"Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first..." Revelation 2:5
You may be wondering where I have been lately and what the Bible verse has to do with it. The truth is, I haven't blogged in a while because I just didn't know what to say. My last several posts have been about my struggle in the recent months. I hit a plateau around the end of December and haven't been able to conquer it. I understand that reading about my struggles can be just as helpful as reading about my victories. My failures can be as inspiring as my advice but I didn't feel there was much more to say than what I had already said.
Before I get to my use of the scripture above let me give you a brief recap of the changes I've made in my life over the last year:
* At the beginning of 2011, I decided to make a change towards a healthier lifestyle as I was overweight (obese, actually) and unhappy.
* I started slowly instead of making drastic changes all at once. I added fresh fruits and vegetables to my diet, cut way back on fast food, began to cook more at home, and did some low-impact exercises.
* I lost around 15 pounds by the end of April 2011.
* On Mother's Day 2011 I started The Couch to 5K running plan and began making more changes to my diet, and increased my level of exercise.
* I ran my first 5K in July 2011.
* By December 2011, I had lost a total of 50 pounds.
In December I set another goal for myself to lose another 30 pounds by my 29th birthday at the end of April...AND THEN I GOT STUCK. I hit a brick wall, a plateau, whatever you want to call it. The scale fluctuated every once in a while, up a pound or so, down a pound or so, but mostly it stayed at one weight. I came to terms that I probably would not reach my weight loss goal of 30 pounds in time but I was OK with that. I just never expected to still be ramming my head up against that brick wall in April. The first of April came and I STILL hadn't lost any more weight since December.
I kept making excuses but I knew the truth. I had become comfortable with the weight I was at. I looked better in the clothes that I wore so instead of giving it everything I had, I sort of coasted along. I ate healthy enough most of the week and kept a semi-consistent workout schedule so that when I indulged the other parts of the week, it didn't really affect my weight. I, however, noticed changes in my body, for the worse, even though the scale didn't register any weight gain.
A few weeks ago, I had a conversation with my mother and I told her that I knew what it would take to get past this plateau but I just wasn't ready to commit to it. Even though I knew the answer, I wasn't mentally ready to do what it was going to take. But something changed for me right before Easter. My parent's were visiting us in Louisiana and we had gone shopping. This was the first time in a really LONG time that I tried on clothes and felt confident. It was the first time in a really LONG time that I didn't look in a mirror and feel huge or wish that I was just a little smaller so that the dress I liked would fit me. I bought an amazing Easter dress (first one in 3 years) and I felt good. I also bought the smallest size that I have worn in over 4 years...a 12! That is 6 sizes down from where I started! This confidence boost gave me what I needed mentally to keep going. Although I didn't really get started with my new plan until after Easter since I had decided to spend Easter with my family in Florida.
You're probably still wondering about the Bible verse. Today, I was marveling over the weight loss that I have been experiencing in the last week. Yes, I said weight LOSS! And this verse kept coming to my mind. I realize that this scripture is dealing with something else entirely but the truth of it resonates with what's been going on with me this week.
"Remember therefore from where you have fallen..." - last year, I was actively losing weight, changing my lifestyle, and getting healthier. So far this year, I've been coasting along, with my heart not really in it.
"repent..." - I had to take a serious look at what was going on in my mind and my heart concerning my health and weight loss and make a choice.
"and do the works you did at first..." - this was the key. I had to go back to the beginning of when I started this journey. I knew it was going to take serious commitment and serious changes in my eating and exercise habits...AGAIN!
When I first started out of this quest for a healthier lifestyle and a smaller waistline, I was eating extremely healthy...little to no processed foods, lots of lean meats and seafood, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and I was drinking a LOT of water. As of late, I hadn't been doing very much of that. There was a lot of eating out, making poor decisions, eating processed junk and snack foods. But last Friday, I started anew. This week, I have been doing the works that I did at first, eating clean, drinking lots of water, and exercising more. I also haven't had a Diet Coke since last Thursday and if you know me, you know that is huge. I have also upped my green tea consumption again.
I am so happy to share with you that I have torn down that brick wall and I'm moving forward. Since Friday, I have lost 4 pounds and it feels GOOD!
I'm definitely no where near my goal for April but that's OK. I have less than two week until my birthday, so let's see how much I can lose (safely) til then!
Peace, Love, and Healthy Living,
Jessica
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Still Struggling...
