#Sexyback11 Challenge – Final Post!

It’s been 12 weeks since I started the Sexyback 2011 Challenge. I had already made the decision to start eating healthier, and I thought this would be a great way to help keep me on track. My initial goal was to lose 25 pounds in the 12 weeks.

However, not long after I started, I read Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst. It completely changed my attitude and my desire around losing weight. It was no longer about just losing weight for a one time challenge. I made the decision that this time would be different. I decided that I would learn to conquer my cravings and make healthier choices for a lifetime. Losing weight was the ultimate goal, but this time was more about changing my lifestyle, not just my size.

I have been on every diet imaginable in the past. I’ve lost weight successfully, and gained back more than I lost. And, I have had a serious challenge keeping my weight down since having kids. There are all kinds of excuses that I can use, but none of that mattered anymore. This time, I am determined to make lasting changes and not be “on a diet.”

A few weeks in to the challenge, I realized that weighing myself every week was one easy way for me to get discouraged. I was consistently working out 4-5 times per week with very intense sessions. I had joined a kettlebell studio, and it was awesome. The workouts are very difficult, and brought me back to how I felt during my athlete days. My body tends to gain muscle weight pretty quickly, so I knew that weighing myself would only frustrate me. So, I stayed off the scale for the rest of the challenge. I know this doesn’t work for everyone, but it really helps me.

I knew I was making progress, though, when my clothes all started fitting better, and getting baggy. I also kept track of my inches as well as what I was eating. I was consistently making healthier eating choices, and it was not as difficult as I expected it to be.

I am very happy to report my progress after the 12 weeks.

           Pounds lost: 15

           Inches lost: 8

           Clothes Sizes down: 1+ (almost 2!)

Overall, it was relatively easy to get to this point. My food choices were a big change for me, as well as getting into a consistent workout routine. In addition to working out consistently, I also made very simple changes. When the kids and I would go to the park, I would no longer sit on the bench and check Facebook. I would walk around the park instead. Or, if we rode our bikes to the park, I would continue riding my bike around the park while they played. These little changes really made a big difference in conjunction with my workouts.

I am very excited about the next few months, as I will continue to work towards becoming healthier prior to my 40th birthday. I am looking forward to starting a new decade as a smaller, healthier version of me.

Thank you to so many of you who supported me and continue to encourage me. I appreciate it!!

SexyBack Challenge Check in

I have not posted for several weeks now about the SexyBack challenge. There are several reasons for this.

1. I’ve been busy – not a good excuse, but I just haven’t made the time.

2. I started this challenge one week after I had already started eating healthier. I did it because I thought it would be great to have a group of people to do it with and help hold me accountable. However, I was still in the mindset of “dropping weight quickly” when I signed up for it. I hadn’t quite made the connection to an overall healthier lifestyle that wasn’t completely focused on my weight. Since I started, that focus has changed dramatically.

So, honestly, I haven’t wanted to blog much about it, as I am trying really hard NOT to focus on the numbers. I have not been getting on the scale weekly. In fact, I haven’t been on it for almost the entire time. Because this time, it isn’t about a number on a scale for me. It’s about continuing to make healthy choices daily that lead to overall better health. Do I want to weigh less? Absolutely! However, knowing myself as well as I do, if I continually get on the scale, that will become my focus. And, I don’t want that anymore. This is not a “diet”, it is a way of life for me now. It is about taking control of my eating (including emotions), and learning to take care of the body that God gave me. I have tried almost every “diet” there is, and this time is different.

I am working out consistently three to five times per week. I have implemented a healthier eating plan that consists of smaller meals throughout the day, more fruits and vegetables, and very low sugar. This is working for me. I am continually seeing the change in my clothes and my inches. My body is changing. Do I think the weight is dropping off? Probably not. Why? Because I am doing very intense kettelbell workouts that are building lean muscle. I am naturally a muscular person, so my weight when I first start building that muscle back up is always higher.

Do I feel better? ABSOLUTELY!! I am amazed at the difference in my mood and overall feelings when you start taking time for yourself and taking care of yourself.

Am I grateful to have found people who are on this journey with me? Absolutely. I learn something from what others who have a different perspective than me are doing.

So, there’s my multiple week checkin. Hope you are having a great week!

Check In – #SexyBack11 Challenge

Week 3 of the #SexyBack11 challenge is complete (and week 4 for me personally). I feel great! I am focusing primarily on eating healthier and working out, so I am not going to be weighing in this morning.

I have started an amazing workout routine at a kettlebell studio. Wow! Talk about an intense workout. They took all of my measurements, and really emphasize not getting on the scale, which has also been my focus. They are also an incredibly encouraging and motivating group. I am looking forward to getting to know some of them better!

Here are a few key indicators for me that my changes are making a difference.

