My Mr.

Let me take a moment to talk about my Mr.  He likes his life private so you won't see his name or a picture.  However, he never said I couldn't talk about him! Hehehe!

This man has been my rock for many years now.  This July we will be celebrating 7 years of marriage and 12 years of being a couple (awwww! Mushy gushy!).  He's been strong for me through it all.  He's my calm.  He's my common sense.  He's my "dang Cecily you're crazy and you need to calm down" voice of reason!

Over this last year during my new healthy lifestyle journey he's been supporting me 100%.  I've attempted this lifestyle change so many times over the years you'd think he would be jaded by now.  I can't count how many times I've told him "Honey, don't buy me any more pop or sugary junk food, I'm eating healthy now"; only to send him to the store and expect him to bring back some diet pop, or me coming home late after work with a big bag of fast food.  So I can only imagine what's going on in his head when I bring up joining Boot Camp.

Well like the amazing  person that he is, instead of having a reaction like "here we go again" he has pushed me and supported me all through it.  He is 100% behind me in this.  Sundays are our days the entire family can actually spend a whole day together without someone in school, or mom/dad working.  Boot Camp class is 2-2.5 hours at night on Sundays.  I feel guilty leaving my family to take care of myself.  However, he qualms that guilt that I have.  He reassures me that everyone will be find while I go work on myself.  He understands how important this is and what an opportunity it is.  He knows that now is the time and he is going to make sure I do it!

Not only does he make sure I don't have my usual guilty feelings for leaving, he helps me wake up in the morning.  He always asks how my workouts are.  He has seen me be an emotional wreck and he always asks to make sure I'm ok.  The days I feel especially broken or guilty his response: "We'll push through it".

So I just wanted to put this out there.  It's so important to have personal drive and goals and determination, but it makes it a whole lot easier if you have a great support system like I do.  I love my Mr. and would be lost without him!  Thanks for always having my back no matter what crazy ideas I may jump into especially during these next few weeks of hard work!!!

This has been one of our songs ever since we first met.  

 

Week 1

Week 1 of Boot Camp is complete.  Throughout this first week I have discovered 2 things.  One, I love it.  I love the workouts that Tricia has planned for us.  I've been very careful with my eating and making sure I protein it up before a workout.  My workouts end with me soaking wet with sweat...gross I know but hey that's a good thing!  Secondly, it is a big mental game for me.  Last Sunday night we did a lot of toning work and my body just didn't want to do it.  My arms were shaking, my stomach muscles were screaming.  I started to cry.  Hopefully I'm not the first to do that, haha!  I was so ashamed of the fact that I felt I couldn't do some of the exercises.  I was ashamed of how out of shape I am.  I pushed through it, I cried through it (although I hid it because I hate crying in front of people).  I came out on top a stronger person...mentally.  In time I will be stronger physically.  We all know how great Friday went...cough...NOT...cough...If you're unsure what I mean by that please read yesterday's post titled "Well That Sucked"...ha!

After a full week of early morning workouts, mental battles, and shear exhaustion mentally and physically this is what I've decided.  I've decided to KEEP GOING!  It's been hard and the mental aspect has been especially difficult.  I have high expectations in myself and I tend to disappoint myself.  However, I don't regret trying.  As the saying goes "the only workout you regret is the one you didn't do".  I missed a couple of days because of work or other various reasons...don't worry they are good reasons I missed.  We are onto week 2 now.  Here's hoping for a better week mentally.  My workouts will only get better as I get stronger.

I've been very good with my eating.  Yesterday I was at work until 6am and there was a big box of donuts at work screaming my name...Donuts are my weakness.  I love donuts.  I could live on donuts.  Ahhh donuts....yum.  I resisted!  I am not going to put this much effort into boot camp and myself to screw it up because of some sweet cakey crap.  I've been working to hard to even allow myself a little cheat.  I've been in ketosis, which means I'm burning fat.  Why would I want to work my tail off, spend days burning fat, and then undo it all only for some food that might actually kill me in the end?  How's that for a good way to look at junk food?  Donuts? No thank you, I don't want to die! Truth!

So here's a toast to week 1, as difficult as you were and no matter how many times you made me cry.  I came out stronger.  I will get better.  This is not over!  Week 2 I'm looking at you.  I'm coming at you with a vengeance!  I will conquer this mental game!  I will succeed in these workouts!  I WILL win!

Well That Sucked...

This post is not a pity party...or me asking for sympathy.  This post is just me being able to express how I'm feeling today.  So don't take any worry.  I'll be fine, I always am.  That being said...

I'm feeling very defeated today.  I went to Boot Camp this morning and it was not good.  I knew it wasn't going to be a good one as soon as I heard the alarm go off.  I hit snooze like I always do but I ended up sleeping past when I wanted to.  I wasn't late but I was rushed.  I do not like feeling rushed first thing in the morning.  Also this was the first day of Boot Camp that I struggled to get up and out the door.

I struggled the entire class.  I felt like puking 3 times.  I felt faint 4 times.  Had tunnel vision 3 times, which is my body's signal to me that I'm going to faint if I don't get some fresh air...or oxygen...or something.  I felt claustrophobic the whole time.  I felt like I just couldn't get enough oxygen in my lungs.  On top of that I am experience what women experience every month.  When that happens my cramping actually goes to my thighs which makes moving quickly very difficult.  My legs feel like a billion pounds.  I had to sit out an entire song to avoid fainting.  Every other song I half-arsed it because of various reasons I have listed above.

