Hey Blog Peeps!! Que Pasa?  What's Happening?  LIFE IS GOOD here in the big Kansas City.  I experienced so much of my city this past week.  First, my cousin Shug's bride to be Erika had her bachelorette party and I was lucky enough to get a Saturday night off work and get to go.  My first happy moment of the evening was when I was selecting what I was going to wear and I pulled out my tightest pair of size 16 black jeans.  Usually I have to really suck it in to get them on and wear spanx to pull it off.  But that night they slid on without any trouble and I even had room!!!! I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT!  I can tell in my clothes my hard work is paying off.  What a wonderful feeling!

We started off the night with a dinner at Manny's Mexican Restaurant.  I watched everything that went into my mouth.  I had grilled chicken fajitas that were awesome.  I had a lovely "Skinny" Margarita and Iced Tea.  A bit blurry but you can see that this looked good. 

After Manny's we went over to Erika's house and she opened gifts and there was of course more alcohol.  I brought my own "Skinny" Margarita and had vodka and soda.  The KC Strip Party Trolley Bus came to the house and picked us up. We stopped at a bar called The Well in the Waldo neighborhood of Kansas City.  I saw Gala Apple flavored Stoli Vodka.  I had that with soda and it was YUMMY!  We also stopped at a place called the Velvet Dog and finally we went downtown and I swear I thought I stepped out in Los Angeles!  This club was called Luna and it was right out of a Paris Hilton party reality show.  I had the BEST time.  I danced with my cousins up on this ledge by the DJ.  Amazing fun.  And I got carded at the door.  REALLY???  It made my day!!  I never got carded when I was 19 and sneaking in bars much less now when I am going to be 40 soon.  I danced and danced and danced some more all night.  I wanted that calorie burn but I also wanted to have fun and I really did.  Here is a pic of me and my cousin Alesia with the big Purple Bunny that drove us around on the Party Bus.  I HAD A BLAST!  I cant wait for the wedding. 

Another cousin of mine, my lovely cousin Nikki who lives in St. Joe, Missouri sent me the most wonderful message just out of the blue the other day and I want to share it with you.  "I was looking at stuff online about weight loss tips n tricks and seen this picture and thought of you. You have come such a long way and I am so proud of you!"  How can this not make you cry and feel inspired that your family supports you in such a way?  Here is the pic she attached to that message.  Thanks Cuz! *muah!*

She also asked me a couple of questions today that I want to answer here because someone else may be wondering the same things.  "Hey So, i have a question, should i eat and then work out or work out and then eat? also, since im just starting out, how long should I really work out? how many ounces of water should I drink a day? sorry for all the questions!"  First I LOVE QUESTIONS!!!  Secondly, you should eat before working out to give you the energy to power you through your workout.  You should also eat after a workout but this should be protein.  Protein is essential for recovery after a workout.  It should be a protein shake, bar or another protein source.  Water... if you aren't hydrated weight loss cannot happen.  My trainer Franchesca always said you have to drink at least a gallon of water a day.  A gallon is 128 ounces.  I strive for this all the time.  I know you can do it Cuz!  Thanks for the great questions.  Ali Vincent answers questions like these all the time on her show.  You can catch it online or on air on The Live Well Network.  Live Big with Ali Vincent

As many of you know I struggle with fatigue and terrible food cravings during PMS.  I have been fighting PMS hard this time.  I did make it to workout anyway during times of extreme fatigue and I made some good food at home to counter those crazy cravings.  I wanted salty/crunchy stuff so I made dip from light sour cream and salsa and had Genisoy Brand Soy Crisps that were garlic and onion flavor.  110 calories for 17 of them!!  They are similar to a rice cake.  I also made a pizza using a low carb tortilla that had 70 calories and used light olive oil to make it crispy then put pizza sauce, light mozzarella , olives, onion, peppers.  It was YUMMY and satisfied my cravings.   There were some wonderful alternatives for "pub or bar" food favorites and appetizers on Dr. Oz this week.  Check this out! Dr. Oz Reduced Calorie Restaurant Appetizer Favorites

