Losing Weight is Hard

Stating the obvious, I know.
Now I'm going to state the brutally honest, in hope that it will embarrass me so much that something will have to change: I need to lose 30 pounds. I weigh more than my 5'10" male friend (I'm 5'3"). True, he's naturally very skinny, but still.
When I lived in NW Portland, I walked everywhere, and my weight was stable and reasonable. Now, I live too far to walk places, and must resort to going to the gym to get exercise. I've been going consistently once a week, but clearly, that doesn't cut it. I have a trainer (ending soon due to budgetary constraints), and I'm definitely stronger because of it, but as far as slimming down and cardiovascular health, I need to exercise more often. Now it's imperative that I make myself exercise regularly, because I won't have the weekly appointments with her anymore. I need to make an appointment with myself.

I have the pulse of a hamster. That's got to change.
My stomach looks like a kitten is living in it. That's got to change.

Bottom line: I'm wasting my remaining, fleeting youth.
I know how to eat well to feel well: lots of whole grains, fiber, fruits and vegetables, but I'm inconsistent about it. I hate wasting things, so I'm reluctant to throw out the junky stuff in my kitchen, even though they're bad for me.
So I'm aiming to go to the gym three times a week like I used to; that should improve things.
I realize that this is a boring post, but I wrote it for my benefit, not anyone else's.
OK, my moment of completely embarrassing disclosure: I weigh 157 pounds.
There, I said it.
I should weigh around 125.
Hopefully, I will be able to report back in a few weeks with a slight reduction. Progress. My hamster-like pulse calming down.
I'll let you know. For me, not for you.

Been a Long Time...

Haven't posted anything since this summer, because I got burnt out trying to make my vacation posts too detailed. But I've returned! Since my last post, I've been on two super great vacations. First, to Amsterdam, Bosnia, Croatia, and Montenegro, and recently, to New Orleans. Quite the contrast.
Anyway, I've picked out a few of the best photos from each excursion.

First, Mostar: the Old Town is beautiful and the bridge has been rebuilt since the war in the 90s. Venture into the modern portion of town, and you'll find shelled out buildings on nearly every block. In spite of that, it's a pretty, green city.

















Below this, a photo of Dubrovnik. I loved Dubrovnik. Touristy? Yes, but wonderful and relaxing all the same. Full of history and the good life. You'd never even guess that a war raged here 15 years ago.
















Now I'm on to New Orleans, where Derek and I spent a week this December. I believe it is now my second-favorite U.S. city (after Boston). It doesn't have to be the ra-ra frat boy party town. Your experience there is whatever you choose to make it. People there are friendly, relaxed, and funny, and the city is an interesting mix of gritty and grand. I want to go back.

I just realized that the last two vacations we've taken involved places recovering from disaster: Croatia and Bosnia suffered through war in the 90s, and New Orleans was partially destroyed from Hurricane Katrina. Each locale differs in attitude in the wake of these disasters, but at their individual cores, they all want the same thing: to rebuild and thrive.