I don't know about other people but when I do bad in a workout I feel disappointment in myself.  I feel defeated.  Instead of feeling empowered and try to push through a bad workout...I feel as if I'm a failure and just want to throw in the towel.  Everyone else in class was doing so well.  There are people older than me, or bigger than me, or going through chemo for crying out loud.  I couldn't keep up with any of them.  I wasn't just upset with myself for stinking so bad today but I honestly felt like I was dragging everyone down with me.  I felt like I was in the way.  I wanted to hide from my coach.  I didn't want her to see me struggling so much.  I didn't want to disappoint her or anyone.

After class Facebook was flooded with posts from other members offering such great positive outlooks and support.  Everyone else did so great in class and many expressed how amazing they felt after the class.  One post I saw reads: "I am so impressed by the new group of recruits! You girls are incredible!...you newer campers are every bit as strong and motivated!"  I saw this post and was like "you obviously didn't see me in class."  I didn't feel amazing after class like I usually do; I wanted to crawl up into a ball and cry.  In fact, my husband saw how I was feeling and he let me sleep the day away, literally (he's amazing!).

Ugh.  What makes it even worse is that this is only week 1.  Things have to get better right?  I don't know why I struggled so much today.  I've been going strong all week.  I was strong and positive.  I looked forward to the next workout.  Today I just want to...well, I guess this picture says it all.

Ok.  Depressing rant is over.  Tomorrow is a new day.  I teach Bokwa which always puts me in good spirits.  Here's hoping that I can get over myself or whatever my issues are.  I have 5 more weeks of this and it can only get better...right?

Getting SERIOUS!!!

I know I've said it before but I really AM getting serious.  I haven't updated the blog in a bit because I've been up to something.  Let me fill you in!  I joined a Boot Camp.  In particular I joined Studio Zumba's special 6 week program led by the owner, Tricia Truax.  This is Bikini Boot Camp 2.  Classes are 6 days a week, and most of them start at 5:15am (but will soon move to 5am).  After a few months of falling off the wagon I needed a jump start.  I became a Bokwa® instructor to help with that but I have also added this boot camp program.  This will be a shock to my system and will really get me back on track and maybe even help make up for lost ground.

A little under a month ago Tricia Truax and her troops completed Bikini Boot Camp 1, the original.  I was foolish enough to not take advantage this first time around.  Ya'll know me and how good I am at excuses.  I also love my sleep.  So needless to say I let a prime opportunity pass me by.  This time around I am taking the bull by the horn and joining boot camp.  I will be going to as many classes as possible.

In the time that followed the first boot camp I saw a lot of different things.  First and foremost, I saw the CHANGE that each and every member of the first boot camp achieved.  It has been outstanding to see the first group of ladies be so successful!  That boot camp worked!  Also, I saw the bond that they all created with each other.  I saw the support each and every one of them gave to each other.  The members are all so giving to each other.  They have created such a bond with each other that has been truly admirable.

Well to put things simply: I WANT THAT!  I want the accountability; I want the support; I want to be apart of a group of women who strengthen and support each other;  I want the fellowship; I want the results!  So I decided to take advantage of Boot Camp 2.  I should have for the first Boot Camp, but oh well.  This Boot Camp is not going to be without challenges for me.  As I mentioned most of the classes are at 5:15am, I work until 1am Monday-Friday.  By the time I get home from work it's close to 1:30am or  going on 2am.  I have 3 alarms set to wake me up in time to get to class.  I haven't missed a morning class yet!  My husband has been a real trooper.  He's been helping me a lot through this.  He understands how hungry I am for this and how the next 6 weeks might pose some strain on me because of the physical and mental battle I will be going through.  He's awesome though and he supports me 100%...his response to me "We'll push through it".  I'm also taking this course to improve myself as an instructor.  I've taught 5 Bokwa classes so far and they have gone well.  However, I need to work on my endurance!  This course will help improve that and not only make me a better and healthier person, it will help me as an instructor and in turn help my students! It's a win-win situation! 

This second boot camp timing is perfect.  It will be ending right before I go on vacation to see my family.  I will be in week five when I work a long 4-day weekend.  So hopefully some nice results will be in store before I operate a camera in front of thousands of people at Jamboree in the Hills, or before I visit my family for a week (and wear a bathing suit...eeh gad!!)

Wish me luck!  It's going to be a tough 6 weeks.  I'm excited to see what's to come.  I have taken my before pictures and I will be taking measurements.  I can't wait until week 6!  I'm so excited to see my before and after pictures!!! Thank you Tricia for this opportunity and the leadership you provide me and all of the other members of Boot Camp!

Visual Support

Today I came across two graphics that were posted on Social Media.  One in particular was from a friend who posted it with me in mind.  Sometimes it's the most simple picture that can help motivate you to accomplish your goals.  Thanks Laura for thinking of me!  I need to keep this in mind EVERYDAY!

