Happy Training Anniversary!!!

Happy 3 months of training with my Amazing trainer.  I guess I SHOULD take some progress pictures now that I realized it's been 3 months (Well, 3 months July 9th).

I was going through my fitness logging site Map My Fitness and went back to May of last year to see my progress and when I slowed down and when I picked back up.  I hit April and noticed that April 9th was my first training session at YDM (Your Daily Motivation) Fitness !  I don't know if this was my consult day or my first actual training day.

I had training today and once we were done Tommy says "Cardio it up!".  My plan was to come home and run and he didn't believe me that I would do it!  I wanted to run today.  It is unseasonably cool and not muggy....a nice breeze.  I had to tag him in my fitness post so he knew I kept my end of the deal.

I still can't believe that it has only been 3 months since I started training.  I feel like I have been doing that forever.  Probably because I was with trainer "Bob" for so long that this journey DOES seem like it has been taking a long time.  But as much progress as I have made in 3 months.....I can't wait for another 3, 6, 9, FOREVER!

I ran/walked 4 miles today and it felt A-MA-ZING!  It is so nice and breezy here by the lake today.  Overcast skies.  I was breathing like a champ.  Some muscle soreness, but I pushed through.  When I was done I felt like a new woman!  It felt amazing and I was really happy that I did it!

I will be curious to see what my training turns into once it starts to snow.  I hate treadmills since last November's "Knee Gate" episode.  I am probably going to be doing a lot of stair machine and elliptical work.  Which is fine.  I have to maintain as best as I can and keep continuing my progress!

Below is my heart rate graph from my run today.  I walked the first 5 minutes to warm up and then walked like .20 at the end then I ran the rest out, but I still felt pretty great!

It also shows elevation, pace, and heart rate all together so you can see where you struggle more and such.  I love my Garmin Forerunner 110.  I purchased mine through Hear Rate Monitors USA for a STEAL!  Even cheaper than from Amazon.  It came with a HRM (Hear Rate Monitor) and it bases your calorie burn off your weight, height, gender, and heart rate for an accurate number.

Ok, enough of my "sales" pitches today :)  Have an amazing Wednesday everyone!!!!

~ <3 ~
Me

SONG OF THE DAY: Well, the link is to a video but it is HILARIOUS! "Word Crimes" - Weird Al Yankovic"

Welcome Year TWO!

Well, I have begun my second year of my lifestyle change.  Not only am I impressed that I even made it this far (by a thread) but how motivated I still am to continue doing better!

I celebrated my one year healthy lifestyle anniversary Monday by going for a run.  It felt amazing and I really maintained a great pace throughout a 3 mile run.  I kept around 11:30-ish most of the time which I was impressed with because I haven't been able to do that since last year after finishing my 5k training.

My husband started a healthy eating regimen for work because they are having a competition on who can lose the most in a few months I guess.  Him doing that has made SUCH a huge difference.  We don't have as much junk in the house and we are eating a ton of healthier stuff.

I made the venture into the world of GMO free and Organic food last weekend.  I am trying to really pay attention to what we are buying and what we are putting in our bodies.  I figure I had one year of working out.....now it is time to focus on food.  This is my first week and it has been going QUITE well!  We have been eating a ton of grilled chicken, organic products and I have been aiming at getting GMO free as well.  It is so overwhelming but I am trying to get it slowly but surely.

I have had friends in my past that would really get going about organic stuff but at that time I wasn't ready.  Hell, my life was full of chaos, depression, really bad crap and I wasn't even thinking of my own health at that point.  Well, now it is time, and I have one heck of a support system around me to guide me and help me.

This handy little label has really helped me in my search....and yes if I see it I will buy your product over one without it.  There is just so much I can do and change and yet so much TO change that I feel overwhelmed and sometimes don't know where to begin....but so far so good!  Baby steps!

I had my PT training yesterday and for the first time I can say I feel like death LOL  He did an AMAZING job working my upper body!  Afterwards I went and did 6 miles on the elliptical machine.  I am pooped!  However I still went and ran almost 2.5 miles today with our doggy.  I had to walk the last .5 because she was starting to limp :(  Poor gal!

Ok I need to get some sleep and rest up for a busy work day and another PT Session!!!

Thank you all for your support from my one year blog posts!  I chuckle because my typed out post where i poured my heart out had like 38 views and my photo blog was like 115 or something BAHAHA.  I mean I am honored you all want to see my scary pictures but don't forget the emotional changes that can happen during this journey.  You're right though....even I can't stop staring at them LOL!

Thanks again for all of your support and bring it on YEAR 2!!!

~ <3 ~
Me

My 1 Year Journey Through Photos

I figured I would post my journey through photography so you can all see what I have tried to accomplish in 12 months!  I hit my lowest weight of 174 lbs in September.  I gained 6 lbs over Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I was with a trainer at Fitness 19 for over a month but wasn't really seeing any results.  I switched to Tommy Salvatore at YDM Fitness in April and in just a short period of time I have gained 10 lbs since my lowest weight, but I noticed going through my photos today that I am really starting to slim down quite a bit.

It was a hard decision to post these personal photos of myself, but people needed to see what can be accomplished!!

November 2011 - 200 ++ lbs

May 2013 - 203 lbs

June 2013

July 2013

August 2013

September 2013 - 174 lbs

May 2014 - 183 lbs

Side By Side Comparison!

The sports bra I am wearing is the SAME in both pictures, so you can see the difference!  I am still shocked!

