If you can't beat 'em

As you know I fell madly, deeply, truly in love with health and fitness!  I was unhappy and uncomfortable with my lifestyle and the condition of my health.  After many tries and many fails, I finally found what worked for me.  I was ready and determined.  I am now committed. 

I go to my gym a lot!  Not even try to cover that up.  I am there 6 out of 7 days and on most days - morning AND night.  The gym and my work outs keep me happy, sane, and keep me functioning.  Lately, I had been thinking...."hmmm what else can I do with my love for health and fitness??"  "is there more for me?"  "Should I....?" 

I had been having thoughts of a career in health and fitness and with that came an entire roller coaster of emotions!  Such as: excitement, fear, excitement, doubt, excitement,  desire, excitement, thirst for knowledge, excitement.  Also thoughts such as: "do it", "are you crazy?", "you will learn", "gotta start somewhere".

Knock Knock.  Who's there?  Opportunity!

Today was my first shift at the gym where I work out.  The gym where I fell in love with health and fitness.  Can you believe it?! 

I will be working a few hours a week and working the floor.  I will be there for people that also share my desire for a healthier lifestyle.   I cannot wait to learn new and exciting things.  I was so nervous going in but I did it!  It's a small step I know and it may not mean much to some BUT I am where I am because of the small steps that I took.  I lost over 100 pounds, became stronger, and became fit all with small steps. 

I'm happy for me and what's to come.  I'm proud of myself to taking the FIRST step into a career in health and fitness!!

Challenges

We all have challenges.  My challenge right now is that I'm not making progress (or just very slow progress).  Don't get me wrong I know what I need to do.  It's doing it that's the problem.

Losing 100 pounds was the EASIER part.  Crazy I know.  The pounds came off easier.  At first just by moving I was losing.  Don't get me wrong...as I made progress I worked HARD.  I put in the time, the effort, the hours.  I shed the tears, I wiped the sweat.  BUT Now.....UGH....it's not as easy.   I still have goals to reach and I really need to kick my own a** and get there.  

I know I can do it.  I got to where I am because I wanted to.  I want to reach my goals and so I will.  

How?  

• My calories burned
• I've been working on creating some circuit workouts to add to my routine.  Switching it up definitely works.  I'm looking forward to trying these out.  Also, changing my weekly workout routine.
• My food intake
• Huge battle BUT its something I need to work on.  I want to try to eat most of my carbs in the earlier part of the day.  Sounds easy right?  NOPE!  Lord do I love carbs.  I'm also ADDICTED avocado and tomato now.  Sooooo out with the old and in with the new.  Food is huge challenge for me.  I know I will have tough days I just need to push through and get to where I want and need to be.   
• "Suck it up NOW so you don't SUCK it in later"

This is just a new change to my lifestyle that I have to make.  

We all have challenges in life.  Challenges at home.  Challenges at work.  Physical Challenges.  Mental Challenges.  It's what we learn from them and how overcome them that's important. 

Results are in...

For the month of March I challenged myself to lose 20 pounds.  I knew this was going to be difficult but I was determined.

So let me explain what I did:

• Did all my regular scheduled workouts
• Tracked all my meals, except on my rest day
• Ate less carbs especially at night
• Tried new veggies

And my results:

LOST 4.8 pounds

LOST 1 inch from left thigh

LOST 1 inch from right thigh

LOST 1/2 inch from waist

LOST 1/2 inch from hips

 Not close to 20 BUT not bad results.   I can see and feel a difference!  That means a lot to me.  I am on the right path and will stay on it.  

For April

Keep working HARD,  Keep getting STRONGER.  Keep SHARING!

I've been thinking

Changes need to be made! 

This may not true but I am pretty sure that I haven't been taking full advantage of the work I put into the gym.  Yes, I've lost weight and I'm stronger than I have ever been and I can do a lot more than I've ever done.  However, I'm still not were I want to be.  I have some pounds to lose and muscle to gain!  I've said it before, my eating...well...it needs work.  I am definitely eating better.  Still finding what I like to eat and what works for me.  Still won't eat mushrooms!  Just can't do it..

I'm into this.  It will take time, but so did getting to where I am now.

So here's what I'm thinking and I'm blogging about it because I'm serious about it and want to be held responsible.  For the month of March:
- weigh in and take measurements and beginning and end of the month ONLY
- take before pic
- track everything I eat and drink, EVERYTHING
- try new light and fresh meals with veggies
- eat less carbs
- eat more protein
- track my workouts and calories burned
- track my mood and satisfaction and hunger levels
- take a rest day   

What do I plan to accomplish with this?  I want to get out of this slump that I've been.  I want to restart my weight loss and lose another 20ish pounds.  I will be using an app (My Fitness Pal) since I'm adding a new class, I will need to eat a little more.  I'm looking forward to experiment with food.  I'm not sad or bummed out cause I haven't budged but I'm excited for this.  My workouts and way of eating worked for me to reach my prior goal.  They say, if you keep doing what you're doing you will continue to get the same the results.  Well....changes are coming.