Here's another graphic I came across on Facebook today.  It's from a fellow Bokwa Instructor.  These words ring sooooo true to me.  Unfortunately, I struggle with this.  I make excuses all the time.  I need to keep sight of what's really and truly is important.  No more excuses!!!

Why in the World am I doing this?

I wanted to write this post for my future and current Bokwa students.  I am also writing this for my Bokwa family.  As I've been writing this blog for the last year, I'm on a journey.  My weight was at an all-time high this time last year.  That's when I decided to really take myself seriously.  I had to take a good long hard look at myself and really understand what I was doing to myself by not being active and eating nothing but junk.  I decided to fix all of it.  So for the next 6 months I ate properly and I worked out religiously.  I lost almost 30 lbs. in roughly 6 months!  Amazing right?  Well here's the problem that followed.  I started to really like what I looked like, I had become complacent with myself.  I liked the changes but I lost sight of my goal.

Time went by and I stopped being so strict.  My talent of making excuses started to rear its ugly head.  This whole time I had a great opportunity that I never took advantage of.  I made every excuse in the book the avoid working out and eating right.  Instead I kept pushing it to the side and as I result I lost focus.  I never gave up though; it was always in the back of my mind to get back on track.  It just took me a really long time to get back on track…longer than it should have taken me.

I knew that something had to change.  I had to up my game.  I obviously wasn't strong enough to push myself.  I figured that out quickly.  I never listened to myself when I knew I needed to work out.  Sometimes my husband would try to push me to work out but that just ended up annoying me…sorry babe.  So I had to do something different.  Then I got an idea.

I went to a Master Class at the studio I always go to.  The class was led by my friend Tricia and Zumba ZES Kelly Bullard.  It was a 2 hour class of fun and inspiration.  During the entire class I kept thinking to myself how much fun I was having and how inspiring an instructor is.  I also made note of how much an instructor pushes themselves for their students.  This got me thinking.  I thought “maybe I should become an instructor”. 

I had my reservations though.  I didn't want to become an instructor for attention.  I wanted to become an instructor so that I would push myself and be pushed by others.  If I made working out a job then it would happen.  I've always had a good work ethic.  I know that when somebody is depending on me to show up, there is not a doubt in my mind that I can succeed in doing my job and doing it well.

Find me on Facebook for updates
& more: Ceci Bokwa Fitness!

So I am refocusing and re-charging.  Saturday marked my 1^st day back.  I have taught 2 classes so far and I am loving it.  It’s such an amazing feeling being able to share my knowledge with people who are hungry for it.  I hope to inspire people to become happy and healthy.  I am going through the same thing as everyone else in class.  I am fighting hard to get to a better version of me.  I hope that I can be the inspiration or the help that someone needs….I hope that I can be the inspiration and help that I need.  I’m forever grateful to the people who gave me a chance and came to my first few classes.  I can only hope and pray that you all continue to have faith in me.  I’m working hard to get better for my family, for my students, for my fellow Bokwa instructors, and most importantly for myself. 

So here we go!  We’re going to “Sweat the Alphabet, and Dance the Digits” together one our way to a better life!  Come join me on my continued journey but down a different path…I think I just had a Pocahontas moment…woah!

In the words of the Paul Mavi, the creator of Bokwa, "...it's all about making someone feel better about themselves and feel better period...Motion creates Better Emotion”.  I hope that I can do just that for myself and for the people of The Ohio Valley.

Bounce Bounce!!! It's time!!!

This is my first time teaching and I'm so excited!! I hope a lot of people turn out.  Let me help you and in turn help myself to a happier and healthier life!!!!  Love Bokwa!!! I hope to share it with you!!!

It's Bokwa® Baby!

I mentioned in a previous post that I have a plan to help me stay on track this time around.  Well it's called Bokwa® Fitness.  For a while I have been contemplating a new way to help keep myself accountable.  I thought what better way than to become a fitness instructor.  I thought of becoming a fitness instructor for quite a few different reasons.

I'm on a journey to a healthier life.  I've been feeling wonderful about myself.  My self-esteem has skyrocketed and I'm starting to really like the way I look.  It's a wonderful feeling to have...Loving yourself that is.  All the people in the world can tell me how great I look, or what have you, but if I'm not convinced the kind words from people won't work.  I'm starting to see what other people are seeing.  I want to help other people feel this way as well.  I know what it's like to not like yourself.  I also know what it's like to start enjoying life and how you look.  I want to help show people that it's possible.  If I can do it, anyone can do it.  I think that it might also help others struggling like me.  It's like "I'm your teacher but you're helping me because I'm going through the exact same thing as you"...does that make sense?

We all know how I struggle with accountability.  I've been on and off this weight loss thing for many many years.  I had to look at myself and try to figure out what in my life am I actually good at sticking to?  What quality/ability do I have that helps me accomplish something well.  I figured it out.  I have a really good work ethic.  I've had a job since I was 15.  I have always taken every job seriously and professionally. So I decided to apply this strength to my healthy lifestyle.  I'm going to make this my job.  Literally. I've decided to get certified to teach Group Fitness Exercise.

