Back in the groove......

This week I am starting back with my trainer Donna (her Mom is doing better) and I am actually looking forward to it. I told her how much I actually missed working out twice a week with her and she was so excited about my progress so far (my cholesterol, 2 more lbs lost etc). That just shows that when you get into a routine and something new that you can miss it. I have been keeping up with my cardio everyday (except yesterday I took a day off) so I can get in shape for the 5k I am going to be walking in October. I am actually getting excited about that and cannot wait to see how I do. I cannot believe all the new things I have planned for the next few months and how much I have changed since starting my new lifestyle. I encourage you all to make a change and see just what can happen for you. Keep on the look out for the updates coming this week to the blog with my measurements (finally) and also some new workout photos.

Also, just a quick thank you to everyone for leaving comments on my blog. You all keep me going and inspire me with your thoughtfulness.

Body Image

On one of my favorite sites to visit blogher http://www.blogher.com/, they have a great chance for you to write a letter to your body? I have to say this is very scary for me. What will I say? Will I be honest enough with myself? Opening yourself up like this is so powerful for anyone (I know it is for me). What I like most is all the women sharing their letters and how they feel (knowing I am not alone) and what inspirations they are to all of us. It just shows how much we all really have in common and what our fears and strengths really are. I challenge all of you to take the time to write this letter to yourself! Go ahead and write this letter open up to yourself remember it is for you and only for you there is no need to share it with anyone if you do not wish to (that is what I have done). I bet it will open you up to so many things you would never imagine you knew about yourself and your body - I know it has for me. Just remember you are not the only one who feels insecure about their body or maybe you do feel secure about your body and you have other issues this is a great way to find out what they might be. So get up and get going….that letter is waiting and your body wants to hear from you.

Here is the link to the blogher article http://www.blogher.com/letter-my-body...what will you write to your body?

Keys to a healthy lifestyle....

I have had some of my friends ask me what the key to a new healthy lifestyle is. I am not an expert I just know what works for me:

1. Exercise: I am the first person to tell you I HATE TO EXCERCISE but to achieve the weight loss and body strength I need it, it is key.

2. Cooking at home: I love to eat out. It is hard to eat out and be healthy all the time, but you will get sick of all the small choices that are given to you when you are out to eat and not enough healthy choices to choose from. So cooking at home is a great why to control your meals and it really is better for you. I seem to look forward to cooking a lot more now. I don't eat out as much anymore and I can see the difference in the way I feel.

3. Losing is going to take time: It is not going to happen over night, believe me. I still cannot believe I have lost 14 lbs in 2 mths. And my cholesterol went down that is HUGE! But it only shows with hard work and determination I have achieved more than I thought I ever would. This means changing your routine at home as well as after work. I work out after work and come home and cook it seems to work best for me. Try something different in your day go home a different way, work out at a different time each day or just pre make your meals ahead of time and then you pop them in the microwave when you get home and no worries.

4. Control: You are in control of what you can and cannot do. You are going to screw up but you just have to get right back up and get back on track. We are only human and mistakes are going to happen don't get frustrated you are accomplishing a great thing by taking on a new healthy lifestyle just remember that and stay positive! I have bad days just like everyone does I LOVE chocolate and it is the one sweet I am having trouble with giving up. I just try and plan ahead but if I fall I fall and that is ok. I can always make it up later with a healthy snack. Just stay focused and you will come out on top.

5. Eat breakfast: I heard on the news last week that a report says if women eat a good breakfast each morning they tend to loss more weight than women who don't. So in my book I am eating breakfast every morning.

6. Fruit: Eat as much fruit as you can stand. I eat fruit a lot of time in place of desert and I have to say I don't miss that piece of cake and I can feel good about my choice.

7. You are not on a diet: Remember you are not on a diet you have made a choice to live a healthier lifestyle. I have people ask me all the time are you on a diet? I say no I live a healthier lifestyle and I choose to eat better and stay on track.

Do you have any tips for a healthier lifestyle? What do you do to stay healthy?

Cholesterol and update

I got great news today....my cholesterol level went down from 223 to 207....whewwwww....that is a huge load off of my mind. My doc says I need to lose another 8 points to be under the required 199 to be healthy. This only shows that eating healthy and exercising does make a difference.

I know I was suppose to update the site with my measurements (See D-day post) but my trainer's Mom is in the hospital so I have not been able to meet with her this week so as soon as we get back on track I will keep you posted on what is to come.

Again, I want to thank everyone for all of your kind and encouraging words they are keeping me focused!!!!

Today's weigh in and ok I was wrong....

Today's weight in is ...........I lost 2 more lbs Yeah!!!! And yes I was so wrong about myself yesterday and really hard also. I guess I am trying to hard and expecting too much at once so I am trying to stay focused on the future and plan my goals and just be true to who I am. Thanks everyone for all of you encouraging words they do help more than you will ever know. Keep them coming I am going to need them.

Keeping the balance....

