It's been 5 months...

So I popped over to Skinny Me today...it's been 5 months since I've been here. In that 5 months I haven't lost or gained anything physically BUT I have learned so much!!

It's February 1st and I have decided to start this blog back up again. The past month I have worked on giving up sugar, eating non-processed foods, keeping a food journal and adding more workouts into my days.

I haven't been perfect in any of these endeavors but I have come a long way.

So I am back...I am want to blog about my journey....because for the first time in a very long time {years} I am being patient with myself. I am allowing myself time to relearn new habits.

I hope you'll join me and that I may inspire you in some small way.

If you're still here I would love for you to say HI!

Day Five

I am down 4 pounds!! Feeling good today. I will post more information later along with my food journal:)

How are YOU doing?

Day Three

It's been a good one!

I woke up ready for the day. Today's message from the book I'm using was so true..."Today you''' notice it getting a bit easier.". I agree. I haven't craved sweets, my portions have been small and I've been full and I couldn't wait to walk.

Today was upper body.

I skipped out again. I am just so nervous. It seems whenever I lift anything my neck and shoulders ache for days and I end up with a migraine. Very frustrating!! I think what I'll do tomorrow is the moves without the weights...just think it's good to do something.

As of this morning the scales says I'm down 2 pounds and I put a pair of shorts on that normally is too snug. They felt great all day!

I am not eating everything from the book but eating healthy and comparable to the foods in the book.

All in all I am very pleased with the motivation it is providing me!!

How is your week?

Day Two

Woke up achy today. My neck, shoulders and head hurt so bad...my energy level was low and really wasn't sure how today would go.

So proud of what I did in spite of the pain.

I watched everything I put in my mouth, wrote it down and ate only quality foods. That's what Chris had me focus on today...quality vs. quantity. She reminded me how my day is affected by the foods I choose to eat. So true.

Today was lower body/abs and walking. To be honest...I just couldn't bring myself to do abs today. I did walk for 46 minutes, doing walking lunges and lots of hills. My legs are on fire tonight. Love it!

Out of 5 stars I give myself a 4 today.


"Our thoughts and imaginations are the only real limits to our possibilities."  -Orison S. Marden

Day One

Today I began Chris Freytag's "2-Week Total Body Turnaround".

Here's the rundown of my day...

I focused on my upper body and core. Today's exercises included bicep curls and tricep curls. Plus ab work. Chris suggests you start out light and slow your first day especially if it's been awhile since you lifted. It had been nearly 6 months for me...so I did take it easy. It sure felt good though.



And even though I intended to do my work this morning I didn't make it to my home gym till around 2:15. I was committed though and got the work done.

Chris suggests that we need to learn the "3 C's" of weight loss. They are....commitment, consistency and convenience.

I love her advice on commitment...

"It all comes down to squeezing it in. The We're all busy and have endless lists but keeping fit is important to me, so I look at it like the other things I need to do."


I was committed today. I ate small portions, lots of fruit and veggies, drank my water and ended my night with an hour and 10 minute power walk with a friend.


Going to bed feeling so good about myself.

"Determination gives you the resolve to keep going in spite of the road blocks that lie before you."  -Denis Waitley, motivational speaker

What are you committed to? Please let me know!

Preparing...

So tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life.
Yep.
I'm gonna do it this time.

I mean I say that every time.
But somehow I mean it.
After all it's only 2 weeks.
I can commit to anything for 2 weeks.

In the 2-Week Total Body Turn-Around, there is a "Commitment Contract" for me to fill out and sign. Here it is....

My Commitment Contract

I am starting this program on this day...Monday, August 8th, 2011. 

Because...I am tired of feeling squishy. I am tired of none of my clothes fitting. I have to wear a bigger size and that's just not acceptable. I feel overwhelmed by my weight. I tire more easily and I just don't feel as confident as I know I can. 

At the end of 2 weeks I want to feel...energized. Like I am on my way to making healthy, life changes. Thinner and more confident. Proud that I stuck with something and finished it! I also want to be in the habit of exercising daily with both cardio and weights again. I miss that!

When the 2 weeks are over, I will...be proud of ME. Proud that I did it! I know this will give me the energy and confidence boost I need in other areas of my life. I will also continue to exercise and make better food choices so I can get to my ultimate goal weight. 

In the past, I have started my weight loss journey only to give up within a few weeks or even days. I always give in to sweets. That seems to be my downfall these days. Also chips. I start strong but never do I finish strong.

My lack of planning and preparing has typically stood in the way of my accomplishing similar goals.

I will sidestep these obstacles this time by staying on top of this program by planning my time and not using TV or housework or whatever as an excuse.

Here is an excerpt from the book that really speaks to me...

"What you do and think over the next 2 weeks will have a profound impact on your success both in the near term and in the distant future. Two weeks, when compared to your entire life, is nothing-a mere blip. But when you consider these 2 weeks being the launching point toward eating  more healthfully and exercising regularly, the shift is monumental." 

So tomorrow it begins. Tomorrow I am committing to eating better foods, exercising daily and drinking more water.

In the book, each day has it's own section of recipes and workouts along with a motivational quote and tips to achieve your goals. My focus tomorrow is upper body and core. Two areas that need my attention desperately:) On the menu is a turkey meatball pocket, fruit and Lemon Garlic Shrimp. Looking forward to that...sounds yummy.

My plan is to share here daily for the next 2 weeks. If you want to follow along...please do and be sure and let me know!! I could use the support:)


"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it."  -Lou Holtz, legendary football coach

Jump Start

So did you think I wasn't coming back?:)

Oh I am here.
I have been making small changes in my life so I can be healhier.
I so want to focus on that right now.

In May when the headaches began coming on severe I went into a deep depression.
I didn't want to be around anyone.
My family hated being around me.
I was never happy.
I wasn't living that's for sure.
Just trying to figure out how to get through the day without pain.

But all that has changed now with my diagnosis.
So the past 2 to 3 weeks I have been taking Baby Steps.
Getting up an hour early to go walk {i have energy now!}.
Taking 1 point popcorn to the theater instead of downing a half bucket of grease.
Making sure I'm drinking water throughout my day.
Washing my face.
Moisturizing my skin.

I am such a "plan" person.
I know that when I'm given some sort of plan...goal...it's easier for me to do the work.
So I had been on the lookout for some sort of weight loss plan that I could do right at home...you see I had to quit Curves due to my neck and leg pain {yes, i still have those issues but they are MUCH better}...so home workouts are the best for me.

I was soooo elated when I found this little gem at Hastings Bookstore last week....

It was on clearance so I thought what the heck.
After reading it I am sooooo excited and thankful to have found this book!!!

So this weekend I am gathering all my food and exercise equipment, creating a journal and gearing up for this Jump Start to begin on Monday.

Currently I weigh 156.8 and my size 14 capri's aren't feeling so good. My middle is thick so shirts don't look as nice as they used to.
My goal for the next two weeks include....

*Down to 150
*Increased energy
*Improved diet {clean eating}
*Look better in my snug t-shirts

Each day I will share a bit of the book with you as well as my progress.

Are you ready?

I know I sure am!!

See you Monday!:)

"If we really want to live, we'd better start at once to try."  -W. H.Auden