It's been hard to keep up with posting, but I assure you I've been doing the workouts!

Here's where I left off...

Saturday (STATurday):
Weight: 190  My weight went up a little over the illness, but I wasn't worried about it.
All other measurements were the same
I got my grocery shopping done, and enjoyed the weekend as I rested and saw some family.

Sunday:
It was Stretch day, which I didn't do, but I did stick to my calories very well.

Monday: Focus T25 Alpha - Week 2
workout: Cardio
It was easier today, and I was able to breathe better which always helps.
calories: on track

Tuesday:
workout: Total Body Circuit
This killed me! This was one I didn't do in my sick week, so it hurt!
calories: on track, but hungry!!!  I had a hard time today with just feeling hungry and deprived

Wednesday:
workout: Speed 1.0
This is getting easier, and I felt good about my ability - had to do it alone, but I did it!
calories: today I learned the importance of balancing calories and cravings - I REALLY wanted chinese, so I built my whole day around it!  Woo hoo!  I also started feeling really good about snacking on raw fruits and veggies.

Thursday:
workout: Cardio
Getting easier, and I'm able to do more of the moves without modifying.  I am amazed at how much stronger I feel already.
calories: still on track - but I learned a little something about BMR from the Mama Laughlin Fit Camp group I subscribe to on facebook.  Turns out - I've been eating too few calories for my body and level of activity, that's why I feel so hungry.  Duh!  So, I have to adjust my thinking.  Of course, there are good calories and bad, so I just have to make sure to eat MORE of the things that are good for me, like protein, fiber, good fats (nuts), and some solid dairy.  I have been only drinking water and coffee, with the occasional post-workout chocolate milk or juice.  I'm feeling good about my choices, and I think I can actually see a difference in my face shape!

Friday (Today):
DOUBLE DAY!
workout: Lower Focus & Ab Intervals
Ok, so I was able to rock lower focus with very minimal modification.  Abs on the other hand...well...that's a different story.  Wow, my core is WEAK!  I wasn't able to make it through the video, but I did what I could so I can get a little stronger.  I am going to try to do that video again tomorrow, maybe I was just spent after the first one.
calories: Today, I had Village Inn - No, it was not a great choice.  Yes, it was delicious!  I was actually really hungry for eggs, and I wanted them from a restaurant.  Should I have only had the eggs and some canadian bacon, and maybe some whole wheat toast?  Ok, you've got me there.  But dammit, I wanted the frickin biscuits and gravy!!!  Luckily, it was "brunch" and I had only had some fruit for breakfast, so it didn't kill me on calories for the day.  I'm having a light dinner.  :)

I also bought a new watch that tracks heart rate and calories.  I hope it's accurate, because I'm going to use those readings!  I think on average, I'm burning almost 300 calories during these workouts.  Mostly because I'm so out of shape, but hey, it works for now!

Tomorrow: STATS!
Oh, and I'll be at solo/small group music contest all day, so I'm going to wear my pedometer and track how much I'm walking for the day.  That should be fun!

No, I didn't disappear.  But I did end up with a whopper of a sinus/respiratory/flu-like thing that knocked me out for a few days.  Unfortunately, I legitimately couldn't breathe well enough to do the workouts.  Monday was bad enough!  However, I did it, and here's my update.

Monday measurements as follows:
weight: 188.2
chest: 45 (yes, I have giant knockers)
waist: 37
arms: 13
thighs: 24.5

Monday's workout:
Focus T25 Alpha: Cardio
I had to modify nearly all moves, mostly because of my breathing, not to mention my current level of un-fitness.

Tuesday's workout:
Nada - wait, does coughing myself into a fit and pulling all my neck, back and ab muscles count?
(On this day I went to the doctor - there was crap in my lungs, so I got a Z-pack, steroids and an inhaler...ok I was in fact a little sick)

Wednesday's workout:
see Tuesday
Wednesday's calories:
today I also started tracking on MFP again...even with my splurge on girl scout comfort cookies, I managed to stay under my 1,200 allowance.

Thursday's workout:
see Tuesday
Thursday's calories:
I went over....end of story.  Today I found out the fast and easy gas station meal I had been enjoying at least once a week all year is over 1,000 calories.  Um, yeah.  Dammit.

Friday's workout:
Focus T25 Alpha: DOUBLE DAY! --- Lower Focus & Cardio
Ok, so, I knew from the start there was no way I was going to make it through both videos with my health not yet back to normal.  However, I wanted to jump back in without waiting to be back to 100%, because there are always reason to postpone.  Also, with the wonderful encouragement of my T25 buddy, I was convinced to at least keep moving through the second video and make my own modifications just to keep going.
Friday's calories:
Today I'm in the clear and back on track....I still have a whopping 720 calories left for the day!  I should be able to come in under that!


