Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for Weight Watchers!  Weight Watchers is my most loyal friend - always there for me when I'm down!  Thanks Weight Watchers for giving me hope!

Workout Wednesday

 Its funny that I have dedicated Wednesday to workout Wednesday because Wednesdays are the rest day for Turbo Fire.  I have been pretty active this week!  I am excited about my current state!  Zumba yesterday was amazing and Turbo Fire is a killer - aka - my body hurts! 

Also - My supplies for my certification program came!  I will be an official health coach by next summer!  It was so exciting opening the box and seeing how cute everything is! I know that sounds cheesey!  So far the lessons I have done are very interesting.  I am excited for my future, but I also think I can benefit from the information in this program!  My career is now my weight loss motivation!

Truthful Tuesday

I was watching the Too Fat for 15 special last night and I really got to thinking about obesity.  Obesity is a disease like cancer, but we have chosen to be obese - people with cancer and other diseases didn't chose it.  People with AIDS live with it knowing that there is no cure.  Why do obese people accept their disease when there is a simple cure - diet and exercise!  I am not going to live with this disease anymore - I know my cure! 

FYI

I didn't workout right when I came home today.  I ate dinner and sat on the couch.  I washed the dogs and watched TV.  All signs pointed to a lazy non-working out kinda night!  All the sudden - I peeled myself off of the couch and did my Turbo Fire.  I did a 25 minute High Intensity Interval Training (HITT) workout then a 10 minute stretch!  Let me tell you - HITT is insane!  Here is a picture of my sweatiness 15 minutes after I was done working out.  I didn't stop sweating till I got in the shower!

Morphing Monday

Current Weight: 248.6
Weekly Loss: -3.4
Loss-to-Date: 27.4

Sum it Up Sunday!

Not the best week since I was on vacation the whole time.  I have to say though, I am getting better at seeing exercise as a routine part of the day, especially when I am out of town.  I am back at work this week and a bit excited about being in my normal routine.  I set my alarm early tomorrow to do Turbo Fire before work.  History says that I wont wake up early and I will workout after my Weight Watchers meeting.  Either way - it will be good!

Sweet Sweet Saturday

Today I drove drove drove.  I drove from VA - PA for  hours.  Then I drove back home for another hour.  It is so hard to eat well when you're on the road.  Blah! 

Fashion Friday

I'm really looking forward to wearing short/cute dresses when I am not afraid to show my legs and I don't hate my knees.  I love this dress from Target!

Thankful Thursday

My big shout out of thanks goes to Krista.  I am at her house today and she has been very supportive of my healthy lifestyle.  We were at Panera earlier and she glared at me when I ordered mac and cheese so I changed my order to a salad.  THEN - when we were at her house she gave me a Denise Austin kickboxing DVD to do.  Super awesome of her.  It's so nice to feel supported!  

Denise Austin is soooooo 90s!

 

Workout Wednesday

Today I went to my old Zumba class in VA. It was pretty sweaty and amazing! I'm on an exotic getaway in VA till Saturday haha. I'm not fucking up the diet! I'm going to work out tomorrow and Friday. I'm feeling good :)

Temptation Tuesday

 No temptation here - I am all motivation today. I actually just got done doing my new Turbo Fire and I loved it. The workout was only 15 mins but it was High Intensity Interval Training. I was drenched in sweat when it was done! I am def a fan so far!

Morphing Monday

I just got back from Weight Watchers - I havent dieted for days and I have been a slug - SO - this weigh in wasn't good.  I was excited for it though.  I loved being there with my mom.  She didn't want to be there, but she was there to support me.  She knows I do best with a buddy.  I am so lucky. 

Current Weight: 252
Weekly Loss: +3.8
Loss-to-Date:  24

Sum it Up Sunday!

One word to sum up this week - woops!

