6 week check-in

I've been making strides towards a healthier lifestyle for about 6 weeks now! One thing I've noticed is that so many others are still going strong with a healthier lifestyle as well!!! Could it be that 2013 is the year for us all to set fitness goals, eat healthy, and stick to it??  I am loving all of the support that I'm getting from my readers, my friends and family, and FB and IG friends!! You guys truly keep me motivated and inspired as I motivate and inspire you!

When I was at work today, I found a picture of myself on my computer from a school event in November. OMG talk about "this can't be life"!! My face was so round, it looked like a perfect circle! I'll have to e-mail the picture to myself and be sure to do some before and after pictures on here for you guys.

I don't know about y'all, but I love progress pics! I feel like it really gets people inspired because if that person can do it, I can do it too. When real people show you how they're coming along and how they are making changes for the better, it makes you see that weight loss and being healthy is truly an attainable goal!!  My coworker gave me a pair of shorts back in December that were absolutely too small for me. She told me to keep them and let them be my "goal" shorts! I'm proud to say they finally fit! I'll post pics of them this weekend (I plan to wear them out to celebrate my 29th birthday)!!

I've got a pretty busy week this week with work and some obligations after work, but I'm still getting it in with a workout and eating clean! I did my meal prep yesterday which is so essential especially when you know you're going to have a busy week!! That's one less thing you have to worry about when you prepare your meals ahead of time. I also have planned out when I'm going to workout since I know I have things going on after work all this week. It's always safe to keep your gym bag in your car for those just in case moments!

Today I had a babysitting job after work, but I brought my gym bag along with me even though I wasn't sure that I would have enough time to squeeze in a workout. To my pleasant surprise, I had plenty of time! I was really glad that I went to the gym because I was able to accomplish something that I had been working on! A girl I follow on Instagram posted a pic of her doing some ab work on a Bosu ball.  Here she is looking amazing and making this challenging move look easy.  She also has an amazing YouTube channel that I recommend you all checking out! She shares exercises she's doing, healthy snacks, shakes, meals, etc. Here's a link to her channel GETBODIEDBYJ.

The first time I did this, I rolled right off that Bosu ball like a fool!!! I was so embarrassed, but I was also determined to work towards accomplishing it. A trainer that I follow on Instagram suggested to me that I try to perfect the move on the ground or a flat bench first.  I've been doing some work with sit-ups and this move on the flat bench for the past couple of days to strengthen my core. Today, I tried the move again and I did it!!! I did 3 reps of it to be matter of fact!! I am so proud of myself and am ready to try it again tomorrow!!! Setting fitness goals gives us all something to work towards which makes working out fun and exciting! When you accomplish one, set another!! Watch yourself get stronger and stronger and accomplish things you never though you would ever be capable of doing!!

Let me know how things have been going for you! If you want to chat with me about tips for healthy eating or working out, e-mail me at road2bfit@gmail.com.

Pay attention....to successful people

As I have mentioned before, I began reading a book called Monday Morning Choices: 12 Powerful Ways to Go From Everyday to Extraordinary by David Cottrell back in December. When I first began reading this book, I got hooked on the first chapter because Cottrell used an example of how to commit to your exercise goals. I got hooked because that was something of interest to me. As the book goes on, he focuses on being successful at work or if you're trying to start your own business, but this book is very powerful and can be applied to any area of your life!!!

Monday Morning Choice #5 is called "The Do Something Choice...Don't Vacation on "Someday Isle".  This chapter pretty much encourages the reader to stop talking about it and do it! Don't keep putting things off and take full advantage of getting out there and doing what you want to do now! As the chapter comes to a close, Cottrell has a section titled "Pay Attention".  He starts by saying:

Finally, choose to do something that will make a difference.  

If you aren't happy with the way things are now, choose to do something about it.

He then goes on  to say something that really stood out to me and has stuck!! He says "one of the most important decisions you can make is to study what successful people do".  OMG...if you get that, it will totally change your life!! Just think about it, what he means by "successful people" doesn't mean just successful business people, or people with money, or people who seem to have it all together. Now those people fit into the category, but it doesn't stop with them. Anything you view as success is acceptable here. 

