Tag Archives: pictures

Fun and festive study breaks

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Management, evaluation and environment - I guess flashcards aren't a very advanced studying technique, but until someone gets me and iPad, these are the best way for me to study while waiting in line at the post office or doing cardio at the gym.

Management, evaluation and environment - I guess flashcards aren't a very advanced studying technique, but until someone gets me and iPad, these are the best way for me to study while waiting in line at the post office or doing cardio at the gym.

This may sound crazy, but studying for exams has been surprisingly relaxing. Not the actual studying or exam taking, since ya know.. grad school ain’t cheap and I’d like to graduate sometime this decade, but being able to clear my calendar for designated “Study Time” and “Break Time.”

I’ve also had the opportunity to spend a lot more quality time with my friends and family in the last two weeks, and that really means a lot. I guess it is the season of gatherings, out of town visitors and commiserating study groups.

This week, my semester exams are done and now I’m reviewing for my OMG-Big Mama-Comprehensive Exam. Tomorrow, I’ll sit in an icy computer lab for hours, cranking out essays about public health program planning, theory and evaluation. And then? I’ll wait to see if I get to graduate in May. I’m happy to report that I’m almost finished wrapping up the loose ends for my field placement next semester. I can’t say much about it, but I’m excited to do something new and to work on a program addressing health disparities, which is one of my main areas of interest.

But, Ok, enough about school…

Last week I baked my mom's oatmeal-coconut Christmas cookie recipe for Kat's cookie swap. It is hard to explain why these are so good, but really they are so. good.

Last week I baked my mom's oatmeal-coconut Christmas cookie recipe for Kat's cookie swap. It is hard to explain why these are so good, but really they are so. good.

It isn't the holiday season without cookies and festive booze.

It isn't the holiday season without cookies and festive booze.

Yesterday, my friend from my FloMo days, Michael came to visit. We went to the Body Worlds Vital Exhibit at the SC State Museum. I know this is going to sound either nerdy or disturbing depending on how well you know me, but..It was really interesting to see what disease looks like inside the body.

Photography wasn't allowed in the exhibit, but lucky for you, we have these other charming photos of our day.

Photography wasn't allowed in the exhibit, but lucky for you, we have these other charming photos of our day.

I’ve also being trying to get in the holiday spirit as much as possible by surrounding myself with glittery things lit by twinkle lights. It helps!

Sparkly trees fight SAD!

Sparkly trees fight S.A.D.! Try it.

And I’m really excited to announce that I was chosen as a grand prize winner for the “Lee Brother Your Holiday Recipe” contest from the Lee Brothers and the SC Department of Agriculture. They wanted recipes that used local ingredients, so I submitted my vegetarian collard recipe and won my category! My family is amused by this because growing up I hated collards, and now I’m spreading my love for greens all across the state.

And now.. I’m off to get in some movement and relaxation (cardio and yoga!) before I have to go back to studying!

Georgia Wedding Weekend

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My friends Leslie and Caleb were married Saturday at Jubilee. They chose this spot for the ceremony and I think it was perfect.

My friends Leslie and Caleb were married Saturday at Jubilee. They chose this spot for the ceremony and I think it was perfect.

I spent the last few days at Jubilee. I went a few days before my friends Leslie and Caleb’s wedding to hang out with them before they had back up North. Getting to spend time with my friends who live there and those who came from far away for the wedding was perfect. It was really just what I needed after two weeks of work/school/life chaos, and the wedding was beautiful.

I took a million pictures this weekend, so bear with me on this picture-heavy post.

Spending time with the bride before the wedding was one of my favorite times. It was a very peaceful "backstage." I can't believe my little Lesliebo is growing up. Ina and Leslie and I met when we all volunteered there for the first time in Fall 2009. I really feel like they are my sisters, and whenever we come back together it is like we never left.

Spending time with the bride before the wedding was one of my favorite times. It was a very peaceful "backstage." I can't believe my little Lesliebo is growing up. Ina and Leslie and I met when we all volunteered there for the first time in Fall 2009. I really feel like they are my sisters, and whenever we come back together it is like we never left.

The ceremony's musical accompaniment. I never realized how awesome accordions are.

The ceremony's musical accompaniment. I never realized how awesome accordions are.

