60 Whole Days, and Not a Word From Me...

It has been 60 whole days since my last blog post...and I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOO embarrassed! 

It seems like life just took off in a few different directions, and I was busy with vacationing, loving, eating, chilling, reading, running my mouth, etc....so much so that I forgot all about blogging!  Well, I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!

Let me catch you up on a few things...

1.)  I had the opportunity to take a 7 day cruise to 5 different Caribbean islands back in October.  Talk about fun in the sun!  Wooo Hooo!  It was a great time aboard ship with my family and friends.  Talk about FOOD, FOOD, and more FOOD!  If I hadn't maintained "control" I'd probably be wobbling on weak knees right about now!!  Although I enjoyed the cruise and the quality time spent wit those that I love, I'm not interested in cruising the Caribbean again anytime soon.  I prefer something a bit more exotic.  Did I mention I purchased a pair of diamond earrings while there?! Note: Even though I think I moved too fast, I wanted to buy something to compliment my birthday gift - see #2 below.

2.)  I'M IN LOVE!  I'm in a really really really happy place with my relationship.  I couldn't ask for a better partner, friend, supporter, lover, confidante, comedian.  I feel so blessed to have HIM in my life. 1.5 years in and still going strong!  Did I mention  the BF gave me a beautiful diamond journey pendant my recent birthday?! 

3.)  :(  I haven't been to the gym in damn near a month...maybe two.  Luckily, I have still been managing to eat a fairly healthy diet and have not gained any major weight.  I'm currently fluctuating between 204 and 206.  THAT may be another story entirely after Thanksgiving.

4.)  The holidays are here!  Thanksgiving and Christmas are my most favorite times of the year!!  I cannot wait to decorate my home and spread more holiday cheer!!

Gotta run!  I'll be in touch soon!! 

30...

Exactly one week ago today, I was blessed to celebrate my 30th Birthday!!  Talk about a major milestone.  Months/weeks/days leading up to "The Big 3-0" I admittedly had a bit of anxiety.  You know the mild fear that comes along when you aren't quite sure what to expect.  OMG, will I feel like an old lady and not have the energy to do fun stuff anymore, exactly how much harder will it become to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, am I really satisfied with the work that I do everyday and can I do this the rest of my life...and oh, wait a second - yep, I'm still single with lingering hopes of one day starting a family.  So all of those things ran through my head at least once as I pondered my upcoming birthday.  But whew, when I woke up on the morning of the 15th of September 2010, I had an inexplicable amount of peace, calm, acceptance, confidence, joy, hope, and love that surrounded me and filled me from inside out.  Talk about one helluva feeling to have as I kissed my 20s goodbye, and greeted my 30s with a happy and joyful, HELLO!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!

I was able to enjoy a "girls getaway" with some friends to Miami the weekend prior to my birthday...followed by an entire week of paid time off from work during the week of my birthday. I had the opportunity to have fun, relax, and most importantly do some serious thinking.  Its hard to explain but I've almost felt myself morph into a different being over the course of the last few weeks.  I've had a few revelations that have impacted friendships.  I've realized that the love shared between myself and "my boo" is much stronger than I've previously given credit for.  And finally, I've been reminded that life is all about what we make it...for we are the ones in control of our destiny.

Moving right along...

My 29th year was an awesome year.  There were a ton of great things that happened to me and to the ones i love.  What stands out, for the first time in a while, I totally let loose and LIVED like I wanted to live.  And as I embark on my 30th year of life, there are a number of habits/things that I want to learn/do/keep that will further bring me balance and continue to enrich my life.  I have struggled with quite a few of these items for years, so it will be no easy task...but with perseverance and the goal of becoming a better and more well rounded person, I pray for the strength to stick them through.  Here goes...

1.  Make time to meditate and pray daily
2.  Exercise daily and maintain a healthier lifestyle
3.  Treat myself to a home cooked meal (prepared by myself) at least once per week
4.  Pick up the phone and/or a Pen and make contact with loved ones
5.  Do not speak negatively (about anybody, anything - regardless of the circumstance) 
6. Spend more time with my family
7.  Develop plans and stick to them (personal goals, professional goals, etc.)
8.  Become a licensed CPA
9.  Explore my creative juices more by blogging and scrap booking regularly (and whatever else comes up)
10.  Be on time (for everything)
11.  TRAVEL
12.  LIVE...we only get once chance.

