Well, I went to Memphis, TN for 5 days for this major convention and ....I survived. Now, this is major, because this was a southern-based church convention. Fried chicken, BBQ ribs, sweet potato pie, and red-velvet cake are staples....okay people!!! But I planned! I made sure to pack 100 cal snacks as healthy options while traveling, I ordered my tea unsweetened and used Splenda, I avoided all bread. And I allowed myself to have the aforementioned foods 2 of the 5 days, but in very small portions and either let that be my meal for the day and had fruit for snacks, or had one other very light meal. So while I didn't lose any weight that week, Thank The Lord I didn't gain! And I got to sample some of my fav foods in moderation. Not bad! I saw friends and family that I haven't seen since I was 6 or seven. Everyone was so complimentary! And I bought a suit in a size 14. Sure haven't seen that size in a few years! So...I was very excited about that.
Well, even with all the fun I was having, I was happy to get back to a more routine schedule and controlled environment. I was looking forward to eating "clean" again, i.e. lean proteins, veges, fruit, and Low-Fat sweets., and getting back to my exercise groups.
Well, all in all, I feel I am on track. I really feel I will see it though this time, even with Thanksgiving on the horizon. I know that I can do this. I have the tools and knowledge, and now I can add determination and focus.
Wishing everyone a Happy & Healthy Thanksgiving! Much Love!
My hard work has paid off! I regained lost ground and knocked out an extra pound. To date, according to WW, I have lost 28 lbs! Yay!! I've done pretty well with my workout schedule. It was a litle rough dealing with soreness and fatigue, but if I needed to skip one day that week to recuperate, I listened to my body. I rested that one day, and completed the rest of my workouts for the week. AND I've increased my jogging to 3.5 miles at about a 11min 30 sec mile. Longer and Faster. WOO HOOOO!! I didn't accomplish this in high school, and here I am in my 30s working-it-out!
But really, my main issue is not activity. My main issue is, and has always been......FOOD. My food choices and portion sizes have been the greatest contributor to my temporary overweight status. So, while I have refocused and re-committed my activity to increase my fitness level, my main priority has been making prgressive food decisions. I keep working on it, and I'm doing better. Going to WW meetings really help me to stay motivated and in a healthy place mentally. Now, its also the place where I have to be accountable and sometimes, that sucks. It's like taking medicine. It tastes nasty for few seconds, but it's good for you, and gets you healthy.
Didn't plan on writing all this, but since its been a while, I guess its okay.
So I'm feeling good, and finally, like I'm back on track! Committing and actually sticking to my plan to work out this morning before work is a HUGE contributer to the positive energy radiating inside me, I'm sure. :) Yay me!
So here's my new weeking workout plan:
Monday:
6:30 AM Jog - Build to 5 miles. Currently at 3.25 miles.
Strength Train - 15 Reps of Lat Pull Down and Shoulder Press, Walking Lunges and Squats the length of the gym, 2 sets of 10 push-ups
Stretch it out.
Tuesday:
4:45 pm - 15 min. Elliptical Machine
5:15 pm - 45 min. Boot Camp Class with Crazy Military Guy
Wednesday
6:30 AM Jog
4:45 PM Zumba Class
Thursday
4:00 PM 15 Min. Ellip. Maching
4:30 PM Muscle Pump Class
Friday
6:30 AM Bootcamp Class w/ Crazy Military Guy
Saturday
Before Noon Jog
Ooookay. This should have me "bikini ready" by May, right? We'll see. But my first goal is 10 lbs by Nov. 19th. Then I will officially be out of the 200s. MAN it has taken me a while to accomplish this. But, that's okay. I'm still in the game. And oh yeah, I re-commit to tracking everyday and to try Core for the month of December.
Writing this down really helps me to see plan in my mind and put it in my heart. There's a scripture that says, "Write the vision, make it plain, that they may run and not faint". So, here's to running!
Well, I'm another year older. I'd hoped to be closer to my weight goal by now, but I got distracted.
But on a good note, I'm currently in better shape than I was in my 20's, I'm MUCH more confident in being ME, and I make more money. LOL! So, hey, I feel pretty awesome.
So, to the other 30-somethings out there, Celebrate Yourself! Resist any suggestion that you're getting, ummmm, old. We are more confident, and confidence is in direct correlation to sexiness! We are smarter and less DRAMATIC! HA! By now, we've figured out that bad times are only for a moment, a break-up is NOT the end of the world, and as long as there is tomorrow, there is hope.
I offer no excuses - only apologies to those who've been following my blog. Yes, I took an inexcusably long break! I lost focus, but now I'm back.
