Thursday, January 26, 2012

Day 2 - Did I mention I can't breathe?

So there are a few colds/flus going around. There is one that both my daughter and I got - the upper & lower respiratory bug - and the GI flu. Yesterday i found out whilst doing cardio that the bug still lingers in my sinuses and lungs - I was getting dyspneic on the stairclimber, but because I am so stubborn I finished the full 20 of cardio. I did NOT, however do intense work- just a little something to keep my heart going for a full hour (48 minutes of weights at a fast pace and 20 of cardio).

Today I was supposed to get to the gym early... and BAM! My daughter came down with the tummy stuff.. there goes my early a.m. workout. Being a single parent is DEFINITELY an added challenge when it comes to keeping a gym schedule.

Today I still am having difficulty getting deep, full, easy breaths. I still will be doing cardio for 20 (today is JUST cardio) and hopefully I will be able to do it at a high intensity.

Food!
I made a really great chicken rice soup last night that I will be having tonight for dinner again. I think chicken rice soup is great because it has plenty of water in it to be filling, plenty of protein for sustenance, plenty of veggies for fiber, and some rice for that glucose our brain especially needs!

This morning for breakfast I had a sugar-free mocha latte with soy milk. Okay, not the best choice but I SUCK at prepping food for the day!!! One of my biggest issues with diet. I can say no to food all day long.. hell, I would make an amazing anorexic.. but yeaaa... noooo.... I hate thinking about food, planning meals and making grocery lists. Those tasks are up there with vacuuming and folding laundry.

Goal: Fall in love with food prep and planning <3 <3 <3

Stats.... errr... *grunt*
Against my better judgment I got on the scale today (only 24 hours into the challenge) and I'm down 2 pounds! Okay.. water loss.. whatever.. I care not! 2 pounds down is 2 pounds down. So there.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Day 1 - When motivation is at it's greatest

Before I get into my "why" for joining the Body for Life challenge, I would like to give a breakdown of my 1st day on the challenge:

Upper Body in 48 minutes, Cardio in 20 minutes. Calories were approximately 1200. No alcohol, no junk food, no added sugar. Tomorrow I would like to get my high-intensity cardio in before taking my daughter to school and before I go to work... that means up at 530am!

My "Why"

Back in 2005 I had finally lost all the weight I had gained (and then some) from having my daughter. I looked great, I felt great. Life was good. Then in the Spring of 2007 I miscarried my twins; shortly thereafter, my boyfriend and father of the twins left me. I was devastated and became a complete wreck - binge drinking, eating unhealthy - I gained some weight back from that, but the real weight gain came when I decided to go on an anti-depressant. In a matter of a few months I gained 40lbs. I discontinued the medication about a year later and sought alternative therapy. I eventually learned how to cope with my grief, but the weight lingered.

I'm on the left - Size 6 in 2006

Always happy and having fun...
2006 in San Diego - I loved my beach body!

2007 before I got pregnant with the twins - I really enjoyed going for runs in the evenings
Winter 2006.. feeling glamorous and fabulous!



Now, 5 years later I still retain the weight. There hasn't been one day in the past 5 years that I haven't looked in the mirror and judged myself. Every single day for 5 years I have been saddened by my thighs, my behind, my waist. My ONLY saving grace is that I am proportionate, head to toe, which gets me through some days without beating myself up entirely.

 I know that I am better than this. I know that I am a beautiful person inside and out, and I shouldn't have to suffer this way. Sitting by the pool in boxers and a tee while others swim; wearing baggy clothing to work; avoiding the dating scene because I don't feel pretty when I get dressed up.

My turning point is now, as I sit in my bedroom in the dark with the flu, staring at my closet full of clothes I can't fit in, fearing this Saturday's date with a guy I think is too hot for me. I have the BFL book; I have an amazing, supportive family who will help me through this challenge; it's time to do this.

Current stats:
Height = 5'11"
Weight = 192lbs
Blood Pressure = 128/80
Clothing Size = 10 skirt/12 pants
Body Fat = 27%
Waist = 33"
Hips = 42"
Chest = 43"