Tonight's task, besides continuing to nurse my lungs back to health, is to make my healthy shopping list for the next week.  I'm a habitual snacker, and I know it.  So, why not trash all the trash, and stock up on some snacky things that are actually healthy and won't kill my calories - clementines, apples, carrots, cauliflower, even some low-cal dipping sauce!  I will not starve myself.  I will plan my calorie splurges and enjoy them.  That is the only thing that will keep this girl motivated!


Tomorrow I'll be grocery shopping, making up one of the videos I missed earlier in the week, taking stats, and staying on track.  See you back here!

A year and some change later….
I'm in a new job, I'm still overweight, and now I'm officially 30.  I said last year I didn't want to enter my 30s in that state of unfit.  However, I did, and there's nothing I can do now but move forward.  So, 30 is the year when I get my shit together!

In my new job, there are several teachers in a couple different groups, that get together to work out and generally be active.  I have not been asked to participate with these groups.  The reason is obvious…I would only slow them down.  Nonetheless, it makes me a little sad that I'm missing out on spending time with friends because of my fitness level.  There's motivation #1.  Motivation #2 is my NYC trip this summer…it's right at the beginning of June, so I've only got about 12 weeks to get it together.  I obviously won't hit my goal by then, but I can absolutely be 30 lbs down by then, and that's my goal.

Today, a co-worker and I are starting Focus T-25 - a 10-week work out series.  If I really work hard to cut calories, eat lots of fiber and protein, and do this fitness program, I can absolutely get down 30 lbs.

So here it is…on a day like today, feeling like hell as I do, I would normally talk myself out of working out because I'm sick.  But today starts a new chapter of "no excuse" health and fitness.

Day 1: Today, at the beginning, I weighed in at 188.2.  Definitely not my heaviest, but definitely too heavy.  I have the measurements of chest, waist, arms and legs too, but they're at home, so I'll have to post those later…besides, I'll have to update on how the first workout goes.  It starts with the cardio disc, and I've heard it's really hard.  Well, here goes nothing!

2013 has begun, and in 24 days I will enter into the final year of my 20s. If you remember back to the beginning, I started this because I didn't want to enter my 30s at anything less than my most healthy and physically fit. So, here we go. Starting tomorrow, my first day back from break, my fitness clothes will stay at school. I will be using the school's weight room and treadmill as well as my own classroom's projector for some videos to change things up, and when its not frickin freezin my sog might actually get to go on a walk! Simply put, 7 days a week, I will spend no less than 30 minutes being physically active. This is just a start, but a big one. I am queen of excuses, and this is a no-excuse pledge (learned by my previous professor and now colleague, Rhonda Fuelberth). Even if im sick, (unless I'm actually bedridden), or think I'm too busy between school, speech, honor choirs and the two nights a week I spend singing in my own choirs, I will be active. So, here I go. I'm not calling it a resolution, because those fail. I'm not calling it a diet, because so do those. I'm calling it a much needed alteration to my current lifestyle. As it begins I will only focus on exercise. But I know for maximum weighloss and health benefits my eating must also change, so look forward to that. But first, I must make it through 20 consecutive days of consistent, no-excuse activity. Then it's a habit and I can move to the next step. I will also aim for weekly weigh-ins and regular blog entries...hopefully! :) You ready for this ride? I am. And it starts now, with a walking video and some basic floor exercises and stretches.

1/1/13 4:33pm
Bust: 46" (those of you that know me know that this is not likely to go down much-I'm a busty lady!)
Waist: 38"
Muffin Top: 42"
Butt: 43"
Thigh: 25"
Weight: 190
1st GOAL: 170
Final GOAL: 135

LET'S GO!!!!!

When I started this blog, it was because I realized I was within sight of my 30s, and I did not want to begin my 30s feeling any less than great about my health and fitness.  Well y'all, I'm officially 14 months and 11 days from 30.  Time to get rolling!  I'm well aware that the amount of weight I want and need to lose for good will not happen overnight, through commercial diets or by wishing it.  So, here's my progress and my plans.

I am hovering around the 16-18 pounds down mark, and have been for about a week.  The beginning of this year has been stressful, and I admit I have not been very healthy.  Most of my weight-loss was accomplished by not eating much.  Sure, it was nice to see the pounds come off, but my mom suggested I start putting a plan in place for when I'm no longer so stressed out.  I thought she might be right, and since I wanted to enjoy that weight-loss and use it as fuel to my fire, I'm back in the swing.  I have been eating an apple every morning...mostly to make sure I'm eating something right away, and I specifically chose apples because they are great for boosting your metabolism.  So, there's that.  Aaand, I've been careful to make sure I'm eating plenty of vegetables.  My favorite snack has now become carrots and dip (a low fat variety), which I don't let myself have all the time because I don't want to get sick of it.  So I've been munching on unsalted nuts as well.  So far so good, the scale has not gone up and ALL my pants are officially loose - even if I'm not into my "skinny jeans" yet.  So, folks, we have lift off.  Furthermore, I am bound and determined to start exercising again.  I have decided to bring a few videos to school, along with my workout clothes, so as soon as my contract hours are up and kids are gone I can use my projector to work out in my room.  This is mostly so I don't have any excuses when I get home and realize I'm too tired/lazy.