This was really the only picture I took during the ceremony. There were a million other people taking pictures, and I wanted to just enjoy the moment..but Caleb's face seeing Leslie walk down the aisle was just priceless. He's standing here with his parents, who, along with Leslie's parents, helped officiate the ceremony. The whole thing was just a perfect representation of their love and values.

This was really the only picture I took during the ceremony. There were a million other people taking pictures, and I wanted to just enjoy the moment..but Caleb's face seeing Leslie walk down the aisle was just priceless. He's standing here with his parents, who, along with Leslie's parents, helped officiate the ceremony. The whole thing was just a perfect representation of their love and values.

Husband and wife! I first met Caleb when he and Leslie first began dating. She stayed on to volunteer for the term after ours, and he was a new volunteer. They left Jubilee, but came back here for the wedding because it was such a special place for them as individuals and a couple.

Husband and wife! I first met Caleb when he and Leslie first began dating. She stayed on to volunteer for the term after ours, and he was a new volunteer. They left Jubilee, but came back here for the wedding because it was such a special place for them as individuals and a couple.

After the ceremony, we had a potluck reception. The food was great, as always. Only at Jubilee will you find flan, Burmese sticky rice blueberry pie on the same wedding menu.

After the ceremony, we had a potluck reception. The food was great, as always. Only at Jubilee will you find flan, Burmese sticky rice blueberry pie on the same wedding menu.

One of my favorite foods from the wedding - tapioca in coconut milk.

One of my favorite foods from the wedding - tapioca in coconut milk.

For wedding favors, Caleb and Leslie made little jars of pickled vegetables. So cute.

For wedding favors, Caleb and Leslie made little jars of pickled vegetables. So cute.

After the couple had dinner with their family, we went out to celebrate in Athens. It was a good end to such a special day.

After the couple had dinner with their family, we went out to celebrate in Athens. It was a good end to such a special day. We were pretty tired here and I think there were some tears being held back in this picture.

It was really so perfect for them, and I’m glad I got to be there with the during some of the planning and ceremony time. I can be a little cynical sometimes about relationships (haha surprise!), but seeing them together made it impossible to be anything but happy and hopeful. I’m trying not to have the “back to real life blues” and instead stay energized and motivated this week.

Spring Break + First thoughts on 30 Day Shred

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I cannot believe the week has flown by! Granted, I think I’ve spent half of it trying to catch up on sleep and exercise, so I feel so much better but I would love another week (or two) to actually start becoming productive.

My biggest fitness accomplishment this week was starting Jillian Michael’s 30-Day Shred. I found it on Ebay for pretty cheap, and I decided I’ve been putting off strength training and abs long enough. I’ll be giving quick progress updates on my Facebook page, but after two days here are my first thoughts:

  • For 25 minutes, you get a great 25 minute work out without a lot of “filler” explanations and warm up/cool down. After a brief warm up, I stayed in the cardio HR zone for most of the work out.
  • That said… I think you need to add extra stretching and cool down after the video. After realizing what a huge difference stretching makes after running, I found that I was sore this morning. I expect some soreness after starting a new work out routine, but I felt “inadequately stretched” sore today. I made sure after today’s work out to add in extra hamstring, hip flexor and shoulder stretches. I’ve read a lot of status updates and tweets about the DVD and how much pain they are in, and I think some of the soreness people experience could be helped with some additional stretching.
  • I am adding the work out onto the cardio I’m already doing: running 3x/week and 2-3 days of other cardio for 30-60 minutes. I think that 25 minutes a day is great if you’re just starting, but it doesn’t make sense for me to work out less when I’m still trying to lose weight.
  • Jillian doesn’t scare me, even though I can see why people think she is mean. I think that her “If a 300lb person can do jumping jacks, you can do it too!” message really works for me, but I can see how it might be a turn off for people who actually can’t do some of the moves because of injury.

I’m excited to start something new, especially since it seems like a lot of my fitness buddies are interested or doing something similar.

 

(Pardon the crappy Photo Booth picture and uuuh... the face.) Shred Day 1: I don't really expect a lot of changes. I just hope that my "after" picture doesn't look defeated from being beaten down by Jillian.

(Pardon the crappy Photo Booth picture and uuuh... the face.) Shred Day 1: I don't really expect a lot of changes. I just hope that my "after" picture doesn't look defeated from being beaten down by Jillian.

 

And some random pictures that sum up my week:

 

The collards from the garden are going strong. The planting for this year's garden has just started! I'm so excited!! I can officially call this the second annual ZenLizzie-ZenWalter Father Daughter garden!

