Recital Saturday!

My recital is now less than a week away! So excited! This is the culmination of my degree in voice. I will be singing a ton of music and there will be a ton of people. I can't wait!

Program:
Romanza de Angela by Joaquin Rodrigo
Er Ist's by Robert Schumann
Schneeglocken by Robert Schumann
Marienwurmchen by Robert Schumann
La Calle de la Paloma by Edward Kilenyi
La Paloma Blanca by Edward Kilenyi
Al Amor by Fernando Obradors
Chiquitita la Novia by Fernando Obradors
Exaucement by Gabriel Faure
La Messagere by Gabriel Faure
Inscription sur le sable by Gabriel Faure
Fascinating Rhythm by George and Ira Gershwin
Los Pinguinos by Zina Goldrich and Marcy Heisler

SO EXCITED!

My struggle with this recital was rooted in what I would wear and not wanting to look fat on stage. When I found my dress at K's Formal at the Hoover Galleria I was so excited. It is floor length and red (very Spanish). It is incredibly slimming (but I didn't know that yet). The problem was what size to order. In store, they only had the dress in white and in a Large. It was tight and made me feel heavy. I wasn't sure I would be able to breathe in it but there was no XL to try on. The question was: L or XL? To wear the L, I needed to lose about 10 pounds. I wasn't sure I could do it and ordered the dress in the XL. It was humiliating to feel that none of the dresses in the store actually fit me. It was the first time in my life that I had to order a "fat girl" size. I cried in the car afterwards. Even though the dress was beautiful, it made me feel ugly. In the end I have had to try not to lose too many inches because of the dress fitting. When I tried it on in the store after my dress came in, it was a little big in the chest. The saleslady told me to eat a little more so that it would even out and wouldn't need alterations. I feel sometimes like I am stuck in a vortex of being both too fat and too thin. Quite frustrating really. I wish I could please myself and everyone else.

Working too hard as a people-pleaser,
Julia

SW: 180
CW: 178
GW: 130

A Week of Diet Review

I figure I should probably review my diet again today. I've been keeping track of it via MyFitnessPal on my phone. It breaks down the number of calories I need all the way down to microgroups. I generally do okay with my calorie totals and struggle with the microgroups.

Monday:
Breakfast- Turkey Sausage Links, Grits, Hashbrown for 360 calories
Lunch- BBQ Chicken Salad with Ranch for 260 calories
Dinner- Milo's Cheeseburger and Fries for 750 calories (YIKES!)
Exercise- Jogging for 20 minutes, Calisthenics for 5 minutes
Total Food Calories: 1370
Net Calories after Exercise: 1100

Tuesday:
Breakfast- Bacon, Tater tots, banana for 353 calories
Lunch- Personal cheese pizza for 416 calories
Dinner- Breadstick and Macaroni and Cheese with Chicken for 552 calories
Exercise- Calisthenics for 10 minutes
Total Food Calories: 1321
Net Calories after Exercise: 1274

Wednesday:
Breakfast- Breakfast muffin for 250 calories
Lunch- Broccoli, Chicken Finger Panini for 474 calories
Dinner- Loaded Baked Potato with Steak Tips for 630 calories
Snack- Mini Heath Bar Blizzard for 360 calories
Exercise- Jogging for 20 minutes
Total Food Calories: 1714
Net Calories after Exercise: 1498....not the best day ever.

Thursday:
Breakfast- Honey Nut Cheerios, Yogurt, Bite of Banana for 239 calories
Lunch- McDonalds McChicken and small fries for 590 calories
Dinner- Pho Dac Biet for 350 calories
Total Food Calories: 1179....Probably on the low end. That pho bowl was HUGE!

So I don't feel that my calorie count is too high this week. Better than usual. If only ice cream had less calories! Sometimes you just need that sweet fix. Hopefully I can start substituting fruit for desserts. We will try.

I didn't workout yesterday for the only time all week. I haven't worked out today yet either... Hopefully tonight the dear boyfriend and I can do something active.

Julia

SW: 180
CW: 178...bleh. I really want this number to go down. Maybe I will invest in a digital scale that gives 10ths.
GW: 130

Walking Wednesday

Went on a run this morning and feeling good!

