Strength

Over the past few months, I've been focusing on getting my body stronger.  I take Body Pump classes, Hot Yoga classes, Pound, Cycle and am always happy to try something new!  I am a self-admitted cardio junkie.  Give me a cardio class and I'll happily do it forever!

Strength classes do not come easy to me.  My abs are weak.  I have diastasis-recti which makes building my abs stronger a challenge.  Not impossible, mind you...  just a challenge.  So when I first took my first Body Pump class I was excited that I liked it.  I like to know what's coming next in a class.  I like that I'm able to control the weights on the bar and that the tracks vary.

Some people are going to differ from me with this...  I take Yoga classes for Strength.  I've never been in a yoga class where my mind goes completely blank and I can breathe and be zen and one with God.  That's not yoga for me and it's not what I want yoga to be.  You'll likely never find me in a Yin Yoga class or a meditation focused class.  I'm not slighting it, it's just not what I'm looking to get from a class.

I've been thinking recently about trying Cross-Fit.  It is expensive though and I do not have the money right now to shell out for a gym membership.  Part of the wonderful things about being a Fitness Instructor is getting free memberships to different clubs and studios.  Do you do Cross-Fit?  I'd like to hear your feedback on it!

I attend classes at Aim High Studio a lot.  It's a cute little studio not far from my house.  The owner and some of the instructors there have become friends.  They give back to the community with different events during the month which speaks to my heart.  In September I did a strength test to get a baseline for my strength.  Yesterday, I did my second.  To say I exceeded my goals is an understatement.  In September I was not able to do any sit-ups.  Yesterday I crushed 20 sit-ups in a minute.  I held my high plank for 20 seconds higher yesterday than I did in September and I almost tripled my push-ups!  I was so insanely proud of myself!

Getting stronger takes time.  It's not going to come overnight.  Just like everything, it is a work in progress and I'm making it happen!

What kind of exercise do you like to do?  What is your weak spot that you need to work on?

Two Years

It's been two years since my surgery.  Hard to believe!  Two years ago I was in a lot of pain and had no idea what was in store for me.  Two years ago I was questioning if I did the right thing because I was in so much pain.  Two years ago I waas scared. 

So...  lets get caught up to date.  I'm now teaching Pound at the Spring Valley YMCA 3 times a week!  Two of those classes are family classes and they are amazing!  To see kids moving is a phenomenal feeling!  I'm going to be adding in a Spin class soon. 

I read last week on a FB group for spinners about this woman who is lost with her music because she picks the same music all the time.  The music did really well in one class and so she kept the same playlist.  And people stopped coming.  It was obvious to me why...  the music got stale.  But it taught me a lesson.  That just because I really like a certain style of music, maybe someone else doesn't.  So this week I went out of my comfort zone (doing a lot of that lately!) and picked a song for pound that isn't necessarily my jam.  And people loved it!  And opnce I saw how much they loved it, it made me love it.  So, Fall out boy, if you're reading this (which of course, you are... you have nothing better to do than read my blog - right?!) you're on the setlist for a few weeks.  ;-)

Teaching classes has been amazing.  Not only do I get to meet so many new people, I get to witness people making time for themselves!  In this busy world of hustle and overbooked calendars, it shocks me that people continue to make time for themselves!  I had one woman in class last week who came up to me after class and thanked me.  I asked why she was thanking me.  She responded by saying "This is my first class at the YMCA and my first time exercising in three years.  Your class was energizing and FUN!"  I gave her a huge hug.  THAT!  That right there is why I teach.  I love that people WANT to take my class and it's not necessarily a chore!  I want my class to be the class where they feel like they can unleash their inner rockstar and go all out!  I want them to return and look forward to the next class!  And most of all, I want them to sweat.  And sweat she did!  Her hair was so wet and it was the highlight of my week! 

