Quick Check In

Eye on the Prize :)

Thought I would stop in before I go work out to say hello :-)

Not much has changed since I last posted. Weighed myself the other day at my site's office (I don't keep a scale at home, too frustrating!! I go by my clothes and tape measure) and I am holding at 210.

I'd love to lose 10 pounds in the next 4-6 weeks. That's my short term goal. I cannot wait until I can join some of you in ONEDERLAND!!! :) But more than a number on a scale, I remember what 256 felt like... and to get under 200 would be one of the biggest accomplishments I've made. Now I've just gotta work to make it happen.

The last time I posted, I was trying to work my way back to 5-6 workouts again. Haven't gotten there yet but I'M NOT GIVING UP!!!  I'm going to get it together and do what I have to do to reach my goals! ;-)

It has been frustrating being on the road so often (last week Boston, yesterday Philly, tomorrow Virginia-- I'm like UPS!) but I don't use it as an excuse. Thank you for making comments on my blog and being a constant source of support on my journey. I've been learning that on this path there are valleys (weight gain, stress, frustration), there are deserts (plateaus that you think you'll never get off of; long spans of time without motivation), there are hills (encouragement, fitting into a smaller size, saying no to that ice cream sundae) and there are mountaintops. And forgiving yourself is just part of the journey!! :)

I'm getting it. There is no starting over or giving up. This is a lifelong journey of learning to eat better, learning your boundaries and triggers and incorporating exercise and healthy living into your life. 

I sometimes think that I've gotten off of the 'ride.' But then I remember that this is a promise I made to myself, for myself, for my life. And I get going.

Love, Kim

Slow and Steady

Hey fam,

I've been on the go for a couple of months now and I finally had a couple of days of vacation last week. I helped my mom and 'grandma' evacuate (mandatory) on Saturday from Hurricane Gustav and thank God the storm turned and now they're safe and sound back home. There are still a couple of storms in the Gulf so we are remaining vigilant and prayerful.

For me this whole summer has been about ripping and running... I've been flying here and flying there for work. We are closing out our Hepatitis C study starting September 15th, so I'll be traveling like crazy until the sites are closed and done. In June I was at 219 and I weighed myself yesterday and I was 209. But because I have been working out sporadically, it's weight loss but would be so much better if I could get back into my routine. I'm still trying to figure out how I can work back up to 5 times a week again.   Tomorrow I fly to San Francisco but it'll just be a 1 day trip. Any suggestions or motivation would be appreciated! Please!!!

My eating has been okay... I haven't even had much of an appetite, so lately I have been working on drinking more water and eating more fruits and vegetables (more lentils too). I'll update soon and hopefully will have better news on getting back on my fitness schedule! :) Going to check on yall...

Love, Kim <3

Clean Eating

I know I just blogged but I want to share a list of things I came across today.

They say that Clean Eating plus Cardio Strength Training equals Weight Loss and Toning. Here is an excerpt from Tosca Reno's great book about Clean Eating. She explains its very well. She says if you stick to the list below you will start seeing definition:

- Eat six small meals per day
- Eat lean protein and complex carbs at every meal
- Lean proteins can come from lean poultry, fish, egg whites, soy beans, legumes, lentils and limited nuts (remember, you are going for defined abs).
- Complex carbs come from fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grains
- Drink plenty of water every day - at least three liters or almost a gallon.
- Avoid all processed, refined and chemically charged foods.
- Avoid sugar, except for naturally occurring sugars in fruit.
- Avoid trans and saturated fats.
- Avoid sodas and juices since they contain loads of sugar, either fake or real.
- Limit treats to one per week rather than an entire day.

I'm sure we all know this formula, but it is really helping me to post it here. There are several things on this list that I have slacked on in the last 4 weeks and the difference is apparent.

So my challenge for myself is to take it one day at a time; do not skip meals; include lean proteins and veggies in my diet again; drink more water; keep my exercise consistent and work my way back up to 5-6 x a week (Cardio) and ST. And cutting back on sugar and soda.

It seems like a lot, but this is what it's going to take for me to see the results I want so, it's a done deal.  My goal is to see ONEDERLAND by SEPTEMBER. I'm claiming it and I will work toward that goal with persistence. Will update yall on my 1 week progress.......

Kim

Standstill Summer

Hey everyone :o) Checking in...

Judging from the title of my blog, you can guess how my journey has been going... No losses, no gains... :-/ This is due to me cutting down on my workouts (went from 5-6 times a week to 3x a week) due to my travel schedule. I am literally never home and I haven't been too good at planning out my workouts when I'm away. So it is the end of July and I'm still hovering around 217-220. It's very frustrating but at the same time, I know what needs to be done.

Starting Sunday, I will be doing a 'Blitz' of travel for work. Houston to San Fran, San Fran to San Diego, rest three days, back to San Diego and the very next week Puerto Rico. There is not enough tuna in the world that will help me out on that travel schedule LOL!!! Here is my plan of action; please give me tips because I'll need them:

1. Packing Food- I feel that I can control about 80% of what I eat on my trips if I plan ahead and pack. I am getting bored with my choices so if you have any tips on food that travels well, high density/fiber and low in cals, I'd appreciate it.

2. Exercising on the Road- I plan to make use of the hotel's gym and do 1 hour of walking/running on the treadmill and 15-20 min. of weights. I know this will require me waking up early to do it but it's got to be done.