Excited about the election news. Can't wait for affordable healthcare!

The song workout was good. It definitely took me more like six songs than four though. Hopefully I can improve my time to four songs.

Julia

SW: 180
CW: 177
GW: 130

New Challenge

I have decided to do a new challenge.

I absolutely adore Pinterest. I can spend hours looking for my new favorite food, wedding decor, craft, etc. There are tons of really great work-outs there as well! My new challenge for myself (and if I ever get some readers, they are welcome too!) is to build endurance by trying a new workout every week.

 

Here is this week's workout! Only four songs? WE CAN DO THIS!

 

 

Julia

 

SW: 180

CW: 179.... this is terrible. Why is it going up?!!?!?!?!

GW: 130

Early Morning Runs

So I downloaded this app for c25k. I LOVE it! It keeps me going even if I want to stop because I know it will tell me when I'm done. It's like having a personal trainer in my ear!

Unfortunately, I only have time for it in the morning. Not the best feeling to wake up and decide I HAVE to go running. I would much rather get another hour of sleep.

I did it this morning. It was hard. Sometimes when I run, I get really bad cramps in my right ankle and calf. I'm not sure why. It meant though that most of my 30 minute run was walking. Not as productive but at least I am moving.

Now I am hungry.

Julia

SW: 180
CW: 178... the scale is moving in the wrong direction
GW: 130

Oh why must the food be so good?!?!

So today I messed up. And it's only 12:45pm. Great.

We went to Salsarita's for lunch. I ordered the small bowl, no cheese or sour cream, a little guacamole. I thought I was doing good. Then they asked if I wanted the combo and without thinking I said "sure!". Now, one serving of tortilla chips later I am stuffed. This has made me uncomfortable and honestly I could vomit I ate so much. What started as a 450 calorie lunch turned into an 800 calorie lunch all for a few mediocre tortilla chips. Gross.

On the good side, I am 1/3 for exercise this weekend. I ran the first day of the c25k plan this morning. It was definitely challenging but felt good. My new iphone is great because it takes care of keeping track of time and what is next for me. I love how it just barely interrupts my music when it tells me to switch to run/walk.

Tonight is an Alabama game. Hopefully I can control my binge eating.

Julia

SW: 180
CW: 177
GW: 130

1200 Calories

It is hard to eat only 1200 calories. REALLY HARD! Especially with dear boyfriend and I eating out a lot. And not having a kitchen to cook in. I can't wait until I have an apartment to cook in. It will be so nice!

So this week I have pretty much blown the diet. I've gone over my calories every day except Monday.

Wondering what I eat? Not particularly healthy things, but I figure if I keep the calorie count low it's okay. That will be phase two of my weightloss plan later on.

Monday:
Breakfast- Sour Cream and Onion Pringles
Lunch- BBQ Chicken Salad with Ranch dressing
Dinner- Cool Ranch Doritos and a 6" Turkey Sub from Subway
Total Calories = 1040

Tuesday:
Breakfast- none... oops.
Lunch- Personal sized Pepperoni pizza
Dinner- Fried pickles, and Hot Lips platter at Baumhowers. So many calories, but so good!
Total Calories = 1590

Wednesday:
Breakfast- BoRounds and a Cajun Filet Chicken Biscuit from Bojangles. Again... not healthy at all.
Lunch- Banana, Turkey and Cheese Sandwich with Lettuce and Olives.
Dinner- Fried Flounder, Mashed potatoes, and a slice of cheese pizza
Total Calories= 1534

Thursday:
Breakfast- Yogurt covered pretzels
Lunch- Tri-color pasta with marinara sauce
Dinner- Pho Dac Biet and Sprite
Total Calories- = 1280 BETTER!!!

Friday (Today):
Breakfast- McDonald's Parfait
Snack- Corn Flakes with Peanut Butter
Lunch- Salad with Italian dressing, and Tilapia filet.
Dinner- Not sure. Hopefully something in the cafeteria is edible.
Total Calories = prior to dinner 635. Don't worry, I will finish eating.

Here is to staying on track with the calorie counting! After I am down 15lb I think I may go Paleo. Any opinions out there?

Julia

SW: 180
CW: 177.. up a pound... lame!
GW: 130