What's up Wednesday: some thoughts

I missed posting last week - I really just didn't know what to say so I figured you could survive a week without me ;)
I had a tough couple weeks on the diet front. I gained back 2 pounds because of carelessness but I made some major adjustments and am back at 199 this morning. Hopefully I'll see some more good progress this week. I have not worked out at all this week, but I will I just need to get my act together. Last Friday I set a goal to drink 60-70 ounces of water a day, before 6:00 pm.
I read an interesting article last week. Now before I share this information let me just say I'm not posting this as "the word" it is simply a doctor's article that I found interesting.
The doctor states that food choices and drinking water are the absolute keys to weight loss. Now this is something we all know is important but do you know what water does to help you? Drinking enough water allows your body to flush out waste. When you don't drink enough water the body thinks you're going to deprive it and stores fat to protect itself - drink your water!! I can say that adjusting my water intake had made in obvious difference in my hunger and energy. The article states that the doctor believes exercise is useless when it comes to weight loss (my opinion in a minute). Before you disagree or shake your head read on. According to the doctor it takes burning 3500 calories to burn away a pound of fat. In his calculations he estimates that women burn calories in every day life up to 2500 per day. His rationale at this point was that if burning calories caused weight loss everyone would be skinny. Now let me say my brain struggles with this but at the same time I see the logic. However while he makes the statement that he simply does not believe in exercising I say this. Whether or not his words are true, exercise is important. We may not need to exercise to lose weight but we do need exercise to tone our bodies. Our bodies need that exercise to remain strong and healthy and full of life.
I am not going to say his statements are true or false because the fact is I just don't really know. I'm not a doctor or a health specialist, I just found it interesting.
Food for thought!!
Here's to more success this week and open minds for learning and hopefully bettering ourselves as well!

What's up... Thursday??

Ok... so I forgot yesterday was Wednesday! ! It's been a long trying and stressful week.  I managed to control myself and not eat everything I desired but I generally failed at working out, however my scale didn't move up or down so I'd call it at least a decent week.  I'm making progress slowly but surely.  I can tell a difference in the eating choices I'm making.  If I could find a way to be faithful with working out I'd be golden!! One of my problems is I tend to let outside things in my life get to me and then use those as an excuse.  That's a very bad habit I'm trying to break.  Rather than saying oh I had a bad day I'm not working out tonight I should be wanting to work out to relieve tension of that day.  Forming new habits is just as challenging as breaking old ones,  but I believe coming to this realization will be a major help for me as I continue through this journey.  Last week I spoke of my desire to wear shorts,  this week I put a more short term goal out there.  I have the pleasure of wearing a bridesmaid dress in October for my final sisters wedding.  It's very hard for meto watch both of my sisters married off and know I'm 26 and still remaining (yet another issue I have. .. I'm full of them! ) but I've made it my goal to look good in that dress, to feel comfortable with the way I look in front of all those people.  Who knows maybe I'll even be able to achieve a thigh gap (yes its exactly as it sounds, gap between the thighs when standing)!! I know I will win this challenge!! As I continue with my baby steps, I know I will get there!!
To close I'm going to restart my couch to 5k running program. I've said before I'm not a runner and I still think that but I'd love to run a 5k so I can say I did it!!
For those struggling... I'm just like you, lets just keep on keeping on!! I'm more than happy to be there for you!!

What's up Wednesday: not my scale!!

 Oh happy day! This morning I stepped on the scale (only because it's my check in day) and was pleasantly surprised to see I'm finally in the 100s!! 199 does count and equals 5 pounds gone!! Woot woot!!! Let me just say I cannot tell you how wonderful that feels - and I'm still at the beginning of this journey!!
I didn't check in last week, I've been in a bit of a downer mood and I almost let it win, but here I am with a renewed spirit!
I've been considering what I can do to maybe see a jump start (yes I'm inpatient). An advocare challenge may be in my future. I'm extending my 30 day shred one more week to account for my "unfaithful" days.
My goal: to feel comfortable in shorts. I've always hated my legs, especially my knees!! This girl has not worn shorts in public since the 7th grade - that's about 15 years ago!! But I will win, and I will wear shorts again and I WILL feel good in them!! Have a good week!! Enjoy the holiday! !