This week I will hit 50 classes for the year at Jazzercise.  I cant wait.  50 out of the 150 I need for the year to get the new shirt for this year.  I assure you I will be working out there a lot with this 40 pound challenge I am doing.   I also tried something new this week.  I didnt think I would be able to physically do it and I was afraid of being the "big girl" in class but I went out on a limb and tried the new PiYo Pilates Yoga fusion class that started at my gym yesterday.  They agreed to allow me to try the class before investing 17.50 for the series that lasts until June 6th.  Let me tell you it was tough but I did it and I was SO PROUD of myself for being able to do it.  I love it and cant wait for next week.  And I wasnt the only "big girl" in class and I was able to double up mats so I wouldnt hurt my knees.  I can do this!!!  After the class I made my way down to the pool and put in my time there and then closed the gym down with walking 2.5 miles on the indoor track. 

I got a lot of extra workout in this week too.  My 8 year old cousin Payton from Ohio sent me her Flat Payton to take around Kansas City.  This past week I was a tourist in my own town.  I took the stairs EVERYWHERE and walked as far as I could.  I still also managed to get my regular workouts in.  I went to Bass Pro Shops, walked at their Waterfall Park there, went to Crown Center and walked in there and visited the Sea Life Aquarium, the Animal Tales and Trails Free Exhibit, the Crayola Store.  I also went to the WWI National Museum at Liberty Memorial, Union Station and the Country Club Plaza to name a few.  Here is a link to my photo album posted on Facebook of my adventures with "Flat" Payton. Photos of Adventures with Flat Payton in Kansas City  It was a lot of fun and I found ways to incorporate exercise into each day's activities.  Big Plus!!  When I went to the Plaza with my mom we went to lunch at Seasons 52 Fresh Grill and everything on the menu is under 475 calories.  The food is fresh and seasonal-hence their name.  It was the best tasting food I have had in a very long time.  We LOVED it!  Here is a pic of the flatbread my mom and I shared and the lovely raspberry gorgonzola spinach salad I had.  I cant wait to go back!  Seasons 52

One more share- here is a video clip of Season 12 at home winner Jennifer Rumple showing how she lost 145 pounds in the pool.  This is awesome and you have to check it!!  I am forever in the pool and it is awesome cardio burn and resistance training.  I love Jen she is such an inspiration.  Jennifer Rumple Pool Workout Video

Finally, Rubina Nalbandian, who is a participant on Live Big with Ali Vincent has already been losing since weighing in at 386.  Her story is amazing.  She just did a hike at Runyon Canyon with Ali and other Live Big Participants for 2.5 miles.  Here is a great pic of her.  I love her and she inspires me BIG!!! 

Rubina, Alexandra and Matt- LIVE BIG!  I have that same towel!! :)

Well my time is winding down here at the library today and as always I am excited to share my journey with you.  I am definitely living the BIG life and making my way toward that 40 pound goal.  Have a wonderful week FB!!  Keep getting your INSPIRE on as Jen would say.  *peace*

 

  Here is my "skinny/strong" fave pic of me of the week. 

Week One of New Vigorous and Vivacious Motivation

Hello Blog Peeps!!  This week has been a week of finding out what I am made of.  Since last Monday afternoon when I met Ali Vincent here in Kansas City and was challenged to lose another 40 pounds by September 7th I have been more dedicated than I have been in many months.  I feel a new vigor- a renewal in my motivation.  I have longed for this feeling again.

 This week I took Ali's advice and went back to my very beginning basics.  I get a 15 minute break approximately every hour at my job during my 10 hour shift.  I have been bringing my MP3 player and headphones and been hitting the pavement in the parking lot outside of our break area.  The weather has been a crisp and beautiful spring type weather in the middle of the night when I am out there.  Simply breathtaking.  I have found that these little spurts of exercise also helped me feel renewed to go back out there and do my job with a little extra energy that I welcome!!  For the last two minutes of the break I use a curbside as a stairmaster and with a little Hinder "All American Nightmare" blasting in my headphones I tackle that curb until time to go back.  Some of my co-workers have seen me doing this and think I am crazy but I don't care.  I prefer to think of it as "crazy like a fox".