My partner in crime is going to hold me accountable for this and I extend this to you as well.  Feel free to check in as well.

Start date March 1, 2013
End date March 31, 2013 

Changes will be made!

Last Night

I ran.

I'm not really a runner....but the thought of running always intrigued me.  Why?  I was never ABLE to run.  A quick jog to around the block would have me wheezing.

At the beginning of my journey I wanted to run and I did, for a bit.  It took me a long time to build up endurance.  I was pleased with what I was able to do and felt so good.  Me....running!!!!!  Whodathunkit!
I started doing more than the treadmill so the running took a back seat.  I would run every once in a while but when the knee acts up, I freak and STOP!  Though it's not funny it does tickle me that the pain in knee according to my doctor is " runner's knee" .  Honestly, ME with RUNNER'S KNEE.  That's a riot!  Does that mean I'm runner?  I will take it.  LOL

Lately I have been going the motions and working out.  Just lots going on with life.  Physically I am there but mentally elsewhere.  Remaining active but not putting in what I should therefore not getting out of it what I could!  Honestly, the only one I'm wronging is me.  So last I ran.

Back to basics.  I used an app when I wanted to start to run.  I did very well on it.  So I thought it would be great to use again.  Like I said back to basics.  I started the app, I hit play on my new ipod playlist, and I started warm up.  Then I started to walk, run, walk, run, walk, run, wa.....no...I need to RUN.  I ran.  Sorry lady on app....I need to GO!  I was at 6.0 speed, then 6.5...I needed more went to 6.6...6.7......7!  IT FELT SO GOOD!

Time is up.  Time to cool down.  Smile on my face.  Fog is lifting.  Head is clear.

Off to Kickboxing I went!

" There are plenty of difficult obstacles in your path. Don't allow yourself to become one of them" - Ralph Marston

I gained!

I weighed myself this morning....though I try not to focus much on that number anymore....every once in awhile I get on and fulfill my curiosity.  Today, I was pleased.  So I thought back....

Since 2010 when I decided to make changes I have gained:

Strength

Confidence

Muscle

Years to my life

Fitness Relationships

Knowledge of healthy vs unhealthy

Great Energy

Good habits

Determination

Happiness

Appreciation and more

I have also lost:

Bad habits

Weight

Discomfort and more

Though I have more goals to reach and this year is about eating right and building muscle I REFUSE to forget just how far I have come.  It's easier for to look in the mirror and say " look at at that jiggle in the middle".  I have to remember and say " hey I can see my toes and look how cute they look!

Be good to yourselves!

Your Public Service Annoucement

I have been in and out of gyms and on and off diets for YEARS!  I believe that wanting to be healthy and liking to workout makes it easier.  I also believe that finding an exercise format you like and an instructor/trainer (if it's a class) that you feel motivated by is important as well.

I like my gym for several reasons; one being that I am extremely comfortable there.  I don't feel there is judging.  It's not a "meat-market".  It's full of people of all shapes and sizes wanting to workout and be healthy.  I also like the classes offered, the equipment, and the staff there.

I prefer group fitness exercise classes.  I also prefer trained and knowledgeable instructors.  There are several different styles out there.  Slow, fast, simple, complex, brand new, veteran, good, not so good, knowledgeable and some NOT so knowledgeable.  I feel like I've taken all.  If it's too slow or too fast for me,  I don't continue to take.  That doesn't really bother me.  If it's not a good match doesn't mean that the instructor isn't good...just means that it's not for me.  Someone else may really like.  BUT.. instructors that are NOT knowledgeable and/or NOT trained AND teach...well...that bugs me.  Dangerous exercises and bad form will only lead to injury.  Trust me...I know injury.  I just was just recently made aware of new trainer in my area.  I did some research and cannot believe all the people that are going to this trainer.  There will be demand for physical therapists in my area real soon! 

To me...form is everything.  I like taking a class and have my form corrected.  That means that I'm being looked after and that I'm doing the exercise safely and effectively.  When I question the benefit of an exercise and the trainer can't answer the question...well I can tell you that doesn't impress me. 

I'm glad that I'm knowledgeable enough now to know what is safe for me and what can really hurt me.  If you ever have a question about something that you are doing in a class or a piece of equipment you are using, make sure you ask.  If it doesn't 'feel right', ask.  You might be doing something.  It's better to ask and be corrected or reassured, then not to ask at all.

This has been your PSA from Keeping Fit and Curvy