The collards from the garden are going strong. The planting for this year's garden has just started! I'm so excited!! I can officially call this the second annual ZenLizzie-ZenWalter Father Daughter garden!

This is the empty parking lot at the park this weekend. And looking at these trees gives me terrible flashbacks to last week's allergy attack. I've been eating a tablespoon of raw local honey like the commenters suggested! This week I'm feeling better, and luckily, we've had a lot of rain lately so the pollen hasn't really had a chance to set in.

This is the empty parking lot at the park this weekend. And looking at these trees gives me terrible flashbacks to last week's allergy attack. I've been eating a tablespoon of raw local honey like the commenters suggested! This week I'm feeling better, and luckily, we've had a lot of rain lately so the pollen hasn't really had a chance to set in.

I love my gym. Even if I've been avoiding it for the last two months. Seeing it during spring break.. during the day without 500 stinky freshman boys crowding around the mirrors.. I remember why I fell in love in the first place.

I love my gym. Even if I've been avoiding it for the last two months. Seeing it during spring break.. during the day without 500 stinky freshman boys crowding around the mirrors.. I remember why I fell in love in the first place.

 

And… most importantly…

 

I finally got a haircut! ZenMama took pity on me and paid for it since I've been too broke to afford it. Now I can actually wear my hair down without it looking like a frumpy mess!

I finally got a haircut! ZenMama took pity on me and paid for it since I've been too broke to afford anything besides the necessities and overpriced cat food for my diva cat. Now I can actually wear my hair down without it looking like a frumpy mess!

 

This weekend I’m looking forward to bffKatie visiting so that we can go rally for a moral budget at the S.C. statehouse! The best part of not being in journalism is that I don’t have to be objective anymore. Some things are worth speaking up about!  Ok, yes, I am a nerd, but I’m a nerd who cares.

What are you looking forward to this weekend? Have any thoughts to share about the 30 Day Shred?

2 Birds/1 Stone – Music and Weekend fun

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Me, Slug from Atmosphere, Katie and Tisha. Circa Augustish 2009.

Me, Slug from Atmosphere, Katie and Tisha. Circa Augustish 2009.

As my past playlists have shown, my music tastes ranges from moderately- intellectual mopey indie to booty booty booty disposable club songs. When things in my life are stressful (like the past week), my brain retreat is music that doesn’t make me think very much, so I don’t have a full playlist this week. Somewhere in the middle of mopey and dance-y, is the music closest to my heart, like this song, from Atmosphere. I felt like this song was talking to me today, in a Sesame Street meets hip hop sort of way.

Atmosphere – The Best Day (download) (youtube) (buy)

If you’re looking for more music this week, check out the new Girl Talk album (via pigeons and planes) which you can download for free,  or you want more brain retreat music, check out the Heroes & Villians “We off that” mixtape.

Ok, so after the disaster that was last week, I spent most of Friday and Saturday doing homework. And eating pizza. But besides THAT, which who would read a blog about doing homework and eating delivery pizza, it was great! Saturday morning I woke up early to walk to campus to watch Jordy kick the Governor’s Cup 8k in the butt!

Wooohooo! I've never actually watched a race I wasn't in. And I'm usually last in those, so I don't get to see much.

Wooohooo! I've never actually watched a race I wasn't in. And I'm usually last in those, so I don't get to see much. (The time on the screen was for another race.)

And then get his butt rubbed on! Just kidding. But I do like this picture. When you blog, you really have to have an eye for bloggable moments.

And then get his butt rubbed on! Just kidding. But I do like this picture. When you blog, you really have to have an eye for bloggable moments.

It was good to get an hour of walking out of the way early Saturday before hunkering down to (nap and then) do school work. After a weird knee pain/popping, I’ve been taking a lot more long walks and less short runs. I don’t want to take myself out of the game before I even start.

If you ignore the towel in the background and the fact that I am 25 years old taking picture of myself in the mirror... isn't this a cute dress?? I'm fighting the frump. Whenever I actually try to look nice, I think about how proud ZenMama would be. She doesn't appreciate my "artsy" frumpiness.

If you ignore the towel in the background, the face I'm making and the fact that I am 25 years old taking picture of myself in the mirror... isn't this a cute dress?? I'm fighting the frump. Whenever I actually try to look nice, I think about how proud ZenMama would be. She doesn't appreciate even my attempts at "artsy" frumpiness.

