HIRED

HIRED! Finally!!!

What a long 2 years this has been. We thought when we moved across country that it would be easy to find work. How wrong were we!!! Sure, California is a larger state than Vermont, so more jobs... but with that size come much more competition.

I ended up temping, which I never wanted to really do, just to get steady work and income. And with each assignment, I fell in love and would try to make it permanent. Always with some reason why it wasn't meant to be.

I kept pushing onward though.

The commercial real estate firm got sold - hiring freeze just at my 90 days mark. Meh... didn't really like that job anyway.

The STEM Non Profit job doing conferences and even getting to travel to Washington DC - Loved them. Loved that job. But they underpay big time, and even thought they're STILL looking for good employees and have been hiring since I left, they can't afford me. That's an odd feeling. So MEH to them too (but we're all still friends)...

The Lighting company in Monterey... that was great! Up until the part where they ran out of money and couldn't pay me anymore. But did ask me to stay for free... SERIOUSLY!

All the while I kept applying. I kept networking. I kept trying.

Filled in with temp jobs. So many temp jobs!!!

In April I intereviewed for a temp job at a local credit union. And I interviewed for a Chinese Herb company. The credit union had me come on immediately and asked me to commit to 6 weeks. To do so, they upped their contract offer and gave me more money. So I said yes.

The Chinese Herb company seemed a good option B for me. The job was a Marketing Coordinator and I'd get to start a social media platform for them. Kind of the stuff I like to do.

At first I wasn't excited about the Credit Union. But really connected with the CEO who I was working closely with. But as my contract got closer to an end, I was sad to see the end to a job I liked. Once again. This is getting old!

(contract ends next Friday-6/3/16)

BUT then the CEO invited me to interview with her for the position I was already doing. Then she had me interview with the CFO. They went well. My interview with the CEO was 3 hours long, and 1 hour with the CFO. Mind you, I'd already been working with them about a month.

Then my competition came in to interview too. So I was super nervous.

Seems I didn't need to be. :)

I was verbly offered the job with the credit union on Tuesday. And then Wednesday the Chinese Herb company made me an offer!!!

FLATTERED!

I accepted the Credit Union's written offer today (overall best package and we get along swimingly) and officially start on 6/6!!!

Finally think I'm done looking for work. This time I'm with a stable business in the financial market, with a solid foundation. Good staff. Good history. Safe bet and a smart choice. AND WE DON'T HAVE TO MOVE NOW! (yeah, it was getting scary how we were going to stay with me in between jobs so much).

So if you have read this far... wow, I'm impressed. Thank you all for your encouragement and support, and love. Never judging and always cheering. Your support really means the world to me. I love you all!!!

I really have my focus from my getting my health back on track to thank for all of this. It's really reset my attitude towards everything I take on now. It's made me physically and mentally stronger. I've lost over 100 lbs. and I've discovered this journey is so much more then just that number on the scale. I really am a NEW person. Determined and Driven!!!!!!!!!!

Follow me on my Facebook page: fb.com/UnderConstructionWithBwarsh 
Join my Ladies MFP Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MyFitnessPalLadies.

#myfitnesspal #MFP #UnderConstructionWithBwarsh

XOXO

Love the Skin You're In

I've lost soooooo much weight, and a lot of people tell me they'd like to lose too, but are worried about the excess skin. Truth is, the skin stayed. It's still with me. It's likely going to stay with me for the rest of my days or until I save enough money to pay a nice surgeon to remove it for me. Not likely, as that's insanely costly, and no one's making any donations. ;)

This is what it REALLY looks like when you lose over 100 pounds

Anyway, here's my thoughts on my excess skin. I can stuff it into my clothes. I can hide it fairly well. I have pictures (you've all seen them) where my workout pants are high waist-ed so you don't see the skin flap. My muscles are growing, and I'm toning up nicely. But look closely, and you're going to see my skin wrinkles and what not.

I get to live with this.

Let that sentence sink in. I-GET-TO-LIVE!

Had I not lost those 100+ pounds, I might not have gotten to live. So LIVE with this, IS SOOOO OKAY!

