Nava Does Life

If we were on a coffee protein shake date, I would tell you: 1....

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:30:00 -0400

If we were on a ~~coffee~~ protein shake date, I would tell you:

1. My weight is exactly the same as it was last Wednesday (229.0) and I have zero qualms about it.

2. I am totally in love with how my upper body is starting to look again.

3. I can’t remember the last solid breakfast I had as I’ve gotten into such a habit to replace breakfast with a protein shake.

4. I have 48 more lines to go before I can BO the baby blanket and thread in all the yarn color changes.

5. I really need to pack for my mini weekend excursion where I get to see my closest friends and have job interviews.

6. I haven’t been sleeping very well the past few nights, it’s all the jittery nerves since these upcoming job interviews I really want to nail so that I can get a job offer.

7. I need to figure out some sort of loose training schedule instead of just going to the gym and choosing the treadmill every single time.

8. You can see my fancy dancy Indy Mini Marathon medal in the background of my picture, and I just received the tab with my name and time so that I could put it on the back of the medal.

9. I miss being around people my age and people that have similar goals in life.

10. I really want to sign up for a 4th of July 5K race but a.) it’s Florida, b.) I don’t know where I’ll be living c.) it’s Florida.

Have a shiny Wednesday!

File under reasons why I’m thankful to have gym membership...

Mon, 20 May 2013 14:53:03 -0400

File under reasons why I’m thankful to have gym membership and don’t have to run outdoors during Florida’s summer months.

2 miles in 28:46

Fastest I’ve run 2 miles in a long time. Usually I’m fighting the 30 minute time limit on my gym’s treadmills.

Now I don’t feel guilty about spending the rest of the day knitting.

Quiet Weekend

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:09:22 -0400

Been pretty quiet on here the past few days as not much fitness related activities have happened. With half training complete I no longer have long runs on the weekends and therefore I no longer really workout on weekends (which is fine by me).

On Saturday I organized all of my yarns, knitting needles, and patterns, and ordered [hopefully] the last order of yarn and knitting needles for the foreseeable future. I also made a priority list of all the projects and excess yarn that I have and it looks like my hands are going to be busy for the rest of the year. Thus far, I’m finishing a baby blanket (hopefully beginning of June), working on a long term afghan blanket (super long term), starting another long term blanket (for my aunt, got the yarn when I visited her earlier this month), and starting in on a secret long term project (a close friend who follows me on here, so I can’t divulge the exact details). In between I have yarns for short term projects — a cute hat for myself, some cotton projects (quick purses, wash cloths, pot holders, etc.), some thin crochet yarn for headbands (they take about a week to do), and some yarn to make my bulky socks. Needless to say, I have a good yarn stash which is what I was hoping to accomplish with the online sales that I’ve been bargaining with. And all but 2 sets of yarn colors have projects designated for them, which makes my goal organization project on Saturday a success.

Sunday I was up for the final day of religious school. The scale showed a number that I haven’t seen since August 2012. It definitely made me a bit giddy that something is finally jiving again with my body. Anyway, my class graduated successfully and I’m super proud. Since I will most likely not be coming back next year (hopefully will have a job) my girls hugged me and cried because they didn’t want me to leave. It was very emotional because I’ve been with them for 2 years and they’ve accomplished SO much that I am super proud. Lucky for them, they have my contact information so they can keep in touch. Still, a bit of an emotional day.

Today is designated as a knitting day for me because I need to catch up on this baby blanket like whoa. Since I had to order more yarn and wait for it to come (it came on Friday), I am more than a week behind on it and I really just want to get it off my needles and given to the mommy-to-be so that I can continue with less time sensitive projects.

Also today, going to the gym for a lovely workout this afternoon, and attempting to cook something other than eggs for dinner (recently lazy meals have been some sort of egg omelet and I’m kinda tired of it).

Tomorrow — gym, cooking and cleaning day, packing and prepping for some interviews

Is it sacrilegious to cook tofu with actual...

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:46:31 -0400

Is it sacrilegious to cook tofu with actual chicken?

