One week down!

It has officially been one week since this 30 day challenge started. So I thought each week I would share a message from one of the wonderful women on here that have taken the step to change. My questions were: Why are you doing this? What have you been successful at? What has been difficult? Why do you want to keep going?

My why….. I am a middle aged mom with 2 younger children.  I know that while I may be able to keep up with them now, I want to be able to keep up with them in their teen years and 20s as well.  I desire to be the mom that can do things and wants to do things with them that are in their world.  Play sports of all kinds, go hiking, biking or skiing.  And even more forward thinking, I want to be an active grandma.  I know that sounds weird to think of now, but I have several examples in my immediate family of grandmas and grandpas that can only watch their grandchildren because they can’t get down on the floor with them anymore. I know I need to pay now with good choices and exercise so I can play now AND later!

My success…I’m back at boot camp consistently.  I’m consciously looking at my habits and willing to make changes.  I’ve drank more water but still not enough. I met a new friend that is holding me accountable to make these life changes & knowing what she’s done, she will be on me like a dog on a bone until I persevere.

My difficulties…The top one is being organized.  I feel so scattered in most areas of my life I’m like a gerbil spinning on the little wheel….being busy, working hard and going nowhere. I need a brain enema and get after organizing my world.  The problem is I am very much a sanguine (if you’ve read the Personality Tree) or a I’m an otter (another personality book would describe me)  Meaning if I see fun…I will turn my attention there or if I see purposeful experiences,  I will go there.   It has been difficult for me to see organizing my stuff, my food, and my living spaces when there are so much more fun or more important things to be done especially when my boys are home.  Seriously who needs clean undies until there is only one pair left in the drawer?

The other issue is I’m slightly sentimental so it’s difficult for me the shed excess things in my world…I still have a hard time throwing out bananas past their prime as my Grandmother would quickly whip them into banana bread on the spot.  Or tossing kids’ papers because they are so sweet; and “Someday, they (my 2 boys) will think their sweet too.”  Not! On a deeper level, I’m getting the feeling I’ve feel that way about my weight for some time until recently.  I felt like it was part of my identity.  If I really reached my goal would I look like me to my family or other people?  But then I think, why do I care if anyone recognizes me if I feel good and healthy? 

What’s Frustrating….one bad day can tank a whole week of effort.  It’s frustrating that I have a lot of nutrition, health and exercise knowledge but have not implemented it in my life. 

Why keep going…because I want health in my life and to live to the fullest….and because I want to honor God with my life by caring for this body he gave me so that I can be a light to others in any way I can.

Good Job this week ladies, member 2 pounds a week is our goal!!!! Keep on plugging away!!

174lbs -2 lbs

237lbs   -2 lbs!

167lbs  -2 lbs!

193.5  -1/2 lbs !

It's a mind thang!

Okay so you know how your brain works to protect you... Well today I had a personal training session with my trainer Jay Altman, I need to just learn to check my brain in at the door!
I have been resting my knee for the past 4 days really taking it easy per my trainers request. Today he decides to have me run on the treadmill. What? are you kidding, not ready! Can I just say I battled with my brain for 5 minutes. It was awful! I trust my trainer, I know he is not going to have me do something that is going to further injure my knee but sometimes my brain just takes over! Okay who am I kidding my brain always takes over! Why is he ALWAYS right? He kept saying your knee is ready just try! But my brain kept saying NO IT'S NOT! Back and forth I went running and stopping and putting my feet aside, he would make me get going and I would stop again. Until I finally realized.... he is not going to let me off this treadmill until I do it! What the heck suck it up and run. I did it, I ran and even though it hurt a little bit I was able to do it and I didn't fall down, I didn't cause great injury, so far my knee has not blown up like a balloon. I survived!
So I guess my encouragement to those of you who are out there wanting to change but are afraid..... do more than try.....battle, battle and don't let yourself quit and if you can't hold yourself accountable find someone who will!
Happy Wednesday!