In my last post I told you that I was stuck. I've just had a really hard time since the beginning of the year. I had a couple of weeks where I just ate whatever I wanted and rarely exercised. Then I tried to get it back together and ended up losing the few pounds that I had gained. But ever since then, I have been stuck at this one weight. I know that I've got to do something different than what I've been doing and I also know that I've got to be more consistent with my eating. One of my problems right now is that I eat great about 5 days a week but I indulge a little too much about 2 days a week. Here lately, I've also been having days where no matter what I eat I can't seem to fill up. I am constantly hungry though out the day. And not just the I'm bored so I think I'm hungry. I'm talking that my stomach hurts and I feel sick because I'm so hungry. It's just plain weird.
Last week, I had a really bad day where I couldn't shake the negative feelings about my body. I had worked very hard the week before, upping my exercise and eating well consistently for all 7 days and the scale did not reward me. Once I gave in to those negative feelings, my emotions were all over the place and the negative feelings took root in other areas of my life. I no longer felt bad just about my weight and my body but about many other things. Luckily I have some great friends who encouraged me and gave me some sound advice and I was able to push those negative thoughts out and replace them with better ones.
I'm still struggling. I am so sick of the scale. At times the temptation is there to throw in the towel and give in. I'm not perfect. I don't have this figured out. But I do know that I've come too far to quit. I feel like if I can lose the next five pounds and get out of the slump that I am in that I will be able to focus better and continue on. But right now, I am stressed about the scale and maybe that's the problem. I've always been a stress eater. It's a struggle to eat healthy when I'm stressed. I still crave a big, greasy, sloppy hamburger when I feel that way. So I'm going to do some things differently. It will be trial and error until I can figure this out. I may end up gaining weight (I hope not) trying to figure it out but I've got to find something that works for me and soon.
The first thing that I am going to do is retire the scale...for two weeks. I weighed this morning so that I would have a true starting weight but after that I'm going to resist the temptation to step on it. I have to remember that I am not defined by a number on a scale. Yes, the scale is a measuring stick on how well I am doing with my healthy living and yes, I still have weight to lose so I'm going to need that scale but it's time for the two of us to take a break.
Secondly, I've contacted the head of personal training at my gym. I gave him a brief background on myself and what I am looking for and I'm waiting to hear back from him. I may not be able to afford any personal training at this time but I am hoping to get some advice and a little help from a professional.
Third, I've got to get over some fears. The gym can be intimidating. I'm a people watcher so don't give me that crap that nobody is paying any attention to me because I'm sure that I'm not the only person that goes to the gym and watches other people. There is also the fear of failure AND the fear of success. I'm sure you can understand why the fear of failure is there but success, really? Yes, what happens if I succeed? What happens if I get to my goal weight? Will I be able to maintain? What if I slip up and gain weight back? It's time to stop being afraid. Easier said than done though, right?
And fourthly, I've got to do some serious tweaking to my diet. I am hoping to get some advice on this when I sit down with the trainer at the gym. I've never been one to count calories. I hated counting points when I was doing Weight Watchers online a few years ago. I like things to be simple and easy but I may have to get over what I want and do what I need to do.
Living a healthy lifestyle is NOT easy. It's seriously one of the hardest things that I have ever done. I've had to change so much about my life. It's all been worth it and the truth is that even though it's been hard, I've enjoyed it. My friend Clara who recently had an epiphany about her weight loss journey and the plateau she had been experiencing likes to use this quote and I find it very appropriate:
CHOOSE YOUR HARD.
Peace, Love, and Healthy Living,
Jessica
Last week, I had a really bad day where I couldn't shake the negative feelings about my body. I had worked very hard the week before, upping my exercise and eating well consistently for all 7 days and the scale did not reward me. Once I gave in to those negative feelings, my emotions were all over the place and the negative feelings took root in other areas of my life. I no longer felt bad just about my weight and my body but about many other things. Luckily I have some great friends who encouraged me and gave me some sound advice and I was able to push those negative thoughts out and replace them with better ones.
I'm still struggling. I am so sick of the scale. At times the temptation is there to throw in the towel and give in. I'm not perfect. I don't have this figured out. But I do know that I've come too far to quit. I feel like if I can lose the next five pounds and get out of the slump that I am in that I will be able to focus better and continue on. But right now, I am stressed about the scale and maybe that's the problem. I've always been a stress eater. It's a struggle to eat healthy when I'm stressed. I still crave a big, greasy, sloppy hamburger when I feel that way. So I'm going to do some things differently. It will be trial and error until I can figure this out. I may end up gaining weight (I hope not) trying to figure it out but I've got to find something that works for me and soon.