Would I like to see the skin go away? Totally! I'm over 40. I get that skin elasticity is a phenomenon for younger folks. I understand that at my age, eating the dark greens and dark oranges will help but not with any significance. I understand that to really make this skin go bye bye I'm looking at a skin removal surgery. And maybe that might still happen. Unexpected things happen all the time.

But until that day comes (not holding my breath), I will be proud of my new body. Skin flapping in the wind and all. I worked DAMN hard to get this saggy baggy skin suit. So I'm going to embrace it, in all it's wrinkled glory.

High Waisted Workout Pants... Skin tucks in nicely

Long Workout Tops, hides skin nicely!

Gravity is not my friend... but it WON'T STOP ME from getting the workout in!

I will NEVER be bikini perfect again and honestly? I'm okay with that. I think all those weight loss programs out there give us the impression that that is something obtainable, so we make it an unrealistic goal. I lost weight. I kept the skin! I'm not going to be walking around in a bikini.

Again, it's important for me to remember to love the body I'm in, it's the only one I get. And also to remember, had I not lost this weight, I probably would not be alive right now. Or if I was, probably not much longer. So I'm LUCKY. I get to live a long and healthy life, skin and all.

Maybe it IS a badge of honor of sorts. I worked really hard to look like this. Whether you like it or you don't, you have to admit, I did work very hard, and I did lose a lot of weight and I did manage to extend my life so I can now enjoy my family, my kids, maybe their kids one day, and I have every intention of being that "Granny" that's still kicking butt and raising hell at age 95!

🚫🚫🚫FYI... If you can't tell from my post, I have ZERO interest in wraps, lotions, potions... But thanks all the same! 🚫🚫🚫

Follow me on my Facebook page: fb.com/UnderConstructionWithBwarsh 
Join my Ladies MFP Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MyFitnessPalLadies.

Plateau vs. Patience

Is it really a Plateau? Or do you just need to be Patient?

"I started logging my meals on My Fitness Pal, and I've not seen any loss yet! I've changed my food, eat healthy, and exercise 4 days a week. I've been doing this for 2 weeks and I haven't lost ANY WEIGHT! What am I doing wrong? How do I bust this plateau?"

"I just started working out but I'm not losing weight!"

Sound familiar?? It takes time. It really does. Think about how long it takes to gain the weight; it takes longer to lose it. When you start a new program your body goes into a WTH mode. It doesn't know WHAT's going on, so it hangs on to everything. BUT if you keep doing what you're doing, eventually your body will catch up and get with the new program. Results will come. As hard as it is to be patient, you have to be patient.

Sooooooo here is the deal. These scenario are asked ALL THE TIME in my fitness groups, and it boils down to needing to continue to do the healthy habits, and being patient. Not technically a plateau. Not technically a concern of Thyroid Failure. Not technically an issue at all.

When you make a change you have to wait, sometimes up to 6 weeks to see that change yield results. AND it's not always pounds off. Sometimes it's inches. AND you have to be patient. 

Ask yourself this: Are you changing your calorie goals frequently? Are you changing your loss ratio goals frequently?

When I started with MFP, I was 288. I was nursing my son (my only calorie burn), and I was logging my food. At the time, MFP suggested I eat 2400 Calories. So I said, why not, and just went with it. Lost 11 pounds that first month. I didn't touch any of the settings, just logged my food. Upped my water, and clocked a 500 calorie burn from nursing.

That's how I discovered the calorie goal readjustment. When I lost that first 10 lbs, the calories re-adjusted to around 2360, and slowly that number dropped to where I am now (roughly 3 years later).

ALSO... clothes may feel looser before you see a change on the scale. OR you could retain water around your muscles and see a gain, that's water weight and not actually fat.

I consider a plateau to have occurred when I'm doing the same thing for 4 weeks or more and no change. THAT's the moment when it's time to make a change. And that change sometimes is adjusting your food, sometimes it's trying a new workout. Not necessarily something harder, just different. If you're always walking, try adding a run. If you're always doing aerobics, try strength training... just keep mixing things up.

Be FLUID and open to new things. And be open to being your own guinea pig. Test the waters and see what yields results.

Make a change to see a change. But also practice patience. That bit is tough, I know, but truly, if you are patient you'll start to see changes.

