Blessing in the Storm...

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

I just wanted to say... Expect goooood things in your life. God (or whomever you believe in) never gives you more than you can handle... Life is truly a blessing. Though we are in a battle with our weight, we must remember that each day is a GIFT and we better unwrap that present and enjoy it RIGHT NOW. As we are. No matter how many flaws we have... cause we have ONE chance at this and we don't get a do-over. Live life to the fullest and find Joy in your struggles!

the way I figure it... life never slows down so we can catch up... so these trials and tribulations ARE life. And I think there is always something to love and enjoy... it's your job to find it!


gotta go to sleep so I can get up and rock this test tomorrow! Love you all Sparkers!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

GONABFIT 5/1/2009 10:59PM

Thank you all for reading\! Report Inappropriate Comment

TRAINER_T 4/30/2009 12:32PM

Thanks Spark Angel! Its very true what you said, and the older you get the faster time goes by. I have trouble knowing I am the age I am and think where did it all go? So my point is like you said make the most of it and be grateful what we have, and love yourself. Report Inappropriate Comment

PLAYFULLKITTY 4/29/2009 4:24PM

awesome blog :) Report Inappropriate Comment

SPARKLE1908 4/29/2009 11:36AM

Great reminder of what is REALLY important in life....great post!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

GNUATTITUDE 4/29/2009 6:00AM

Life never slows down so we can catch up, but we don't need to catch up, so we? You're absolutely right--we need to jump right in, face the challenges and enjoy the ride. Great insight. Report Inappropriate Comment

GONABFIT's Random Tips for success:

Sunday, April 26, 2009

** I added this to my welcome page. and I'm sure there are some typos... but I was rushing! lol I am studying for a test...


*These "rules" are really to remind me of what I am going to do to succeed!!! *
1. There is more than one way to judge success- I have not lost much weight. I am not at my goal... yet! BUT you know what there is more than one way to judge success! If you isolate your goal to only the scale you are sooooo likely to give up when you don't see the changes you want. If it takes me two years to reach my goal, will victory be any less sweet!? NOT IN MY OPINION! I will enjoy my goal weight WHENEVER I get it. and I will continue to work hard.
2. Focus more on your blessings than your disapointments- If you focus on the good in your life you will likely stay encouraged to keep going. Nothing good comes from focusing on negative things. Live, Learn, and move on!
3. Every decision brings you closer to or further from your goals- There is no single event that will bring you to your ultimate goal... so I am going to focus on each choice. Sleeping 8 hours brings me closer, pulling an all nighter leads me further from my goals. you get the point... :-)
4. Fiber, Fiber, Fiber- How can you ever lose weight if you never.... um.... get rid of waste. Enough said. LOL. Oh and also fiber helps weight loss. 25-35 grams.
5. Water it... and it will grow! - LOL seriously I have recently been drinking as much water as possible. The more water you drink the less you will eat to satisfy what is actually thirst.
6. Eat when you are hungry. Stop when you are satisfied... NOT FULL- I followed this rule 2 years ago and I seriously lost weight because I was not eating just because it was there. If I got hungry in 2 hours I ate. If I got hungry in 4 hours and started eating and quickly got full... I stopped eating.
7. IT IS NOT THE LAST SUPPER!!! - Seriously, sometimes we must remind ourselves that if you get "satisfied" in the middle of a meal, it is ok to STOP EATING!!!! It will be there when you get hungry again. And if someone is stealing your food.... hide it! lol!
8. SLEEP- the last time I lost weight and was really healthy I slept 7-8 hours a night. When you sleep your cortisol lowers, less stress hormone, less belly fat. You've seen the commercials! LOL- oh and I've oversimplified this. but these are the "rules" I'm going to use. :-D
9. Cardio + weights + flexibility- I am going to exercise WHENEVER I can. If it's a few squats while I am studying so be it. If its a 5 mile run while listening to a lecture... GREAT! I will do my best and then let it go. No point in focusing on how much more you could have done. Do your best and be done!
10. Believe, Act, Receive, a.k.a. You've got to see it, before you see it or you never will SEE it! - If you have no goal or can't even imagine how you will acheive your goal it is less likely that you will achieve it. BELIEVE you can do it, ACT- sometimes you have to step out in faith. even if you feel that you are too tired or busy to do another workout... workout anyway. because sometimes you have to do it whether you want to or not!, Receive it- If you refuse to give up you WILL eventually reach your goal!
11. Walk by faith not by sight- again... I trust God that the things I do are not in Vain. Every workout, ounce of sweat, tears, etc are bringing me that much closer to my goal. I have FAITH that my body is conspiring FOR me and that when I least expect it, my body will finally MELT the pounds off. and when that happens I will be SOOO proud that I kept the faith.
12. Exercise Early and often! The earlier the less likely I will get busy and feel that it is a burden :-D Because I actually LOVE workinf out... Endorphins are addictive!!!!
13. Never say negative things about yourself- YOUR BRAIN IS LISTENING!! ... and it believes everything it hears. So please, say nice things. you say you are a failure... and yes, you are a failure. You say, I am full of energy and I CAN finish this workout, eat healthy.... whatever, and watch how quickly your body listens to what you say!
14. ~*~There is no tomorrow~*~ Do it now, today, as soon as possible. You'd be surprised how quickly a day, week, month, year can slip by. You don't want the next 6 weeks to get here before tomorrow does... so If you want to eat healthy// workout/ relax/ pray/ write in your journal..... start right now, where you are. It's never too late to get started... :-) The time is NOW!
15.Love yourself now, forever, and always- We get one shot at life and I would hate to look back and realize that I've spent most of my life disliking the one constant person in my life! :-) You are beautiful, you are unique, and YOU DESERVE HAPPINESS. Deep deep happiness. Pure Joy that makes you look forward to each day.
*Bonus*- I will never never never never give up! AND I am going to enjoy this journey and learn as much as possible from every struggle!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TRAINER_T 4/27/2009 4:07PM