The first thing that I am going to do is retire the scale...for two weeks. I weighed this morning so that I would have a true starting weight but after that I'm going to resist the temptation to step on it. I have to remember that I am not defined by a number on a scale. Yes, the scale is a measuring stick on how well I am doing with my healthy living and yes, I still have weight to lose so I'm going to need that scale but it's time for the two of us to take a break.
Secondly, I've contacted the head of personal training at my gym. I gave him a brief background on myself and what I am looking for and I'm waiting to hear back from him. I may not be able to afford any personal training at this time but I am hoping to get some advice and a little help from a professional.
Third, I've got to get over some fears. The gym can be intimidating. I'm a people watcher so don't give me that crap that nobody is paying any attention to me because I'm sure that I'm not the only person that goes to the gym and watches other people. There is also the fear of failure AND the fear of success. I'm sure you can understand why the fear of failure is there but success, really? Yes, what happens if I succeed? What happens if I get to my goal weight? Will I be able to maintain? What if I slip up and gain weight back? It's time to stop being afraid. Easier said than done though, right?
And fourthly, I've got to do some serious tweaking to my diet. I am hoping to get some advice on this when I sit down with the trainer at the gym. I've never been one to count calories. I hated counting points when I was doing Weight Watchers online a few years ago. I like things to be simple and easy but I may have to get over what I want and do what I need to do.
Living a healthy lifestyle is NOT easy. It's seriously one of the hardest things that I have ever done. I've had to change so much about my life. It's all been worth it and the truth is that even though it's been hard, I've enjoyed it. My friend Clara who recently had an epiphany about her weight loss journey and the plateau she had been experiencing likes to use this quote and I find it very appropriate:
CHOOSE YOUR HARD.
Peace, Love, and Healthy Living,
Jessica
Monday, March 5, 2012
Stuck Like Glue
I'm sorry that I didn't tell you beforehand but I've been on a blogging break. I intentionally neglected you! Sorry about that! I had to.
Why?
Well, it seems that I had gotten really good about giving advice but not so good at taking it.
Have you ever been stuck? I mean, literally, stuck? Children get stuck all the time because they try to fit there bodies into spaces that aren't big enough for them. I can't tell you how many times over the last four years that I've answered the cry of my daughter only to find her stuck somewhere she wasn't supposed to be in the first place. I recall a time, not too long after my husband and I were married, that I got stuck.
Underneath the edges of our small kitchen table was this decorative "metal." The pattern on the inside of it was sort of loopy and open. One day, while having a discussion with my husband, I absentmindedly put my hand through one of the loops. It was a tight fit but I got in through there and then I couldn't get it back out. Now, I have a tendency to panic but at first, I calmly tried to pull my hand back out and couldn't and that's when the panic set in. I interrupted our conversation and begged my husband to help get me out. Well, he wasn't helping me fast enough and the panic kicked up a notch and I began to cry for him to get my daddy. I wasn't married long enough yet to realize that I should allow my husband to help me and not go calling for my daddy. But hey, my daddy can fix anything, and I wanted to get my hand back. I now know that my husband is great at fixing things. He is completely calm and level headed in any situation and I'm most definitely not. He got my hand out just fine.
Have you ever noticed that the majority of the time you are stuck, just like a child, it was because you were somewhere you weren't supposed to be. My hand wasn't supposed to be in the metal part of the table.
I haven't been stuck anywhere physically lately but I've been stuck mentally. One of my main goals for 2012 was to lose 30 pounds by my 29th birthday at the end of April. I am here to tell you that I've only lost 3 pounds towards that goal. In the last few weeks I have gained and lost 2 of those pounds over and over and over again. I've been stuck in my weight loss. Why? The answer is the same as before. I was somewhere I wasn't supposed to be. I was doing something I wasn't supposed to do.
The somewhere I wasn't supposed to be was...the couch. I was supposed to be outside running, or at the gym, or even inside doing a workout video but most recently I've been on the couch. The something I wasn't supposed to be doing was...eating things that are bad for me. I've grown completely slack in how I eat. Instead of enjoying things in moderation every once in a while, I've been enjoying the "bad" things on too much of a consistent basis.