I have began studying the ways of people who successfully build their bodies! What I mean by "build their bodies" is people who have awesome bodies, but they have to and had to work at it!! Not just the girl who has been thin with killer arms since 8th grade (genetics are truly on her side) or the guy who is 6'4 and has had a six pack for as long as you could remember. I'm talking about those people who you know if they completely quit what they're currently doing, their bodies would change for the worse.  I have started studying what they're eating, how they're working out, how often they eat, how often they work out, etc. This has played a really large role in helping me in this journey to getting fit and staying fit.  

Yesterday while on Instagram (remember this is such a rich resource for getting new ideas), I saw two posts from two girls about an ab workout they were doing. Both girls showed pictures of their extremely defined abdominal area and posted the exercise they were currently working on. They also made it very clear to share that abs are made in the kitchen and NOT in the gym. One girl stated "I can't stress enough that I don;t care how strong your core is...if you're not eating right, you will NOT have the abs you want".  Now I've stated before that time after time I have heard that statement and have ignored it. It was easier for me to think if I put in hours at the gym, and did all kinds of hard core ab workouts, then eventually my abs would make an appearance as well.  Finally, I kept seeing over and over again that abs were made in the kitchen and that's when I said it was time to change my diet and to see what happens. I mean it couldn't hurt to try right? Well I'm proud to say that I'm pleased with the results I'm seeing. My abs are definitely not where I want them to be, but I know with consistency and dedication, I will have the desired look I want eventually.  

You could apply this concept of studying successful people to any area of your life. Maybe you have a hard time managing money. Or perhaps you have a hard time being on time.  You feel like you're an ineffective parent. You are struggling in your marriage or relationship. Whatever your case may be, open your mind to seeing what other people are doing in an area that you want to improve in and take notes! See how that works out for you! Remember to always stay open minded.  An open mind and a great attitude will take you farther than if you have the mindset that the people you're hoping to be like "think they're better than you".  They're probably not even thinking about you...you're the one who wants to be more successful in this area in your life! Follow people who are producing results with their actions...visible results....not people who say they're successful at something. Talk is super cheap, and we all know actions speak louder. 

Those girls I'm taking notes from on IG are totally making statements with their words, but they're bodies are backing those words up! 

Final recap tip from Cottrell:  "Study successful people. What choices have they made to help them reach their level of success?"  

The key word here folks is choices.  

Lent 2013

The Lenten season is upon us!! Lent is a 46 day period (40 not including Sundays) between Ash Wednesday and Easter which serves as a time for penitence and self-examination for all Christians. During this time, people choose things that they will give up having or doing as a sacrifice like chocolate, fast food, sweets, television, secular music, social media networks, etc.  This time is usually a time that brings Christians closer to God as they spend time in prayer and mediation. The 40 days of Lent are meant to be symbolic of the 40 days that Christ spent in the wilderness being tempted by Satan.

I have been participating in Lent since I was a teenager. It wasn't until 2009 that the Lenten period really changed my life and held a deeper meaning for me. During that time, I had gone through a period of brokenness.  I remember right before Lent started, my best friend asked me if I wanted to pray about it with her and I shot her a mean side eye along with a serious decline! I did not want to pray about anything. I didn't want to think about God and definitely didn't want to talk to him!

After pulling myself together, I realized that Lent was coming up and I hadn't chosen anything to sacrifice.  My mind was drawing a blank and I couldn't think of anything that would actually be meaningful.  It then dawned on me that I didn't have to "give up" something per se, but I could do something that would make me better.  I examined myself and realized that my prayer life was pretty much nonexistent other than when I would pray over food (which wasn't always a guarantee either).  I decided that for the Lenten season, I would pray twice/day to God to help me get through the brokenness. I guess my best friend prayed for me anyway that night, because praying two times every day weighed in on my heart even though I was totally opposed to prayer just days before.