For a long time I've been wanting to be a Zumba instructor.  I looked into becoming an instructor but it just never seemed like the right fit for me.  With Zumba you need to choreograph everything and honestly I don't feel I'm that creative.  I also didn't know if I would have enough time to put into choreography.  I have always loved Zumba and I owe a great deal to Zumba.  I've never had a passion to exercise and become healthier because I hated working out.  Zumba however was totally different.  It's so much fun and the passion that comes from the instructors is addicting!  I love it, but like I said I'm intimidated by it.  So I did some researching and I saw something on Facebook called "Bokwa".  It was a an event to a local instructor certification.  I had no idea what this Bokwa thing was and I looked into it.  I fell in love.

BOKWA® is Different.  It is not really a dance workout - there is no choreography and no counting steps.  Participants draw letters and numbers with their feet, while moving together to music in free form rythm.

Everyone is doing it.  If you can move and you can spell, you can do Bokwa®.  From 4 year old kids, to men and women in their seventies, to guys with "2 left feet", to world champion dancers, Bokwa® engages participants of all ages in the same class and to the same music.

What I love about Bokwa® is that I don't have to chorerograph.  It's also a non-stop workout.  Sometimes in a Zumba class you go song to song, which means there's a break in between songs as the instructor searches or cues up the next song to play.  In Bokwa the music is constant so you are non-stop moving.  I did only a half hour the other day and I was DRIPPING with sweat. Gross right? WRONG! It's awesome!!

So after much discussion, research, prayer, and the whole nine yards I decided to get certified to teach Bokwa®.  So in short this is my new plan.  I'm going to teach fitness! I'm now a Bokwa® Level 1 Certified Fitness Instructor!! Wish me luck, I start teaching in June!! More to come of course about this new adventure!!

Strategic Planning.

I've been gone for a while.  I'm back and I'm ready to get serious once and for all.  I've been surrounded by many ladies who committed to a boot camp that started 3 weeks ago,  These women have committed a lot of time and the results are showing.  One woman just reached her 40 lbs. loss mile marker today.  I'm so proud of them and I'm so very impressed.  It really got me thinking.  One woman lost 40 lbs. in less than 4 months.  I lost 30 lbs. in over 6 months last year and I did not keep it all off.  I gained some of it back.  I was proud of the progress though.  I'm rethinking that now.  I am lucky enough to have a good metabolism.  For me losing weight isn't too hard.  The weight comes off as long as I eat properly and stay active.  There are a lot of women who would kill to have the kind of metabolism that I do.  So why don't I utilize this gift better?  I've been kicking myself for a while.  I should have committed to this boot camp 3 weeks ago along with all the other women who are working so hard.  My excuse has been that I'm tired.  Well that's just stupid.  I see all these other women who are just as busy as I am who manage to find the time.  They're tired too but they know it's worth it and they fight through the fatigue.  These women may or may not know it but they are an inspiration to me and to others I'm sure.  If they can do it surely I can.  One member has even attended classes while sick! That's how committed these ladies are.  They are so impressive!!! I need to be more like them!

So in order for myself to be successful, I need to have a plan.  Not just any plan like I used to do.  I need a plan that requires more strategy.  I know what my weaknesses are.  I know my excuses are.  I know what/who my nemeses are.  While coming up with a plan I came across these three questions:

1. "What do I do?"
2. "For whom do I do it?"
3. "How do I excel?"

So let me answer those three questions. 

1. I am eating clean and being active.  I am going to be staying on a low-carb Atkins regime of food.  Lot's of protein, good fats, and YES veggies.  I WILL eat the proper vegetable intake.  Whenever I have done Atkins previously my vegetable intake was never what it should have been.  Which then results in me not doing Atkins properly, not eating properly, and not losing weight or being healthy to my full potential.  I know I'm being just a baby but I really hate vegetables.  I need to grow up and do it right!  I will also be active.  I will start going to classes more often.  My excuse was always I couldn't afford it, but ever since I started managing the Studio I have been blessed to have the option of not paying for my classes.  So now what's my excuse?  I have also become certified to teach Bokwa®.  This is an amazing dance fitness program that I love!  I'm hoping to start teaching in June (I'm going to write a separate post about Bokwa®).  The weather is nice again as well.  I will start doing my walks at work during my lunch breaks again.
2. I do it for myself.  I know what potential I have.  I know that I can get to goal.  I just need to stop listening to my demons.  I do this so that I can be able to kneel down to talk to my children at eye level without my knees screaming in pain.  I do this so that the next time I have a baby my back pains won't be as bad or hopefully eliminated.  I do this so that I can sleep well at night.  I do this so I have energy to work 40 hours a week, raise 3 children, be a wife, and keep a clean home.  I do this for me.
3. I can excel by knowing that it's possible.  I see so many other women succeeding in the same journey that I am on.  These women are breathtaking!  There is a glow about them.  They have so much confidence!  I want that.  I can get there if I do what I know I can do.  I've mentioned before that I'm the queen of excuses.  Well I have to fight that.  Instead of hitting snooze for 3 more minutes, just stand up right away!

I have re-stocked my fridge and will start portioning and cooking today to be prepared for the week.  I'm quitting soda pop cold turkey.  I'm going to start being active EVERYDAY again, whether it be an hour of Zumba or Bokwa, a walk during my lunch break, or weight lifting...I will do something everyday that will raise my heart rate and kick my metabolism back into gear.  I will start utilizing my friends, family, and this blog to help hold me accountable again.  