Follow me on my Facebook page: fb.com/UnderConstructionWithBwarsh 
Join my Ladies MFP Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MyFitnessPalLadies.

Eating Disorder Resources

Click on this link to be re-routed to MFP's Eating Disorder Resources Page with active links and numbers for help and support:
http://myfitnesspal.desk.com/customer/portal/articles/1575987-eating-disorder-resources


MyFitnessPal believes food should nourish and be enjoyed, however we acknowledge that relationships with food are not always so simple.

Eating behaviors are shaped by a number of factors, including biological, behavioral, emotional, psychological, interpersonal, and social influences that can have powerful effects on how we think about and connect with food. These factors can either influence eating behaviors in a healthy way or contribute to problematic, or disordered, eating behaviors.

Struggling with Food or Exercise Issues?

Take a free and confidential online eating disorder screening here or see the "Seeking Help" section below.

What Healthy Eating Looks Like

• Eating a variety of foods
• Enjoying food without guilt or anxiety
• Eating when physically hungry
• Eating until satisfied, but not overly full
• Enjoying treats and comfort foods on occasion

Signs of Problematic Eating

• Recurring episodes of under- or overeating
• Eating in response to emotions instead of hunger
• Eating to a point of physical discomfort
• Preoccupation or distress regarding weight and frequent comparison to others
• Inappropriate behaviors to compensate for eating such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, fasting, or excessive exercise

Types of Eating Disorders & Symptoms

While eating disorders may first appear to be weight-focused, food can also become a coping mechanism for feelings or emotions that may otherwise seem overwhelming. Over time, these behaviors will damage an individual’s physical and emotional health, self-esteem, sense of confidence, and control.

Binge Eating Disorder (BED): Characterized by repetitive, uncontrolled eating of large amounts of food in a short period of time, without behaviors to prevent weight gain. People who suffer from BED may frequently experience feeling out of control when eating––they may eat when not hungry or in response to emotions, eat to the point of discomfort or eat alone out of shame for their behavior. Binge-eating is sometimes, but not always, associated with obesity. Learn more

Anorexia Nervosa (AN): Characterized by restrictive eating (such as fasting or extreme dieting) that leads to weight loss. Compulsive exercise routines and other persistent behaviors may also be taken to prevent weight gain or promote further weight loss. Those suffering from AN commonly exhibit an intense fear of weight gain and/or an obsession with weight. Some sufferers of AN may also exhibit an obsession with athletic performance and will engage in strenuous exercise and dieting to an unhealthy extent. Learn more

Bulimia Nervosa (BN): Characterized by frequent episodes of consuming large amounts of food, feeling a lack of control over eating and followed by behaviors to prevent weight gain. These behaviors include but are not limited to 1) self-induced vomiting, 2) abusing laxatives, diet pills, diuretics or enemas, 3) fasting and/or 4) compulsive exercising. People suffering from BN may also exhibit an intense fear of gaining weight.  Learn more

Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS): Includes feeding or eating disorders that cause significant stress or impairment, but does not meet the criteria for the eating disorders explained above. Disordered eating presents in many different ways. Learn more

Seeking Help

Eating disorders affect people of every age, race, gender, culture, and socioeconomic status. Much like the individuals they affect, they are unique and complex, and may not fall into a clear category. If you are concerned about your own eating and exercise habits, or thoughts and emotions surrounding food, physical activity and body image, or if you’re concerned about a friend or loved one, we urge you to seek help. If you're seeking help outside of the US, see our Global Eating Disorder Support section below.

For Yourself: If you’re struggling to have a healthy relationship with food, body image or exercise, our partners, the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA), can help. If you’re not sure if you suffer from disordered eating or exercise habits, start by taking their free and confidential Eating Disorders Screening Tool.You can also seek help by calling the NEDA Helpline (From the US: 1-800-931-2237), chatting with a NEDA volunteer or by visiting their website for additional resources or NEDA en Espanol.

For a Friend or Family Member: If you are concerned about the eating habits, weight, or body image of someone close to you, NEDA offers great resources for friends and family members, including a toolkit to help you understand how you can support a loved one with an eating disorder, and the Parent, Family and Friends Network. Learn more.

