A New Out-Look

I know that it seems cliché to again apologize for my absence in blogging however I really do feel bad for not posting more often.  This is an outlet that I enjoy and I feel a sense of pride/accomplishment in sharing my journey/story with all of my readers.

I was having a conversation with a friend of mine a few weeks ago and thought I would share some of the wisdom that came from it.  I am not trying to label myself a philosopher or anything of that nature however I just didn’t realize the over lap in my life until I re-read this conversation.

The conversation started out with talking about plans for school next year.  We were both very excited to be picking classes and preparing for the years to come.  The conversation turned to asking about finances and what plans we had to get through the year as far as work or student loans, etc.   This is where the conversation turned to Love Your Dance.  An idea I had while in China last year that has become a main focus of success in my life.  She asked me how it was that I turned an idea into a success.  I shared with her that I made a list of things that I waned to see happen in the next year.  I then took the list and came up with a few steps that I would have to take in order to accomplish the task (ie who I would need to email or call, etc.).  When I returned home from China, I started to cross things off the to-do list and before I knew it I was accomplishing the things that I had wanted to do.

I know that this sounds weird but things just started falling into place and my desires started to grow.  I would try something (like sending an email).  If that didn’t work I would change the email, or send it to someone different or try something new.  If something didn’t work I revamped it and tried again.  I did this in all aspects of my life (except for my weight loss journey). I started to see results in all aspects of my life (except for my weight loss journey).  I think that I am starting to see a pattern here…try new things till something works.  This is My Time….I need to do this My Way.

So here is the new thing that I am doing! Trying new things!!!!!!!  I am excited and ready for more awesome things to come and to see how strong I really am!

Please feel free to leave any advice or encouragement that you may have.  I would love to see comments on here.  As you fellow bloggers know…. comments make things easier.  They encourage and remind us of the hard work we have put in and give us the fuel to keep going!

Falling Behind

First thing is first. I thought that I should start with an apology.  I am sorry that I have not been posting recently.  I have let my life take the wheel and have been putting things that I find important and motivating on the back burner.  This is not to say that I am off track or falling behind on my journey.  Actually it is the exact opposite.  I have let my focus drift and the hard work and goals have been falling into place.

Lets start with my results.  Last weeks weigh in I lost a whopping 6.7 pounds!  I was definitely not expecting that.  I know that I was retaining water from my 5K (I will get back to that), I didn’t eat 100% on my diet, and I was sore as I have ever been!  I went in expecting to see a gain or even a steady number…never expected a loss and even one that large.

Second of all…I FINISHED A 5K!!!!!!!  That’s right…. finished!!! 3 goals….3 completed….3beaten!!  Goal 1 was to finish. No matter what cross that line.  I did.  Number 2 not finish last…. finished second last.  And Goal 3, finish with a time of 40 minutes. I finished in 40.02 minutes and felt great…. just kidding.  It was one of the hardest things I have done in a long time and did not expect it to be as it was.  Did I mention that I didn’t train (will never do that again).  I even cried at one point while running (just being completely honest).

I am going to make a new goal. I am sure that I have written that line in every single post so far on this blog.  But they keep me going and I like that challenges.  I am going to try my darndest to post two blogs a week; one similar to this with my results and updates for the week and one that touches on a not topic of the week.  They will usually have to do with the journey that I am on and will be educational and hopefully inspiring.  I am opening up my comments for suggestions of topics that you would like to read about.  Please please please send me some ideas.  This will both challenge me and allow me to write which is a passion of mine.

I hope that everyone has a great week and look forward to hearing your comments and ideas!

Chapter Two

I think this is an appropriate moment to start chapter two of my journey. I have, as mentioned in my last post, fallen off the wagon and am ready to get back on.  I am done taking a break!  I am getting back to work!

I feel that I need to start a whole new chapter of this journey.  Chapter one was about starting something new, putting myself first, and kick starting my “new” me.  It was My Time and I needed believe it.  Now that I truly do believe that this is My Time I need to own My Time!

I am moving into the chapter of my journey that focuses on becoming stronger and pushing my limits.  I need to do this as I am hitting plateaus and need to move on.  I have become comfortable, which is being demonstrated both on the scale and in my attitude.  As I have learned from reading other blogs and hearing other weight loss journeys…. when you get comfortable in your journey, its time to switch it up, especially so that I can make it to my goal. 

Being comfortable with myself was something that I had no problem with when I was 327 pounds.  I want however to be comfortable at my goal weight as a fit and active young adult. Until I reach that goal I want to make myself as uncomfortable as possible so that I stay motivated and keep on pushing towards this me.

This is what I am going to do (and no it is not just by doing another monthly challenge).  I am prepared to do what I need to for getting to my goal.   I am going to eat on my meal plan 100%.  I am going to do 2 a day workouts for 5 days and 1 workout on the other days.  These will be a mix of cardio and weight training. I will be tweeting and blogging about my progress and I will be pushing my self to my limits.  I am ready to make myself uncomfortable again.  I am worth it.