Learn it, Live it, Love it!!

YES WE CAN!!

I am feeling on fire this morning!!!  We're finally in September - my absolute most FAVORITE month of the year; the weather is nice and breezy, my mom is in town for a visit, AND I weighed in at 207 on yesterday!!  I had been stuck, or so it seemed, around fluctuating between 210 and 214 or so for a little while.  When I stepped on the scale at the doctor's office on yesterday, I could've jumped for joy!  I almost reached out and hugged the nurse!  I'm so excited about what is yet to come...

So, you guys know my "revised" goal for my 30th birthday is to be down to at least 200...preferably below.  Currently weighing in at 207, I only have 7 more pounds to go...over a span of 11 days!  I have no fear that I will be able to conquer these 7 lbs head on!!  And, I have no fear that all of YOU out there will be able to conquer all of your mini and long term goals, fearlessly, head on, no ifs ands or buts about it!!  YES WE CAN!!!

BTW - I have been sooooo bad when it comes to working out.  I haven't worked out consistently in a while.  But first thing tomorrow morning (after church) I plan to get in some major cardio! 

I hope you guys have a Happy and Safe Labor Day Weekend!!

20lbs going, going, GONE!!

Oh wow, its been such a long time since I've last blogged...and oh how I've missed it!!  I've had so much going on lately, but pretty soon things will be back to normal.  My bootcamp ended back in July.  I stuck it out, but my results weren't as great as expected.  In hindsight, I probably should've saved my money and continued to go at it on my own.  Although I haven't been working out as frequently as I was during bootcamp, I am still very much aware of the foods that I put into my body. 

BUT, even with all of my inconsistencies...today I weighed in at 210lbs.  I've finally dropped my first 20lbs since starting this journey back in May!!!

I am extra proud because I know that this weight loss has been very "real".  And what I mean by real is that ...there are no quick fixes, true acceptance that reaching and maintaining my goal requires a definite change of lifestyle, and I'm not depriving myself of anything - just eating everything in moderation.  I have no fears that the weight will come right back, because I'm trying to do this the "right way".  I'm still hoping that I'll be down to 200 (or under) by my 30th birthday.  That brings me to "that" subject...

I will be 30 years old in less than 30 days!!!  Where did the time go?!  On September 15th, the sun will set on my 20s and "The Dawn of A New Era" will begin.  I've been truly blessed in a lot of ways, but nonetheless, getting older still makes you wanna grab the reigns on life and scream WHOOOOAAAAAAAAAA BOY, SLOW DOWN!!!  So, with that comes a lot.  I have to renew my driver's license.  Side Note:  I cant wait to take a new picture!!  I actually feel pretty "young" today.  I don't know if its because of the excitement of making progress with weight loss...or if its because I've really embraced and absolutely love my new look (got my hair cut really short and added highlights) or what!  No doubt, I'm loving it all!!

So, I haven't taken my measurements in some while...maybe I'll do that in the AM.  I can't wait to get off work, so I can hit the gym hard.  Did I mention I have a new passion for running on the treadmill??  Something I never thought I'd enjoy doing...but no better way to feel thinner than to get a good run in!  LOL!!!

Doing the Happy Dance!!

I got a feeling...a really good feeling...that July is going to be a pretty good month.  I woke up this morning, after a long night of rest...with a few things weighing heavily on my mind.  Most of them in the "love" department, but nonetheless - when things don't go the way that you'd wished and hoped sometimes you just have to pause and rethink a few things.  But enough about what I can't control, right?  Check this... 

I didn't make it to boot camp today...just didn't feel like crawling out of bed.  Sidebar:  I promise that I'll hit the gym tonight and get a good workout in...and resume my boot camp program in the AM.  So, I showered and dressed for work.  I put on the same slacks that I've been wearing all along...and decided to wear a button down that I hadn't worn in about a year.  I had to do a double take in the mirror though...because I could tell a NOTICEABLE difference in the way my clothes fit!!  No, they weren't sagging off of me, but they were MUCH looser than they'd ever been...and the blouse actually had a comfortable fit.  The last time I wore this blouse you could see every lump, dump, and roll in my upper body...it was just too tight.  But not today...it fit normal!!  So I had to do my happy dance...