3. Exercising While Home- I will make the most of the days at home by doing my normal workout routine and adding 15 min. onto my cardio in addition to the bleachers. I normally go 12 times around the track but I will aim for 16 (4 miles).

4. Avoiding Temptation- Well lets just say this is a work in progress

So my blitz ends August 25th (one month exactly) so please pray for me!! My goal was to lose 20 pounds by Sept. but at the point, I will be happy to get back to the weekly loss of ANYTHING! :)

ROMANCE UPDATE- We are on the rocks. Right now I'm just leaving it alone and praying that God will send the RIGHT, evenly yoked person into my life. :)

Love, Kim <3

Can I Tell Y'all Something?

It has really been a struggle to get back in the saddle.  I'm telling you... it's not the diet or eating that has been the issue-- it's working out. Right now I'm sitting in my hotel room in San Francisco (here till Friday on work) in my gym clothes and tennis shoes. I don't believe I lack motivation, I'm just exhausted. Would rather be sleeping or just *being*...

But I made this promise to myself to get healthy and stay healthy. Yes, I'm allowed to have an off day or moan a little bit. But when push comes to shove, I've got to just get down to it and DO IT. I know  I can make it :)

I hope you all are doing well and enjoying the journey we're all on. Without the ability to look back and remember why we are on this journey in the first place, what would we have? Thank you God, for giving me the wake-up call I needed just in the nick of time.

Edited post to add: You guys are the greatest support group, period! After I posted this, I went and did my workout and felt great. When I came back, I had all of these encouraging words here and I just really appreciate the pep talks, guys. More than you know.

Love, Kim <3

First Day Back

This morning is my first day back on my regular workout. For some reason, I've been really hesitant to get back into the groove of things and I've been putting it off. But now is the time to get back to work so, I'm off to the track and strength machines.

Eating hasn't been the best the last 3 days (more carbs than usual, less veggies)... so yesterday I finally got in 5 fruits and vegetables so I'm slowly but surely getting back to normal after a monthlong hiatus. For the last month, I have been taking Citrical with Vitamin D once a day (promotes healthy bones, fights osteoporosis). In that month, I've noticed that my weight has remained steady and I've even lost a pound or two and I think this is due to the Vitamin D (or Calcium?) in these pills.... so I'll update you guys more on that in July but I wanted to let you know about the good 'side effect' I'm having with these pills!!!

On Friday I took a couple of pictures in my office and I'm starting to see some changes (for the good)... this is what's motivating me to keep it up and make exercise and good eating habits a lifestyle change and not an easy fix. I know how fast the weight can come back so I need to buck up and continue toward my goal.

Be blessed, Kim

6 Month Comparison

Hey yall :-)

I hope everyone is doing well and getting ready for the first day of summer, which is right around the corner! :) I am blogging today because today I'm having 'one of those days' and I just need the support of my EP family  I was in one of those 'I can't lose weight fast enough, look better fast enough!' moods and it was really getting me down. I'm still at work so I decided to take a long picture shot of myself and compare it to where I was in January. I posted these pics to my albums so yall can see. After viewing them, I got a little more encouraged. . . . God has brought me a long way in 6 months and so has the eating right, the exercising, staying away from junk and the enduring...

It's gonna be okay :) May was a setback month for me in terms of exercise and it really bothered me. With all of the traveling I was doing, the only type of exercise I got was walking around the different cities (and hills), running up and down stairs and doing light weights. I really tried to get my diet in order so that I didn't *gain* any weight in May. I am happy to say that I still lost (albeit only a couple of pounds)... but that's something. I was so used to losing every single week that when I hit that plateau it kind of got me down, ya know?

But June is a different month and we're right at the beginning of a new opportunity to shed pounds and gain confidence. As of tomorrow I am back on my grind, early in the morning, hitting my track. We can do it! Hope all is well and I'm going to check on you all! Have a great week :)

May Goals

I thought about what I want to accomplish by the end of May/beginning of June. There are about three weeks left in the month (~20 days), and by then I would like to have:

• Completed 5-6 days of cardio and 3-4 days of strength training each week for the remainder of the month
• During cardio sessions, work out for at least 1 hour
• Work my way up to 25 push ups at a time, if possible
• Keep eating under control and eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day
• Eat lean protein and more fiber
• Get to 215 lbs and kick the 220s butt! :)
• Stretch more

I can do it! Just gotta do it! :) I'll be in San Francisco this week until Saturday so I've packed all of my food and snacks and workout gear. Hope you all have a great week!

Kim

Sick

Hey you all :) Just wanted to blog real quick and let you all know how I'm doing on my journey. Right now I'm in the airport waiting to go home after a week of training in Nashville, TN. Monday I head to San Francisco for a week to work. In the middle of all of that, I caught a nasty cold  But this weekend I'm going to recuperate and come back with a vengeance! :) I am keeping up (by a string) with my workouts and this week even with training my diet was pretty good- I averaged between 1400-1800 calories a day. If I was home, I know I would do even better.

Ok, the mysterious weekend.... *drumroll*

It was great!  I am not sure where things will go from here for us, but I am opening myself up to new, exciting possibilities. It's worth it! Since my plane is about to board, I'll wrap up but I just wanted to give a little update :)

Keep up the great work!

Kim