New Horizons-Keeping My Eye on the Prize

Hello!  Sometimes it is easy to get frustrated when the scale isnt moving so that is when we have to start looking at different things other than the scale.  Victories of a different kind if you will.  I find that as I get "smaller" (that still sounds funny to me!) that the weight comes off slower so I really have to look for victories in other places when the scale is not moving.  For example I can look in the mirror and see differences in my body, how my pants fit is a good guide, stamina in different activities and realizing how it wasn't all that long ago I could not have even attempted some things I do today, etc.  I feel absolutely amazing right now.  I feel as though I am in the best health of my life and for that I am truly blessed!  I have been given a second chance at life and I am grateful for that everyday!

This week I have tried some new things to get me going in the right direction.  I know that if I continue to keep my nutrition on track and continue to keep my workouts my number one focus that the scale will eventually begin to move once more.  I work at a wonderful place!  They have provided us a Zumba class and a Beginner Boot Camp at their expense for one month to see how we like it.  The instructors come to us at our workplace to do this.  I have to tell you I LOVE the zumba class and my co-workers/classmates!  It is really fun and I am feeling so good when I leave there.  I have class twice a week and tonight its on again and I can't wait!  I tried the Beginner Boot Camp for the first time on Tuesday.  I was really worried that I might not be able to do some of the things because of my arthritic knee but I surprised myself and was able to get in the floor and do the drills and I didn't overdo the knee so I left immensely proud of myself!  Boot camp is taught by a male instructor and this is the first activity that I've participated in that has a guy for the instructor.  He is very nice and I really liked the class and think that this will be the edge I need to push me into the next level.  If you are curious as to what Zumba or boot camp is all about- here are some links that describe it.  Zumba and Beginner Boot Camp

I went to Jazzercise last night and of course had a blast!  I love my classmates and the instructors there.  I also used my new gym membership on Saturday and Sunday to go swimming.  I do a variety of water aerobics, I walk against the current and with the current in the "lazy river" for warm up and resistance- 10 laps each.  Sunday I got brave and got in a lap lane and I did breaststroke and sidestroke for 5 laps back and forth and didn't get winded!  I was ecstatic because I remember when 1 lap was taxing!  I cant wait to get back to the gym and see how far I can push myself this time.  Here is a pic of my pool at North Kansas City Community Center

My knee is doing so much better.  I heard an acronym that I keep in my head in regard to keeping my knee healthy and in working order for me.  It is RICE- Rest-Ice-Compression-Elevation.  The best medicine for it.  I am also using turmeric, fish oil and glucosamine for inflammation that has really helped a lot! Plus the use of the magnetic knee brace has truly been a God-send!  (Thanks Mom!)

I am using Thursday and Friday as my rest days from exercise because 1. its when I go back to work and 2. to give my knee a chance to rest before I hit it hard the rest of the week.  Rest is important so you don't overtrain.  I have done this before and it actually does way more harm than good.

Just a mention on Biggest Loser- this season has went to the drama queens but I do have to say on a positive I am happy to see Cassandra make the kind of emotional breakthrough during her workout with Bob that she did.  I have moments like this sometimes.  I have cried in Jazzercise when I realize I have pushed my body to do things that I didn't think were possible.  I cry for a variety of reasons just because I am a very emotional being. But I watch the Biggest Loser because I identify with the people on the show as they go through their journey and because it inspires me to continue on mine with renewed vigor and confidence in knowing that if these people are willing to do this in front of a national television audience then I can do this too.

So to wrap this up for this week- if you are bored with your workout, try something new.  There are all kinds of new fitness class offerings out there now.  Explore and have fun!  Go back to basics when you feel you have exhausted all your options.  When it was cold out and I couldnt make it to class on Thursday I really should have rested but I opted to do the stairs in my apartment building several times just to say I had moved for the day.  Whatever it takes, continue on, have fun and remember its about the journey not the destination!

HAVE A FANTASTIC FIT AND HEALTHY WEEK!!!!!
and as one of my jazzercise instructors said- don't think about what you have to do, just do it.  Think me-1 couch ZERO!

A couple of pic quotes to leave you with-

Short and Sweet

Hey Blog Peeps!  This one is short and sweet for this week.  I have been sick so my exercise has halted until today!  I am ready to go try my very first Zumba class tonight.  They are providing a free class for us twice a week at my workplace for a month to see what response they get and if people like it.  I thought this would be a fun, new way to enjoy my dance workout.  So now I have Zumba AND Jazzercise!

Plus I live in a very cool little city.  My city has a Healthy Citizens Initiative.  They provide reimbursement for a gym membership at 3 local area community centers.  Since my Gold's Gym membership is up this month and I have cancelled my membership, I signed up for the year at North Kansas City Community Center and the City of Riverside, MO pays 75% of the membership and I pay the other 25%.  I paid approximately 100.00 for an annual membership and they have a pool there that I just love.  I am looking forward to getting my swim on! 

