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

Fitness Friday: Oct 17

Finally Friday! This week seemed a little long to me...probably because of the constant rain we seemed to get until yesterday! Today, I am linking up for Fitness Friday

Aubrey

Eating and Training
Week 2 of the 21 Day Fix is ending.  I feel like I worked really hard this week.  I used heavier weights during both the Upper and Lower Fix workouts when called for, went the full 60 seconds and rarely modified.  I definitely feel stronger.  I even went for a run yesterday; the first one in a LONG time (like 9 months!). Definitely wasn't feeling so strong after that.  

My eating has been pretty good.  I've been hungry more this week.  Not sure if that is because little guy is going through a growth spurt so I am nursing all the time or what.  It has been a constant battle to not just go snack every time I want to.  When I have caved (because I'm so darn hungry) I have made healthy choices. 

I am up .7 pounds this week (151..can't get the photo to load).  I feel like I need more calories and that not having enough played into the gain.  I could focus on it or I could focus on the fact that I feel stronger, thinner.  I'll go with the latter.

Looking Forward 
Looking forward to continuing with this program, my healthy choices and getting results.  I plan on adding in a few more runs next week too! 

Progress

I loved waking up to it being Wednesday.  I love that the week is already half over and we are nearing the weekend.  I mean, not mathematically, no.  We need to get through Wednesday but whatever.  

Heather/Ash/Erin

Today was day 10 of the 21 Day Fix.  I love this program.  LOVE IT! I do my weigh-ins on Friday with my online fitness group {who are rocking it by the way}.  Today was Lower Fix; thirty minutes of concentrated leg work.  Talk about working up a sweat! This workout challenges me.  Last week, I had to pause the workout to calm my newborn back into his slumber. {We were having all kinds of nap issues that we seem to have surpassed. PTL!} This week, I not only didn't pause it, I used heavier weights for many of the exercises! #nonscalevictory

I have really been working on sticking to the nutrition guide.  It is honestly a guide I should follow all the time.  It is so simple and easy and advocates for clean eating.  As a nursing mom I did worry that my milk supply might be compromised but it honestly hasn't.  I am eating enough and drinking lots of water and still getting enough milk for my 7 week old.  I love that! 

Last week I lost three pounds.  My husband, who is working out on his own but using the Fix nutrition, lost almost 4 pounds last week.  

I am hoping to have another good loss this Friday.  More than that I want to loss inches.  I feel like my body is back to normal {well, close to it} except for the dreaded mom pooch area and thighs.  I know the pooch is just a result of my third cesarean and that area takes time.  But I'd really like to see some inches leave those areas ASAP! 

How is your week going? 

Fitness Friday

Happy Friday! I know it has been awhile since I linked up but life has been crazy! I am so happy to be back!

Aubrey

Eating and Training

This week I have been following the 21 Day Fix nutrition to a T. There have been many a times when I wanted to cheat.  {Going to the grocery store hungry, having a super fussy baby all day, playing referee to two toddlers...just to name a few} Yet- I stayed strong and on track. 

I also followed the workouts each day.  Some days were better than others.  I had to pause a few days to rock our sweet G back to sleep or to referee but most days I gave it my all without having to modify to much I am proud to say.  My older two even joined in on some of the workout fun and I love that!!

I mean, I can't even resist!

Excited for leg day!

I am happy to say the hard work these past five days has paid off! I weighed in this morning and...

Down 3 pounds!!

Looking Forward To

Continuing these next two weeks.  I hope to keep up the consistency.  Even if the scale doesn't show it, I want to be losing inches, especially in my hips and thighs which seems to be the area that is holding on to my pregnancy weight.  This month is super hectic as we are packing to move in just a few short weeks.  I know that final week as I pack up our kitchen, eating well will be more difficult but not impossible. I am already planning how to keep myself on track.  I love how much more energy I have this.  Here is to another great week!