SUMMER MOOD CHALLENGE

WHAT IS THE SUMMER MOOD CHALLENGE?

The SUMMER MOOD CHALLENGE is a week-by-week program for physical activity 

and positive habitual changes in nutrition. The small weekly changes lead to consistency and maintain motivation. The small achievable goals will, with time, 

help individuals adapt to a healthy active lifestyle. 

The SUMMER MOOD CHALLENGE started on 06/12 and is designed as a 12-week program. 

Individuals are encouraged to complete as many as the suggested activities/exercises.

I have some SURPRISES, GIVEAWAYS and SPECIALS for 

people who start to engage and share their progress on my IG @kikiworks_2werkit.

HOW ARE YOU TRACKING WHAT WE DO?

Checking in daily would be optimal but we each get busy with routines. Your results will

start to show as the SUMMER MOOD CHALLENGE progresses. 

Share with the GROUP via IG as you put in work for the CHALLENGE. 

Encourage one another with before and afters.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO DO?

1. Share your pictures, your progress and #SUMMERMOODCHALLENGE

2. Practice healthy eating. This could include half-portions, no sodas, no dessert, 

balanced portions, and/or clean eating. 

3. Follow the activity posts each week. If you want to do more, go ahead but remember

the point is to build consistency not to burn out and stop.

HOW ARE YOU MEASURING RESULTS?

You will be measuring your own results. You can use various methods but be sure to record them. 

They could be size in clothing, measurements, pounds, activity you are able to do vs. one you couldn't complete. 

WHY ARE YOU DOING IT?

I am building. I was operating at a high level of activity and I was enjoying myself 

tremendously. Mainly because I was able to go places and do things without constantly feeling

tired. I am working towards that level of activity again. I know that will take some work. 

My payoff will be to climb the ruin pictured above in COBA for my birthday in October.

Here's to LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST.

Bye 2015. Hello 2016.

I woke up early on 01/01/15 eager to conquer 2015. I started the year with the Hollywood Sign Hike. A Hike which ended with an agreement to register for the Tough Mudder Challenge with Los Game Changers. It also led to regular hikes, 5K;s and other races for training.

By June, I had 8 long distance hikes, 4 5k's, and one Tough Mudder under my belt. My inspiration wheel was rolling high and no amount of weight gain was keeping me down. I had experienced vertigo with more frequency but I was not allowing it to stop me. I was still "functional".

The community was also inspiring me to continue. I responded to regular questions, assisted people as best as I could and created three groups for people to continue with their fitness goals. There was the Conditioning Series and the Yoga 6-week workshop series; sessions were hosted at different locations with fitness experts. The hiking trips were free to all who were interested.

By July my vertigo had taken a different turn. My light dimmed and there was inconsistency with healthy eating and exercise. I was in a slumber for several months. By October I was ready to start to work on ways to make this functional. I was able to drive again and I was gaining confidence it day to day tasks.

I rise.

I stand tall as I face my 2016 Goals.

-Build Strength and flexibility
-Take it Day by Day
-Eat Healthy. Without Guilt.
-Practice Positive Self-Talk
-Practice Love and Kindness
-Cultivate New and Old Relationships
-Create a Peaceful Environment

Measurable Results
-Follow Continuous Yoga Practice
-I can do the splits!
-Climb the Pole
-Complete 2-Tough Mudders
-Complete 1 - 1/2 marathon
-Complete 1- marathon
-Complete 1 - spartan sprint

Renew
-Vacation in Cancun
-Vegas Trip
-Grand Canyon Trip
-Camping Trip
-NYC Trip
-Vacation in Caribbean

$ave. Be Aware. Be Present.

Enjoy.

Renew

I created the #kikiworksphotochallenge in order to get back on track. I invisioned people posting pics that would help motivate and inspire. I stated it was a movement of solidarity to get me back on track. I viewed it as my way of digging me out of an old pattern I saw brewing.

People joined...some held on and by day 13 there was only me. ME. The source of my journey. The source of my growth. The old me would be upset because they left me hanging. The new me understands everyone is doing there best in life. The new me also finds it perfect.

Why? It was the 13th day of the #kikiworksphotochallenge my lucky number; a guide of sorts that it all happens a certain way for a reason. To shed light on the obvious. It is up to me and only me to make the change. To take ownership of my journey. Which alighned with the plans and convos I had yesterday.

Yesterday Eden from befreeology.com came over for an in home meal consultation. She did a pantry check, I passed, and we talked frig talk. We got to the nitty gritty and I openly discussed my bad and good eating habits. We set up a grocery list and I stocked my new frig with nothing but good foods.