This is enough on my plate for now as this will keep my workouts fresh and different and moving.  At the end of the month I will resume boxing classes with my fave trainer Franchesca and I am working on my bucket list items that I mentioned in my last blog.  Actually now I have a couple of new additions to this list.

1.  I want to learn how to Flamenco dance.  The Spanish artform with castanets and all.  There are actually a couple of different places that offer this type of dance lessons in my area so I am looking forward to pursuing that- I think it would be FUN!  I mean can't you just see me doing something like this?? 

2.  I want to participate in the Susan G. Komen 3 Day Challenge race that is in select cities around the country this year.  The race goes on August 3-5 in Cleveland, OH.  If I join a team, I could walk 60 miles yes SIXTY miles in 3 days along the shores of Lake Erie.  I am excited.  This is the perfect time of year because then I could be there for the Feast of the Assumption in Little Italy and truly take my journey full circle to where this all began for me.  Susan G. Komen 3 Day Challenge  Feast of the Assumption Festival- Cleveland OH

Soooooo with all of this on my mind and my heart right now I have much in life I wish to accomplish and my life through weight loss and the journey it takes me keeps opening my eyes to how much more I really want to do and that I dont want to waste a single second!  I am reassessing everything in my life that does not empower or encourage me.  I am reading Joel Osteen's new book "Every Day A Friday" and it is SO good and SO motivational.  After I finish reading this I am ready to take on the new book by Jennifer Hudson called " I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down."  I heard her story on TV this week and she is truly an amazing person.  I can't wait to read this book.  These things are truly tools of my journey.  Anything that gives a positive message and sends me in the direction toward making my life dreams a reality is a big PLUS in my book. :)

Wish me luck in Zumba class tonight- my goal is two Zumba classes this week and 6 Jazzercise classes and some pool time at the center.  Cant wait!  I am serious about this 35lbs by May.  Take care and have a great week! 

I am here to listen so drop me a line, what are your fitness goals?  What dreams do you have that you want to fulfill?  Motivation works both ways and I am motivated by motivating others so if you are in a slump or if something I am writing helps you out, LET ME KNOW!!  I will leave you with this awesome pic that a friend of mine shared on his Facebook page that fits my blog perfectly. 

Take care and have a wonderful week!!  *hugs!!!*

2012 Rings In and a New Chapter Begins

Isn't it wonderful how we can start over with a clean slate at the beginning of a new year so to speak??  The new year gives us a fresh perspective and also a new motivation to do things we didn't accomplish the year prior.  I am ready for some new motivation.

Christmas was good.  My best lifelong friend Angela was in town with her baby and I got to spend Christmas evening with her and her family before I had to go into work.  I am always happy to see her and miss our old times together.  Here is a pic of us before I went to work.

Me and my best lifelong friend Angie

The day after Christmas I spent an afternoon at the spa with my mom and she had a massage and I had an amazing facial and brow wax.  Nothing like a little pampering every once in a while! After our spa time and some lunch we went about our business for the day and met up again later to have dinner at Kato Japanese Restaurant.  I have exposed my mother to the world of fresh raw sushi, maki, nigiri, etc.  and she really loved it.  I love that place!  After dinner we went to see the new Sherlock Holmes movie with Robert Downey, Jr.  and it was AWESOME!  Rarely can you say a movie sequel is better than the first but this one truly is.  A must see.

New Year's Eve I was at work and each year we are allowed to wear cocktail attire for the night.  I look forward to this every year especially now that I wear a uniform for work.  I get to be my sexy self for one night.  Almost like Cinderella going to the ball.  It was crazy busy and I had a wonderful time.  Yes I know, I am at work on NYE and I had a wonderful time- I said it.  Here is a pic of me from that night.

NEW YEARS EVE 2011

I also made my 150 Jazzercise classes in the calendar year!!! I worked so hard for that!  I had the worst time here at the end trying to get the last few classes in before 12/31 because of my knee.  I have osteoarthritis in my right knee that keeps giving me the worst fit!  But I am determined this knee will not stop me from living the dreams I want to achieve.  I did low impact the entire final 14 classes I had plus I wore a knee brace and did some of the standing options for the abdominal work that is done on the floor.  I did whatever it took to keep going and to reach my goal.  Here is a pic of me in my new t-shirt! 

I DID IT 150 classes!!!


The Wednesday before I received my shirt, I had planned my day and when I would go to class to workout, etc.  my day off.  Then my mom calls and rearranges my plans due to her new plans and I was MAD!  So, I decided determinedly that this would not interfere with me getting in my classes that day so I went to the Jazzercise center in Independence, MO where she had me running to and I had a blast! I did a regular hour Jazzercise session and followed that with a Jazzercise Lite session.  Jazzercise Lite is all low-impact version and a lot of fun.  I am anxious to go back and do that again.  Everyone there was very welcoming.  Just goes to show that no matter what when you put yourself and your workout as a priority there is always a way to do it.  I went to classes in the morning and at night to get to my goal.  My knee was not happy so as a result I have taken a short hiatus from class but now I am ready to go back. So, tonight its on!  Its only been a week but I cant stand it I have to have my dance fun time.

