Month: January 2019

Good Eats

The notion “abs are made in the kitchen and not the gym” is scientific truth. You cannot out run junkfood it’s not possible.

Food is fuel and I have learned a lot about nutrition over the years especially in the last 12 months on the new freestyle program by weight watchers. I’m not here to sell anybody on weight watchers and most of the stuff that has helped me successfully lose weight was food I was eating anyway when I was eating healthy.

Here are a few collages of 75% of my diet broken down into categories.

In the coming days I’ll share a log of what I eat in a day, as well as some of my favorite recipes and Instagram accounts related to cooking.

A Look Back at the Beginning

Here’s a throwback to my very first blog post in January 2010. Back when it was more of a diary. I never thought I’d share it even anonymously let alone with people I know!

Everyone needs to start somewhere, but I started and have been documenting “it” ever since. It really meaning measuring life, weight loss/gain, love, stress, accomplishments, failures, coffee and more.

http://measuringlife.tumblr.com/post/589849908/how-do-you-measure-a-year

Step 2: Get Moving!

No gym membership, no problem! In fact one of my favorite workouts is STILL 30 Day Shred. All you need is a mat and hand weights (or cans of soup to start) for this 30 minute workout. It’s tough the first time, but doing each of the 3 levels 10 times in a row is a great way to feel and notice progress! Level 2 is my favorite and I rotate Shred in still as needed for a quick workout!

I know the gym can stress people out, but I always send good vibes to gym newbies or people trying a class. I’m so happy they are here and I hope they commit! I was once in their shoes and I’m happy they showed up which can sometimes be the hardest part.

Measuring 2018: Weight

I practice what I preach when it comes to measurements. Am I perfect? Not even close, but I have the data. However when I’ve had a set back or got too busy (re: 2017) I slacked, but if you fall down 7, you need to stand up 8. (That’s another favorite mantra)

Here’s a breakdown of the pictures in order:

?my weight loss graph from my fitbit scale for 2018

?my weight loss since I got my fitbit scale in Feb 2016

?my trusty monthly overall weight loss/gain calendar

?monthly measurements for 2018

?progress measurements and total change from Jan 1, 2017 – Jan 1, 2019

I keep this in a google sheet and also have my fitbit linked along with an app called MY Weight (Monitor Your Weight) which shows your how your doing on progress or gives you when you can expect to real a weight goal.

Did you measure/weigh yourself today? If not make a plan to do it soon. Your future self will thank you!

Step 1: Start

Happy New Year everyone, thanks for following! I’d love to help you get started/restarted or help you stay on track! I’m not a doctor and consulting one is important, but I’m eager to share some of what I’ve learned over the last 8 years.

The best way to measure life is to take stock of where you are RIGHT NOW. If losing weight and/or gaining muscle are part of your 2019 goals you need to track where you are. I recommend first thing tomorrow morning. Which works out since in the weight loss community #weighinwednesday is a thing.

When it comes to these first steps I would suggest:

▪️Limit weigh ins to 1x week or less

▪️Every month measure chest, waist, hips, upper thighs/arms, mid thighs/arms to start

▪️Take a picture either semi dressed or in something form fitting that you can wear again in future pictures

New Logo!

Welcome to my new full logo!

This logo was created with love by my dear friend and talented graphic designer A.

Quick backstory. Orange is my favorite color, but the hot pink has been part of the Measuring Life journey since the beginning (including my Measuring Life tattoo I got in Nov 2010). The Measuring pink color and font reflects my tattoo. Life is orange because the color orange is loud, bright, and unapologetic – which is how I try to lead my life. The hourglass in addition to a nod to an hourglass figure is a reminder that “life’s like an hourglass glued to the table” – a favorite lyric from the Anna Nalick song Breathe 2AM.

The Rent soundtrack inspired my moniker. 525,600 minutes – how do you measure a year while also remembering there’s no day but today!

NYE Race

Lovely 4 mile race to end 2018.

I haven’t run more than a 5K all year and one of them was in early December. I didn’t train, but I’m in shape and I told myself to have fun! I listened to my BODYPUMP108 music and kept surprising myself with my splits. Took a quick walk break at the halfway point and finished strong!

My fiancé finished in 36 minutes flat, also without training, he just can do that – rude. My friends R&J finished in under 50 min which was a PR for R. J is an ultramarathon man and paced R.

A 6pm NYE race was definitely easier on the sleep schedule than the 4 miler I did to ring in 2013 in Central Park that started JUST AFTER the ball dropped. That was a fun race, but we didn’t go to bed until like 5am!