Accountability

So here I am, only five-six pounds lighter than when I started the "challenge".  Disgusted and extremely frustrated with myself, I'm feeling a bit stuck and in desperate need of a change.  72 pounds and it seems I can't lose an ounce more. The ball and chain of the scales feels tied to the scales heavy today.

I have added a third day of weight training/circuit class and I'm hoping to up my cardio.  Possibly food intake is the issue this time?  Regardless, I'm quite frustrated.  Yet, another goal passed unmet.  I was "supposed" to be below 200 pounds as of the 20th.  I'm 210.5 on one scale and 214 on another.  Maybe that's an issue in itself that I have two scales?????   

Also I just gotta get it out there.  I'm feeling a bit jealous of people going on vacation.  Don't think the fam and I are going  to have that opportunity this year.  Finances are a bit tight.  The house purchase still hasn't been completed and I'm just plain old grumpy.  Think I'm gonna go for a run and get my sweat on at a 9 o'clock open gym time.  Have a great holiday weekend.

MIA from the "Challenge"

I've been participating in the "Ready for Summer Challenge" and I haven't reported my progress or set new goals in two weeks.  I'm not quite as "ready" as I would like to be, but am glad to have taken the challenge.  I'm hoping that there will be another one soon to keep my motivated.  I've stumbled across some really neat blogs.  It's been a good opportunity/experience.

So here it is May 20th.  I'm almost finished with week 8 of the challenge.  I have two more weeks to go and am no where near the weight loss goal I originally set for myself.  I had hoped to lose 18 pounds.  I started the challenge at 220 and today the scales said 214.5.  Sheesh....not too good, huh?  I have had some non-scale victories though and am feeling more toned and fit.  I've become aware of some things in the last few weeks and hope to finish strong!

I will finish on Thursday and then I'll post my progress/new goals.  Just wanted to let anyone reading know...I'm still here ;-)

Week 5 Check-in/Week 6 Goals

So today ended Wk. 5 for me in the "Ready for Summer Challenge". I feel as if I am making some progress but really had hoped to have seen a dramatic difference by now. I'm halfway through the challenge and not to my half way point pound wise. Oh well....I've got more time to keep on keeping on :-).

1. Weight Loss Goal: I had hoped that the scale would say 215 and this morning it said 216.3. Sheesh. Oh well. I will give myself grace because I am on my period this week. Hoping to see a little more gone by next Thursday. So since the challenge started I've lost 3.7 pounds. That's a little depressing to type, but hey at least I didn't gain 3.7 pounds.

2. NSV: I registered for my 5K race on May 12th. I'm going to be participating in this race with my brother, nephew and sis-in-law. So fun! Hoping to cut my time by at least 5 minutes.

I'll keep you posted.

3. Nutrition Goal: I didn't get the quinoa or flaxseed oil as I had hoped because I was waiting for payday and then I've had a sick girl. I did use Bragg's Liquid Aminos though in a stirfry and WOW!!! It was wonderful. I had never used them before and I prefer them now to soy sauce. So grateful to have tried something new. Also I've become a huge fan of raw sweet potatoes and

brussels sprouts in my salad.

4. Exercise Goal: I DID manage to get my 3X workouts in this week. I ran for 56 minutes on Sat. I did a very tough hill repeat workout on Sunday and I worked out with my class/trainer on Tues. and Wed. YEAH ME!!!

Week 6 Goals:

1. Weight Loss Goal: I'm on it and my mojo is BACK!!! Period or not I'm gonna press through and see those numbers go down, down, down. Thursday 5/11 my scale is gonna say 213!!!

2. Non-Scale Goal: Finish my 5K race in 38 minutes or less. Color my hair. This gray has to GO!!!

3. Nutrition Goal: Continue to eat 5 small meals daily. Keep my 3 Liter of water a day habit and get that flaxseed oil and quinoa!! I want to re-visit meal planning.

4. Exercise Goal: I ordered the Kettleworx DVD system and have only done one workout. I want to start it on 5/13. So that means a completion date June 23rd.

I'm so grateful to have found this challenge. I'm enjoying the challenge and the accountability. I'm proud of everyone who is participating and grateful for all of the encouragement.

Getting Realistic/Weekly Check-In

I really AM enjoying this challenge.  Although I'm not meeting goals and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all at the moment.  I think I'm really setting my bar too high (is that possible???).  After watching the motivational video about "exhaustion" I'm feeling a bit embarrassed about my post.

Here's my check in for Week 4....

1.  Weight Loss Goal: I was able to get those excess pounds off and see the number 217.5 this morning on the scale.  I'll take it!!!