174

day 6

Here we are almost a week! Tomorrow I will post weights and have a little interview with one of the ladies!
My favorite current little treat at night:

Chi Tea latte
1 cup unsweetened Vanilla almond milk
1 Chi tea bag
1 packet of stevia
Heat almond milk pour into a cup, let the tea bag steep for 2-3 min remove
Add your stevia and enjoy!!!
60 calories!
Recipe courtesy of Altman Fitness

The courage to move forward

For the past few days, I've been a little crummy in my mood. And quite honestly since I hit my one year mark I've really felt lost. I have had a few major life changes and then an end so to speak of what I set out to do one year ago. Which leads me to today...... I went to bed with a chip on my shoulder, woke up knowing that today was a new day. I can start fresh, I can set new goals and I can do more than I believe I can do. Today that came in the form of a plank :) At bootcamp a plank is a position you hold using your core, arms and legs. It almost looks like a push up only your on your elbows. My previous record was 5 min, that was the longest I could hold it. Today I held it for just over 10 min. It felt good, It made me feel like if I set my mind to something I can accomplish it and not only accomplish it I can destroy it!
Which leads me to listening to that inner voice. I feel God has been calling me to act on something for a little while and I need to obey and act on it now. So I choose today, I won't say what it is just yet but I will say it's really a really big step forward for me. One that I have been fearful of taking, for what the possibility and the outcome may be. But I strongly feel this is the moment! I will let you know in the future how it turns out, but for now I will keep you guessing and wanting more ;)

Me, 175

Here's to my amazing ladies that continue to have determination to change. 
You are beautiful!

Day 4

Okay ya'll are funny!
I am going to answer some questions that I'm getting.
My shorts with the lime green top are from The GAP, pink sports bra: champion from target.
Yes, I tan! And PLEASE don't give me a hard time about it! I Tan for a number of reasons, I am not promoting tanning but I also do not believe there is anything wrong with it if you do it responsibly. I tan in the winter because my mood is poor in the winter with no light, being in a tanning bed helps me. I have low vitamin D levels that I get checked regularly. Tanning increases my vitamin D level..... yes you could take a supplement for that. I believe from what I have read and researched that tanning does not cause skin cancer..... Burning in the sun and burning in tanning beds can cause cancer. If you have a family history of skin cancer maybe not a good idea for you. I firmly believe 15-20 min in the sun at the appropriate time is good for you and necessary! I use a tanning bed that has no UVB or burning rays. okay I am off my soap box about tanning..... but I say do what YOU feel comfortable with and research it. I like the book The Vitamin D solution

I also wanted to point out some FAVORITE websites right now:
The gracious pantry  this is a new one for me that a friend just told me about, love it!
This lunch Rox  this is my favorite for kids lunch ideas.

Hope you all are having a great weekend and look at my girls! They are doing awesome!!!!
And by girls, I mean....... participants this time :) 
Oh and I have opened up the comments section below so you can feel free to comment but only if it's positive!

                                                                             

Day 3

Here we are on day 3!
What went well? I didn't throw up at bootcamp yesterday That's a plus :)
What is frustrating? My knee is really swollen and I am doing everything I know to improve it but it's just not working.
My weight is the same but for me that is typical. I know the other girls are a little frustrated that they are not seeing change in the scale. My lesson to you is this: weighing daily is not a good thing. In fact I would recommend you don't send me your weights daily. I believe Jay is having me show daily weight is because he knows I KNOW exactly what my body is doing and when it's going to drop weight and he wants people to see that I will go up and down. IT'S NORMAL! You should pick a day and weigh at the same time, same clothing. For me my ritual was friday morning right away, in my undies after I had peed and no food or water in me. yeah, that is when I feel the skinniest!  Nice Job ladies, Proud of you! 27 more days.

176

193.5

Day 2

Wow! can't believe how many people wanted to see me in my biggest loser outfit! 275 pageviews in 24hours. That, so far is my record! Just want to give a shout out to the people in: Germany, South Korea, Poland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, not sure why my blog is so interesting but way cool! So hello!!!
What was hard about yesterday? Pushing the Publish button on the blog... that was difficult. Mostly because I knew there was no turning back. What was awesome about yesterday..... I have amazing readers and friends that have supported me. At one moment yesterday I felt really emotional over the fact that others would be willing to put up a picture on MY blog to support me and motivate themselves to change. I know how hard it is to look in the mirror and see a body that you are not happy with. A body that as much as you want it to change physically just won't look like that of your youth. The kindness of others AMAZES me!
Today I have to face people at bootcamp, my friends, my trainers and I am sure most of them by now have seen my pictures. Makes me feel vulnerable... like I am showing up in my birthday suit.
If you couldn't tell by now I can be a little dramatic :)  Ahhhh we all have our things about us don't we??? Okay so here it is again today! Happy Friday!
And I have a newcomer, welcome beautiful lady!
Oh and the offer is sill out there if anyone else wants to send me a picture I will post it! 

176lbs

239lbs