Forward Progress

Sorry I've been so slack on keeping you update on my journey! My life is pretty consumed with workouts. My mom even made the comment that I spend more time at the gym than I do at home. That's not bad is it?! I asked her if she'd rather me be sitting at home and (of course) she said no. LOL! I do spend ALOT of time at the studio and the gym. My trianer Bobby gave me a 6-month membership to the local gym (Core 24). I didn't use it very much the first month or so after my transformation, but I have used it alot more the past couple of months. Just this week, I've already logged 8+ miles on the elliptical/treadmill! It helps to have an alternate to the studio (Inspire 4 Life), especially during the holidays. When the studio is closed, I can still hit the gym. I know I can do stuff at home, but fact is, I probably won't! If I'm at the studio or gym, I know what I'm there for. When I'm at home, I like to relax - just like everyone else.

I've been keeping up with my food journal and trying to eat more Paleolithic. I've been successful for the most part, but Christmas and New Year's was the worst. Too much pizza and burgers! BLAH! I'm back on track now and I made a goal for the new year to eat Paleo with the exception of 2 non-Paleo meals per week. It's important that it be a doable goal for me to be able to stick with it. That's important for any goal I (or you) make! Your goals have to be realistic and attainable. You can't realistically go from 0 workouts to 5/week and expect to stick with it for life. But you can work up to 5 workouts per week! I'm proof! I started out VERY sedentary and silently killing myself. Now, I'm constantly doing something to keep myself active!

I am now 16 months into my journey and I haven't looked back! I am blessed to be able to say that in my 16 months, I have yet to gain any inches back! I think there was one month that I didn't lose anything, but I didn't gain. I have consistently lost inches and there's no stopping me now! This past month, I lost an additional 5.25 inches which brings my grand total up to 66.75 inches!! I will weight this afternoon, so I can update you on that later. I am so excited though. God is opening doors for me to share my experiences and promote healthy living. I never would have imagined to be able to do the things I am doing! I'm on a roll and there's no stopping me now!!! I say it all the time, but I can't wait to see what my journey holds for me next!

Life and Workouts

Whatever journey you’re on, life happens. I have been working on this transformation challenge for 2 weeks now. Last week was great, I worked out 6 days and had a restful Sunday. I will admit that this week has been hard. I didn’t get a real workout in on Tuesday. I was only able to do about 10 minutes of rowing then I remembered a ton of stuff I had to get done before going to bed, plus I had food on the stove cooking for lunch. Life took over and I didn’t finish my workout. I did get my Zumba in last night though. I had a great dinner (steak, “fried” sweet potatoes, and salad) and Carlos came over to clean out my fridge and cabinets. Oh, and they posted a video of my first workout with Carlos and Bobby on the website, so check it out on the Inspire 4 Life Facebook page.


Wednesday Dinner - YUM!

After finally going to the grocery store with Laurie on Saturday, I now have no reason not to eat Paleolithic. They have supplied me the ingredients and I have to come up with the meals. That has been a real challenge for me. I am not used to eating these foods and the way this lifestyle encompasses. I’m used to my bread, pasta, potatoes, corn, etc. I’m used to just coming home from a workout and my meal being on the table because my loving mother cooked for me. She doesn’t even know how to fix the foods I need to eat. I’ve had to do a lot of research for recipes and ideas on how to fix things in a way that I think I might like. I found a few that I’ve already tried, and some that I want to try. Most have been a success, some not so much; but I’m learning. It’s a process that requires more preparation than I’ve ever been used to. It has always been automatic that I take leftovers to work the next day. Now that my mom doesn’t really cook for me, I have to really plan. I have to plan in advance what I’m going to have the next day, two, or three so that I can fix what I need.



Wednesday Lunch

This weekend is really going to be a challenge. We are going to Indiana for our family reunion. There are typical food stops that we always make along that way that I can’t stop for this time. I probably won’t be able to have anything that anyone brings to the reunion food-wise. I’m not going to have a lot of time to do any workouts. The plus is that all my family up there knows the journey I’m on and the sacrifices I am making. I think they’ll understand if I sneak off to the gym for an hour or so. Maybe I can even motivate some of them to join me! I’ll even make a Paleolithic dish and dessert (maybe) to take to the reunion. There are going to be A LOT of temptations, I hope I can withstand!! I probably won’t be able to post again until I get back. So be on the lookout for my results for the weekend on Monday!

from my workout with Bobby

Good News

I haven't had much time to post this past week. I've been busy getting adapted to my new job (that I LOVE!). And this week we're in revival at church, so I'm trying to balance church and getting my exercise in, with the new job and errands and appointments and.....well, you get the picture! :) Anyway, I just wanted to give an "official" update that I have lost another 3.5 inches!! That brings my total to 31.25 inches over a period of six months. This all came together with an appt today with my cardiologist. I get there and they have me "hop up" on the bed -- THEN go to take my blood pressure. Aye! The nurse tries one arm...BP won't take. Moves to the other arm....still won't take. I'm thinking to myself - "Great, it's gonna be sky HIGH by the time she gets a reading." So she changes cuffs (to the regular sized) and gets it...130/82!!! Praise the Lord! I was so excited. I'm sure that might still sound "high" to some of you, but it WAS running 190/100! This is a major feat! They do my EKG and then say "the dr will be with you in a minute" -- you know how that goes. Well, he finally comes in and is continues with my exam. He asks how I am doing and I explain to him the past 6 months of change that I have been going through. Needless to say, he is very happy with my blood pressure, EKG, my weight loss, and my activity level! So much so that he doesn't want to see me back for 6 months - as opposed to the every 2 months it has been!! He even mentioned taking me off some of my medication for next time based on my progress! I'm telling you...I was so excited just to go to my appt and tell him what has been happening, much less hear those words actually come out of his mouth! :) That is one of my goals in the weight-loss journey of mine. Another one is to actually be able to be weighed when I go in for a dr's appointment. That didn't happen today, but IT WILL!! A very dear friend of mine posted this on my FB wall when I mentioned the success at my dr's appt today --

Hard work...Determination...Victory!!

Renewal

I haven't had much of a chance to blog this week. It's been pretty busy with work, workouts, church, and such. I just wanted to let you know I'm still alive! We have had some great services at church this week and it's been late getting home. I just can't tell you how much I've needed these services and to feel God like I've felt him move the 2 nights I was able to go. God is so good, and if you don't know Him, I'd like to introduce you!

He is EVERYTHING!!

I have seen all of this in our services this week!