Last Weekend of May

Yesterday's Results

The scale reads: 147 lbs. (Digital scale) Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 10560 steps (2019 aerobic steps for 21 minutes), 4.16 mi., 292 calories

Other aerobic activities:

• Cheryl Burke's Disco Abs (30 minutes)
• Cheryl Burke's Disco Abs - That's the Way I Like it Abs (5 minutes)

May 29^th's Results

The scale reads: 148 lbs. (Digital scale) Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 7658 steps (863 aerobic steps for 11 minutes), 3.03 mi., 237 calories

Another consistent weekend in weight land. I induced some calorie confusion and tried to work up a sweat. It works in maintaining the weight at least.

Here's the food roll for this past weekend:

Chuy's Elvis Green Chile Fried Chicken - chicken breast breaded with Lay's potato chips, deep fried and smothered with sauce and cheddar cheese - (with boom-boom sauce instead of the green chile sauce) with green chile rice and refried beans.

House of Pies' Patty Melt Deluxe - One-half pound of hand formed chopped steak on grilled herb bread with sauteed onions, tomato slices, melted cheese and special sauce - with cottage fries (a.k.a. tater tots).

House of Pies' Strawberry Rhubarb pie - Tart rhubarb blended with sliced strawberries.

Samurai Japanese Steak and Sushi's beautiful presentation of hamachi (yellow tail).

Samurai Japanese Steak and Sushi's Jazz Roll - shrimp tempura top with crab with mayo and sriracha sauce.

Country rib, beef sausage, potato salad, and rice - this was actually Round 2! Man, nothing beats home-cooked BBQ and sides (courtesy of Chris' uncle and his uncle's gal pal).

la Madeleine's Croque Monsieur - French twist on the ham and cheese sandwich with ham, Swiss cheese, and garlic cream sauce.

It's difficult to give up the food adventures, so I need to continue increasing the physical activity another notch. I think I've been pretty good this past week with the walking. I didn't get 10k steps/day, but I was awfully close.

Here's to the last day of May. I hope I'll be able to meet my step and aerobics goal today.

Haute Wheels - Not Leading the Way!

Yesterday's Results

The scale reads: 148 lbs. Goal: 127 lbs.

The not-so-awesome pedometer reads: 3230 steps (0 aerobic steps for 0 minutes), 1.27 mi., 83 calories - seriously, how can it read that? I walked 2 floors of a museum, walked around an herb garden, and walked across a couple of parking lots!

May 27^th's Results

The scale reads: 148 lbs. (Digital scale - I knew the analog scale's results were too good to be true) Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 7000 steps (1177 aerobic steps for 12 minutes), 2.76 mi., 197 calories

Other aerobic activities:

• Does yelling at the top of my lungs while navigating through what looks like LA traffic at 4pm along 610 and I-45 count?

Two weeks ago, there was a food truck fest in Houston, but I was not completely thrilled. A lot of my sentiments about the event mirror the Yelp reviews, but I need to cut a little slack. It was the first year the organizers tried to pull this off. Chris, my cousins, and I were there for about 3 hours and we only had the opportunity to try 3 out of 10+ trucks there. Chris was able to see Two Star Symphony and I was introduced to Roky Moon and Bolt, which had a retro touch that made me smile.

Roky Moon and Bolt

In lieu of disgruntled gargle, let's see the brighter side of the event through the following picture roll. More pictures will be posted on a Facebook album.

We passed this long line because we had bought ($17!!!) tickets (which did not cover the food, only 5 drink tickets, which would give you 1 full cup of choiced non/alcoholic beverage or a single ticket would give you a 2 oz. sample of something) ahead of time.

My introduction to Rahr beer. I only drank 2 oz. of the blonde and it was all right.

Katfish Kitchen - something that seemed more worthwhile than what I purchased below (in terms of quantity and price anyways). They gave you a sizable to-go box filled with catfish, hushpuppies, and shrimp?

Bullbutter Bros. Barbecue was another one I wanted to try, but didn't have the chance. BBQ truck! Only in Texas, of course.

Angie's Cake - interesting idea (a new take on the cupcake), but as blasphemous as it sounds, I don't care about dessert trucks. There are too many of them if you ask me.

On the other hand, mosey over to their website. I think they do an excellent job blogging about their holiday creations.

Eatsie Boys was the first truck we actually got food from.

Eatsie Boys' "No Sleep 'til Philly"
Ribeye with homemade cheese whiz, onions, on a slow dough baguette
Wait time: 45 minutes :(

Eatsie Boys' "Da Bomb"
Marinated chicken, cucumber, jalapeño, cilantro, avocado hoisin soy vinaigrette on a slow dough baguette
Wait time: 1 hour :(

Oh My Kogi! doesn't compare to Kogi in LA (Thanks to Melva who introduced this Korean-Mexican fusion delight to me). It took them a while to set up because they didn't have a generator. A lot of the trucks were under the impression the event organizers would provide them one, but nope. :(

Oh My Kogi!'s pork and (2) beef tacos
Meat, lettuce, salsa vinaigrette
Wait time: 40? minutes

Free Community Coffee - a New Orleans staple. I usually don't consume these bitter beans, but for a freebie, I liked mine iced and in a variety of flavors (mocha and French vanilla was available).

