Being sick is the pitts!

Weight: 235.9 (-4.1)
55 pounds to go (until I hit my goal weight!)

So, exciting news, I'm down 4.1 pounds from last week!  I was really happy with that and proud of myself because I worked hard for it.  I've been so nervous about this week, though, as I've been battling a nasty sinus infection and haven't exercised a day!  Breathing is a big thing in exercising, and that's the one thing you can't do when you have a sinus infection or are really congested!  I've been trying to eat extra healthy to make up for the lack in exercise and, well, overall movement!  Then Noah decided to spend Thursday throwing up, so that kind of sucked!

I bought a fitbit flex.  I have the zip, but I really wanted something that you wear on your wrist.  The zip was nice because it was small and it clipped on, but I mostly wore it on my bra so it didn't leave some weird lump in my shirt somewhere.  I can even keep track of my sleep patterns on it!

I feel like I don't have much to say but I've found that if I let myself slip and not stay involved with things then I fizzle out.....and I don't want that to happen!

#smallvictories

today's weight: 240

Yep, I just posted my weight.  I'm not ashamed.  I am on an incredible journey and want to share everything with you (and selfishly, document it for myself) and if I can, in any way, motivate someone else to do the same, I'll share every last detail.  Another reason I share it is because it's just a number. It says absolutely nothing about me.  It gives you no indication of how much I love my family, or how much joy I take in making people laugh.  It doesn't tell you how dedicated I am to God and how blessed I feel to wake up every day to an incredible, hard working, hard loving husband and the two most beautiful little boys.  My weight says NOTHING about me and it's just a number.  Ladies, young women, listen up: we are beautiful.  We are amazing.  Never be ashamed of the way you are.  Just like Bruno Mars says "Because you're amazing, just the way you are" and how Billy Joel tells me "don't go changing to try and please me, I love you just the way you are."  You are loved, you are amazing, and most importantly, God loves you just the way you are!  Sure, I may joke every now and then about being chubby or whatev, but what I am about to say is so important (especially to young ladies).  I.Love.Myself.  I love myself.  I love myself.  Say it with me.  I love myself.

That being said, I am obese.  My weight goal is to lose 60lbs.  I had a great talk with my doctor this morning about this and she thought it was a perfect goal.  And if, once I get to 180, I want to lose more I know what to do!  It's been almost a year since I've really done any kind of physical activity.  So, imagine an obese woman who is incredibly out of shape starting out.

Today, my third day on the elliptical machine we bought, I went 1.17 miles and was in constant motion with the exception of two times I just had to stop for a few seconds because my thighs were burning.  I kept around the same speed for 30 full minutes.  I know to some this may seem small, but for me, it was huge.  It is huge.  At one point, thanks to Beyonce telling me that I could run the world, I was actually jogging for a good 15 minutes.  Towards the end with about five minutes left my lungs were on fire and I had a pain in my side.  I wanted to just stop.  "There's only five minuets left, Mandi, what's five minutes?"  I didn't stop.  I put my determination hat on and finished.  I don't want to sound all "I just did a mile on a machine and I didn't give up" but I'm going to because I am so proud of myself!  Sure, I felt sweat in places I had no idea sweat would ever be, but it was that good, accomplished feeling.  I know how I can be with physical activity and quitting.  Today, I didn't quit.  I kept pushing and in the end, I will be so much healthier for it!

Also, water.  I just finished 75oz of water.  Did you know that you are supposed to drink half your weight in water each day?  Today is day three of me trying that and it's been so easy today!  It's only 2:30 and I've already drank 75oz of water!

I go to music for a lot.  There is a song that really speaks to me.  It's called Beautiful Things and it's really helped me to realize that no matter what, Christ will take me and make me beautiful. Click here to listen to the song Beautiful Things.

Also, Thanks to Beyonce today for really making me push and push and make it to 0:00.  Who Runs The World?

Now off to shower.  I stink!

Another year, another resolution

So, as you can see, my journey fizzled out after about three months last year.  I was so motivated.  I was so gung-ho.  What happened?  I think that I lost all motivation after I wasn't seeing the results I wanted.  I got discouraged.  "Why am I doing this if nothing is happening?"  I also started making excuses.  I stopped going to step aerobics because it was at a bad time for my kids.  Also because my dog hates being left at home in the crate (we're talking major anxiety) and I used him as an excuse.  I just lost it.

