I seized the day and found my joy

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Losing weight has been the greatest thing that I have ever accomplished. In my 20's and 250 pounds I was a lost helpless soul and everything and gave me anxiety. Social situations were a struggle to get through. I loved going to the movies because it was the only place I felt comfortable being as I was. I avoided friends, family gatherings, and sadly even taking family pictures. I was on the sidelines watching my son and husband be an active family without me. One day I became tired of feeling depressed, withdrawn, and caught up in the negative thoughts that paralyzed me. In 2002 I moved to Arizona away from family and friends. I felt anonymous and free to live my life without the fear of judgements. A few months after adjusting to my new life I decided I'd join a gym and put my 2 year old in their childcare. It became our everyday routine to drop off my oldest at school and head to the gym. The weight started to come off with my regular workouts and my low carb diet. Today, 8 years later I'm still working on keeping it off and reaching my new set goals. I dumped the low carb lifestyle and struggled for a while until I found my Spark. Everyday that goes by I learn something new about what I am capable of doing and it's been and amazing journey towards loving who I am as a mother, wife, and now athlete. Lately i've been on a plateau and I've become too comfortable with it, but it is time to break through and go full speed ahead. I am refocused and ready to finish what I started.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BUTRFNGRZ 3/23/2011 8:32AM

Your focus and commitment is so inspirational! Go for the gold, baby! Report Inappropriate Comment

STARLIGHT615 3/22/2011 9:04PM

Isnt that a great feeling when you find something that really gets you moving!!! CAnt wait to meet up on Sat! Report Inappropriate Comment

Is trying to be perfect my downfall?

Thursday, March 10, 2011

The question of the day. I've been asking myself if stressing over staying on track is keeping my weight from dropping? Doesn't stress cause Cortisol to rise and give keep you fat? Says the infomercials
I catch myself always thinking about my next healthy meal, and how I can arrange my schedule to make sure I get a workout in. I may be obsessing a bit I get anxious if I don't follow my plan that way I should. I need to quit trying to be perfect and just go with it. My sister is coming into town next week and i'm already stressing out about the social eating and drinking that will be happening. I need help snapping out of this and enjoy my sisters company without worrying so much about my choices.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BOILERINAZ 3/10/2011 9:41PM

maybe give yourself permission for a few stress free times of day instead of the whole day...say dinner is a freebie but you'll control bfast and lunch...I find if I give myself the ok before I get into the situation I do better...but I also have a plan...try to know a little bit ahead of time where we're going or at least what to expect so I don't have to stress over the decisions. include showing her around with a short hike or a walk so you get some activity in but you're spending time with her? I like to have plan A and then followed by plan B - this is what I'd like to happen this is what I'll do if it doesn't work...course then sometimes there is plan c - throw up my hands enjoy myself and make up for it as soon as I can! :) Whatever you do you're going to have fun! Comment edited on: 3/10/2011 9:43:12 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

OFFDREA 3/10/2011 3:40PM

Great advice below. Life will always get in the way, you just need to work around it!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

CELLA9533 3/10/2011 1:58PM

Trying to be perfect and stressing about fitting it all in can certainly cause issues for me. I try to plan my day but in case that doesn't work the way it's supposed to I also have a plan B and in some cases a plan C for doing the best I can. Maybe I didn't get to the gym for as much time as I wanted but I did walk at lunch. Maybe my food choices weren't perfect but at least I didn't get fast food for any of my meals. Sometimes it's about doing the best you can which isn't perfect but is better than you used to do. At least, that's how I try to look at it. cella Report Inappropriate Comment

SADIESUE09 3/10/2011 12:58PM

As much as we need to make goals and plans we have to learn that it's not always going to work perfectly. Life is great at throwing curves into our life. We have to make the best choices we can and forgive ourselves if it's not our perfect plan. Report Inappropriate Comment

Getting back to goal in March

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

I slacked for a while, but i'm back on track. After reaching my original goal I was able to maintain for 3 months and even got to 152 one joyous day. I set a new goal of reaching 145 after seeing it was so attainable. During the holidays I started to skip a workout here and there and add a few too many indulgent foods. I'm happy to announce that my spark is back and it's here to stay. I'm 4lbs away from 155 again and will visit that great number again this month. The visit will be brief because I'm moving on to a healthier weight for my body which is 145#'s. I realize that 145 may take a while since I've added ST and I add muscle quickly which halts the scale, but my clothes will show the progress and I will eventually be a strong 145.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DAZZLINDANCER 3/9/2011 5:16PM

You can do it....... You have the power with in you to get back on track and a GW of 145 is attainable. Report Inappropriate Comment

NEWSGIRL2177 3/9/2011 1:03PM

Woohoo! You can do this! Report Inappropriate Comment

TEACHDIANN78 3/9/2011 12:59PM

Let's push each other! I was off track too and I really started on Monday giving it my all again. We can do this!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Simple update and some pics.

Friday, March 04, 2011

I've been on operation healthy me for a few years now and have accomplished things I never thought I was capable of. As of today I am still a few pounds away from the goal I reached in October of 2010. Holidays and birthday celebrations came and went and left me heavier than I hoped. I'm not being hard on myself for it because again I know how to be in control even when I lose control a little. Years of practice have revealed I will do everything possible to never be where I was. I started to doubt myself for a bit because the weight came back and the stubborn pounds were messing with my psyche.

LIke I mentioned before my son is a baseball player and has played since he was 4. It is his passion, but I can't believe he is playing in high school now.
Here is his first at bat it's a phone pic so it's blurry..

Now a few more pictures I wanted to share...
Me right before I gained weight...i'm at the far right in the blue dress

Me @ 227?

and in more recent times with my sister...

with my cousin and running buddy...

with my sister in law before our Mac makeup session

Make up done...



One last pic of my lunch yesterday. Black bean and sausage soup with fiber one breaded tilapia.



Have a great day everyone. I wish you many accomplishments!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

RUNSHELBIRUN 3/5/2011 3:21PM

You look great, keep up the awesome work! Your lunch look pretty tasty too! Report Inappropriate Comment

MILMOM2000NEW 3/5/2011 7:37AM

You look fabulous! Keep on working on Operation Healthy You! You can stay healthy and be healthy! I know you can do this! :-) You are beautiful just the way you are! :-) Report Inappropriate Comment

B2W Challenge 03/01/11

Wednesday, March 02, 2011

Last night I tried a new healthy recipe. My kids love chicken fingers and fries so I decided to try something new. I faux fried chicken tenders by coating with a mixure of italian bread crumbs and flaxseed then used honey mustard for dipping. I also baked their fries for an additional treat. Workout was Biggest Loser LCW circuit and a 30 minute pilates video. I am determined to make major changes this month. I can no longer half a$$ my way through this mission. It's full speed ahead from now on.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

YOOVIE 3/2/2011 2:05PM

DID THE KIDS LIKE IT??????? Report Inappropriate Comment