Fortunately, the worst consequence was a 3.6 lb gain, and of course, not seeing any further progress. But, my pit stop is over, and I'm continuing my journey!
I experienced SUCH a mental hurdle, trying to get myself to my WW meeting and an official weigh in. The meeting, I looked forward to. The wiegh-in.......wellllll. So anyway, I sucked it up, and it wasn't as devastating as I imagined it would be. That makes sense, though. FEAR - False Evidence Appearing Real. I'm so glad I pushed through my fear and shame. It was worth it, and feels great to be back on track.
I shared with my mom, who I've designated as my weight-loss coach and a co-worker who has fought and won the same battle. I am VERY blessed to have wonderful support and accountability. I will not let myself give up on me. YaY!
I took some new pictures, so I'll post them!
Much love to my EP family. The prodigal daughter has returned.
I didn't blog last week, but I really DID have an awesome week. First of all, I completed my 1st official 5K on May 12th for the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure - All jogging, no walking! It felt great to be a part of something larger than myself, while simultaneously accomplishing a goal I've been working on for long time. I was so giddy when I crossed the finish line, one would've thought I'd just completed the Boston marathon, or at least come in 1st place. I am still so proud of myself. It's still sinking in that I set a longterm and challenging goal, consistently worked towards it, and completed it - on time! Wow, I actually did that! Only bad thing is that I wasn't able to be timed. This option was to be indicated on my registration, but I didn't know that. I really wanted an "official" 5K race time. I plan to make this an annual event, and it would've been nice to log in a time and try to beat it each year. Oh well, I guess I'll have to start next year.
Everyone who completed the race recieved a gold medal on a pink ribbon. I have mine hanging in my bedroom. I started to save my racing bib, but I thought that may have been a little overboard. :)
My next awards were received at my Weigh-in. I lost 3.8 lbs that week! I think most of that fell off on one of the bridges I jogged across in the 5K. With this loss, I accomplished my 10% weight loss goal, and the 25 lbs. star goal. I recieved the coveted copper 10% locket and a 25 lbs. star magnet and 5 lbs. increment star!!! I felt like it was my night at the Oscars! LOL! (I know - I can be dramatic!) But you must understand, this is the first time I've lost this much weight since I began working with WW's 2 years ago! When I started this time, I remember struggling to feel satisfied with my progress. I didn't feel that I deserved to feel satisfied until I surpassed my initial attempt. Well, it's happened people! I'm entering into uncharted waters. Now I have my eyes set on Onederland. It's so close, I can just reach out and touch it!!!!
Now my goal is to stay focus, and motivated - to keep doing ALL I've been doing to get this far. I can't back off of anything - tracking, blogging, planning, exercising, drinking my water, controlling myself and resisting those bad habits. I CAN DO THIS!! I'm determined to fully embrace this lifestyle. I love the changes I'm seeing within and without. I anticipate obstacles, setbacks, down times, but I WILL not let them stop me. God is faithful, and He'll give me victory. I have faith and works - what can stop me now? No one can stop me but me! I will not continue to sabotage myself.
Well, the title says it all - This week I accomplished a total loss of 22.6 lbs, and I'm only .4 lbs from achieving a 10% total weight loss. Wow. This is major for me. In my 2 initial attempts with WW, I always quit before I hit this mark. Well folks, I'm not quitting this time! I love my new healthier lifestyle, I love that food doesn't hold the same power over me. I mean, don't get me wrong, I still have cravings for high-calorie, yummy treats, but now I have much more control over when I have them, and how much I have. Through WW and other health websites, I'm discovering wonderful new recipes that are teaching me how to make Yummy & Healthy new dishes. Feels good! I work out now 5-6 times a week! Took me about 3 years to build up to this frequency, but, Here I Am. I'm leaner and stronger! Girl Power! I'm just so happy that I'm not burned out, or thinking about quitting. It's such a relief and makes me so much more confident that I can achieve and maintain my goal weight. A big "THANK YOU!" to all of my EP buddies who've taken time to send positive words and who share your personal experiences. The support here is awesome and it makes a lasting impact.
I have about 55 more lbs to go. Seems like a daunting number when I type it. I'm tempted to feel anxious, but EP and my WW meetings help me to resist fear. I CAN and I WILL do this.
That's what I'm feeling right now - determined to be DETERMINED! For some reason, I've been feeling a little blah about everything. I'm grateful for what I've accomplished, but tempted to feel resentful for not being further along. Now, according to healthy wieghtloss guidelines (1-2 lbs per week), I am right on target. So why do I feel disatisfied with my success?! It's not logical. So, I'm pushing myself to stay focused. I can't go back. I just plain refuse. And already know from past experience, that if I stop tracking, if I stop working out, I WILL GAIN! No if's, and's, or but's about it. Well, maybe "butt's", and big one at that! HA! And you know what, I didn't like the "out-of-control", "undisciplined", "out-of-shape", version of me. The fact is, when I do good, I feel good. When I am consistent, I feel powerful, and I see results. So that's that. I won't stop.