Chris is a happy boy with his regular, hot cup of Community

It was this crushed ice liquor thing. The peach flavor was better.

It's a Wrap's "Bangkok Dangerous"
Thai beef lettuce wrap with basmati rice
Wait time: 30? minutes

It's a Wrap's "The Jerk"
Jamaican jerk chicken with mango salsa and spicy cream cheese
Wait time: 30? minutes

It's a Wrap's "Bollywood"
Indian spicy chicken with onion, tomato, and cilantro chutney
Wait time: 30? minutes

It's a Wrap's fried macaroni and cheese
Wait time: 30? minutes

Mint and honey is actually not a good mix.

At Least I'm Maintaining the Weight

Yesterday's Results

The scale reads: 145 lbs. (Analog scale) Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 15430 steps (6689 aerobic steps for 71 minutes), 6.08 mi., 437 calories

Other aerobic activities:

• Fat-Blasting Dance Mix (all 50 minutes)

May 25^th's Results

The scale reads: Didn't weigh myself Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 4144 steps (0 aerobic steps for 0 minutes), 1.63 mi., 113 calories

May 24^th's Results

The scale reads: Didn't weigh myself Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 12173 steps (3138 aerobic steps for 34 minutes), 4.8 mi., 346 calories

May 23^rd's Results

The scale reads: Didn't weigh myself Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 14146 steps (0 aerobic steps for 0 minutes), 5.58 mi., 445 calories

May 22^nd's Results

The scale reads: Didn't weigh myself Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 6868 steps (0 aerobic steps for 0 minutes), 2.7 mi., 186 calories

May 21^st's Results

The scale reads: Didn't weigh myself Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 10356 steps (4344 aerobic steps for 37 minutes), 4.08 mi., 272 calories

Other aerobic activities:

• Walked at Independence Park for 5 laps

May 20^th's Results

The scale reads: Didn't weigh myself Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 3914 steps (0 aerobic steps for 0 minutes), 1.54 mi., 116 calories

Here comes the food roll. Considering I ate the following during the last 7 days, I'm happy I was able to maintain a cool 145 lbs.

IHOP's New York Cheesecake pancake stack

Birra Poretti's Pasta Poretti (it's penne with grilled chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and doused in goat cheese sauce)

Waffle House's Hash Brown - all-the-way - and the original burger

Olive Garden's Pastachetti with grilled sausage (pretty sizeable plate, but I should have stayed away considering it was a 4 cheese thing and I asked for Parmesan on top)

On a side note, I had the chance to watch an Elvis impersonator:

Ryan Pelton is an electrifying Elvis. He has the voice, the looks, and the moves! I wonder how many calories he burns just standing under that spotlight. He did a show every evening during the month of May so I can only imagine that he torched the heck out of those calories. Then again, there's a buffet line within the premises and cocktails abound.

Sore + Poor Circulation

Yesterday's Results

The scale reads: 143 lbs. (Digital scale) Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 10245 steps (0 aerobic steps for 0 minutes), 4.04 mi., 327 calories

Other aerobic activities:

• Tossin' the ol' pigskin with the cousins at the pool (1 hour)

May 18^th's Results

The scale reads: lbs. (I didn't bother checking it) Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 3903 steps (0 aerobic steps for 0 minutes), 1.54 mi., 96 calories

Other aerobic activities:

• None - working on finishing touches of presentation

May 17^th's Results

The scale reads: lbs. (I didn't bother checking it) Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 9079 steps (0 aerobic steps for 0 minutes), 3.58 mi., 269 calories

Other aerobic activities:

• None - working on paper

Image courtesy of Sputnik Music

It's day one of my one-week break from classes and I dove right into rigorous activity. I made sure I had 10k steps before the stroke of midnight. I fought against the resistance of rather weak jet streams inside a renovated pool. I wished I had a better handle on a football that's not junior-sized, as my cousins and I passed the flapping, dying football to and fro.

My, my. Of all things to be sore, it's my fingers! I'm surprised my forearm or elbows are not in pain. (We'll see if this is true in 8 hours). I wonder if I bruised my fingers trying to receive that old football. I missed many, many passes. I almost ate concrete. I just ain't what I used to be.

Let's see how well-behaved I'll be this weekend.

Progress?