2.  NSV:  Sheesh.  How hard is it to make a couple of phone calls???  For me very hard.  I can't get enough alone time to make a phone call to the chiro, massage therapist, doctor etc.  I AM going to do this tomorrow.  This must be a priority.  I'm hurting and I NEED some down time. 

3.  Ahhhh....another goal I didn't meet.  This weight loss journey is teaching me so much about myself.  What are the real priorities in my life?  How can I gently adjust/change them?   Learning to live my life in peace and balance.  All things I'm working on even IF I don't meet my "goals" for this challenge.  I'm gonna try again :-)

4.  Exercise Goal:  So what's that old thing..."best 3 out of 5"???  Wait that would mean I would have had to actually DO five of anything....ehehehehe.  I only got the three part.  Hey, but at least I'm not a couch potato anymore (more justification).

HELP!!!  All you people out there.  Anybody hear me????  Please give me some encouragement and motivation.  I need it!

Goals for Week 5:

1.  Weight Loss Goal:  I'm SICK of being in the 200's.  I HAVE to get through the teens and get closer to "one-derland".  So by Thursday May 4th I wanna see 215.  That would be 5 pounds since the start of the challenge (March 29th).  That would leave me 13 more to go in 5 weeks.  Is it possible????  Only time will tell. 

2.  NS Goal:  Register for 5K race in May (5/12) and order a new sports bra.

3.  Nutrition Goal:  Buy flax seed oil and quinoa.  Try at least one new recipe.

4.  Exercise Goal:  Ok I'm going to be realistic here.  I am hoping to run on Sat. (for an hour), and will have my regular Tue. workout, but I need to do at LEAST one more day of something.  Why am I finding it hard to get 3X/wk in these days?  So...this week 3X workout. 

On a more positive note here is an updated pic of me (taken today).  On the left is what I looked like in January of this year.  I'm still having trouble noticing a difference, but maybe others can????!!!

Week Three Check-In/Week Four Goals

So sorry that I'm behind the game.  I should have written this post on Thursday April 19th.  Instead I was trying diligently to prepare for a brief weekend get-away.  Packing, washing, cleaning, preparing for seven people isn't easy.  This was our first trip to a motel with all five kids.  Sheesh...I could write an entire post on that.  We did have a great trip, but back to reality. 

Success in some areas.  Complete failure in others.  That's life though and the reality of learning to be comfortable in my own skin.  So I'm going to try and share openly and honestly.  Thanks as always for reading/supporting.

1.  Weight Loss Goal:  Desired number....216.  Actual number.....217.  A one pound loss.  I'll take it!  This was a miracle considering that I started eating like a pig on Wednesday and didn't stop until last night.  Oh what a struggle I've been having.  So I'm really frightened to see what the scales will say on Thursday 4/26/2012.

2.  Non-scale Goal:  I didn't do ANYTHING that I set out to do and feel ever so badly about it.  Why can't I do things that involve taking care of ME????  I'm gonna try again this week.  If any of you get a chance, why not send me an email this week to ask if I've followed up on this goal.

3.  Nutrition Goal:  BLEW IT!!!  Didn't even make an attempt.  I ate out on Tues. afternoon.  I made a very healthy choice, but then on Wed.-Sat.  I ate ENTIRELY too much.  I can't even begin to tell you how bad I felt physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually because of my overindulgence.  I literally have been stuffed with food, drink, emotion, guilt and conviction. 

4.  Exercise Goal:  I did manage to achieve this.  On Saturday 4/14/2012 I ran the 5K course that I completed in February using the "Tribal 5K" Motiontraxx mix.  My stride is still a little short so I ran 3.1 miles in 37 minutes.  I'm guessing because I didn't have a watch.  I however was able to keep the pace with the music and found it very challenging and fun to keep up with the drums.  I am so hoping to be able to invest in something that can help me map my runs, keep track of time, distance, calories etc.  IF this time was accurate that means I cut over 5 minutes off of my Feb. time.  YEAH ME!!!

I think most of my overeating stems from poor choices and being faced with what seems impossible odds at restaurants.  I am really going to have to plan better in these cases.  Such a learning experience.

Week 4 Goals:

1.  Weight Loss Goal:  After eating like an OINKER off and on for MANY days I will be happy to see a maintaining or a one pound loss by 4/26.  So this means 216-217.  Gotta love uncontrollable cravings due to PMS.