I started this journey almost a year ago.  When I started I want to be close to my goal in a year.  Unfortunately that's not the case.  I fell off the wagon big time.  I'm almost starting all over again but that's my own fault.  Coulda, shoulda, woulda.  I just have to brush myself off again, put my blinders on, and keep focus of my goal.

So this is me today (5/12/13).  I'm starting over again about 20 lbs. less than when I started last year.  I'm taking this very seriously.  Even more so now than last year.  I know what can lead me off the path.  I will fight it and I will win!!!!!  Thank you all so much for standing by me even when I fall.  Life is a journey full of ups and downs.  I'm at the bottom of the mountain again due to my own excuses and weaknesses.  It's time to put my big girl pants on and start climbing to the top of that mountain again.  Stayed tuned everyone, things can only go up from here!!!  

Happy Mother's Day to all! Especially my mom who always holds me accountable and calls me out when I need it!! I love you mom!

Aaaand I'm Back!

Well as you all know I haven't been posting.  I've had a couple of people call me out on it (thanks Mom and Steph!) reminding me of the whole reason why I started this blog.   I started this for accountability.  I wanted to hold myself accountable as well as have other people, you, hold me accountable.  It took me a long time to write this post because I don't want to write it.  I don't want to admit in public that I've messed up.  Nobody likes to admit in public that they've messed up.  So this post is hard to write for me.  I've had to swallow my pride.  I owe myself this much.  I owe the people who read this blog this much.  Like I said...I messed up.  For some reason the I cannot remember I stopped being healthy.  I don't know if it's because I became happy with where I was at, or because I lost site of my goal, or because I let my usual vices take over.  I don't know what the reason or excuse is.  As we all know I'm very good at talking myself out of working out and eating properly.

So if you check my archives of this blog you can see that the last time I posted anything was in January.  I'm ashamed to admit what I've been doing to myself since then... In short, I stopped working out everyday and the word "Atkins" had left my vocabulary.  My days were full of laziness and a lot of fast food and sugar.  I spent the last 4 months telling myself "I'll start again tomorrow".  Yeah, tomorrow turned into a week and then into months.  Now we're almost near summer and not only have a lot of my old symptoms come back (bad sleep, achy knees, etc) I've gained back a lot of what I lost in the last year. Ugh, I hate writing this.  It stinks to admit it but at the same time I have to.  I can't move forward until I get this out in the open.

So yeah...That's what's been going on.  I've been the opposite of what I'm striving to be for the last few months.  I've undone a lot of the hard work I put into this.  So what's my next step?  Get off my bum and get back in the game.  I've written before all about the mental game.  Well, it's more of a war with me.  I've won a few battles but I've definitely lost quite of few of my recent battles.  All I can do now is brush myself off and start over again.  I know I've messed up.  I really appreciate my mom and my sister calling me out.  It got me back into it.  I also really appreciate my friend and mentor, Tricia, for pretty much giving me the swift kick in the rear that I needed.

I'm ready to get back into it.  Believe me!  I've noticed the differences in myself and I do NOT like it.  I have to change it.  I have a plan.  Stay tuned, and thanks for sticking with me!

I did it!

So day 1 of my new refreshed game plan and I actually got my bum out of bed!  Woo Hoo!  It actually wasn't as difficult as I thought it was going to be.   I think one of the biggest helps this morning was the fact that I was excited and looking forward to the morning.  That is a rare attitude from me.  I'm by no means a morning person.  I love my sleep, I love being all cozy and warm in my bed.  My mind wasn't on that though.  It was focused on doing what I said I was going to do.   I had a couple of tricks that I used to help me get up and actually work out today.

Ok, my drink doesn't
quite look like that

Drink ICE COLD Lemon Water, or Lemonade.

• I have never liked lemon water.  To me it just tastes like water down lemonade.  Last night I fill a cup of lemonade and I froze it.  When I went to bed I took the frozen drink out and put next to me so it was easy to get first thing in the morning.  The drink melted into the night but it was still quite cold in the morning.  
• For me it worked because of the elements.  With the drink being ice cold it makes for a quick jolt out of the grogginess.  The lemon adds some zing.  The sour taste makes for quite an awaking.  Normally the drink of choice in the morning is tea, or coffee, or cocoa.  In short it's normally something hot and/or warm and quite comforting.  Drinking the exact opposite definitely wakes up the senses quickly.

I wish my clothes were as comfy
as these clothes look!

Go to bed wearing workout clothes.

• Ok so some people out there may find this strange.  However, I argue that if it's comfortable and doesn't disrupt your sleep then do it.  I went to bed wearing my entire outfit (except shoes), sports bra and all.  It wasn't too uncomfortable.  Going to bed wearing my workout clothes made one less excuse to make in the morning to avoid working out.
• As soon as you get out of bed put your workout shoes on.  Anyone will find it hard to avoid working out first thing in the morning if they are already dressed and have their shoes on.

Brush your teeth.

• This is nothing new.  Everyone should brush their teeth first thing in the morning.  I just wanted to add it because the cold water and the toothpaste are great ways to wake yourself up.

