A Mental Shift Changed My Life

Here is a rant: I hate when people ask me what my "secret" is. Seriously? There is no secret. It's the same thing every single person who sees lasting results does! I don't use pills, mixes, or wraps. Honestly, the biggest and best thing that happened that can be praised for my results is a mental shift! 

I was talking to Laura before our first hike and I was completely honest as to why I wanted to lose weight. 

• Be confident
• Feel great in any piece of clothing
• Be a mom in the future
• Hike mountains & camp
• Run for cancer, not walk, but RUN 
• Inspire people

Talking to her, I knew none of those things would happen if I kept my life style and habits the same. So, from our first hike on, I let any embarrassment or reservations about self confidence aside and pushed to do what had to be done! Every small result kept me going and pushing until I reached my next one.

Now, I know that I post A LOT of pictures especially comparison pictures but yes, they keep me accountable. This is a journey that I want to document. I am gaining more than muscle and the fact that I'm losing weight. I'm gaining confidence, strength, and self esteem. 

Now here are some pictures and stories for the day! 

I cannot believe that I'm actually getting a waist line. I know I still have a long way to go, but I'm excited to see where I'll be at the end of the summer! 

L: October 31. R: Today. 

 For breakfast, I was in a hurry and ate: a string cheese, hard boiled egg, and part of a grapefruit. 

My allergies were a lot better today! 

For lunch I had a chicken salad and some broccoli. 

Afternoon snack: Apple, less than 2 tsp of natural peanut butter, a little drizzle of honey, and topped with granola with almonds. 

 I ran a mile before our actual workout. 

Our workout consisted of the following:

Each exercise Jillian demonstrates, we did 20 times X3. 
20 push ups X3
15 standing rows X3
20 squats X3
50 donkey kicks on each leg X3
20 scissors on each leg X3

For dinner: a couple pieces of deer backstrap, half of a tiliapia, lettuce, light cheese and just a drizzle of ranch, with corn. 

This is what it looks like when you're getting low on groceries. Can't wait to go shopping next week & stock up! :) Either way, I try to be as healthy as possible by not buying boxed items or processed foods. 

I'm so excited to see what this week has in store! I think I might limit to how much I post this week. If I feel the need to rant or ramble, I will, but I need to focus on my workouts and eating right. I would LOVE to have an extra 30-60 minutes a night to do nothing. Haha. But we shall see, I might end up blogging every night like usual. 

Well, I'm off to enjoy my night! 

Vacation Summary: The Good, the Bad, & Oh....the Memories...

Friday, May 31, I left Missoula at 6:00 p.m. and headed to Coeur d Alene. I got my Aunt Dawns house at 8 p.m. I spent the night there, visiting with her, my cousin, J.T, and Bob! The next morning, I woke up to plans to go workout with my Aunt Sue at the YMCA in Spokane Valley. 

By 9:15, my Aunt Sue (who has lost around 30ish pounds I believe) and I were at the YMCA to do a morning workout. It was AWESOME! I haven't been in an actual gym in some time, so it was different, but the two machines we worked on were great! We did about a hour workout and I definitely felt the burn! After our workout, my aunt made me a HEALTHY and delicious breakfast! It makes my heart so warm and happy knowing that I have such a great support group. 
My Aunt Sue is definitely looking FABULOUS!!!

After getting a shower and picking up my cousin, Jackie, I headed off to my cousin, Dakotah's graduation! I have to admit, I cried like a little baby. He was always this blonde haired little boy that I got annoyed with and then when he got older, he would scare me with snakes and bugs. In the Fall, he is off to U of I and he did FANTASTIC with all of his scholarships! Such a gifted student! 

Dakotah & I at his reception.

I think the BBQ food was a challenge, because I wanted to try EVERYTHING, but the options that my aunt angel had were great. :)

Later that night, I went to go visit my sister, Julie who I hadn't seen in FOREVER. I almost think it was around 9 or so months, maybe longer. I LOVED visiting with her and my brother in law, Merv. They both crack me up. Merv was so kind and made my chicken on the grill without BBQ sauce. I tried asparagus for the first time, it was good! I'm definitely going to have it more often. :) 

The next day, my middle sister, Christy graduated high school. Talk about emotional! I'm so proud of the person she's becoming. I know that she will do great at whatever comes her way! 

Me, Christy, & our momma at graduation.