I have a the Susan Komen Breast Cancer 5K coming up May 12th. I can comfortably run 3 miles now, so I can't wait. Really, I still can not believe that I'm even able to say that. I CAN JOG 3 MILES COMFORTAABLY! I'm 30 years old, and this is the first time I can say that. Wow. God is good, I'm blessed, and I will continue to embrace life - I won't be afraid of success!
Since I've blogged! So much has been going on: Work conferences, changes in workload, work luncheons.... things have really picked up on my job! Normally, I'm bored out of my mind, and while I had been praying for change, I didn't expect it all to happen in 1 week.
Anyway, as I said, last week I went to a conference, held at Ft. Belvoir, which is located right outside of D.C. Conference day was not a good "eating" day for me, due to a bombardment of snacks, with no fruit choices. I felt like I was on a mini- binge. Not good. I didn't realize how much my success has hinged upon my efforts to make my immediate environment conducive to weight-loss and healthy choices. I mean, I don't have gourmet chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies, and spice muffins with cream cheese icing at home or work! I mean, geez, give me a break already!! It's a good thing it was only a 1 day conf. But I did make some good choices. When I go to a restaurant, I now see that they have a "500 calories or less section". (Shout out to TGI Friday's and Red Lobster!). I selected from those items and really enjoyed my food. Also, when I arrived at the hotel, the wind caused power outages, which meant there was no TV! Normally, especially after driving 2 1/2 hours to get there, I would've curled up in bed with my book, and napped all evening. But not this time! I dropped off my luggage, grabbed my gym bag (So glad I brought it!), grabbed a map of Ft. Belvoir and went in search for the fitness center! Yes, I made some wrong turns, but I made it! I accomplished a 2.5 mile jog (over 3 miles total with speedwalking), and strength training. As an added bonus, since this is a main army base full of recruits and soldiers, I had the priviledge of looking muscular men all around me! The song, "It's raining men, hallelujah!" would've have been most appropriate. But I digress.....
Since I had a few food indiscretions and a work luncheon at Maggiano's Little Italy restaurant, I was really afraid that I'd gained a pound or two. I know that's not much, but I had a goal that I really wanted to reach. Also, I missed my WW meeting and weigh-in due to travel. So, I really felt "off". Well, I made it to my next meeting, and dropped 2.4 lbs, thus reaching my 20 lbs goal!! YAYYYYY!!! I was so relieved. My next mini-goal is my 10% goal. I have 3 lbs to go. My larger goal is to make it to Onederland. I have about 11 more lbs to go. In the meantime, my clothes are so flattering on my healthier, thinner body, and I've been able to resurrect clothing items killed by my weight gain. It's like gaining a whole new wardrobe, for free!!
In conclusion, I had some ups and downs the past 2 weeks, but overall, I was healthy and achieved success.
Before I go, I want to say this: The greatness sadness in my heart stemmed from the Virginia Tech tragedy. Blacksburg is only about 3 hrs from me, and I've driven though often. It hurt my heart to know that so many families were so horribly impacted. Much love and strength to the Hokies!! You are in my prayers.
I forgot to tell you.....Zumba is GREAT!! It's just a big latin dance party. It's wonderful to do a strong workout, without feeling like you're working out. You just work those hips, move those abs, arms, and legs, all to a hot rhythm. FUN, FUN, FUN! There's even a website with these adorable workout shirts. Mmmm, gotta have one. So anyway, if you like to "move it, move it", and burn awesome calories, if there's a Zumba class in your city, I definitely recommend that you check it out.
To date, according to WW, I have lost 28 lbs! Yay!! I've done pretty well with my workout schedule. It was a litle rough dealing with soreness and fatigue, but if I needed to skip one day that week to recuperate, I listened to my body. I rested that one day, and completed the rest of my workouts for the week. AND I've increased my jogging to 3.5 miles at about a 11min 30 sec mile. Longer and Faster. WOO HOOOO!! I didn't accomplish this in high school, and here I am in my 30s working-it-out! 
With this loss, I accomplished my 10% weight loss goal, and the 25 lbs. star goal. I recieved the coveted copper 10% locket and a 25 lbs. star magnet and 5 lbs. increment star!!! I felt like it was my night at the Oscars! LOL! (I know - I can be dramatic!) 