Change DOES happen

Change DOES happen when you want it to and do the work. I call this photo a "Farewell to Boobs"! Lol! Sometimes "change" is gooooood! 

Wow! I'm wearing the same shirt now too. Lol. It's slightly more baggy though. Love my after pics becoming new before pics.

This is about a year apart. The "before" was an after pic dated 3/13/13, and the new "after" pic was last night, 4/24/14.

March 13, 2013 to April 24, 2014 - What a YEAR!

I'm smaller and stronger; just not lighter.

Weigh In Wednesday, 4/23/14: I'm up 2 pounds from last Wednesday, however it appears that I've lost inches. Some stayed the same as last week, and some are down up to 2", from 4/16 when I took initial measurements, so all in all I guess that makes me happy. Measurements don't lie, so the ass busting I've been doing IS working, it's making me smaller and stronger, just not lighter. Might be time to trade my scale for a tape measure and let go of my idea that I need a normal bmi.

4/16/14
Neck 11
Waist 32
Hips 37
Arms 11
Thigh 19
Bust 34

4/23/14
Neck 11
Waist 31
Hips 35
Arms 11
Thighs 19
Bust 32

This all really messes with my head and I think I need some help with that part. Getting heavier and smaller at the same time is weird. I guess I want to be smaller, and healthy in general, so that's all good. I just have hung on to this "goal" of a normal BMI since I started and it's looking less likely I'll hit it. I look so much better (3 weeks into TURBO) and I'm really toning up. If I can get the loose skin to recover on my own, I won't need to have skin removal surgery and therefore a normal BMI isn't "necessary" for surgery. So then the goal of a normal BMI can go away. I can let go of that I guess and focus on a new goal. What that new goal is I have no idea! Amazing what I'm learning on my journey. About health and fitness and about myself! It's really been an amazing trip!

And for those wondering... I'm 5'4"/170 lbs, size 8/10.

My BMI 29.2 (overweight). "Your Healthy Weight Range is: 108 to 145 pounds".

My goal was to get to that weight range. And I was shooting for 128. Now I just don't know. I think now I'd be ecstatic if I hit 145 and called it done! 145 would be "normal range" albeit the highest part of normal. Still, normal = happy health and longevity, which IS what I'm going for after all.

So with that said, I'm going to keep on going. My size is reducing and clearly that's where my body needs to focus, since that's what's happening. I know I'm eating great, so the diet is in check. I'm working on eating back the calories I burn in Turbo. I'm getting better but am still a work in progress.

I know things will keep happening as long as I keep going, so that's what I'm going to do!

Motivational Monday, and I think this is a great blurb to share.

This was posted on Chalene Johnsons' FB page (https://www.facebook.com/chalene) and it really struck a chord with me today.

The BODY TYPE MYTH:
You've heard many experts say 70% of your physical transformation is likely the result of your nutrition.

And...most agree that your fitness pursuits account for the other 30%

What often gets over looked and under valued is our genetics.

You can improve your body and even to a great degree sculpt your physique, but you can not morph your DNA.

While a genetic predisposition toward obesity or a particular body type is not something I suggest people use as an excuse it is something to be considered when setting realistic goals. It's also what we must factor in when we needlessly compare ourselves to someone else - someone with different DNA.

Genetics determine where WE gain weight first and where it comes off last.

Genetics probably has more to do with your favorite body part than your hard work in the gym. Oh for sure we can "improve" everything we've been given, but it's just unrealistic for someone with short, round, full muscles to assume that if they do pilates they will have the long lanky muscle type of a Cameron Diaz. You have different DNA.

I bet you can think of someone right now who has beautifully round and strong calves. I bet one of their parents (who doesn't workout) has nearly the same
Our genetic makeup determines where we store fat. That is also why it's impossible to spot reduce fat loss.

It also explains why two people who weigh the same, train the same and eat the same will likely have very different body types and perhaps even vastly differing body composition (unless of course they're identical twins).