What's up Wednesday: no bueno

What's up this Wednesday?
Well to be downright honest I was not very faithful this week. Between all the goings on for my sisters wedding and well all of my other excuses, I just don't stick it out like I shoul have! This tends to be a problem of mine. I always find an excuse and then I struggle to get back on track, but not this time. I had my off time and today is a new day!! I will persevere!! Today it's back to the drawing board.
The good news I didn't gain anything back I just didn't lose anymore.
Goal today - drink 75 oz of water AND burn extra calories, which could mean an extra workout.
Here's to a better week this week and remembering that while we all struggle and have rough weeks we have to keep moving forward and overcome these obstacles! I can do it!!

What's Up Wednesday!

Wednesdays are going to be my normal check in days since I started blogging my journey on a Wednesday. Today marks one week from the beginning of this "new" journey. I stepped on the scale this morning (we are not friends) and found myself 2 pounds down. While some may think that's not much I see that I won this weeks battle. That sale hasn't moved in a long time despite varied efforts. I have to say I did fairly well this week. There were times I could have eaten better, but I definitely improved my eating habits. I was faithful to my morning and evening workouts. I have also had a couple people tell me they can tell a difference (without my prompting). These small victories are what really count! Throw out that scale and look at yourself!
Today I advanced to level 2 on my 30-day shred... It was significantly more challenging to me! I've done the shred before but never really put a lot of effort into it!
Here's to more victories in the coming week!

Reality Check

On this new journey of mine I'm also trying to make a lot of wrongs right. I will be the first to admit I've made numerous bad choices, but not one of us is perfect. I feel like failure in many ways. As I say this I wonder how many times I've been the person to bring others down, to hit them when they're already low. I feel the importance of just needing love and encouragement and not to be treated like a loser who messes up a lot. The truth is we all mess up, we all fall down, but we must pick ourselves up and better ourselves. I've probably fallen so many times people lose their positive outlooks of me and that breaks my heart. That thought is knowledge enough to propel me forward much harder than before. One cannot undo mistakes. Part 2 of my journey is to get other parts of my life under control as well - parentig, finances, attitude, etc. While I've admitted my weight issue I should confess my others: I'm financially irresponsible, I'm a lost parent and overall I'm simply lost. But I'm trying and part of those efforts are to make it right. It's not a short term plan. The damage I've managed to do will take time and effort to undo, but I shall conquer!! Today - I cut up 95% of my credit cards, which ill have you know totals to 6 cards - I told you I had a problem!!
So, here's to step 2!! Staying strong and holding on to make a better future!

On a side note, I'm feeling my workouts today. I'm exhausted, but I'm noticing the positive changes!!
Have a good weekend all!

The Journey Begins

Today I begin a new journey, because I have a dream. While no life can ever be perfect, you can still be happy in life. My journey begins with weight loss (as many do). It all started because of a picture taken 6/4/2013. It was my breaking point. I saw that picture posted on Facebook for all eyes to see and I though oh my gosh... Look at yourself! Weighing in at.... Dare I say it?... 204 hearty pounds on a 5'6" female, it's just not pretty. I'm a single mother of a 6-year old an I've struggled with weight since she was born. I've tried diet pills, I've paid big bucks for things like Xyngular, but nothing has ever kept me on track or worked really well for me. I've tried running and the truth is running bores me. Making excuses stops now! I will not be that "big" girl who is embarrassed by clothing and pictures. I WILL look good! And I will not look back! Here is to putting my feet on the floor and moving forward. My game plan is to do 45 minutes of Zumba at least 5 days a week. I'm also going to get my butt out of bed before work and do Jillian Michaels 30-day shred. I hereby give my word to do these things consistently in an effort to make my personal goal to reach a weight in the 150s. I will also be using My Fitness Pal and monitoring my calories/portions as well as trying to make healthier food choices. I refuse to be this person anymore who is miserable in my shell. All I ask is for your support and encouragement as I move forward in this journey!! Here I go!
P.S. the picture above is the one that broke me.