"Healthy Lifestyle Change" Day 1 = Great Success

I promise I won't bore you with everyday updates about my "diet" and fitness accomplishments, but I thought I would share what I completed yesterday, because I was very proud of my first day back in the swing of things!
I started with 30 minutes on the treadmill - 5 minute intervals of varying speeds and inclines. After that, I moved over to the recumbent bike, where I did 20 minutes; I really like the recumbent bike, because I can definitely feel it in my legs when I'm done, and they just happen to be one of my serious "trouble spots". Finally, I worked my upper body and did some bicep, tricep, chest, and back exercises - I ain't gonna lie, I have flabby arms, and I want to tone them up for the "big day"!
Also, I ate much healthier than what's become a trend for me. There is only one dining hall open here this summer (I work at a local university), and healthy and vegetarian (even pescetarian) choices are VERY slim... I turned to Panda Express, grilled cheese, or cheese pizza almost every day. Yesterday, I had some French Onion soup (ridiculously salty, unfortunately) and a salad. The salad bar is pretty good, but I'm over the dressings they offer. As I mentioned in a previous post, I will probably end up bringing my lunch from now on, and I'll probably bring a bottle of dressing and just stick it in the fridge upstairs.

In technology news, I'm trying to figure out how to get my Couch to 5k app moved over from my old iPhone to my new one; I'm sure there's a way in iTunes, but my old iPhone is on its last legs, and my laptop is pretty crappy, too. I never got serious with the program, but I'm determined to this time around. I've never been a runner (in school gym class, I was always the one who came in last place for the mile run, wah.)

I don't really use the iPod on my iPhone much, aside from when I'm at the gym, so my song list consists of almost entirely workout music. Here are a few songs I enjoy listening to when I'm exercising:
Phoenix - 1901
Muse - Uprising
MGMT - Kids
Alice in Chains - Again
Lady Gaga - Telephone, Judas, Born this Way
Black Eyed Peas - Meet Me Halfway
Metric - Monster Hospital (MSTRKRFT Remix)
Metallica - Don't Tread on Me
Chromeo - Bonafied Lovin'
Pendulum - Propane Nightmares

Quite a variety. What are your favorite workout tunes?

Finally, a post from me wouldn't be complete without something fashion-related, so here's something that I've recently been obsessing over: pink shorts. I'm hoping that tonight's trip to the outlet mall will fare me well and I will find a pair.

5" Chino Shorts in Shocking Pink, $42.50 at J.Crew

Workin' On My Fitness

Fact of the day: I'm a yo-yo dieter and an emotional eater. I was always a bit "heavy" growing up, and I wanted to change that after I left College #1. I set foot in a gym for the first time ever (besides school gym class, where I hated life and was an epic failure) and lost 45 pounds in 6 months. I was the smallest I'd ever been (a true size 6 for basically 24 hours, woo!), but I was also miserable - I was hardly eating anything and I was completely exhausted. Since then, I've gained and lost the same 30 pounds. It's hard for me to keep it off; as I mentioned, I'm an emotional eater. I turn to food when I am sad, stressed, angry... you name it.

With today being the 3-month mark until the wedding, I thought it would be a good time to start focusing on my heath and fitness. I have a gym membership, but I rarely go. Also, the town we live in allows us to use its high school fitness center, free of charge. FREE! So, what exactly is keeping me away? I've used every excuse in the book; to be completely honest, I easily get discouraged and it's hard for me to stay focused! I swear to you, I'm not one of those people who bought their wedding dress three sizes too small, so they have to exercise like crazy and starve before the "big day" so it will fit. My dress fit like a glove when I purchased it last summer; however, it's on the verge of becoming too small because of my poor eating habits and lack of exercise.

I'm going to watch what I eat; as a vegetarian/pescetarian, it's easy to fall for unhealthy (but readily available) items like greasy cheese pizza, grilled cheese, and french fries. I might start bringing lunches from home. As for dinner, as much as I don't like cooking, I'll have to start making my own dinners. Also, I want to get to the gym 3-5 days a week - probably closer to 5, until I know that my wedding dress is going to fit like a glove once again!

I hate dressing frumpy when I go to the gym. Buying some cute Lululemon workout wear as motivation to get moving is currently out of the picture, so maybe I'll pick up some yoga pants and cute tees from Old Navy or Aerie... champagne taste on a beer budget, my friends.

Bootcut Yoga Pants, on sale for $9.99-$15.00 at Old Navy

Please send positive vibes - I know I'll need it!