The end of my week last week was pretty rough, not having gotten the results that I was hoping for...I was feeling a bit down.  But, its a mighty good feeling knowing that I didn't give up, and despite it being a holiday weekend, I still ate healthy and according to plan.  Things may not always come when we want them...but they definitely come right on time.  And today of all days, I really needed a pick me up just like the one I received when I noticed my hard work and discipline was beginning to pay off!!  And then on top of that, I get to work and a co-worker says to me "Are you losing weight"?  I was quick to say, "yeah a little"...trying to sound like it wasn't a big deal...when really I wanted to jump and shout and say - OH YOU CAN SEE IT TOO?!?!?!  LOL!! 

This is a new day, a new week, a new month...I know without a doubt that I am destined and deserving of so much more greatness and progress...in love and in life.  Never settling for second best, one swig of water right after the other, LET'S GET IT!!

Total Disappointment...

Well, I'm not in the greatest of moods this morning.  I just returned from boot camp...today completing 3 weeks of the 6 week program.  This means that I'm halfway done.  Sooooooooooooooo, the trainers took everyone's weight and measurements today.  And my results were rather...disappointing...to say the least.

 I only lost 2 friggin pounds!!  My waist measurement remains the same.  I lost an inch or so in one thigh...the other thigh remained the same.  And I gained a half inch in one of my arms...the other remained the same.  As soon as I got on the scale the trainer immediately asked what I'd been eating.  According to him, with the way I've been working out and pushing myself I should have lost more.  He even went as far as saying that I move faster and work harder than anyone (at my size) in both the AM and PM sessions...and each of them lost about 8lbs within the first 3 weeks.  Sooooooooooo, I know this was a direct result of my poor food choices all last week.  I was almost so discouraged that I wanted to turn around and go home...but I worked out anyway.

I know, from experience, that when you eat right and exercise regularly the weight WILL come off.  Cheating here and there is not going to get it.  This takes really hard work.  And even though the 4th of July holiday weekend is here...I can't even slack off.  I HAVE to remain disciplined in my eating.  Oh well, let me get ready for work.  I don't feel like going there either!  But disappointing weight loss results and getting fired on the same day would make for a bad bad bad bad weekend.  LOL!!

I hope everyone has a Happy and Safe 4th of July!!!

Catching Up...

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!  Wow, it has been long over a week since I last posted...and SO much has gone on since then.  From having to travel to be in my cousin's wedding, to being overwhelmed at work, to the ups and downs of love, I've been all over the place.  One thing that has remained constant has been my daily boot camp program! 

I've grown to look forward to training with my group of morning go-getters!!  I just finished up my second full week of the boot camp program.  2 weeks down, 4 to go!!  I must admit though...I ate really really bad this entire week.  All of my bad eating was driven off of pure emotion.  I had a couple of "down" days...and I cannot believe how I let those less than stellar emotional days send me to the McDonald's drive thru!! 

I almost felt like someone addicted to a bad drug...sitting in the drive thru salivating at the mouth, shaking and all.  I tore into those salty, crispy french fries...ravaging the contents of my bag, as if I hadn't eaten in ages!  It was unbelievable...licking my fingers and everything!  I was in a bad bad bad head space...and I'm glad I made it over.

As I start my third week of boot camp tomorrow I remain positive and motivated.  I purchased some new running shoes this weekend - Asics Gel Nimbus.

My others had no shock absorbency and the lack of support was causing my feet to hurt terribly during my work out.  When I tried them on, it was almost like walking on clouds!  I could tell an immediate difference compared to the way my other sneakers felt.  I cant wait to test them out tomorrow morning!

I stocked my fridge a day or so ago with plenty of fresh fruit, veggies, and lean proteins. Oh - I've also been turned on to some protein shakes by EAS - Myoplex. They are rather tasty and a perfect snack during the day.  My lunch has already been packed for tomorrow, complete with fruits and veggies to snack on during the day.  I will have to pay special attention to getting in my 5 to 6 small meals each day...and drinking at least 100 ounces of water daily.