I've been giving advice and not taking it. I know the right things to say and I know the right things to do but knowing something and doing it are two very different things. I've grown comfortable where I am. I feel better about myself, I look better in the mirror, and even though I've said it before that I don't have it figured out, the truth is I thought I did. I was not only comfortable but I was cocky. And that my friends, is a dangerous place to be. It was.
Over the last few weeks, even months, I've struggled with my love for food. I've struggled with my addiction to food. I DO NOT HAVE IT FIGURED OUT and I probably never will.
I had planned on not blogging again until I had finally gotten out of the 160's and back on track. After a long conversation with my mom over the weekend she reminded me that people need to hear my struggles. After all, that's probably why most of you started reading my blog in the first place. I know that the advice is good and helpful but sometimes just knowing that someone else struggles the same way you do and doesn't have it figured out is a much better help than any advice.
I don't want to be stuck anymore and I'm doing my best to get unstuck. The thing about being stuck is that most often you can't get yourself out, you need help. Here is me asking for help. If you think about me this week, pray for me. Leave me a comment. Send me a message. We're in this together.
I'm off to take advantage of this beautiful weather and go for a walk with my daughter.
Peace, Love, and Healthy Living,
Jessica
Why?
Well, it seems that I had gotten really good about giving advice but not so good at taking it.
Have you ever been stuck? I mean, literally, stuck? Children get stuck all the time because they try to fit there bodies into spaces that aren't big enough for them. I can't tell you how many times over the last four years that I've answered the cry of my daughter only to find her stuck somewhere she wasn't supposed to be in the first place. I recall a time, not too long after my husband and I were married, that I got stuck.
Underneath the edges of our small kitchen table was this decorative "metal." The pattern on the inside of it was sort of loopy and open. One day, while having a discussion with my husband, I absentmindedly put my hand through one of the loops. It was a tight fit but I got in through there and then I couldn't get it back out. Now, I have a tendency to panic but at first, I calmly tried to pull my hand back out and couldn't and that's when the panic set in. I interrupted our conversation and begged my husband to help get me out. Well, he wasn't helping me fast enough and the panic kicked up a notch and I began to cry for him to get my daddy. I wasn't married long enough yet to realize that I should allow my husband to help me and not go calling for my daddy. But hey, my daddy can fix anything, and I wanted to get my hand back. I now know that my husband is great at fixing things. He is completely calm and level headed in any situation and I'm most definitely not. He got my hand out just fine.
Have you ever noticed that the majority of the time you are stuck, just like a child, it was because you were somewhere you weren't supposed to be. My hand wasn't supposed to be in the metal part of the table.
I haven't been stuck anywhere physically lately but I've been stuck mentally. One of my main goals for 2012 was to lose 30 pounds by my 29th birthday at the end of April. I am here to tell you that I've only lost 3 pounds towards that goal. In the last few weeks I have gained and lost 2 of those pounds over and over and over again. I've been stuck in my weight loss. Why? The answer is the same as before. I was somewhere I wasn't supposed to be. I was doing something I wasn't supposed to do.
The somewhere I wasn't supposed to be was...the couch. I was supposed to be outside running, or at the gym, or even inside doing a workout video but most recently I've been on the couch. The something I wasn't supposed to be doing was...eating things that are bad for me. I've grown completely slack in how I eat. Instead of enjoying things in moderation every once in a while, I've been enjoying the "bad" things on too much of a consistent basis.
I've been giving advice and not taking it. I know the right things to say and I know the right things to do but knowing something and doing it are two very different things. I've grown comfortable where I am. I feel better about myself, I look better in the mirror, and even though I've said it before that I don't have it figured out, the truth is I thought I did. I was not only comfortable but I was cocky. And that my friends, is a dangerous place to be. It was.
Over the last few weeks, even months, I've struggled with my love for food. I've struggled with my addiction to food. I DO NOT HAVE IT FIGURED OUT and I probably never will.
I had planned on not blogging again until I had finally gotten out of the 160's and back on track. After a long conversation with my mom over the weekend she reminded me that people need to hear my struggles. After all, that's probably why most of you started reading my blog in the first place. I know that the advice is good and helpful but sometimes just knowing that someone else struggles the same way you do and doesn't have it figured out is a much better help than any advice.
