8 Week Challenge: Week 2

To my avid and faithful readers (there's bound to be at least one or two of you out there),

I am so sorry I have yet to post about Week 1 of the Challenge. We are now into Week 2, and I must say, I think I avoided this blog on purpose. Mainly, because I am an excellent avoider when I don't want to face something I don't like. And, to be honest, I did not like this week's results.

And, even now, I'm avoiding finishing this blog because it feels much easier just to give up and say, "What's the point? I'm just gonna eat that PB&J I want so badly right now."

But then I realize, that's why I'm here, that's why I started this challenge. Not to give up after the first week, but to keep going EVEN WHEN I DON'T LIKE IT.

And, to be honest, I found myself wanting to workout at times. Running is still somewhat of a challenge, and even more so because I've found myself with some type of knee injury this week, but I still enjoy it and love the way it makes me feel. I even worked out each day over the weekend. That never happens. NEVER!

Food is my problem. It has been and probably will continue to be my problem. I'm horrible at counting calories. I'll do great for a couple of days and then eat something that I deem is too difficult to find the caloric value for. So, I give up. I'd much rather stay in my innocent little world where I think I'm eating the right amount of calories (when in reality, I've gone over). There we go, avoiding again.

Unfortunately, avoiding doesn't work. Never has. Never will. And that's why I'm here to tell myself to STOP IT!

I could make an excuse that the number on the scale wasn't what I wanted. I could say I have an injury and can't workout. I could say, "What the heck? I've already gone over my calories, why not just eat that PB&J?" I could give you every excuse in the book.

But I'm not going to. I'm going to push forward and not let that inner fatty take control. I am capable. I am willing. I am persistent.

8 Week Challenge - Week 1

Alright, today begins the 8-week challenge. I've been trying to think of a creative name for it, but I'm not very good at that. All I've come up with so far is 8 to great, and it sounds so much better in my head than it looks written down. Ah, well, if you have any suggestions, let me know.

For me, Sundays will be my weigh-in day. I decided this would be good because I tend to eat worse on the weekend, but I feel that I will be more conscious about what I eat if I know I have a weigh-in coming up.

So here are my stats for today. I didn't do my measurements today, but I will be sure to do them next Sunday.

Starting weight- 74.3 kg (163.8 lbs)

It was definitely disappointing to see that number because two weeks ago I was lower, but it's still a good starting point. Definitely better than the 88 kg I started at.

It's gonna be a short one today because I've got a pounding headache and am about to go to bed, but I want to encourage you (and me). We can do this! It's going to be a great and fulfilling next 8 weeks.

Ready. Set. Go

Source: helpwithweightloss.org via Sarah on Pinterest

8 Week Challenge

Fall weather has officially set in here, and I am really enjoying the cooler temperatures. Unfortunately, with the cooler temps comes a strong desire to curl up under a blanket, watch movies, and drink hot chocolate. Sounds nice, right?

Well, sadly, that's all I want to do sometimes, and I've lost my motivation to exercise and eat healthy.

So, I've decided to give myself an 8-week challenge. This will lead me right up until the last week of November, perfect timing for me to have my mom ship me some new, smaller clothes! I plan to be very open about this journey because I find that the more shut off I am about things, the easier it is to let my bad behavior slide. Now, I've got the whole blogging world my few readers on the edge of their seats waiting to find out what happens. hah. Plus, I realized that I'm bound to not be the only person who struggles with these things.

Let's start by talking about my goals. A few days ago, I ordered my very first pair of goal jeans. They will hopefully be here by mid-October (thanks, mom!). Now, when I tell you the size, don't laugh because I've never been this size before, and I'm really excited to get there. They are a... wait for it... size 8! I've never been a single digit pant size in my life. Well, maybe as a child. I set this goal a few months back but unfortunately, living in Korea, doesn't allow me to just go to a store to see how far away I am from that goal. And I'm super nervous that when I try them on in a few weeks, I'm going to go into hysterics because they won't even fit over my leg (trust me, that's happened).

I also have a weight goal of 68 kilos (roughly 149 lbs), but at this point I'd just be happy to get out of the 160s. Not sure I can lose 4.5 kilos in 8 weeks, but I'm still gonna try!

