102. A loss.

I finally have a lost after weeks of desperation.  I focused less on blogging and more on planning.  I'm at 220 for a total loss of 98 pounds.

Yay!

108. Planning.

Planning in progress.  Busy days simple eating. More to come.

110. Enlightenment

Above Emerald Bay, South Lake Tahoe, Ca - May 2014

I Heart the Outdoors

I've had several conversations with trainers telling me my expectation are high for my 09/30 goal is high. I should slice the goal in half. Then I was told 48 pounds would be the healthiest and highest number I should aim for by 09/30/14.

I'm open to the new number. Just like I'm open to the idea of having more outings. I look forward to getting healthy so I can climb mountains, hike through trails and just get out and play.

Here's to making a successful meal and work-out plan.

To Happy Days.

111. Rejoice.

Trying to Show my Pink Strands Encouraged by Susie.

I had fun out on a girl date with my bestie Susie. We talked about it all including my body image. She laughs at me when I think I won't fit through a space. She thinks I'm silly when I think I won't fit her sweater. She had to tell me at least 3 times I'm small. I insist I'm not small. She insists I'm smaller, "or if you don't want to call it that your body is different."

I'm stuck in the I know I'm not skinny mentality. I don't want to get comfortable with my size since I'm just starting to fit a size 14. Maybe that's me being hard on my self or thinking I'm still a size 28. Susie made me stand back and look in -- well, I have changed a lot and I'm just not used to it. -- Our talk really helped. We also came to the conclusion that I was holding on the my old clothes for security. So I'm getting rid of it by the end of the month. If I don't have any buyers, which would have been ideal, then I'm donating to the women's shelter. 

Hanging with Susie was nice. She reminds me to be 

bold, encourages me to do more and believes 

I could do it all. 

To great friends.

112. Temptation.

I allowed temptation to take over. I had the nachos I craved for weeks. I found them to be less pleasurable then I remember. I was over it after a taste.

No guilt. No mind games. It was just nachos that were all right and certainly not worth the calories.  Now all I want is some watermelon and papaya. Ha! Who would a thunk?!?

113. Tired

I did not post while sick. Missed the day due to rest.

114. Update.

This weekend was full of activities and I stayed on target as best as I could. I'm trying to stay focused and the counter on my phone won't allow me to forget the goal.

My caloric intake remains low but it's not completely clean. My activity level was on point but I'm sick with my ongoing issue so I can't work out for a few days. I will hop on the saddle once I feel better. 

For now I remain focused on how I feel when I'm healthy. The feeling I get when I am able to go out and play. I am proud of my accomplishments and I'm pushing for more.

To better days.

115. Letting go.

Yard Sale Say

Posting more later but I'm showing a pic now.

**UPDATE POSTED ON 06/09**

The yard sale was set up to sell stuff I was holding on too for way too long. Most of it turned out to be plus sized clothes.

I did not sell as much as I wanted. However, I had various eye opening moments. Seeing all of my clothes laid out from various sizes was shocking. I also let go of some of my favorite pieces and it was okay because I do not need to hold on to clothes I do not plan returning to. Simply said, putting my clothes for sale was letting go of the former me and  releasing my security blanket. 

Here's to new ventures.

116. Rest.

 

Today's outfit. It's late I'm sleepy and will share more.

**UPDATE 06/10**

I felt great on Saturday because I was able to wear a nice long dress without feeling uncomfortable. 

I was at a birthday party and being able to dance and play with the kids felt great. Some of the moms would get down on their knees to be with the kids and then needed help to get up. I used to need help so being able to do it on my own with ease was comforting. I had no problem helping the moms and all of a sudden I could. 

I've come a long way and I am so proud of myself. I am also humbled by the opportunity to share my story with 

others. 

To fun and healthy times.

117. Pay off

Today was long and here's a quick pic of one of my recent dress purchases. I received a lot of compliments on this purchase of $ 13.99 at old navy. 

Score!

118. In awe

Lake Tahoe/Yosemite, May 2014

Today I felt very much like I did during my trip in Lake Tahoe/Yosemite.I felt empowered, accomplished and free.

I went to the mall for a couple of new dresses. My fitting room experience was not one of dreadful confusion. Instead it became a fun time to play dress up. It took me awhile to get there since I was trying on dresses that were too large due to my old shape mentality. Luckily my cousin pushed me and nagged me until I tried on size large dresses.

I was in complete awe. Not only did the dresses fit but I could see a shape. I could not believe my eyes and all I could think about was the large pay off from all of my hard work. I was so glad I did not give up when the scale was not moving because I fit into sizes I have not been in since 2002.

