Birthday Celebrations

So, last week was my daughter's 4th birthday. I can't believe that much time has passed since we got her :) We celebrated on a couple different days so we could spend time with our family members and boy did I do a few "Uh Oh's"!! I should have stuck with one piece of cake on one occasion instead of one piece of cake on several occasions!! It did however teach me a lesson...even though it looks good and tastes good, my body doesn't like it!! For the past few days I have felt yucky and I know it is from the sugar I had over the weekend. It is nice to know my body has detoxed from the garbage and it will let me know if it doesn't like what I am eating.

That Darn Mirror!!

OK, I know I have lost weight and I know that I have lost inches, but I just can't see it. I thought by now I would be able to SEE the difference!! What I'm afraid of is that I will always see myself as a fat person.

Movin to the Music

I know everyone has their own thing to keep them going during workouts. For me, I HAVE TO listen to music...the more upbeat the tempo the better :) I have created a playlist to give you a sampling of songs I like to listen to. Check it out on the bottom of my blog and see if there are any songs you like. I'm always looking to add more songs to my playlist, so let me know what your favorites are.

Morning Workout

Today is my first morning workout and I have to say, I am not a fan!! I guess my brain and my body aren't quite ready to go at 6:00 a.m. I felt very sluggish and couldn't seem to get into a rhythm. I think I'm going to avoid morning workouts if at all possible, but it seems to be a popular choice for many people. In fact, I was surprised how many people were there!! As for me, I think I'm going to stick with my 3 p.m. workouts. For one thing, it isn't busy at all and for another, that is what my body seems to like! What I'm wondering is...what time is most beneficial for maximum results? Does it even matter? Any ideas???

HOLY WORKOUT!!

All I have to say is that today's workout was BRUTAL!!! I have never worked so hard in all my life. Catherine just keep pushing me for more and it felt really good. Honestly, I didn't know I could give so much. If it had just been me, I wouldn't have expected as much and that is what I love about this program. I love having someone to push me to work harder and longer :) It was a GREAT workout. Now, all I need is a massage and a soak in a hot tub....maybe in my dreams :)

Ho Hum

Not a good day today for food and I didn't get a chance to exercise!! I really missed working out...good thing I'm seeing Catherine tomorrow. I hope she works me hard.

"The Climb"

My trainer Catherine introduced me to the song "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus which I had never heard before. You see, we watch the Disney Channel at my house but kids are too young to be interested in Hannah Montana, so the song was new to me. Now if you need the words to "Hot Dog" from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, I'm your gal!!

As I listened to the words, I was hit with the power of their message and how much it related to me and my desire to lose weight. In fact, I felt like the words were written just for me!! I know this battle is going to be hard ad I will falter at times, but I know this time I will be successful!! I know I will always have to work at it, but I know I can do it!!

The Climb

I can almost see it
That dream I'm dreaming but
There's a voice inside my head sayin,
You'll never reach it,
Every step I'm taking,
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking but I
Got to keep trying
Got to keep my head held high

There's always going to be another mountain
I'm always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes you going to have to lose,
Ain't about how fast I get there,
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing,
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes they knock me down but
No I'm not breaking
The pain I'm knowing
But these are the moments that
I'm going to remember most yeah
Just got to keep going
And I,
I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on,

There's always going to be another mountain
I'm always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes you going to have to lose,
Ain't about how fast I get there,
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

There's always going to be another mountain
I'm always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes you going to have to lose,
Ain't about how fast I get there,
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

Keep on moving
Keep climbing
Keep the faith baby
It's all about
It's all about
The climb
Keep the faith
Keep your faith

Great Quote

"All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first thousand days, nor in the life of this administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin." John F. Kennedy

It really got me thinking. I'm not going to be able to accomplish all my weight loss goals in the course of this 100 day challenge, but it is giving me the tools and the knowledge to continue on after the 100 days are over. I know it is going to be a challenging road at times and there will be discouragement, but I have NEVER felt so hopeful about getting my weight and health back on track!! I might not win the 1st place prize at the end of this 100 days, but I have won my life back and I know I will never go back to the way I was!!

