What have I done?

I have a confession to make. I haven't been working out or exercising. I have been consumed with stress and everyday things, and have let my goals fall to the wayside. I feel guilt and shame, but I also know I can bounce back. Not all is lost, as I have still been eating healthy for the most part, and aside from the Dr. Pepper I had yesterday, I haven't drank any sodas. I know what needs to be done, and I intend on doing it. I didn't come this far to fail now. I guess we all have to stop every once in a while and just live. I guess taking a break wasn't a bad thing, because it has given me insight into what I really want and hope to accomplish. Now, I just need to really focus from now until April 12th!

Had to find motivation...

I've been feeling tired and a little burnt out, so I had to do some digging and find some motivation to keep on track. Aside from the fact I will be off work and school both next week, I found the following link that is an added bonud to my Body-For-Life challenge.

"Before" Pics, and Week 4 Progress Pics!

I'm Ab-ulous!

Went to my 1st Aid/CPR class last night, which is my Thursday class. We always work out for about 45 minutes the first part of class, then go to the room to learn about 1st Aid and CPR. Well, last night, a few us went to work out as usual, only to have someone come down about 20 minutes later and tell us we we're having a test first. After the test, we were told to go work out, and that from 5:30 to 6, there would be an ab class. My cousin suggested we try it, so off we went.

OMG, what a workout! I literally discovered muscles that I don't think I knew I had! Today, I'm a little sore, and figure I'll probably be really sore tomorrow. I was doing moves I have never done before, and it showed. Some of them were really hard for me to do, but I did the best I could. I think I'll try to go to that class again, and do some of the moves at home.

Oh, and I have now lost a total of 9 lbs!

Photoshoot Approaching!

So, I've got a photoshoot this Saturday. I've modeled before in the past, but I haven't done any modeling in over two years. I'm a little nervous as I feel out of practice, but I'm really excited nonetheless. By the way, it's a roller derby theme. I also have a pinup themed shoot in the works. Yay me!

I've lost a total of 8 pounds so far. I'm averaging about a pound a week now, which is healthy. I'd prefer 2-3 a week, but I know the dangers of losing too much too fast. Besides, I look good :)

Update Time!

Time for an update! I have been feeling somewhat stressed this past week, but I am feeling a lot better today. I guess I just bring too much on myself, and I have to realize I can't do it all. I mean, I work full time, go to school full-time, I have a husband and daughter, and a little dog, and I'm the team mom for Nicole's basketball team. I usually go out of my way to do for others, and sometimes forget to do for myself. I'm getting better though.

I have done a really good job of working out this week. I walked Monday, worked arms on Tuesday, legs on Wednesday, and Thursday I did the stationary bike, did squats, the back extender, used a machine that works your abs, and another one that works your obliques. I feel great! I've also been eating healthy, taking my vitamins, and doin my best to get plenty of sleep. When I started this little adventure, I weighed 140 lbs. I now weigh 133! I know losing 7 lbs doesn't seem like a lot, but you have to start small. I've set to lose my weight by the middle of April. I know it will be here before I know it, but I believe I'm well on my way. I only have 13 lbs to go! I know I can do this!

It's amazing how much better you feel after you've been working out for a little while, and eat right. Before, I felt so sluggish and dumpy. Now, I feel like a million bucks!

Week 1 Down!

I made it through my first week of my Body-For-Life Challenge. Honestly, it wasn't as hard on me as I thought it would be. I thought the mental aspect of it all would be the hardest part for me to overcome. I had myself convinced that I needed to drink a Coke in the mornings to wake me up, or drink one when I was stressed. I made excuses all the time for not working out, and told myself that when I did have free time, I should use it resting instead of working out or walking. And since I wasn't working out, there was no reason to eat healthy. Now, I've changed my way of thinking.

I've started out with small changes. I've quit drinking Cokes, and started drinking more water, juices, and nutritional drinks. I've replaced high-calorie, high-fat foods with lean meat, and more fruits and veggies. I am now taking vitamins. I've even began my workout regimen. It's still in the early stages, but at least I'm up and moving around!

I lot 4 pounds last week! I am really excited about my progress, as I wasn't expecting to lose that much the first week. I know I won't always lose that much, but it's a nice start and great motivation!

Day 1

I must say, I took it easy on myself today. I ate a bowl of Kashi Go Lean Crisp for breakfast, a ham and cheese sandwich on whole wheat for lunch, and pasta salad for supper, and a very small bowl of Kashi to stave off my craving for something sweet. I didn't drink water, like I know I should, but I didn't drink Coke, which is a bigger step. I had a concoction of half sweet tea and hlf cranberry juice. I know the sugar isn't doing me any favors, but I'm easing myself into this. I know if I make drastic changes, I'll never stick with it.