Two words to sum up next week - Starting Over

Bye

Slacker Saturday

Today was sooooo relaxing!  Pedicures, Pierogies and naps.  ALSO - Andrea asked me to be her maid of honor!  So exciting!  AND motivation to lose weight!  I will not be another fatty in a wedding party!  Watch out boys - here I come ;)


ALSO - Happy Bday to my longest bestie ever - Janet - all the way in LA!  I wish you were with my everyday!  I miss you!  Jan - remember this tragic day?  haha

FYI Friday

Since I have basically been upset with my weight since 7th grade and a day has never gone by where I am not thinking about my weight, I have pretty much tried every diet, weight loss plan and program out there.  After doing so many plans, it is inevitable that you will feel like a failure.  Well the fail has happened again.  I have decided to retire Ideal Protein.  It is a good diet and works for so many people, but I don't think it is for me.  I don't like enough veggies to keep it interesting and it was leading to me either not eating or binging.  I have decided for the 4 billionth time to quit a diet and go back to Weight Watchers.  Here is the difference this time - My mom is coming with me!  I have never had a buddy at Weight Watchers.  I do so much better with a buddy, and I really care what my mom thinks so I know I will try hard.  We start Monday.  I am so lucky to have such a good mom who supports me through all my crazy plans! 

Thankful Thursday

So a lot has been happening this week.  I feel antsy in my life.  To sum up whats happening right now professionally, I currently work as a special education teacher in an inpatient psychiatric hospital.  I wanted to get back into the public school working as a special education teacher, but right when I decided that, the asshole governor destroyed our state budget and took funding away from education.  Most schools are getting rid of teachers, and def not hiring. SO - I'm staying at the psych hospital.  It is fine, I am comfortable there (except when I'm being attacked), and I am making enough money to survive.  I can't help but sit here and feel lost.  Like something is missing in my life!  So the past few days I decided to really research my desire to open a wellness center.  Being a special education teacher will not help me in this pursuit.  SO I started talking to my friend from high school, Aimee.  She recently got her health coach certification at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.  I did some research and decided that this is what I want to do.  I will start school in the fall, while working as a teacher.  The eventual goal is to be a health coach privately and teach Zumba classes. Aimee works at the YMCA doing health coaching as well as her own practice, Embody Natural Health.  I want to thank Aimee this week for talking with me and answering all of my questions.

Talk about a new motivation!  No one is going to talk to a fat health coach - gotta get under 200lbs stat!!!!     

Workout Wednesday 2

I have been reading online about different programs and I think Turbo Fire is the right choice for me.  These DVDs have an element of dance mixed with an intense workout.  The DVD will be here Friday - I'll let you know how it goes!  Now if I could figure out how to workout in the morning....Do any of you workout in the morning before work?  If so, HOW?!

Workout Wednesday

I need your help!  I am contemplating getting rid of my gym membership and buying one of these at home programs (insanity, chaLean, turbo jam, ext.)  What is your favorite one?  I have p90x and its good, but way too hard for me right now.  Which one do you use?  Help Help!

Temptation Tuesday

I am on vacation so the temptation to go out and drink every night is very strong!  I am going to trivia tonight and I am going to try not to drink.  If I decide to drink, I will only drink vodka and soda water and I will not drink a billion. 

Morphing Monday

Current Weight: 248.2
Weekly Loss: -3
Loss-to-Date:  27.8

Sum it Up Sunday!

So last night was super fun.  I went to Bar 11, the bar I used to go to every weekend.  I hadn't seen the bartenders in like 2 months and after the bar closed, one of them said "you are getting skinny!"  I don't see much of a difference, but its nice when people say things like that to me. 

So this week was ok.  I did some good things and some bad things.  I worked out much more than I have been, but I don't think I ate enough.  My goals for this week are to relax, workout and follow my diet.  I am off work for the next 2 weeks.  History has shown that I do not do well when I am not working and I do not have a schedule.  I am going to prove history wrong!   

