Junnebug's Countdown to 30

Off the Wagon

It has been over a month since I last posted. I am sorry to say I fell off the wagon pretty hard. Work events or events on the weekend left little time to prepare food for the week and working out was never appealed to me in the first place.

I did however sign up for entrance exams online lessons videos. Good Old Kaplan. It’s given me a structure that I need to study and my S/O has been very supportive. I struggle to get up in the morning and he has braved the danger in waking me up earlier than I need to. According to sources, you should study 120 hours before taking the exam. I feel like this is where I failed before. Not this time!

I have asked for lots of chicken, so that I can pair it with veggies during my lunch this week. It’s a step back in the right direction. I guess I just need to focus on diet and studying. Maybe some working out if I can fit it in.

Also, I am also dividing my attention to throwing the best bridal party in January. Some might say I am getting ahead of myself, but time flies by fast and I don’t want to rush anything. I take the title of MOH seriously.

Impromptu Update!

This is gonna sound quite silly. I haven’t been doing as much as I would have liked. I am not eating as healthy as I want and I am not working out as much as I planned. However, I am trying to eat healthy (have made some basic changes to my lunches) and I am more active than before. So with these small changes, I didn’t think I would see any improvement any time soon.

This morning, while I was getting dressed, I noticed something about my body. It was really slight difference. Like I don’t think anyone but me can notice it, but I am pretty sure it’s there. I have never cared about weight, but am more concern with my physique. Again, I just notice it today and who knows, it might have been that I wasn’t bloated at the time, but it’s the encouragement I needed.

Hitting the Books

After careful consideration, I decided to go ahead and buy 10 classes for the kickboxing class. Talking it over with a friend, I might just do two classes a week while still getting up early and doing workouts here at home in the morning. Also, along with the classes, I also spent money on gloves and wraps. I intend to use them at least for these ten classes (I did just buy them after all).

As for eating healthy, I am trying. I have been succeeding because of frozen veggie bags. I know it is not the best way to go, but honestly, it’s the best that I can do. Trying to eat healthy and on a budget is not easy!

Still trying to figure out how to raise more money for my other goals. I still haven’t mentioned any of the other ones, but they are a little more tricky. I would like to apply to graduate school. I have put off it because I don’t think I would get in. Yes, typical story. Fear is holding me back.

I hate that fear. My mother is fearless. She is never scared of trying to do something and having faith that it will all work out in the end. It usually does but, man, I wish I had that faith. Instead I currently have no faith in myself.

I want to apply and if I get rejected, then I move on. So I need to study for standardized admissions exams. That is step one.

Kickboxing

After careful consideration, I decided to go ahead and buy 10 classes for the kickboxing class. Talking it over with a friend, I might just do two classes a week while still getting up early and doing workouts here at home in the morning. Funny enough, it feels like I’m just trying to get in shape for my classes. I’m really far behind everyone and I feel like I put other people behind. I’m like the new girl out, but hopefully, I can learn fast. I think two classes a week will be good because my wrist has flared up again after months of not hurting. Not really a surprise but I don’t want to stop because of that reason.

Awhile ago, Colleen mention how gross she thought it was for her to be using someone else’s gloves. All that sweat. So for her class, she bought her own gloves. Well, the same thought went into my head and so I decided to also buy my own. So along with the classes, I also spent money on gloves and wraps. I intend to use them at least for these ten classes (I did just buy them). I went again yesterday and this time I didn’t want to throw up. Good sign right?

As for eating healthy, I am trying. I have been succeeding because of frozen veggie bags. I know it is not the best way to go, but honestly, it’s the best that I can do. I’ve been getting salmon and some form of veggies for the past couple of days. The partner is out of town on a guys trip this weekend so I can eat my salmon in peace.

Still trying to figure out how to raise more money for my other goals. I still haven’t mentioned any of the other ones, but they are a little more tricky.