Saturday was a Jordy’s Birthday/Katie’s Birthday/Watch the Gamecocks Smash the Gators-party.

Oh look, more pizza.

Oh look, more pizza.

This was the football watching part.

This was the football watching part.

This was the birthday part!
This was the birthday part!

Happy Birthday to my two best frands!!!!!!

A step-by-step guide to a good day

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1. Have a break to look forward to -Yesterday was my last day of school and work before fall break! I still have some work to do while I’m off, but it is really nice to have some open-schedule days.

 

2. Find something new and awesome. Or something old and awesome. I’ve tweeted about my search for a good Greek salad. I got spoiled living in Florence, because I could always count on a big Townhouse salad. You’d think it would be pretty easy to put together, but for some reason lots of places just get it wrong. I got one from the No Name Deli in Columbia, S.C., last week and I was really hopeful since they advertise it as the best Greek salad in town.

But meh. The chicken was dark and chewy (Ok, I’m not a huge meat eater, but it seemed like dark meat? I don’t know. Either way, it grossed me out.) and the salad dressing might as well have been a cup of olive oil with a few herbs tossed in. I also went in during the lunch rush, and even though the service was quick and friendly, I felt like I was standing in the way of all the business people crowded in while I was waiting for my to-go order.

BUT! Yesterday, I found a good Greek salad in Columbia. I’ve driven past Pitas on Taylor Street in Columbia a few times, but yesterday I finally decided to give it a try since I was in a rush from class to work and wanted something filling and healthy. I like the atmosphere because it was a very open, casual space with an open kitchen and a selection of Mediterranean foods and fresh baked pitas for sale.

I only waited a few minutes for my order, a Greek salad with a side of tzatziki and pita chips. It was so good, especially the tzatziki. Everything tasted really fresh and the chicken wasn’t gross.

 

Ok, so it might not look like much after being squished on my way to work, but it made me happy.

Ok, so it might not look like much after being squished on my way to work, but it made me happy.

I may have eaten most of this while in traffic on the way to work.

I may have eaten most of this while in traffic on the way to work.

 

3. Eat cupcakes. Kat brought vegan chocolate cupcakes over to celebrate Carla passing her boards. Kat, Carla, Lily and I all went to the S.C. State Fair on its $1 opening night, so we met at my apartment first.

 

Bloggers are weirdos.

Bloggers are weirdos.

Carla also gave us all vegan zucchini pumpkin bread. It is sooo good. Really. I had to slice it and freeze the rest of it so I wouldn’t eat zucchini bread for my next three meals.

 

4. Take a walk. We decided to avoid the traffic by walking. I live about a mile from the fair grounds, and it was nice to get out and move after sitting all day.

 

I love walkable cities/neighborhoods.

I love walkable cities/neighborhoods.

Also, we didn't get stuck in this traffic.

Also, we didn't get stuck in this traffic.

 

5. Re-live childhood memories and hang out with new friends. My family always went to the state fair when I was little, and I don’t think much has really changed since then. It was fun going with the blogger ladies, catching up and gawking at all the food offerings.

 

It was pretty crowded.

It was pretty crowded.

Yay! Fair time. Yay! Non medical jobs that require wearing rubber gloves.

Yay! Fair time. Yay! Non medical jobs that require wearing rubber gloves.

Carla may have been the only person ready for my picture taking.

Carla may have been the only person ready for my picture taking.

Lily and Carla were brave enough to go on rides.

Lily and Carla were brave enough to go on rides.

We ate a mountain of fried potatoes. Carla dubbed this our health blogger "rumspringa."

We ate a mountain of fried potatoes. Carla dubbed this our health blogger "rumspringa."

I wanted to try something different at the fair, and I spotted a stand called "Dr. Vegetable" that was surprisingly not busy. (Sarcasm) Dr. Vegetable's state fair prescription was battering and deep-frying a mixture of broccoli, sweet potatoes, pickles and cauliflower. We didn't finish this. It was like, a not-as-good vegetable tempura. But, it was something new!

I wanted to try something different at the fair, and I spotted a stand called "Dr. Vegetable" that was surprisingly not busy. (Sarcasm) Dr. Vegetable's state fair prescription was battering and deep-frying a mixture of broccoli, sweet potatoes, pickles and cauliflower. We didn't finish this. It was like, a not-as-good vegetable tempura. But, it was something new!

