The War Within

I will be posting Weigh-in Wednesday info soon but this is just too good, too important. 

I am working with some wonderful ladies right now in our fitness and health journeys.  We are into our second week.  Each woman is different.  Some of us want to tone up; some want to lose; some are starting; some are starting over.  We committed to being all in with our workouts and nutrition, to being honest, and to holding each other accountable for 30 days. 

It has been amazing.  I have been pushed and encouraged. I look forward to seeing how each of us is doing every day, the progress and #NSV being made. 

Today, one of the participants posted a really vulnerable post. She told us that tonight she has an event  with her son that will have her not only away at dinner, but that pizza will be available.  Instead of just writing it off as inconvenient but her only option, she woke up, made a game plan to stay on track and prepped it so she would know that a healthy meal would be waiting for her after!

Now, that may seem small to you.  That may seem insignificant. But let me just say that it is NOT! Not only is this woman overcoming a temptation, but she is saying, "Food, you are not in control. I AM!!" 

For people who struggle with food, finding the ability to have power of your choices is HUGE!

That is exactly why I am so thankful to be a coach.  It is that story that is so much part of  my mission. This wonderful friend is a fellow mom of young kids.  In what seems like a small act, she is taking power over her life in this area. And as mothers, when we learn that food is fuel; when we stop emotional eating, looking at food as temptations, evil, etc--when we stop giving food power, we are teaching our kids NOT to give food power in their lives. We are teaching our kids that food is meant to make us healthy; to make our bodies work at their best! 

Think about that! I love working with moms.  I love seeing those AHA moments.  I love it when they get it.  Because when a mom gets it and is on board, the whole family is too. For most households, it is the mom who does the meal planning and grocery shopping, the food preparation.  If a mom understands how to fuel her body, how to have power over food, how to win the war, so do the kids.  

Childhood obesity, diabetes, so many issues--eliminated for that household. 

I cheered this mama on and her response was, "I've spent so many years in food prison. Hallelujah, I've been set free!" 

Isn't that so awesome??? 

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Last week went really well.  I stuck to my no carb/low carb, no sugar plan.  It was tough.  We had several things over the weekend that were tempting but I definitely could tell I was feeling good and didn't to break that cycle. 

I have gotten in all of my workouts.  Saturday I went for a run and reached 4.5 miles.  I was really happy with that.  I plan to increase my long run to six hopefully by the beginning of April.  I definitely have to go slower on my long runs but I know a quicker pace will come in time on those runs too. 

Height: 5'5"

Last Weight: 141.4

Current Weight: 140

Change: -1.0

Total Loss: 26 pounds

Breaking My Addiction

I  have been doing Les Mills Pump for 2.5 weeks now.  My body is definitely responding but not as good as I wanted it too.  And I know the cause.  I've known the cause forever.  If there is ever a stronghold in my life, it's this one. 

I am a sugar addict. 

I love it.  I love sweets.  I love breads and pastas.  I love those things and not in moderation.  And as much as I'd like to say that I can have a little bit and get right back on track, my addiction is strong.  I get derailed easily.  

One bite turns into a whole serving turns into the whole pan of brownies (cookies, cake, you fill it in). 

I had considerably began to limit the carbohydrates from grains when I started Max:30. But February got the best of me and my nutrition just has suffered.  

On top of that, caring for three kids under 4 {one being just 6 months old and still waking during the night bless him} I hated waking up groggy and not in control of what I was putting in my body. 

I decided to change some things.  I don't believe that in order to be healthy you have to deprive your body of anything.  I preach moderation to my team and my clients.  But I also preach knowing your weaknesses and learning how to have control over food, not the other way around.  How to eat to live, not live to eat. 

On Monday, I began my 30 day no sugar commitment.  Of course I am still getting sugar where it naturally occurs, but I am cutting out added sugars.  I also decided to limit my carbs.  I am still eating grains but not eating wheat.  

I don't necessarily care about the number on the scale.  The scale doesn't define me.  But I do care about how I feel when I put on my clothes.  I do care how I feel when I want to be intimate with my husband and I just don't "feel" sexy. I do care about having control over what goes into my body. 

I am halfway through day three.  I haven't indulged in PB&Js with my kiddos.  I haven't popped goldfish mindlessly.  The biggest #NSV: I haven't touched the box of Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies sitting in our freezer. {Yes, that is how my family enjoys them} 

I am down weight from last week.  I do feel more energized (getting out of bed is still hard. I'm looking at you Gabe- I-Want-To-Eat-Every-4-Hours). 

I'm excited to continue these next 30 days.  It will be a battle.  It is my siblings', SIL's, husband's and I's birthday in a few weeks (you read that right; it's a lot). Easter is approaching aka Easter candy. But I have support and accountability from my team.  And I have goals.  

Height: 5'5"

Last Weight: 142.2 (Monday 3/9)

Current Weight: 141.4

Change: -0.8

Total Loss (since 8/21/14): 25 lbs

Hello, sunshine!

March certainly came in like a lion around here.  Snow upon snow; enough for church to cancel.  A pre-school day cancelled due to ice! I am all for spending time at home with my kiddos but we were all more than ready for spring to arrive.

And, just like the weather of the Midwest is, spring arrived.

I am on my third week of Les Mills Pump.  I had been substituting the walk sessions with cardio workouts indoors since the weather was not cooperating.  Max:30 and Turbo Fire (more on that, later) kept my heart pumping.

But, this past Saturday and Sunday, this girl got to RUN!! I really learned to love running when I trained for a half marathon a couple of years ago.  That being said, I hadn't really ran in quite a few months. I had tried it once in early October after being released post-partum and feeling up to it.  I maybe got in a mile.  And it was a tough one.

When I set out Saturday, I was starting to doubt all the hard work I had done with Insanity Max:30. I was feeling pretty winded.  I concentrated on my breathing {I'm all about a breath in every two steps, breath out every two steps}.  My body loosened up and I found a pace.  Y'all--I did 2.65 miles in 25 minutes.  I was really excited! That pace wasn't too far off from my best paces when training. And Sunday was the same thing.

Those runs definitely left me sore. But I know that LMP, running and my no sugar commitment are going to get me the results I need!

How are you doing with your goals??

About Turbo Fire
This is a program I have wanted to try for awhile.  Every time I went to purchase it, there was always a new program I wanted to try first.  It just kept getting put on the back burner.  Last week, Beachbody launched something called Beachbody on Demand. It is a way to digitally stream some of Beachbody's most favorite programs to any device that is wifi enabled.  

I got to use Turbo Fire in my home straight on my laptop.  No waiting for shipping. I also have access to the complete nutrition guide and workout schedule.  Another perk--Beachbody on Demand gives you access to 10 {!!!!} complete programs! 

If you want to know more about On Demand, I would love to share more about it with you.