Do you ever feel that you are failing on your pursuit of a lifestyle change? I know I do. When I go to grab that donut or that piece of cake instead of some fruit I have this voice in my head that says wait what are you doing? I also skipped going to the gym yesterday due to unforeseen circumstances and I kind of feel bad about it and I have in some way let myself down. Did I mess up? Did I take a step backwards instead of forwards today? Since I have a weigh in tomorrow at the Doctor's office I am kind of on the fence about the whole situation. I know I should not beat myself up about missing one day of exercising but I have been on such a roll lately and I have been sticking to my "diet" and missing one day want hurt me right? Staying on track is my #1 goal and I can do it I just need to stay focused and pick myself up keep at it also keeping some sort of balance is a future goal of mine. Just remind yourself you are only human and it is ok to fail...keep continuing toward your goal don’t give up and don't get down on yourself for it reward your accomplishments it is well worth the healthy lifestyle!

Is Bigger always better? and change can be good for you!

One of my friends asked me if I have changed my portion sizes since I have started my new lifestyle change. I was not sure how to answer the question due to the fact that I did change my eating habits along with what I ate but did I really change the portions? I guess I did. I used to eat everything on a really big plate (and always have seconds) and now I seem to eat on a guess you would call it a kids plate ...not sure it would be called that but you get the idea. I have to admit I was kind of taken aback by this question because in the last few weeks I seem to have developed a new habit and I did not even notice it. I mean I LOVE to eat (who doesn't right?) I mean really, who can say they don't love to sit down and have a great meal and just enjoy every bite they are having. But I have to realize that it is not about how much I am eating it is what I am eating that really matters. Since changing my meals I have found that I have exchanged fatty foods for more fruits and veggies and also leaner meats and fish and I also noticed I am starting to try new things. My son has been trying to get me to eat sushi for years.......so last week I tried it and I have to say it was not as bad as I thought it would be. So the moral of my story is you can change and not even know it for the better and meet your goals and be proud of what you have accomplished along the way...so go out and try something new you might be surprised by what happens and also feel great about what you have achieved.

D-day...

This week my trainer is going to redo my measurements we took over 4 weeks ago to see how much I have lost since starting my training program. So keep your fingers crossed for me everyone and I will keep you posted. I have to say I am very nervous about the whole process. I have accomplished a HUGE goal by losing 12 lbs but it seems when I look at each goal I seem to think negatively instead of knowing that I am reaching them. My mind is not catching up to what I should know…that I am working hard and that I can accomplish the goals I have set for myself. It just seems that the self doubt I have for myself seems to out weigh the reality. I am sure I have lost some inches I just don’t want to be disappointed in myself for not working hard enough or eating to much chocolate (my weakness). Thanks everyone for staying with me on this ride it is a wild one……

Mission Motivate.....

A few weeks ago I submitted my story to a website I like at Mission Motivate http://www.missionmotivate.com/stories/view/mara.....about my weight loss journey and they called me last week to let me know that they were going to feature my story on their website along with winning an ipod. I am extremely proud and excited that my story can reach out to so many just like me who can make a change in their lives and live a healthier lifestyle. Thanks everyone for your support without it I would have never been able to submit my story to them and get recognized in this way. As many of you know I struggled with even starting a blog but I have found that having it has really opened me up in so many ways that I cannot even express in words. Each day when I check on the comments/post I find myself looking forward to all the wonderful inspiring words and encouragement you give me and also all the new friends I am making. Thank you and please keep the comments/post coming on my journey you all inspire me....

Fast food friend or foe???????????

I have had to adapt to the fast food world since changing my lifestyle and noticed that they have actually adapted to us. I usually eat out for lunch at work and when I do I have a lot of choices. At Arby’s they have some wonderful salads that are to die for. And they change them up everyday 2 months or so give them a try but they also have this wonderful chicken salad wrap that I highly recommend with a fruit cup on the side. At Wendy's I usually get a small chili and a side salad and they also have wraps which makes your choices limitless. I try and stay away from McDonalds and Burger King but I was told they actually have some really nice salads as well as some other options (I will check them out and let you know). One of my next favorite spots is Subway they have the Jared menu (since he lost all of that weight it can't be all that bad right?). And most of the items you can get on a wrap which I love! Chick-Fil-A is another good one to look at - I have grown up on this food and they have so many choices from salads to fruit too many fat free items you cannot go wrong. Now my all time new favorite has to be Papa Johns pizza. They just came out with this whole wheat crust that I am told is really good and healthy. Now keep in mind as long as you do not load your pizza up with a lot of extras you can keep it pretty low fat and carb friendly and it should be worth the try. I love a good burger and fries but since we have so many great choices now a days we can feel good about what we are eating and not have to loath going out to eat anymore . It seems that the fast food industry is finally coming around to how everyone is trying to live there lives....What do you think?

Workout and Update.............

Well I have accomplished a milestone this week....I had a weigh in at my Doctors and I have lost 12 lbs. I am so proud of myself and a little shocked to say the least!!! I never thought I could do this in my wildest dreams. But I have and now I am more determined than ever to keep up with the life style change.

First here are those 24 steps I have to climb to get up to the cardio machines each day. Also I have attached some of the work outs I do each week. Most of them are for leg and arm strength and also for balance. Donna my trainer was kind enough to take the photos for me. If you would like to know what type of work out it is please let me know and I will get you the correct name and what you need to do to accomplish it.

Thanks everyone for following my progress and inspiring me on this journey. Please stay with me I need it!!!!! There will be more to come......