 

6. Take pictures of chickens. Ok, maybe this doesn’t normally factor into a good day, but after looking through my pictures, the birds were the only good animal pictures I took.

 

Cockadoodle crazy.

Cockadoodle crazy.

Sleeping baby birds.

Sleeping baby birds.

An impressive figure.

An impressive figure.

 

But, seriously, it is always nice to get together with these girls because they are fun and funny, but also to dish about blogging stuff. We don’t all have the same perspective or opinions, favorite dishes or favorite bloggers, but that makes it more interesting.

 

:)

:)

 

Weekend Highlights: Wrapping up birthday season

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The one upside to it being in the mid-90s at the end of September... there are still fresh vegetables coming out of the garden!

The one upside to it being in the mid-90s at the end of September... there are still fresh vegetables coming out of the garden!

I went home this weekend to celebrate Tisha‘s 24th birthday, and  I tried to make the most of my afternoon off by going shoe shopping with my mom and going for a run. Normally shoe shopping stresses me out because I’m picky and have wonky feet, etc., but surprisingly I was able to find three pairs, including these:

Retro reds!

Retro reds!

I never wear heels, so this is a big deal. Personally, ya know? Not globally.

Anyway, so I started C25K week 7, and I didn’t realize what I had started until I was actually at the park, head phones in, starting my work out. It seems that I blocked the last three weeks of the program out of my memory. Three days of 25 minutes!? Huh wha?! Did I really do this before?

Even though it was still warm and I still have kind of a sucky attitude about running, it was still a pretty good run. I didn’t check my watch to see the time until I was only 2 minutes away from stopping, and any of you frequent time-checkers will understand the significance of that.

Saturday night, we went out for my Tisha’s birthday extravaganza, starting at RuSans, a sushi restaurant, in Charlotte, N.C.  The food was good, and we had a big party that kind of grew as the night went on, so I can only say that even though we got our food at random times, I could tell the server was trying really hard.

The dinner party, featuring the birthday girl in the back in pink. I stole this picture from her facebook.

The dinner party, featuring the birthday girl in the back in pink. I stole this picture from her facebook.Can you find me?

Happy Birthday, Tisha!!

Happy Birthday, Tisha!! (I stole this from her FB too)

Now, as far as what I ordered.. Um.. yeah, about that. So, after my run I was trying not to eat too much since I knew I would be going out on the town that night.  I was also trying to stay awake, so, in typical genius fashion, I just drank at LOT of caffeine and had a slice of cheese. As I write this, I want to like, smack myself on the back of the head for being such a dummy.

By the time we got to the restaurant I was starving and on the verge of shaking with too many bzzzzchemicals. I needed real food, stat. I could barely focus on the menu, much less read through 200 kinds of sushi rolls, so I ordered the tempura dinner because it came with a salad and miso soup so I knew I wouldn’t have to wait forever to eat something.

After the soup and salad I probably could have made a better food choice, but by then the damage was done. I ate most of my tempura stuff (seafood and vegetables… all fried, duh.) and then LATER at the next restaurant had cheese fries. I’m not a fat-in-food phobic, but I think that is because I don’t typically crave super fatty stuff, and I hardly ever  crave deep fried things. (I didn’t get fat eating deep fried twinkies, I got fat eating bread and cheese. And sometimes ice cream.)

Needless to say, it isn’t a food day that I’m proud of, not because I ate some of that stuff but because I ate ALL of that stuff. But, one positive is that I only had one drink, a sugar free “Naked Willie” from Wet Willies. Fried foods + too much booze + not enough exercise might have been the tipping point to no return. Although, probably not.

So, I joked on twitter that I’m rehabbing from my tempura weekend. I’m hoping to get back on track this week and make up some lost gym time that I spent in the books last week (nerd.) I got an early start this morning by knocking my Monday exercise out by 7:30 a.m.

Funny that 45 min of exercise this morning has made me more energized than 45 extra minutes of snooze button sleep. Hmm…

A ZenLizzie Weight History Lesson

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This is me and my cousin. I think I was a normal sized child until..This is my cousin and me. I think I was a normal sized child until…
... and then I just wasn't. My mom says even as a baby, the ladies at the nursery school said I was always trying to eat the other baby's solid food when I was still supposed to be drinking formula. It didn't really catch up to me until I started school, I think.

