1/14/13 Update

I guess this is a good time to start my weekly updates. These posts will include my week in review as well as my weight loss from last update. This will give me the opportunity to reflect on things I did in the last week as well as determine areas I need to improve on.

Last weeks weight: 281.2 pounds

This weeks weight: 278.2 pounds

TOTAL WEIGHT LOST: 3 pounds

Loss since start: 8 pounds

LOTS TO GO!

What makes me most happy about this weight, is that I'm pretty much right where I left off before Thanksgiving. Since then, last week was the first full week where I was focused and went hard. Working out at the gym is somewhat limited due to the kids' basketball schedule, but I have made an agreement with myself. On days that I know I won't be able to make the gym, I have decided to get up early (6:00 am is early for me) and do a 20-30 minute workout. Examples: 20 minute Zumba Wii workout or 30 minute Jillian Michaels' Yoga Meltdown that will try out on Thursday. Tuesday and Wednesday will be business as usual with Turbo Tone and Zumba class.

Over the weekend I went to the local produce market with my kids and picked out some healthier snack options. We got apples, pears, strawberries, grapes, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, broccoli, and I'm sure there are more! They were practically begging for a salad when we got home! They make eating healthier so much easier than if I had to hold myself accountable and do it alone.

The week consisted of 3 evening work outs: Zumba on Monday and Wednesday and Turbo Tone on Tuesday. I have become more mindful of my eating habits and track everything I can on MyFitnessPal app. (User Name: doinitonmyown) I don't allow myself to starve and also know when I can and can't indulge. With that being said, I have designated Fridays to be my "cheat day". That's the day I can eat pizza or chinese food or whatever (in moderation) and have a couple of beers or margaritas, whatever the case may be.

This week we have a Monday basketball game so no Zumba for me. I took care of that with the Wii this morning. I know we won't be home until later in the evening so I have prepared a snack for the kiddoes and we'll have a salad or something light for dinner when we get home. HOW MANY TIMES CAN I SAY THEY'VE MOTIVATED AND INSPIRED ME TO BE A BETTER MOM??? I love them so very much!

I'm getting the evil eye from the boss so I think she's figured out I'm not working right this second... better get to it!

Eating Habits

I just came to this realization...
My children have actually had an effect on my eating habits, as well as changed the way I look at certain foods. It has been quite eye opening for me to see that they like so many different vegetables. They are also pretty open to trying new things.
Let's face it. I have always been the one to say, "I don't like [insert random vegetable name here]", without giving it as much as a second glance. Because of my kids, I have been more willing to try new things and much to my surprise, I like them.
For example, I went to Boston Market. The fat girl inside of me wanted the macaroni and cheese with corn or mashed potatoes or something that was loaded with calories that I didn't need. This time I opted for the steamed vegetable with green beans, carrots, yellow squash, and zucchini. Yay for making a good choice, however, follow through is key now.
I am proud to say I ate all of it! This was a milestone and I was extremely proud, to the point where I texted my parents and informed them of the impossible task I had completed.
I am finding that making the right choice and following through isn't that difficult when you have two little people by your side, cheering you on and (somehow) encouraging you to make good choices. While I am setting a good example for them, they don't realize they are doing it for me too. I love them so much and look forward to getting in shape, not only for myself, but for them as well.

My Fitness Wish LIst

I love when I am in the gym or in a class and find new [and easier] ways to get an effective workout. Based on these findings, I have compiled my fitness wish list. This is a list of items I want to get for myself to use at home when I don't quite have the time to get to the gym and a couple of new things for the gym or for use in both places. Having the ability to effectively work out at home will cut down on the excuses. I want to be successful with my weight loss and as long as I have the tools, I will!

MY FITNESS WISHLIST:

1. Heart rate monitor with calorie counter Got this for Christmas! :)
2. Set of dumbbells, 5 lbs. and 8 lbs. 
3. Large exercise ball
4. Resistance bands
5. More workout clothing
6. New Zumba shoes
7. Better MP3 player and earbuds that don't fall out

I'm sure there are a lot more things I could think of that I want, but these are the most important!... for now! ;)

5k... 2 months away!

Today I am registering for my FIRST 5k!! We are doing the "Color Me Rad" 5k to benefit the Senior Resource Association on March 16, 2013. I will be honest that I am nervous, but I have two months to "train". It's going to be a blast and I know I will feel great when it's all over!!!

