Making memories and shopping lists: #myveganjourney 60 day Update!

Okay, let's start with the obvious: I need to go

shopping immediately.
 

Throughout my weight loss journey, leggings and dresses have been outfit staples. There are times, however, when I like to wear pants. This past Tuesday was one of those days. Judging by the looks of the photo to the left, I should've made another decision. lol.

So, this weekend two things will happen: 1.) I will be donating clothes and 2.) I will purchase jeans and a pair of slacks.

The True Test

Tomorrow it's about to go down. {in my Kevin Hart voice}

I am heading home to spend a long weekend with my mom, fur kiddos, family, and friends. This time around; however, things will be quite different. When I left the Carolinas on January 7th, I was an omnivore, and now I'm returning a vegan.

I've often wondered how my first visit home would be after starting my vegan journey. Before trips home were filled with {numerous} stops to Bojangles, Chick-fil-a, Krispy Kreme, Fatz Cafe, Sonic Drive Inn, Waffle House, Lynn's Drive Inn, Carolina Cafe, Outback Steakhouse, Texas Roadhouse...well, you get the picture.

Now, that I'm #aboutthatvegan life, what's a girl to do?

#myveganjourney - 30 day Update!

January 2013

February 21st marked my one month veganversary. To be honest, some days it feels like it's been longer than 30 days. There has been so much detoxing and growth that has occurred over the past month that I feel anxious (in a good way) about what's to come in the next 60. My coach, Lasse, has provided tons of support, inspiration, and perspective. It's made this journey that much more enjoyable.

In the beginning, he asked about our goals. I only had one -- to lose weight.  Little did I know it wasn't going to be 'physical' weight that I'd lose in the first month.

In my previous post, I listed my weight and measurements, and I did the same thing the morning of Feb. 21st. However, a funny thing happened. I didn't feel discouraged at all when I realized I only lost .4 pounds**. I guess it's because overall I felt lighter emotionally. I was able to rid myself of baggage that I didn't realize I was carrying. This was something I hadn't prepared myself for.

Photos: ING Miami Half

Let me start off by saying how much I LOVE Miami. This was my first time visiting the city, and I'm pretty sure it won't be my last.  I thoroughly enjoyed being in the city and discovering it on foot.

Below are a few photos. I hope to run this Half again next year. It was totally worth it.

LOL!

...or a Vegan in Training.


 

My Vegan Journey - Week One Update

Happy Friday, All.

I hope this post finds you well and in the best of spirits! Since I'm traveling this weekend, I thought I would provide a quick recap of my first week as a vegan.

 

The week kicked off with a WebEx meeting with Coach Lasse, and the vegan journeyers - Donna, Ayesha, and Charlie. The information provided was quite helpful, and serves as a great base for the next 90 days. On Thursday, I had my individual Skype meeting with Lasse. It was here where the 'digging' and goal setting began. 

My food selection was pretty simple: fruits, veggies. hummus, salads, and (lots of) water. Although I spent time researching recipes that I'd like to make, I did not want to prepare any vegan meals until next week. This week was about getting my body accustomed to not having meat.

My energy level: High

Mood: Enthusiastic

"Vegucation with Lasse"

Yes, it's true.

Today, I am embarking on a new journey and I'm sure it's going to be quite the experience. I've contemplated vegetarianism for sometime, but never committed to the idea. I'm from the South. Fried chicken, bacon, chitterlings, and catfish were all apart of my upbringing. The thought of not eating those food items really struck an emotional chord with me. Seriously, it did. 

Last year, my goal was to be a more active, healthier person. I exercised, ran, took swim lessons, flexed at Bikram Yoga and burpeed my arse off at Crossfit. It was alot of fun, and I pushed my body beyond the limit.  Too bad my eating habits were a hot ass mess. If I took more control of my eating, my progress would be much better.

"I worked out today, so I can eat this. I ran {insert number here} miles today, so this brunch is well deserved." Yeah, this was my thought process. SMH. Bad Lizzie. I needed (and strongly desired) a change, and Facebook provided the open door to a new opportunity.

Yeah, this just happened...

Doing my usual a.m. Facebook browse, and saw this:



I'm STOKED!
Details and backstory coming soon. :)

#Visionboard2012 Revisit: Items 15 - 24

In a few hours, I'm driving my family up to NYC for the holidays, so to save time I'm combining the last items from my visionboard in one post.

So, let's get to it.

Live in the moment: I have a tendency to focus on the destination instead of enjoying the journey. This year I was more conscious of being present in my day to day activities, conversations, and experiences. I must say that arriving at the 'destination' was wonderful, but the 'journey' to get there was much sweeter.

