Blog Unveiling

I'm about to post my blog and there have been a couple of things holding me back from completely putting myself out there.ALL.THE.WAY. I have been struggling with whether or not to share my weight and / or weight loss photos. I have decided, I am ready to share my weight. I'm not quite ready to share the pictures yet. If you chose to judge, please keep it to yourself. I think sharing my weight is going to accomplish 2 things:

1. Help me release the remainder of the shame that is left so I can go FULL FORCE on my journey

2. Help me help others who are my size to realize THEY CAN DO IT TOO!!!!!

My starting weight: 258 lbs
My current weight: 231.8 lbs
Goal Weight: 135 lbs

Welcome to my life, my journey, my strengths, my weaknesses, my raw emotions. Welcome to me.

2 Month Reflection

Weight Loss Total: 26.2 pounds
Inches Lost Total: 19.5
Achievements: Two 5Ks

Reflections
CANNOT believe it has been 2 months. Some days it feels as though it has been years and others if feels as though it has been days. When I first made the decision of my life to change it, I knew it would be different this time. I knew I wouldn't fail. I knew I had this. Even with all of that confidence, I find myself having to pinch myself and wonder if this is for real. The old me would have failed by now. My longest success was always about 2 months. I've tried Atkins, Weight Watchers, South Beach, Dexitrim, laxatives, and calorie counting. All ended the same. FAILURE. I have found the magic formula and it is simply this:
eat right x exercise x loving yourself x routine = SUCCESS

Struggles
I am still VERY tempted by my old habits. I was eating out 2x a day (most days). Do you think that taste for fast food went away that quickly? UM no. Not even close. Every time I drive by McDonald's or Taco Bell (my 2 old favs) I have to have a talk with my inner toddler. I ask my inner toddler, "How bad do you want that" "How bad do you want this". Anytime I walk into an old establishment I have to put on the new me before I walk in. If people could hear the self talk that goes on inside of me, they would think I was truly nuts. The self talk is hourly, daily, monthly. It goes on and on, and will continue throughout my entire journey which is FOREVER. 

Questions I have to ask myself DAILY:
1. How bad do you want this
2. Will the taste of "XYZ unhealthy food" for 10 seconds be worth the backwards motion
3. Do you want to throw your workout out the window by giving into your temptations
4. Why do you want this
5. What are the benefits of the new lifestyle vs. the old lifestyle

Moving Forward
In month 3, I look forward to my endurance increasing. More races. Getting rid of more clothes. Wearing a swimsuit. Inspiring many.

Every.Last.Step

Keep Fighting - Double Meaning

Woke up this morning, laced up my shoes, getting ready for a race. This 5K was unlike any others. This 5K is the Keep Fighting 5K. The Go Mitch Go foundation raises money to help find a cure for child Leukemia. As mentioned a while back, I have a new found motivation to work out and get healthy to honor those whose lives were taken without their control, much too soon. Right before Mitch died, his last words were "Keep Fighting". He fought hard, but the Leukemia took him home to the Lord much too soon. 

This 5K today was very hilly, grass, muddy, rocky and pure ankle twisting. I twisted my ankles a couple of times, but kept hearing "Keep Fighting" ringing in my ears. I pushed hard, did the work, and beat my goal of under 45 minutes. That may seem slow to many, but to me, I can say that I GAVE IT ALL I HAD up until the very end.

Not only will I keep fighting in my own personal life and for my health, I will keep fighting for others. I will be your supporter, your fan, your shoulder, your motivator, your encourager, your example.

Can't think of a better way to celebrate my two month healthy me anniversary than to get the day started with a 5k for a good cause. #keepfighting

8 week weigh in

Pounds Lost this week: 2.4
Pounds to Lose: 96.8 
Pounds Lost Total: 26.2
What weighs 26 pounds: An average 2 year old. This made me get emotional. Can you imagine carrying around a 2 year old - ALL THE TIME? My body is saying THANK YOU for putting down the 2 year old.

Weekly Fitness
Walk/Run: 13.15 miles 
Zumba Class: 1 hour
Elliptical: 25 minutes
Cycling: 15 minutes
Treadmill: 25 minutes
Benefits Felt1. More clothes to chose from2. Able to stop and check myself out in reflections, instead of dodging them3. Endurance increasing4. Mile is getting faster
Frustrations and Pitfalls1. Calorie deficits this week should have produced more pounds lost2. Comparing my journey to others journeys and getting frustrated, losing focus on my journey3. Weighed myself daily and several times a day. This REALLY messed with my head
Lesson Learned1. Yes, I did give into a temptation and had a small piece of cheese pizza that I had for the girls last night. But I stopped in my pity party tracks and took advice that I've given to friends. Celebrate your strengths in your weak moments. What was to celebrate you ask? Well, I would normally take the biggest piece that was left. This time, I took the smallest piece, which was pretty small. I stopped at one piece and walked away. I put it all away in the refrigerator and did not touch anymore. My calorie deficit yesterday was still 1700 even with the cheese pizza.
2. My journey is NOT your journey and your journey is NOT my journey. We are different people on different paths toward the same goal. HEALTH. It is OK if I am not losing as fast as others. It is a LIE to think that I am failing because of this. I am NOT failing. I AM WINNING.
3. I need to rework my calorie plan/intake. I had enough deficit this week to lose twice what I lost. I need to try to determine what the problem is and tweak somethings.
Ready for Month 3 - LET'S DO THIS!!!!!

White girl can't dance

For anyone that has ever seen me dance, you know, THIS WHITE GIRL CAN'T DANCE. I am not ever going to be on dancing with the stars, but I am getting out there and doing it in front of GIANT mirrors. I danced my way to 622 calories less today. Even did a Brazilian dance battle in Zumba. I'm pretty sure I lost the battle but I'm not losing the fight for my life.

Every.last.step

5K - Let's do this

So excited for our 5k today Andrew! My goal is to beat 45 minutes. I'm ready!!! Okay. I must be married to Andrew because I added .7miles to my 5k. 3.8 miles in 53 minutes. Would have beat my goal....oh well. I'll get it next time. I did get third in my age group. It was a small race but not everyone in my age group received a medal, but I DID!!! I am really doing this

New Body New Hair

New body new look. Finally using the Christmas gift certificate from my hubby. What better way to celebrate the new me then a new hair do:

Before

After