2.  Non-scale Goal:  Repeat from Week 3

3.  Nutrition Goal:  Repeat from Week 4

4.  Exercise Goal:  I want to do SOMETHING, anything 5X this week.  This could look like 2X class (Tue./Thur.), running 1-2X and a Zumba class.  It could look like jogging 3X, class 2X.  Maybe I'll do stairs one day???  I just have to do SOMETHING more often.  My body needs to move more.  It's craving it.  My spirit longs to move, fly, be free.

I haven't checked the "mini challenge".  I'm still working on the "mini challenge" from wk. 3.  So I'll see you all again on 4/26/2012 for a recap.  Have a GREAT day.

This is a GOOD Kind of Gaining!!!

Today I'm talking about GAINING.  Not weight but inspiration. 

I've been pressing into reading many of the blogs of my fellow challengers.  I've enjoyed them all.  They are each so unique and interesting.  I've become followers of several of them.  Although I still have more to go, I'm enjoying this "not so mini challenge".  I started the challenge on a Thursday.  I should have written my check-in post on 4/19/2012 but I was preparing for a brief out of town trip.  So my check-in post will follow. 

Thank you to EVERYONE who read my blog and left comments.  It's like receiving a gift when you open up your blog and see that someone left a comment.  It just makes my day.  I hope everyone is having a fabulously restful weekend.

Checking in for Week 2

So Week 2 of the Ready for Summer Challenge came and went and I'm here to check in with everyone to stay accountable and to keep on keeping on with this journey towards health, wholeness and FREEDOM!!!

1. Weight Loss Goal: I had hoped that the scale would say 218 by today and.....drum roll........THEY DID!!! Yeah that's a total of 68 pounds down and I'm feeling great. I'm not even half way there, but I'm so much closer than I was a year ago. I'm so close to 200 I can taste it, and that's a good feeling. I haven't been below 200 since 2001. Oh by summer....

2. Non-Scale Goal: The size 18 jeans. They slip on a little easier. They zip up fairly comfortably, BUT there's the dreaded hang over, muffin top, roll thing going on so I'm not going to wear them until I'm comfortable. I'm thinking another 10 pounds or more.

3. Nutrition Goal: I've investigated some different CSA options and think I've landed upon one that I want to join. I needed to wait until next paycheck to put down our deposit. Today though we did purchase our first flat of "fresh" strawberries. YUMMO!!! I couldn't keep the kiddos out of them.

4. Exercise Goal: So I did get in my 2x workouts with my trainer/class AND here's the kicker. I went for my run last Saturday. I have been trail running now for a couple of months. There really aren't enough words to describe it. I LOVE it! So Leslie took me on this new trail. Please keep in mind I've never run more than 3.1 miles. I've WALKED more than 3.1, but never run over that distance. Saturday I ran 5.5 miles in 1 hour and 25 minutes. I was STOKED.

Now onto goals for Week 3 of the Challenge. I'm gonna have to mix it up on this non-scale goal. Also the Nutrition category is a little tough for me.

1. Weight Loss Goal: I'm gonna really step this one up. I'm determined to see a change in the numbers. I want to make it to "one-der land" so bad I hurt. Setting the bar high here and saying that by 4/19/2012 I would like to have lost another 2 pounds.

2. Non-scale Goal: To take my measurements. I haven't done it in several months. Oh, and I'm going to visit the chiropractor AND schedule a massage for myself. This tired momma needs some HELP!

3. Nutrition Goal: I'm going to plan my meals for a week in advance. I'm going to write them in a journal and follow them (even snacks).

4. Exercise Goal: I have a "Tribal Run 5K" podcast on my Ipod shuffle. It is 155 BPM. I'm gonna see how long I can run to that pace and keep training myself for my next race (5/12/12).

Nathan and I are headed out of town for a night and I'm always a little anxious about making wise choices when away. So happy, healthy thoughts and prayers are needed. Thanks friends.

Week 1-Ready for Summer Challenge

So I jumped on board a little late.  I didn't start my challenge until Thursday March 29th.  I also didn't understand that I was to break my LARGE goal into smaller ones.  This week I've got it.  Hey be patient with me, last week I was missing my man and my five kiddos had cabin fever.  :-)

Week 1 (actually ends Thur.)

1. Weight loss goal- at this point I haven't seen the scales move, but that's ok. 

I know I'm on the right path.

2.  Non-scale goal- Those jeans I talked about....I got them on, but needless to say they weren't the most comfortable pants I own.  My husband wanted me to wear them on our date last night, but I knew since we were eating that I better not (hahahaha).  So I'm still hoping in the next 9 weeks to be able to fit into them comfortably, properly.

