February Findings and Musings

Hello everyone!!  Happy Ash Wednesday!  Spring seems to be in the air today here in lovely Riverside.  It is 60 degrees in February.  Mildest winter I can ever remember.  So today I started out the day at Jazzercise, then made my way over to the old neighborhood to get to Mass for Ash Wednesday today.  I always call Wednesday my "Workout Wednesday", and today is no different.  I am going to take in some of this wonderful weather and take a walk in Parkville at English Landing Park.  I cannot tell you how much I miss my river park walking time.  I feel like my soul aches for that connection with nature and with God.  My body responds to the fresh air and the beauty of all the surroundings .  Then after a brisk walk I will make my way to 430pm Jazzercise, 530pm Zumba with my friends at work, get in a body sculpting class at 640pm and then a nice swim.  Its on!

I have struggled this week- a subject that none of us women wish to discuss- good ol' PMS.  It is my biggest diet sabotage and weight loss wrecker!!!  I have the strongest carbohydrate food cravings during this time and I succomb to them more than I want to.  So this week has been some major food disasters like pasta, chocolate, etc. Plus I havent worked out since Saturday (until this morning).  Because also during the dreaded PMS I get what I refer to as "Rip Van Winkle Syndrome".  I can sleep forever, I am literally so exhausted that I feel as though I am drugged.  Being in that state of exhaustion makes getting to workout nearly impossible even for someone highly motivated like me.  I read an article today that helps explain this phenomenon.  I am going to share it here with you.  For next month's bout with this I am going to use some of these tips.  Coping with PMS Food Cravings

Saturday I participated in an Aqua Boot Camp at the North Kansas City Community Center (my gym).  I really enjoyed it.  There were elements of kickboxing with different equipment used in the pool to get resistance, some water calisthenics, etc.  I enjoyed it so much that I signed up so for the next 4 weeks beginning March 3rd, I will be spending my Saturday mornings at the gym getting my swim on. Aqua Boot Camp   I am also getting ready to begin this year's session of Ballet Body from Jazzercise too!  I cant wait because I get to break out the ballet slippers yet again!!!!

I also forgot to mention in my last blog that a picture of me from the Groundhog Run was featured in my workplace employee newsletter back on February 10th.  I was so excited!  I love having my pic taken but to be publicized is even better.  Anything that shines spotlight on how wonderful I feel and the journey I am taking is AWESOME in my book!!

 I also recently traded in my work uniform shirts for smaller ones- they fit snug and exact but this is the way I get the best results.  I see my blouses getting looser and looser and its an awesome gauge to see where my weight loss is going.  Also, it keeps me from going overboard with eating because I dont want to look ridiculous or worse yet have to go back up in size.  I anticipate in 5-10 lbs. these shirts will look perfect.

Also at work we are starting our annual weight loss challenge on Monday.  This will give me a new kick in the rear to get going on my goal.  May is coming and I am feeling good that I will get to goal by my 40th birthday.  I know I have shared my list of things to do in my 40th year but I have a couple of additions.  1.  get to Omaha and meet my cousins, 2. get to Cleveland and see my cousins, 3. get to hike up Mount Rushmore, 4. ride a motorcycle, 5. go trail riding on horseback, 6. get to my ancestral homeland in San Teodoro, Messina, Sicily, 7. see and enjoy as many concerts as I can this year and 8. to participate in at least 10 races this year.  These are the biggies.  I heard that dreams are goals without a plan so now I need to plan!

Anyhow, my next race looks like the St. Pat's Westport 4 mile walk in March and the 4 mile Trolley Run at the Country Club Plaza in April.  I have a good friend who is organizing a walk for Preeclampsia and HELLP Syndrome Awareness in May and I am putting a link here for anyone who lives in the Kansas City Area who may be interested in participating or if you are interested in donating to the cause.  Promise Walk

Ok, I had something funny happen to me this week BUT it was a significant moment for me I want to share with you.  I had the pleasure of chatting with a couple of guys and one of them happens to be very attractive, muscular build, and the best thing of all he is nice and intelligent.  We were just chatting about different things and when I was getting ready to leave to go on to my next assignment, I came right out and told him "if you were available I would so date you because I find you extremely attractive".  CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT???  I can't.  If someone would have told me that I would have had the courage to say that to a guy even 6 months ago I would have told them they were crazy so this is monumental. It means my self confidence is rising with each pound I lose.  And if I can say this to someone, I can do it again and again.  Coolness!!!