Anyway….Friday’s delicious meal:
- 4 ounces boneless skinless chicken
- 3 ounces Nasoya Extra Firm tofu
- 2 cups Japanese stir fry mix (Publix)
- bean sprouts
- extra mushrooms

I crossed off two of my May goals early this month…try tofu and cook a new recipe. And I’ve kinda fallen in love with tofu. This opens a lot more recipe doors without substituting meat into vegan recipes. Now if only a local store sold seaweed then I could make miso soup instead of buying the high sodium prepackaged stuff.

A bit of a knitting sidebar

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:34:41 -0400

(No workout today, it’s 4 loads of laundry day since I hadn’t done laundry since before my trip.)

I ordered this really pretty sale yarn online to knit leg warmers for a friend’s birthday and I’m yet again disappointed because although the weight of this yarn matches the same weight as other yarns who have the same Worsted Weight gauge and ply, the yarns are completely different in actual thickness. I’d have to double strand the yarn to even remotely get close to the same thickness as the yarn I’m already using for the same pattern for myself (from this post).

This is the second time that this has happened to me and I’m in desperate need of trying to figure out the correct yardage (and/or weight if I’m changing from the pattern) of yarns for patterns so I don’t have to order three times online and pay shipping each of those times. Any ideas on how to do this?

And in even more related knitting news….I officially have 3 long term knitting projects going on that I’m super excited to start taking pictures of once they are further along (Crafty Saturdays are definitely making a comeback).

Just one of those nights where I’ve been in bed for awhile and my brain just won’t shut off. Why...

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:37:02 -0400

Just one of those nights where I’ve been in bed for awhile and my brain just won’t shut off.

Why won’t someone hire me?
Why did you leave from my life?
Why can’t I just stand up for myself?
Why am I here?
Why do you make me feel this way?
How can I feel so alone but yet feel so much love from friends?
Why did I choose this degree?
Am I the only one who feels this way?
What will it take to get you back in my life?

But the most emotional question….

When will I feel whole again?

Dinner meet Tumblr. Tumblr meet dinner. I needed protein but...

Wed, 15 May 2013 19:46:27 -0400

Dinner meet Tumblr.
Tumblr meet dinner.

I needed protein but was craving vegetables. Omelette for the win. Plus some of the GOOD olives.

Gym was good. 2 miles on the treadmill, 7.5 miles biking, half a mile rowing.

Good news on the scale usual makes me feel like superwoman for the day.

WIW

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:49:00 -0400

SW 1 (12-2010) — 265

SW 2 (new official) (3-2-2013) — 235

LW (4-10-2013) — 230.4

CW (5-15-2013) — 229.0

Change: - 1.4 pounds

This is the last time I’m going to post SW 1 because I’m done comparing what I was pre-PCOS diagnosis to what I am now.

I need to go on vacation more because apparently I actually lose weight.

Yes, it’s been a month since my last WIW, but when 2.5 of those weeks you are out of town, it’s a bit hard to weigh in plus pre-traveling I was busy and post-traveling I came back on a Wednesday and I usually weigh myself for 3 days to make sure the number is consistent.

Also, WELCOME new followers! I picked up 20 of ya’ll last night and another 15-20 during my travels.

What my dinner looks like in the pan because I end up stinking...

Tue, 14 May 2013 20:01:44 -0400

What my dinner looks like in the pan because I end up stinking at the whole presentation of dinner thing since I eat alone.

6 ounces boneless skinless chicken
Handful of bean sprouts
Frozen Birds Eye broccoli stir fry mix

Not pictured: couscous

Went slightly over my carbs today but still under in calories.

“I’m sorry but we have decided to choose a different candidate.” First rejection...

Tue, 14 May 2013 11:39:21 -0400

“I’m sorry but we have decided to choose a different candidate.”

First rejection from one of my on site interviews from my trip earlier this month.

I’m not the least bit disappointed or upset about this one. The interview was alright, the facility was nice, but I knew when they started talking about the actual job position that I wasn’t going to be the right fit. I just wish that more details had been provided in the job posting so I could have been better prepared. Live and learn, right?

As of tomorrow I will be 22 months unemployed. Today I am applying to my 3,010 job. At the end of the month I have 2 on site job interviews. The more jobs I apply to and the more interviews I get, I feel that something is bound to be offered soon. I just gotta push through until it does. And start visiting friends more, it helps my sanity level.

It took me 40 minutes from when I wanted to leave to go to the...