I have talked about the Biggest Loser on here before and I have mentioned my fave contestant from Season 12 Jennifer Rumple before.  She was voted off in an abrupt way on Week 6 of the show.  But she did not let that defeat her.  She came back and won the $100,000 at home prize.  She is so awesome.  I was screaming in my living room when she won.  I can relate to her in a way I have not related to past contestants simply because she is so much like me.  She has been very encouraging to me and to many others.  She reads my blog, comments to different things on Facebook and she sends out motivational mantra on her page all the time.  Thank you Jennifer Rumple-BL Season 12.  I am going to copy something she had on her page for all of you here that is simply too awesome not to share about her views on nutrition/weight loss.  "Like" her page-its so inspirational.

The SIMPLE LIST:  (copied from Jennifer Rumple's Facebook Page)1) DO NOT EAT ANYTHING PROCESSED. Anything in a box, a can, a package ... do not buy. Do not eat. You'll be amazed how your palate changes and no longer needs the sugary, salty, fatty stuff for things to taste yummy! Trust me on this! Just give your taste buds time to adjust.
2) Stick to lean meats like chicken, turkey, fish, egg whites. Red meat is okay on occasion, but be sure it's a lean cut and ONLY on occasion.
3) Write down everything you put in your mouth and track your calories all day long. It's the best way to monitor your intake of food ... and know when you've hit your limit and you need to STOP!
4) Complex carbs are okay. Whole foods like apples, carrots, wheat pasta, multi-grain breads/cereals. Our bodies need these carbs because they contain incredible nutrients. I try to limit my carbs in the evening. Remember one of Bob's MANY truths ... "LEAN AND GREEN!"
5) Water, water, water, water. And when you think you've had enough for the day ... have another glass! :) It's key!
I've been eating organic everything and it's really made a difference in how my body responds to food as fuel! Give it a try! As far as calorie consumption ... as long as you have a deficit at the end of the day, you'll lose weight! The MAGIC to weight loss ... Calories In vs. Calories Out and move your body. It really IS that simple folks. The hard part is working on the inside and your triggers. Remember ... one meal, one day, one pound at a time. You'll get where you want to be ... eventually. That time is gonna pass anyway ... so why not MAKE THOSE HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES for YOURSELF?!

Check out her page for lots of motivation and answers to how she transformed herself.  Here is a before and after pic of Jen.  Every time I think I may stop or I cant get going to go workout I think of how she pushed her body to the limit, with a knee stress fracture to overcome and still came out a winner and if she can do that I can do this. 

Jennifer Rumple- Starting weight 330 and finale weight 185.  If 185 looks like this I WANT THAT!!

 Ok, finally on this long blog post I will share what I have in mind for my new year 2012.  Some of you who are my friends on Facebook have already seen this list so I apologize for the repetitive.  I posted this on New Year's Day. 

HAPPY NEW YEARS DAY A toast to have the best year of my life! goal weight by my 40th bday in May, a visit to Omaha and Cleveland, a hike up Mount Rushmore, possibilities to become a low impact jazzercise instructor, and
a trip to meet my cousins in San Teodoro, Sicily. i would also like to make two milestones in my career at work and just enjoy my life! CHEERS! SALUTE!

On another note I am excited that we are  getting our Weight Watchers at work group back and I have two 5k run/walk events I want to do in February.  One is the Buffalo Run 5k benefit for the Parkville Nature Sanctuary.  The other is the Groundhog Run that is done in these underground caves each year and a lot of fun.  Goal weight I mentioned above would be in 35 lbs so if I am dedicated to my workout, keep my nutrition going in the right direction I should be there. 

Life is too short not to be lived fully, to do the wonderful things we put off that we dream of.  I dream of being able to dance in a dance recital, I dream of finding a great love, I dream of robust health and accomplishment of beating my obesity.  I dream of a life that takes me on travel to enjoy the sites of our natural planet and connecting with family everywhere.  I dream of motivating others to take this journey and savor it all.  Someday I would love to do a marathon or triathlon.  I saw that the oldest woman who completed this year's Ironman in Kona,Hawaii was 75 years old.  I want that kind of superior health so I can do whatever I want for ALL of my life. 

I apologize that this has been so long and that over the holidays I didnt have the time to blog.  I am back on track now.  I will leave you with this quote I saw in my Weight Watchers magazine.  So appropriate in regard to my pesky knee issues.  "A setback is nothing more than an opportunity for a great comeback." 

I could write here all day but I will reserve more of my thoughts for my next blog perhaps next week.  Take care and remember as one of my Jazzercise instructors says - "DO SOMETHING FABULOUS FOR YOUR BODY TODAY!"  *hugs!*  Till next time!