Weight Loss Week 29 {for the love of Pete}

Andrew 0
Kim 0

I'm starting this early as I have no idea what weigh in day will bring but you know what? I could care less! For the first time this week, I have felt like amazing. I don't feel down and out. I feel strong and empowered! I know I worked HARD this week. I ate well (minus one day) and I worked out every.single.day!! I have no guilt and no regrets.

It was a fun week. Monday, Tatum had a soccer game and she played well. She got a goal and she was excited. My friend Cheryl,  from Tom and Chery's family, took some amazing pictures of Tatum while playing. I was good just to get out of the house and get her there on time. I will post some pictures of her soon. I plan on doing updates on the kids separately so look for those soon! I also had my first personal training session. Me and few other ladies decided to do a group session and so far, so good. I'm S.O.R.E!! I'm hoping this will help me get out of my slump! Teresa is awesome. She asked us all for our goals and then went straight into a HIIT workout for all of us. OUCH. I should take measurements to see if, at the end of 6 weeks, I've lost any inches!

Tuesday and Wednesday I took a Zumba class. It was going to be the last week I could take the drop in class in Gahanna unless I can talk my mom into watching the kids on Tuesdays during the summer. I really love this class. I wish I could find a way to make it work but unless I find a part time job, there really isn't too much I can do about it. Mileage is low but comes out to 16 (or will at least when I get my 6 miles in tomorrow :) I really want to revamp this blog a bit...any suggestions?? I feel like its lost a flow...but guess it really is my journey perse...

Today I ran my first sub 11 mile. I finished it in 10:39. I was sucking air but I didn't care. It felt good to get across that mile in under 11!

I've decided that next month I'm going to do a personal challenge and not eat any sweets. I'm also trying to stay of facebook as much as possible. It (she) is just making me crazy. I've really tried to stay away but its like crack...I just can't. My running group and my BFF is on FB a lot so I've got to use them to stay sane. I'm also doing an Ab challenge on top of my personal training. This month I was doing a squats challenge and have made it up to 165 squats and I'd say about 90% good form.

So, regardless of whether I  gain, lose or stay stagnant this week, I'm OK. I worked hard. I played hard. I may not run the fastest, or be able to do 75 manly pushups like everyone else but today I remembered why I started this and why I'm continuing it.

I Exercised with {the Chair}

Yep, however, you want to look at it, Its a chair. But this chair gave me one of the hardest workouts of my life thus far. I am now post 4 hours and I can already feel every.single.muscle in my body. The class is called Zumba Sentao and its used to further work and tone your core and work on balance. Most of the choreography is based around a chair. Here is an example pulled of YouTube.


Needless to say this class is full of energy. I told my friend Christa from Keeping up with the Jones's that I've got to find a local place where this is offered! She's looking for me! I told hubs tonight that we need a money tree because these classes are so fun. Can you believe I've come out of my shell this much? Never in a million years would I have just said "sure, I can go take this new class that I've never taken before with you". It excites me to no end. What a confidence booster. What an exercise booster. Being able to take a class and do *most* of the moves without keeling over. Christa, I sure you hope you get certified quick and get going on these classes!! I'm already itching for another one!

Weight Loss Week 28 {Hello My Name Is...}

Andrew -.9
Kim 0

I've put in 9 miles this week, including one trail run, (post later) ,one yoga class and two Zumba classes. I've also been working the weights a little more heavy this week and guess what, I'm getting a personal trainer. FINALLY!



As I start this blog post out early, having no idea what the week's weigh in will bring, I'm reminded that this week, I did it all to myself and have no one to blame but myself. I can't speak for Andrew...he should start blogging his weight loss adventures. :)

See, I'm working on this transparency thing. My BFF can tell you that her ping feed on Facebook and her text messages have been blowing up this week with my ranting and crying over a certain someone who still no matter how many prayers have been said, how many walls I think have been scaled, how many hours of reflection have been accomplished, still gets under my skin. At this point, I don't know it it is an internal competition thing, a forgive and NOT forgotten thing, or just a pissed off at the world thing.

I'm working this running thing all wrong I think. My husband tells me I'm inspiring people. We are  seeing people running for the first time. Its not that I don't want to inspire people--that is cool. I just want them to have their own story, their own journey. Just because this worked for me....thing. Don't ask for my opinion because you want info on what I have, ask because you truly trust in what I'm telling you.  I'm not an experienced runner. I'm very much a novice. Learning as I go. I have to trust what my training says, what my coaches tell me, how my body feels. It will not be the same for YOU. So, now why can't I let this situation, this one person's success, go?? Its seriously killing me inside. I actually go out of my way for avoidance.

People ask all the time, if the running is what made me lose the weight. While I do not doubt for one minute that it helped me. I do not believe that it is what made it happen for me. In fact, runners usually do not lose a lot of weight once they start going high miles--those calories burned require lots of fuel to keep going. Eating the right foods and learning portion control are essential. I've met quite a few people who have started running, lost a lot of weight and then stopped when those high miles are hit. At this point, I really only eat to fuel my runs. I'm still following weight watchers and we are still eating clean, at least 99% of the time.