... I just wasn't. My mom says even as a baby, the ladies at the nursery school said I was always trying to eat the other baby's solid food when I was still supposed to be drinking formula. It didn't really catch up to me until I started school, I think.

I couldn't find many pictures from this time. I was awkward from about 6 until 17. I call these the "Bobby Hill Years" since I looked like a girl version of that character from King of the Hill.

I couldn't find many pictures from this time. I was awkward from about 6 until 17. I call these the "Bobby Hill Years" since I looked like a girl version of that character from King of the Hill.

I was varying degrees of awkward and chubby through middle and high school until my senior year.

I think i was about 230lbs here. Picking up trash! Key Clubbers represent!

I think i was about 230lbs here. Picking up trash! Key Clubbers represent! Note to former self: Hiding behind that tree isn't working.

And then, in the corse of only a few months that spring, I lost about 30lbs by exercising consistently (like, 3o minutes a day. Nothing crazy.) and skipping lunch. Oh, the logic of high schoolers.

This is from our Europe trip after vacation. I chose it because this is probably the last time in my adult life I wore shorts in public. I was probably about 200lbs here.

This is from our Europe trip after vacation. I chose it because this is probably the last time in my adult life I wore shorts in public. I was probably about 200lbs here. Oh, and why am I making that face? Because I'm 17 and that's what bratty teenagers do!

This is from the same summer. I think I maintained around the 200lb-mark by exercising and awkward eating.

This is from the same summer. I think I maintained around the 200lb-mark by exercising and awkward eating.

New Years 2004 - I had gained the Freshman 10, but that's what God invented shapewear for, right?

New Years 2004 - I had gained the Freshman 10, but that's what God invented shapewear for, right?

2006 - Hanging out condoms at USC. I hovered between 205 and 215 for most of college until after two relationships ... love eating! and then hate eating! took its toll on me.

2006 - Hanging out condoms at USC. I hovered between 205 and 215 for most of college until after two relationships ... love eating! and then hate eating! took its toll on me.

New Years 2007 - And so, despite being a dedicated gym-goer, I was back at 230. Yes, that double fisting alcohol drinks probably had something to do with it.

New Years 2007 - And so, despite being a dedicated gym-goer, I was back at 230. Yes, that double fisting alcohol drinks probably had something to do with it.

I worked out really hard that last semester in school, started eating vegetables, but still continuing to binge eat and drink.

By the time I graduated I was about 220. But very, very tan! A common theme of these pictures is how short I look compared to everyone else. I'm 5'4.

By the time I graduated I was about 220. But very, very tan! A common theme of these pictures is how short I look compared to everyone else. I'm 5'4.

And then everything changed. I met Carlton, and I thought, “Holy !@#$, I have to be perfect for this perfect person.” And I exercised a lot and monitored my eating, and it was easy because I was so head over heels and everything about life seemed easy then.

September 2007

September 2007 - About 205.

I moved to Florence to start my first real job and kept working out consistently, but not really pushing myself. I became comfortable.

I wanted to at least maintain the weight I was at, but as a person with Food Issues, usually that involves flipping between eating too much and then not enough and then obsessively working out, rather than eating and working out like a normal, sane person.

215 - I wanted to at least maintain the weight I was at, but as a person with Food Issues, usually that involves flipping between eating too much and then not enough and then obsessively working out, rather than eating and working out like a normal, sane person.

August 2008 - Maybe the last time I ever wore my skinny jeans, but still probably about 205lbs.

August 2008 - Maybe the last time I ever wore my skinny jeans, but still probably about 205lbs.

About 200 - In the fall of 2008, I started taking Wellbutrin as a way to curb PMS symptoms and generally deal with other parts of life that weren't perfect. Unfortunately, it didn't really help me with that but it did cut my appetite. I lost weight without really trying.

About 200 - In the fall of 2008, I started taking Wellbutrin as a way to curb PMS symptoms and generally deal with other parts of life that weren't perfect. Unfortunately, it didn't really help me with that but it did cut my appetite. I lost weight without really trying.

Winter 2009 - Unfortunately, after stopping the Wellbutrin, I promptly gained 40lbs in 3 months.

Winter 2009 - 240ishlbs - Unfortunately, after stopping the Wellbutrin, I promptly gained 40lbs in 3 months.

May 2009 - About 225lbs - For the past two years, I pretty much just crash-dieted for events or trips. This was for my trip to visit Tiffany in Chicago.