Teams, let's all keep up the good work!! We have done so much more than just beginning, we are working hard at changing our lives. I know we all have struggles and set backs, but we can do it!!! See you all in the gym :)

Devilish Delivery

The hardest part of this challenge has been with part of my diet! I haven't had a problem with the exercise, in fact I look forward to my daily sweat fest!! What is hard for me is the darn sweets. Why oh why do I like them so much?? Well, now my resolve to eat better will be challenged...I just got a delivery of Girl Scout Cookies!! Yep, the little girl in the green beret got to me and I ordered cookies. OK, not really, I love supporting my niece and I love the cookies!! Now I need to figure out how to work that into my menu. Better yet, I will have my husband hide them from me :) It isn't that I can't have them, I just can't have the whole box. I know that eating sweets is going to be a struggle for the rest of my life, but now that I admit it I can keep working on it!

Yoga-rific!

Yes, I went to yoga class on Saturday and I really enjoyed it! Thanks for a great class Julianne :) Now, I did enjoy it but I was not good at it. I have never done yoga before, so most of the moves and stretches felt very unnatural, but it felt good to try something new. I'm sure if I would have been a bystander I would have gotten a good laugh watching myself!! I felt like I got a good workout and a great stretching of my muscles, but I had no idea how great until later last night. With all the working out and weightlifting I have done since the challenge, the yoga has caused the most stiffness and soreness I have EVER felt!! I was in so much pain last night as I tried to go to sleep and 800 mg of Advil did nothing for it! Thankfully I am feeling better today :) What I have realized with this is I need to have more variety in my exercise . Starting now, I'm going to include yoga in my exercise routine.

I can't even express my gratitude for being part of this program!! I have learned so many amazing things and been introduced to things that are changing my life every day!! I am active, happy, and getting healthier every day! Thank you to all of you who have made this possible!!

"Where Oh Where...

has my sweatband gone...where oh where can it be?"

Laugh if you want, but any of you who have seen me in the gym know I sweat. I'm not talking a few little drops. I'm talking sweat like the gallon I must have left at the gym today!! Well, I'm missing one of my sweatbands and it is putting a cramp in my style...if you can call it style. I guess it is the "keep that sweat that is rolling off my forehead from drowning my eyes" style. I suppose I will just have to give in and buy one for every day of the week!!

Comparisons

Today I've been thinking a lot about comparisons and how they are usually to our detriment! With this challenge, I find myself making comparisons and it isn't helping me!! When I go to the gym and see other couples working out, I marvel at how fast they are doing the eliptical, the amount of weights they are lifting, or watching them do lunges across the room. I start to feel inadequate and wonder if I'm not working hard enough or if I just don't have the ability to accomplish what they are doing. I look at others and see they are looking thinner, but yet I can't see it in myself. I look in the mirror and see the same person who started this challenge.

Well, I came to a realization on the bike today...this isn't about comparisons, well it is, but it isn't. The comparisons we make aren't between each other, but within ourselves. The success of this challenge isn't if I can keep up with everyone else, but if I can change and improve myself. I started this challenge at a different level than everyone else, so my progress and my path will be very different. I know the only way to judge my success is by how I am doing and changing. Granted, it is hard to judge-I can't check my cholesterol or body fat percentage every other day to see the changes. I can only go on the amount of weight I've lost, my stamina level, and the way my clothes fit, which aren't always the most concrete ways to judge.

So, I've decided to made an attitude adjustment! I am no longer going to compare myself to others and focus my energy on making myself more heart healthy!!

Rough Roads

The past two weeks have been very difficult for me and I'm sad to say I haven't eaten as well as I should. I have been great about my exercise but I have really blown it with my food. I guess my trick is balancing everything when a curve ball is thrown at me. I do really well when life is going smoothly but as soon as I get a wrench thrown in the works, I get off course to easily. I am really hoping for a good week this week...I need a good week. The time remaining in the challenge is flying by and I want to make sure I make the most of it and change my life!!!

