was trying to figure out a clever title, it's the first thing that popped into my mind. I just bought a new bike on Wednesday. It was a goal of 2011 (woot!), but I have been nervous about buying just the right bike, how much work a used bike would be, and the steep hills. Lets be honest my biggest worry was pretty much the hills. Seattle is super effing hilly and I really did not want to be that person walking their bike up the incline looking sad and tired.

But, my concerns were pretty much blown out of the water as I biked uphill and only stopped once! I think I could have made it, but it gave me a chance to rest and laugh with my bff as we realized how out of shape we are :)  Every other time we encountered a hill, I made it up no problem. 'Slow and steady wins the race' was what I kept chanting to myself, although 'slow and wobbly' was probably a better description.  We bike down Stone Way to the Burke-Gilman, all the way to Burgermaster--where we stopped for fries and a shake--and then back home.  Altogether it was about 8.5 miles. I am so proud, and so exhilarated! It was glorious and I can't wait to go again.

Now I'm off to Tutta Bella with J. to enjoy my favorite pizza.  I'll have to review Tutta Bella on here sometime. They are bomb.com. That's right, I said bomb.com. I'm bringing it back :)