I don't want to be stuck anymore and I'm doing my best to get unstuck. The thing about being stuck is that most often you can't get yourself out, you need help. Here is me asking for help. If you think about me this week, pray for me. Leave me a comment. Send me a message. We're in this together.
I'm off to take advantage of this beautiful weather and go for a walk with my daughter.
Peace, Love, and Healthy Living,
Jessica
Monday, February 13, 2012
A Confession and a Trip Down Memory Lane
So, I've been out of town recently and have neglected my blog. Sorry!
If you've been on my blogs Facebook page today then you sort of know some of this already. But in the spirit of confession, I must tell you I've had a bit off time off from the 30 Day Shred and Jillian Michaels. It wasn't intentional. In the beginning, I missed a couple of days because of my parent's little apartment being crowded with people and having no privacy to do the DVD. I had no desire to humiliate myself in front of my family. :) And then I forgot my DVD at my parents house the night I stayed at my brother's house and then from then on out it was a downward cycle into inactivity all together. What can I say? It happens.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. I'm not perfect. I don't have it all figured out. I am constantly learning, re-evaluating, picking myself up, and pushing on. Today, the temptation was there to continue to do nothing. I had plenty of excuses. But the truth is, the hardest move you'll make is the one where you put on your shoes and go for it. Whatever form of exercise you choose, making the decision to do it and sticking to it is the hardest part. I'm not saying that whatever activity you do will be easy. Jillian Michaels is a crazy lady! I find myself saying that out loud many times while I am doing her workout. "She's crazy!" "She's insane if she thinks I can do that!" "Seriously!" These are all comments you'll hear if you're anywhere near me while the Shred is happening because it's so darn hard! So as I sat down on the couch to put on my shoes, I was thinking about how much I really didn't want to do it. I would much rather sit back on the couch, relax, and watch a movie with my daughter. It was so hard to lace up those shoes but once I had them on and the DVD in, I didn't look back. Even while sweat was dripping off my face and my arms could barely hold my weight in the plank position one second longer, I didn't regret my decision. I posted this picture on Facebook recently and it totally sums up what I'm trying to say here...
I made a few goals for myself for this week to help me get back on track and to get the scale moving again. Here they are:
If you've been on my blogs Facebook page today then you sort of know some of this already. But in the spirit of confession, I must tell you I've had a bit off time off from the 30 Day Shred and Jillian Michaels. It wasn't intentional. In the beginning, I missed a couple of days because of my parent's little apartment being crowded with people and having no privacy to do the DVD. I had no desire to humiliate myself in front of my family. :) And then I forgot my DVD at my parents house the night I stayed at my brother's house and then from then on out it was a downward cycle into inactivity all together. What can I say? It happens.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. I'm not perfect. I don't have it all figured out. I am constantly learning, re-evaluating, picking myself up, and pushing on. Today, the temptation was there to continue to do nothing. I had plenty of excuses. But the truth is, the hardest move you'll make is the one where you put on your shoes and go for it. Whatever form of exercise you choose, making the decision to do it and sticking to it is the hardest part. I'm not saying that whatever activity you do will be easy. Jillian Michaels is a crazy lady! I find myself saying that out loud many times while I am doing her workout. "She's crazy!" "She's insane if she thinks I can do that!" "Seriously!" These are all comments you'll hear if you're anywhere near me while the Shred is happening because it's so darn hard! So as I sat down on the couch to put on my shoes, I was thinking about how much I really didn't want to do it. I would much rather sit back on the couch, relax, and watch a movie with my daughter. It was so hard to lace up those shoes but once I had them on and the DVD in, I didn't look back. Even while sweat was dripping off my face and my arms could barely hold my weight in the plank position one second longer, I didn't regret my decision. I posted this picture on Facebook recently and it totally sums up what I'm trying to say here...
I made a few goals for myself for this week to help me get back on track and to get the scale moving again. Here they are:
Thursday, February 2, 2012
30 Day Challenge: Days 8-10
Well friends, today I completed level one of Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred!!!
Man is she tough! Day one was brutal. I thought I might faint, puke, die, or all three! Today, on day 10, my heart rate was up and I was drenched in sweat when I was done but I felt great!
I'm a little nervous about starting level two tomorrow. I know it's going to be much harder but I know my body is ready for it. I'm really hoping to see some great results at the end of these 30 days.
