Progress Report!

Time For A Progress Report!

Many of you know that after the holidays I began a weight loss journey. I am not calling it a diet or simply exercising, because it had to be a major shift in my outlook on life. Since college, I haven't been physically active, and I have had two babies! I finally reached a point when I wasn't happy with what I saw in the mirror, I was struggling with self esteem issues, my skin wasn't looking all that great, and the everyday tasks were way too difficult.

Time for major changes!

I wanted the changes to be more than just a new years resolution, so I started slow, and with attainable goals!

I joined a Jazzercise gym, twice a week to begin with. Diet was about the same with a few minor changes...lots more water, & the obvious of limited grains, no processed food, and limited sugar!

I have successfully finished two months of life with a new outlook!

I can tell you that getting healthy and loosing weight doesn't always feel good, & it isn't always easy...sometimes very inconvenient! However, the results are showing and I am so glad I have made the changes.

The goal was to loose 50 lbs!

So far, I have lost 9, gained 9 back, and now lost 12. I am not sure what the deal was with gaining the weight back, but I am glad to see it go for good.

I have also lost inches! This most exciting observation happened other day while I was blow drying my hair. I like to flip my head over, and blow dry the underside of my hair first. While I was hanging upside down, I noticed I could see light between my thighs. WOOO HOOO! My thighs officially do not touch anymore while I am standing! I have also lost 1 1/2" from my waist and 2 " from the buttocks area!

I am finally beginning to look and feel better!

My journey is far from over, I still have 38 pounds to loose. This is a process I am looking forward to, I am loving Jazzercise. It is fun, fast paced, and I am loving that each part of my body gets worked out each session. I am up-ing my workouts to three times a week. I am hoping the increased exercise will help me to loose the weight faster, become stronger, and I will enjoy the increased energy.

I have noticed that I am a happier, more energized Mommy now that I am exercising and doing something for ME! I really, truly, believe that the time away from my other responsibilities, spent on me, is vital to my health, happiness, and general outlook on life. I am so much for thankful for my kids when I come home from the gym. The time away is refreshing, and I feel refocused and renewed after working out.

If you don't take time away from your life for just YOU, I would highly recommend adding it in!

I promise your family will be just fine without you for an hour or so, and I guarantee you will feel so much lighter and refreshed when you return. A healthy YOU first, husband/family second! You are worth it, do something nice for you!

I will keep you posted on my progress throughout this journey. I am already successful, and I am excited to continue seeing the changes!

How are you doing on your new year's resolutions?

Juice With Your Coffee?

"Hello Dear Void",

The sun has popped its sunny little face out again today, it is beautiful, crisp, the snow covered mountains are stunning, and yet I still feel like I am in such a FOG!

The "bubonic plague" hit our house about two and half weeks ago... it has transferred from one member of the family to another, and back again! I wonder, now, what this says about my house cleaning abilities...hummm.

I have spent days, and many sleepless nights tending to sick kids; wiping noses, washing sheets and lovies, distributing cough syrups and homeopathics, changing water in humidifiers, and attempting to NOT loose my sanity.

The boys are on the mend, thank goodness, but now the plague has caught up with me! I feel terrible, but as most moms know...the world does not stop spinning just because we are sick. I keep putting one foot in front of the other, hoping I will make sense, and praying I will make it to the end of the day.

Highlights of My Current State of Affairs

*I have gotten a LOT of house cleaning done in the last two weeks while sitting at home with kids.

*Loosing sleep due to my lack of oxygen..., not because anyone else is needing me at the moment, is a major bummer.

*Lots of snuggles, a definite plus!

*Did you know, you can actually fall asleep sitting up? I was waiting for the repair man, watching a little Dora with my three year old...not sure what happened...

*I actually put juice in my coffee this morning instead of cream...sad!

*Sweat was not the only thing dripping off my face at Jazzercise...gross, on the flip side...exercise really did help to clear the fog a bit! Felt good to move!

*Yesterday and today were P.J days at pre-school for the boys, I actually considered dropping off in my P.J's...just to be festive! Instead I put on cute clothes, washed my face, put on make-up, took some Tylenol cold medicine, and made a long overdue coffee date with my friend!