Check for locations and dates near you!
http://www.colormerad.com

Make yo salad taste mo betta

I remember when I was younger, my parents would take us to the local produce market. We (the kids) would usually just get the peanuts in the shells, while my parents would actually purchase fruits and veggies. Every time we were finishing up the purchase and cashing out, the cashier would say "Free cucumba (or peppa) for you. Make yo salad taste mo betta." As a kid, I didn't understand really, but now that I am older, I am reflecting today on things from my childhood that have influenced me as an adult, one being the produce market.

Here I am now, a grown woman, with children of my own. I realize I have to set the standards for them. I have to be the positive influence and the role model in their lives. I must say that I am very fortunate that my children aren't really picky eaters. They will wipe out a veggie tray in the matter of minutes and love fruit. They eat salad! WHAT? I know!!! The only thing we can't eat right now is spaghetti sauce because "it has onions in it", as my son would say.

They have inspired me to eat healthier than I have been. I am *trying* to eat at least one salad per day. I take a handful of vitamins and supplements (no quick weight loss pills either... they are a joke!), along with a protein shake each day to make sure that I have all the nutrition I need for the demanding and rigorous schedule I have put on myself. I work full-time, work out hardcore at least 3 times per week, keep my house (how, I don't know), maintain the children with school work and basketball (with baseball probably coming soon), and try to have an active social life (when I can).

At the end of the day (around 7:00), I don't want to eat a heavy meal and don't want the kids to either. When we're home late they love it because then they get to stay up a little later to do homework or watch TV and let their food digest some before it's lights out. I'll usually fix soup and salad or something of that nature. I am very excited now because on Monday, I discovered a delicious salad from the "P" place that, with a little brain power, I was able to recreate at home!!

DELICIOUS SPINACH SALAD

2 cups Spinach (or baby spinach)

1 boiled egg (cut up)

1 tablespoon of bacon pieces (NOT BACON BITS)

2 tablespoons of Marie's Spinach Salad dressing with real bacon

ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!!

Reboot

Yesterday was my birthday! I turned 29... ::insert huge sigh here::
It was a great day! I got off the healthier path thanks to the holidays and work, etc. Yesterday I [re]started my healthier eating and gym routine. Our schedule is a little fuller now with kid activities and appointments, but I will make it work. At the end of it all, it will be worth it.

On another note, I realized that I AM 29 YEARS OLD!!! Now I have 364 days until I turn 30! I'm not afraid of turning 30, I just refuse to turn 30 as a fat ass! Let's calculate. I have 50 weeks in the year and if I concentrate and stay focused to lose 2 lbs. per week, that's the 100 pounds I want to lose. I have negative thoughts clouding my mind, but I cannot allow for this. I must move forward and stay focused! It sure is hard, but it is something I must do.

New year, new me!

2012 is gone with the wind. I sit here this morning and reflect on a lot of things: the people I've met and lost, the good and the not so good things I've done, the things I wanted to do that I never bothered starting. There have been some pretty dramatic changes in the last year and some to come this year.

We are at the start of a new year and with that, comes a new me!  I have a bad habit of starting things and not finishing them or procrastinating. This year I want to change that and a few other things. With this being said, here is my comprehensive list of things I hope to progress in during 2013: 

1. Eat healthier and exercise often - this includes drinking more water and keeping fast food/restaurants and alcohol to a minimum.
2. Work on being more financially responsible - this also goes hand in hand with eating better, spending less money on fast food/restaurants and alcohol. I must find tools to assist with this;
3. Weed out the people in my life who aren't uplifting
4. Delegating to my children and not taking no for an answer - They are plenty old enough to habe some responsibilities arojnd the house
5. Follow through - I have been so bad at not following through with things that I start and I have got to stop!
6. Continue my education - not sure how I am going to accomplish this, but where there's a will, there's a way!

I did not say resolution. I do not believe that I can change everything overnight (or in this case, a year). I believe that we should aim for progress and not perfection. Every baby step of progress will lead to the great leap of attaining the ultimate goal, whatever it may be.

This is my plan for 2013 - as part of my goals for the year, I will follow through (or try realllllllly hard) with my list and make progress. For now, it's back to work!