At the end of those 40 days, I could tell there was a difference in me. I considered this time to be the when I really found Jesus in my heart. This was the beginning of the best relationship I've ever had....a real relationship with Jesus.  The relationship has grown stronger and stronger as the years have gone on, but that was the beginning of it all.  I had professed that I knew God and loved him prior to that date, but it wasn't genuine. It was kind of one of those things where you say you're a believer because you're afraid people would judge you for not being a believer. Funny how things work out, huh? I wouldn't say I wasn't a believer before, but I definitely had God on the back burner of my life and hit him up when it was convenient for me. Praying occurred only when I needed something or when I was in trouble. Prayers of thanksgiving were foreign, and I wouldn't dare go to church and show any form of praise if it meant other people would look at me funny.  Going to church was also something that was a chore and I often times found myself finding an excuse not to go especially if I had spent the night before partying and was too tired to get up and go. Years ago, this blog wouldn't have existed because I wouldn't have felt the need to share my testimony with anyone. Thanking God would have only occurred when something huge happened, but then again, I'd probably find some way to say it was all because of some human being and how they looked out for me, instead of God looking out for me.

My story still amazes me every time I think about it. I think about how far I've come and where I'm going. I think about how much my life has changed for the better now and how I'm so thankful that God stepped in and saved me even when I had no idea what was happening. Sometimes a period of brokenness is necessary to break you down to nothing so that God can get your attention to show you just how much you really do need him! Even when you don't understand it or think God is punishing you and is being unfair, it always works out for your good. The good times, the bad times, the times of uncertainty, all of these things build your testimony.

This year for Lent, I wanted to pass on some information that a friend of mine shared with me.  This came just in time and I felt like it was a wonderful tool to really learn about Lent and really draw closer to God! Even though Lent started yesterday, you can still get in on this and be richly blessed at the end of the 40 day period! Here is the link: Lent Guide 2013.  If you have a hard time with it, please let me know and I'll try to figure out another way to get it to you! The guide is from my friend's church! At the end of each week, I plan to update you guys on how my journey is going! Stay tuned!

Workout and Worship Wednesday 2/13/13

Hello everyone!! Today is another workout and worship Wednesday!

Did anyone do the workout from last week? If so, how did you like it? What about the scripture and song? I hope it has been a blessing in your life and that the workout got your heart rate up to burn tons of calories!!!

Today's scripture comes from the book of James. ² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:2-6.  I love this because it truly encourages me to push through hard times and it is assurance that God is always available to give us whatever we need to make it through! 

Today's worship song is He Reigns by Kirk Franklin! If you want to workout and listen to this song, it definitely jams!!! Get your praise and your workout on!!! Song of The Week  

This week's workout is another workout I saw posted in my gym. When I saw it, I was up for the challenge and decided I'd push you guys to take the challenge as well.

 

So we have here a countdown workout. Do as much of each suggested move as you can. Remember, don't sacrifice form just to say you did it! 50 jumping jacks with good form is better than 100 sloppy, half-butt jumping jacks! Take breaks if you need it, but don't break for too long.  You don't want your heart rate to get down too low.  The key is to keep the heart rate up because that is what burns calories! And that's the goal isn't it!!??  It took me about 30 minutes to do all of this (including the 10 minute run).  Give it all you've got and good luck!!!

I hope everyone is still going strong in their working out and clean eating!! Remember, progress is a slow process, but it's all worth it and every little bit counts!! Be great and have an awesome day!!!

1000 page views!!!

I'm currently at 1000 page views and I just want to say thank you all for your support!! When I began blogging a little under 2 months ago, I wasn't sure exactly where this thing was going to go. I was very interested in just jotting down a few thoughts here and there to share with a few friends.  

A few years ago, I started blogging and Blogger actually saves your blogs on one account. I read over a few of my posts from that blog and I was so embarrassed at the things I was talking about. It was pure foolishness so I deleted it all hoping no one had ever really read any of it. 