The 14 day workout plan I created 2 weeks ago, was of course, a bit much for me. I gave my workout weeks the best I could. I fell short of my weekly goals. So I also created a more realistic goal for the next two weeks with Eden yesterday.
-->3 days on the stationary bike for at least 5 miles and 2 sets of resistance bands circuits.
--> 4 sessions of yoga (@ least 20 min each)
-->1 callenetics session (i added this today)

I will stick to the 14 day model for now.

I'm heading out to a party today. Pushing myself out the door because it is important I stay connected. My attitude about food is different and I will be practicing concious eating again.

I thank you for reading my journey. I wish you much joy in all you do. Have a wonderful Sunday beautiful.

True Thursday

SHARING IS CARING

Three people shared their stories with me this week. They each shared about where they were in their journey. Some mentioned the transitions they have experienced and what they have learned about themselves in the process. One person touched on the difficulty of sharing but felt she needed to talk to me. The other shared about the avoidance of feeling pain and how food helped her numb it all. Then there was the share about life's unexpected changes and how to cope with it all. Each share ended with a big thank you for sharing and providing positivity.

What these three people did not know was I was aching too; questioning, fighting and having difficulty sharing. I was pushing to stay positive but feeling like I was failing. Then just as the light seemed dim, they appeared.

FEELING THE PAIN

Being sick is never fun. Not knowing what my body is doing can be frustrating and even builds anger. - Vertigo spins, dizzy spells, constant colds, fever days and nauseous moments take a toll. -They discourage me and make me seek comfort foods for "soothing". Bad habits creep in...Bread, lovely fluffy bread. Lemonade, sweet and tangy lemonade. "Papas"...mmmmm...give me some creamy "papas". Then my body craves good foods so I go back to good eating. But the back and forth and the tastes, here and there, ADD UP. They also send my body into confusion mode.

Mental games relating to fears about people invading my space and touching me inappropriately became real for me in February. He called it playful, I call it disrespectful and uninvited. Threats of slapping and boxing him for his unwarranted advances were made. He stopped and brushed it off as "friendly" men behavior. I called it, "unpleasant I am going to slap you the next time" behavior. It is this type of behavior that triggers something deep in my being. It puts me in a panic. It caused a down spiral effect and furthered my already frustrated and angered state of mind. It brought mindfulness to a halt.

Daily stressors from work and family life only add to the mix. Not being able to voice what I am thinking or making errors sends me into a frenzy. I like to manage things and plan. With time I have been able to cope with unforeseen changes with flexibility. However, when I am the cause of the error or I am ignored, well I do not do so well with it and over think the correction process. I seek balance by surrounding myself with positive affirmations. In February, my affirmations were not enough. It all took a toll and the negativity added up. It added up to a 10 pound gain in a month! Yes, "taste" eating, fear from past triggers, and stress from day to day living put a 10 pound dent on my goal. My light was dim.

THE AFTERMATH: FOCUS ON LOVE

Regardless of how ill I felt. I kept going. I kept going to workout when I could. I stayed active for as long as I could. It resulted in a little over 29 hours of activity. While I was at home making myself wrong for not doing more...I did not consider I was doing as much as I could. Old habits will creep with ease and so can disease. While I may not know the cause of this cycle of vertigo. I can do my best to manage it. The doctor may not be able to provide insight to the cause but I can search for alternatives to create balance.This means sticking to clean eating and soothing with other things like music, reading, yoga, a massage etc. I practice self-love with lovable actions. I have done it before. I can do it again.

Remaining Mindful can be tough when I am trying to forget acts that are part of my past. Forgetting the past is not possible. Forgiving past acts is doable. Remaining rooted in my being and connecting with my inner strength is key. People's behavior will not impact the core of my being and I manage this with mindfulness. - I cannot escape with food. I cannot escape my power. There is no escaping me. - Instead I choose to focus on the support system I have created. The people who share their stories and tell me I inspire their journey. I focus on all the good in my life and remain grateful for the positive opportunities that surround me. I choose to focus on the bigger picture : a world full of endless positive possibilities and love.

We all have trials. We all have stressors. We also have a choice to deal with those negative occurrences with grace. I know I have grown leaps and bounds in the last five years. I also know I must remain humble and grounded for I do not know what my future holds. I create light around me and no matter the struggle I tell myself it will get better. It all works out for my higher good. Above all I choose to lift those around me too.

LIGHT

I need it. So I come clean to create anew. I remain true to the goal of a healthy me. I am human and share to bring light to you. Together we all make things much brighter.