Yesterday's Results

The scale reads: 145 lbs. (Digital scale) Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 8016 steps (1089 aerobic steps for 12 minutes), 3.16 mi., 239 calories

Other aerobic activities:

• Trying to kill a flying cockroach :( - it's more of a workout when you're pressed for time and want that bugger to kick the bucket

May 15^th's Results

The scale reads: I forgot what the scale read. Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 4674 steps (0 aerobic steps for 0 minutes), 1.84 mi., 127 calories

Other aerobic activities:

• None

May 14^th's Results

The scale reads: 147 lbs. (Aunt's digital scale. Measurement taken after we went to the food truck fest so what do you expect?) Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 11352 steps (0 aerobic steps for 0 minutes), 4.47 mi., 333 calories

Other aerobic activities:

• None

May 13^th's Results

The scale reads: 143 lbs. (Analog scale) Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 4835 steps (0 aerobic steps for 0 minutes), 1.9 mi., 132 calories

Other aerobic activities:

• None

May 12^th's Results

The scale reads: 143 lbs. (Digital scale - maybe my analog scale is working all right?) Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 10786 steps (3940 aerobic steps for 40 minutes), 4.25 mi., 325 calories

Other aerobic activities:

• Quick Fix: Cardio Hip Hop (40 minutes)

May 11^th's Results

The scale reads: 143 lbs. (Analog scale) Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 4858 steps (1688 aerobic steps for 21 minutes), 1.91 mi., 136 calories

Other aerobic activities:

• None - busy catching up with stuff :(

Paper and presentation due in 2 days. No time for other coherent thoughts.

1, 2, 3, 4...

Today's Results

The scale reads: 133 143 lbs.? (Analog scale - I caught this major typo a week later) Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 10048 steps (5584 aerobic steps for 57 minutes), 3.96 mi., 285 calories

Other aerobic activities:

• Tru2form - Reggaeton - it's not really reggaeton :P (35 minutes)

...C'mon, baby, say you love me. 5, 6, 7 times. 8, 9, 10, 11... I'm gonna keep on counting until you are mine!

I was blaring some Gloria Estefan today.

I consistently ate more fruits and a bowl of greens in the last two days.

It's been good.

Now I just need to get some school work done. I hope it doesn't take me more than 8 hours.

Fried Twinkies, Buckle Bunnies, & Bull Riders

Today's Results

The scale reads: 143 lbs.? (Analog scale) Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 11215 steps (5985 aerobic steps for 65 minutes), 4.42 mi., 328 calories

Other aerobic activities:

• Dance It Off - Tone It Up (20 Minutes)

Image courtesy of Josh Peter's
Fried Twinkies... website

Whoa, PBR! No, not Pabst Blue Ribbon, Professional Bull Riding.

I forgot what I was searching for in library's catalog, but I came across this nugget of a title. I never cared to read a book on a sport, but I was intrigued that there was even one for PBR. The title also had me at "fried." The title lured me to nosh on more facts about the touring life of bull riders and fighters.

The book is a pretty easy read with its conversational style. The candid anecdotes and quotes makes it easier to relate to these "Built Ford Tough" individuals. I don't know why I was particularly struck by this quote from 3-time champ, Tuff Hedeman: "I was poor as you could get... I couldn't even pay attention." A lot of these men had humble beginnings, but they had grand dreams that helped them rise to super stardom.

If there was anything that made me a cowgal, it's the satisfaction of watching professional bull riding. I own a pair of boots and a pseudo-cowboy hat, but I haven't been to a rodeo, ridden a horse bareback, lassoed recalcitrant livestock with a lariat, or corraled some cattle. I wouldn't cut it as a cowgal even if I pump up my athleticism and physical activity. This book is pretty candid about how being a cowboy isn't easy. Luke Perry's role of Lane Frost in 8 Seconds proves the lifestyle is deadly and costly. The video below also demonstrates this:


After reading a quarter of the book, I'm awe-inspired by the athleticism these men have. There was no significant mention of women pursuing the sport, but then again it seems mighty intense for petite individuals to wrestle with 1,700 lbs. of flesh.

Eh, maybe one day I can tackle the mechanical bull again?

Acne Attack

May 5^th's Results

The scale reads: 145 lbs. (Analog scale) Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 3789 steps (0 aerobic steps for 0 minutes), 1.49 mi., 98 calories

Other aerobic activities:

• None

May 4^th's Results

The scale reads: 146 lbs. (Analog scale) Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 3539 steps (0 aerobic steps for 0 minutes), 1.39 mi., 89 calories

Other aerobic activities:

• Fundamentals of Bellydance with Mayte (10 minutes)
• Crunch Dance Rhythms - Global Grooves (20 minutes)
• Crunch Eroticise - Burlesque (5 minutes only because they started doing awkward, awkward things on the floor)

May 3^rd's Results

The scale reads: 145 lbs. (Analog scale) Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 3789 steps (0 aerobic steps for 0 minutes), 1.49 mi., 98 calories

Other aerobic activities:

• Firm It Up - Yes, I bought this at Wal*Mart for a bucko (25 minutes)

I didn't have my pedometer over the weekend. On Friday evening, Chris and I went to the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement gala. By wearing some formal wear, I forgot to pack my pedometer in some bag. I did not have a chance to go back to my apartment since Chris did all the driving this weekend.

