Happy 100!

Happy 100th Blog Post!!!

So, I have really come a long way.  I feel like I am on this hamster wheel of fitness and going nowhere.  However, on the same hand, I see pictures like THIS and think "Wow, that is a big difference!".

I started my journey (and this blog) back in May of 2013.  I started training with my trainer in April 2014.  I have run 5k's, 10k's, done full sit ups and some band supported chin ups.  Things that I thought would NEVER be possible are becoming a reality!

I come and go on this blog.  No, I have not been consistent, but it has been so therapeutic to write when I need to vent or when I need to find support to keep going in my journey.  Have I thought of giving up?  OH SURE!  But it is so easy to just give up.  That means I am lazy and really don't care one damn bit about myself, or for that matter those around me.

A few months back, I did become a Beachbody coach.  I stepped away from that because there was a lot going on in my life and I just wasn't ready to commit.  Recently I have gotten back into it and feel so satisfied in my life.  I honestly just wasn't ready last time!  It is so hard to explain, but it just feels right the second time around.

I started by ordering a workout program called Piyo.  I never did it.  Then I read about something called 21 Day Fix.  It is a food portion control program and it helps you to not only eat the RIGHT amount, but to eat the right foods to fuel your body!  At this point in my life, I decide to say "What

the hell!".  I mean really, what else do I have to lose, right?  I get it in the mail....read up and go grocery shopping.  My first week I dropped 1.5 lbs.  Week two I dropped 1lb.  Now this past week I wasn't doing so great with the eating, but amazing with working out.  SO, this is my third week and I cannot WAIT to see how well I do!

Now for me, this program is not just a 21 Day thing and done.  This for me is a lifestyle change to keep me healthy for my family and so I can enjoy life better!  I really noticed a difference.  I have more energy, I am happier and just all around less depressed.  Now, living in Ohio, our winters are dark and dreary, so to feel this good is AMAZING :)

I joined a free online support group during this 21 day challenge and the women have been just so wonderful and motivating.  When we have a bad day, we have support.  No judgement.  It is nice to know I am not alone when I slip up and have the support and the eyes watching me making sure I don't do it again.  My Coach has been great in putting this group together, and I have met some amazing women.

So, you can join as a coach to get the amazing discounted price off Shakeology (which is ugghhhhh  so amazing) or a fitness program, but I signed up for another reason.  For that man or woman sitting there not knowing what to do with their life.  Feeling helpless and lost.  Feeling anxiety and nervousness and apprehension of joining a gym or a fitness group.  I was there!  I started running at 200 plus lbs!  My body ached.  I couldn't breathe!  But you know what?  I did it dammit!

I hate when veteran gym rats say "Oh it'll die down after a month.....no one is going to stay".  SCREW THAT!  You go up to them and say hello.  You put a smile on their face knowing that you aren't staring at them in disgust and shame and full of judgement.  That you are there to support their journey no matter what they weigh or what their goals are.  They need people in their lives that will support them and hold them up when they feel like giving up. 

SO, as I am coming up on two years into my journey now (so hard to believe) I am looking back and remembering why I am doing this and trying to stay focused.  I feel more energized and I feel more fit.  Here is to those who are just getting started!  Don't be afraid to ask for help or support.  The people around you who care for you and believe in you will back you up 100%!

My Reason

~ <3 ~

Me

Sick of Being Sick

I will tell you what.  This, hands down, has been my worst end of year yet.  Fitness wise, health wise.  I for some reason keep getting sick.  I have been doing my best keeping up with fitness which I WAS doing decently until this week!

This weekend I have been MISERABLE!  Fevers, coughing, losing my voice, sinus infection.  It never ends!

I am literally SICK of being sick.  I am doing some healthy smoothies, taking my amazing vitamins.  All I have done this weekend has been lay on the couch and sleep.  I have changed over some laundry though LoL.

My body is sore and tired and weak.  Lots of water for me!

My next blog post will be #100!  I want it to be something big and special if I can.  We shall see :) 

Sorry that I haven't been around much.  I am trying to keep everything all in line and together!

~ <3 ~
Me

I'm Back....Right?

WOW!  Almost 2 months since my last blog post!

Well, a lot has changed since then.  First, I have been eating horribly and NOT working out other than my weekly training sessions.  Second, I decided NOT to do the body competition next year.  For me, it is not a good fit with my lifestyle at the moment.

I realized I was spending HOURS at the gym rather than with my family, and it was not what I wanted.  I DO want to get healthy and I DO want to get back in shape.  So, my trainer and I discussed it and he worked up a new plan for me.

Going back to basics!  Starting over!  Back to the beginning to get back on a good track.  To be honest with you, my eating has taken the WORST toll.  Back to my old ways, and it is even worse now because there is no yummy summer fruits that are local and fresh!  I can feel it.  I feel lazy and tired all the time.  I don't feel healthy! 

I really let myself slide this summer by NOT keeping up with my three times a week of running.  I got lazy with it.  I almost had that "I know i can do it so i don't have to prove it to myself" attitude.  I let it pass by and I am angry with myself.  I need to get back to it....I WILL DO IT!

I HAVE to do it!  One of these years I WILL wear a two piece bathingsuit...one of these days I WILL finally feel comfortable in my own skin.  I hope :)

I have to for all of the same reasons that I did it a year and a half ago!  The reasons haven't changed.  My desire for it hasn't changed.  Mentally I need to get back with it and FAST!