This weekend will prove to be challenging to my lifestyle and routine. We have more family coming into town for my niece's birthday party on Saturday. This means more people in my parent's small apartment which means less time to get in a workout, especially if you don't want an audience while you do it! Trust me. It ain't pretty! :) This also means dealing with a weakness for me...birthday cake! I LOVE birthday cake! The key is moderation. I will be having a cupcake on Saturday! I'll only have one and I'll be sure that I eat well the rest of the time.
I hope you've been being active this week. It can be hard to stay committed when your out of town. The old me would have left my workout clothes at home and made excuses not to do any sort of exercise. The old me would eat whatever my heart desired whether it was good for me or not because, well, "I'm on vacation!" The new me, nearly had to bring an extra bag just for my workout gear! That's cool! I love the new me!
Peace, Love, and Healthy Living,
Jessica
Man is she tough! Day one was brutal. I thought I might faint, puke, die, or all three! Today, on day 10, my heart rate was up and I was drenched in sweat when I was done but I felt great!
I'm a little nervous about starting level two tomorrow. I know it's going to be much harder but I know my body is ready for it. I'm really hoping to see some great results at the end of these 30 days.
This weekend will prove to be challenging to my lifestyle and routine. We have more family coming into town for my niece's birthday party on Saturday. This means more people in my parent's small apartment which means less time to get in a workout, especially if you don't want an audience while you do it! Trust me. It ain't pretty! :) This also means dealing with a weakness for me...birthday cake! I LOVE birthday cake! The key is moderation. I will be having a cupcake on Saturday! I'll only have one and I'll be sure that I eat well the rest of the time.
I hope you've been being active this week. It can be hard to stay committed when your out of town. The old me would have left my workout clothes at home and made excuses not to do any sort of exercise. The old me would eat whatever my heart desired whether it was good for me or not because, well, "I'm on vacation!" The new me, nearly had to bring an extra bag just for my workout gear! That's cool! I love the new me!
Peace, Love, and Healthy Living,
Jessica
Monday, January 30, 2012
30 Day Challenge: Days 3-7
Hi all! I am sorry that I haven't blogged in a while. My computer died recently and I'm currently out of town visiting my family. Both have been factors in my delay in blogging.
I am officially a week into the Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred and I feel great! Today should have been day 8 but we spent the whole day at church yesterday and I wasn't feeling well most of the day so I skipped my workout. I started back up again today.
The difference in my endurance from day 1 to day 7 is amazing. On day one, I was panting and barely able to complete the modified versions of each exercise. Today, on day 7, I was still breathing hard but I was able to complete the full version of each exercise, except push ups. I still have to do girl ones. Push ups are sooo hard for me! I'm hoping that by the end of this program, I can do real ones! :)
I am spending most of this week and next with my parent's. It's hard being out of your own routine but I am sticking to my plans and goals. My mom is a great motivator and helps keep me in line with my workouts while I'm here. I mean, she gets up at 5 or 5:30 every morning just to be sure she gets in her workout before work. She suffers with fibromyalgia which makes even sleep difficult for her most nights. If she can still get up and workout then I can too! And I don't have to worry about what we are going to be eating while I am here because they eat the same way I do! That is a huge blessing!
It's a new day, a new week. How are you going to be active this week? How are you going to eat healthier? How are you going to change your life? In the end, it's up to you! You can read all about my weight loss success, you can read stories from other blogger's too. You can know all the right things to do but until you DECIDE that YOU want it and YOU are willing to work HARD to get it, nothing is going to change. Take my advice: start TODAY, start SMALL, and stay COMMITTED!
Peace, Love, and Healthy Living,
Jessica
I am officially a week into the Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred and I feel great! Today should have been day 8 but we spent the whole day at church yesterday and I wasn't feeling well most of the day so I skipped my workout. I started back up again today.
The difference in my endurance from day 1 to day 7 is amazing. On day one, I was panting and barely able to complete the modified versions of each exercise. Today, on day 7, I was still breathing hard but I was able to complete the full version of each exercise, except push ups. I still have to do girl ones. Push ups are sooo hard for me! I'm hoping that by the end of this program, I can do real ones! :)
I am spending most of this week and next with my parent's. It's hard being out of your own routine but I am sticking to my plans and goals. My mom is a great motivator and helps keep me in line with my workouts while I'm here. I mean, she gets up at 5 or 5:30 every morning just to be sure she gets in her workout before work. She suffers with fibromyalgia which makes even sleep difficult for her most nights. If she can still get up and workout then I can too! And I don't have to worry about what we are going to be eating while I am here because they eat the same way I do! That is a huge blessing!