Now look - I'm not trying to put a damper on your day... Quite the contrary. I want you to know that each of us has our own unique composition, genetic blueprint and body type. It's futile to work towards physical goals that are simply unrealistic, or defeating! Your only competition is you! You should only be try to achieve a better version of what you have or HECK how about learning to be happy with you just the way you are?!!! Now there's a novel idea!

Work to achieve YOUR best result and strive to experience the self love that allows you to be grateful for your amazing body!

No matter how much basketball I play, my legs won't get any longer. Despite all my swimming, my torso will never be long and lean and that's ok! It's ok because I know
If I focus on being a better version of myself I won't be disappointed.

Focus on all that IS GOOD and the blessing of your health. Health is perhaps one of the most precious gifts we have! To focus on "what we don't have" is to be ungrateful.

I'm human. I get caught up in body type comparisons. But I try to stop myself. I put on the brakes..."Are you kidding me? There are people reading this who have lost their ability to exercise, to walk, to speak or even to move freely."
I remind myself on the days I don't really feel like working out that I have been blessed with the "choice". I remind myself how ungrateful it is to be frustrated that "this or that" isn't perfect. Perspective.

And it doesn't hurt to remind yourself that God is fair! That woman with the most amazing abs probably has bad breathe, split ends and sings off tune.

There is no particular exercise that changes your genetic predisposition. Some peopled put on round full muscle, some despite hours and hours of effort will always have a longer, flatter muscle composition. Muscle helps us shape our bodies but the shape of your muscle is very much predetermined by our genetics.... and that's okay!

 

I'm really struggling with body image at the moment. It's hard for me to mentally wrap my head around the changes going on. And I see the loose skin and I hate it and I work harder to get rid of it, then I don't lose pounds, but start to gain as I tone and get smaller and it just messes with my head! This was a great reminder (and yes many people continue to remind me) that it's all OKAY!

Look Ma! No love handles!!

WIW: no gain no loss. Was this weight last Wednesday too. I'm not crushing the plateau like I thought I would. However I'm absolutely getting stronger so I'm going I keep pushing forward. Good things are happening.

For one, I can lift my 41 lb daughter and it's easy! It used to be a challenge. I'm pretty sure she's not getting lighter, therefore I must assume I'm getting stronger! Fills my heart with joy and love. She's excited too, because this means the return of "FLYING HUGS" soon!! 

Another thing I've noticed, is my skin does seem to be tightening up. Which means all may not be for not! I might be able to get this skin to go away WITHOUT surgery! That would be super super super awesome!!

And even if it doesn't shrink all the way back it's still such an improvement. To the doctors that say NO WAY, I say, YES WAY, and HERE I GO!

Here I am in my new workout capris that I got the other day. Size 8/10 (M). Kind of excited there is no spillage of extra skin over the sides. NO LOVE HANDLES!!!! 

Guess that means the toning and tightening IS working. And honestly, at this point I really want to see this over pounds dropped on my scale. Okay, I really want to see the scale drop, who am I kidding, but results are results, and any result will keep me motivated to KEEP MOVING!

The scale will move eventually too... right??????? 

Look Ma! No love handles!!

Turbo Fire in Pictures!

I had my husband snap some pics of me jumping about during Turbo Fire over the weekend. I think maybe things ARE starting to tighten up..........

Yes, I do enjoy my treats, wouldn't you?

I've worked very hard to shift my metabolism, and a nice bonus of that is I get to enjoy treats while staying on track. I love that I'm not on a diet. This really was/is a lifestyle change, and my lifestyle includes enjoying treats. I want to have it all, and I'm figuring out how to do that. Successfully!

This means I can eat whatever I want, just not ALL THE TIME. If I want a high calorie indulgence, fine. I just make sure to allow for that in my food budget, and also make sure I'm doing my exercise. 

Yes, I've lost over 120 pounds. And I've had dessert, often. And I am now one of those people that can eat dessert and lose weight.

That doesn't make me special. That doesn't mean it comes easy.

It doesn't.