My life has changed so much in the past two years.  And I'm not even talking abou the scale.  Acceptance and Understanding.  Acceptance that I'm not yet at my goal weight and understanding that so much goes into it rather than just food or just exercise.  You can't out-exercise a bad diet.  Just like you can't eat off the weight.  Exercise and eating go hand in hand.  I'm not saying you have to be at the gym 6 days a week.  But, a balance of the two.  If you overdo it on food, be conscience of that and what you need to do to work that off.  And if you're eating crap but working out 6 days a week, be aware of that. Healthy moderation always in all ways. 

To wrap things up, I leave you with a picture that means so much to me!  This was my first class at the YMCA.  There are a lot of friends in the pictures that mean so much to me! 

This is 40

40...  I never thought I'd be excited to turn 40.  Never.  But this year...  I'm very excited! 

Most things in my life are exactly where I'd like them.  I've finally found myself and who I was meant to be.  Two years ago, I never would have thought I would say that.  But, with 6 days to go until I'm 40 it's absolutely true. 

The most obvious thing is my weight loss and exercise regime.  I feel at home in the gym.  Teaching classes gives me this euphoria that is unexplainable.  To have a class full of people showing up week after week and dedicating that time to themselves...  to making their hearts, mind, and body healthy...  it's a fabulous feeling!  I'm so happy that I'm in the place in my life where I can help other people help themselves. 

I'm literally at the same weight that I was in January.  I've dropped a few pounds and gained it...  but you know what?  I've rolled with it.  I'm not obsessed with the scale like I once was.  It's a good feeling!! 

Another thing that has fallen into place for me this past year is my spirituality.  I have found a new church that I love and has made me feel so welcome.  It's a joy to go to services weekly which shocks me.  It's been a long time since I've been to church and when I did go it was out of obligation instead of want.  Finding Jesus again in my life has been a page turner.  I find myself praying and listening to his message more now than I ever had. 

My family...  Bill and I debated for a while whether we wanted a third baby or not.  If you've known me for a while, you know that my body does NOT like being pregnant.  Like, at all.  We had losses and they are hard.  It makes you even more grateful for your babies.  I'm not getting any younger and children aren't getting any less expensive.  So, I think we are confident in our decision to keep our family the size it currently is.  If God decides differently, we'd welcome it but I like where we are right now. 

My marriage...  I don't give Bill enough credit.  I know I am not an easy person to live with at times.  I'm stubborn and have a temper.  But we've been working on things and getting ourselves into a good place.  It's hard....  nobody warns you that marriage is hard work when you're young and in love with the big heart eyes. 

 

I love Bill so much.  He's good for me and we are good for each other.  We get on each other's nerves at times but I think that is totally natural.  I think that's just the nature of living with another person.  He's an awesome dad and works hard for his family. 

 



My friends...  I have an amazing support group of friends both local and across the country who I count on to listen, to make me laugh, to lend a shoulder to cry on at times.  And I couldn't be more lucky. 

So 40....  bring. it. on. I cannot wait to see what the next year brings!  And to kick it off a fun night out with girlfriends on Saturday night! 

2017!!!

 

There it is.  My weight on 1/2/2017. 

 

That's the last time I'll see the 200's again. 

 

THE LAST TIME. 

 

 

I know all in all I only had a 2 pound weight gain over the holidays and that's pretty good.  But, I also know that even though it's only two pounds the quality of my food has diminished.  I haven't been eating what I should.  I also haven't been working out as much as I should (for numerous reasons).  It ends today. 

 

Tomorrow I begin a two week cleanse.  Today I started working out again.  It was hard to get back into it, but I'm SO glad I did.  I took a hot yoga class with Brenda and it was amazing.  I love how strong I feel after a hot yoga class. 

 

I've come a long way over the past year.  But, I still have a while to go.  I cannot will not allow myself to slack any more.  I will not allow myself to gain any more.  I have a goal to meet and I WILL meet it. 

 

Everyone always has such great goals for the New Year.  Lose weight, get healthy, quit smoking, etc.  My goal? More patience.  More patience for myself...  more patience with my children...  more patience with my husband.  Please note I said goal...  not resolution.  I believe resolutions were made to be broken.  Goals are meant to be met.  To be earned.  To be worked for.  Goals.  Goals allow you the grace to stumble and get back up.  Goals allow you to hop back on that horse.  Goals. 