I also wanted to share a couple of links to good websites based on fitness, motivation, and healthy living.  I am a believer in keeping motivational magazines around the house so I dont lose focus, checking out websites and keeping informed, etc.  Check these out!  Spry Living by Lisa Delaney Author of Secrets of a Former Fat Girl   Sparkpeople Live Big with Ali Vincent

Decided to give The Biggest Loser one more shot last night and even though there was drama it did help me feel inspired to get off the couch and that is key for me.  I liked hearing Cassandra express her feelings from her journaling.  Feeling the contestants struggle is how most connect with the show.  I havent watched in about two or three weeks being busy with workouts so I could definitely see a visible difference in the contestants and they are making progress.  SO that means I need to keep progressing too! 

Since being back at Weight Watchers in January I have lost 7.8lbs.  The scale is moving.  I will definitely keep you all updated.  PMS may have set me back but it wont win.  Have a wonderful week!!  I am off to the park because even though I love the internet as much as others, real life is more exciting!!! Until we blog again!

 YOU GOT THIS!!!



Fabulous Fierce Focused February!

I guess those words are what I would use to describe how I feel right now.  I am FABULOUS and you should tell yourself this every single day!  I am FIERCE and I feel that way when I workout, in my clothes, when I am smiling and laughing at my job with the people and my co-workers.  I am FOCUSED- my workouts have been stepped up.  I am working out 5 days a week and sometimes 3 or more hours at a time.  I also re-committed myself to Weight Watchers and lost 4.4 the first week!

For the past 2 weeks since my last blog, I participated in the Children's TLC Foundation Groundhog 5k Run.  It is held every year in the Hunt Midwest Subtropolis- an underground community of businesses, warehouses, etc.  This was the very first race I had participated in back in 2010. This is my 3rd Groundhog Run.  In 2010 I was about 260-270 lbs., it took me well over an hour to finish the race AND I was last-DEAD LAST.  But I was so happy because I had completed it, I went out there and I did it and I was hooked.  Like I have said before there is just no replacement for the feeling that comes when crossing a finish line.  This year I crossed the finish line in 47.26 which was not my best time in a 5k and being competitive with myself like I am this was emotional for me.  I was upset I didnt beat my best time, but so elated that I have come this far and the memories of the Groundhog races past overwhelmed me and I cried.  My good friends Loxie and Andi were there to comfort me.  Racing is an emotional and physical undertaking and I am so blessed that I can do them.  My friend Terisa was worried she would not finish the race in under and hour.  This is her 5th race to date and I could not be more proud of her!!  She finished the race in 58.00 even with foot trouble.  She was elated and excited- the sense of accomplishment these events bring is immeasurable.  I am posting a link on here to the photos from the race.  Check them out!  Groundhog 5k 2012 Race Photos

I want to take a few lines to talk about some things I keep hearing as I go along my journey into fitness and health.  I hear lots of excuses as to why people say they can't lose weight.  I also hear a lot of  "well she has money for a gym, jazzercise, etc"   Here is what I would like to tell you all about excuses.  Excuses kept me at 315lbs.  I too had a child who kept me completely focused on their life and BUSY!!  We were activity addicts- dance, Girl Scouts, Youth Volunteer Corps, Cheer, Drama, etc.  from the time she was 5 on.  I ceased to exist as a person and existed only as a cheerleader, taxi, cook, Girl Scout Leader, and employee of wherever I would be employed at that time.  So believe me I understand.  We lose ourselves giving to those we love and care for.  But what we all fail to realize and I was guilty of this as well is that unless we take time to keep ourselves healthy, to alleviate stress, to get that workout in, to eat healthier, etc. we cannot be at our best to take care of those people we dedicated ourselves so completely to.  I think of all the things I could have done with my daughter that I couldn't because I was so heavy.  Too fat to ride rides at Worlds of Fun, slowest and huffing and puffing on hikes and camping- so many things I cannot list them all.  Taking care of yourself is a must.  Time, kids, activities, marriage, etc. are not valid excuses.  We can make time for the things we really want if we set our minds to it. 