Now it is not all about the changes in sizes or the constant thought about the number on the scale. It is also about how this weight loss provides fulfillment in all areas of my life. Sure, I feel better when I'm looking for new outfits but I also have the confidence to do more. I can jog, climb, and sit over a cliff with running water. I am completely and totally in love with life.

To being grateful and keeping it playful.

119. Fuel.

I weighed myself today.  It lead to less clean choices: 1 mini-corn muffin at lunch and 1 sour cream tortilla taco at dinner.  The points were low but it's not clean. 

All of my other meal choices were good.

Breakfast
3 egg whites omelet with zucchini,  tomatoe, mushrooms and cheese.
2 slices of whole wheat toast.

Lunch
1/2 cup of brown rice
Steamed vegetable
3 oz of grilled salmon
1 mini-corn muffin

Dinner
3 turkey albondigas with carrots and potatoes.
1/4 cup of pinto beans
2 corn tortillas
2 tbls of sour cream

120...Victorious.

Work-Outs

I am my best with work-outs during the weekend. I usually do 3-4 hours on Saturday and 2-3 hours on Sunday. This weekend was intense. It almost seemed like all of the trainers and instructors were on a high energy boost.

Saturday

I started with ROAR where I worked up a sweat within the first 15 minutes. I took a break during my weight watchers meeting where I was uncomfortably drenched in sweat. Lucky for me I packed extra work-out clothes for an outfit change.

Driving to boxing re-energizes me as I play my loud beats. I'm ready to BOX. An hour of drills, sparring, bag punching, punching techniques, abs and footwork.

I was beat but it was time to do the Yoga Flow class. They have more advanced poses than what I'm used to and I broke a sweat within the first 20 minutes. I did it!

Anthony "the coach" Freeman and Eden, my motivator,
in ROAR. She is so fit and always works herself hard.

Sunday

ROAR was even more intense. Anthony set up stations so close together that there was no down time. I usually use the time I walk from one end of the studio to the other to catch my breath. NOT TODAY.

BOXING was also no joke. A trial for a new instructor means that instructor brought a strict game plan to make sure we all worked hard. I FELT BEAT.

I wanted to go for a hike or a walk in the afternoon but after a small outing to the mall I was ready to head home and relax. Everything in my body ached and I just wanted to rest.

Monday

My day counter on the top of the screen reminded me to keep pushing for the first benchmark. I also thought active recovery would do the body good. I knew I had a pole class but my cousin Paola pushed me for a walking venture. I walked from my house and up the HILL. The HILL has a good incline and I thought it was going to be a lot harder. I figured I would take my breaks if I needed. I talked to myself and focused on the trees. I kept telling myself to take it to the next tree until I finally made it to the top without stopping! YES! This is a HUGE accomplishment and now I cannot wait to make this walk a part of my normal routine. The goal is to eventually run up the HILL.

Pole class was cancelled so I was super-duper glad Paola made me walk. YAY!

Tuesday

Today I will do some strength training and YOGA.

To feeling victorious!

121 - re-energize

Paradise Falls Trail: Thousand Oaks, Ca with the hubby, cousin and friend.

Hikes are a great way to re-energize. I may not like the bugs and the sun can get real bright BUT the views, the fresh air and being so close with nature fuels me. It awakens the spiritual side in me. Being able to hike is one of those great benefits from my weight loss. Sure I am doing easy trails but months ago I would not have been able to do even those type of trails. I see hiking as the activity where I  implement what I am gaining from my work-outs and multiple training styles. It creates a circle of constant movement and motivation to make me want to do more.

To creating the energy to keep on moving.    

122 days away...

Hanging at the Bars on a Saturday Night

...from my Drop Down Goal Date.

I'm creating tunnel vision and counting down to my goal date: 10/01/2014. I've set up tools like a day counter on the top left corner of my phone.

The counter provides a positive number to focus on. I'll wake up and focus on the amount of days for the first goal benchmark and the final goal target date. I'm also able to look at that number and stop myself when I am about to eat or do something that is counterproductive to the goal. It is my anchor. 

Work-outs 

The schedule will vary but I have a few guidelines. They are listed below:

Circuit Training : 3 times a week

Boxing : 2 days a week and 3 days a week when I'm in my new office. 

Cardio Intervals/ Jogging Training : 3 days a week

Strength Training : 2 days a week

Callenetics : 2 days a week

Hiking: At least 2 times a month. 

Yoga Daily

*Participate in as many active ventures as possible.

** Try a new activity monthly.

Food 

My food intake is being tracked with weight watchers point system. I am also sticking to clean eating rules.

Motivation 

My largest motivator is the idea of being free of medication and free of physical restraints to do fun activities like dancing, hiking, and water rafting. When I feel like I'm not doing enough I need to remind myself of how far I have come and just continue to act healthy. 

To a healthy me.