I BUST MY ASS!!! I work out. HARD. I put a lot of attention into upping my workout game so my metabolism improves. That means if/when I have a treat, my body burns it off better and more efficiently.

So yes, I will have dessert tonight. I earned it. And I'll keep losing too!

Yoga! Meh.....

Did yoga for 40 minutes today and learned some things.

1) do this activity when the toddler naps!! It was neither relaxing or purposeful with said toddler climbing all over me, pulling my hair, stealing my mat.... 

2) I hate yoga!! Lol.

Think I might had enjoyed it more if I had done it without the toddler crawling all over me. Lol. Lesson learned. Next time I won't make that mistake again!!! That kid was even trying to stuff things in my sports bra! No Zach, I don't want your fork in there!!! SMH

First post Turbo Fire Weigh In Wednesday

WIW: down 2 lbs for the week. Honestly surprised it wasn't more. I kicked it up significantly, as this is my first week of Turbo Fire. Hoping next week will be more dramatic.

On a happy side note, my ridiculously over tight Wonder Woman t-shirt is now loose enough to wear out in public!!!

Me doing Yoga!

You never know who's watching!

Didn't want to do it this morning. So tired. So gray and rainy out. Wanted to crawl back into bed. But I didn't. I worked out. I'm so glad I did. Don't let your inner demons talk you out of greatness. You never know who's watching!

Fired up for Turbo Fire

Arms OUT

Great Workout Mommy!

Rest day? More like Restless day!

Today is my "rest" day. However I've barely had a moment to sit down all day! and now that it's nearly 4pm and I'm sitting at my computer to type this post, I feel odd. Like I could still get a workout in before dinner........ but, I do need to let these muscles heal.

Have I gotten addicted to exercise? So much so that when I have a down day, I feel like I'm letting myself down too? It's kind of odd.

So what have I done that HAS kept me busy all day? Today turned into household chore and meal prep day. I was in the kitchen from about 8am - 12 noon. I made the kids breakfast; French Toast. Then I made me breakfast; eggwhite scramble with veggies. Then I started dinner prep for the week. Split Pea and Ham Soup, Fried Rice, Pot Roast......... Got all my meals ready now, by the way, and will get to run auto pilot the rest of the week. yay! Once I finished all the food/cooking, it was time to make lunch! Seriously, can I get out of the kitchen sometime today???

Next came laundry and changing the sheets. Then vacuuming. Next cleaning the cat box and moving all the bags of trash to the curb for pick up tomorrow. Remember, we just moved in. Therefore we have a LOT of trash to be removed.

I kind of find all this a bit funny as I've been go go go all day and my fitbit gives me nada for credit. I think I'm barely clocking 100 calories burned by 4pm. Obviously I've burned more then that. Thankfully my body DOES get the credit even if my fitbit flex doesn't.

How do you REST on your REST day?

Fit & Flex Friday!

Flex Friday! What's your workout goal today? I just finished turbo fire day 2; HIIT 15 class + stretch 10 class. Before Breakfast!!! So sweaty. Love it!!!!

Started Turbo Fire yesterday as I just needed to change things up a bit. Yesterday was class 1 and today class 2. OMG I LOVE IT! Don't get me wrong, it's hard and I'm the most ungraceful, and uncoordinated person on the planet, but boy oh boy do I move and sweat!! And isn't that the whole point? 

So yeah, I'm going to keep going and try to figure out the timing of the various classes with toddler boy home and often under foot. Today I had to place him in the pack and play because he wanted me to pick him up and that became problematic. The other day he "worked out" with me. So it will vary from day to day. 

Today I wanted to see how I felt doing the workout before breakfast. It was a total of 25 minutes after all. A short program. It was great. And now I know my breakfast will be burned off more efficiently too. Bonus! AND now I have the rest of the day to do what ever. Maybe even watch a little "Grey's Anatomy" during the toddlers nap! Woot! It also means that once I start doing my PT Transcription work later this month I can do the work while the boy naps and make some extra cash for the family without giving up my workouts. 

Ahhhhhhh, balance!