Happy New Year

I'm not much for making resolutions.  I haven't really for several years.  The ones I made in the past were extreme and apparently somewhat unrealistic and only let up to disappointment.  The last one I made (probably about 4 or 5 years ago) was the best and I still practice. 

So..........If I was to make one.............. it would be " to continue on the path I'm on".

In 2011 a giant step was made into making changes in my life.

In 2012....many MANY wonderful things happened.  I lost weight, become more health conscious, took more risks, became more active and more involved with fitness.  I started to take care of me which made me happier.  It's true what they say a happy mom makes a happy home!

Though I am currently STILL sick and battling a huge mental and physical slump, I sit here and can acknowledge that I have come a long way.  I put a little collage together.  I hope you like.

I'm not upset that I still have a ways to go, but it's something I can look forward too.  I can only get healthier and stronger right?!

It will be 2013 in a few hours and though I won't be working out anytime soon, there are 365 days in a year.  I will make 2013 a year to learn and grow more, a year to try new things, a year to focus on those that are important me and me to them.  Life is short but damn it is good!

For this coming year...may all your dreams come dreams, your goals be met, or resolutions be kept.

Happy New Year!

Cindy

Ending 2012

So I have been sick for a week now.  Just over a week.  Last week at this time I wasn't feeling to hot but decided that a workout would be a good idea.  Looking back I was probably too sick to do.  Sitting here now thinking.....I can't even fathom putting on clothes and heading to the gym. 

I haven't worked out since then.  Due to being sick and the holidays.  I have also lost my motivation to workout...possibly due to lack of energy.  Though not sure.

I also haven't really eaten.  Some soup and tea.  Lots of liquid medication and water.  HOWEVER....this is OK (though not really healthy).  No cookies, cakes, fatty foods, or alcohol.  No coffee!!  Kinda my own little detox.  Minus the whole medication overload!  I ate yesterday....I was NOT ready to eat yet.  I will spare you the details.

This obviously wasn't supposed to happen, but it has.  

My Christmas was very FITmas like.  Some fitness related items I received were Turbo Fire DVD collection, a smoothie maker, and two recipe books.  One on smoothies and one on salads.  Sadly, they are all in a corner of my living room collecting dust at the moment :(

The new year is coming and though I really don't resolutions anymore, I did want to set some goals for 2013.  Though, I can't think of one right now.  Maybe it should be to find a way to get back on track.  I am still hoping for better eating in 2013.  Being sick is a great way to start.  It will make be careful how I introduce foods back into my system and what type of foods. 

I'm sure I will get back into the swing to things - at least I hope.  Just not really in a rush.  I'm really hoping that getting this out and putting out will help me and any others that are feeling unmotivated.

I am feeling better.  The fever is gone.  The body aches and pains are gone.  I have a little more energy and can do things around the house and drive.  I will be out and about for a little bit today.  Hopefully I don't hurt the progress. 

I know that this isn't happy, cheerful, motivational....but it's real.  I said I would be real. 

Hope everyone is doing well, eating well, and feeling well.

A change is coming

I have never been the type of person that can easily relax or take it easy.  I have always kept myself busy with family and friends when younger.  Added work and children to that mix once older.  Now I have added fitness on top of that.  That's just who I am and it's always been my nature. 

For the past 2 + years I have been working towards a goal.  So that's occupied my mind on top of all the other responsibilities I have.  It's kept me busy.  Health and fitness has definitely motivated me and kept me going.  Did I lose another pound?  How many calories did I burn?  It's something that I looked forward to every single time I got on the scale and every single time I was at the gym.

I reached my goal.  So now what?  Maintain?  BORING! 

Honestly, I'm having a hard time with that.  I'm not saying I'm where I want to be...not at all.  I'm just saying that I had a goal to reach, I met it, now I need something else.  But what I don't know.  This is where I am now.  It's really weighing on me

I've thought about:
- getting a personal trainer
- meeting with a nutritionist
- picking up a sport

I would still like to drop one size and build more muscle.  I seem to work off goals.  I even work off of  'to do' lists daily.  The feeling of 'checking' something off keeps me motivated! 

So now I just have to figure out how?  Can't really add more and I like what I do so I don't want to drop.  Maybe it's my eating.  I'm thinking that's where the change needs to happen.  I know what's bad for you and what's good for you.  I don't understand the science of eating.  What's good when?  How much of what to have?  That's the tough part.  I tried weight watchers and counting calories.  These did not work for me when I tried.  Will it work for me now?  I don't know.  I can tell you that I'm not letting all my hard work go down the drain. 

Time for some research....

Old dog...new tricks?

Hmmm...can you teach an old dog new tricks?

The past two weeks have been out of the norm.  Last week was a holiday week so my gym had an irregular schedule.  I missed several classes.  This week there was an unsuspected closing due to water damage in which I also missed several classes.  Not going to lie....it's been rough physically and mentally!  I was able to handle it better last week because I was able to plan ahead and mentally prepare myself for a few days off.  This week, since it was unexpected...was not easy.  After missing class # 2 (I missed 5 total) I was feeling hugely fat, ugly, and weak.  Honestly Cindy.  Get a grip!  I will let you in on something that I did that I didn't want to do.  I weighed myself this morning.  I got on the scale and closed my eyes tight.  I finally opened them and looked down.....nothing.  I was on the scale so long that the #'s disappeared.  I got off and got on again....just look Cindy!  LOOK!  I did....no change :)  Phew! 

