Officially Addicted!

I'm officially addicted to my fitness & changing my life. I have been tracking my food & exercise intake daily for the past 50 days and in that time I've lost 9.5lbs. I feel like I'm making so much progress, even if the scale isn't completely reflecting it. On Wednesday I was able to slide my jeans off without unbuttoning or unzipping them. It felt AMAZING!I'm not sure what made it click for me this time, but it's been wonderful. I know that one thing that is helping me is the support I'm getting from a former rowing teammate. She's asking me about my progress via facebook when I haven't posted in a while and being very encouraging.

I just got done doing a double workout using Fitstar. It ended up being 25 minutes total, but each workout is 10-15 minutes on the program I was doing. I've upped it to a slightly longer program and the workouts will be 20-40 minutes. There are some days where I still dread doing a workout, but today I was looking forward to it. I've got a final on Saturday and it was a great way to break up my studying. 

I'm feeling strong and looking fitter each day. There's still a long way to go in my journey (56lbs), but I'm enjoying the journey. When I get back under 200lbs I'm going to celebrate, although I'm not entirely sure how yet. If anyone has suggestions, I'd be happy to hear them.

Fitspiration:

Feeling pretty damn good!

I've gotten into a really great groove with working out and eating right. I've got a few apps that work together that have helped keep me on track & workout. I have my fitbit which connects with that app, plus the MyFitnessPal (MFP) app I have. The MFP app is the connector to all of the other apps I use. There are 3 workout apps that I use: Fitstar, Hot5, and Sworkit. 
Fitstar is my favorite because it is a personal trainer app. You start by taking a fitness test & telling the app after each move if the workout is too easy, just right, or too hard. Once you've completed the fitness test you are ready for the regular workouts. The app is free and you get 2 free workouts a week (still telling the app after each workout how difficult the moves were). If you put in my promo code we will both get a free month of the premium ($30/year or $5/month), which includes unlimited workouts. The code is: AK53GA. I highly recommend this app and am really considering spending the $30 to get the year of unlimited workouts.
Hot5 is the app I use when I've run out of the Fitstar workouts. Each workout is 5 minutes and is comprised of 5 moves lasting 1 minute each. These are good when you don't have enough time for a longer workout and can be addicting. I've gone to do 1 workout and ended up doing 3 or 4. The other major difference between this app and Fitstar is this app requires some workout equipment such as dumbbells.
Sworkit is one I haven't used much and am not sure I will use very often, but its one that connects with MFP, so I decided to give it a try. I've only done the stretching workout and didn't feel very much of a difference.
I'm making so much progress that my coworkers, chiropractor, and even my patients have commented that I'm losing weight. It feels amazing to get so many compliments & I'm feeling so much better in general. I really thing this time I can make my goals. I've still got about 59lbs to lose, but as long as I keep working hard I know I'll meet that goal.

Fitspiration:

Making progress

I've found what I think is one of the best fitness apps out there, myfitnesspal.Even better, it syncs with a whole bunch of apps, including my fitbit. (Anyone who doesn't have a fitbit, I highly suggest getting one, but make sure it clips to your belt because I don't think the ones that are on your wrist are as accurate.) Using it I have become much more aware of all the crap I was eating. By just becoming more aware, I've lost about 7lbs in the last 14 days. Not sure how much of that was water weight, but I know at least some of that is fat. One of the things that makes tracking food so easy is the barcode scanner on the app. I can easily scan a barcode and it will add the food to my diary.

I'm motivated enough that I did a couple of short workouts during commercials while I was clearing out my DVR. I'd been putting off starting working out again because I was just being lazy, but it's nice to start moving again.

If you add the app, let me know and I'll give you my username so we can add each other.

Fitspiration:

Tired of feeling like the fat sister

I found out recently that my parents are taking my brother, sister, two stepsisters, and me to Vegas in June. I'm excited for the all expenses paid trip, but I'm also terrified. I am the shortest and quite frankly the fattest of all of my siblings. When my mom & step-dad got married Dec 2012, I felt really fat next to everyone else and I don't want to feel that way out by the pool on vacation.