I'm so thankful for growth and for being able to be a blessing and inspiration in the lives of others! This is my goal in life! It truly does inspire me when I inspire others!! Thanks again for reading and please subscribe so that you never miss a post!! :) 

2 more weeks until "A-Day"!!!

Today marks approximately 2 weeks until my 29th birthday! This means it's been 5 weeks since I've been eating clean and working out consistently.  Now remember, I had been working out rather consistently before, but I hadn't started eating clean until after I got back from visiting my sister and brother-in-law for Christmas vacation.

So I've made it over that period of making something new a "habit" (21 days).  I must say, my new lifestyle is working out rather well! I have had some moments of frustration or lack of motivation, but I have pushed through reminding myself why I'm doing this. So initially, I decided to make this a 7 week "challenge" to prepare for my birthday.  I made a decision that I didn't want to just do this for my birthday, but that I would make this a lifestyle change. With that being said, highlighting that my birthday is coming up soon and relating it to my new lifestyle is really now irrelevant. I did want to at least give you guys some updates on how things have been going.  I have shared a few things in previous posts, but I will use this post to reflect on progression with my initial challenge.

The most enjoyable part of it all is the results I'm seeing! I have lost about 15 lbs since October.  I can't remember how much I weighed when I started the clean eating and the exercising together, but I will at least note my weight loss since I joined my gym. I am currently in the stage where other people are starting to notice the weight loss. Several people at work and others who don't follow me on Instagram and wouldn't know I was even doing all of this have commented.

I am enjoying working out and have so much more energy to just spring out of the bed at 5am to get a workout in before work. The only way I feel groggy is if I have stayed up later than my usual bed time. I value sleep so I try to get in bed no later than 10pm every night! That will probably change after a husband and kids, but for now that it's just me, I make it a goal to get in bed at my desired "bedtime".

I must keep it real though...preparing to eat clean has run it's level of frustration in my life at times. Now let me explain.  It's not the food that's the problem. It's planning everything out and preparing everything. Today I really struggled through my food prep.  I was getting annoyed with cooking all the food and just wanted to throw my hands up and say forget it! I secretly wanted to relive a life of convenience (only for a millisecond). Usually if I have an idea of what I'm going to make, it's not that bad.  Today, I was struggling with being sure I had everything I needed to make a complete meal.  I also noticed that I just went to the grocery store on Friday and I need to go back again soon...(like today or tomorrow).  After I finally finished cooking, I looked at all the dishes I needed to clean and thought to myself...AHHHHHHHH!!!

Ok now that that's out of my system...let me stop belly aching! Anything worth having is going to take hard work. I want a nice body and good health, so meal prep it is! If I fail to plan, then I'm ultimately planning to fail. Those are some very wise words to live by. I had to remember this throughout my day today.  I have come really far and have inspired so many people along the way. Giving up now is not an option. I suppose we're all entitled to a day of frustration and wanting to quit. Then it's back to the money!!

It'll all be worth it when I achieve my goals and I'm really happy about my progress!

Now on to my birthday....

I'm not doing anything specific to celebrate other than having dinner with some friends, but I'm still uber excited about turning 29!!! When I left church today, I just felt SO GOOD!! I attended my first new members class, met some new people, and I just felt amazing!!! It was such a great feeling and I just thought about how bright my future is appearing! I was also inspired by another fellow friend of mine and blogger to create a list of 30 things I want to do before I turn 30!! I thought of some things that I want to do, now all I have to do is do some research to be sure they are doable and I'll then publish a final list! What I mean by that is I roughly have about 54 weeks before my 30th birthday so if I put all kinds of high dollar things on the list like "travel to Asia", "buy a Louis Vuitton bag", "go shopping on Rodeo Drive", etc...whatever...then clearly on this teacher's salary that's not happening with only a year to get it done. I have some ideas of things I want to do that won't cost me anything, but there are a few things that will cost so I have to plan everything out. I want to be as realistic as possible all along with doing what I want to do most! If you can't tell...I'm a planner. I have to plan things out with just about everything (even when it frustrates me). I have some other friends who have done the same for their 30th birthdays and they are going to share their lists with me for ideas.  I figure I can start now and give myself a 2 week head start...no need to wait until my actual birthday! Stay tuned for the list!! :)

Keeping it real

Through this process of bettering myself and inspiring others, I have realized that being honest with others ultimately leads to truly being honest with myself. Both concepts can be challenging, but both are very necessary in order to grow.