1. I am fitting into my clothes better, and some are way too big already

2. I have more energy

3. I have a strong motivation to work out consistently

4. My cravings have significantly decreased

So, for the #SexyBack11 challenge, I will now be updating you on how many times I worked out that week, as well as inches lost. Every few weeks, I’ll check in with my weight also.

Here are the results for this week!
           Kettlebell workout – 4 times this week
           Walking – 2 times this week
           Inches lost – 1 1/2!

I am so thankful to be on this journey towards better health. I have a very supportive group of friends and family that are helping me and encouraging me. If I can help encourage you too, please let me know!

Have a great week!

Check in to Healthy Living

So, I am officially past three weeks of eating healthy and exercising more. I am also participating in the SexyBack Challenge with about 200 other people around the country.

I am really focusing on NOT weighing myself constantly, or getting caught up in how much weight I am losing. Yes, that is one of my goals. However, the MAIN goal is for me to get healthier. From what I eat, to how much I move, to how I feel.

So, the official total is that I am now down 10 pounds from when I started. I have also lost over 3 inches. I am very pleased with that, but again, really trying not to get focused on the numbers. For me, these are some of the things that I am getting pleasure from feeling:

* My clothes fit better
* I have more energy
* I am more active
* I feel great!

Looking forward to continuing this journey together. Have a great, safe 4th of July weekend! I am so thankful for the people who sacrificed so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have. God Bless America!!

Healthy Living Challenge

Week one of the SexyBack challenge, and week 2 of my own healthy living challenge = complete!!

I feel amazing.

More energy.

Lighter.

Healthier.

More determined.

Can’t wait to see where this journey takes me!

Five Simple Steps

I’m two weeks into my health living transformation, and I feel great! Here are five simple things I am doing that are having an impact.

1. Letting myself feel hungry
Instead of eating just because it’s the time to eat, I’m actually allowing myself to feel hunger and then eat at that time. It requires having healthy snacks available for when that time hits.

2. Get moving!
In addition to exercising regularly (I have walked 3-5 times per week), I am also seizing any opportunity to move. That means riding bikes with the kids, as well as walking around the park while the kids are playing, instead of just sitting on a bench checking Facebook or Twitter on my phone!

3. Water, water, water
I always drink water, but sometimes I need a little flavor. I used to reach for a Diet Coke at that time, but now I grab another glass of water and put a shot of MiO Liquid water enhancer in it. It has a little flavor that breaks up the water routine!

4. Stop beating yourself up
Even if I slip up and eat something not so healthy, I no longer beat myself up. I quickly re-correct and start again with a healthier choice at my next opportunity. We are always so much harder on ourselves than others. Why is that?

5. Cardio Burner app
This is my new favorite app. It tracks your workout and lets you listen to your music at the same time. I had used RunKeeper before and tried to play Pandora at the same time. It never seemed to work right. Cardio Burner has reminders for upcoming workouts and will track how many calories you are burning. It’s a great motivator!

What simple steps are you taking to get healthier? I’d love to hear from you!

Sexy Back Challenge

I’m already more than a week and a half into the changes I’ve been making to eat healthy and drop the excess weight. I’m tired of making excuses for why I can’t do it. It’s time to change.

So, when I saw @loswhit’s SexyBack Challenge Sexy Back 2011 posted, I knew I had to join. Now, in addition to what I am doing to make healthier choices, I can join in with over 200 people who are trying to do the same. Having a support group always makes a huge difference!

No, I do not plan on taking my shirt off, and the whole idea of “sexy back” is not something I think of when I think of me. But, I am looking forward to the results in the next 12 weeks!

My realistic goal is 25 pounds in the next 12 weeks. I am already feeling so much better in a week and a half. I can only imagine how much better I will feel in 12 more.

Week one…..done

It has been a full week since I started reading Made to Crave and began this journey toward a healthier me. I cannot believe how much better I feel. I am learning to trust God and crave him instead of food. I am learning to think about what I am doing and making smaller, gradual changes.

I have eaten better. I have exercised more. I have started letting myself get hungry, instead of constantly numbing myself with food. I have prayed more. I have been more productive.

I am looking forward to sharing more about this journey. What small change can you make today to help yourself start on a healthier path?

Made to Crave

I just started reading the book titled ‘Made to Crave’ by Lysa Terkeurst. I am definitely realizing that this is an area of my life that God wants me to work on. I’ll be blogging more about my journey here.

The best thing I have taken away so far has been the revelation that “we are made for more than this.” I have applied this to so many other areas of my life, but never considered it when it came to my weight and being healthier. And honestly, I’m realizing that this is one more area where I have struggled to give up control and trust God to guide me.

I am really looking forward to this book in addition to the changes I am working on to get healthier. I would love to hear your thoughts about changes you’ve made in this area.