On Monday I start a new chapter in my life as I go back to school, so I am going to use that as a catalyst to get back into a workout routine. Will my body be bikini ready or even able to stand up next to my siblings without me feeling a little down? No, but I'm determined to at least see a little progress so I can find a swimsuit that I will feel good in. I'm hoping that this will also transition into a healthy lifestyle that I can use to bring me down to 150lbs by the time I go to my friend's wedding cruise in the Bahamas in 2015.

I do have a plan this time, so that will at least help. I'm going to t-tapp at least 3 times a week, cut back on the gluten and carbs I consume, and do the SLD every day. Now all I need is a workout buddy. I've got a couple of friends in mind to ask and I'll see if I can convince them to do it with me.

I did my first workout for the first time in a while. It felt pretty good, but I was definitely winded by the end of the workout. I've also been very contentious of what I'm eating. Unfortunately, until I get paid on the 7th I'm stuck eating anything that I have in my apartment (which includes massively expired top ramen). Once I'm paid, I can afford to get some new groceries and healthy food. Until then, I'm going to make due with what I've got and try to pick the healthiest choices possible. I can't wait to see the progress I make between now and June. Well, that's all I've got for now but I'll be posting more another time.

6th day of the year

This morning I was woken up at 4:30am by a text from a friend needing medical advice (for those of you who don't know I'm a medical assistant). I didn't mind giving it, but I will say that made it harder to get up and workout today. I still got up and did the longer workout to make up for slacking. I realized as I was getting ready to do this workout that yesterday was the first day I'd actually done any of the variety workouts I own (and I own about 15). It was nice getting to do something other than the same moves over and over again. I think I'm going to have to utilize the variety workouts more often. Depending on how early I get to bed tonight (and I'm not anticipating getting to bed early at all because I've got 3 books releasing tonight) I may get up early and do another variety workout instead of the basic workout I have scheduled. Either way, I'm back on track and happy about it.

Fitspiration:

Sore because I slacked off

I already slacked off and skipped a few days but I am working on making up for it. Friday I couldn't get my butt out of bed, and Saturday I just had no energy (plus a lot of back pain). Today I decided that I needed to make up for my slacking and I definitely did. My workouts right now are only 15 minutes, but I did a 30 minute workout that is considered "master level." That just means that there is no instruction and the moves are more advanced than the basic workouts. This workout was the basic workout plus an intense arm session. Tomorrow I am planning on doing the instructional walking workout (It's also about 30 minutes). I haven't gotten down on myself for missing those two days, but at the same time I know that I need to focus on following through with my workout plan. I haven't been successful in going gluten free, so I think this month will be focused on getting in the habit of working out and next month will be about going gluten free. Here's to another day of getting healthy!

Fitspiration:

1st workout of 2014

Today marks the beginning of a new 365 days of fitness. I thought I had about 65lbs to lose to get down to 150lbs, but I discovered I have more than that. I'm sitting at 221lbs and my goal weight is 150lbs. It's disappointing that I have let myself get this heavy, but 71lbs is still manageable. I probably won't get all of that off this year, but I'm hoping to get at least 50 off by 01.01.2015.

It took me until about 7:30 to get off my ass and workout, but I still did it. I also have my alarm set for 6am so I workout before work. Consistency is something I've had trouble with in the past, but I know if I persevere I can overcome the obstacle of staying consistent. As far as food goes, I have prepped a chocolate peanut butter coffee smoothie for breakfast, but don't have a plan for lunch or dinner yet.

Let's hope & work to make sure 2014 is my year.

Fitspiration:

2014

I'm writing here right as I'm watching the prep for the ball to drop in Time Square. This year has been good, but at the same time it has left a lot to be desired. I've got 1 goal and 1 wish for the next 365 days. My goal is to drop 65lbs by the end of the year and my wish is to find love. I have a plan for losing the weight and I am going to keep myself open to the possibility of love. I can only control the first so I'm going to focus on that. I both look forward to and dread the new year, but I know this year is upon us and focusing on the positive is what I will choose to do. Fitness is my focus this year.