I'm sure I didn't reach 10k steps on Friday. However, I'm confident I exceeded this goal on Saturday when we went to the Aeros & Autos event at Ellington Field. How can you not reach 10k steps walking around 4 times in an airfield?

Yesterday - Mother's Day - I was confined to a chair for the most part because I needed to play catch up on some tasks. No 10k steps for sure. I didn't bother tracking my weight in the morning (when I usually do my weigh-ins) because I consistently stayed around 147 lbs. over the weekend when I consciously remembered to take a gander at the digital scale.

Another thing plaguing me this week was acne. According to this picture and another article, the outbreak on my cheek and chin can be attributed to stomach problems, hormonal imbalance, and stress

Image courtesy of Viva Woman

This is clearly a sign I need to eat better and find other ways of relieving stress and regulating my feminine cycles. I did engage in some exercise, but I guess it didn't help the outbreak of bad eating, bad time management, and bad time of the time.

I am determined to make this week better and prevent another inflammation of acne. More exercise and better time management coming up!

Weekend Blur

Today's Results

The scale reads: 148 lbs. (Digital scale - I'm still feeling really bloated from eating 1/2 a plate of broccoli) Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 11002 steps (4522 aerobic steps for 52 minutes), 4.34 mi., 331 calories

Other aerobic activities:

• Fiesta Latina Vol. 1 (30 minutes?)

Yesterday's Results

The scale reads: 146 lbs. (Digital scale) Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 4695 steps (0 aerobic steps for 0 minutes), 1.85 mi., 134 calories - guh, I didn't have the pedometer on me all day because I was a wearing a pretty dress

Other aerobic activities:

• Walked around Clear Creek High School for the Special Olympics event

April 30^th's Results

The scale reads: 149 lbs. (Digital scale - this was after gorging on a gyro plate with a Greek salad and fries) Goal: 127 lbs.

The awesome pedometer reads: 10011 steps (0 aerobic steps for 0 minutes), 3.95 mi., 262 calories

Other aerobic activities:

• Cheryl Burke's Disco Abs - I Will Survive Cardio (30 minutes)
• Cheryl Burke's Disco Abs - The Beginner Hustle (12 minutes)

The weekend started off like the last couple of weekends: "Oh, you've done me in again, food!"

I'm getting better. I promise. There was more physical activity despite what the pedometer results above tell you.

On Friday, I did not learn my lesson about the outrageous effects of coffee on me (Seriously, it's like what you see at the 0:04 mark of the video). I gave in to Bohemeo's Frozen Mochaccino. I thought the fish and shrimp tacos would mitigate the effects. Alas, no.

Bohemeo's Frozen Mochaccino, fish, and shrimp tacos

Chris' company also had an all-you-can-eat crawfish boil later that evening. Boy, my stomach was sizzling from cajun spices and confused from the inordinate amount of mud lobsters waiting to be digested.

Barrios Technology's (All-You-Can-Eat) Crawfish Boil

On Saturday, volunteering at the Special Olympics worked up quite an appetite and boy howdy, I appropriately ate like an Olympian at Skipper's Greek Cafe. I ate the Gyro plate; Chris needed his breakfast so he got the omelet. The event didn't even consciously move me to more exercise even though I was viewing awesome athletes with remarkable determination, pride, sportsmanship, and all those positive attributes of an Olympian. I'm glad Chris and I volunteered though. We helped organize the heats for the 50 m. dash and it's something to run fast and another thing to have endurance. I have neither speed or stamina. At least it's helping me make a mental note to try and build up more stamina.

Left: Gyro plate with Greek salad and fries; Right: Gyro and feta omelet with hash brown

Later that evening, we met up some friends to watch the UFC fight. It should have inspired me to action so I can get rock-hard abs like the fighters. Nope. I was dozing off and nearly falling off the bench I was sitting on.

Seeing others that are in shape and constantly in the public's eye doesn't necessarily motivate me to get in shape. It's always those down-to-Earth folks overcoming their personal weight trials that inspire me to follow suit.

Yesterday, the SWE-Texas Space Center Spring Banquet really called for some serious exercise, but I was just dog tired from stumbling around in 6" heels. It's tough navigating through crowds that are just idling around a boardwalk. I was running a little late and I was trying to power walk, but those heels were like mini obstacle courses when you're trying to keep them on. I don't have any pictures of the caloric damage since my camera batteries and their backup failed on me.

Let's see how this coming weekend will be with the luncheon and other banquet I plan to attend.