blog thank you for taking time to write it. I have said many times your a wonderful writter and enjoy your expressions. I agree with that love yourself and stop the negative talk. That gets you what you say, but programing your thought process. I know you will be successful you have a GREAT plan of action, thanks for sharing it. Report Inappropriate Comment

JARMOOZLE 4/26/2009 11:53PM

What a great motivating blog!!! I loved every word of it, and everything you say is so very true. Thanks for posting this Report Inappropriate Comment

Got Motivation? : Quote of the week

Thursday, April 23, 2009

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain." —Maya Angelou
~*~
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference
~*~

I wrote this really long inspirational blog- i promise- and when I went to post it... THE COMPUTER DELETED IT! lol

Well enjoy the quotes and I will hopefully get a chance to rewrite it when I get a break after my next test!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TRAINER_T 4/24/2009 2:52PM

I still like this one, so thank you for posting it! Hugs, T. Report Inappropriate Comment

CINDYCIN9 4/23/2009 8:03PM

Love it!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MYTURN11 4/23/2009 7:13AM

I like both ~ they go hand in hand ~ thank you for posting. Comment edited on: 4/23/2009 7:17:54 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

EMMAKATE218 4/23/2009 12:45AM

I love both - the quote and the Serenity Prayer. Report Inappropriate Comment

Week 6: Excitement and Exhaustion

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Hey everyone!

I am here to update the past week of my journey! I am keeping a white board where I check off my cardio, strength etc...

Last week I did: 1 pilates session, 1 yoga session, 6 cardio sessions, 3 strength training :-)

I have been sleeping more, though I did not get much sleep sunday night because..... I JOINED THE YMCA and I needed to wake up at 5:30 to make my exercise class!

I am feeling focused and dedicated and I hope that I am going to see results soon. My body is feeling lighter, I can see the muscles in my tummy, and I am loving the extra sleep!

SO plan for this week, same as last!
6 cardio
3 strength
1 pilates
1 yoga
and stretch daily
35 sit ups daily

And journal as much as possible. Also I am trying to develop a night time routine where I journal or meditate and relax before bed then get 7-8 hrs sleep wake up and go to the Y! lol... BUT I need to get alll my studying done too. So, with time


Inspirational thought of the week: You've got to want it, to get it. A few good days won't get it. A few bad days won't break it. In order to reach your goals you have to remember why you want it and NEVER GIVE UP! I have perserverance in so many other areas in my life so I am going to apply it to weight loss as well! I am seeing changes and I think the added sleep will help me break this never ending plateau!