My week started with my friend Kristin from work unexpectedly joining me on one of my walks in the park.  That was great!  It made the time go by quickly and it was fun to have some girl talk time with someone who also has a healthy lifestyle mindset.  Thanks Kristin!  I have been at the park a lot this past week and I just can't describe here how much I love it.  Got lots of walking in and used my ankle and wrist weights to step it up.  I felt it in my legs and unfortunately in my poor knees.  I made it to jazzercise 5 times this past week and that was an accomplishment and last Saturday I made it to my last Aqua Boot Camp class and got some good swimming in all week.  I truly love the pool.  My knees appreciate the low impact factor but I feel so free, strong and healthy in the water. 

It has also been an emotionally trying week.  My mother has been grieving and exhausted.  We lost two of our beloved cats.  KittyBoy was with us 11 years.  He was literally my mother's shadow.  From the time he was a baby he was full of personality and my mother's constant companion.  Peanut was 14 years old.  She lived a good life too.  She loved my mother and was beautiful and smart.  I have been to my mother's home many times this past week to help her with housework, to make sure she would eat, etc.  Yesterday I made more than a few trips up and down steps in the basement, up and down the stairs in the front yard as I packed the car with stuff to haul away, moved an old couch out to the curbside down a bunch of stairs in the front yard by myself and raked leaves out of the driveway.  I counted this as calorie burn. 

After my visit yesterday I went to the pool and swam 10 laps which is a lot for me.  I breast stroke all the

way down the lap lane then backstroke back.  They are really the only two strokes I know.  Then I did some laps in the Lazy River and finished in the hot tub with the jets massaging my aching knees.  After the pool closed that evening, I went upstairs to our indoor track and walked a mile then left as the gym closed.  I thought I put in a good night of workout.  My workout game has definitely stepped up.  At my gym they are going to offer a kettlebells class complimentary if you are a member that I am dying to try out.  For those of you who don't know what kettlebells are take a look at this video clip.  Kettlebell Workout


My gym is also offering a PiYo class beginning at the end of this month.  Now admittedly my flexibility and range of motion are still limited.  My knees do not allow me to be on all fours with my weight bearing on them.  This has been frustrating for me for a VERY LONG TIME!! But I am still fascinated by this fusion class that is a mixture of Pilates and Yoga.  I have shyed away from yoga classes because of the whole getting in the floor business.  I have enough trouble with this at Jazzercise and usually have to try standing options for a lot of that.  I took a look at this video and it does seem challenging for me but I am wanting to give it a shot.  Let me know what you think.  PiYo Workout Preview

This Saturday I get to attend my "new" cousin's Bachelorette Party.  I am very excited.  But I am going to be tested with my decisions as far as food and drink.  We are going to a Mexican restaurant first, then over to her house to have cocktails and then finally on a party bus to local nightclubs etc.  My game plan is to BYOB to the house party portion of Skinny Girl Margaritas.  Skinnygirl Cocktails 

I will also have to be careful with the Mexican food and just make sure to dance my behind off and just have fun!

Ali's visit to Kansas City probably saved me literally.  I was in a dangerous place where you keep going or go backward.  I had been discouraged for a while but now I feel like I did when I first started the process.  Tonight after my library venture here I will be at Jazzercise getting my sweat on for an hour aerobic class then taking a strength training class with Body Sculpting and ending the night with my final Ballet Body class.  I will most likely be ready to be scraped up off the floor by the end of all that but it will be worth it.  Here is my autographed pic of Ali that I carry in my purse with me at all times with my former "fat" pics to remind me of my purpose and my goal. 

My nutrition has also come back into play and that is why this week ended in victory with a 2.5 pound loss.  I am ECSTATIC!!!  I have really been tracking, being mindful to eat every 3-4 hours, getting lots of protein in and a significant decrease in carbohydrates.  I am counting my PointsPlus and trying hard to get that balance of eating right and the workout in sync.  So far so good and I feel really good.

Still looking ahead to the 4 Mile Trolley Run on April 29th.  I would LOVE to complete this race in under an hour.  I will be pushing hard and will definitely be posting pics here of the race for all to see. 