I did all of these today.  It made for waking up very easy.  I got my workout in and I even had time left over to myself before the kiddos woke up.  I'm not saying these tricks are fool-proof, only time will tell.  It also helps I'm coming off of a 3-day weekend.  We shall see how I do when I'm coming off of a 6-day work week.  Either way I'm proud of myself for getting started today.  Let's see what kind of streak I can get going.

Me, Myself, and I

There are a lot of things I've begun to lack in.  The number one thing is my workouts.  When I first started I was working out everyday.  In fact, I focused so much on the workout that I wasn't paying attention to my eating.  When I first started last April I focused first on the workouts.  I was working out everyday.  It was really hard to do.  After I got into the habit of working out everyday I started focusing on my eating.  Apparently I'm great at multi-tasking at work and with kids but I can't seem to eat right and workout everyday.  It's almost a complete either/or situation.

I need to re-focus my workouts.  As it turns out, I am unable to get to as many Zumba live classes as I would like to.  If I could get to a live class everyday then I am certain I would reach my goal ahead of schedule.  Live Zumba classes just give so much.  There's of course the workout and calorie burning, but there is also the support, fellowship, and it's so much fun.  Like I said though I can't get to as many classes as I would like.  So it's up to me.  I need to motivate myself to workout everyday.  Getting to a class was enough motivation for me.  Now I must depend on myself to continue the workouts.  Through this process I've learned that I could eat as clean as possible but without being active I don't get much accomplished.  When I add being active to my clean eating the possibilities of weight loss and healthiness are endless.

It's disappointing I can't make it to as many classes.  I do love them so much.  The problem is that there are numerous mornings I don't have the car because the Mr. has to go to work.  There are other mornings where I do have the car but my kids are too young to behave so I can get a good workout in.  Plus, I would feel bad if my kids would distract the other ladies at class.  I haven't found anywhere in the area that has childcare provided on a basis that would work for me.  I'm not asking for solutions or pity really, I'm just explaining my status.

It's really not that big of deal.  I just need to force myself to do it at home.  I hate mornings but they are the best time to get my workout while the kiddos are still sleeping.  I not only need to come up with a plan to motivate myself to workout but I also have to motivate myself to get my bum out of bed (which we all know I struggle with).

I've come too far to stop.  I haven't even reached the halfway mark.  I'm pretty darn close though.  I'm newly motivated and excited.  I need to learn to depend on myself to succeed.  I love my live Zumba classes but I can't depend on someone else, it's up to me to succeed.  The people I meet in class and my instructors have and will help me always and I will forever be grateful to them.  However, in the end it is up to me.  I have to do it.

So here are some of my plans/schedule:

1. Go to bed already dressed in workout clothes.
2. When I wake up the first thing I do is drink ice cold lemon water.  The cold and sour taste will surely give me the zip I need to wake up.
3. Then of course brush my teeth.  Who doesn't wake up after brushing their teeth?
4. After I take child to school, I WORK OUT.

Light Pink = Live Zumba class unless I am scheduled to work

Light Red = 1 hr Zumba DVD

Light Blue = 20 minute intense tone/ab workout, these can be skipped every other day if necessary

Light Yellow = Live Zumba class only if I am not scheduled to work and husband doesn't work (so these will be few and far between).

Well here's the plan.  I can't wait to see Monday.  I'm going to hit the ground running.  I'm going to re-stock my food supply, get my bum out of bed, and get HEALTHY!!!

Argh...WAKE UP!!!

Hey guess what I'm still struggling with?  Well besides everything...  I am still having a hard time waking up in the morning.  I've written about this before.  I'm starting to sound like a broken record.  It's really starting to become a problem.  My house and kids are starting to suffer.  It would be one thing if I stayed at home all the time because then I would have the whole day.  It's completely different when I only have half of the day because I work full-time.  I am no where near the domestic goddess I would like to be.  My working out has become next to nothing because the only time I CAN workout at home is in the morning.  Yet, I can't seem to get my bum out of bed.

I came across this blog posting and although the writer mentions waking up to write and be creative I think that these tips and tricks can still be useful.  I can easily replace his tips about writing with working out, and his tips about creativity with crocheting or cleaning.  Anyway, here's a good read.  I really need to put these in practice.  I love me sleep so much but it's starting to become a problem.  I'm not teaching my kids good habits at all.

8 Tips for Waking Up Early & Conquering the Alarm Clock

by Jeff Goins

 

From Jeff: This is a guest post by Loren Pinilis. Loren operates Life of a Steward, a site about time management from a Christian perspective. You can subscribe to his blog or follow Loren on Twitter.

For years, I wanted to wake up early. It seems almost all successful people get going before sunrise, and I wanted to be one of them. But when my morning alarm would go off, all the good intentions in the world couldn’t pull me out of bed.

Photo credit: Florian (Creative Commons)

I understood the benefits of waking up early. I made plans to wake up early and write, just like the recent challenge in the 15 Habits series. But that discipline was gone in the morning.
The groggy person hitting the snooze button wasn’t the same clear-thinking person that had set the alarm the night before.
When I realized waking up early is a battle fought on two fronts, everything changed We must prepare our bodies, but we must also trick our sleepy minds.
Here are eight tips to help you win the fight and wake up early:

1. Take the first steps

The toughest part of the morning is simply getting out of bed. An alarm across the room is an old trick, but I don’t want to wake up my wife in the process. So I have my iPhone next to my bed with a soft alarm that I can turn off quickly.
To keep myself from falling back asleep in the morning brain-fog, I have another alarm across the room set for a few minutes later.
It’s extremely loud and will jolt my wife awake if I don’t walk across the room and turn it off first. Even my foggy mind understands that, and the fear of a startled and cranky wife drives me to take those first few steps out of bed.

