Catching up

Whoa! A year passed really quickly!! I can't believe all the neglect I've allowed my little space on the Internets to have. This past year has been trying, exciting, happy, devastating and full of so much personal growth. 

While I'm not ready to open up about the past year quite yet, I will someday.

First, I guess getting it out there and typing this out loud will make it real and I can't turn back after I hit post. Well, I can, but I won't. In the past 7 months I've gained 20 pounds! It feels good to get that off my chest. I've hidden myself more from the world the past few months because my self esteem is just so far from what it used to be.

Don't get me wrong, I don't hate the way I look physically, I just don't love it. The thing I hate about it is that, my overall health is affected. I can still run. I can still lift (heavy) weights. I can still complete plenty of Jillian Michaels DVDs. I just don't do it often enough.

When I lost 22 lbs back from August '09 to April '10, I felt AMAZING! I couldn't believe I had done it! Me! The girl who didn't realize how out of shape she had gotten until a camping trip and walking a 1/4 of a mile(out of a measly 1 mile hiking loop) made her hyperventilate. That was the moment I knew I had to do something for my health and myself. I knew I was the only one that could change my life and I had to put in the hardwork to get it done. 

I maintained my lowest weight(+ or - 3 pounds) for about a year. Then slowly gained about 10 back. I was still working out hard 4-5 days a week. I put on a significant amount of muscle in that time as well. I basically only ran a couple of times a month, and instead, I was hitting the stairmaster a lot(Hello Miss New Booty!!) I still felt good about myself with the 10+ pounds.  I maintained that weight for a couple more years.

Then in September of last year, things got a little "difficult". I had a lot on my plate. The boyfriend suggested we bowl and after a few times, I was hooked. We got our own balls and shoes and started going 3-5 times a week. Every time we went, I would drink at least 2 or 3 beers. Before I knew it, I was above my 2009 starting weight and working out took the backseat. I still went to the gym a few times a week, but wasn't having "quality" workouts.

Around Christmas, I had to go and buy new jeans because NOTHING in my closet fit. Even that didn't push me into needing to drop the extra lbs I had gained. Then, we decided to go to Vegas and I said that I would lose some weight before we left....because....I'm turning 30(!!!) and I don't want to feel negatively about myself when I do. 

So, we leave for Vegas the 3rd weekend in April! Giving me just over 4 weeks to get my groove back. I'm on day 2 of early morning workouts (and NO BOOZE!) with 4 running sessions a week. I know what makes me happy and I know what makes me healthy. 

Here's to a Happier, Healthier Me!!!

Back On Day 2

Well, I survived day 1. Day 2 started at 3:05 this morning. I'm sure I'll be tired later, but it's only a half hour earlier than normal.

Today's workout:
3.1 mile run in 29:14
Legs(circuits with shoulder work & cardio in the mix)
Finished with 15 minutes of elliptical

Food yesterday was great. I was actually slightly below my calorie goal, but my macros were on point. Where I am more focused on my macros, I am thrilled with the food yesterday.

These pics are a couple of weeks old. I'm so pleased with how much muscle I've been able to build in the past few months. My body is shaping up quite nicely.

The thing I've struggled with the past few weeks are accepting the changes. I've loved seeing the changes in my arms and legs, but my waist line is changing because of my legs/booty changing. My stomach looks like it sticks out further in the front and not as "flat" as it normally is. But that's not the case. It's because my booty is lifting and shaping and my love handles are going down. My stomach hasn't gone down much though. If that even makes sense. It's so hard to describe

Anyways, overall I'm happy,  but this new body is taking some getting used to.

Update Of All Updates!

Life is good. Work is good. That's all. Ha! Yeah right, I am a big mouth who loves to talk. So, lets just dive in head first. Back in December one of the besties challenged me and another best to a clean eating challenge. We would eat clean all week and get one cheat a week. It was just the kick in the pants I needed. I made it through with just a couple of small slip ups. I started to see and feel some really good changes happening. My motivation was through the roof. I was working out 6 days a week. I was lifting a lot and doing a little cardio. My weight only changed slightly, but my measurements were going down. So, I was pleased. Then, January 1 happened. I had a dramatic start to the year. I got sick with a pretty rough head cold. I let excuses creep and clean eating took a back seat. Thankfulky, that didn't last long. This changing body of mine definitely takes some getting used to at times. I do love it though. Changing my eating habits has definitely improved all aspects of my life. I am more energized. I am happier and more positive. I am seeing great changes. I plan on being here tomorrow to talk about iifym. I have only been counting macros for 2 days, but so far so good.

Talking about food...

