Let's Start Over...

I do believe the title speaks for itself...

I haven't been to the gym in "only God knows when".  And guess what?  I actually miss it!  My body had gotten used to the daily cardio workout and the long jogs on the treadmill.  I plan to hit the gym up, for the first time in MONTHS, after work tomorrow.  I'm going to "AIM" to hit the gym in the AM before work. I recall my days being more productive and energetic when I worked out in the mornings versus the evenings. I'll have to see how my hair holds up though. **I can't go to work looking like a sweated out freak of nature.**  I'm SO excited...

I've been eating everything under the sun and the numbers on the scale are definitely telling the story.  This morning I weighed in at 215.  It was just September that I was 203...and just November that I was 205.  And, I seriously feel/can see the difference.  This goes to show...maintaining weight loss and healthy eating/physical activity habits is a lifetime commitment...and just as soon as you fall off track and forget the commitment to yourself - your progress will slowly go down the drain.  NO MORE...

To jump start my re-commitment I'm trying out the Special K Challenge.  The concept - replace 2 meals per day with a serving of Special K cereal/milk AND fruit or a Special K protein meal bar AND fruit; eat one meal per day as you normally would (healthy of course); incorporate 2 snacks per day (Special K snack bars, SK chips, SK crackers, etc); and eat unlimited amounts of fruit and veggies.  For breakfast I had a bowl of Special K Red Berry cereal.  It was surprisingly very tasty.  I also ate an apple.  For my mid-morning snack I had some of the herb seasoned SK crackers.  One serving is 17 crackers (they are tiny) - but the hit the spot!  I'm thinking about having lunch as my "normal" meal of the day...and replacing breakfast and dinner with the cereal or protein bar.  We'll see how that goes. 

Let's Get IT!  Day 1...

60 Whole Days, and Not a Word From Me...

It has been 60 whole days since my last blog post...and I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOO embarrassed! 

It seems like life just took off in a few different directions, and I was busy with vacationing, loving, eating, chilling, reading, running my mouth, etc....so much so that I forgot all about blogging!  Well, I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!

Let me catch you up on a few things...

1.)  I had the opportunity to take a 7 day cruise to 5 different Caribbean islands back in October.  Talk about fun in the sun!  Wooo Hooo!  It was a great time aboard ship with my family and friends.  Talk about FOOD, FOOD, and more FOOD!  If I hadn't maintained "control" I'd probably be wobbling on weak knees right about now!!  Although I enjoyed the cruise and the quality time spent wit those that I love, I'm not interested in cruising the Caribbean again anytime soon.  I prefer something a bit more exotic.  Did I mention I purchased a pair of diamond earrings while there?! Note: Even though I think I moved too fast, I wanted to buy something to compliment my birthday gift - see #2 below.

2.)  I'M IN LOVE!  I'm in a really really really happy place with my relationship.  I couldn't ask for a better partner, friend, supporter, lover, confidante, comedian.  I feel so blessed to have HIM in my life. 1.5 years in and still going strong!  Did I mention  the BF gave me a beautiful diamond journey pendant my recent birthday?! 

3.)  :(  I haven't been to the gym in damn near a month...maybe two.  Luckily, I have still been managing to eat a fairly healthy diet and have not gained any major weight.  I'm currently fluctuating between 204 and 206.  THAT may be another story entirely after Thanksgiving.

4.)  The holidays are here!  Thanksgiving and Christmas are my most favorite times of the year!!  I cannot wait to decorate my home and spread more holiday cheer!!

Gotta run!  I'll be in touch soon!! 

30...

Exactly one week ago today, I was blessed to celebrate my 30th Birthday!!  Talk about a major milestone.  Months/weeks/days leading up to "The Big 3-0" I admittedly had a bit of anxiety.  You know the mild fear that comes along when you aren't quite sure what to expect.  OMG, will I feel like an old lady and not have the energy to do fun stuff anymore, exactly how much harder will it become to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, am I really satisfied with the work that I do everyday and can I do this the rest of my life...and oh, wait a second - yep, I'm still single with lingering hopes of one day starting a family.  So all of those things ran through my head at least once as I pondered my upcoming birthday.  But whew, when I woke up on the morning of the 15th of September 2010, I had an inexplicable amount of peace, calm, acceptance, confidence, joy, hope, and love that surrounded me and filled me from inside out.  Talk about one helluva feeling to have as I kissed my 20s goodbye, and greeted my 30s with a happy and joyful, HELLO!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!