2. Cultivate a mental environment

Here are a few ideas to wake your brain up (and keep it alert all day long):

• Listen to podcasts related to waking up early.
• Read about people who were early risers.
• Remind yourself about the importance of writing every day.

Fill in the cracks of your day with inspiration on how and why to wake up early.
You can rationalize a lot when your alarm goes off. But if you’ve immersed yourself in this environment, even your hazy morning mind will feel compelled to wake up.

3. Develop a “get to” attitude

Get excited about your day, and you’ll jump out of bed. Don’t drive yourself with guilt about why you have to wake up early. Make waking up early something you get to do.
Of course, the joy of creating can drive you. But don’t be afraid to motivate yourself by doing something fun in the morning. Play some games or indulge in some leisure reading.
Better yet, think of the benefits that others will receive from your work. You can also keep track of your progress and reward yourself when you reach a milestone.

4. Create some accountability

Recruit a friend to hold your feet to the fire. You can have weekly meetings or even call or text each other when you wake up.
There are great online groups — such as the fellow artists here on this community, the upcoming Tribe Writers community, or groups such as the Hello Mornings Challenge for mothers on Facebook and Twitter.

5. Sleep well

The struggle isn’t all mental. There’s a strong physical component and the amount — as well as the quality — of sleep you get is the most important factor.
Although it’s obvious, make sure you go to bed at a reasonable time if you want to wake up early. Also, pay attention to your diet and exercise. General physical fitness greatly impacts your sleep habits and energy levels.

6. Never snooze

Hitting your alarm’s snooze button doesn’t give you more of the restful REM sleep. Your body and mind aren’t recuperating you're just wasting time.
Personally, I noticed that regularly hitting snooze made my thinking even cloudier when the alarm went off. Your mind starts to ignore the alarm bells.

7. Stick to your wake time

Wake up at the same time every day.
Your body becomes conditioned to this and regulates your sleep patterns accordingly. You get more of that precious REM sleep and when you have a regular wake time, your body actually begins the process of waking up long before your alarm sounds.

8. Build momentum

After you wake up early, the challenge is to stay up. Maybe you’ll love to relax and sip your coffee. But for me, getting too comfortable is dangerous.
I used to start my mornings by reading the Bible and praying. It was a fight to keep my eyes open. Now, the first thing I do is exercise. My heart gets racing, and afterwards I can give what matters most my best focus and attention.
Move through your routine quickly:

• Have the coffee ready.
• Set out your exercise clothes.
• Keep a vigorous pace and you won’t feel as drowsy.

When I depended on discipline and willpower alone, I had limited success waking up early. But I’m mastering my mornings now — all due to a few simple tricks. I hope they help you, too.

Hope they help me.  I must put these into motion! Below are some links to more articles with a lot of helpful hints.  I just need to actually do it and not just read about it.  Easier said than done.

Waking Up Early for Exercise

Waking Up Early Tips

17 Ways to Wake Up Feeling Fresh

^ My favorite tip from the above article: "Be grateful for not dying"...so true.

 

How Foolish

How foolish of me to think I could get back on track with my eating and not have the proper food stocked.  We were on vacation to my parents and since then I haven't been able to do a proper grocery shopping trip.  The Mr. and I have been working non-stop.  So I attempt to get back on track after my slight detour off the path and you can imagine how well that's been going.  I have had well over my allowed amount of cheese, beef sticks, and cold cuts.  I haven't had any hot meals or veggies.

As I have mentioned in previous posts that being prepared and planning is imperative for success.  Well, I'm not prepared.  Therefore I am not being successful.  I ran out of cheese and eggs today.  I didn't have the time or the money to do a full on grocery shopping trip.  So yeah, my food choices are/were not ideal today.  So much for being back on track.

Oh well, I will burn off what I can at Zumba tonight and then I will hopefully be able to make it to a store tonight and stock my fridge up with legal foods.  It's a new year and I need to make it count.  I never should have gone of course in the first place.  Nothing is worth the cheating.  I don't care how good it is (sorry mom).  Nothing tastes as good as feeling healthy feels.  I guess it was just a matter of time before I cheated again.  It's really hard to get back on track and sometimes it can take me weeks to get really serious and back in the groove of eating properly.  So this isn't a surprise, it's a disappointment.  Time to pull out the grocery list, spend a couple of hours at the grocery story, and really actually get back on track.

Blech, Getting Back on Track

I mentioned a couple of posts ago that I did go off track during Christmas.  I really wanted to have my mother's Yorshire Pudding which I haven't had in years.  It was so tasty and I don't regret the decision.  Well, I don't regret it entirely.  I am paying for it today.  The thing about eating healthy for a long time and then going off-plan even for a day it takes time to get your body back on track.  My body is going through what we call "Induction Flu".

