I have about 45 minutes left here at work. Sometimes - okay, most times - the last thing I want to do after 9 hours at work is to go to the gym and do more work. I’m usually tired by the end of my work day, and I just want to change, eat, and relax.

Going to the gym in the morning before work actually leaves me feeling energized, cheerful, and ready to tackle the day.  Getting up early … see the full entry

Pet peeve:

I just saw a banner ad online for weight loss. It showed a before and after picture of a girl’s stomach from the side and the “amazing” results she got. It was so obvious that, first of all, in the before picture the girl wasn’t even fat and didn’t have much weight to lose. In the after picture, the lighting was better and she was very obviously standing up taller and sucking it in. I went … see the full entry

I feel bad that I didn’t blog at all yesterday. I’ve been so tired! I’m still not used to getting up so early, and I haven’t compensating by going to bed earlier. I went to bed Tuesday night around midnight, and last night it was around 1 AM. I really have no excuse for staying up so late - I’m just so used to it plus I’m a night person who tends to get energized in the evenings.

Also, … see the full entry

I worked out for about 45 minutes this morning, focusing on my legs. I started out by walking very briskly to the gym (1.7 miles). After this great warm-up, I did seated leg presses, 110lbs, 3 sets of 15 reps. It was tough, but I could have gone harder. Just want to take it easy for now.

I did leg curls, 2 sets of 18 at a slightly heavy weight, and then 3 sets of 18 on … see the full entry

It’s about 6:30 Tuesday morning. I usually get up around 8, 8:15. It was surprisingly easy to get up this morning. Probably the excitement of something new - the anticipation. However, it’s foggy and overcast this morning. It can be hard to get out and go to the gym when it looks so uninviting outside. I make sure to turn on a lot of lights, open the windows wide, and put on the radio … see the full entry

2 cups mixed baby green and baby spinach salad, no dressing
1 medium chicken drumstick, fried in vegetable oil, no breading

I was still hungry so I ordered some Thai food…

papaya salad with dried shrimps
steamed trout
fried calamari, breaded but picked off

I tried to be good by not ordering any beef or pork, which is a big deal for me since I love them both. I’m just going to take it day by day in baby steps.  Also, before bed, I had

1 … see the full entry

1 cup of green tea
1 pack of baked Cheese Nips

I’m very hungry. Whenever I eat, I get hungrier. I think that’s because I got my stomach and metabolism going, and now they want more food. Thank goodness I have such a strong metabolism.

Another reason why I’m hungry right now is that I had a big workout this morning, my first one in months. I’m already starting to get a little sore, and I know I’m going … see the full entry

My company provides lunch.  Unfortunately, it’s usually something quick and cheap, such as Carl’s Jr., KFC, Panda Express, pizza, etc.  If I want to get serious about sculpting my body (and I am!), I really need to start bringing in my own lunch.

Today wasn’t too bad.  We had Indian food from a restaurant next door.

Lunch - 12:30 PM

1/2 cup of basamti white rice
1/2 cup of spicy vegetable curry
3/4 cup of lamb curry
2 cups of cucumber and greens salad, no dressing
1/4 … see the full entry

Breakfast - 6:30 AM

1 cup of non-fat organic milk
A handful of roasted, unsalted almonds
Half of a breakfast wrapped made from 3 eggs (1 yolk removed) scrambled and cooked in olive oil and wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla

Mid-morning snack - 9:30 AM

A serving of unflavored, instant oatmeal made with hot water
A handful of roasted, unsalted almonds

Like I’ve said before, and I’m sure I’ll say many times over, getting to the gym is the hardest part.  Being there is great.

In addition to the “get-up-and-go” trick mentioned previously, another way I motivate myself to go to the gym, especially if I’m just starting out, is by buying something new.  Be it a new workout outfit, gym bag, sneakers, water bottle or whatever, I get myself excited by going shopping and finding the perfect accessory. Once I have … see the full entry