Weeks 6-7: See it Through

Hello Hello!!

It's been a while but time kind of got away from me with snow days throwing my schedule off, trying to enjoy my time off from work, and reading a my new book club book that is the bomb.com (The Husbands Secret by Laine Moriarty). So where do I begin---the last two weeks have been somewhat of a challenge. I have been having many internal struggles about this whole weight loss thing. Unfortunately, I don't think I have resolved all of them yet.

I have come to realize that at my core I am a baker. I was thinking about the last conversations I had with my grandmother before she died the other day and I remember clearly at 19 years old sitting down with her not to ask her about her life accomplishments, struggles, or our family history but sitting down with her to write down her prized recipes that she had in her head. There were so many things I could have asked her but that was all I wanted at the time and I think that is so telling about who I am. I love cooking for people and trying new recipes especially desserts. So how do I continue on this journey and not give up who I am.

Can I lose weight and not have to write down everything I eat everyday? What options do I have without having a treadmill (that I am putting off buying once again in the name of being fiscally responsible)? I love Zumba but if I have to read for class, want to eat dinner with my family, and spend time with my son, even one day a week is too much right now. I am cool with admitting that---I can't do everything. I'm not making extravagant desserts during the week. I don't even fry foods (my mama does though but I have gotten her to limit that to once a week) but I can choose to snack on grapes instead of Oreo's while I'm cooking for the week. 

Being healthy is a lifestyle choice and I can make better choices so I am going to shoot for that instead of perfection. Each time I have not been able to keep up with what I set out to so far, I just let the whole day get away from me. 2-3 Oreo's aren't bad--10 definitely not good. So I am going to refocus for the next 47 days and make them count.

Here is what I have decided tentatively:

1. I am going to continue with this challenge I gave myself. It won't be a full 95 days in a row but it gives me a reference point for progress and I have to start some where. 
2. I am going to try juicing to get more veggies in. I only really drink water so I will start small. I hate to drink my calories---unless it's wine lol. I bought a Bella High Power Juice Extractor from Target. It is on sale for $62 online but when I got it in the store I also got a $10 gift card. So that plus my 5% off using my target debit card was a huge win. 
3. The plank challenge me and my husband did was nuts. We decided to stick to one minute a day. I am going to focus on Abs and Arms for the rest of this challenge. These are the areas that bother me the most so that will be my focus (see my Pinterest finds below for ideas-I have attempted both before).
4. If I have a light Monday, I will go to Zumba but no pressure.
5. Walk on the weekends once the snow-pocalypse we've been having is over. 

All in all, I want to be healthy. I have been blessed in this body to not have health problems and I want to keep it that way. I also want to be able to try new recipes and go out from time to time with my family friends and not be constantly thinking about what goes in my mouth.

Indulge sometimes but don't over do it--I think I can live with that.

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.  (Galatians 6:9 NLT)

How are you all doing with your New Years fitness/weight loss goals/resolutions?

Back to the Grind

Weight loss is like a curse word to me at times but in line with a renewed focus on goals for the new year, I have decided to breathe new life into my weight loss/fitness goals. I was so inspired by my friends weight loss journey that I am ready. I have decided to embark on 95 days of eating 1,500 calories. YIKES!!! I am already hungry as I type this lol. Why 95 days you ask? I was going to go with 90 but I want to be realistic. I have a date night, my birthday, some ladies nights lined up in that time frame so instead of setting myself up for failure, I built in a few extra days so I don't have to beat myself up for the days I might not make the cut.

My overall goal this year is to lose 10% of my body weight. I can't wait to see how much of that I can knock out by April 11th (just before Easter...look at God!!).
Like I have said before, I am not into resolutions but I do have goals. I am sharing this one with you all so you can hold me accountable. Proverbs 15:22 says "plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed". Hopefully we can advise each other and completely smash our weight loss/fitness goals this year.

I will be writing about this journey at least once a week. I will also be trying some new healthy recipes and sharing those as well (if they are good).

Do you all have any weight loss/fitness goals this year?

I'd love to hear.

 

Here are some things I am starting with:

 

Get back to seriously using the MyFitnessPal App: I will track my 1,500 calories each day there. Add me bdxn637 if you want!

 

Start using my UP band again: I ordered a replacement over the weekend. It is great for tracking steps and sleep. 10,000 steps a day is my goal.

 

Use the waterlogged app: I will be logging 106oz of water a day!

 

Zumba/Walking: When I can. Hopefully 2-3 times a week.

 

Challenges from Pinterest: I don't have a ton of extra time as a working-grad school going mom so I always love these challenges that I can do at home at anytime. These are the two I am starting with.