I was able to enjoy a "girls getaway" with some friends to Miami the weekend prior to my birthday...followed by an entire week of paid time off from work during the week of my birthday. I had the opportunity to have fun, relax, and most importantly do some serious thinking.  Its hard to explain but I've almost felt myself morph into a different being over the course of the last few weeks.  I've had a few revelations that have impacted friendships.  I've realized that the love shared between myself and "my boo" is much stronger than I've previously given credit for.  And finally, I've been reminded that life is all about what we make it...for we are the ones in control of our destiny.

Moving right along...

My 29th year was an awesome year.  There were a ton of great things that happened to me and to the ones i love.  What stands out, for the first time in a while, I totally let loose and LIVED like I wanted to live.  And as I embark on my 30th year of life, there are a number of habits/things that I want to learn/do/keep that will further bring me balance and continue to enrich my life.  I have struggled with quite a few of these items for years, so it will be no easy task...but with perseverance and the goal of becoming a better and more well rounded person, I pray for the strength to stick them through.  Here goes...

1.  Make time to meditate and pray daily
2.  Exercise daily and maintain a healthier lifestyle
3.  Treat myself to a home cooked meal (prepared by myself) at least once per week
4.  Pick up the phone and/or a Pen and make contact with loved ones
5.  Do not speak negatively (about anybody, anything - regardless of the circumstance) 
6. Spend more time with my family
7.  Develop plans and stick to them (personal goals, professional goals, etc.)
8.  Become a licensed CPA
9.  Explore my creative juices more by blogging and scrap booking regularly (and whatever else comes up)
10.  Be on time (for everything)
11.  TRAVEL
12.  LIVE...we only get once chance.

Learn it, Live it, Love it!!

YES WE CAN!!

I am feeling on fire this morning!!!  We're finally in September - my absolute most FAVORITE month of the year; the weather is nice and breezy, my mom is in town for a visit, AND I weighed in at 207 on yesterday!!  I had been stuck, or so it seemed, around fluctuating between 210 and 214 or so for a little while.  When I stepped on the scale at the doctor's office on yesterday, I could've jumped for joy!  I almost reached out and hugged the nurse!  I'm so excited about what is yet to come...

So, you guys know my "revised" goal for my 30th birthday is to be down to at least 200...preferably below.  Currently weighing in at 207, I only have 7 more pounds to go...over a span of 11 days!  I have no fear that I will be able to conquer these 7 lbs head on!!  And, I have no fear that all of YOU out there will be able to conquer all of your mini and long term goals, fearlessly, head on, no ifs ands or buts about it!!  YES WE CAN!!!

BTW - I have been sooooo bad when it comes to working out.  I haven't worked out consistently in a while.  But first thing tomorrow morning (after church) I plan to get in some major cardio! 

I hope you guys have a Happy and Safe Labor Day Weekend!!

20lbs going, going, GONE!!

Oh wow, its been such a long time since I've last blogged...and oh how I've missed it!!  I've had so much going on lately, but pretty soon things will be back to normal.  My bootcamp ended back in July.  I stuck it out, but my results weren't as great as expected.  In hindsight, I probably should've saved my money and continued to go at it on my own.  Although I haven't been working out as frequently as I was during bootcamp, I am still very much aware of the foods that I put into my body. 

BUT, even with all of my inconsistencies...today I weighed in at 210lbs.  I've finally dropped my first 20lbs since starting this journey back in May!!!

I am extra proud because I know that this weight loss has been very "real".  And what I mean by real is that ...there are no quick fixes, true acceptance that reaching and maintaining my goal requires a definite change of lifestyle, and I'm not depriving myself of anything - just eating everything in moderation.  I have no fears that the weight will come right back, because I'm trying to do this the "right way".  I'm still hoping that I'll be down to 200 (or under) by my 30th birthday.  That brings me to "that" subject...

