Time to Catch Up!

I haven't blogged in like 8 days. I've been pretty busy with my workouts, work, finally getting settled in my house, and just spending time with my sister and nieces. I have done pretty well & am excited to share some pictures and what's been going on. I can't remember everything the past week or so, but I'll definately hit on some highlights and points. I think that after this post, I'm going to lean toward more on the meals, workouts, and self discovery I've come to learn and love. I do a lot of the same thing every single day, so instead of a play by play of my day, I'm going to share with you exactly what I use, cook, do for workouts, and what I come across when it comes to my journey! 

So last weekend, I beat my mile of 12:11 to 11:57...well I beat it AGAIN the next day!!! :) I was so excited. I cried, yet again when I beat the time :) I've come a long way!

Right: April 17 just over a week after starting my new life style. Left: Last weekend! :) 

 Last week, I had a LOT of non scale victories when it came to people noticing changes, old clothes fitting, and feeling overall AMAZING with my progress. 

My periods have been a bit messed up this month, I've had 3 total this month alone. I'm seeing my doctor and checking in with her a lot via phone to make sure I'm okay. It's good because I'm having pain on both sides (both ovaries), so I'm hopeful that things will level out soon. I know my body is getting used to being lighter, being more active, and eating better so weird changes like this is bound to happen! 

Went on the hike behind my house that I orginally started with, with Laura, and now what used to take me almost 20 minutes and a ton of breaks, I was done at the top in 12 minutes with only 2 breaks. 

I started this journey 11 weeks ago, two weeks after I started I took the pictures on the left hand side. On the right was this Friday. :) I see progress!!! YAY! 

 I have my measurements and before pictures (1 month in) at Laura's house and hopefully sometime this week or upcoming weekend I can compare. 

I've been feeling like my body is used to my workouts and circuits the past week because I haven't been sore. I'll push myself and go a bit longer for a workout or add another circuit, but when it comes to using different parts of my body I feel like I should do some more research and find more workouts. 

My sister, Aislinn told me about the "P.I.N.K Method" I had never heard of it, but after some light research I saw that it was a program made my women who sorta of retrain your body and metabolism with a meal plan and workouts. I don't believe in following a certain meal plan set, because I believe our bodies tell us what it wants and needs! As long as I'm making clean options and eating clean, I feel confident in my eating! :) However, I did do the level 3 cardio kickboxing session! PHEW! It really did kick by butt. I'm not really coordinated with the whole kickboxing thing, but I liked it and got better. It was 45 minutes long! 

After my kickboxing workout!

 

I am really enjoying cooking lately. Sometimes I go through phases where I get tired and don't want to cook, but it's so fun and nice knowing what's going in your meals! 

My "niece" Cheyenne posted this photo on instagram and it literally made my night when I saw it. A friend of mine told me that the most rewarding thing is when your family follows by your example. I know I post a lot on Instagram and Facebook about this journey, but I know that some day, I can and will inspire someone else. I know that if it wasn't for my friends who live healthy life styles on Facebook and Instagram that I would feel defeated some days. They help with that extra motivation I need. :) 

I went shopping today and rewarded myself with some new tops and a pair of sun glasses! :) So excited!

After I went shopping, I decided to clean out my closet and organize everything in my new dresser. I found a pair of size 15 skinny jeans and they fit! :) Currently I'm in a size 14/15 depending on the style of the jeans. I've come a long way from size 18!

Today's workout kicked my butt! :)

My arms were HUGE 3 months ago. I had no muscle! Now, I'm starting to see some definition and they are starting to tone up nicely. :)

Not drinking alcohol as much means that I get to drink lemon water in my nice wine glasses!

Tonight's Dinner! :)

Now, this sums up the past few days, so starting tomorrow I'll be writing down some recipes and posting them, sharing my entire workout routines, and also giving helpful tips and reminders to help when there comes times when we all feel a bit down! 

Have a good night all! :) Remember, you can find me on Instagram at @chelsea_is_changingxoxo 


 

Another Mile. Another Workout. Another Great Day. Another Win.

So, I woke up this morning and made a yummy breakfast!

I made 2 eggs with spinach, lean turkey, and a sprinkle of cheese on top with a side of half a grapefruit! 

I then decided to check in with my friend, Tamara.(She has a blog too, so click here to follow it). She has lost I believe over 50 lbs and has recently made goals about beating her previous times for running a mile. I wanted to see what she did and didn't do when it came to running (since everyone knows I don't run). She gave me the following advice: listen to your body. So, after I ate and did some morning stretching because yesterday's workout and run did leave my body going "what the heck?" I decided to give the mile a try again. I wanted to beat my time but I was going to do it without looking at my Sports Tracker app because I simply wanted to see if I could do it a second day in a row. 

