Zumba? No, today it's ZENba.

Without being held accountable for your actions, it is very easy to lose sight of what you're trying to accomplish. I am no exception to this. My weekly schedule is already booked solid. I hold down a full time job, which I generally work Monday through Friday with every other Saturday. I am a single mother with two children, one of which is extremely hyperactive. Since I made the conscious decision to FINALLY stop making excuses and get in shapeand I've been doing just that. Aside from work and mommyhood, I'm in the gym a minimum of four days per week.

For me, exercise is a two fold scenario. For one, it is part of my weight loss/get in shape plan and secondly, exercise is an AWESOME stress reliever! Between work and kids, the past week or so has been extremely stressful (and those stories are for a totally separate blog). After a weekend of not working out and eating crappy food (refer to the blog about the Big Mac Attack), I still managed some weight loss, but my body was NOT ready for Zumba Monday evening. I found myself completely out of breath (That's good, right?), rather sore, and found it difficult to keep up. Regardless of how blah I was feeling, I still maintained that it was good to blow off some steam.

I told a couple of the ladies about my weekend (my son calling 911 and sucking toilet water up in the vacuum cleaner) and what was going on at work (back to back inspections by investors AND the state) and simply said.

It's not Zumba today... it's ZENba! 

Big Mac Attack: The Consequences

On the way with the kids to go see my parents [and do some laundry... always an alterior motive, haha], I decided to be a "cool mom" and stop by McDonald's with the kids for lunch. What a mistake that was! I was pretty hungry and wanted a greasy burger and you know that's exactly what I got.

Here is what the order consisted of:

1. Quarter Pounder with Cheese Value Meal with medium french fries and a medium iced tea, half sweet, half unsweet (only because their tea is usually RIDICULOUSLY sweet)
2. Cheeseburger Happy Meal with a sad excuse for an order of french fries, apples, and a little iced tea
3. Chicken McNugget Happy Meal with the same fries, apples, and drink

Now of course, the Happy Meals are getting a little healthier, or at least they try to give that impression. 

I've noticed that since I've changed my eating habits I haven't been able to eat as much as I used to. In comparison, I used to be able to eat a DOUBLE Quarter Pounder with Cheese, LARGE french fries, and drink a butt load of that super sugary sweet iced tea and not bat an eye. This day, I forced myself to finish my meal and felt yucky. Once I got to mom and dad's house, I really felt just gross. I can't think of any other words to describe it. 

Now, my parent's are nurses so I figured I would check my heart rate and blood pressure, you know, just for shits and giggles. Both were elevated. Even though I am overweight, my vitals have always been within normal limits. I figured since I've made the decision to get healthy and I've changed my habits, this was my body's way of rejecting the grease, the fat, all that fast food is.

 I will tell you that the outcome of this particular lunch was definitely NOT appealing and I can safely say, if I decided on fast food again at any time in the future, it will be Burger King for a garden side salad and chicken nuggets! That's my version of a fast food salad: cheaper AND less calories than the ones on the menu board. 

Just to finish off this post, I will leave you all with this:

Quarter Pounder with Cheese: 520 calories

Medium French Fries: 380 calories

Mediums Iced Tea: 180 calories

TOTAL: 1080 CALORIES!!! (doesn't include ketchup or mayonaise on the side)

This was almost my entire day worth of calories in ONE meal AND it made me feel AWFUL!!! It is safe to say that I won't be doing that again any time soon! Should I find myself in a McDonald's predicament again, I vow to make better choices... if I can figure out what that is. 

Stay healthy!

xx

Sugar, Shock Top, and Magic Mike

Today has been a horrendous Saturday. Aside from my workout this morning and dinner this evening, the rest of the day was just a hot mess. No details on the children portion. I will focus on the guilty pleasures I indulged in: sugar, Shock Top, and Magic Mike.

Yes, I raided the kids' Halloween stash. I couldn't help it. It was calling to me! Don't tell me you haven't been there because I would call you a liar to your face! Kit Kat, AirHeads, Tootsie Rolls, etc. I had to have them. I may gone a little overboard, but GOD DID IT FEEL GOOD!

I like my alcohol! And if you ask any single mother, I'm sure I'm not the only one. I don't know what it is about Belgian wheat ale, but it's all I drink now. Pour it in a glass and squeeze in an orange and YUM! Hey, at least I'm getting some vitamin C in the process!