Now, that we have covered the time excuse lets move on to the money excuse.  When I weighed 315lbs., I did not have money for a gym membership, I didnt just decide to go to jazzercise-I was too unhealthy at first.  I simply took an old cassette (yes folks- a cassette- I said it) walkman to the park next door to my place of employment and it was me and Bon Jovi, and a pack of AA batteries (because the batteries would not make it through one 3 mile walk LOL), pavement, the river and calorie burn.  I also took advantage of my breaks at work and when the weather permitted I would walk in our parking lot with the same walkman.  I would also walk the 9 flights of stairs in the hotel and back down over lunch-especially through winter and rainy weather.  I made use of free things and the time I had that was mine.  My break time at work is mine.  My lunch time, mine too.  I also had a Weight Watchers exercise DVD I started using and to break up the drudgery and I would go roller skating at the local rink.  Yes I did say Roller Skating.  I returned to something I knew how to do and that I loved from childhood.  Cheap, good cardio and muscle building workout and fun!  Not being able to attend classes or go to the gym are not a valid excuse.  Here is a link to a video from trainer Harley Pasternak of the new TV show The Revolution on how to build a gym right in your own home for under $50.00.  Your health is worth $50.00!  I am also posting a link to exercises you can do at home that started Jennifer Hudson off on her weight loss journey that don't cost a thing and you can do at home.  Also- if you take your kids to the library they have fitness DVD's available for checkout from Dancing with the Stars, The Biggest Loser, etc.  Free.  Again, money is not a valid excuse.  I am fortunate to be able to do other things to challenge myself now but in a pinch or if I need a quick workout I go back to the basics from which the journey started for me and whence I came.  Harley Pasternak-Build a Home Gym for Under 50.00  Jennifer Hudson's Home Workout

Ok Ok- enough EXCUSES and enough soapbox from me.  This season of The Biggest Loser hasn't been so great-yet.  I am still holding out hope- but the past 2 seasons were incredible and I want to link a story on Season 11's Hannah Curlee and Olivia Ward.  They share their advice on how they were able to lose the weight but more importantly how they are keeping it off.  Check this out! OK! Magazine Article on Hannah Curlee and Olivia Ward  And my fave contestant from Season 12- Jennifer Rumple was featured on the cover of a new OK! Magazine spin-off called Reality Weekly.  Jennifer Rumple-Reality Weekly Blurb In the article she talks about Eating for Life and Working Out Smarter.  The pics in the article are amazing.  You can pick up a copy at Walgreens.

Surrounding yourself with positive media like fitness magazines, and inspirational TV shows help keep you focused on the goal.  Positive REAL images help too.  I remember seeing a picture of London Andrews a model who also does nude modeling  and seeing how realistic her body type was and how beautiful that can be was a real eye opener for me.  I thought to myself- hey I can look like that.  It was so much more attainable and frankly REAL than the images that I had grown up being told were the definition of beautiful like Heather Locklear, Pam Anderson, Denise Richards, you know- rocker blondes with big breasts and big hair and size zero.  That was so blown out of proportion in my mind but that is what we do when we are in our teens and twenties trying to identify with what will make us attractive.  A guy asked her on her Tumblr blog recently how much she weighed and guys are dumb because anyone knows you don't ever ask a woman her weight whether its a healthy weight or not- 1. its rude and 2. we are women HELLO we are VAIN!  But she answered his question publically on the blog and that just shows how comfortable she is with her self-image and in answering this question she actually inspired me even more.  She said 194 and that she fluctuates between 190-200.  194 is only 10lbs less than me!  She is always gracious in answering people's questions and one question from a girl was "Does it irritate you at all when people refer to you as thick or curvy? I have always hated when people can't call a beautiful sexy woman a beautiful sexy woman.  Why do we have to categorize as thick? And don't get me started on the term BBW..."  London's response was the following- "See, I don’t mind “thick” or “curvy”… because I feel like those things are positive and sexy. Guys who like skinny girls will say that they like “tall and thin” girls…. I think it is just a way to describe someone…..Things that I don’t like…. are fetishy words, like BBW (you can’t find porn for skinny women…. but they turned curvy into a grotesque fetish…) - I don’t like Big or the word Fat…. I just find those things to be rude and I don’t think they are compliments…"  Here is a pic of her- she is so awesome and kudos to her for showing me what I could not see myself when she did. 

London Andrews

Finally- I have to wrap this up because I have to get to zumba class-  Tonight's agenda- Zumba, pool, track/weights.  Here is a pic of me last week from Zumba wearing a belly dance scarf/wrap with cool jingles on it.


ZUMBA!

Finally here is how I started my day today- a Power Breakfast and keeping on track- Gotta jet for now but I hope that you will do what it takes to be healthy.

This is how I will have energy to do 3+ hours of workout today! 1 scrambled egg on a Mama Lupe's Low Carb tortilla with sauteed mushrooms, red and green onion, parsley and pepper mixes with 2tbsp of
salsa verde and a slice of tomato. smoothie with 0%fat Athenos Greek Yogurt, 1 scoop of Jillian Michaels chocolate whey protein, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries. a cup of coffee and of
course water. no doubt this is a lot of food and a lot of protein and I can be proud I made it all myself :) its a lifestyle FOREVER!

 I want everyone to feel as FABULOUS, FIERCE, FOCUSED AND HEALTHY AS I DO!  *much love and hugs*  Till next time and Happy Valentines Day- remember there are other ways to show love other than chocolate :)!