Have a HAPPY WEEK!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DRTAMM 4/21/2009 10:54PM

Sis, you already made me focused by hearing about your morning workout. So this morning I did a 50 min step dvd and a 30 min jog. But this blog is very impressive. YOU ARE THE BEST!!! I'm glad youre my little sister and no one else can claim you! WHEW. Congrats and keep up the work, it will pay off. Love ya, Tamm Report Inappropriate Comment

GONABFIT 4/21/2009 10:01PM

You guys are sooo sweet! Thanks for reading my blogs and writing such sweet comments! Report Inappropriate Comment

MAINEROCKS 4/21/2009 9:34PM

you always motivate me to do more and do better!! :-) Report Inappropriate Comment

CINDYCIN9 4/21/2009 7:34PM

IMPRESSING ME MORE BY THE DAY. WAY TO GO!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

GONABFIT 4/21/2009 7:29PM

Thanks so much! I just finished my step and glide class! It was awesome... a tough workout and my body felt weak.... BUT I made it through and i'm gonna get some sleep tonight! Report Inappropriate Comment

OHTHATSTICK 4/21/2009 6:43PM

I don't know why but this blog kinda got me pumped! Maybe seeing a tally of all your workouts... thanks for the motivation. You're lookin good, keep it up! Report Inappropriate Comment

BFL: Week 5 : Progress, GO ME!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

I think that this has been a great week for me and I am SO excited that I have finally gotten a handle on making healthier choices... but still I am taking it one day at a time.

My one week Report card: B+
I haven't decided if Sunday or Monday starts my exercise week so the days are a little off... lol. anyway...

April 5-11: goal: 3 days strength training. Last week: I did 2 strength training sessions on 6-7 machines at my apartment gym. I did 3 sets of 12-15 reps on each machines. I also included squats, lunges etc... I prefer dumbells but any weight is better than none! :-) the third one is today-the Firm butt, thighs video. lol.

Saturday, last night at 12 a.m. I did 30 mins on the exercise bike + 30 mins weights

I did 6 days of cardio, 3 days of strength, No yoga or pilates. Ate within my calries 6 days! YAY!

What I did well? I made time for exercise every day last week DESPITE it being my test week. Usually Test week means I do nothing but study because, there are not enough hours in a day... But this week I put my lectures on my ipod and did my best to do atleast 30 mins. surprisingly I did about an hour each day. And rode my bike to school on test day so I could multitask. I also took some time to cook a little more last week!

What can I do better? i think I can plan my meals a little better. Maybe I can use tonight to make a meal plan that includes quick and easy meals! I also would like to focus on getting Yoga back in my schedule. Getting 7 hours of sleep most nights this week is going to be high on my list!

Plan for the upcoming week:

Eating with in my BMR ( My BMR says I can eat 2303 to maintain therefore I will eat at least 500 less every day + workout- burn hopefully 300-500 calories a day)
Nutrition: Eat b-t 1400-1800 calories. I can not maintain my level of activities by eating only 1200 calories. I have tried but I end up feeling weak. So for now I'm going to eat a little more and if after a month I don't lose weight, I will consider eating a little less- I'm trying to get the avg. 2 lbs/wk weight loss :-D

Fitness: Cardio 6x/ wk. Goal to walk/ jog at least 20 mins a day . 30-60 cardio each day. * I'm trying to be realistic because school keeps me busy. ;) Do Yoga/Pilates at least once next week!

Strength: 3x this week

Sleep: 7 hrs a day

I will update my weight and inches on week 8 :-)

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DRTAMM 4/15/2009 11:44PM

Proud of you sis! You are getting stronger and better at your fitness/eating plans! I'm always impressed with you. YOU are a wonderful multitasker! Love ya, Tamm Report Inappropriate Comment

QUEEN_HERMIONE 4/13/2009 10:59PM

Listening to lectures on the iPod is a great idea! I like to read while I'm on the bike. I feel so much more accomplished getting both things done, plus I'm not paying as much attention to how long either takes me, lol. Report Inappropriate Comment

MAINEROCKS 4/13/2009 9:52PM

wow, you have an awesome plan in place and you are doing so well sticking to it. inspirational!!! :-) Report Inappropriate Comment

MOCACHOC 4/13/2009 12:32PM

By the way I meant to tell you are looking good. Keep doing the darn thing. I'm getting there for sure. Report Inappropriate Comment

RUNNINGNP2B 4/12/2009 8:15PM

Congrats on rocking out this week!!! Report Inappropriate Comment