This isn't an actual flu.  You just experience some of the flu-like symptoms.  For me it's an achey body  and hot/cold flashes.  It stinks.  I get rather cranky when I'm going through this as well.  The good thing though is that my body is getting rid of all the bad crap I put in it.  Give me a couple more days and I will be back in Ketosis - aka fat burning!  Huzzah!

I just need to get past these couple of days of grossness and I will be losing and getting healthier.

Glug Glug Glug

Diet beverages: harmful or helpful?  That’s a loaded question.  I would have to answer yes to both.  How can this be?  Well it all comes down to moderation; everything in moderation. 

I find that diet beverages can hinder my weight loss and healthy lifestyle.  One of the most important things you can do for yourself when you’re trying to become healthy is to drink a ton of water.  I mean a ton, for example for where I’m at I’m supposed to consume at least 64 oz. of water a day.  In my healthy lifestyle journey I have learned to end my addiction to bad carbs and sugary snacks.   However, in giving up those addictions, I have added another.  I have replaced my bad carbs and sugary foods with diet pop.  I haven’t been consuming as much water as I should be.  I have been replacing my water intake with soda pop intake.  This is not good.  The splenda or the aspartame can and has slowed my weight loss.

Although diet pop has caused me issues it has also been rather helpful.  I have and always will have the BIGGEST sweet tooth.  Giving up sugar has been the hardest part of this entire journey.  Diet pop has been very helpful in curbing my sugar cravings.  There is just enough sweetness to the soda pop that it curbs all and any dangerous sugar craving.

So here’s the conundrum.  Do I stop drinking diet soda all together to help speed up the weight loss and therefore also resulting in drinking more water, a much healthier option?  Or do I continue to keep it in my life so that I have a weapon to combat cravings and also not feel entirely deprived?   Self control and moderation are all good answers yet as we all know based on previous habits I’m not always good at those. 

The fact that I am posting about my issues with diet soda pop I guess is answer enough about my issues with it.  I need to start limiting myself to much less pop.  You would be amazed or disgusted if you knew the amount of diet soda pop I can consume in a day.  Let’s just say thank goodness it’s soda and not alcohol! 

How sad is it that I am currently drinking a diet coke while I write this?  Must stop drinking so much diet soda pop!

My top 3 choices...yummm

I Need a Smaller Size Please

I am proud to announce that my clothes have become too big.

Another milestone has been met!  That's right.  I no longer wear the size that I had been wearing for almost 3 years....Woo hooooooo!!  Those clothes, including my maternity clothes are too big!  I am now wearing almost 2 sizes below where I started!

My shirts are now a little bit more form fitting.  Instead of the big old clothes that hide my curves, I'm starting to wear clothes that define my shape a little bit more.  I still have a long way to go to reach my target weight and I need to remember that.  This is where it becomes hard because I'm really starting to love the way I'm looking.  I need to remember that I'm not done yet.  I am starting to look good now.  I need to keep the end in focus.  If I think I look good now, I can only imagine how great I'll look when I'm at my goal!

Once I reach my goal I'll share with everyone what my starting weight and clothing sizes are.  I'm just still too embarrassed to share that info now.

I started this journey in April of 2012.  Below are my before and after pictures so far.  This is evidence that eating right and being active is totally possible.  Results are possible.  All it takes is an eating plan that you enjoy, a workout that you can enjoy and stick to, and of course the right mindset.  It's a long journey.  It's a hard journey at times.  But it is so worth it! 

It's a New Year!

And I'm back...again.  How often is this going to happen?  I write a post that states I will update more frequently but then I don't follow through.  This time I really mean it!  I'm calling on all of my audience out there! HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE!!! Facebook me, tweet me, those of you who have my number text me!!  If you're dying for an update and my lazy bum hasn't blogged bug me about it.  Well you don't have to feel obliged to do so, I would very much appreciate it.  It's a great bit of motivation.

So things have been going well.  I almost made it through the holidays.  I did cheat a little.  I made an exception for my mother's Yorkshire Pudding.  I also had some red wine.  It was oh so amazing, but oh did I pay for it.  It had been so long since I had any carbs and my body was not happy.  I was sick that night.  Carbs and wine no longer agree with me.  So I wasn't terrible but nevertheless it caused me to take a few steps backwards.

So we into the year 2013!  2012 was a success in my opinion.  I lost 31 lbs.  This is good.  I lost weight and I did not gain it back.  I did not lose my fire.  My passion and desire for becoming healthy and reaching my goal is bigger and better than ever!  I still have a ways to go but I am now in a place where I know that I will not fail.  Even though the loss may not be fast I know it will happen.  I have so many weapons to combat any temptation!  I have figured out what workout actually works and keeps me interested.  I know what to eat and what method of eating works for me.  I have so much support from my husband, to my parents and siblings, to my Zumba instructor, to my kids, to co-workers.  2013 will be the year that I WILL reach my goal.  It's a tall order but I think it's highly doable.  Once I reach my goal I will let you all know what my starting weight was and how far I've come. 

So here's to 2013...a continued journey.  I lift a glass ice cold water to my secret weapons Atkins and Zumba (although I guess it's not so secret now, haha!).  I thank everyone who is cheering me on and hoping for my success.  2013 is going to be AWESOME!!!!

Atkins rocks my socks!!

Zumba is the best!!!!