Today (Tuesday), I tried to fix things. I tried to walk into a class and hold my head high. It worked for about an hour. Then, I went to try to get some new clothes. FAIL. Again, I can't fit into the size I KNOW I should be right now. So, I ate. I ate, and ate and ate. And no, I didn't eat well. I've gotten in a funk and now I can't get out of it. I'm not sure if part of it is because I'm on a hiatus from my training schedule. I've become sad and emotional and hungry...super, super hungry. I haven't deprived myself of anything. I just feel like I threw the last 7 months out the window. I kinda don't want to be that person who inspires...because then you are held way more accountable when you error--and I have way too many errors this week. Why am I writing about his now? On a post that I should reserve for being weight LOSS related? Well, because this is all part of it right??

And then I got up to hit my Zumba class on Wednesday and this song came on the radio. I've not heard it before. I don't know if its new or old, but I honestly believe it is a God thing. I heard it loud and clear.

"Hello, My Name Is"

Hello, my name is regret 
I’m pretty sure we have met 
Every single day of your life 
I’m the whisper inside 
That won’t let you forget 
Hello, my name is defeat 
I know you recognize me 
Just when you think you can win 
I’ll drag you right back down again 
‘Til you’ve lost all belief 
These are the voices, these are the lies 
And I have believed them, for the very last time 
Hello, my name is child of the one true King 
I’ve been saved, I’ve been changed, and I have been set free 
“Amazing Grace” is the song I sing 
Hello, my name is child of the one true King 
I am no longer defined 
By all the wreckage behind 
The one who makes all things new 
Has proven it’s true 
Just take a look at my life 
What love the Father has lavished upon us 
That we should be called His children 
I am a child of the one true King

As I go back and listen and see these lyrics again and again. I'm reminded (again) that God is in Control of this journey. He's the captain. He's got the reigns pulled tight right now for some reason and He's allowing me to break but I need to trust that He's got this whole thing lined up for me. I might be putting in the effort (and not ALL the effort, lets face it), and doing the work, but He's written my story. He know's my hearts burdens and the ideal's to be thin(er) and healthy(er). He's hasn't brought me this far to just leave me here, stagnant and complacent. He's working on transforming me from the inside out. Releasing these forms of bondange on my heart and body and soul. Trying to release me from the ugliness of sin against this one person that Satan is using to hold me down. Reminding me, that I am saved, I am changed and I have been set free, in Him, because of Him. I shouldn't let someone elses' work and story define mine. 

Isn't it funny how on song and make you go back and revive your spirit?  Do you have a song?? What is it and why??

My first Trail run...{One Run away from a Good Mood}

From Kohls.com (pinterest pin) Tek Gear

On Tuesday I had a bad bad bad bad bad...do I dare go on?? I just kinda awoke grumpy...it followed me the whole day. I had mentioned to Stephanie that I wanted to try the trail but wouldn't be able to make it on Saturday like planned, so she agreed to meet me Tuesday night. The night was perfect. It was a little warm in the sun but not overly hot. It was about 70 degrees and a bit breezy. 

It started off with a grass trail soft, patchy grass that at time threatened to twist my ankle. I then got to a "flat" grass which was softer and well, flat. It then curved down into the forest and onto a dirt trail with sticks and stones. We went over a few muddy patches, jumped over some water holes. We went up this big freaking steep hill which I walked up. After that we continued on the dirt trail which is now a single trail. It is THAT narrow and then another steep hill...

...you run a little more grass and then some gravel on a back through. I got in about 3.35 miles in a little over an hour. SLOW, but it had to be or I could have injured myself. I'm so glad I did it though. I had a LOT of fun! Oh, and did I mentioned we were covered in TICKS?? I was so not feeling that. I had to take two doses of benedryl once I got home in order to sleep and even then, I was still itch the next day. I called a friend of mine and asked for some Doterra Terrashield to get me through the next trail run.

I {HATE} SHOPPING

I hate shopping. Ok, I mean I love shopping but hate shopping for myself. OK, I mean I love shopping for myself, but I can't find anything that looks good one me. Ok, I mean I hate shopping for myself and I don't KNOW if it looks good on me. Its been so long since I bought clothes to actually fit me and well, I'm not doing it again. I left the store feeling gross and ugly and defeated. It's Mother's Day and I'm trying really really hard not to bust into tears. I think I would rather just keep wearing the clothes that I have that cover everything and are too big. However, I'm running into other issues now with that like, chafing. (OUCH).

Before it was with my running clothes. Now I can find running clothes that make me look and feel like a million bucks (ok not really but at least I feel OK when wearing them probably because when I'm wearing them I'm doing something to better myself). 

Its a serious catch 22. You look bad, so you lose weight and now you lose weight and you still look bad in clothes. I would kill for a personal shopper to find clothes meant for me. Something that made me feel like a million bucks. I've never been thin and not pretending to be so now. But why is it is easy for Satan to come in and ruin what you've worked so hard for? I've treated my body well for the last 7 months so why does it feel like I have nothing (material) to show for it?? 

I know I'm a child of God. I know He wants me to feel good and look good and be good. Take care of my body and mind. Be strong. And He wants me to do all of this for His glory. And then...I read this AFTER I have a long body beater session with my BFF. 

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."
~1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)

How do I move on from this?? Power of prayer...