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:49:30 -0400

It took me 40 minutes from when I wanted to leave to go to the gym and when I actually left. But since I was delayed due to setting up more job interviews, I guess it’s acceptable.
Until I came home to this lazy bum who hasn’t moved since I left.

2 miles on the treadmill and 10 minutes rowing. Great workout to get back into a routine.

In the background—-my latest knitting project all for myself with yarn from Indiana.

Currently relevant in my life: “There are three things I have learned never to discuss with...

Sun, 12 May 2013 19:41:47 -0400

Currently relevant in my life:

“There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin.” — Charlie Brown

Seriously, if someone knows you don’t want to talk politics but does it anyway because that is what they do, why can’t they just get it through their thick skulls that it is a MAJOR TURN OFF in whatever friendship/relationship you have with them.

I feel like some people just honestly will never get it despite how many times you tell them that you don’t have any desire to get pissed off at their stupidity.

Pictured: - Spinach lasagna - Homemade egg rolls (tofu, bean...

Fri, 10 May 2013 13:09:27 -0400

Pictured:
- Spinach lasagna
- Homemade egg rolls (tofu, bean sprouts, broccoli slaw, onions)

Not pictured:
- fruit salad
- regular salad (7 portions)
- chicken stir fry
- all the cleaned dishes and cutting utensils
- the 5 hours spent in the kitchen this morning

Yesterday ended vacation eating and today starts back on non-takeout food and tons of vegetables and fruits. I’m determined more than ever to mix foods and workouts up to try to lose weight again. Here’s to hoping my body agrees.

Sidenote: Gym this afternoon. First run since Indy. I’m looking forward to it.

keepgoinggreen: How to take a good race photo 101: Go out there...

Thu, 09 May 2013 13:30:51 -0400

keepgoinggreen:

How to take a good race photo 101:

Go out there and have a good time.

Always be smiling

Make sure you have an equally happy race partner

Wear a hat to prevent stingy, salty sweat from dripping into your eyes

Jog even when everyone around you is clearly walking (it makes you look and feel faster even though you are not!)

I’ll just go creep on Rich’s bib number because clearly the photographers can’t put it under my name.
Seriously in love with our race photos!

My feet have new bandages and an appointment Friday since my...

Wed, 08 May 2013 20:07:13 -0400

My feet have new bandages and an appointment Friday since my lovely body takes forever to heal things and I can’t be sidelined with open wounds….

Who is coming to visit and unpack my things and do my laundry and repack before I leave for another on site (in state) interview next week? Anyone?

Someone missed me!

Wed, 08 May 2013 16:24:32 -0400

Someone missed me!

One stop stands between me and home! Panhandle tonight, exciting...

Tue, 07 May 2013 10:05:28 -0400

One stop stands between me and home!
Panhandle tonight, exciting job interview tomorrow, puppy snuggles by dinner time.
Tumblr withdrawals by Thursday. This trip has been too much fun.

deanaisfindinghergroove: Dinner with Rupert, Sean, and She Nay...

Mon, 06 May 2013 22:00:15 -0400

deanaisfindinghergroove:

Dinner with Rupert, Sean, and She Nay Nay!

I was surrounded by Southerners!
Great dinner y’all. Glad we were able to get together before I head back to Florida.

Thanks for the memories, Indy! Heading down to AL for dinner...

Mon, 06 May 2013 18:26:08 -0400

Thanks for the memories, Indy!
Heading down to AL for dinner with more tumblrs before going back to the Sunshine State on Tuesday.

Indy Mini Marathon Race-ish Recap

Sun, 05 May 2013 08:46:53 -0400

A little unconventional, but that’s kind of how this whole trip has been.

I could talk about the lack of sleep, the physical pain, how unprepared I was from lack of training, the unevenness of the speedway, or the awesome 10 minutes I spent with medics as they flushed out some wounds.

But instead, I’ll share with you the ~~good~~ great things.

The Internet are awesome.

They are great.

When you push them, they push you.

They are funny.

They say things that even a sober person can laugh hysterical at.

They get hit on and given rings by little girls.

They chest bump, and chest bump, and chest bump and finally get it right.

They play beer pong pretty well.

They are great at just conversing on the small things.

They are an awesome bunch of people.

So thank you, Internet, for making this weekend in Indy a great one! Wish I could have been a bit more involved, but this road trip has just taken its toll on me.