I was bummed I didn't get to see Magic Mike in the theater with my girlfriends and after tonight, I'm glad I didn't. I was completely disappointed. The story line was lacking and there really was no ending to the story. Parts of it didn't make much sense to me. I, like any other warm blooded woman, enjoyed the dancing of it all, aside from that, it was L-A-M-E! I am so glad I spent $5.99 for pay-per-view instead of the $10+ to see it in the theater.

So I guess the best part of my day was Zumba this morning... even though it wasn't the usual instructor. Shut down the day with a couple of Shock Tops and now, off to bed! I can only hope and pray tomorrow is better. Tomorrow's workout will be the thorough cleaning of my apartment and doing my Zumba-esque dancing.

What did I get myself into?!

There are a handful of things in my life that are difficult:

1. Raising two children on my own
2. Parts of my job
3. Maintaining friendships/relationships
4. Getting into shape

A big portion of the difficulty comes from time management. I feel like I don't have enough time for everything and from time to time that causes me to want to give up. I wake up in the morning, mentally prepare myself for the day and then execute it. Kids to school, me to work, pick up the kids, go to the gym, go home, make dinner, kids homework/shower/bed time, and then pour myself into bed sometime before midnight (if I'm lucky), just to wake up and do it all over again [usually with an aching body].

WHAT DID I GET MYSELF INTO?!

As much as I'd love to have the outlook of constant sunshine and rainbows, it doesn't always happen.

Here lately, there have been days where I wake up in the morning and don't want to get out of bed. I think most of this comes from the day-to-day BS of my job. I think if it weren't for having to get the kids to school and actually getting to the gym that evening, I wouldn't even get up. On the other hand, there are some days, like a day off, where I actually want to get out of the bed and hit the ground running, but on a day off, who doesn't? HAHA.

I realize that life, in general, is difficult. If it wasn't we would have such great experiences, opportunities to learn and grow, or make friendships/relationships, among other things. With the things that I've been through in my life time, I have also come to realize that life is short and we must live it to the best of our ability. Now more than ever do I strive to live a fulfilling, happy life and who or whatever gets in my way of that will be removed promptly. Regardless of the level of difficulty I am having, I will take time to stop and smell the roses and to live, laugh, and love. It will get better, I just have to make it through this nonsense first. In the end, it will all be worth it. I don't see myself looking back on today and thinking, "I could have done something more". I'll make it through and I will come out on top! 

I think Avril Lavigne said it best in her song, "Keep Holding On":

You're not alone
Together we stand
I'll be by your side, you know I'll take your hand
When it gets cold
And it feels like the end
There's no place to go
You know I won't give in
No I won't give in

Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

So far away
I wish you were here
Before it's too late, this could all disappear
Before the doors close
And it comes to an end
With you by my side I will fight and defend
I'll fight and defend
Yeah, yeah

Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

Hear me when I say, when I say I believe
Nothing's gonna change, nothing's gonna change destiny
Whatever's meant to be will work out perfectly
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

La da da da
La da da da
La da da da da da da da da

Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

Keep holding on
Keep holding on

There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

A Strong Woman/A Woman of Strength

I received this in an e-mail today and I would to share it with my readers:

A strong woman works out every day
to keep her body in shape
but a woman of strength looks deep inside
to keep her soul in shape

A strong woman isn't afraid
of anything
but a woman of strength shows courage
in the midst of her fear

A strong woman won't let anyone
get the best of her
but a woman of strength gives the best
of her to everyone

A strong woman makes mistakes
and avoids the same in the future
but a woman of strength realizes life's mistakes
can also be blessings and capitalizes on them

A strong woman walks
sure footedly
but a woman of strength knows
when to ask for help

A strong woman wears the look
of confidence on her face
but a woman of strength wears grace

A strong woman has faith

that she is strong enough for the journey

but a woman of strength has faith 

that it is in the journey that she will become strong

Trick-or-Treat DEFEAT!

Ah, Halloween. The day of following the kids around the neighborhood, in costume, allowing them to collect all kinds of candy. Not only that, but the entire day is hectic, from trying to get out of work on time, picking up the kids, getting dinner, getting dressed, and finally getting out the door. By this time, my anxiety is already in high gear from having to deal with stupid people at work, idiots on the road, the stupid detour on the way to mom and dad's, the line out the door at Little Caesars with a 25 minute wait (to hell with that, we called Dominos!), and just all around craziness with the kids. Oh did I mention the dumbasses SPEEDING down the street in the neighborhood, knowing good and well that there are all kinds of children out walking? Yeah, I yelled at them to the slow down, but that's all that I could do.

