Workout Update

I've been actually staying on track for the most part and I joined the YMCA. They have unlimited classes to their members so I go to the workout bootcamp on Tuesday's and Thursday's which at first was incredibly hard, but has been getting a little easier each time. We run 3.5mi on Tu and do a combo of cardio and strength training on Th. Between eating right and the exercise, something's definitely working because I'm down a total of 18.5lbs so far :) I don't have any progress photos yet, but maybe in a month or two I'll post some.

 

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Before Me

I cheated a little with these pictures, I've been working out for about five days already and have lost one pound. I know that's not a ton or anything, but it's not truly a "before" picture. I don't know what happened to my measuring tape in my move a year ago, so I don't have any measurements either. Today's my "relax" day from running, but I'm still going to take the dogs for a walk just to stretch the muscles and get some exercise. Oh and excuse the crappy photos, these were done with my webcam.

Couch to 5k + Other Updates

A girl that I work with told the store about the Color Run, which is a 5k run where you wear white and each mile you go a powdered color gets thrown at you and by the time you're done you're a giant rainbow of awesome. Check out the video below for a more accurate visual of the Color Run:



Okay, so now for the embarrassing part. I haven't ran in who knows how long, the last timed mile I ran was in elementary school and I clocked in at 14+ minutes. Also, in my last living arrangement, being healthy wasn't high on the priority list, so I've gained quite a bit and, as horrible as this is to admit, I weigh 225lbs at 5'1"...pathetic, I know. But today is starting a new chapter. I am going to start the Couch to 5k so in 9 weeks I can run (yes run) the Color Run. I'm starting at week 2 in the program because I have been exercising and there's only 9 weeks before the run. I'm going to take some before pictures of my self and do some measurements so I have something to compare to, but I'm feeling optimistic about it!

Now comes the even crazier part, the Color Run takes place in Grand Rapids on August 5th. Relay for Life (a 24 hour walk to raise money/awareness for cancer research is the day before the run. THEN the day after the run I have a photo session at 11am and then I'm leaving for a vacation to North Carolina. I am going to be EXHAUSTED while I'm driving down, but it's going to be completely worth every sore muscle and gallon of sweat. I can not wait to see results, it's going to be amazing! I know it's not going to happen in the 9 weeks, but I want to at least get back to 150lbs where I was in 2007.

UPDATE ON JOB HUNTING: So far it hasn't been going so well. I had one interview for an internship, but I didn't get that position. I've kind of put it on the back burner and am content with working at Makeup Geek for now. It pays well and I get as many hours as I need so really that's all that matters.

A New Adventure

I graduate in May with my degree in Graphic Design and I'll be looking for a job at a design firm. I'm really excited about this because I have nothing holding me back and tying me down to Michigan anymore. I'm going to look everywhere for a great position, but I'm really leaning towards Portland, Oregon. Ideally, I want to find a 9-5 job that still allows me to have my photography business on the weekends and/or evenings. I've never been to Portland before, but from all the research I've been doing, it seems to be perfect. The entire city is really pet friendly (there's roughly 35 dog parks), trails all over and even restaurants that have a portion of the menu dedicated to your pet. I've already found a few places that will allow me to rent with Piglet :)

There's been a few jobs that look rather promising as well. I've been working hard on getting my resume, cover letter, and portfolio ready to present to potential employers. There's one job in particular, that I'm really interested in. The company sells sustainable household items like lighting and sinks, all made from up-cycled materials. Their products are more like functional art pieces, simply gorgeous!

Hopefully, I'll be able to take a road trip out there after I graduate in May to make sure that I want to move there. I'll be sure to check back if and when I do go out there. And if I don't end up going to Portland, I will be posting about wherever I end up and the adventure of getting there!