May 2009 - About 225lbs - For the past two years, I pretty much just crash-dieted for events or trips. This was for my trip to visit Tiffany in Chicago. I still worked out, but I also laid around and felt sorry for myself a lot. Even though I was working out, I wasn't very active.

Once I found out I was going to Jubilee, I stopped trying to lose weight at all. My logic was that I would be living on a farm, doing more physical activity and eating more vegetables, so I would for sure lose weight there. I think a lot of people think that.

Once I found out I was going to Jubilee, I stopped trying to lose weight at all. My logic was that I would be living on a farm, doing more physical activity and eating more vegetables, so I would for sure lose weight there. I think a lot of people think that.

But, I was wrong. There was more physical activity and there were more vegetables. There was also a lot of eating. Good, wholesome eating and also random, snacky eating. Plus, I was so freaking happy to be there and so stressed about everything that was happening at home, that I had every reason to emotionally eat. I'm so happy! Ice cream! I'm so sad! Fresh baked bread!

But, I was wrong. There was more physical activity and there were more vegetables. There was also a lot of eating. Good, wholesome eating and also random, snacky eating. Plus, I was so freaking happy to be there and so stressed about everything that was happening at home, that I had every reason to emotionally eat. I'm so happy! Ice cream! I'm so sad! Fresh baked bread!

When I came back from Jubilee, I immediately lost about 10lbs just from being able to work out consistently and not having oven-baked carbs around all the time. I’ve worked out like a maniac in the last 7 months because I was trying to get rid of the weight that I’ve gained in the past year, and also because working out makes me feel less stressed. It seems like every day there is a new reason to fret, and for some reason I have given myself the excuse to snack those feelings away rather than deal with the root causes.

So today, I weight about 245lbs. I think that so much working out has kept me in "pretty good shape" for an almost 250lb person.

So today, I weight about 245lbs. I think that so much working out has kept me in "pretty good shape" for an almost 250lb person.

And like I said before, I think that I still look good most of the time. I don't want to be 245lbs forever, but I don't hate myself.

And like I said before, I think that I still look good most of the time. I don't want to be 245lbs forever, but I don't hate myself.

I don’t think that strangers will be surprised that I’ve revealed my weight here, but I think friends and family will be surprised. But, like I said before, I’ve decided to be good at weight loss this time and everyone has to start somewhere.

Have a great weekend, everyone! I’ll be on the beach with my crazy friends, devising a new plan of attack for weight loss, life and this blog. What are your plans for the weekend?

Happy Father’s Day

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Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day! .. Yes, snow in S.C. is a big deal so there are ALWAYS pictures if it ever snows.

I don’t think my Dad reads my blog, but if he does… Thanks, Dad! For being supportive and encouraging me to follow my crazy dreams, and for humoring me even though I am a weird daughter and make you eat tofu and feed stray cats.

Aww, college graduation.

Aww, college graduation.

This is from sometime during college. Since then, my Dad has perfected the art of cruising. Seriously, if you ever encounter him, he will tell you the best ones to take and which ports to leave from and which places to go for dinner.

This is from sometime during college. Since then, my Dad has perfected the art of cruising. Seriously, if you ever encounter him, he will tell you the best ones to take and which ports to leave from and which places to go for dinner.

I’m working on a coconut cake for Father’s Day and there will be a recipe coming in the near future. Tomorrow is actually my dad’s birthday too, so I might have an Ode to Cake post soon :)

The coast, my first true love

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Throwback ZenLizzie... same beach body, same bad attitude.

Throwback ZenLizzie... same beach body, same bad attitude.

I’m in Florida on a vacation from my life vacation. I wasn’t planning on posting, but the afternoon thunderstorm has rolled in so I thought I would take a moment to publicly declare my love for the coast. Last week I finished my vision board, and I included a few pictures of people on the beach… a family on the beach, biking on the beach, etc. It is my way of telling the universe, “Hey, please put me on a beach where I can be helpful.”  Not necessarily helpful on the beach, but helpful near the beach so that when I’m done being helpful, I can do this:

Contrary to what it looks like, I do have less awkward childhood pictures, I just think these are funnier.

Contrary to what it looks like, I do have less awkward childhood pictures, I just think these are funnier.

ie, stand around and look h-o-t on the beach.

More of my favorite beach memories..