Sorry for being gone for so long and thanks for reading this if you stuck with me :)

~ <3 ~
Me

The First Day

Well, today was the first day of a new life.  My goal?  To be in the best possible health of my life.

I decided to take my trainer's offer of prepping for a body competition next year.  YEP!  Next year, I will be posing in a bikini....on stage....posing.  AHHHH!  Even thinking about it freaks me out!

So, my trainer gave me a whole work up of daily work out plans and eating plan.  He has kept it super easy for me to follow, which I am very thankful for.  So, as I am reading, I start to FREAK OUT!  I was so overwhelmed and had NO idea what to do.

Thank goodness for Google!  I was able to look them all up and find images to show me what exactly I need to do.  PLUS I had a fellow gym member who offered to meet me today and "show me the ropes" as you will.  I felt SO much better.

However, I can barely raise my arms to wash my hair.  My legs are so sore from a good 40 minute run and 10 minutes on the step treadmill.  I am sore but am so glad I have started this!

Just had to share, and yes, I will keep you posted.  I took a before picture a few days ago.  I will post them side by side with my progression over time!

~ <3 ~
Me

Feel The Burn

WOW!  So yesterday I felt amazing and near the end of the day I started to get a little bit sore.  I stretched on and off the whole day.  

Can I just say that when I woke up this morning.  I felt the wrath of PT today!  This little meme made me laugh so hard because that is how I feel today!  I had another 30 minute PT (and now I am all caught up on any missed time).  I thought I was going to die!

Started with a walk/run for 10mins then got right into it.  He was training someone today and this gentleman took over my second half.  He did good!  I felt every fiber of muscle in my legs today Ha Ha Ha.

Our little guy woke up with a really nasty cold today.  We had plans to meet a friend of mine who we haven't seen since we got married.  He came from Arizona for a wedding.  Now we don't have anyone to watch our son, so my husband said he would stay home with him.  I feel bad because our date night will not be happening, but I love him for doing that so I can still see a friend.

Well, onward for another busy weekend.  I have missed two Piyo classes after tomorrow because we have had so much going on.  I hate it.  BUT I will be able to start next Saturday, so that makes me happy!

I still have no decided if I will follow into the footsteps of my friend and start training for that competition.  I am figuring it all out in my mind.  I also need to find the time to discuss it with my trainer.  So many things to think about!

Ok, I am tired, and sore, and tired :)  This is blog post 96!  Almost to 100!  I don't keep up as much as I should, but 100 is impressive I think!  Have a great weekend everyone!

~ <3 ~
Me

An Interesting Proposition

So, after two weeks of no PT time, off I went for a full HOUR!  I was a bit nervous because I have just been feeling so out of shape and blob-like.  I warmed up with a 5 minute brisk walk and a 5 minute jog.  THEN it began.

I am going to regret typing this, but it was a tough yet doable workout.  I didn't feel like death until I had the spaghetti arms this afternoon :) A bit off topic, but my trainer says today, "Are you going to talk about me today?".  Hey....at least I know that people are reading my blog right?!  On the other hand I'd better watch what I say huh?  :) 

Any who.....I do feel strong.  We got on the topic of working out as well as crossfit (which his explanation as to pros and cons really made sense) and I was saying how the 203+ lb me wouldn't have been able to do much of anything.  There are many things that I know I can't do YET.  YET being the key word.

So also during my training Tommy says "Are we going to get you to do THAT next year?"  As he points to the wall where gym members competed in a natural body building competition.  Immediately I say "NO WAY!".  He asks me "Why not?"  Then he said something that really resonated with me after I left. "It gives you a goal to attain to keep you motivated."  I mean....how could I do that?  I can barely sing in front of people (I am not horrible either by the way) how would I get up on stage in a skimpy bikini and pose?  Even as I type it I get panicky.

Then I started thinking......"why not have that as a goal?" What scares me most is the eating.  I really think I am addicted to food.  Not good food either.  Just junk.  I know it takes a lot of dedication to clean eating and fitness. 

I have a friend of mine who is really into it and has progressed amazingly this year and done great

with competing!  Congrats Nicole!!!  That is here right there.....doesn't she look AMAZING?!  Truly and inspiration to me and many others.

So I guess I would need to have a plan and see what I need to do and create a goal?  I don't know!  But he was right.  When I have a goal to accomplish I can strive for it!  When I don't, I will just sit here in the middle and stay stable.  That hit me because it is how I function!

So, here I am trying to figure out what I should strive for.  As stated today "Don't you want to be in the best physical health/shape of your life?" 

YES I DO!!!!!

~ <3 ~
Me

I Hate Geese!

So, I went for a run today knowing that I wouldn't be able to go tomorrow.  Toby and I were doing great UNTIL this huge group of geese started wandering in a field we ran by.

I am sure he is trying to kill me!  These geese are just sitting there....chillin'....mocking my dog.  Ugghhh!

I almost didn't go and run today because it was misting outside.  You know that fine annoying mist?  However a friend sternly told me to get off my lazy butt and go running.  It ended up raining pretty hard, so I felt bad for Toby as we ran through the cold rain.  He was a trooper though :)

I noticed that I am pretty sore today but not in my thighs or calf muscles.  My shins!  That makes me nervous as to maybe now that I have dropped some weight that maybe I need a different shoe for support?  I haven't consistently ran a few days in a row in probably almost a year!  So I am really seeing how the shoes are doing.

Ok, I am tired and sore.  I am going to stretch and head to bed!  I still have a long week ahead!

~ <3 ~
Me