Alrighty, let's get it!!

Super Sore!!

Talk about no pain no gain!  I woke up this morning, very eager about my second day of boot camp...only to find out my body and muscles were not cooperating.  I've never been hit by a car...and I feel sorry for those who have had to suffer through such a traumatic experience, but that's just how I felt this morning.  Like I'd been run over by a dump truck.  I was so ready to call in the Calvary...
BUT, in a split second I thought about my planned trip to Miami with some girlfriends in September (we're all celebrating our 30th birthdays)...and thought to myself - I can choose to get up and go work out or I can choose to lay in the bed.  Obviously what I'll look like in MIA will vary...
                           

This is NOT how I will represent myself in the MIA!

So, I got up and took my butt to Day 2 of my boot camp session.  Once I was there and had actually started my workout, I didn't even feel the pain anymore!!  Needless to say, immediately after the workout...and for the rest of my work day I moved like an old lady.  The soreness was on a level that I don't ever recall feeling in my life.  Imagine sitting down in your car and feeling all sorts of pain.  Or standing up from the seated position of your desk chair and having to walk with a bent/crooked back for a couple of steps before you can actually stand up straight...

                                                 

Or better yet, how about not being able to go to the bathroom without being in immense pain while squatting over the toilet!!  Thank GOD for those handicap accessible stalls...I gripped the metal handicap railings on the wall of the stall just to hold myself up b/c my muscles were just that sore!  **Shout out to the ADA for making sure all buildings have handicap rails in bathrooms**

I increased my water intake today...to about 100 ounces.  And, I was diligent in sticking to my healthy eating plan for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  I realize I just started but whew, I can't wait to see some major results!!!  I want saggy pants so bad.  LOL!!  One thing I have noticed though...my ring fits a bit looser on my finger, and my shoes seem to have loosened up.  They weren't tight to begin with, but I feel a noticeable difference in the fit of them both.  They are both weird places to see results, but I take that as a good sign!

And, although I'm super sore as I type the close of this blog, I STILL plan to get up in the AM and hit it again for Day 3.  I'm on a mission....

Stepping it Up a Notch: Bootcamp for 6 weeks!!!

I am SOOOOOO amped today.  I'm eager to get into shape and drop some weight sooner than later, so I decided to step things up a notch.  I joined a 6-week Fitness BOOT CAMP! 

This morning was my first boot camp work out session...and it went over really well!  I'm glad that I'd been doing some cardio at the gym the week prior, so I wasn't as winded and out of breath as I normally would be.  Talk about intense!!  The workout was non-stop (a few 2-3 minute breaks sprinkled throughout)...and included lunges, jogging, sprinting, jumping jacks, push ups, press & curl with free weights, crunches, etc.  You name it, we did it!  The trainers had us doing some of the work out inside, and some of it was outside.  The morning group was about 9 or 10 people...which they split into two different groups.  It was the perfect size.  The boot camp is coed...and its obvious that everyone has a different fitness and agility level right now...but we were encouraged to do things at our own pace. 

Talk about sweating though...I thought that I'd sweat to death!!  There was a whole lot of breathing hard, panting, tongue hanging out and all on my part...but I DID NOT GIVE UP!!

When my session was over with I felt like I'd lost weight already!!  Talk about results!  It may have been all in my head...but nonetheless, I felt better having gotten up at 5:30am to push myself.  Whenever I felt like it was all too much and wanted to slow down or stop, I'd imagine a bikini clad image of myself running along the beach...hair in the wind...in slow motion.     

One other thing to note...it helps SO much when you have girlfriends and loved ones to help you along your journey.  Whether they are in the boot camp class pushing me to my limit, emailing and sending text messages from afar, or making sure I'm sticking to my healthy eating plan when we're dining together during the week...I am most grateful for their love and encouragement!!  Thanks ladies...and gents!!

My Plan of Attack...

1.) Attend the fitness boot camp 5 days per week, M - F 6am - 7:15am.

2.)  Follow nutrition plan - Personal Trainer is supposed to email it to me today.
3.)  No weighing myself until the end of the 6-week program. 

My "Before" Boot Camp Body Measurements...