~ <3 ~
Me

One Year Ago

One year ago a family friend helped change my life forever.  I no longer wanted to be THAT person.  I wanted to live life and enjoy it.  I wanted to get off my lazy ass and be with my family.  I wanted the energy so that when my kids wanted to run around and play I didn't say "Mommy is tired" or "Mommy doesn't feel good".  Seeing the disappointment in their faces and hearing their sighs......that is something I never want to go back to.

In my journey I have had my ups and downs....My weight has still fluctuated and even after the holidays I haven't gotten back into that groove.  I am working on it but just haven't gotten there yet.  The way the old me felt....I don't wish that on anyone....EVER!  No one should ever go through life feeling the way I did.

I felt like I didn't matter.  I felt like I wasn't a priority and that I wasn't important.  I felt worthless.  I felt ugly.  I felt fat.  I was itching in the skin I was wearing and somewhere deep down in me I still had a voice telling me I could do it if I wanted to.  There isn't a moment that goes by that I don't FEAR going back to that old "Me".  I am petrified.  I have seen friends and family struggle....do well and go back.  Maintaining is what I fear.  It is my own fault for not sticking with my healthy eating.  These feelings of self loathing weren't caused by anyone other than my inner feelings about myself...but as my health got better, so did my attitude.

It isn't just about me now though.  I need to get my family healthy.  This yearly journey I have lost 24 lbs and as of today have only lost under 20 total.  I have been changing things up and started seeing an amazing trainer who has really been pushing me and giving me different things to try fitness wise.  I notice I am slimming down so I am praying it's muscle I am building.  STILL my eating needs reigned in a bit.

I have learned so much in a year and have made such amazing life long friends and connections as well as growing closer with those around me.

To my Mom and Dad....thank you!  Your motivation means the world to me and your support has been incredible.  All of your advice Mom has been so amazing and I am so blessed to have you in my life....FOREVER ;)

To my husband Ryan....you have allowed me to take time for ME and focus on ME.  I love you so much and it grows stronger everyday.  You truly are my rock and support and I wouldn't be able to do this without you backing me up 100% (even if you do ice cream runs sometimes) You have motivated me and even when I was at my lowest you always made me feel beautiful and loved.  You truly are my soul mate and you are stuck with me babe <3

To my children....your existence has motivated me to become a healthier Mommy so that I can be here and stay strong through whatever life throws at me.  I want to be there through your milestones and see your children grow one day.  You are the reason Mommy changed....to be around....to be your Mommy!

To Yurisa...Our friendship has pulled me through some dark times and motivated me through the bright times.  You have helped me gain confidence in other ways to help me in my journey.  Your shoulder to cry on and your ears for listening have saved me more than you know.  I am so blessed that you are a part of my life even though I wish it would have been sooner than it was.  You are an amazing and strong woman and your friendship to me words cannot describe how much it means to me.  BFBFL <3

To Eva....having your friendship and support has been priceless!  You keep me in line and motivate me with your own journey.  No matter what the future holds I do hope that our friendship stays true and strong.  Thank you for everything.

To Sarah....Your recommendation of couch to 5k is what got me going and all of your fitness and food support has been amazing.  Thank you for taking the time to spend guiding me and helping me through this journey.  I feel like I harass you so much but you are so kind and thoughtful and amazing.  You were with me the first time I ran 3.1 miles at home and I will never forget it!

To my trainer Tommy....Not that you will read this...maybe you will.  I know our time together has been short, but your confidence in me and the ability to know how I function has been so helpful...here is to many more weeks of training and changes!

To my barefoot shuffling friend, Karen....I know you are always there for me to get me off my butt and out on the road!  Thanks for keeping me motivated!

To Joyce....You truly helped me realize that this was what I needed to do.  I am so thankful!  Because of what happened, you truly saved my life!  I am forever grateful and blessed that you helped me realize what I was doing to myself and helped me start my journey.

I know I am forgetting people.....to all of my friends to read this or share it or just listen to me vent...thank you!  When I hear someone say "You motivated me" I still can't believe I could do that for someone but I am so blessed that I am able to help others through my journey as others have helped me.

Happy 1 year of a changed lifestyle and here is to at least 40 more ;)

Milestones:
Lost 20lbs
Ran my first 5k 9/15/13 in 35:17
Ran my second 5k 10/13/13 in 35:13

Will be running my first 10k May 18th!!

 BEFORE     203 lbs

NOW   183 lbs

~ <3 ~
Me

Veering Off Topic

So I know I am using this blog as a way to document my new healthy lifestyle.  But what better time to talk about a huge supporter in my life.  My husband!  This was maybe after 4 years of dating.  He and I have been together almost 11 years this year and I couldn't imagine it any other way!

He is so supportive of my new lifestyle!  Our family grew quickly after we got married.

 On our wedding day in 2008














Our first family Christmas picture in 2009
 














 
 Our picture from 2011 (my highest weight to date topping over 200lbs)

Our most recent shot from 2012


Ok, so bad on track to my healthy lifestyle for a brief period of time today!  I went to the gym yet again!  I am really loving it!!

I ran 4.13 miles and it felt great.  It really is much easier to run on the treadmill.  No issues with the streets or sidewalks.  I can honestly say that I am LESS anxious at the gym than running outside.  I am always paranoid about who is around me or driving by.  I don't have to worry about the gym.  I am in my own little world!

I am really enjoying it and I can't wait to weigh in next week and see how I am doing.

Ok, so anywho!  I love my amazing husband!  We have had our ups and downs and I know it will continue on throughout our life together.  But as days go on we become closer and more connected.  I couldn't imagine it any other way.  I love you!!!!

~ <3 ~
Me