It's amazing what reading old blog posts can show you.

For the past few weeks months, I have been in a food rut. I am embarrassed to admit that I have been eating way too much fast food and not near enough veggies. Early last year through September, I was on a schedule of grocery shopping and meal prepping every Sunday. I have done that only a handful of times since then. I have allowed the "No Time To Prep Meals, So Fast Food/Restaurant It Is." It is true though....the more crap you eat, the more crap you crave. Well I am tired of eating the crap! I am tired of gaining weight! I am tired of being TIRED because of what I eat. Yes, I exercise 4-6 days most weeks, but that is not enough. My food has to change! 

When I went back and read some of my older posts(when I was maintaining a weight of 124), I realized that I was eating clean food that I love. I was putting effort into meal planning and eating food that was good for my body(and I LOVED!!). I cared to make the time to prep good meals and put thought into what I wanted to eat during the week.

This was the first camping trip of last season. That is my afternoon lunch, which was later followed up by 2 pieces of chicken and some fruit. This was a daily thing and I could NOT get enough. Veggies, Protein and a healthy carb were on tap for every meal.

I remember having so much energy. I would come home from a long run and be hustling and bustling around the house like a mad woman. Cleaning, doing laundry, playing with the pups, and going on walks with Chad. I miss having that energy and I realized it has a lot to do with what I am eating.

So, I am challenging myself this week.

1. I will be going back to my clean eating. Also, will be doing no sweets. Cakes, cookies, candy ice cream, etc. 
2. I will make a meal plan and prep all of my breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks.  Along with calorie counting.
3. I will be doing LiveFit workouts before work Monday-Friday. 
4. I will take the pups on more walks this week.
5. I will unplug from the computer at night and just spend time with my little family. 

It is time I get my weight and eating back under control. I miss having the confidence to put on a swimsuit and not feel terrible in it.  I want to feel the way I did when I finished my half marathon. Like I was unstoppable and my goal weight was achievable!

Goal Of The Day: Grocery Shop and Meal Plan/Prep


Here's to a great week!!!

Creature of Habit....

First off, WELCOME TO MY NEW HOME!

Today has looked a little like this:

• Woke up at 5:00AM. Laid in bed for 8 minutes.

• Hit the gym for...28 minutes on eliptical. I then followed it up with an 8 minute walk on the treadmill and jogged for 7 minutes.I did 1.25 miles in 15 minutes. Not horrible. It was a nice cardio session.

• Post workout meal: Protein powder, blueberries, spinach, banana and water.

Now, I am drinking my coffee. Sounds like a good day so far.

Typically, my days are the same as far as food goes.


Breakfasts During the Week: I have a few different breakfasts. 1-Oatmeal with PB and banana. 2-Greek Yogurt with cereal sprinkled on top and a banana. 3-A breakfast sandwich with fruit. 

Lunch During the Week: 1-Turkey or Tuna sandwich with a side salad and fruit for dessert. 2-Soup and a side salad. 3-Salad with protein(i.e. chicken, tuna, pork etc). 4-Leftovers from dinner and a side salad.

Dinner During the Week: We have a few signature dinners. 1-Carnitas. 2-Tostadas. 3-Chicken fingers. 4-Baked Chicken and rice. All of which start with side salads.

Weekends are all over the place. I try to stick to the same types of foods, but I am not structured in times I eat, like at all. I also tend to snack a lot. So, weekends are always a challenge for me, but I am hoping to grasp that and really get a handle on them.

Here is a before picture I just found of myself:

 I either had a food baby in there or I really was that big, but in complete denial. Unfortunately, it was the denial.

This is about 36 lbs lost and my current after picture:

Love this!

I am aiming to lose another 18 pounds in the coming months. 

The plan to lose this weight you ask:

• Portion Control
• Great Food Choices(with occasion indulgences)
• Training for half marathons
• Begin weight training
• Being as active as possible 

I have lost 48 lbs since my heaviest weight of 175. Oh, and I am just under 5'0'' tall. I did most of it without dieting. I just changed my lifestyle. I started going to the gym instead of diving into my pantry. 


If there is anything I have learned in the past year and a half, it is that I am doing this for ME! I used to try to lose weight so I could find a hot guy(Ha! I found one when I was almost 20 pounds heavier than I am now). I used to try to lose weight so that people would look at me like wow she has a great body. Now, I choose to lose this weight because everyday I look in the mirror and think 'Look at what you have accomplished. You keep looking better and better. You are happier, healthier and live a better life!' 


Visit my other pages:
Get to Know Me
Goals for 2011
Workout Page