Weight:  220lbs         Waist:  42in
Left Arm:  12in          Right Arm:  12in
Left Leg:  28in           Right Leg:  28in
           Bottom Fat Roll:  48.5in

Battle of the Bulge...

For some time I've thought about the idea of blogging, but never went through with it.  All sorts of thoughts would come to mind...what would I write about, who would want to read it, will I get tired of it, what if my writing isn't as good and/or entertaining as so and so??  Now, I'm at a totally different place in life and I don't care about any of those things.  I recently embarked on a renewed quest for better health and improved fitness.  To keep myself on track (and possibly encourage others) I've decided to journal my experiences, thoughts and feelings.

This blog is my outlet...my journal...my confidant...my confessions.

Battle of the Bulge...

I don't know how it happened (well really I do) but I've been on a diet for as long as I can remember.  You know how some folk's early childhood memories are of riding a bike, setting up a tent in the backyard?  Well mine...being in 4th grade and my old gray-haired doctor telling my mother I was 20lbs overweight.  WTH?!  I didn't know anything about weight at that age.  But it was on that warm spring day that my battle of the bulge started.  Note:  I honestly can't recall which season it was, but warm/spring sounded good :).  I've been on every diet under the sun.  Some have worked and some did not.  I've been focused and I haven't given a damn. 

Imagine the scariest roller coaster at your local amusement park.  How did you feel when the rail car peaked its highest point?

You may have looked down once you noticed how high you were and freaked out!  OMG!  Get me down from here!!  And after being stalled for a couple of seconds (seemed like forever) you suddenly drop thousands of feet..leaving your guts and nerves up top.  But whew, you're safe, you finally made it back to that "not so dangerous" place.  You get comfortable and say to yourself, "I can handle this"...you think the roller coaster ride is over, but dammit, before you know it...without warning, the rail car takes off again, zipping you in and out of loops and turning you upside down before you come to a sudden stop...disheveled, hair flying, screams, laughter, crying.  Well, my "battle of the bulge" has been quite similar to a roller coaster ride.  Highs and lows, ups and downs, scary and comfortable, happy and sad...

Even though I'm still battling the bulge today, its weird...some days I look in the mirror and I see a skinny me starring back at me!  I don't see the thick in the thighs and the waist gal that I know I am.  Instead I see a rather svelte and sexy diva. 

And that is where my problem lays. Just like my hips, my body image is WAY TO HEALTHY! I've oftentimes put off improving my diet and exercise lifestyle because I felt like I was still cute and sexy so it wasn't that big of a deal. 

So anyway, let's fast forward to Spring 2010 - I visit my primary care physician for my annual physical.  No major issues come to surface, so I'm happy.  We discuss my family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.  She tells me that I need to lose some weight, and if not, I'm guaranteed to be stricken with one of these illnesses when I get older.  OK, frightening enough...I say to myself "I know, I know, I know...just hurry up b/c I need to get back to work".  So then she says..."You are severely obese.  And yeah, you have a pretty face and all...but I don't know about the rest of you".  I almost fell slam off of the examination table.  WTH?!  Was I offended?  No, not really.  It was more of a realization...it hit the nail on the head...and in that one instance I KNEW I HAD TO DO SOMETHING!  Sidebar:  Remember the old Jenny Craig commercials.  The mom is telling her weight loss story.  She says one day she was feeding her children, and she reached over into one of their plates.  The child says "No mommy, that's my food".  The mother looks at the screen and says "That's when I knew I had to do something...and I called Jenny".  Well, that's exactly how I felt.  Here I am...thinking I'm looking half decent.  Yeah, I'm heavy but I carry my weight well.  Yeah, I need to lose weight, but I'll get around to it.  But to hear - ..."You are severely obese. And yeah, you have a pretty face and all...but I don't know about the rest of you".  That put me in an entirely different head space.  On that day I weighed in at my heaviest ever...230lbs.

I've made a conscious effort to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into my daily diet.  I've eliminated red meat and focus primarily on lean meats such as fish and chicken.  And just recently I've been hitting the gym.  I've lost 9-10lbs over the past 5 weeks or so.  I'm more motivated now than I've been in a long long time...and I'm looking forward to what is yet to come!!

Here goes, as I continue fighting my Battle of the Bulge!