I've been on the journey to living a healthier lifestyle for a few months now. It really started in January when I decided that I was not only going to exercise, but I was also going to eat right! It's so easy to go through life and talk about your successes, but the real test is in that moment of adversity, inconvenience, or even failure.

Last night I had some friends over for a girls night! I knew before they came that the menu items would be pizza from a local pizzeria, wine, and whatever other snacks the girls brought along with them.  I provided a sensible snack of spinach and kale Greek yogurt dip coupled with Gorgonzola oven baked crackers all from Trader Joe's. I was really excited about trying out these new snacks even though I wouldn't have purchased them for the house had it not been for the girls night. I had eaten a little bit before the girls showed up and I had planned to only have one slice of pizza and maybe one glass of wine. I had it all planned out! Unfortunately, by the time they arrived, I was hungrier than I had expected.  I chose the largest slice of pizza in the box for my first slice! I can't even tell you how much tortilla chips and hummus I consumed along with grazing over my own contribution to the party of the spin and kale dip w/ the Gorgonzola crackers. I also had two glasses of wine instead of the one that I had planned to have. I then helped myself to another slice of pizza (in which I found another larger slice in the box).

The real test came when it was time for my friends to leave. I noticed they were leaving, but didn't take the leftover pizza with them. I stopped them at the door with the box in my hand asking them to take it with them, BUT they insisted that I keep it. Oh my.....eeekkkk!!! I accepted the box of 6 huge slices of cheese pizza and said my good-byes to my friends. As I closed the door still holding the box, I thought about what I was really going to do with it. One thing about me is that I hate to waste food. I knew keeping the pizza would be counterproductive to my new healthy lifestyle, but I was torn. So I put the pizza in the refrigerator and went upstairs to get ready for bed.

You might be thinking, this is ridiculous that she's going back and forth in her head about this dag gone pizza...JUST EAT IT OR THROW IT AWAY! Simple right!? NO! IT'S NOT! I really struggled with this decision because I told myself, I could just eat off the pizza for a few days and eat it in "moderation".  I also thought about freezing it and saving it for another day when I felt like indulging. Then I thought about how far I've come.  I thought about my old ways of thinking.  Thinking that I could just eat what I wanted, then go work it off in the gym.  I thought of my goals. I thought of all of you who I have inspired to keep going! I finally went to bed and let my thoughts settle.  When I woke up in the morning, I had decided that I would discard the box of pizza. Before I could give it anymore thought, I went downstairs, gather up all the trash that had collected on my counter tops and took the box to the dumpster.  I heaved it in before I could change my mind and it was gone! LOL.  When I got back from the gym this morning, I felt good about the decision and I chose a healthy post work out meal to enjoy.  Had I kept that pizza, I would have been enjoying a slice or two of it because it was available.  

Because my journey is new and I'm still getting accustomed to this lifestyle, I knew I wasn't strong enough to keep food around in my house that would be counterproductive to my goals. Perhaps later on down the line, I could have more self control, but I know myself. Knowing yourself is truly a key factor in this whole thing. Being honest with yourself, setting limits, and adhering to those limits.

I also gained some weight that I discovered when I got on the scale this morning at the gym. I don't know if it's from muscle (I did put up a lot of hard work in the weight room this week) or if it's from the food I ate last night.  I'm admitting this because it shows that I'm real and I struggle too! I debated on whether or not I should record my weight gain on my My Fitness Pal app, but then I said "yes, I'm going to record it".  I'm going to show my follower friends on there that I have weeks that seem like a set back.  I have moments that bring my weaknesses to the forefront. And I have my moments of overcoming these things that make me stronger!