Global Eating Disorder Support
Academy for Eating Disorders
Australia: National Eating Disorders Collaboration
UK: Beat
Ireland: Eating Disorder Resource Centre of Ireland
Brazil: Grupo de Apoio e Tratamento dos Disturbios Alimentares
Germany: Germany Society on Eating Disorders
Spain: Association en Defencia de la Attencion a la Anorexia Nervosa y Builimia
Italy: Associazione Italiana Disturbi Dell’Alimentazione e del Peso
Canada: National Eating Disorder Information Center
Greece: The Centre for Education and Treatment of Eating Disorders
Israel: The Israel Association for Eating Disorders
Czech Republic: Czech Eating Disorder Association
Austria: Austrian Society for Eating Disorders
Japan: Japan Society for Eating Disorders
China: Hong Kong Eating Disorders Association
Dutch: Dutch Association for Eating Disorders

Follow me on my Facebook page: fb.com/UnderConstructionWithBwarsh 
Join my Ladies MFP Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MyFitnessPalLadies.

What do you wear when you workout

Q: What do you wear when you workout?

A: Capri sweats/T-shirt initally when I got into fitness. Eventually that changed to sport bras and compression capris...

The reason i like tighter clothing now... honestly... it holds the skin flaps in place. a weird but good problem to have I guess. This picture shows my capri/tshirt workout clothing combo over the past few years.

Share what you like to wear when you workout in the comments below!

Follow me on my Facebook page: fb.com/UnderConstructionWithBwarsh 
Join my Ladies MFP Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MyFitnessPalLadies.

Meme Made Me MAD

I saw a fitness meme the other day and it kind of got under my skin. (This is NOT that image, that imaged ticked me off)

It said to stay fitness focused not food focused this month. 

The spirit behind the meme was to suggest that focusing on holiday or special event treats is bad. To that, I 100% agree. However, I think staying FOOD FOCUSED is more important then anything else we do this month. But be HEALTHY FOOD Focused. Right?

Of course fitness. Do do fitness. But equally... fuel your body with healthy foods that keep us going and keep us healthy and keep us fit. I know I have days where the fitness just isn't going to happen. I have a couple of autoimmune's and occasionally I just can't get that workout in. 

But I can ALWAYS control what I eat. So I FOCUS on that, HARD! And as one whom is passionate about nutrition and dietetics, I REALLY want everyone to keep their eye on their plates too. 

You have the control. You CAN do this. You CAN BE IN CONTROL. So DO stay focused. And let's kick some butt, and become STRONG! Who's with me???

Follow me on my Facebook page: fb.com/UnderConstructionWithBwarsh 
Join my Ladies MFP Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MyFitnessPalLadies.

Losing Weight Without Support at Home

Losing weight with your partner. It’s the dream! So many power couples working out TOGETHER and losing weight; getting healthy, together! Sounds amazing right??

So what do you do, when only one of you is on board?

I lost weight and did it on my own. Kind of.

When I started it was going to be me AND my partner. My husband and I were in this together. But that dream died around 2 weeks. I was still all in. He was not.

So HOW do you stay on track when your partner is no longer interested? Or if your partner NEVER was interested?

My TRUE beginning came in the fall of 2012 I was 2 months postpartum and had high blood pressure. I was also around 300 lbs. My husband was having a minor surgery, and I was hanging out at the hospital with my 2 month old son. My daughter was at school; a new kindergartner. We figured he’d be in and out of the hospital in 2-3 hours. No big deal.

But when 3 hours had passed, then 5, then 7… my mind went reeling.

They ran into a complication during his procedure with getting an air tube in him. He had a restricted airway, due to carrying too much weight. After his procedure, his surgeon told me he HAD TO LOSE WEIGHT. He said some people can be heavy and healthy, others no; and that we were in the “other” category. Meaning we needed to “lose the weight or die!”

Yeah, not the news one wants to hear.

It was scary! It hit home hard. What if he died? What if I did? What would happen to our children? I wanted to be a part of their lives. Not a sad cautionary tale.

