It's hard...but it's getting easier.

I've been trying to incorporate exercise into my life as part of my new daily routine. I didn't start this big exercise program. I didn't drastically change my diet. I am just starting to make some slow changes that might help.

I started a fiber program, since I am pretty sure I have IBS, but I haven't made it to the doctor yet. I've had a recurring problem with my intestines for a few years and hadn't thought to have it checked out till here recently. I've also started eating smaller portions when I can. I no longer get regular sized burgers if I'm craving one- I get the value menu ones and small fries. I'm trying to drink more water as well. 

As far as exercise, I am starting with a couple of things. I am doing squats a few times a week at least. A while back I was doing a 30- day squat challenge and the results in the 21 days I managed to stick with it were amazing. I started with 50 squats a day and by day 21 I was up to 200 a day, and the difference was very noticeable. So, I'm, doing squats and incorporating knee lifts (the ones where you bring up your knee to the opposite elbow in an attempt to work out your abs). I like doing the squats because I know they produce results. I'll let you know what happens with the rest. 

I'll try to be more consistent about posting on here. I've finished the task I had set out to do about eighteen months ago, so now I can dedicate my self to getting healthier and in shape. 

So I'll leave you with this: 

EEEK

I haven't thought about this blog in a while, and it's not for lack of interest. I have had so much happened and change this last year that it just slipped my mind.


However, I will get back on track and I will start posting on a more regular basis.


Update: I lost some weight, went down to 145 from 165, but then gained some of it back.


I was in a cycling accident which damaged my bike and left me with some pretty nasty bruises, but I'm in the process of getting it fixed and I'll post some pics here soon.


Hope all is well!!

Success!!!

I know I haven't been on here in a while, but I have been making a lot of changes in my life. Many things that were holding me back or holding me down have somehow made their way out of my life and into someone else's. I am very happy about that.

I have finally hit my goal weight...sort of. I hit 150 lbs last week. I know I thought I was aiming for 145, but I am very satisfied with 150. It kind of happened unexpectedly. I had plateaued at 165 for so long, that I never really thought I would get down to 150 again. But when I made some of the above mentioned changes...it just happened. Almost overnight I was in the high 150's and then...BAM! I am excited, and now am focused on maintaining and toning. I got a Garmin Vivofit to motivate me (it actually works in a weird way). I am back to doing videos and walking/dancing more. I've rediscovered music as a motivator, and once the weather gets a little nicer, I'll see if I don't get that bike on the road again.

I am in a very happy place right now. I'd like to thank anyone who's taken the time to read this blog.

More to come!

Crap...

I haven't posted in a long time...but yes I am still alive, and yes, I am still trying to be active.

I am participating in a Slimdown Challenge at work. It runs 5/12/14 to 8/8/14. I hope it works! I will post more later!

August/September So Far

August was pretty awesome. First of all, I went to New Orleans as an early birthday gift to myself. It was awesome. Don't get me wrong the first night I was there, I was slightly afraid and slightly disappointed, but I got over that very quickly. Also, look at some of the food! Boo Fries! Charbroiled Oysters! Beignets!
Alcoholic drinks!
      
       

So I didn't exercise the first two weeks of August-at all, and I managed to gain three pounds, but you know, it was so worth it. I had excellent food, I was able to go somewhere I'd wanted to go since I was 13 years old and read my first Anne Rice book, and I had good company. I am hoping to go back now that I know the lay out a little better. And just imagine, I gained weight-even with the walking of over 19 miles over the course of 4 days!

So moving on, after that it was my actual birthday, which I celebrated by eating cake (white white chocolate from Nothing Bundt Cakes) and pizza (Mellow Mushroom's Kosmic Karma). I had a good day. After that it was time to get back to the grind, and I was back at working both jobs, and slowly I've been building up to going to the gym three times a week again. I only managed 5 workouts last month, but every single one was a qualifying workout out (600 calories or more). One of them was even a 1000+ calorie work out. So all in all, I'm okay with that.

This month I decided to go a little crazy and go with my brother to CrossFit...

It was intense. I was walking like a duck for two days afterward. It hurt to stand. It hurt to sit. It hurt to lie down. But it was a great work out. It was qualified (600+) but it was painful. That was on the first Monday of the month. I couldn't get to the gym due to said soreness and other things, but it wouldn't have mattered, because by Thursday night I was at home with a 102 degree fever and a cold from hell...in Texas...during the summer. Who does that? Me.

Today is Tuesday. I am finally getting over the cold. I did go to the gym last night, did a qualifying workout, and slept for the first time since Thursday.  So I am better.

This is my long awaited post. Oh, and no, I didn't eat the oysters, I made L1 eat them. :-)

FIVE!