 

Winning While Losing

You know how you have those friends that you hold dear to your heart but you don't really see them or talk to them that much? Well that is how I feel about my boo Clee. Thanks to Facebook and Instagram, I can secretly stalk her and feel connected even though we are miles away and haven't seen each other in a while. She was always an inspiration to me as a budding Zeta and HU student. Who knew she was younger than me?? Anyhow, I have watched her weight loss journey over the years and have been in awe. You always hear of people losing hundreds of pounds but I always wonder what's the catch or if they've been on some crazy diet with nasty food. But her story, I know is real. And because it's so real, I know that weight loss is really possible (even though I still struggle myself).

For those reasons, I asked her to be my guest blogger today on her birthday to give us all some weight loss and fitness inspiration for the New Year. Ladies and Gentlemen it's my pleasure to introduce you to my fitness hero Attorney Clevette Williams.

Here is her story:

I have been heavy all of my life, so heavy was sexy in my world. My family is on the heavier side and we throw down (food wise) so being over weight was a norm. However, during law school, I gained about 60 pounds. I did not realize it until I went to the doctor and stepped on the scale. I remember it as if it were yesterday. The doctor was very handsome and he said, "I'm just going to stop the scale here (310). You are very pretty, but have unhealthy habits." At that point, I started looking at myself differently. I was uncomfortable and it was finally called out. Diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. runs in my family and I was skating on thin ice. I could not wear stockings because I was too big and I could barely fit my already size 22/24s.

In 2009, I made a decision to eat 1500 calories a day and to limit my juice and drink strictly water. The first month, from sticking to 1500 calories, drinking water, and working out in my living room, I lost 20 pounds. Next, I joined a gym for more activity (classes, treadmill, etc.). I worked out 5 days a week, stuck with eating smaller portions, and the weight dropped. Note: I still would eat pasta, pizza, chips, etc. but I made sure that if I did, I stayed within my calorie allotment so it meant a smaller dinner. Because I did it the natural way, there were times when I screwed up and would gain weight, but I had a goal and was determined to get to it. Now, in 2014, I have maintained my goal weight. I've lost over 110 pounds and have kept it off because working out and drinking water have become a habit. I log my food in the My Fitness pal app and I log my water intake in the app called Waterlogged. I still workout and I love to challenge my body. 

If I can do it! Anyone can!

Remember that you can eat anything you want, but self-control is key. I'm love golden Oreos. So why would I deprive myself? The days that I feed my cravings are the days that I work a little harder in the gym. Do not deprive yourself or else you will DIVE in when you decide to indulge. Self control is key!!!

10 Tips:

1. Drink water (half your body weight in ounces) a day!

2.Get a workout schedule and stick with it. Once your body gets used to it (you will know because you will not sweat), switch it up.

3. Get a polar heart rate monitor or fit bit to track your calories.

4. Download my fitness pal.

5. Download the app waterlogged.

6. Eat 3 meals a day and 2 snacks.

7. If you want to lose drastic weight, lower your calories by 200-400.

8. Workouts should be half cardio/ half strength.

9. Eat more veggies and fruits.
10. Be consistent! Practice makes perfect.

Lessons Learned

So last week was my 10 year high school reunion. I was a little disappointed that more people didn't show up but, I was happy to spend time with the people that came. Everyone looked the same...for real. I had two major epiphanies after the reunion though.

1. We should apologize and forgive as often as necessary. 

At my reunion I saw an old friend that I used to be really close with. He told me that he felt really hurt when I didn't invite him to my wedding. People often say this happens but I had never had anyone say it to me. To be honest, I didn't think he would have wanted to come and I had no idea me not inviting him actually hurt him in anyway. Thanks to Facebook, over the years I have seen all that he has accomplished and have genuinely been happy for him. I am excited to see him be an amazing dad and excel in his career.  With that being said, I promptly apologized for and asked for forgiveness for the typical teenage pettiness that caused us to not speak after being really good friends for so long. We both agreed that it was not worth it now.

This precious moment showed me how important it is to apologize and forgive. Sometimes we unknowingly offend people we love and care about and never get the chance to fix it. But I think that whenever we know we have done someone wrong should try to smooth out the situation no matter how small it may seem to us. It may not be easy when we really screw up but it will be worth it.

That being said, we may not get apologies we feel we deserve but as long as we take care of our end, God will take care of the rest. This scripture in my devotional today really helped to bring this lesson home for me: By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another John 13:35. What better way to show love than humbling yourself and asking for forgiveness and forgiving others even those that we feel don't deserve it? They may really need it the most.

2. I may be slightly obsessive about losing weight and calorie counting. 

Once I stopped nursing my son, I went into high gear to lose the baby weight and then some. Having lost 50+ pounds though, I am often not satisfied. In some ways, I think that is good because everyone should strive to be as healthy as you possibly can. But in some ways I feel like I am always thinking about food and calories. I mean when you don't want to share your perfectly measured food with your son for fear of losing out on precious calories...it's a problem lol. A friend recently asked me who am I comparing myself to (along with giving me a host of other reasons why I should not be obsessing about losing weight). I wouldn't say I compare myself to others per se, that is definitely never a healthy habit, but I do always feel a extra chunking when I am with my non-curvy/thick friends.