I started off really strong. I felt my speed was up and that I was breathing even better than the day before. I did the same route, so I knew when I needed to look at my app and this is what I saw:

In case you didn't notice, I beat my time by 26 seconds and increased my average speed by .2. My maximum speed was 6.6. Yesterday it was 6.0. When I saw the time and stopped the timer, I literally started crying. I started walking home with Jeremy Camp (christian music) in my ear buds while I just cried. I kept saying, "Thank You Lord. Thank You for my strength"For the first time in probably ever...I was proud of myself. I was ready to shout it to the moon and back! I did it! 

So after doing some laundry and visiting with Aislinn (always so nice to go hang out and see my crazy nieces) I went home and made lunch. Here is what I had:

 

Lean turkey, cheese, tomato, lettuce, a smidge of ranch, bean chips and a half of a grapefruit. 

After having lunch I decided to treat myself to a movie. The Hangover III. It was HILARIOUS! Go watch it! I was also proud of myself because I used to LOVE a huge dr. pepper and a bucket of popcorn, but today I took my own healthy snakes. Cheese stick and a nature valley peanut butter granola. yummy. 

Got pretty to go to a movie! 

After the movie, I went to Laura's to do a workout with her and Jason. They had already done a workout but were awesome enough to let me do mine at their house plus they did another circuit with me! :) I accomplished my planks again! A couple weeks ago I gave Laura the worst attitude because I felt like I wasn't strong enough but last night and tonight I did them!

After a long day of successes and spending time with awesome people, I'm tired! I have work tomorrow and then on Friday I will be heading to WA to spend time with my family. I won't have cell or internet access so expect a full on report when I get back! It will be challenge to eat clean around family and graduation parties but I have a gym back home and I'm excited to see what I can accomplish on my own at home for 5 days!!! 

Here is a pic I'm going to share with everyone. On the LEFT: 3 weeks ago. RIGHT: today! I see a difference! Loving results. Progress pics play a huge role in my motivation. The numbers of course do too and the way I feel but when I feel down, I look back at comparison pictures and it all proves to me WHY I'm doing it!

A Number Doesn't Determine My Happiness.

This morning, before I got on the scale I decided to look in the mirror and take notice of any and all changes I was seeing in my body. 

• My shoulders are definitely becoming more defined :) 
• My waist is getting smaller. 
• My calves are very strong
• My face is thinning out
• My skin is clear, even after my period
• I'm toning up my butt....yes...I said it, I am starting to see a butt. :) 

Here is a pic of today! :) Before I went to pop some tags at yard sales in town. Haha

So by taking notice of all of these changes and subtle improvements I decided that the number on the scale wouldn't change my mind about how proud I am. Having had my period all week, Laura did mention that my body would take a couple days after I finished with my period to level out. I finished my period Friday morning so I know that the next couple of days the numbers could still change. Either way, I'm going to work hard, eat right, and continue to do what I've been doing. When the weight comes off it comes off. I definately can tell I've lost inches. I put on shirts and dresses that were tight last week! :) YAY! I'm going to have Laura take measurements this week and we will check them every 2 weeks! 

So, here is the number from this morning. 

The last weigh in was 232.8 so at least this week I didn't gain. It wasn't as large of a loss as I had hoped, but give it a day or two and I'm sure the numbers will budge some more! Keep going!!!!

 So, after weighing in, yard saleing, and then going to Laura's family BBQ, I spent some time relaxing and running errands. Such a busy Saturday!!! Tomorrow I plan on either hiking or getting some cardio in either way. 

Today was my rest day, which I needed! When I was at Costco I had a stupid idea to have a polish dog. I believe that I can't deprive myself and due to the fact that in 4 weeks I have followed a very strict 90/10 rule of eating clean verses not...I am doing damn good. 

So, eating that polish dog wasn't the brightest idea I've had. It immediately made me sick. Goes to show you just how much better you feel while eating clean and healthy! I'm glad I had this little reminder as a way of saying "Keep doing what you're doing...you're body appreciates it". I don't feel guilty about eating the polish dog, I do know that it won't happen again because it made me feel miserable and I know that my next "cheat" won't be for another few weeks. I'm content with that. I don't feel deprived. I feel like I HAVE CONTROL OVER FOOD. 

Sometimes, you just have to strip everything away and feel great about the person you're becoming.