We decided to do something about it. And we started looking at both Weight Watchers and My Fitness Pal. We opted to try My Fitness Pal first, since it was Free (still is). I figured, if it didn’t work out, we could always try Weight Watchers next. We decided to give it a month. I honestly thought I was eating fine. I thought I was eating well enough. I had my son. He was nursing and thriving. Obviously I was doing great. I was wrong.

I learned that I actually wasn’t eating enough and wasn’t eating frequently enough. I was skipping breakfast, typically ate lunch around 2-3pm, and dinner was often in bed around 9pm. Yes, I ate in bed. All the time!!! I never had snacks. I never felt hungry. And most days I would get around 800-1000 calories. I only discovered this once I started logging it.

My first logs were very telling. And I met with a dietitian and lactation consultant. She suggested I needed to eat more; that I needed a LOT more calories at my size (again, around 300 lbs) and because I was nursing my son.

I logged my first day on 9/11/12. And I logged honestly. Not going to lie, that part was the hardest. Seeing what I was doing. Knowing what I should be doing, but wasn’t. My first month at it, I decided just to be honest. Eat what I was going to eat, but write it ALL down. Some days I was great! And by great, I mean I stayed in my calorie goal. Other days, I’d close up shop and the app told me I hadn’t eaten enough. Ouch! Nothing better than getting lectured by my cell phone! Sometimes I ate too much and didn’t even come close to burning it off, and I saw my goal blown. But all of this was good information. Good intel’. I could see what I was doing so I could make a change! And change I did.

My first month I captured it all, and had it all on record. My first month I focused on logging it. And I nursed my son. Honestly, that was my “exercise”. Since I would burn 500 calories a day from feeding him, I was good! Or so I told myself.

My husband pointed out that logging wasn’t for him, and he slowly logged less and less. I of course would nudge him to stick with it. That became a huge “disagreement”. I felt abandoned. He felt annoyed. He even accused me of cheating on my logging.

That one really pissed me off!!!

My first month I lost 11 pounds. Just from this act of logging it, staying within that calorie goal and burning those 500 breastfeeding calories. So how exactly was I cheating myself? I was losing weight!

Did I eat healthy? Probably not. I remember many TV dinners and many ice cream treats. But I did lose weight. 11 pounds! After that first month I decided I COULD do this. Yes I was angry and hurt that my husband was no longer on board. But I had a significant loss (11 lbs IS significant) and it gave me momentum. I actually was feeling a bit better. Maybe not super physically better, but emotionally I had hit the jackpot.

So how did I make it to this side of the weight loss? Down over 100 lbs? Down 10 sizes? And still happily married???

GOOD QUESTION!

If I couldn’t do this with my husband, it meant I had to do this for ME. And it was time to be selfish.

I did most of the shopping and cooking, so I made sure NOT to bring in to the house the trigger foods I was too weak to say no too.

I continued to log it all, even the (sigh) less then healthy options I would try.

And I found support online.

I found weight loss and healthy living support groups. I found others on similar journeys to my own. I allowed myself to be true and open with these people and in return, they did the same with me. We all shared our experiences. Our workouts. Our recipes. Our rants, and our celebrations.

WHEN bad foods came in as a gift (bought me a delicious coffee beverage loaded with sugar and fat), they went right into the trash!

WHEN we ate out, I ordered off the healthy menu.

WHEN we were visiting family, I filled up my plate of food with veggies first.

WHEN we went to the pot luck, I made sure to bring something “I” would eat.

I stayed FOCUSED. I refused to be railroaded. I refused to just stop.

Again, there was that momentum. Every time I had a weigh in victory, it fueled my inner fire to keep going. Every time I got smaller, and I got to buy smaller clothes; again, it fueled my inner fire. Every time I could keep up with my kids OR they struggled to keep up with me… yup… inner fire time!

So the take away from all this is this: If you feel you’re all alone, and not being supported…

GO FIND YOUR SUPPORT!

Start with me! I’ll support you. I’ll help you find a group of likeminded folks just like you. I run several support groups now. Because I found support, I want to help others find support too.

YOU’VE GOT THIS! And I’m proud of you!!!

Follow me on my Facebook page: fb.com/UnderConstructionWithBwarsh 
Join my Ladies MFP Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MyFitnessPalLadies.