It's a new day, a new week. How are you going to be active this week? How are you going to eat healthier? How are you going to change your life? In the end, it's up to you! You can read all about my weight loss success, you can read stories from other blogger's too. You can know all the right things to do but until you DECIDE that YOU want it and YOU are willing to work HARD to get it, nothing is going to change. Take my advice: start TODAY, start SMALL, and stay COMMITTED!
Peace, Love, and Healthy Living,
Jessica
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
30 Day Challenge: Day 2
Yesterday I completed day 2 of the 30 Day Shred.
When I woke up yesterday, my whole body was sore. I knew the workout was intense but I had no idea I would feel like that the next day. I also woke up with a massive headache that didn't help matters. I wondered how in the world I would be able to complete day 2. But when nap time came, I put my daughter to bed and popped in the DVD.
I was surprised. It wasn't easy but I could actually do a few more "pushups" yesterday. I must confess, I have terribly weak arms. I always have. It took me a whole semester in high school to be able to do a few real pushups. I can barely do a girl one. I'm sure if Jillian could actually see me doing the "pushups" she would yell and curse at me, but oh well. I'm still getting a good workout and I'll get there eventually!
At the end of the workout, I was shaky and nauseated just as the day before. Is it weird to say that I actually like that feeling? I mean, I of course don't really like to feel like I need to vomit but feeling that worn out after a workout means that I gave it everything I had.
I remembered to take measurement's yesterday. I'm really excited to see changes take place in my body especially since it will be time to buy a new bathing suit before too long. I most definitely cannot wear the one that I've had for the past couple of years. I can't remember the last time that I was actually a little bit excited about trying on bathing suits. Maybe a new bathing suit will be my reward for completing the challenge.
I think it's a good thing to challenge ourselves, especially when you're trying to lose weight. It's easy to get stuck in a routine and eventually plateau with our weight loss. That's where I was. I did the same workouts pretty much every day, never really making it any harder. Our bodies respond to hard work and a variety of movements. If you are seeing the results that you want, I challenge you to change it up. Try a new class at the gym, get a new workout DVD, push yourself even if you think you can't give anymore. Your body and the scale will thank you!
I'll do day 3 later today. I wonder how long it will take before level one starts to seem easier? I had planned to stay on level one for the whole 30 days and then realized that the program was designed to increase to a different level after 10 days. So, I'll be doing that.
Peace, Love, and Healthy Living,
Jessica
I'm linking up with...
When I woke up yesterday, my whole body was sore. I knew the workout was intense but I had no idea I would feel like that the next day. I also woke up with a massive headache that didn't help matters. I wondered how in the world I would be able to complete day 2. But when nap time came, I put my daughter to bed and popped in the DVD.
I was surprised. It wasn't easy but I could actually do a few more "pushups" yesterday. I must confess, I have terribly weak arms. I always have. It took me a whole semester in high school to be able to do a few real pushups. I can barely do a girl one. I'm sure if Jillian could actually see me doing the "pushups" she would yell and curse at me, but oh well. I'm still getting a good workout and I'll get there eventually!
At the end of the workout, I was shaky and nauseated just as the day before. Is it weird to say that I actually like that feeling? I mean, I of course don't really like to feel like I need to vomit but feeling that worn out after a workout means that I gave it everything I had.
I remembered to take measurement's yesterday. I'm really excited to see changes take place in my body especially since it will be time to buy a new bathing suit before too long. I most definitely cannot wear the one that I've had for the past couple of years. I can't remember the last time that I was actually a little bit excited about trying on bathing suits. Maybe a new bathing suit will be my reward for completing the challenge.
I think it's a good thing to challenge ourselves, especially when you're trying to lose weight. It's easy to get stuck in a routine and eventually plateau with our weight loss. That's where I was. I did the same workouts pretty much every day, never really making it any harder. Our bodies respond to hard work and a variety of movements. If you are seeing the results that you want, I challenge you to change it up. Try a new class at the gym, get a new workout DVD, push yourself even if you think you can't give anymore. Your body and the scale will thank you!
I'll do day 3 later today. I wonder how long it will take before level one starts to seem easier? I had planned to stay on level one for the whole 30 days and then realized that the program was designed to increase to a different level after 10 days. So, I'll be doing that.
Peace, Love, and Healthy Living,
Jessica
I'm linking up with...
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