Now, let's talk exercise. My goal is to run AT LEAST 3 times a week, usually a 5k if not more. I also plan to do some type of strength training exercise 2-3 times a week.

Finally, let's talk eating. Oh, how I love eating. I think that's my biggest problem. Food is just so... delicious. I love pizza. I love Baskin Robbins. I love Dr. Pepper and Coke. Can you see where I'm going with this? Pretty much anything bad for me, I love it. I am a firm believer of cutting back, not cutting out but sometimes I just need to. So, no soda and no Baskin Robbins. Pizza.. only once a month (hey, a girl still needs a taste of America once in a while). More veggies. More fruits. More water. Less sugar. Less calories. Speaking of calories, I do plan on tracking my calories on MyFitnessPal.

I always say that I need accountability, but in reality I just need determination and self-control, something I lack. So my hopes in continuously blogging my progress and struggles is that I will be able to reflect and continue to be determined and excited about accomplishing my goals. The challenge begins on Sunday. Let's pray I can actually follow through this time!

So, who wants to join me? Ready. Set. Go!

Celebrity Status

Here's one thing living in Korea has taught me:

I have no desire to become a celebrity.

Let me explain. As you know, Teaven and I live in a small city, where there are only about 70-100 foreigners. The population of the city is about equal to Killeen, so that gives you some idea of how small that number is.

In our town, foreigners are a spectacle, a sight to see or rather say, "Hello. Nice to meet you." (I could write a whole other blog on how many people have told me it was nice to meet me when they don't even know my name.) And, I think Teaven and I are the only white people who live in our apartment complex, which is not small by any means. We are practically celebrities here. Ok, maybe that's too strong of a word, but that's what I feel like sometimes. Everybody knows us. Everybody knows that we live on the fifth floor. Everybody knows that we have a beagle.

And, frankly, I'm tired of everybody involving themselves in my life. It's nice when they just say hello and keep walking. But when they decide it's their business to tell me what to do with my dog or what not to do with my dog, I get a little peeved. Last night, as I was taking Sader out, a lady started talking to me.

"Dog (points to Sader). Pee." Then she proceeds to make a motion like she's picking something up. Naturally, I was a little confused because nobody picks up pee. So, I just said "Neh." But she persisted, and I finally, in my broken Korean, told her that Sader was not going to poop outside. This seemed to satisfy her, and we both went on our way, me a little annoyed that she thought I needed to know I have to pick up after my dog. Then, Teaven comes in this morning after taking Sader out and said the same thing happened to him.

It's not the first time something like that has happened. People always ask if I'm going running with Sader or where we are going. Sometimes, we'll get in the elevator, and they will have already selected the fifth floor for us.

Another prime example is the other night, Teaven and I were at a pub not far from our school. We were there with some of our friends, and a man sent a note on a napkin to one of our Korean friends saying that he knew who we were and was wondering if he could talk to us. When he came over, he told us he knew we had a Beagle and what floor we lived on. I'm pretty sure he used us as an excuse to talk to our pretty Korean friend, but still it's pretty creepy.

It's also not unheard of for us to be out at a restaurant or something and see people with their phones out taking pictures of us. Yeah, we're just that cool.

Then again, sometimes I'm thankful when people remember me, but that's only usually when I go to order pizza or something that we regularly eat. And, I'm happy that I don't have to stumble over my Korean words while trying to order correctly.

I guess that's just Chungju for you. Here we are living the lives of rock stars.

Tidbits

To say that Teaven and I are ready to go home is a slight understatement. We are more than ready to hug all of our family and friends. To sit around and chat. To go to church and worship with other believers. To go to Walmart and blend in to the crowd, nobody caring who we are. To be able to communicate with a random stranger without a problem.

But in all that readiness, I don't want to forget that my time here is still important. We are down to the 6 month mark now, and it's easy to let my thoughts drift to what I will do and who I will see when I get back.

But I don't want to forget this place. I think once we leave, we will love and appreciate it even more than we do now. We will look back in fondness of the first home we made together, of the lessons we have learned.