Well I had better get going so I can enjoy some of the wonderful sunny weather we are having here today and get prepared for my classes.  HAVE A FANTASTIC WEEK!!  I will keep everyone posted on my progress.  I will leave you with one more motivational pic as I sign off.  Till the next time we blog- So long :)



WOW From Difficult Week to Whirlwind Week

Hey Blog Peeps!  As many of you know that follow me on Facebook I met Ali Vincent here in Kansas City yesterday!  For those of you who may not know who she is, Ali is the first Female Overall Winner of the Biggest Loser.  She won the title on Season 5 of the show and she now has her own show on the Live Well Network. Live Well Network

She was taping a segment of "Ask Ali" for her show Live Big With Ali Vincent.  I got to talk to her and tell her a bit about my story, that I have lost over 100 lbs. and I had "before" pics to show her.  She was very happy to hear about my weight loss, hugged me and and she then challenged me to tell my weight on national TV which I did because its a number and its a temporary state.  I am proud of my weight because it shows how far I have come.  Then she challenged me to lose 40 pounds- yes you heard correctly- 40 pounds by September 7th when she returns for a Live Well Expo here in Kansas City that will promote healthy lifestyles, wellness, physical fitness, etc.  So being 3 days under 5 months out I have my work cut out for me.  So when my co-workers see me walking around our parking lot on breaks and putting in 10 minutes of stairs etc. they will think I am crazy BUT I am dedicated to this challenge.  I will weigh less than my original goal weight when I complete the challenge. 

Meeting Ali was a turning point for me and I knew it would be.  I had tears in my eyes when I talked to her.  I told her I was up for this because I had come this far and there was no turning back.  I meant that.

Because I have had multiple knee issues in the past that have set me back I have been resting 3 out of 4 of my work days and working out hard on my days off.  But this will now have to change because my weight will not decrease with that many days of no exercise.  So I will have to return to Sundays or Mondays being my rest day.  Since I seem to have brain decay on Monday (my Friday) I think this may be the day.

So my goals for this week are simple- track everything that enters my mouth; get to jazzercise every chance I get, get to the park and walk my behind off LITERALLY and get brave and use the weights and weight machines at my gym.  Also I need to get in my swimming and use noodles and water weights for resistance.  Ali said you can NEVER have enough cardio but strength training has to be there.  She suggested I wear ankle and wrist weights to workout at Jazzercise and use the ankle weights at work.  So I do have a pair of them and I am going to put them to use.  She also suggested that the very best gift I could purchase for myself is a Bodybugg.  A Bodybugg is a calorie tracking device worn on the arm.  It is used on the Biggest Loser Ranch on all their contestants and Ali wears hers religiously.  Here is a link to see what it is.  Bodybugg.  I am going to make the investment on payday IF I dont win one on the twitter party that Ali is hosting on Thursday where 2 BodyBuggs will be given away.  Yes I had to sign up for Twitter which I did not want to do but it will be cool.  You can follow me there at ginalipari@twitter.com

So we will see where we are next week.  I will need the support of all my friends and family to do this.  So if you are available to come swim or take a jazzercise class with me or just want to go roller skating or for a walk, let me know!!  I will take the extra calorie burn assistance where I can get it. 

My favorite Biggest Loser Contestant and At-Home Winner from Season 12 Jennifer Rumple gave me a shout out when I was feeling low last week that I want to share with you. " Gina Lipari ! Shouting your name right now! I JUST saw this post! I will pick you up, toss you about and stick my foot in your butt lady! :) We ALL struggle! That's when you gotta dig deep and find out what really makes Gina ... Gina! You'...re a fighter! Look at what you've done for yourself already! I'll read the post as soon as I can ... till then ... this is your SHOUT OUT to know I believe in you, YOU BELIEVE IN YOU ... and YOU CAN AND WILL attain every goal you set for yourself because you know anything is possible with belief in self and hard work! Now go get it! :) x #INSPIRE."  She is great and I appreciate her encouragement.  Here is a link to her latest video on Street Workout Tips that Save Money.  Check it!  Street Workout Tips

Here are my pics from my meeting with Ali.  She is awesome!  She will be keeping up with me and my progress.  Its on Peeps.  Have a great week!  I am inspired by so many who are out there doing the things they need to do to live the healthiest happiest life they can.  Share with me!!  LOVE HUGS and get your SWEAT on!

Me and Ali Vincent-the First Female Overall Winner of the Biggest Loser

Me and two other fans of the show with Ali. 