3.  Nutrition goal- I did eat veggies everyday.  It was wonderful.  I don't think I got a fruit everyday and there were days I didn't get my water intake up to par.  However, I've had a very "clean eating" week so I'm really happy.

4.  Exercise goal- I only did one Kettlebell workout so far, but yesterday I had a WONDERFUl trail run/partial hike with my trainer and friend Leslie.  I felt so alive.  It was hard and at one point my heart was beating so hard that it actually hurt.  96 steps, technical trail run, jogging on the road, I did a little of several things and it felt wonderful. 

***Mini-challenge***- I did enjoy a veggie I had never tasted before.  A friend of mine has two kids with celiac disease and she shared this recipe with me.  "Spaghetti Pie" uses spaghetti squash instead of pasta.  The recipe is SOOOO easy.  Cook the spaghetti squash by cutting it in half.  Place it face down in a 9 X 13 with just a little bit of water in the bottom.  350F for approx. 35-40 minutes.  Let it cool down.  Scoop out the seeds and yucky stuff.  Then scrape the strands from around the side and put it in a bowl.  Set aside.  Beat 1 egg in a seperate bowl.  Combine egg, squash and LOTS of parmesean cheese.  After mixing that use it as the pie crust.  Press it into a pie plate.  Then put a layer of ricotta cheese.  Ground beef can come next (if you want meat). Ground turkey would work or eggplant or lots of mushrooms.  Then sauce (can be gluten free to make it a true gf dish).  Top with FRESH mozzarella.  You can use cheddar also.  Bake it at 350 for 50 minutes or until set.  YUMMO!!!  We WILL be using spaghetti squash again.

So week 2....starts on Thursday.  I'm linking up today though so I can be a part of the group challenge.  Here are my new goals. 

1.  Weight goal- To lose 2 pounds this week.  So by Thursday the 12th I should have lost at LEAST 2 pounds.

2.  Non-scale goal- Try on those blasted jeans :-).  See if I can make it an hour and still breathe...hehehehe

3.  Nutrition goal- Keep working on WATER!!!  Join a CSA and get ready for SUMMER veggies.

4.  Exercise goal- In addition to my 2X week workout with my trainer/class I want to add one day of jogging/walking or hiking.  I hope to maintain this schedule.

Mini-Challenge- I'm gonna see if I can attend a yoga class or Zumba class with a friend of mine, as a guest at her gym.

Keep on keeping on friends.  Have a great day.  Summer will be here before you know it.       

Joining the "Ready for Summer Challenge"

So I have a new "friend" and follower.  She just recently mentioned a challenge in one of her posts.  I thought it might be a good idea for me to join.  Feel free to come along and let's ALL get ready for SUMMER.

I'm a few days behind.  The challenge started Monday March 25th.  I'm not discouraged though.  I'll link up on Sundays as required but count my weeks from Thursday to Thursday.  10 weeks to grow, change, become more fit and see those numbers moving on down.  Four areas where I can really focus. These focus areas are as follows: Weight loss goal, Non scale goal, Exercise goal, Nutrition goal.  Each week there will be a "mini challenge" that is completely optional.

So here are my four goals for this challenge. 

1.  Weight loss goal:  18 pounds

2.  Non scale goal:  Fit into a size 18 jeans that I bought from the store and they currently don't fit.  This is down from squeezing myself into a 26.

3.  Exercise goal:  Run another 5K (on May 12th) and do it in 38 minutes or less.  This will be my second 5K and cutting four minutes off my previous time.

4.  Nutrition goal:  Drink at least 64 oz. of water daily and eat at least one fruit and veggie daily.

WOW!  Those might have been a bit ambitious, but hey that's what a challenge is for, huh????  For those of you thight might be reading this for the first time as of this morning the scales said 220.  That's 65.6 pounds since Oct. 31, 2010.  Slow going, but oh so worth it.  I really started seeing the weight drop off after I FULLY committed myself in late Sept. 2011.  I haven't been below 200 pounds since 2001 (my first child was born that year).  I'm currently within 10 pounds of my wedding weight.  I have seen weight loss success one other time in my adult life.  Before I got pregnant with Joseph I went from 225 to 180.    So, at this point in my journey I've lost more weight at one time than I ever have.  I've lost LITERALLY one of my children.  :-).  My daugther weighs 62 pounds.  So odd to think of trying to put her on my back and run a 5K.  I can hardly remember what it felt like to have that weight on my body.  I can't imagine what it would feel like to lose another 62 pounds.  AMAZING!!!

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend.  Blessings to you ALL!!!