STAYING FIT

'SUP, NERDS! Unfortunately it's still winter, albeit it being freezing one day and feeling like it's sometime in April the next. But the winter season usually means that we're cooped up in our homes, enjoying some hearty soup and cocooning ourselves in knitted blankets. We become one with nature to hibernate...Meaning that we get pudgy.

Today is all about my routine to get in shape for the summer convention circuit. It's a yearly ritual that starts about now. I know my friends and other cosplayers start working out in late-winter and are more conscious of what they eat if they're feeling a bit flabby after hibernating.

Yummy and (Good) for my Tummy

I have this theory that I would not be fat if I didn't like cake. I'm a self-proclaimed dessert connoisseur—baking being one of my other passions. Right now I'm saying good-bye to my best pal, ice cream for a little bit, currently my first-choice dessert. Regarding other sweets, I've never been a soda fiend and find myself addicted to LaCroix and my sodastream.

Yep, I made these with (or for) friends.
This blog almost became a baking blog. Someday maybe I'll start one?

When it comes to real meals, I make sure that half of the plate consists of green veggies—spinach being the best thing to ever come from the earth. I am constantly upset knowing that less than ten percent of Americans eat enough fruit and veggies. Every day I make a point to plenty of greens. I also discovered the wonder of kale and fruit smoothies and occasionally use them to replace a meal.

This is probably my favorite meal eat at school.
I make sure that my omelette is packed with veggies too.

Some of my other favorite foods would also include bread and pasta. I try (note: try) not to eat too much unless I'm heavily exercising. Buuuuuuut I'm sometimes guilty of going to Olive Garden for unlimited soup, salad and bread sticks. Although, I don't feel so bad when I'm exercising every day.

Gotta Go Fast!

So fast and just a blue blur.

It was fairly normal for me to run at least an hour, sometimes two, every day. I had a good thing going... until school happened. When it's nice out, I forget about the gym and make up for it by biking everywhere, but recently I've felt stuck in-doors.

Right now I'm enrolled in five classes and I pretty much only do homework. It doesn't feel right to have fun before I hit the books. My incredibly disrespectful and annoying roommate also happens to work at my campus's exercise facilities. Whenever I finish my schoolwork, she seems to have a shift in the gym or things are closed.

To counteract my homework and roommate, I'm bringing my bike back on campus because this winter has been oddly warm. I am also making a point to exercise the next few weeks before final exams and relieve some stress. And yes, my school runs on the quarter system.

My Gym Routine

When I'm on my regular exercise schedule, I typically run 30 minutes on the elliptical on the highest resistance I can handle. I don't really like to lift weights as a safety precaution since I always work out alone. I make the most out of cardio and keep pushing myself to the next level on a weekly basis.

Once I'm done with the elliptical, I put the treadmill on the highest incline and lightly jog for another 30-40 minutes. It depends on how long a set of episodes or a movie is that determines the length of my workout.

I'm practically jell-o. This is a really good chart to study if you want to become elastic.

In addition to cardio, I spend a lot of time stretching and doing other basic muscle exercises. I personally love doing the "superman" when I wake up. Aside from a bit of stretching before cardio, I do most of these exercises back at home, between homework assignments.

Wrapping Up 2015

I haven't regularly exercised for almost two months now, but I'm not feeling horrible about my body. I've maintained my weight, but just don't feel as tight. It's just a matter of getting back into the habit and remembering that my health is just as important as my schoolwork!

Next time we're going to look at the final cosplay I made during 2015. It's another very unique outfit of a character nobody makes. I'm quite shocked because it's a character from an immensely popular video game. I was constantly stopped for photos!

LATER, DWEEBS!
-Loverly Liz