Last week I had some blood drawn for some routine tests (it is physical time!) and they posted my results in my online chart.  I noticed some things were above normal and I had no idea what they were so I decided to get online to look up what they were.  As Julia Roberts said in Pretty Woman, "Big Mistake.  BIG."  Within 15 minutes I had diagnosed myself with liver cancer and heart failure.  I had a dr appt this morning and it turns out that my last few blood tests I've had elevated liver enzymes and that this time I was actually LOWER than in the past!  And the elevated red blood cell count wasn't even a concern to my dr.  So, don't go online for any medical stuff!

I am glad I freaked out about heart disease.  It really lit that flame that I needed to get on the healthy train again.  Both of my maternal grandparents had heart issues that killed them.  My grandpa, although he smoked unfiltered cigarettes and overworked himself, died of a massive heart attack at 43.  My grandma eventually lost her fight against congestive heart failure.  Also, non related, Nick's employee lost her husband to an out of the blue heart attack just before Thanksgiving, and her son just recently had one himself.  There are only so many signs you can ignore before you realize that your health is really important.

A few of my friends have really motivated me by their journey to get healthy and they are another reason I knew I needed to get serious again.  So here I go.  A new year, a new me.  I'm going to share every part of this journey in the hopes that I can motivate someone else the way that they have motivated me.  Thank you for walking with me and supporting me and cheering me on as I journey to a healthier me.

Weigh-In Wednesday (a day late!)

WOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO!

Weight: 233.9 (-1.4 lbs)
BF Weight: 99.3
BF%: 42.5
Body H2O: 41.9%
Bone Mass: 7.1%

Oh man!!!  I am .5 lbs away from being the lightest since being pregnant for Noah!  YES!  I am so freaking PUMPED!!!

Oh man, do I need this http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/superfoods/the-new-superfoods/?sssdmh=dm17.725539&esrc=nwfitdailytip030614.  #2 is beer?!?!  YES!  All things in moderation though, right?  I've never tried Safflower Oil, but I love everything else on that list.  Why am I not eating them all day every day?

I have been so tired lately, almost to the point where I'm feeling quite lethargic and nap a lot....more than I should.  I'm wondering if maybe my thyroid isn't a bit off.  Tests showed years ago hypothyroidism, but I've not taken meds for that in YEARS and tests showed I was within normal ranges.  Not sure what to think about it but maybe it's worth calling the ol doc.

The ball.  Now don't let your minds go into the gutters :-)  The workout ball http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/abs/express/ab-toning-stability-ball-workout/?sssdmh=dm17.725541&esrc=nwfitdailytip030814.  I had one before and it was more of a dust collector than anything.  I'm getting another one, though.  We did some really cool stuff in step class one night with it and I could really feel it the next morning.  Look out MC Sports.  Here I come!

And for the busy parent who doesn't have lots of time to spend in the kitchen http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/quick-recipes/dinner/fast-food-recipes/?sssdmh=dm17.726961&esrc=nwfitdailytip031014#page=1.  First one, banana oatmeal pancakes - YUMM!!!  I'll take some now!

Have an amazing weekend!  Tomorrow is Friday - TGIF!

Playing Catch-Up!

PLEASE please please forgive me for being absent from you for soooo long!  I've been really off lately, so I've got some catching up to do!

I had a GREAT week where I was down 4.6lbs!!!  I really rocked it that week!  I was pretty nervous because I had eaten a good deal of cake!  The next week I was up 1.7lbs (I think the cake caught up to me!) and here are my results from last Wednesday.....

Weight: 235.3 (-1 lb)

BF Weight: 99.5

BF%: 42.3%

Body H2O: 42%

Bone Mass: 7.1

And of course, tomorrow is weigh in again!  I'm in a group of women doing a biggest loser thing and we've lost 70 lbs in 5 weeks!  We are kicking ass and taking names!

I've stepped back from my step class, no pun intended.  With my first 5K coming up in May, I wanted to focus more on running.  Not that continuing with step would have held me back, but I am trying to find that balance between getting to the gym more and making sure I am not pushing my family to the side.  I know I need to make time for me, and I enjoy my time working out, but I also know that if I make big changes, I tend to freak out and quit.  So I need to make small changes.  I was really proud of myself because I went 3.4 miles on the elliptical in 25 minutes the other day!  I have to run a couple errands tomorrow morning after I drop the boys off at preschool then I'm hitting the elliptical. Can't wait for it to be nice out so I can start training outside.  Although, it was beautiful today!  It was at least 46!