Sweet Sweet Saturday

Today was really nice - I went to the Pittsburgh Arts Festival with my parents!  My mom got some nice stained glass and I got a ring.  It is so nice to be around local artists and support them.  People are so talented!  My mom and I were talking about how we are pretty much average at everything we do.  Her skill is organizing.  I don't know what my best skill is!  I am not really awesome at anything.  I will have to think about this.  What is your talent?

Fashion Friday

I did it! I'm done with sizes 22 and 20! 

I AM GETTING RID OF THEM. 

I am off for the next 2 weeks and my goal is to go through my closet and pack up clothes that are too big to donate.  I don't want the big clothes in my house because I can end up back in them!  BYEBYE giant pants!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for my friends and family who are always so supportive, even after watching me fail 200x.  They always think that this is the time it will stick and are fully behind all the choices and changes I make.  Thank you guys! 

Workout Wednesday

So as I said yesterday, I finally went to my yoga class. I hadn't done yoga in a long time! I don't remember liking yoga, but I definetly do now!  I really want to become flexible.  I love stretching and feeling long and lean.  I am sore today so I know I was working a lot of muscles - its hard to hold up 250 pounds on your toes and hands in downward dog.   The hardest thing for me during yoga is my breathing.  I am a mouthbreather, and breathing out of my nose is not natural.  Also - I have pretty bad anxiety so I take small short breaths and never expand my lungs.  I will need to start to practice my breathing techniques if I am going to continue yoga.  Here are some benefits of proper yoga breathing, apparently called Pranayama.  I'm learning to much!  

Copied from: http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/pranayama/introduction.asp

Benefits of Pranayama

Breathing is a normal part of our life, though we fail to pay attention to it. It is an autonomic function of the body that we perform even without concentrating on it. Why then do we have to learn yoga breathing? Here are some reasons why Pranayama is important:

• Pranayama teaches us the proper way to breathe. We became used to breathing from our chest, using only a fraction of the lungs, not knowing that this unhealthy and unnatural way of inhaling may lead to several complications. With yoga breathing, we increase the capacity of our lungs, bringing more oxygen supply to the body to function well. We learn how to breathe slowly and deeply - the right way.
• Pranayama reduces the toxins and body wastes from within our body. It prevents one from acquiring diseases.
• Pranayama helps in one's digestion. With the proper way of breathing, one's metabolism and health condition will start to improve.
• Pranayama develops our concentration and focus. It fights away stress and relaxes the body. Controlling one's breathing also results to serenity and peace of mind.
• Pranayama offers a better self-control. Through concentration, one can better handle temper and reactions. Mind can function clearly, avoiding arguments and wrong decisions. Moreover, self-control also involves control over one's physical body.
• Pranayama leads to spiritual journey through a relaxed body and mind.

However, Pranayama should not be forced and done without proper preparation, or it may lead to nervous breakdowns. It is part of a process in yoga. Breath control is a spiritual practice of cleansing the mind and body which should be done appropriately and with proper guidance and preparation.

Temptation Tuesday Update

I worked out - I did Yoga and Couch to 5k.  I really didn't want to but I am so glad I went!  I haven't done yoga in forever and I really liked the class.  I really like stretching!  It will be a weekly class for me!  Thanks for your encouragement! 

Here is my proof - a pic from me in my class!

Temptation Tuesday

I am tempted to go home and go to sleep.  It is so rainy and I am so sleepy.  I will not even go home.  If I go home I will not make it to the gym.  I am going right from work to the gym and I will do my yoga and couch to 5k program.  I can fight this!!!!!

Current Weight: 251.2
Weekly Loss: +5
Loss-to-Date:  24.8

  

So everything about this sucks.  I would normally not put this on my blog and pretend everything is ok.  I have decided to hold myself accountable and be honest.  I got off program and it was like a week long binge.  I am done with it.  I am disgusted with myself.  I want to get back into ketosis stat.  I have been so sick and I know it is because of how I have been eating.  My IBS almost completely went away when I was in ketosis, so that is reason enough to stick to my Ideal Protein Program.  