I didn't exercise either, but I have a good reason for that. I spent six hours cleaning/ doing housework. I have this thing. When I start something new, like the Body For Life Challenge, I have this need to get things in order. Yesterday, I spent a few hours cleaning my living room, organizing things that have been out of place for quite a while. Today, it was my closet. Sometimes, I feel like I ignore my household duties, and push them aside because I try to hide my emotions and push them aside as well. If I ignore things, they can't bother me. This is all fine and well, but it piles up and everything comes to light at once. I guess I've got a lot to work through. Maybe this journey will help me with that.

I start back to class tomorrow. The semester started, we had two days of class, then a snowstorm hit, so we had no class at all last week. Dreadful. I hate getting all psyched for college, then something coming along to throw me off course. I get distracted with such things happening. I hope I get back on track this week.

Ok, so tomorrow is day 2. Let's see how it goes...

I hate Mondays...

I hate Mondays. I wish I didn't, but I am human. Monday means the beginning of the work week, the beginning of the school week. I'm not at work today though. Today is a holiday. I slept until 9 a.m. I still feel really tired though. I have a lot to do today, and yesterday I felt ready to do it all, but not today. Maybe it's my bipolar disorder kicking up. Saturday, I was fine most of the day, then I begame rather withdrawn and quite. Yesterday, I was full of energy and promise. Today, I'm dragging.

Mondays are always dreadful for me, but I want to change that. I want Mondays to signify my commitment I've made to myself, to my mind, and to my body. I want to look forward to Mondays, or at the very least, not roll my eyes and sigh at the thought of it.

Tomorrow Is It!!!

Tomorrow, I officially start my Body-For-Life Challenge. Tomorrow, I will begin eating better, and exercising. I will increase my water intake, and decrease my caffeine intake. I will start taking vitamins ans nutritional supplements. Tomorrow, I will start taking the steps towards a new me.

With that being said, let me tell you about my weekend! This weekend, I enjoyed eating a triple dipper at Chili's yesterday, complete with southwestern egg rolls, big mouth bites, and spinach artichoke dip. Lat night, I dug into some Zaxby's chicken tenders, slathered in wimpy sauce, followed by a Little Debbie Nutty Bar. Today, I've relished in eating 3 slices of Pizza Hut Meat Lovers, followed by a Fudge Round. Oh yes, I've enjoyed myself this weekend, taking full advantage of food, and not feeling guilty for any of it. I loved it! I want to have a healthy relationship with food. Yes, I may have went overboard this weekend, but I know by doing so, I've satisfied quite a few cravings, and emotions. I feel ready to start this new chapter in my life, and for once, I feel I will succeed.

New Year, New Me!!!

As 2010 came to a close, and 2011 made it's debut, I turned 31. For the most part, age doesn't really mean anything to me. In that time, my life has been many a different thing: happy, sad, lonely, pathetic, guilt-ridden, care-free, scared, just to name a few.

Like most, I wanted to start this year out with a positive attitude and a new outlook. I decided last night to take the EAS Body-For-Life Challenge. For those of you not familiar, the Body-For-Life Challenge is a challenge to make lifestyle chnages that not only promote good health and a healthy body, it also focuses on working on one's self from the inside as well. I believe for most of us who've tried dieting in the past, we find the results are usually short-lived. I think this is because we work so hard on our outside, we neglect and even forget our inside. You may not realize it, but being healthy emotionally and mentally aides in our physical well-being. To be truly successful at weight-loss and physical health, you gotta work on the other as well.

I'm at a crossroads in my life where I feel this is the time for me to take control of my life. I'm working full-time, as well as going to school full-time. I married and have a very active 11 year old. My plate is full, but it's fulfilling. It may appear that I will not have time to prepare yummy, healthy meals, or even manage to work out at all, but I will. I will prioritize my life to where I can make the choices I need to for me. In return, I'll feel better about myself because I will be better. This will no doubt carry over into my family, and they mean the world to me.

I hope you follow me on my journey. The challenge is 12 weeks long, and I will offically start on Monday. So, this weekend, I will not work out. I will not count calories, or drink gallons of water. This weekend I will clear my mind of negativity and be prepared to start my new adventure when Monday rolls around. Hey, Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday. He had a dream. Guess what? I do too! My dream is to be healthy, happy, and satisfied with myself.

If you're interested in finding out more about EAS, and the Body-For-Life Challenge, please visit www.bodyforlife.com today.