Keeping Consistent

I might have to reevaluate my ideas of seeing if I stick with an app for a month. The app is free. If I don’t do a work out on it, I know it doesn’t hurt me. I think I should just sign up for a class sooner. I tried out this kickboxing class that’s sorta nearby my house on Saturday. I’ve always wanted to try kickboxing and they offer a free first class.

I really liked it. While it is really only for getting in shape, it goes feel like this work out has a purpose. I never knew I needed to “jap and cross” some frustrations out. I want to only commit to a purchase of ten classes for now because while I like the class and everyone is super friendly (at least the Saturday class was), I don’t know if I’ll be able to use it effectively.

During the week the only class I can do is the 7:15pm one, and that’s if I leave at 6:30pm. Also, it’s not cheap. I’m trying to sell some stuff online in order to pay for my goals, but so far no bites.

I’m still trying hard on the eating out. When Jon was gone, it was easier, but I’m starting to insert myself more in the food planning. I’m squeezing in my veggies and salmon when I can! Speaking of which, I need to pack my lunch.

Getting Into Shape – Step 1

One of the easiest goals on my list is to get in shape. I have been naturally skinny all my life and I have gotten a rude awakening. Guess what? Your metabolism does slow down after 25. It could be that I am less physically active now, but I have never been an active person in the first place.

That is probably the reason why this is a little harder for me. I have never been one to push myself. I say this is the easiest because it is all wholly on me and I expect to be held accountable from this blog.

I would like to start small. First, I have downloaded the “Lose Belly Fat in 30 Days – Flat Stomach” app. Of course this isn’t the golden solution but rather just the first step. Once I do, I will look into enrolling into a fitness class. I did a Fitbody Boot Camp on a Groupon for 6 weeks and that was fun. But before I spent any money, I want to prove my own commitment. It also gives me time to come up with the funds needed for those classes.

I want to focus on my belly (not full body) this month because in the beginning of August, I am going dress shopping. I don’t have to buy just yet, but I will have a better idea of what dress style will be a better fit if I don’t have this little pot belly.

I will also be much more careful on what I eat. I have too long let my Partner be my excuse. He is the one pretty much in charge of food. There are two reasons for this. 1) He does like to cook and is good at it. 2) He is the pickiest eater that I have ever known. However, he works just as hard or even harder than I do. So when he doesn’t feel like cooking, it’s easy to give in to ordering in or popping in a frozen pizza into the oven.

So I’m gonna start the app tomorrow and will add vegetables at least once a day while trying to eat salmon once a week for the month of July.

My 29th Birthday

My birthday is today! I am turning 29.

I have been having a quarter-life crisis for a while and now I am hit with facing the big “Three-Oh” very soon.

Thirty feels a little scary for me. It’s not that I think thirty is old. It’s scary for me because I had a goal in mind for this time frame. When I graduated in 2012, I had a vague plan. I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do with my communication/PR degree and I didn’t want to risk going to grad school without a clearer picture. The idea of Grad school debt is really scary for me.

I thought being out in the workforce would give me perspective while letting me earn some money on my own. However, I am 29 now and I don’t have a lot going for me.

While mostly a pleasant job, I am an administrative assistant for a small office of about 8 people. There is no going up; only out. I had planned to stay for a year before seeking elsewhere or going back to school. Without me realizing, I’ve completed 4 years this last January.

I have not gone back to school. I have not even applied and have barely studied for the GRE exam.

I have gained an unacceptable amount of weight and it’s really starting to affect me. I am not looking at my size number. I am looking at my shape & how I feel.

I don’t really have hobbies. Work & home during the weekday. Chores & obligations during the weekends.

I’ve decided that I don’t want to enter the third decade of my life on such a low note. I have a list of goals that I want to do and I thought a blog might help keep me accountable. This is really just for me and seeing what I can do in a year.

In the following entries, I’m gonna highlight what my exact goals are and how I plan to accomplish them.