 

Of course, a large goal I have for myself is to meet that number on the scale.  However, the bigger picture is health.  The bigger picture is understanding that the number may not move or move slowly.  The bigger picture is focusing on getting stronger, on building muscle and keeping myself in check.  The bigger picture is doing this not only for my family but for myself.  The bigger picture. 

 

What are your goals for the new year?  How will you improve on yourself? 

 

Check-in's will now be on Mondays as I feel that keeps me even more accountable over the weekend. 

 

Until next week.... 

 

 

 

 

13 months

A friend made this for me.  Isn't it awesome?


I haven't taken a picture of my weight in a while because it's been the same.  My doctor did warn me that it will get harder to lose the further out from surgery I am.  However, I am not going to let that discourage me.  I have a goal to meet and I'm determined to meet it. 

I have my first spin class this coming Sunday and I'm so excited!!  I'm ridiculously nervous too.  Mark put me at ease the other day when he told me that he still gets nervous before each class which made me feel better. 

I'm not going to lie, it's been hard keeping up with my work-outs.  Being a working mom is hard.  Being a working mom who is trying to arrange her schedule around working out is even harder.  Thank God my husband makes it pretty easy on me by watching the girls when I do need to take a class.  But, he doesn't get home until after 6:00 most nights and it's getting colder out.  The combination makes staying home in my warm house much more enticing.  I need to push myself harder...  nobody is going to build the muscle for me.  Along with weight goals I have strength goals I want to meet.  I want to be able to do a handstand in TRX and a wheel in Yoga without help. 

I'd like to get down to 195 by the end of November.  fingers crossed that I can do it...  especially with Thanksgiving in there! 

Until next time....

Week 51

I think I miscounted weeks somewhere along the way.... 

5 pounds down this week!  And SO CLOSE to ONEDERLAND!!!

So I've continued with the Ketosis diet and it's worked!  I "cheated" a little bit last night and indulged in Pumpkin Ice Cream from Merrymead. 

I'm staying consistent with working out 4 days per week.  Saturday I have a Vino & Vinyasa event at the gym and I'm SO excited to do it!  I've fallen in love with yoga so much! 

I have some exciting stuff going on that I can't wait to share...  but it's still in the works!  So, stay tuned for that! 

Until then....

Stats: 
High Weight: 324

Starting Weight: 318

Surgery Weight: 300

Today's Weight: 200.8

Total Loss: 123.2

Next goal....  199 pounds...  1.8 pounds to go! 

Week 49

Down 1.4 pounds this week!  I got scared on Monday because I was up to 209 and change.  I did some drinking over the weekend and it caught up to me very fast! 

I'm on a ketosis diet for two weeks.  It's basically super high proteins and very low carbs.  It's really the way I should be eating when all the other stuff doesn't creep its way in. 

I've had to back off my workouts now that I'm back at work and the girls are back to school.  But, I've been managing to get in two during the week and two on the weekends so I'm at 4 workouts per week.  I'm still pretty proud of that.  I've been doing spin, yoga (including hot yoga which I'm loving!) and barre.  I've backed off the weight type classes for right now in an effort to get more cardio in. 

The big news this week is that I signed up for my SCHWINN spin instructor class!  It's on 10/29 and it's a full day 9 hour class.  I'm really excited about it and a little nervous.  It's a big step I'm taking... 

My ONE YEAR follow-up apt is in Tuesday, 10/4 with my bariatric doctor.  I'm excited to see how far I've come.  They have my pre-op picture on my patient folder.  It'll be nice to get a year post-op to go with that! 

That's about it for now. 

Stats: 
High Weight: 324

Starting Weight: 318

Surgery Weight: 300

Today's Weight: 205.8

Total Loss: 118.2

Next goal....  199 pounds...  6.8 pounds to go!