I have no doubt that God brought us here for a reason, and one of those reasons is being able to focus on our marriage. There has been a lot that has happened back home that, if we were there, would naturally pull us in all kinds of different directions. Here, however, it's just us. No interference, no crazy schedules that cause us to barely see each other. Just me and him. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Coming here, I was sure that living and working with my husband would cause some friction, some irritation of being with the same person day in and day out. I'm so thankful that isn't true. If anything, Teaven and I have learned that we can spend every single moment together and still enjoy being with each other. That's not to say there aren't times when we need some space, but it's nice reassurance knowing that we aren't sick of each other. That we still love every moment we have together. And I really think we will miss this time together when we get back to America and have crazy schedules.

God knew what he was doing, and I want to remember that every day I am here. Every moment I feel that discontent rising up in me. Every time I wish for the day I can go home instead of enjoying the here and now. I want to remember that where we are is where he wants us to be and where we go will be where he wants us to go.

Pajama Party and Freckle Juice

Yesterday was one of those days when I felt like a fun teacher, the kind of teacher I always dreamed about becoming. I wish I put forth the effort to be this kind of teacher more often, but it's just so hard sometimes when so much is demanded of you and things change constantly. Ah, well, such is the life of a teacher.

So, let me tell you about my first 3 hours of teaching. I'm not sure if I've ever enlightened you all to Teaven and my teaching schedule. I guess that's an idea for the next blog post (a year late, right?). Anyways, on Thursdays, I teach a beginning phonics class for 2 hours.

We are currently finishing with the letter P, so I decided it would be fun to have a pajama party. The kids loved the idea, as did my boss, apparently, because she had someone in my class taking pictures and video for the entire 2 hours. 

We played musical chairs, but we used pillows instead of chairs.

We made princes and princesses.

They got to choose the name of their prince or princess. I believe we had a Prince Pancho, Prince Patrick, Princess Penelope, and Princess Patsy.

Then, we had a pillow fight. I think this was their favorite part.

They were allowed to bring a stuffed animal that started with the letter P. We had a penguin and puppy.   We also had pretzels and punch as a snack while we watched a short episode on WordWorld.

My next class is one of our lower levels made up of elementary and middle school students. We are reading the book Freckle Juice this session. If any of you are familiar with this book, you know that the main character really wants freckles, so he gets a recipe for freckle juice drinks it, thinking it will give him freckles.

So, of course, we had to make freckle juice in class. 

Because I have them every other day, I told them I would make it and drink it on the day before this lesson so they could see what would happen. So, before class, I had Teaven face paint some freckles on my face. When the students saw me, they were shocked that it actually worked, but weren't completely convinced. I took them to Teaven, who told them that I tried to wash my face, but they wouldn't come off. That worked. Some of the students refused to drink it because they thought they would get freckles. Hilarious.

Here are the ingredients:

-grape juice

-vinegar

-mustard

-mayonnaise

-mustard

-ketchup

-salt and pepper

-juice from one lemon

-a speck of onion

Sounds delicious, right? The students worked in 3 groups to create their own recipe because the recipe in the book does not give specific measurements for each ingredient.

Looks pretty nasty, huh?

 I'm pretty sure theirs tasted like pure pepper because they added at least 1/2 cup of pepper.

According to the girls, theirs was actually pretty good. 

As you can see, it was a pretty fun day. The only negative part was the nasty stench that lingered in my room for the next 3 classes. 

Running

Last night, I went running for (I'm ashamed to admit it) the first time in a long time... probably close to a month. tsk tsk. Anyways, I decided to listen to a podcast during my run. There was one from The Village Church that I wanted to listen to, so I thought "what the heck." Before I started, I was almost positive that I would get bored and wind up changing to music halfway through. However, I was presently surprised. I really enjoyed it and felt it made it slightly easier to run.

You see, I don't know about you but I am the type of person who will constantly look at the clock or wonder how much farther to go.

Ok, only 2 more minutes. I can do it. 

Half a mile to go. Don't stop.

Last night, though, I started the podcast and told myself to keep running until it was over. I found it nice to be able to focus my mind on something other than the same songs I always play or how much farther I have to go. It was a breeze (read: slightly less difficult than usual). Although I had my moments where I wondered how much time was left, they did not come as often, and it was refreshing to use that time to learn and glorify God.

So, I highly recommend you try it. You might find you like it. I ran tonight with my same old mix of Justin Bieber, NSYNC, and Lady Gaga, and let me tell you, it wasn't as fun. I think I wanted to check the clock every 2 minutes.

Maybe I should run more.