I weighed in at 300.6 pounds this morning and would like to be at 260 in 10 weeks, an average of 4 pounds a week (ambitious I know). I thank you for your continued support in following my journey and look forward to hearing more about your journeys and accepting your encouragement hearing your comments.

Let’s get this done!!

A Break

I probably don’t need to mention the fact that I have not been blogging for the last couple of weeks (all though I guess I just did).  I have taken a much-needed break for me and have taken a bit of time for me.

The last couple of weeks have been a disappointment for me.  I have gained weight…I haven’t been training for my 5K…I haven’t done any of my March Challenge…and I have had zero desire to workout out or continue this journey.

This is all going to change as of today.  I am re-doing my March Challenge as the April Challenge, I vow to lose weight and not cheat, I will rock my 5K with a time of 40 mins or less and I will make no excuses for doing the things that I know needs to be done.  I am re-committing myself to me. I don’t have time to not take care of myself…now is My Time.  I need to do this.

In the last couple of weeks however I have in a sense pampered myself. I have gotten my hair did…bought some clothes that fit my changing body…bought a spin bike for my apartment (now I really have no excuse) and have celebrated the things that have changed other than the number on the scale. If you don’t mind I would love to share some with you.

I have lost over 8 inches.

I can do my choreo full out every time for my students to learn

I can demonstrate break dancing skills to my students

I can swim for 2 km straight

I can bike over 30 miles in less than an hour

I have more energy

I am wearing jeans I have not worn for over a year and a half

I have to get my glasses and watch re-sized so they stop falling off

I am running a 5k

These are just some of the things that I am happy for.  It is important to look back on these and think and reflect knowing that all your hard work is bringing more than just a number on the scale even though it is so easy to focus on that aspect of the journey.

I continue to thank everyone for your continued encouragement.  I am ready to get back on the horse and ride 100%.

WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!

Oh where oh where to begin.  What a week I have had… lots of things to be upset about…few things to be proud about.

I had not stuck to my diet at all.  I had very little veggies, very little fruit, ate out a couple times, didn’t get to the gym lots (2 times), did not do anything else towards my March Challenge when I was supposed to knock 3 things off the list…ahhhhhhhhhh what else did I do wrong.

My last workout was on Saturday where I pushed real hard and spent the rest of the weekend sore as heck.  I felt good knowing that I pushed myself hard however went into my weigh in this morning expecting to see a steady number if not even a gain due to retaining water from the workout and the eating out.  I was very surprised to see the results.  I even said to my consultant WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!

Here are the facts…I lost 1.1pounds.  Might not sound exciting but I will take it. I was not expecting that at all.  I am ready to push hard this week.   To stick to my goal I need to lose 9.4 pounds in just over 2 weeks.  Lets get er done as I would say.

This week for 100% sure I am knocking 5 items off my list.

Number 2 – Yoga

Number 3 – Spin Class

Number 4 – Ice Skating

Number 6 – Pilates

Number 8 – Sledding

I will of course keep you all in on the details and write about my experiences.  Thank you again for all the support that is offered via FACEBOOK, and TWITTER! Please feel free to leave comments here as well.  I am amazed to see that I have over 280 views in the last month.  Would love to hear from you all.

This is MY TIME!!!!!

First Time Lent

I have decided (to be honest in the last five minutes) that I will be for the first time in my life participate in Lent.  This should be interesting... and a little daunting.  I have to decide on something to give up for the next 46 days.

Quick side note: I am doing this for personal reasons and to help with my journey.

So the question comes…what to give up.  I have decided I will give up coffee!!!

I can not believe that I am doing this however I remember from high school that lent is supposed to be something that is hard to sacrifice…. something that is challenging…something that will test you on a daily basis to remind yourself of the commitment you have made. 

I have been known to drink 4-5 cups (XL size) coffees per day.  Not always with sugar and cream (I have been substituting sweetener and milk for the most part).  I will be giving up a huge staple as to what people know me as.  I am looking forward to the number of benefits from doing this.  The money I will save (at least $5 a day totalling over 200 dollars over the time period). The benefit of reducing my caffeine and sugar in take (will totally help with my weight loss journey.... at least it can't hurt it).

I just finished a coffee while writing this and will not have another cup until the 23^rd of April.  Wish me luck!

To Little Too Late

I feel as though I have done to little too late this week.  I put off going to the gym, eating my proper, meals, and taking time for me. That was until Saturday when I tried to ramp it up for the last two days before my weigh-in.  Can’t be surprised that I gained 0.5 (or really stayed the same in essence). All I can do is accept what I know I need to do and put the effort in.

I have planned three of my Top 10 March Challenge activities for this week.  I will be trying; #2 – Yoga, #3  -Spin Class, and #6 – Pilates.  Stay tuned to hear how this goes.  I am very excited.

I also started training for my 5K that is on April 3^rd.  I completed 2.0 km in approx. 20 mins.  I know that I need to improve on this to make my goal of 40 mins but this was also the first kick at the can.

Very excited for the journey ahead and promise to myself that I will be diligent and true to myself.  I am worth it.  This is MY TIME!!