A difficult week

Ok, when things get tough, perhaps its time to reflect on where you have been and where you are going.  I am going to start with how I felt yesterday.  I posted this on my Facebook page:

"FB I am in a terrible mood today. I feel down on myself. Long week for me loaded with terrible food choices, not enough sleep or exercise and disappointment with my lack of weight loss. I still havent adjusted well to my new days off-STILL! It takes me forever... Sad and upset with me and my birthday is only 7 weeks away and i need 15lbs gone by then... :( "

Food choices.   Well, I have been better about tracking but then stopped on 3/16 and picked it up again on 3/29.  I journaled that I was struggling with PMS, but I had eaten pizza and drank wine on Tuesday 3/28, then on Wednesday 3/27 I went to the Crab Leg Buffet at work with friends.  UGH!  It was all good and I loved the company and every minute of it but this set me back.  On the positive on each of those days I did do something active.  On 3/27 I worked out in the pool for an hour and on 3/28 I went out to Independence Jazzercise and worked out in an hour class there.  So 3/29 I picked myself up and started to track again and went to the park to walk, went to jazzercise for an hour class and 3/30 I did the same, went to jazzercise that morning but then I stopped tracking when I went on my day trip to my cousin's wedding.  The food was awesome but again not really what I should have eaten and then of course wedding cake and a lot of sitting in the car.  On the positive I did dance the Cupid Shuffle at the reception then went out dancing with friends upon my return to Kansas City that night after the wedding.

So with that said, I pulled myself together and went to my mother's house and helped her with some things and got in some stairs then I went and did a 30 minute Jazzercise express class and finally made it to my Ballet Body class there as well that started last week.  I love putting on my ballet slippers- its just too awesome.  It lifted my mood but I know that I have a lot of work to do. 

I have also been down on myself because as of this week I made the decision to pull out of the weight loss competition at work.  These competitions actually hinder my weight loss efforts.  I get panicked about weigh ins, I do careless things and get discouraged so easily.  The final straw was when I came into work on Friday night to weigh in and I was dressed in my weigh in clothes, empty of food and water, etc. so I could get the very best result and there was no one there to weigh me.  The weigh in began at 8pm and that is when I have to start work, SO, I wasnt about to starve myself any longer or weigh in wearing my heavy uniform and spanx, etc.  It was then I resigned myself to not continue.  So as not to lose sight of the real goal which is to be 15 pounds lighter by 40, I decided the best thing for me to do was to stop the competition.  I have mixed emotions about it but I know deep down its the right thing for me.

Then today as I was editing the photos from my Cousin Hallie's wedding that I attended on Saturday I decided to look at some old photos from when I was 300+ pounds.  I will post them here for you The first one is me and my cousin Joanne Rodriguez back at a family get together in August 2008.  I miss her all the time and think of her always.  I have a difficult time talking about her because it brings immediate tears to my eyes...  The second one is me just before I started working at the casino in 2007.  The third one is me accepting the Employee of the Year for Back of House 2008 (taken in Feb. 2009) at my place of employment.  I looked like the side of a house.

 

So with those hideous pics posted now I must post one of me currently.  This one was taken of me with my cousins at the wedding on 3/31 and another of me on 3/27 when I went out with friends.  Love the yellow top!

 

I can see where I have made progress since then but it has taken me so long to lose over 100 pounds and I am still wanting more but I have let social situations really get in my way with food.  I think I have the working out under control.  I get in 3-4 days a week and at least 2 times in each of those days.  I am still looking ahead to my 40th birthday but really want 15 pounds by then and as I said above I only have 7 weeks to get it done. 

As wedding, family get-together, ball game, social season begins I need to be conscious of the choices I am making as far as what I eat.

I also have the Trolley Run to look ahead to on 4/29 and I am going to start today with training to run.  I downloaded a calendar from sparkpeople.com a while back that is a day by day how-to on getting ready for a 5k.  I am putting the link on here for all to see.  Check it out. 5k your way

My goals for the week are to get in 3 jazzercise classes and I already have 2 in, swim 2x, attend Weight Watchers meeting on Thursday ( I really need this!), walk at the park at least 2x and track, track, track.  The struggles continue but I have been at this for over 2 years now and I cannot quit.  Frustration sometimes is part of the game.

Have a wonderful week everyone!  Till Next time!  I am off for a walk because today is the beginning of National Start Walking Week!  Here is a link to find out more about that too.National Start Walking Day