I will be 30 years old in less than 30 days!!!  Where did the time go?!  On September 15th, the sun will set on my 20s and "The Dawn of A New Era" will begin.  I've been truly blessed in a lot of ways, but nonetheless, getting older still makes you wanna grab the reigns on life and scream WHOOOOAAAAAAAAAA BOY, SLOW DOWN!!!  So, with that comes a lot.  I have to renew my driver's license.  Side Note:  I cant wait to take a new picture!!  I actually feel pretty "young" today.  I don't know if its because of the excitement of making progress with weight loss...or if its because I've really embraced and absolutely love my new look (got my hair cut really short and added highlights) or what!  No doubt, I'm loving it all!!

So, I haven't taken my measurements in some while...maybe I'll do that in the AM.  I can't wait to get off work, so I can hit the gym hard.  Did I mention I have a new passion for running on the treadmill??  Something I never thought I'd enjoy doing...but no better way to feel thinner than to get a good run in!  LOL!!!

Doing the Happy Dance!!

I got a feeling...a really good feeling...that July is going to be a pretty good month.  I woke up this morning, after a long night of rest...with a few things weighing heavily on my mind.  Most of them in the "love" department, but nonetheless - when things don't go the way that you'd wished and hoped sometimes you just have to pause and rethink a few things.  But enough about what I can't control, right?  Check this... 

I didn't make it to boot camp today...just didn't feel like crawling out of bed.  Sidebar:  I promise that I'll hit the gym tonight and get a good workout in...and resume my boot camp program in the AM.  So, I showered and dressed for work.  I put on the same slacks that I've been wearing all along...and decided to wear a button down that I hadn't worn in about a year.  I had to do a double take in the mirror though...because I could tell a NOTICEABLE difference in the way my clothes fit!!  No, they weren't sagging off of me, but they were MUCH looser than they'd ever been...and the blouse actually had a comfortable fit.  The last time I wore this blouse you could see every lump, dump, and roll in my upper body...it was just too tight.  But not today...it fit normal!!  So I had to do my happy dance...

The end of my week last week was pretty rough, not having gotten the results that I was hoping for...I was feeling a bit down.  But, its a mighty good feeling knowing that I didn't give up, and despite it being a holiday weekend, I still ate healthy and according to plan.  Things may not always come when we want them...but they definitely come right on time.  And today of all days, I really needed a pick me up just like the one I received when I noticed my hard work and discipline was beginning to pay off!!  And then on top of that, I get to work and a co-worker says to me "Are you losing weight"?  I was quick to say, "yeah a little"...trying to sound like it wasn't a big deal...when really I wanted to jump and shout and say - OH YOU CAN SEE IT TOO?!?!?!  LOL!! 

This is a new day, a new week, a new month...I know without a doubt that I am destined and deserving of so much more greatness and progress...in love and in life.  Never settling for second best, one swig of water right after the other, LET'S GET IT!!

Total Disappointment...

Well, I'm not in the greatest of moods this morning.  I just returned from boot camp...today completing 3 weeks of the 6 week program.  This means that I'm halfway done.  Sooooooooooooooo, the trainers took everyone's weight and measurements today.  And my results were rather...disappointing...to say the least.

 I only lost 2 friggin pounds!!  My waist measurement remains the same.  I lost an inch or so in one thigh...the other thigh remained the same.  And I gained a half inch in one of my arms...the other remained the same.  As soon as I got on the scale the trainer immediately asked what I'd been eating.  According to him, with the way I've been working out and pushing myself I should have lost more.  He even went as far as saying that I move faster and work harder than anyone (at my size) in both the AM and PM sessions...and each of them lost about 8lbs within the first 3 weeks.  Sooooooooooo, I know this was a direct result of my poor food choices all last week.  I was almost so discouraged that I wanted to turn around and go home...but I worked out anyway.

I know, from experience, that when you eat right and exercise regularly the weight WILL come off.  Cheating here and there is not going to get it.  This takes really hard work.  And even though the 4th of July holiday weekend is here...I can't even slack off.  I HAVE to remain disciplined in my eating.  Oh well, let me get ready for work.  I don't feel like going there either!  But disappointing weight loss results and getting fired on the same day would make for a bad bad bad bad weekend.  LOL!!

I hope everyone has a Happy and Safe 4th of July!!!