Be more active in the Social Mediaverse: Facebook is been my social media go-to site. I've been on twitter (@lizzieonthespot) for years, but I wasn't as active as I should be. The strange thing is I enjoy Twitter ALOT more than Facebook -- when I'm actually on. I also posted more photos on Instagram. Next year, I want to Vlog. Look for my Youtube channel in early January.

Lose 100lbs: I lost 69 instead. I'm still pleased. :)

Take a Pole Dancing Class:  Maybe next year.

#visionboard2012 Revisit: Be Healthy!

Still in progress, but I'm trying.
Working out more is definitely easier for me.
My struggle is (and has always been) the food.
Why does food have to be so DAMN good?!?!?

Check you later -- Off to a work luncheon.

#visionboard2012 Revisit: No Stress

It's almost 4:00am, and I'm waking up in Dallas, TX feeling quite blessed.

Here's why.

During 2010-2011, stress could've been my middle name. I spent a lot of time being frustrated over the smallest things, moaning about what was going wrong, and dealing with grief of my father's passing. I wasn't in a good headspace.

Stress took a toll on my life. I was grouchy, ate ALOT, and even suffered hair loss. (Definitely not a good look.) lol.

As I reflect over the past year, I'm so grateful to have experienced "good" stress moments. Sure, there were the occasional WTH moments but overall I'm glad that I was able to keep the negative stress at bay.

 

#visionboard2012 Revisit: #OperationRena

This is still in progress.

Sweat, gumption, and inspiration are on deck.

Here's to 2013. 

 

#visionboard2012 Revisit: Maybe next year

"Start the Doula Certification process."
I didn't start on this process at all. I did, however, print off the needed documents a few days ago, and will plan for 2013. *fingers crossed*

#visionboard2012 Revisit: Volunteer

Done!

Discovering Girls on the Run was definitely a highlight of my year. I enjoyed my time with the girls...so much that I went back for the winter season and ran as a running buddy with my favorite 8 year old.

 

#visionboard2012 Revisit: 9 + 1

"Qualify for guaranteed entry into the ING New York City Marathon via the 9 + 1 requirement."

I'm IN for 2013!

Volunteering at the Manhattan Half-Marathon



Gridiron Classic + My Birthday

Al Gordon

AHA! Wall Street Run

More/Fitness Half-Marathon



NY Mini 10K

 

 

 



Bronx 10 Miler

Back to NFL Run

Poland Spring

#vision2012 Revisit: Maintain/Connect

 "Maintain relationships with friends and loved ones. Make new connections."

 

Looking back on this particular goal, I'm pretty sure I used "maintain" as a euphemism. I probably thought that cut off, release, end sounded way too harsh and negative.

 

Even as I re-read the sentence, I think I subconsciously knew that I needed to rid myself of stagnant relationships. How do I know this? I wrote make new connections and I often found myself feeling {insert emotion here} when:

1. there was a lack of (or no) communication
2. I only heard from a person when something was needed 
3. I called, left a voicemail and received a "What's up/How are you?" text after hanging up. {blank stare} 
4. I receive a message asking if everything is okay, because I haven't updated my FB status lately. {side eye}

#visionboard2012 Revisit: "Aspire to Inspire"

"Aspire to inspire" came about after a conversation I had with a dear friend. She told me "Liz, you don't inspire me by what you're saying. You inspire me by what you're doing."

This exchange only confirmed what I already knew about myself: "I aspire to be a "be about it" person. I don't want to sit back and talk about what I could be doing. I want to actually do it. If this inspires, someone -- great! Let's connect and inspire each other."

Over the course of the year, I've connected with some amazing people! It's definitely an "iron-sharpens-iron" situation, and I'm so happy about that. :)

#visionboard2012 Revisit: "Learn how to swim"

Looking back at my previous post about my first swim lesson, I laughed after reading the following:

"Now to be quite honest with you -- I'm a fan of the water. I love being in the pool. However, I begin to feel some sort of way when my feet can't touch the bottom of the pool. I hope to overcome this fear during the next 8 weeks of lessons."  

This was quite funny because here I am ten months later and I STILL feel the same way.

#vision2012: Revisited

As this year comes to an end, I've started brainstorming for my 2013 Vision Board. I'd be remiss; however, if I didn't revisit my #visionboard2012.

For each day leading up to the end of the year, I'll provide an update on a goal I set for myself this year. Did I succeed? Did I fail? You will soon know.

My new #visionboard2013 will be revealed on January 1st. In the meantime, get ready for my first revisit -- Learning to swim. It's coming up tomorrow.

Good night, All!

It's December Already?!?!

 

 

Only 31 days until the New Year! Let's make 'em count. :)