Follow Through Friday

Thanks to Amy over at Diary of a Fat Girl, I decided to get on board with Follow Through Fridays. 

I belong to a weight loss support group on LoseIt and have been challenged to do 10 days of clean eating and track everything you eat. Honestly, I was not sure that I would be able to do such a thing because it sounds really tough. No processed food, no sweets just good old fashioned healthy proteins, carbs and fats. Sounds just about as fun as eating cardboard.

In the last 4 days, I have found out that it is not as boring as it really sounds. The key to staying on target is meal planning and prepping. If you do not prep what you are eating or know what you are eating, chances are you are going to hit a brick wall and it give in. That has been the hardest thing the past few days because I have not  meal prepped for the week. That is the #1 reason why when I started the journey on Monday it was a major FAIL!

I have been successful the last 4 days and am looking forward to getting through the next 6  which has turned into 11 days. I decided to do 2 weeks and see how it goes and really see if I can push myself and challenge. 

Meal prep for next week is finished. Bought the stuff and now have to buy the veggies on Sunday. I need to get through the next two days as I will be away from home and won't have many options as far as food goes, but I will make it work.

So my plan for the week?

1. Eat well

2. Be awesome

3. Hit my running goals

4. Drink body weight in water

5. Commit to 10 days of shakeology

It may be a challenge but I am up for it. I mean really, losing weight has never been easy for me, why would it? Plus everyone would do it if it was. Challenging myself has helped me loose the 90 lbs I have thus far!

80 Pound Equivalents

As most of you know, I hit an 80 pound weight loss at the beginning of this year. With some ups and downs, I am still there. A fellow blogger named Amy told me that I should embrace the journey I have been on already and how far I have come. 

So, I have scoured the internet looking to see what people/animals/things weigh the equivalent of what I have lost in weight. 

Black Rhino Baby- 80 pounds

Heavy bag for boxing- 80 lbs

4 car tires

It is amazing to see just a few of the things in this world that weigh 80 lbs and to realize I have lost that but gained a whole new perspective and view on health and my life!

Stronger Than You Think

The past few months have been a roller coaster ride with my eating and not really losing weight and being frustrated. I had this goal in mind that I would be at goal weight by the time Easter came around because I wanted to be happy and tell everyone at the retreat that I am at goal weight and not trying to lose any more.

Here we are, almost a month away from and reality has set in that hitting goal weight is not going to happen. But what has happened is I am almost 40 lbs lighter than I was last Easter. I should be celebrating this accomplishment rather than worrying about what I am NOT going to be doing or getting to.

It has taken me up until today to realize that I am stronger than I think. I cannot doubt myself and let myself slip because I am angry with the scale not moving as fast as I want it or not being happy with the current body I have. Honestly, it is 100% better than when I first started. If I had to choose between before me and the me now, I would not hesitate to keep who I am now.

I realized that I am worth more than I have been giving myself credit for. The choices I make impact the person I am becoming and I know the woman I want to become. It is not someone who obsesses or holds myself back from all the possibilities of the future.

So starting today, I will BELIEVE in myself and that I am capable and STRONGER than I have thought to ignore temptation and continue to live the healthy lifestyle that I have committed to. Nothing can stand in my way, not my feelings of being scared. I am empowered and strong and I will go far.

I leave you all with this. It makes me smile when it comes up on my screen saver on my computer.

State of Slim Review and Lent

Just 2 short weeks ago, I hoped onto a bandwagon that some friends have shared with me that I should try. It is called the State of Slim or the Colorado Diet. Basically, two doctors created this program to help people 'unclog' and 'rebuild' their metabolism. It is broken into 3 phases. The first of which lasts for 2 weeks, the second 5 weeks and the third 8 weeks. I have just completed the first 2 weeks and while it was strict, I feel a whole lot better than I have in a long time.

The first two weeks basically gives you a decent list of options to chose from but you must make sure that you have the right combination of protein/carbohydrates. It can be tricky and requires a lot of planning to be able to get everything down pat and to make sure that you are prepped and ready to go for the week. 

One aspect that I have not followed is the meal plan to a T. As a runner, I need to make sure my carbohydrates are above 130 grams and it was not getting there. So, marshmallows are my new best friend right before I run. I pop 4 for 100 calories and go about my business. Some times I will drink hot chocolate to make sure I am getting enough carbs. The biggest adjustment has been to not focus so much on the calorie count. It is more about learning proper portion control and sizing but I am still a little focused making sure that my calories do not dip below my low point of 1600 per day. 

I would recommend this program to someone who needs to restart their eating habits to kick the old ones and really focus on clean eating. In 2 weeks I have lost 4 lbs which is more than I have lost in quite a few months.

This program came at a good time because Wednesday begins the Lenten season. I always give up the same things every year so I have been toying with what other things I should give up for 40 days/bring into my life and I have compiled a nice long short list of things that I am going to do for the next 40 days. 

Add ins:

1 scheduled cheat meal a week

exercise before work

15 minute hunger routine (see if I am really hungry)

Journal: notice what is changing, 1 thing I am grateful for each day

Giving Up:

bread

cheese

chocolate/candy

sweets (cakes/pies)

excuses

gum

hot chocolate

I am excited to see my journey take a much needed change. I have been complacent for much too long and am ready to move forward in a happy direction where I am able to really test my true strength/will power and determination. It won't be easy but what fun would it be if it were easy?

Will keep you updated on my Lenten Journey and what comes of it!