The Diploma!!!!!

For the most part of the week, I volunteered in the morning at my old job, The Senior Meal Site. Working with my old boss, Lody again felt so great! She is a true friend and I was so glad I saw her every day! On Wed, I went to a picnic by the elementary school, the food was healthy. I was surprised to see that the buns they did have for hot dogs or hamburgers were whole wheat! 

Here are some workout photos! 

Christy and I hit the gym :)

My best mile has been 12:11, so this time I didn't beat it but I did change up the speed from 4.5, 6.0, & 7.5. It was a tough run and I felt in my legs and lungs after. Phew!

 

 

 

On the L: 253 in October and R: 217 :)

I did go out with friends a couple times and had a great time! Seeing my friends and especially my best friend, Alicia made me fall in love with "home" all over again!

Love her! :) 

So, yesterday I celebrated my neice's birthday and then made a late trip to Seeley Lake so I didn't work out. Today was my first workout back with my FAVORITE workout partner, Laura! I missed her and her family more than I thought I would. I'm so excited to continue this journey with her and work our butts off! :) 

I know this is a short and kind of "choppy" blog post, but my allergies are KILLING me and I'm exhausted. I went home from work and spent the day fighting my watery eyes, stuffy/running nose, sore throat, and foggy head! 

I think the hardest part of the trip was eating, definitely. I did my best and am proud because.......I LOST 5 LBS on vacation! :) I'm now 217! Hello -25 lbs since April 6! Whoo hoo! I have a couple ideas I thought of while I was on vacation that I will go into further tomorrow and later this week, but for now, I'm going to hopefully get some rest and be able to function tomorrow at work instead of wanting to cry and blow my nose on my paper work! 

XOXO.

"I'm Going to Get a Paper Towel"--6 WEEKS!!!

Today marks 6 weeks since I decided to change my life. I've never gone 6 weeks straight on one of my "health kicks", I guess it's because this is so much more than a "health kick". Today was weigh in day also. Last week I was 229.2 and today I was:

224.4!!! Hello -4.8 lbs this week! :) 

 

I had such a tough week with my little moments of eating fast food because of stress, but I definately feel okay with what happened and I know i can make any set back into a come back! :) 

 

I woke up extremely hungry so I had one banana, four strawberries, two eggs, and two veggie patties. It seems like so much, but after my late night workout the night before, I totally don't mind! 

I got ready for going out for the day, but when I got done getting ready I had this sudden urge of fear go thru my mind. I thought of the graduation parties I was planning on attending and the beer and food and it scared me. I feel like I'm in a really fragile state because of earlier this week. So, I decided to make my lunch. Going to a party full, you'll be less likely to eat a bunch of junk food, because you're actually listening to your body. 

Lunch: romaine lettuce leafs, ground venison, tomatoes, and a little cheese. Delicious!!! I missed having venison. It was sooo yummy! 

 

 

 

  

 Here are a few "selfies" to show progress of facial differences and a full body shot! :) It doesn't hurt to take weekly progress pics! It's super motivating! 

Full body shot! I think I need a new mirror though. Haha.

 

 Once I had lunch, I just knew that I needed to workout. The temptations at the graduation parties really did scare me today. So, to keep my head focused and allow myself to use my fear as fuel, I simply went to Laura's to workout. 
We did a 25 minute "Learn and Burn" from Turbo Jam! (As weird as the moves were, it was an awesome workout--warm up). Once we finished that we did our normal push ups, rows with the elastic bands, rows with the weights, lunges, scissors, and donkey kicks. 

Here is my before and after workout picture!!! Today I have never had so much sweat on my face or chest before! It was crazzzy! Our favorite saying for today was "I'm sweating so much, I'm going to go get a paper towel."

 

 

 

 

After we worked out, I went home to shower and come back for dinner. Jason made stuffed bell peppers. I haven't had bell peppers before because the smell typically makes me stick, but I LOVED the stuffed bell peppers!! 

Green bell pepper, turkey burger, rice, tomato, onions, and a little cheese. I'll definitely be making those in the future!!! 

Dinner was awesome and now we are watching Warm Bodies! So cute and funny so far! I'm going to end on one more note, hope everyone has a great night and day tomorrow. :) 

 

Evaluate, refocus, and keep giving it your all! :)

I weighed in this morning. The scale says I gained 2 lbs since Wednesday. After rethinking all of my meals, I think the amount of starches and sodium could play a role. I don't "feel" like I gained weight this week, I honestly think it's water weight from the sodium and starches. On Wed, I weighed 227.2 (and no, I don't weigh myself daily). 

