Motivational Monday

From left to right. I'm enjoying a lime, ginger, cilantro pop created by befreeology.com .
Sunday session with the special training tool. Killer Resistance.

 I focus on the positive people in my life;those who I see daily and encourage me to make good choices. I allow others to get to know me and expand my circle. I remain grateful because my life, with it's ups and downs, is a beautiful life worth living.

This weeks Sunday Session is a great example of this. I was struggling with my knee pain but remained coachable. Others in the group were also discussing their ailments and limitations. After awhile I said, "no more, get working". They all saw it as "Norma is bringing down the hammer" but I explained my reasoning at the end of the session:  

     If I came down hard on everyone because it is important that we do not give in to the inner                  voice and the explanations. I understand we have those feelings but I encourage you to reframe            your outlook when in doubt and create positive notions. The mind will allow you to get much              further if you do not focus on the negative. You can acknowledge the pain, you can try the                  exercise and then if you cannot do it. Do the modification. Do what will get you there the next            time. Just do not give in the inner voice and stop. "DO" what you can do. Accept the feeling then        move through it.

I did just that through most of my workouts last week. I tried it, couldn't do it, then kept going. By Tuesday I was ready to throw in the towel. I dragged to the workout but got there. By the Saturday I was struggling at the beach. Then on Sunday, as if it wasn't hard enough, Anthony added a resistance band training tool to the mix. I let go of the inner conversation and talked myself through my ability to do it. 

You to can reach great heights with a change of thought. You can reach your goal. You can do it all.

Here's to staying empowered.

Sweet Saturday

Being able to claim I gained weight back and declaring I am not afraid made all the difference this week. There were also various factors that came into play. 

1. #theworkout intensive requires a weekly check-in. I am honest and openly share my struggles.

2. Seeing a picture of me at 238 pounds last year and 238 pounds this year was encouraging. I focus on my triumphs and not my failures.

3.  The last cementing factor. I witnessed a horrible accident on Monday morning. It was a truck pulling out of a driveway. He took a risk and took a turn out. His slow movement makes me believe he doubted the move. He clipped a car that spun out and almost hit me. He cut a corner and came out loosing. My point: you can't cut corners.

So this week I kept track. I stuck to tracking and the outcome was a 5.4 loss.

Yay! Here's to staying strong!

Sweet Saturday

At my weight watchers meeting with a -.8 loss. It is not a lot but I'm down and not up!

I keep moving forward.

88. Still working.

I reached the 100 pound mark last week. By Friday morning I was at 101.

I'm was being very good about all of my meals but I let loose for the 4th and boy am I feeling it. I'm still stuffed and it's been at least 16 hours since I put food in my mouth. No joke.

I started the day by planning my meals and making sure I had all fo the right foods and an arms reach.  By 2p the plan was out the window.

Good thing today is a new day and I could dust off and make good choices. One day at a time I say. :)

Saturday Special

WORK-OUT

Vertigo gave me the sads. I was  unable to complete more work-outs after Wednesday. Not being able to complete the work-outs made me want to hide. Then I just craved the activity. So today I got up with a can do attitude and thought, I do not care if I get vertigo, I'm doing it! I got two spin outs during ROAR and 1 during yoga. I took the time to stop, recover and push. I gave it my best, was safe and I feel great.

FOOD INTAKE

Food the last couple weeks have been KEY. I am following Weight Watchers (WW) and tracking points. I'm getting good at it. I'm also finding areas where I can cut consumption. I lost 3 pounds with minimal activity: worked from home all week and one work-out session. I added Recipes I created for my favorite meals below.

Lemon Cilantro Chicken 

3 Boneless Chicken Breast (split)
1 cup of lemon juice (fresh)
1/2 cup of rice vinegar
1/2 cup onion (chopped)
1 cup of chopped cilantro
4 garlic cloves (minced)
2 tbl spoons of olive oil
1 tbl dried oregano (crushed)*
1 tbl dried parsley (crushed)*
lemon zest of one lemon
salt and pepper to taste
*fresh is always best! 2tbls if herbs are fresh.

Mix all of the contents for marinade in a bowl. Add the chicken and make sure it is covered. Let sit for 10 minutes and mix contents. Then let sit for another 10 minutes and grill.
The chicken can be marinated for less time if you're in a......rush! 

Zucchini Saute

3 Zucchini (sliced and halved)

4 Tomatoes (big chunks)

1/2 a medium purple onion

1 tbs olive oil

white pepper to taste

Lemon spice blend to taste

Cilantro(Finley chopped) 

Mix the herb and spices for a blend. Make it to your taste. Put aside.

Heat pan. Add oil and start with the onions. Give it a few seconds before adding the zucchini.  Add zucchini and mix well.  Add tomato and mix for a while but no too much so the vegetables remain crisp (2-4 min).

Pour vegetables in bowl and season. Mix until all of the vegetables are seasoned.  Serve.

I had the chicken and zucchini with brown rice. If you do not have all of the items in the recipe then mix it up. Use another type of vinegar or add another herb. Make things your own and trust yourself. 

To creating yummy recipes!

Feels Good.

All of the planning, food prep and work-outs are paying off. Today I weigh 237.1 lbs. and I'm so excited. 

Here is to meeting the goal. :D 

Working hard

I'm still keeping the pace. I'm down to 252 lbs and I am happy! Happy because I think that with this same dedication I will be able to meet the weight loss goal I set for my birthday. I just need to stay committed. 

Doing it! 

Day 24. Nine Years Ago.

Outfit Details.
Dress size 2x from Torrid Summer Season 2013.
Sweater size 2x from Torrid Summer Season 2012.
Shoes Franco Sarto Summer Season 2013.

Today I weight exactly what I weighed on my wedding day, 258 pounds. It is not skinny, it is not fit but it is the weight I'm comfortable in. Strange I know. 

Does this change the goal? No. Does this mean I would have preferred to be another size on my wedding day? Not sure. All I know is that I am the smallest I've been in 9 years and its an awesome way to celebrate my nuptials and recent accomplishment. 

My husband and I will not be celebrating our anniversary today since he is out if town on business. Instead we will go away for the weekend. So tonight I will work out. The first work out since Saturday. I'm really looking forward to it. :D

Day 22. Results and Rest.

Yes, I am noticing results. The loose clothing and ongoing compliments are not enough. I want more, and by more I mean numbers. Below are my stats:

Current Weight: 259.7
Weight on 7/16: 263
Weight on 6/26: 269.2

Current Fat Percentage: 40.3%
Fat Percentage on 07/01: 46%

I have not worked out since Saturday. I am currently sick with a cold/flu so I pushed myself on Saturday after skipping two work-outs during the week. Well, I should have continued to rest instead because now I'm worse. I decided to rest on Sunday and I'm playing today by ear. I shall soon find out.

The upside: I'm feeling great about my results. I'm going to continue to push myself but I'm allowing my body to go through the motions of a cold/flu. To better health.

Weight

I weighed my self yesterday and I'm at 269.2. I will measure myself this weekend. XD I'm also on day 3 of working it (walking for an hour).