A good friend of mine told me something very powerful.  She said, " you're not going to gain 100 pounds over night."  Smart huh?! 

I never would have thought at almost 36 years of age I would be affected this much by exercise.  This is how I know this is NOT a phase it IS a lifestyle.

Soooo I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks.

I do need to work on motivating myself to work out at home when I have off days, whether scheduled or not.  I will admit that's a huge struggle for me.  I tend to want to do...then lose the motivation.  I will definitely start working on this.  Doesn't have to be much, does it?  Some squats, crunches, planks and the like.  This will take time but so did getting to where I am.

Glad I will be back on my regular gym schedule tomorrow.  I'm sure my family and coworkers appreciate it just as much (or more) than I do.  :)

Thank You

I'm sitting here reflecting on the day, the week, the year.  There have been some tough days but boy have there been some great ones.  I learn from the bad and enjoy the great.  At almost 36 years of age, I think I'm finally starting to get life.  What works and what doesn't.  Not to stress the small things and focus on the truly important things.  I'm thankful for so much:  some but not all as follows

• my amazing, smart, healthy and handsome boys Sam and Nate, they keep me going and make me so proud. 
•  my husband for being a great provider, father, and supportive friend 
•   my true friends, for understanding and supporting (and putting up with me).  This includes you gym wife! 
• my new friends, for taking a chance in getting to know me
• all of my family, chosen and not chosen
• roof over my head and my wonderful and coworker
• my health and my strength
• for finding and allowing fitness back in my life and the people I have met and share a fitness interest with
• unlimited data plans with unlimited texting
• exceeding my weight loss goal
• all true heroes- medical heroes, veteran heroes, active military, teachers.  Those are able to and help the needy and those less privileged. 
• my awesome Keeping Fit and Curvy followers
• those of you that take the time to read my blog along with your supportive and positive comments
• holidays like this where I can sit and take some time and think how wonderful life is 

May you all have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving.  May the day be filled and laughter, warmth, family, friends, and great food. 

Thank you!

Choices

After being, living and thinking a certain way for so many years it was nice finally becoming brave enough to make life saving changes.  However, old habits die hard. I know I have said that before.  This time, it doesn't have to do with food or working out, it's more personal than that.

Always being the heavy girl in the classroom at school, or the living room during a family reunion, or the heavy mom at your kids school function it all takes a toll on your confidence.  It's funny, you would think that once you lose the weight your confidence shoots way up!  Sadly, it's not the case, at least not for me.  It's something that I'm working on for sure...but damn it's hard sometimes.  Real hard!

I've been told that I don't see what others see.  That may be true.  Actually, who I am kidding that's completely true!

We all have good days and bad days.  When I have bad day I instantly want to go back to the old me.  It's what I know.  It's easy for me.  But, I don't want to do go back to the old me.  I would be letting loved ones and myself down.  I've worked very hard to get to were I am.  I think it would be a shame to bring back the old me, though it would be easy but I would be hurting and punishing myself.

When I'm feeling sad or down, feeling deflated or beat, feeling alone or lost I have to train myself to STOP and THINK.  Make a good choice.  Make the BEST choice Cindy. 


It's something that I notice and I'm aware that I need to work on.  I know it.  I can do it.  I will do it.   Slowly but surely.

Why and What

I love to sweat!  I really, really do.  I love to work out.  I love to push myself and be pushed.  I love to see and feel progress.  Does that make me a "fitness freak"?  Yes? No? Maybe so?  However you see it....one thing I know for sure....is that it makes me HAPPY!  I do lots of different formats that I don't see myself getting bored.  There are different reasons why I like the different formats that I do!

~~~~~~~~~~Here's the breakdown~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Zumba - Music and dancing is just something that I have loved all my life.  Make that into an hour long, cardio workout and you've got me hooked.  It's how I started.  I'm thankful for this class.  Always will be.

Zumba Toning - see above.  With added bonus...WEIGHTS

Spin - Amazing work out.  The music, the atmosphere, the sweat dripping and forming the huge puddles on the floor (cool but gross).  The fact that you have to push and push and push yourself.  Trust your legs to push through every time you add resistance and that feeling when you take some resistance off!

Kickboxing - You just feel so bad ass kicking and punching.  No way you wouldn't!  This workout is so intense that some nights, afterwards, I just sit there and think....'what the hell just happened!!!!'

TRX - The fact that I even take this class is enough.  This is one exercise that you will never EVER master.  No way.  You can always make it tougher.  To be honest, there are some days that it feels like that it's the first time taking it.  The first ever bicep curl, or chest press, or squat.  Then there are those days when you totally rock it.  Like this past Saturday when I was finally able to do a body saw for an entire minute!  Doesn't sound like a long time or hard?!  Try it!  Go ahead...TRY IT!

Boot Camp - Love it..once it's done :) It challenges you, it makes you sweat, if you have the right instructor you are pushed.  It's what I need, want, and love. 

Step -  It's fast, it's complicated, it makes me want to pull the hair out of my head.  It makes me  scream internally....BUT getting one thing down makes it worth it.  The jello feeling in your legs, makes it worth it.  The calories burned after the intense cardio...so worth it!

Maybe I am a Fitness Freak but I am happy, I am making progress, and I am proud!