Here's to making a positive imprint in our  life's journey. Much love to you.

Lent: The time of year...

...when I gain the most weight.

This is the time of year when I GAIN, GAIN, GAIN. The time of year when I say, "oh my mom only makes this during lent so I must have it." 

NOT THIS YEAR

This year I have a 12-week challenge. This year I am committed more than ever. This year I BELIEVE I can meet GOAL.

THIS YEAR

I am going to engage in only the positive behaviors of my lent traditions. I will volunteer and share myself with others. Do good for others.

THIS YEAR

I am also going to do something I have not done for years during lent. I am giving up something: I am giving up the story that I am meant to be fat. I am giving up my fear associated with being anything other than who I truly am: a happy and loving person full of life.

THIS YEAR

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Oct. 2013

I am going to meet goal. I am clear my day to day "sacrifices" i.e. behavioral modifications, the hard work-outs, the amount of times I say, "NO", when I'm offered something unhealthy; are all for a greater good.

THIS YEAR

I am owning my greatness and sharing myself with others. I am going to mentor at risk-teens and live a life of purpose.

To reflecting, sacrificing and doing good for others. 

Happy New Year! This is the one...

...the year I'm working hard to reach the goal. My challenges and trials in 2013 allowed me to see I can loose weight, eat healthy, and make good choices no matter what obstacle is in my life.

I have another 100-110 pounds to loose and I plan to reach said goal by 8/1 before my trip to Ecuador. I have set ambitious mini-goals including outings or events that will require a certain amount of strength, courage and focus. As always I give myself the space to alter the goal depending on the actual life events. 

Current Weight: 244.8

Current Size: 18

Mini Goals Timeline

2/28: 200lb #46by228 (-44.8)

3/1: ride a bike w/no fear

4/12: White River Rafting - Camping

6/13: 160lb #hotbysumma (-40)

6/14: Muddy Cheer Challenge

6/2014: Learn to Skate

7/4: Red, White and Blue half-marathon

8/1: 140lb #imatgoal (-20)

8/2: Galapagos Island Hiking Adventure

9/13: start Wonder Woman costume 

9/27: muck fest mud run 

10/04: Pin-up Photo Shoot 2014 

10/13: day off to ride my first Harley.

11/9: Santa Barbara Marathon

12/6: Spartan Race

To new ventures, good health and giving it my all. 

Trusting the process.

I have been on a binge since Wednesday. After each meal or snack I'd say this is the last one. However, I kept at it. Eating what I wanted with no tracking of calories. I also skipped work outs. I have been to lazy and uncommitted for more. Why? Because when I weighed and measured my fat % on the first of the month, I found out there was no change! None. Zilch. Nada. 

At first I kept pumping myself up trying to remind myself of my weight loss triumphs and achievements. I was trying not to over think instead I did just that and I quickly disregarded it all; the additional size I went down, how much thinner my arms look, how much my waist is slimming or the large amount of compliments I get daily. 

I just shut down and for five days I lived in disappointment, discouraged and complete gluttony. While I said each day was the last...it wasn't. I kept at it. I knew I was starting the fit4fall challenge tomorrow. So part of me excused it with that and the other part of me knew I was just cheating. The guilt was fueling my shame which in turn caused me to eat again. The over eating cycle.

Well. I'm not feeling sorry for myself because I'm allowed to be human. I'm done making myself wrong. Instead I'm getting up, dusting off, and pushing forward. Acknowledging  the behavior is the first step to being able to make a change.

There is nothing wrong, i'm not bad and i'm simply accepting the process. I'm moving forward and I'm pushing for the size 16 by 10/12. Declared. It's time for change.

I'm a size 18!

All the hard work is paying off. I'm down another size. I haven't worn a size 18 in 11 years!

I'm happy, motivated and proud. Tonight I will celebrate with some pool time and pole class.

To achieving goals. 

Day 31. For the LOVE of Birthdays & NEW Workout Wednesday.

My Birthday is in 60 days. I have declared in the past that my goal is to get down to 200lbs. This is largely due to doctors orders and to try to get pregos. I hope to continue an active lifestyle while pregnant and continue my weight loss journey to 145lbs post pregnancy and delivery. --- So that is the big picture.

But what is really motivating me now? What is the “mini-goal” before the 58 lbs.? Well, that’s what I’m sharing about today. The mini-goal is to look as good as possible, even as a plus-size woman, for a pin-up photo shoot I have scheduled the day before my birthday. I want to look as good as possible but I will do it no matter my size. A big part of this process is self-love and self-acceptance. At the end of the day, I love the woman I am today and it is why I am working on getting healthy. My mini-goal is listed below:

My Mini-Goal to reach by 10/12

Weight: 240 lbs.