Now for the good news - my roommate Jaime moves in tomorrow.   Jaime is skinny and healthy and a wonderful motivation for me.  When I lived down in VA and I had a roommate, I was much more motivated to be productive, workout, keep the house clean and NOT BINGE!  I will not binge when people are there to witness it.  I have a good feeling about this week.  I know my next weigh in will knock your socks off!

Sum it Up Sunday!

So this week wasn't what I expected.  I had some serious stomach problems all week and when I was able to eat, I didn't want to eat on plan, I wanted something filling.  So instead of making excuses, I am just going to admit I fucked this week up and I am back at it in the morning.  Here is my June Bloom workout plan for this week!


Monday - I will be cleaning my whole house top to bottom for the roomie's move in so I will be working and sweating all night - I burn so many calories when I clean!

Tuesday - Yoga and C5K

Wednesday - Body Pump and Zumba

Thursday - Abs and C5K

Friday - Zumba

Saturday - Body Pump and C5K

Sunday - Yoga and Abs


Productive and healthy week.....AND.....GO!!!!!!!!!!

Slacker Saturday

So today I was not a slacker.  I went to the Pittsburgh Autism walk.  Autism is one of my biggest passions and it was so nice to see that our walk has grown each year.  It was also nice to reach 8000 steps before noon :)

I also went to Andrea's housewarming party.  It was really nice and a good group.  I was a little jealous because of the shittiness of my housewarming party last year. (Cliff Notes version - a friend brought over a guy who was a nazi and all of my friends are gay, jewish and/or black.  Also - I am pretty much the only white girl in my zip code so it was very embarrassing for my neighbors to see him.  Also - there was a couple who got in a fight then the guys were talking about beating someone up - WORST) So since my new roomie is moving in on Tuesday, I was thinking we should have a housewarming redo party.  I think its only fair - no drama allowed.

This was our team shirt for the Autism walk - I love it!

Fashion Friday

So, for Fashion Friday I have been giving a lot of thought about my fashion and how it looks to others.  A few weeks ago I wrote about wanting to be able to throw on some jeans and a tshirt and look sexy.  A fellow blogger, Fatboy Kris gave me some words of wisdom on the subject.

"I just want to reassure you that there are men out there (myself included) who find women of all sizes attractive. To me, attitude is everything. Work it!"

I really took that to heart, and I have been trying to see myself as beautiful...

So my Fashion Friday is dedicated to me and my look.  Recently I have been compared to Adele a lot.  I take this as a complement because she is a plus size girl who is super pretty.  I think Adele has good fashion (usually) and I hope that I continue to resemble her.  It is important to love yourself.  I am really making this a goal of mine, no matter what size I am.

Here are some pics or me and my apparent twin, Adele.  I am ok not having her butt chin though :)

What a silly Fashion Friday, but I figure I don't post enough pictures of myself and it's time to start!

Thankful Thursday

I want to thank Alan for sharing the June Boom! challenge.  I am excited for this challenge because I do much better when I have a challenge.  With that said, I have a problem today.  I work all day then I go straight to my cousins senior performace.  I probably wont get home till close to 11:00 tonight.  What to do, what to do?  I walked the stairs for about 15 minutes today.  I wanted to do more but a coworker came in to talk about a student and I got a late start.  Do I workout at 11:00 tonight?  Thats seems crazy to me.  Suggestions?   

Workout Wednesday

Well - Today I started my June Boom workout challenge.  I did 30 mins of kettlebells even though I was exhausted and I wanted to sleep.  I need to keep this up everyday and I will feel so much better about myself.  When I workout regularly, I tend to not binge!   

 

A Good Kettlebell workout

A crazy video I found of a crazy flexible girl trying to make a kettlebell video!