So while I am waiting for the fog to clear, I would like to leave you with a song, that I have been humming all day. Maybe it will be encouraging for you today, and know that if you find yourself in some kind of a fog, or crazy blizzard, there is hope for tomorrow.

God is faithful and his mercies are new every morning!

Thank goodness!

Lamentations 3:22-23

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

His mercies never come to an end;

They are new every morning;

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Oh the pain...

Okay, so I know what I said in my last post...but like everyone else, I do have a few things that I plan on changing around here...other than listening to the silence!

I know that just about everyone has added, plans on continuing, or is tweaking an exercise routine this year. I am right along with y'all. Now that I have had two babies, 20 months apart, and succeeded getting through the baby/toddler years with my sanity, I need to focus on my bod...!!!

I am pretty sure that when I got married I had a hot, little, sexy body, and I intend to get some or all of that back! So this year I am making the commitment, this is a first for me, and I am actually excited to feel better about the way I look!

So, here is the nitty gritty...

The goal: is too loose 50 lbs! Crazy to see that number on paper, but the truth hurts! My plan: here is a little background info you need to know...This little adventure of mine began last year when another mom from pre-school invited me to join her in Jazzercise. I actually laughed in her face...rude hu? But my only exposure to Jazzercise was the typical 80's video, complete with leg warmers and a NOT attractive leotard, also a professor of mine who was crazy about her Jazzercise class and totally fit right into the previous description!!! In hind sight I am sorry I laughed at her, but seriously, I didn't think this was for me. However, I have had a whole year to think about this, gained a few more pounds, and now I am ready to re-consider! On January 2nd, I made the commitment to my Jazzercise friend that I would be joining her this week!

After she left my house the panic started to sink in!!! What was I getting myself into, could I even keep up with these ladies, one look at the online video...and the answer was NO, and oh yeah...what was I going to wear??? After an evening of hyperventilating...I got up the next morning and marched myself into TJ Maxx. I am not fully sure what I am getting into, I may not be able to keep up, but I CAN CONTROL HOW I WILL LOOK!!!

Anyone ever try on a bathing suit in a too small dressing room, with bad light, a glaring white bod, and a little too much extra...in places that well, let be honest, shouldn't be shown??? This is exactly how I thought this experience of finding work-out wear was going to be like. However, I was pleasantly surprised! I found 2 pant options and about 10 tops, confidently entered the dressing room, and after a lot of squeezing, smooshing, wiggling, and jazzercise practicing, I walked out with two tops and a pair of pants that not only did I feel good in, but fit my budget too! Hurray for me, at least I will look cute while I kill myself!

Yesterday I went and signed up, bought a pad for who knows what, and quickly figured out the routine. I stayed and watched/sorta practiced some of the moves, then left feeling even more nervous that I may not be able to keep up. I was a cheerleader & have done tae bo for years, but after not using any elaborate coordination for years I was slightly concerned I may fall on my face. Check out http://www.jazzercise.com/ ... to get a look for yourself! No fuzzy leg warmers, just a whole lot of fast booty shaking!

Today was the big day...After a couple cups of coffee, one slice of cheese...too nervous to eat, a few trips to the bathroom, and a pre-school drop off I marched into the unknown. Oh my word...I was so right. You totally know were this is going, don't you? This workout is like none other I have ever experienced, this is totally going to kill me! Within the first five min...the warm up, I was already completely out of breath and dripping with sweat! We moved constantly for 60 min. I did find out what the pad was for...a crazy hard leg and ab workout on the floor, that produced pain much like childbirth. Fun, hu? The other mom, she is the instructor...did I mention that, she can move! I seriously have so much more respect for her, she literally works her hiney off everyday, and she totally worked mine off today! I know this is going to be worth all the pain, and I am excited to have a cute bod again, but today...exactly 5 hours after I embarked on my first serious workout, I am hurting soooo bad! Every part of my body hurts!

I am off to take a much needed shower, take a few more advil, and prepare myself for tomorrow! I will keep you posted on this journey, but seriously take a look at the video!

I hope you all are doing well in your resolutions, we have almost completed a week! hurray for us!