Fabulous Food Find!!

I found a great new food that has revolutionized my diet. Maybe that is a bit dramatic but it really is a nice change :) I found these light flatbreads that are loaded with fiber and each one is only about 8 net grams of carb. WAHOO!! I found them at Harmon's but I'm sure you could find them anywhere. If you can't find them, you can place an order on their website! Check out their website for fabulous recipes http://www.flatoutbread.com/movie.html. I have used the flatbreads for wraps with meat, cheese and veggies and today I made a yummy pizza! I used pizza sauce, diced canned tomatoes-drained, yellow bell pepper, chopped fresh spinach, turkey pepperonio, and cheese. I was DELICIOUS and even my 3 year old son loved it. Try it and you will love it too!

I Feel A Change!!

One of my favorite workout songs is the dance version of "Change" by Kimberley Locke!! There is something in that beat that gets my feet moving. Here is the chorus that I feel is appropriate for my 100 Day Heart Challenge journey.

I Feel The Change Babe

Washing Over Me

I Feel The Rains Babe

Coming To Set Me Free

Its A One Way Track Aint Coming Back

The Train's About To Leave

I Feel The Change Coming Over Me

I can feel changes in my body since my journey began and it was very noticeable tonight!! I have several Biggest Loser workout videos that I use occasionally for my workouts, but it has been about 10 days since the last time I did one. Well, tonight I thought I would give it a go for some variety. I WAS SHOCKED!! For the first time, I was able to keep up and only had to take a quick rest or two. If felt great to not be left in the workout dust!! It is great to see all these little changes that will hopefully add up to some BIG CHANGES!!

So readers and fellow contestants, what changes are you noticing from your exercise and eating?? What music gets you moving??

Stress!

Why is it when I am faced with stress all I want to do is eat? The more fattening and chocolatey the better. Right now I have one sick child sprawled out in my bed, the other sick child snoring in his room, and a sick husband on his way home from the ER with my brother and all I want to do is EAT!!! I just keep telling myself..."STAY AWAY FROM THE FOOD!!"

Bad Eating Week

This week has not been the week for eating well...today especially. In fact, I am feeling sick to my stomach!! It is amazing that these changes I began 3 weeks ago have already had a profound effect on my body. Putting "cheap fuel in my engine" is wreaking havoc on my body in a way it never has before and I feel myself craving healthy, delicious, simple food.

I am discouraged about how I have eaten, but I know I can turn it around and end the day eating right and recommit to having a better week!!

New Favorite

I have a new favorite meal!! I have always been a big fan of yogurt, but many of the "light" yogurts leave much to be desired...that is until now!! I really like the Weight Watchers yogurt. It is flavored with Splenda, so it doesn't have the aftertaste that Yoplait has. It has the same number of calories and similar fat grams, but WW has fiber. I love mixing a cup of blueberries (the ones from Costco lately have been YUM) with my yogurt, a rolled up slice of Boar's Head turkey lunchmeat, and some raw, crunchy vegetables with some Hidden Valley Fiesta Ranch dip made with fat free sour cream. DELICIOUS!!

Shift in Thinking

I realized today that I already have a huge shift in my thinking. Pre-100 Day Heart Challenge, I wouldn't have thought twice about not exercising and if I did exercise, any amount of time was fine. Now that I have started this adventure I realize that I look at exercise very differently!! I am proud to say that I haven't missed a workout since Feb.12! I can't seem to get through the day without making a plan to exercise and I look forward to that. (I realize I am very lucky...many of my fellow participants work outside the home, including my mom who works 10 hours a day, and finding time to exercise is difficult. My hats off to all you!!) Today was especially interesting. Because of several things going on today, I only had time to fit in a 45 minute workout and I was surprised I felt like a slacker!! I know 45 minutes is nothing to complain about, but I actually missed the additional 15-45 minutes I usually spend while working out! I was ready to scream, "I LOVE EXERCISE"!! If I can change my thinking, so can you...so get up and burn some calories :)