Take my reunion for example, when I left I felt fierce. I managed to throw on a little makeup (I have a love/hate relationship with makeup so this is a big deal) and I had a super cute dress. I even managed to wear some comfy heals (I HATE heels).

But after a few photos I felt like the odd ball chunky girl even though everyone said I looked great and I felt great. What in the world is wrong with me? I am grateful for the healthy body that God has given me and I want to keep it healthy but can I do that in a way that doesn't feel like an obsession or a burden?

Yesterday I tried eating without logging everything into myfitnesspal in advance or immediately after I ate. I definitely felt freer and less constrained throughout the day. At the end of the day, I logged everything in and I was only slightly over 2,000 calories. I thought this was excellent considering I had Starbucks and it was pizza night with my family (I wish y'all could've seen how my son devoured his slice of pizza). Anyhow, according to my weight loss goals in myfitnesspal, I was over my calorie goal a decent amount but I was still on track to lose weight. WebMd says an active person my age should eat between 2,000-2,400 calories, so I did pretty good after all.

Even as I right this, all of this seems ridiculous. Everyone has an opinion about what you should weigh and what you should eat. I am going to try to be a little less consumed and see what happens when I let go a little. I am still going to commit to being active and eating more healthy options, especially snacks and see where it takes me. I know God is ultimately in control over all of this so why add unnecessary stress?

This is a cute little magnet we saw in Cali.  So funny!

So with those lessened learned, I prayerfully attempt to do better with building and developing relationships with my friends and family especially when it comes to forgiving and asking for forgiveness. I am also going to stop focusing so much on my weight and what I eat so the next time my son offers me one of his snacks I won't have to say no because I am trying to perfectly calculate everything that goes into my mouth. I have learned enough healthy habits to sustain me.

Jesus take the wheel.

Pray for me y'all!

Living it Up

I love summer vacation. It is one thing I can wholeheartedly say I love about being a teacher. Even though we only get one month in the charter school world, I must say that I am enjoying the self guided pace of each day. I love being able to do things that I don't regularly get to do often with my 7AM-5PM work schedule most days...I know I know I cringe just writing that.

This week I challenged myself to start running. My treadmill is currently out of commission so I needed to find another cardio alternative for a few weeks. I have actually tried to start running for months. I even went out to run on Monday only to have to turn around after only one lap because of the rain (aka the monsoon) that took over after I finally willed myself to lace up my running shoes and hit the ground running. I was starting to think that even Jesus didn't want me to run but I have made it to Thursday running a little more each day. It is actually is not as bad as I thought it would be. I can't say that I love it though.

I have been on a journey for a little over a year to lose my baby weight and then some. I feel like I have had a weight struggle since college. Gain--lose--gain--lose--get pregnant---flat line. So far this time around I have lost 60lbs. "For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise, again" ~Proverbs 24:16a. Most of the time though, I feel like this:



However yesterday, I was really inspired by this older woman on my block who was also working out while I was running. She was walking back and forth on a hilly corner on our block. It didn't look like she was doing much but, lap after lap I saw her still there walking. This reminded me that every little bit counts. Even if I have a not so great eating day, I will never be where I was as long as I remain active. At least now I am making sure I work out after the cake right?? I will always be addicted to sweets--I mean my roots are from the south and I am a pretty decent baker so can you blame me??. But, if I can just stick to my 80/20 rule (eating good 80% of the time and 20% of the time enjoying myself...although for the summer this is more like 70/30) I know I will be fine. I have made a lifestyle change.

 

 

I am committed to exercising and remaining active. I even got a nifty little band called the Up band by Jawbone to help me track my steps so I have something to measure how active I am even if I can't necessarily get a work out in--which I know will be tough for me in the fall with being a wife, a mommy, working woman, teen mentor at church, and going back to school...what in the heck am I getting myself into?!??. But I am only 22lbs away from my first big weight loss goal (that would make a whooping 82lbs of weight loss post-baby). I know I can do this. All my friends are losing weight and love Jesus so I know I can too. One of my good friends lost over 100lbs so I know that real woman are loosing weight in healthy ways without depriving themselves. I am ready to live it up and I can only do that by living an active lifestyle. I probably won't run much once my treadmill is fixed but I am glad that I tried it out and know that I can do it.

 

In the book One Minute with God for Women (this is currently my favorite devotional can't you tell), Hope Lyda says "deliberate living gives you divine awareness". I want to live it up for a long time so I am going to deliberately make my health a priority. I have been blessed to not have any health problems related to being overweight and I plan to keep it that way by working hard to not be over weight. Being healthy has definitely helped me to see things clearer too.

 

What are some goals you have for yourself as we finish out this year? How are you working through the struggles along the way? I'd love to hear. No matter how many times we may fall, there is always an opportunity to rise again.