There you have it.  I'm on the right track, and beginning to see enough progress to really light a much needed fire under my ass.  I can't promise daily updates anymore, but hopefully weekly weigh-ins can be accomplished.  I haven't figured out which video I'm going to do, but I'm thinking about starting the 30-Day Shred.  Just to see what can happen in 30 days.  May as well...Christmas pictures could actually be fun this year.  :)

Alright, so here's the truth: I've fallen off the blogging, because I've fallen off the healthy lifestyle wagon.  My fears were confirmed, or maybe it was a self-fulfilling prophecy.  As soon as I moved into my new place, and school started, and choirs started, the stress mounted and I stopped trying.  I have become lazy, soaking up any free time I have by just sitting.  I have consoled my nerves and stress levels with food and stillness.  I will not sit here and write that today is where I make the change, because that would be a lie.  I have not weighed myself in the past month, probably.  The last time I did, I had managed to not gain, but I hadn't lost either.  I'm quite certain I have now gained back, most, if not all of the few pounds I had managed to lose.  There you have it.  My willpower has officially left the building, and I have no idea when it will return.  This has always been my struggle.  I kick off a plan, I do really well for a couple months, and just when the pounds start to melt off, and a normal person would be inspired by it and continue to work, I quit.  So, audience, if there is one, I ask for your help and support.  I honestly don't know what it will take for me to whip myself into obedience.  Ideas?  I'm open to ANY!

I have weighed myself, and for the first time, I will put that number on the screen.  *sigh* Here goes....on Saturday, September 29th of 2012 at 3:27 in the afternoon, in all my naked, busty glory, I officially weigh 189.6 pounds.  Honestly, I'm surprisingly pleased with this number.  I thought for sure I would be back in the upper 190s, which is where I started when I began this blog.  Last winter, the scale hit 200 and I just about lost my head.  I cried, for days, because I was not sure what to do.  In the spring, in a desperate attempt, I actually started taking CTS 360.  I am not ashamed, because when that didn't seem to do anything, I realized I was going to have to do this the old fashioned way - with good ol' work, sweat and calorie counting.  Damn!

Here's the real crux of this issue...I'm lonely.  I have been single for many years, with only a couple short-lived relationships in the middle of it, and I'm done with it.  I would like to have a companion.  I would like to be someone who walks through the grocery store and turns the heads of men of all ages.  I would like to grab a guy's attention with my looks, only to have him realize that I also have depth, and wit, and can hold his attention and affection for longer than one night.  I would like to have the confidence to TRUST when a guy says he finds me beautiful.  Sadly, this has not been the case.  Don't get me wrong, I know I'm a catch.  But I know that because I love who I am on the inside.  I believe that I am a good, no, GREAT match for someone special.  Unfortunately, it's a rather physical world we live in, and somehow, I have to actually catch someone's attention before they can see the rest of it.  So...that's where I currently stand - somewhere in the middle of wanting and having a life.

Ok...enough soul searching, for now.  On to something completely unrelated - this weekend is for crafting!  My best friend is having a baby, I'm throwing her a shower, and I have a baby blanket to make.  I found a couple tutorials this morning (while lazily staying in bed) that will hopefully create a really cute, easy receiving blanket.  I bought some really cute fabric, actually meant for my now two year old nephew, and I will begin that as soon as I'm done.  I'm actually a little nervous, because I've never sewed anything (besides hems) on my own before.  My mom has always helped me.  But, I will be brave and just figure it out.  (Maybe on some other fabric first.  :) )

Alright ya'll...I'm connected to the world again.  Wow...what a busy week.  I moved about a week and a half ago and have been settling into my new digs.  LOVE being in my own house.  I don't have to worry if my music is too loud while I'm doing dishes, or whether my vacuuming at 10:00 at night is annoying the downstairs neighbors.  Soooo nice.  Yesterday I brought the pets home too.  I think my mom misses them, and my dad probably does a little too, even if he won't admit it.  The animals are still settling in, investigating the house.  But all is well....minus the diet and exercise.  Wow...I was worried for a reason.  Left to my own devices I have NOT been eating well, and this morning was the first exercise I've had, and it was a little ten minute walk with the dog.  At least it's something?  I haven't weighed myself.  Next month (after another paycheck) I'll look into getting a membership at a 24 hour gym here.  But, for now, I think I'm going to start the 30-day Shred by Jillian Michaels.  Mama Laughlin, a blog I read all the time, does it every once in a while to help jumpstart some weightloss.  So, I think I'll give it a whirl while I don't have a gym.

My plan: get back into tracking calories on MyFitnessPal, walk the dog every morning for a little warm-up, do the Jillian Michaels 30-day Shred.  So...from here on out, I'll update you on my progress on those things.

Oh yeah, and teacher meetings start Friday, kids come Wednesday.  Wow.  Where has the summer gone?!  Right, I traveled, painted and lost 12 pounds.  Sweet.  Ok, here we go.