 

I didn't feel bad at all about the numbers on the scale. It wasn't the best, I admitt it, but I didn't let it get me down. Instead, I focused on the run I did the night before. Yes, I did my first EVER 30 minute run. I did intervals of sprinting, jogging, and power walking. I praised myself for accomplishing that, and also for the fact that when I went to brush my teeth I saw a little something in the mirror...

That's right: some collar bone definition!!! :) 

 

I'm really excited about the changes I'm seeing. I see definition in my arms and legs. The simple fact that I ran last night still has me on cloud nine!! :D 

This morning's breakfast: 2 veggie patties, 1/2 cup egg white with one whole egg and a kiwi. The red stuff is ketchup :/ moderation is key!

 

 

Today's lunch: I tried the Weight Water's chicken patties (4 oz each) with a lettuce bun, light cheese, and tomato slice. On the side I had a protein shake: 4 ice cubs, 1 whole banana, 1/2 a cup of organice fat free milk, and my metabolic drive banana protein powder! Yummy!!! :D 

 

 

 

For dinner I had a salad at my sister's house and literally a bite of my brother's homemade lasagna. I will NOT have starchy foods this week. I'm going to see if that makes a difference. It's all about learning about my body!

Progress picture! Today marks exactly 5 weeks since I decided to change my life! :) I can't wait to see what is to come!

 

 

After my circuit workout! :) Felt great!

Last Chance Workout!

Tomorrow, I weigh in. 
I'm scared about what number will show up because I've been on my period all week and so much happens with your body during that week. Either way, I'm going to keep track of the progress. As you can tell by my blog entries, I've been KILLING IT all week in my workouts and my meals, so whatever happens, I'm going to be PROUD! 

Today, Laura, myself and Babbett worked out together! So much fun!! When you can laugh with friends while getting healthy, it's a great day! :D 

Laura stepped up our workout. My legs were EXTREMELY sore and it was more frustrating than painful. Yesterday's inclined hike definitely worked them! This upcoming week, I wanna drive and hike the "L" again, I always get good numbers on that hike :) 

I'm definately seeing changes (sorry to my Instagram friends..I post pics ALL THE TIME!). My Instagram has turned into a fitness blog/journal and it keeps me accountable. 

I'm so excited about continuing on this journey and seeing changes and feeling great! Tomorrow marks 4 weeks :) YAY!!! I made that 21 day rule. It takes 21 days to get in shape...for me it's more like "21 days to starting to get in shape". YAY! 

I'm soooo tired. I am getting up early and have a full day. I'm off to bed. Check out some of today's pictures! 

Right after our circuit workout! whoo hoo ladies!

So much sweat...

I like working out now...I always feel so much better after :)

Such a good workout!

Crazy Laura. She put on two different kinds of Mary Kay mascara to see if they would last thru the workout...and they DID! BOOM!

A rainbow on our cool down walk :)

I love this so much!! :D

Pump It Up

Monday night we went hiking, I decided to push a little deeper and then I had Laura's son on my back for a couple of switch backs. He's 40 pounds :)

My little buddy and I hiking and then a beautiful scenary! :)

I really want to accomplish my -15 lbs by Saturday so I told Laura and she agreed to pump it up with our workouts. Today we had a pretty intense cardio/strength training circuit. 

After our workout and cool down walk around the neighborhood.

Definately a protein powder night!

Today's meals have been great and I've been drinking a ton of water because I'm menstruating. It's so important to drink water so your body doesn't retain it during that "time of the month". 

Laura will be helping me with taking my measurements once I hit the -15 lbs. I wish I would have started taking pictures and everything before hand, but it's okay. :)  

Face is slowly changing. :)

Please, excuse my messy bathroom.

 Today has been a really good day. I can't wait for tomorrow's workout. More arm workouts to tone up. :) 

I ended my day with a nice relaxing evening on the couch (yes, I get to be lazy because of the amount of work I put in). My sister, Aislinn sent me this picture from her back yard. Made me miss my granny so much more, but it's a huge symbol of what is going on in my life and so many other's lives as well. 

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Please, if you're working on your self and your health, DON'T GIVE UP!!!!