A high school trip with Katie & Tiffytiff

A high school trip with Katie & Tiffytiff.. yes that LOOKS like a belly shirt I have on, but I think that is a figment of your imagination.

When Tiff and I went in college... the height of Li-ffany fever.

When Tiff and I went in college... the height of Li-ffany fever.

This is from the first time Carlton and I went to the beach together when I first moved to Florence.

This is from the first time Carlton and I went to the beach together when I first moved to Florence. Still one of my best couple memories.

Since then, we've been to the beach a lot. This was Atlantic Beach, N.C., after our trip to D.C. for his spring break.

Since then, we've been to the beach a lot. This was Atlantic Beach, N.C., after our trip to D.C. for his spring break. It was still kind of winter time. Thats how dedicated to the beach I am!

"Take me to the beach," is my mantra.

"Take me to the beach," is my mantra. Yes, this is kind of a creeper smile. Sometimes love is creepy. :)

At Hilton Head

At Hilton Head

Nassau

Nassau

Puppy's first beach trip - Dirty myrtle.

Puppy's first beach trip - Dirty Myrtle.

And today at St. Augustine... the storm that made us power walk home since I had taken the 'good' camera out for a walk.

And today at St. Augustine... the storm that made us power walk home since I had taken the 'good' camera out for a walk.

[UPDATED TO ADD: Please go read my friend Jordy's World Cup blogs. They are liveblogs from some games, but they are still funny after the fact. Some of my favorite moments from his live blog:

"10:04 am: While most people may want to mute the TV to not hear the vuvuzelas, I tend to turn my TV all the way up in order to "hear them better."

10:41 am: GOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLL SLOVENIA! Whatever. I'm buying a jersey now. I'm also taking the Slovenian goal dance to the clubs of Columbia.

11:35 am: I just want you all to know that I turned down some time at the pool to do this blog EN VIVO. Which tells you that...I'm really an idiot sometimes."]

Jogging (slogging) through Week 6!

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This is one of my favorite Florence places to run: The Rail Trail.

This is one of my favorite Florence places to run: The Rail Trail.

So, today I tackled Couch to 5k Week 6 Day 2, and it was another “Meh” run. After two that seemed to come pretty easy (W5D2/W5D3), the last two have been hard. I’ve finished them and done all the intervals still jogging along, but it just didn’t feel good or easy. I know they all won’t, and I’m not going to stop, but I’m looking forward to my next awesome run, whenever that will be.

Today Carlton & Charlotte came to the park with me so I made him take pictures for the blog. [Question for bloggers: Do you feel silly taking pictures out in public sometimes? Especially those of you with nice, snazzy cameras...isn't it weird pulling them out in restaurants?]

This is me slogging along!

Sorry it is blurry. There were clearer pictures but they were a little TOO clear. Just consider this the air brushed version of my slogging along.

Gross!

I'm number one! Just kidding, I don't know what I was doing. Maybe it is a "Oh no you didn't," finger wag.

Also, I’ve said before that I’m slow, but I’m realizing now just how slow I am. I knew going into this I wasn’t a fast runner, and I didn’t want to be fast, I just wanted to do it.

When I was first starting and reading through all the tips for new runners, it said to slow down if you felt like you needed to stop, and so that’s what I’ve done. I’m not going to get disheartened about being the slowest person on the track, but I’m starting to develop a complex about just how slow I am.

Maybe I can start incorporating sprint interval days into my  Couch to 5k training. Any tips on speeding up? Or should I just try to run a 5k before I start pushing to go faster?

This was my attempt at taking pictures with both of us. Um, fail.

This was my attempt at taking pictures with both of us. Um, fail.

I like this trail because it is flat. And sometimes there is shade.

I like this trail because it is flat. And sometimes there is shade.

We spotted these fatty lizards hanging out in a pile of sticks.

We spotted these fatty lizards hanging out in a pile of sticks.

Caterpillar

And this little guy hanging out down from a tree.

But my favorite animal of the trail…!!!

Charlotte slurping

Charlotte needed rehydrating after her jog.

yummy water

Slurp Slurp

The next run is 25 min straight! I know I can do it, but I always dread the next run, especially after some less-than-awesome ones.

[EDITED: I narrowed down my first 5k's that I'm going to do.. the first is May 1 in Rock Hill, the Miles of Hope 5k to benefit Regency Hospice and the Race 4 Taylor that I heard about from the Flossip.]