Body Fat Percentage: 30% body fat.

Current Stats

Weight: 258 lbs.

Body Fat Percentage: 40.3%

In order to achieve this I need to work out harder, plan more meals, stop drinking alcohol and limit my outings during the week. I will remain flexible and stop myself when I am being too rigid and/or when my body needs to rest.

Work Out Information

Current work outs

• Burning at least  700 calories a day.
• Activities include: stationary bike, elliptical, yoga, dance, and callanetics.
• I allow my body to rest when necessary. Usually due to illness.

New Work Out Schedule

• Burning at least 700 calories a day.
• Activities include: stationary bike, elliptical, yoga, dance, weight lifting, and callanetics.
• I will be following a daily work out schedule through the end of this month.  
• Monday: Yoga, 45-60 min.cardio, Callanetics and Pole Dancing
• Tuesday: Yoga and Dance Class (choreographed dance)
• Wednesday: Yoga, 15 min. Cardio, and Weight Training.
• Thursday: Yoga, 45-60 min.cardio and Pole Dancing
• Friday: Yoga, Body Blast, 15 min. Cardio, and Weight Training.
• Saturday: Yoga, Callanetics, Pole Dancing and 45-60 min. cardio*(Cardio Optional ) *
• Sunday: Body Blast, 15 min. cardio, and meditation.
• I allow my body to rest when necessary. Usually due to illness. 

I will be sharing work out details on each day for the next week. I will also include details about my weight training on what is now WORKOUT WEDNESDAY. On Wednesday’s I will be meeting with a trainer that will provide a weight lifting work out that I will repeat on my own each Friday and Sunday. I will share today’s work out information on Friday when I write about the work out details for the day. 

To Good Planning.

**LATE POST DUE TO DETAILED PLANNING**

 

Working through it

The fun has just begun. I'm staying active and I'm doing what feels right for my body. So far I have lost 6lbs. I couldn't be happier but I'm getting close to my danger zone. It is when I usually stop for fear of what is next. Fear of a certain type of appearance and the followed attention.

This time it is different. I am working through it because in the end what I really want is to be healthy.

Stats: 263
Work-out so far: At least one hour of activity a day.
New work-out goal: Burn at least 700 calories a day.

let's work it out

 

I realize you may not be able to read the calendar notes BUT I tried. Just like I tried to work-out for the entire month and at some point it fell out of existence. ---> more like "I don't have time", started to get in the way. What now? Well I learned a few things 1) I was able to maintain during Easter because I was being active and 2) I feel a whole lot better when I'm exercising.  My Goal for May is to keep up the routine.

Scribbles, colors and what they mean:

• Pink - Pole Dancing Class 1hour and 45 min. The class consists of warm-up, stretching, core strengthening, pole instruction (dance routines) and cool-down. 
• Blue - Zumba 20 min. It's dancing to salsa, merengue and cumbia rhythms. I use this as my cardio on xbox kinect. I like to follow along as the system scores my activity points.
• Orange - Callenetics 1 hour. This was recommended by a friend that has a GREAT body. It's small muscle movements that make a huge difference. There is also a lot of stretching involved. I took pictures before starting callenetics and will post them after my 20th hour. 
• Purple Stars - These are extras and activities I started with a few months back. 20 min on dance central (an xbox kinect game) and 2 miles with Leslie Sansone, a work out DVD. 

Another goal is to try and find a system where I can share with ease and minimal confusion. :D

ONE...or is it 66.4?

Weight is deeply rooted in the story of my life, or so it seems. I've been overweight since about the fourth grade and started dieting by the fifth grade. The patterns of weight loss have always been the same, loose a bunch, gain a bunch more. When I want to loose it I work hard and then at some point, (circle your preferred word), I give-up/stop/procrastinate/get to confident/get scared/just stop.

This time it's different. I'm not overly confident about the reasons why but it feels different. I've lost 51.6 pounds in the last two years and while the change hasn't been fast and dramatic; it is a change I feel good about. This is usually where I stop though. When I feel comfortable with how I feel but scared about all the changes my body will go through. So now I will be sharing myself with you. I will share stories and occurences of my past, present and future. There is no master plan just a first goal. The first goal is to loose 66.4 pounds by my birthday on October 13th. Why 66.4? Doctor's orders.

This will allow me to improve upon my overall health and then hopefully start a family.