How do you remind yourself how fabulous you are?

QUESTION:
How do you remind yourself how fabulous you are?

ANSWER:
Fashionista Photos

One faithful day last week my friend Katrina was following me around with a camera like she was paparazzi. In reality she was doing 2 things: 1) testing out her brand new digital camera 2) proving a point to me that it helps to motivate my weight loss journey by taking chic photos of myself. I didn't believe her until she showed the above photos to me...

I realized that when a person goes through a life journey or a self-realization process they have to remind themselves how fabulous they are or sometimes hold themselves accountable. I like to do it through writing this blog, but for those who are too lazy to write (trust me I get lazy too that's why sometimes I write an entry once a week and usually on Wednesdays) I suggest photoblogging or microblogging.

Photoblogging Example: http://www.photoblog.com/
How it works: Photoblog helps you preserve your memories and share your life through photographs. You have a limit of uploading up to 5 photos per day and writing a paragraph describing it.

Microblogging Example: http://twitter.com/
How it works: The concept of Twitter relies on messaging services, whether it uses a cell phone, instant messager, such as Yahoo Messenger or MSN Messenger, or through specific websites. It allows the user to send messages to friends and family quickly and easily. Twitter only asks one question, “What are you doing?” As long as an answer is 140 characters or less, it is possible for thousands of people to see the answer immediately.
Source:
http://onlinepublishing.suite101.com/article.cfm/what_is_twitter_and_how_does_it_work

It is my hope that you explore these options of capturing your journey. Other methods include scrapbooks, journaling, and food log journaling, but we will save that for another day and another blog. Muchos besos~~~Miss Mo

FOLLOW ME and my weight loss journey:
My Twitter: http://twitter.com/MOtastic

My new addiction: RUNNING

RUNNING: The FINAL frontier. These are the running adventures of a young fat woman trying to lose weight named MO. Mo's mission for the next 6 months is to train to run a half marathon in October and eventually a marathon within the next year in Hawaii. This running mission is to explore strange new leg pains; to seek out new life with significant weight loss and new positve body image affirmations; to boldly go where no young and fat Filipina has gone before.

Okay, so with the slight Trekkie tribute you can tell I watched the newest movie rendition of Star Trek. Haha. By the way it totally rocked: WATCH IT!

Where was I? Ah yes, running.

This past Saturday my sister Leilani, my cousin Ate Lisa, and my friend Cecille (among other co-workers) ran the 5K Marin Human Race. This was the first time I had ever run a long distance, especially outdoors (huge difference).

I was running with experienced/trained runners:
1. Leilani ran a 1/2 marathon last October--cold turkey, no training
2. Ate Lisa ran the Honolulu Marathon (26.2 miles) 5 years ago
3. Cecille is training to run the 12K Bay to Breakers this Sunday
4. And then there was me who never really ran accept for a Sanrio Hello Kitty sale.

Out of 685 possible timed runners I was #637 on that list! I ran 5K (3.1 miles) in 52 minutes and 27 seconds. I was sooooooo proud. Next 5K I will definitely beat that time!

In any case I am making a pledge to myself of goals for the next 6+ months:
1. Run 3 miles a day inside the gym on the treadmill (however, try to run outdoors if possible).
2. If I can't go to the gym and run, then run 3 miles outside, however if that is not possible at least run 1 mile for TIME.
3. Train to run the San Jose Rock n' Roll 1/2 Marathon in October 2009.
4. Train to run the Honolulu Marathon 10K portion in December 2009.
5. STRETCH EVERYWHERE.
6. Go to Operation Boot Camp EVERY DAY.
7. Buy a new pair of running shoes when I reach 500 miles.
8. Purchase new insole inserts especially for my shoes that are flats.

I believe there are more goals, but I think that this a good start for now.

Below are links for more information about the races I want to participate in AND the overall results of the Marin Human Race.

Marin Human Race Overall Results:
http://changeofpace.com/Results/MHR09/5KOVER.TXT

San Jose Rock n' Roll Half Marathon:
http://www.rnrsj.com/home.html

Honolulu Marathon:
http://www.honolulumarathon.org/

Quote of the Day: (this is printed on my blogging ideas journal from a close friend)
"She discovered her real measurements had nothing to do with numbers or statistics."