Anyhow... the night comes to an end and we get back to mom and dad's house to assess the haul from the night. The assortment is rather disappointing, but works in my favor. I have a few chocolate candies that I LOVE, which were very few and far between. I hear my temptation preparing for flight... and then... the flavored Tootsie Rolls! Holy hot damn! Those are, BY FAR, my favorite candies that we get at Halloween time. I rarely see them any other time of the year. [insert sad face here]

THE BEST PART OF FRUIT FLAVORED TOOTSIE ROLLS??? They are only 26 calories a piece! I can justify eating 3-5 of these bad boys at one time and not feel guilty! YAY!

LONG STORY SHORT...

Regardless of the holiday or special occasion, I can still splurge a little here and there without having a tremendous amount of guilt. I had 3 small pieces of pizza, a small Milky Way Midnight (YUM!! DARK CHOCOLATE), and about 4 fruity flavored Tootsie Rolls. I don't want to know the entire calorie content of my Halloween day, but I figured the walking around the neighborhood helped offset it so, again, I don't feel guilty about my high caloric consumption. Besides, I have TRX to fall back on today! 

Less than 30 days until my next challenge: 

The Great Turkey Debate!

Hey, I just met you...

and this is crazy, but you just joined, TRX maybe? 

Let me start by answering the question: What the heck is TRX?

TRX stands for Total body Resistance eXercise, and it is definitely that!! I did what little research I could and watched videos on YouTube just to have an idea of what I was getting myself into. Of course for me, the ultimate question was:

 CAN I DO THIS?

Yesterday was my first of 12 TRX classes in this "camp". I was a little apprehensive when I first arrived for the class. I will say that I was a little overwhelmed when I saw the setup of the room. It is set up for 9 ladies, metal bars come out from the wall and go down to the floor. There are 9 TRX straps hanging from them, using the bars as the anchor points. I remember thinking again... What did I get myself into? 

The instructor was great, see was really attentive to each of us because of the smaller class size and was able to help us all with out form. She showed us modifications on each of the eXercises to make it a little easier or a little harder. I was sweating, but felt at ease because we were all in it together. 

We went through a variety of eXercises, working different parts of the body. Some were a lot easier than others. We ended with a plank, which I refer to as a "floating" plank. It was definitely difficult to get off of my knees, but I pushed through, because I am a BAMF! (Bad ass mother fucker, for those that don't know.) 

Needless to say, I woke up this morning with sore muscles... some of which I never knew existed. It's obvious that TRX is a great workout for the entire body. Week 1, day 1, complete! On to week 1, day 2!

If I can do it, ANYONE can!!!

Beginning of the end

Here I am, 28 years old, and the mother of two very active children, ages 5 and 7. I have been overweight for pretty much my entire life and have been fortunate enough to have no significant health problems. Now my children are getting older and starting to get into more active things. I want to be able to enjoy life with my children as it was intended... WITH them, not sitting on the sidelines.

Starting this blog, I have ONE MISSION! To go from FAT to FIT!

I [re]started this journey on September 25, 2012 (after losing 40 pounds in 2011 and gaining it back, plus some). I found a health club that suited me: ladies only, a great class schedule, and CHILD CARE!! Now I had NO EXCUSES for skipping out on my workout. I started going to Zumba twice per week and Turbo Tone (a fast paced cross with cardio and strength training) twice per week and as of October 26, 2012, I have lost 8.5 pounds. 

A few things I've found that work for me:

1. Using a calorie tracker - I use the MyFitnessPal app.
2. Finding an exciting workout that is not boring to me - Zumba and Turbo Tone
3. Having a workout partner - My good friend, L. Even though she's not there ALL the time, we still have each others' back when needed and butt, when it needs a kicking!
4. A support group - I have a group on Facebook with a handful of ladies. We motivate and support each other through our ups and downs of weight loss. We provide encouragement to one another and whatever else may be needed. 

So far, this is working for me! I am always looking at new opportunities to push my body to the limit and make my goals a reality. In the 30 day time frame, I have noticed positive changes in my body, not just weight, but strength, endurance, and muscle tone. I love it! 

My starting weight was 289 (9/25/12) and my most recent weigh-in was 280.5 (10/26/12). When it's all said and done, my goal is to weigh-in at 180 pounds. 

"A year from now, you will wish you had started today."

- Karen Lamb