I hate to brag, because in the grand scheme of things it's not an amazing feat of anything, but.... I HAVE DONE 5 QUALIFYING WORKOUTS THIS MONTH!!!

This may not seem like a lot, but considering my one-a-month previous mentality, I think it is a big step in the right direction.
This is my reward schedule:

·         JULY 2013 (starting 7/10/13)

o   If 5 (400 calorie) workouts, get extra movie on top of regularly budgeted movies

o   If 10 (5 @ 400 calorie and 5 @ 600 calorie) workouts, get one perk

o   If 10 (600 calorie) workouts, get haircut

·         AUGUST 2013

o   If 6(400 calorie) workouts, get extra movie on top of regularly budgeted movies

o   If 12 (6 @ 400 calorie and 6 at 600 calorie) workouts, get one perk

o   If 12 (600 calorie) workouts, get one hour massage

·         SEPTEMBER 2013

o   If 6(400 calorie) workouts, get extra movie on top of regularly budgeted movies

o   If 12 (6 @ 400 calorie and 6 at 600 calorie) workouts, get one perk

o   If 12 (600 calorie) workouts, get new pair of shoes

·         OCTOBER 2013

o   If 6(400 calorie) workouts, get extra movie on top of regularly budgeted movies

o   If 12 (6 @ 400 calorie and 6 at 600 calorie) workouts, get one perk

o   If 12 (600 calorie) workouts, $75 to spend however you wish

·         NOVEMBER 2013

o   If 6(400 calorie) workouts, get extra movie on top of regularly budgeted movies

o   If 12 (6 @ 400 calorie and 6 at 600 calorie) workouts, get one perk

o   If 12 (600 calorie) workouts, day trip with BFF (and she will go with you!) to casino

·         DECEMBER 2013

o   If 6(400 calorie) workouts, get extra movie on top of regularly budgeted movies

o   If 12 (6 @ 400 calorie and 6 at 600 calorie) workouts, get one perk

o   If 12 (600 calorie) workouts, new high-value item (six months of exercise gets bigger reward!)

·         JANUARY 2014

o   If 6(450 calorie) workouts, get extra movie on top of regularly budgeted movies

o   If 12 (6 @ 450 calorie and 6 at 650 calorie) workouts, get one perk

o   If 12 (650 calorie) workouts, get one hour massage

·         FEBRUARY 2014

o   If 6(450 calorie) workouts, get extra movie on top of regularly budgeted movies

o   If 12 (6 @ 450 calorie and 6 at 650 calorie) workouts, get one perk

o   If 12 (650 calorie) workouts, get new outfit from retail store of choice

·         MARCH 2014

o   If 6(450 calorie) workouts, get extra movie on top of regularly budgeted movies

o   If 12 (6 @ 450 calorie and 6 at 650 calorie) workouts, get one perk

o   If 12 (650 calorie) workouts, get facial or other spa treatment

·         APRIL 2014

o   If 6(450 calorie) workouts, get extra movie on top of regularly budgeted movies

o   If 12 (6 @ 450 calorie and 6 at 650 calorie) workouts, get one perk

o   If 12 (650 calorie) workouts, trip to outlets in Grand Prairie or Allen (your bff will walk around with you!)

·         MAY 2014

o   If 6(450 calorie) workouts, get extra movie on top of regularly budgeted movies

o   If 12 (6 @ 450 calorie and 6 at 650 calorie) workouts, get one perk

o   If 12 (650 calorie) workouts, $75 at retail store of choice

·         JUNE 2014

o   If 6(450 calorie) workouts, get extra movie on top of regularly budgeted movies

o   If 12 (6 @ 450 calorie and 6 at 650 calorie) workouts, get one perk

o   If 12 (650 calorie) workouts, weekend in Galveston (six months of exercise gets bigger reward!)

Update # 132496798754654654

The Summer Slimdown Challenge was an EPIC FAIL. Only two people besides me were serious, the other two weren't in any way, shape, or form, so I ended up dropping out of it. However, on my own, I have:

• Started carefully watching what I eat, and monitor it using MyFitnessPal. 
• I have started trying to take at least one mile walks every couple of days, and track it using MapMyRide.
• I have *tried* to continue working out on my own, which is more difficult than it sounds. I have also bought a heart rate monitor to help accurately count my calories burned/time worked out. 

My lovely pal L1 has made me a reward schedule that lets me reward myself when a certain number of qualifying work outs have been done. My bike is up and tuned and ready to go, so soon. It's also, as I have mentioned before, Texas Summer, so the rides are limited to early mornings/weekends, because I have no intention of suffering a heat stroke.

Cheers!