Day 2 - Losing My Way, Not My Weight!

Well, I must admit...it took a bit of coaxing for me to get dressed in my exercise gear and head outside after a full day at work, but I did.

Since I was starting off from home, I decided to climb to the peak of the mountain (the other side of the mountain from where I was yesterday). I used to tackle these mountains at least once a week about two to three years ago. I thought it would be nice to revisit them in my new quest for good health.

I started climbing up - through thrushes, along rocky paths - up, up and up. I've always enjoyed climbing up more than climbing down. I'm always afraid of falling when I head down. So, I generally keep climbing up...all the way to the top. When I reach the apex, I enjoy the view, catch my breath and then...fuck! Now I have to head down!

I was peaked before I even reached the peak! I must be more out of shape than I thought! I've always managed to make it to the top. I figured I'd save the pinnacle for a future day and start to head back down. But I guess three years is a long time ago, and I got lost. I start to panic (I am a "Nervous Nellie") but after walking along the mountainside for an extra ten minutes or so, I finally found a path heading down towards the rear of my apartment complex. Phew.

A good workout and now I'm safe back home. The picture was taken a quarter-way up the mountain, looking back.

*I know you don't "lose YOUR weight"! I'm not THAT FOB-y. It's a title.

Day 1 - Moving Mountains Through Exercise

Obese? Technically, yes.
Fat? Lots of it.
Out of shape? You bet.
Motivated? Not until today.

Here's the story. I have been struggling with my weight every since the freshman 15. I had always been a petite girl - you can't help it when your under five feet tall! But years of bad eating habits and a non-existent exercise regimen helped me make the leap from "tiny" to "chubby" to "fat ass".

That said, don't go picturing Gilbert Grape's mama in a wheelchair. Like I mentioned earlier, I'm a small girl. But, if you consider things to scale, I need to be losing a few pounds and inches. And, my BMI (Asian ranking) labels me "obese". Well, I've tried (mildly) to get into better shape. I have a lifetime membership at a gym and even work with a personal trainer. But I have a hard time being consistent. I'll be really committed - going to the gym regularly for a while, but something will happen - either a scheduling conflict with my trainer or an extra busy work schedule that will throw me off the "workout wagon" for a few weeks or even months.

Today, I decided to wear my sneakers to work (I'm a freelancer so I don't really have to adhere to a dress code). My last job of the day was located on the other side of the mountain from where I live, so I decided that instead of taking a taxi home (as per usual), I'd walk. I decided to walk through the university campus that occupies one side of the mountain. I usually take this route, up and down the mountain, in a cab. But walking it, I was able to appreciate the natural beauty of my surroundings. From the brightly colored flowers to the lush greenery...it was a breathtaking site. I started my climb with a spring to my step.

As I was hiking home, I thought to myself how great this felt. Yes, even in the sweltering heat of a Korean summer! It would be great for me to do this every day. But, I knew that was easier said then done. As I was picturing myself plopping in front of TV and watching DVDs all day instead of heading outside for some exercise, I spotted a lilac tree with flowers in the most unique pink hue. I made a mental note to bring my digital camera next time, so that I could remember that color and appreciate its beauty through the seasons.

And then it hit me.

This is the way I would get motivated:

1. I will record my hiking progress here on this blog. That way, there will be a public account of how much (or how little - but let's not be pessimistic here) I exercised (ouside the gym).

2. During every hike, I will snap a picture capturing the beauty of my surroundings. I will upload those pictures with my hiking progress.

3. This way, I won't be able to hide the fact that I'm NOT working out...which will make me want to work out more often, just so that I can document it on this damn blog!

4. If you happen to stumble onto this site, you'll be able to see if I'm slacking off or not - and view some pics of hidden treasures of Seoul. (It really is a beautiful city, despite the traffic jams and the concrete jungle atmosphere - there are oases of serenity and natural beauty.

So this is it.
Day One.
Wish me luck.

(I didn't have my digital camera with me, so I took these pics with my camera phone. )