One of my favorite kitchen items is my crock pot!!!  I love it!  You throw a few things in, let it cook for 4-6 hours and BOOM - dinner!  Here is a link to an article from Fitness Magazine (which I LOVE by the way, SPW!) and I can't wait to try some of them.  That pulled chicken sandwich looks delish!  http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/quick-recipes/dinner/easy-healthy-slow-cooker-recipes/?sssdmh=dm17.723263&esrc=nwfitdailytip022214

One of my biggest challenges has been healthy snacking.  I am trying to make sure I snack on things high in protein and fiber.  I don't really care for cottage cheese, but I could these little cottage cheese mix-in things with fruit in the store and they are incredible!  I even let Nick eat one the other day :-)  I also love cheese and yogurt.  My new fav go-to snack is the chobani flips.  I can't get enough of the key lime one!  Here are some great tips for eating healthier!  http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/nutrition/15-ways-to-eat-healthy/?sssdmh=dm17.724422&esrc=nwfitdailytip030214

Guilty!!!  I'm not a good stretcher because I just don't know what to do!  I know it sounds really insane like "Mandi, how do you NOT know how to stretch?" and the answer is I just don't!  This link has helped me a lot!  http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/tips/quick-tricks/flex-time-stretching-guide/?sssdmh=dm17.725538&esrc=nwfitdailytip030514#page=1

Ok, I see this post getting longer and longer so I will save some for tomorrow when I get on here and post my wednesday results!

Be the best you that you can be!

Weigh-in Wednesday

Weight: 234.6 (-4.6!!!!!)

BF weight: 99.4 (down from 102 last week!!)

BF %: 42.4

Body H2O: 42%

Bone Mass: 7.1%

Oh.  My.  Gosh!  Best week yet!  Getting on that scale this morning and seeing that number only made me want to push even harder.  I was so pumped that tonight, before step class, I spent 20 minutes on the elliptical going 2.5 miles!  About 20 minutes into class I wanted to die, but I'm glad I did it.  I'd like to try to go four times a week.  I'd like to make Tues/Thurs running/muscle building days and Mon/Wed is step class.

Gonna return the weighted hula hoop I bought a couple weeks ago.  Thought it would be cool but I'd like to get an exercise ball.  We did some great things with one in step on Monday, and I'd like to do that stuff at home.  I see myself using that a lot more.

Alright, I'm about to hit the hay.  Have a great night and an even better tomorrow!

Weight fluctuations

I've really been into weighing myself everyday.  I don't really take it too seriously, because I know there are 1,000 factors to take into consideration.  Water, bloating (female stuff), building muscle, time of day, etc.  However, I find it incredible that my weight was up a pound from one day to the next!  AHH!  Crossing my fingers that I can maintain the weight from Monday morning when I weigh in tomorrow.  I was down 2.5 from last Wednesday (on Monday), and since I had step class and have really tried to eat right (minus the stupid birthday cake from the boys' birthday party on Sunday!) so I am hoping to see a good number tomorrow!!

I have to complain for a minute, and it's not making me sad that this is happening to me because I know that in a matter of time, it won't bother me because it will be GONE!  The pooch.  The pouch.  The saggy gut from my c-section's where the muscle was cut through twice for my beautiful, amazing boys to enter this world, is the biggest nuisance EVER!!!  In step there are moves where we do knee lifts and OMG it sucks!  I can't get my damn knee as high as I'd like because of hat big ol' pooch!  I am, though, very excited about the fact that soon enough it will be in the past and I won't ever have to worry about knee lifts being cut short because of it.

My cousin posted a great workout to my facebook wall that I want to share with you.  I'm also learning some great ab moves that also incorporate thigh/lower back/arms and so on.  http://lifehacker.com/this-7-minute-research-based-workout-exercises-your-wh-498676327.  I also need to get back to my 30 day plank challenge.  I did a few things that added up to a back injury so I was out of action for about a week.  I actually MISSED the plank at step class last night!  Maybe I'll get down and plank right now!

I love Pinterest and everything that you can find on there.  It's amazing.  I also love my gift subscription that my friend Sarah got for me to Fitness magazine.  It's always got great ideas and I get emails from them with daily fit tips.  AWESOME!

Look for another post tomorrow with my weigh-in results!!