Workout!

Talk about being inspired! OK, I'll admit I'm 30-something. I'm a full time working mom who for the past year has totally focused on my new photography career and let myself go. Mentally as well as physically. What ever was closest and quickest, is what I ate. I was embarrassed when my daughter found my secret "stash" of goodness I kept in my bed-stand drawer that no one knew of. It was time for a change.

First of all I needed a time-out. I took a four day weekend and totally refocused on what's important, and my health was top on the list. I had been following Alissia from Rags to Stitches fitness journey these past few months and felt very motivated. So when she posted the 30-day ab challenge here, the same day my cancer-survivor now fitness junkie cousin said she's be my backbone support, and my teenage daughter hit her 30lb weight loss goal, I started. Not a diet. A healthier lifestyle. This week alone I've already lost 4lbs but right now that matters the least. I've exercised everyday, ate all healthy nutritious meals and feel SO ENERGIZED! Did I also mentioned I stopped drinking coffee cold turkey? Crazy right?!?! It hasn't been easy, but is getting much better. 

Highlight of my week: Mastered the frog stand. Yay!

I would love to hear your fitness journey. Let's keep each other motivated! 

Let's do this! 

Confession: I'm Addicted

Who would have though in such a short amount of time I could become addicted.

Seriously. My body has cravings and aches for more.

I'm talking about exercise. What did you think I was talking about?!

Just 2 short weeks ago I started a new healthier lifestyle.

Being aware of what I eat, counting calories and exercising daily.

This is not a diet, this is a lifestyle change.

The most awesome part, we're doing this as a family.

Farmers market every weekend to stalk up on our fruits and veggies.

Hitting the gym 5 days a week.

It's so much easier to keep it up if you have a team behind you.

It's weird, but I forgot how good it felt to live healthy.

How when you exercise you have more energy, more will-power, more metal strength.

Together my daughter and I have lost over 10lbs. 

A few things I'm doing differently that I have in the past.

1) My Fitness Pal - This is the new app I'm using to track my daily calorie intake.

It is extremely awesome and if you have friends using it, it's interactive. Let's be friends!

Screenshots

Photos c/o My Fitness Pa

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2) Do this 2-3 times a day. Yeah, you'll feel it. Trust me

I'm just pumped and wanted to share my excitement with you guys.

What I must keep telling myself...

The one thing I really wish I could do is run. I don't know what's wrong with me but I run down the driveway and I winded but I can ride a bike a miles. This is my new goal. At the gym I always avoid the treadmill. I'm not planning on running a marathon anytime soon, but I will run. The outcomes worth it.

God blessed me with this body, not its time I start taking care of it.

Need Encouragement?

Weight. Fat. Scales. Mirrors.

Answer: Words I don't like.

My entire life has been a roller coaster with my weight. Far to many times have I set goals for myself that continually failed, gotten discouraged and end up gaining all {if not more} of the weight I just lost, right back. Sound familiar to anyone?

I ran across Jordann's weight loss journey and its really encouraged me again to get my hand out of the cookie jar, get off my behind and back doing something active. She's here today to share her story. Take it away Jordann!

Hello Our Reflection readers! My name is Jordann and I blog over at Makin Memories of Us. I’ve been married to a firefighter for over 3 years now, and he just so happens to be my high school sweetheart. We have one fur baby, Duke who I may or may not consider my child and treat him like such.

When I'm not blogging about what our little family is getting into, I'm blogging about diy/crafts, recipes, family, etc. Another part of my blog is health and fitness, which is what I'm here to talk about today. {Please keep in mind that I'm not certified in nutrition, personal training, etc. but I've done a lot of research. I post what's worked best for my body which might not be the same for all.}

In 2011, I lost 35 pounds (you can read my full weight loss journey here). It was one of the hardest things I’ve done but also one of the best things I could have ever done for myself. I was unhealthy and knew if I continued, I’d be cutting YEARS off of my life. The hardest part was just getting started, even just getting motivated to start was hard. I'm guilty of doing the whole "I'm gonna lose this amount of weight" New Year's Resolution then two months in, diet and workouts are out the window. It’s easy to keep putting it off by saying, “Oh today’s the last day I can eat bad and not work out..” then you say it the next day and the next, and so on and so forth. Once you’ve gotten into a routine (whether it’s healthy or not), it’s hard to break it. It’s a mental thing. Word of advice - make small goals. Don't say "I plan on losing 20 pounds this year." That can be overwhelming and you can get easily discouraged. It's a great long term goal, but make a few short term goals as well. Examples: "This week the family will only eat out once."; "I'll go to the gym four times this week"; "I want to lose 3 pounds by next Saturday."

I know the gym can be intimidating. You first walk in and you see all these guys and girls in phenomenal shape working their way around like they own the place while you sit at a machine in the corner praying no one is watching you make a fool of yourself workout. I hated going to the gym at first until I realized, all eyes aren’t on me. Most people could care less about what you’re doing, they’re doing their own thing. They had to start somewhere, just like you. Eventually the gym becomes a place you enjoy going to because every time you walk in, you have a chance to better yourself, make yourself stronger and healthier. If you don’t want or can’t afford a gym membership, go walk or run outside. I love taking my dog for a run and just clearing my head. You can take your spouse, friend, dog, kids, etc. Get the family involved to be more active. What a great way to make some memories - going for nice, family walks outside (and if you do have kids, a great way for them to get out some energy!).

 

 

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

So what do you think? Encouraged?
I'm thinking I need to stop typing and jump on my bike!
See you on the trails.

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