No Wonder We're Fat!!!

I went into maverick today to fill up my soda and as I was waiting in the LONG line, I looked around. I noticed the people a little bit, but mostly I noticed the crazy amount of HORRIBLE food all around me. 500 different candy bars, doughuts, fried food and tobacco. That's it. I bet there wasn't more than 5 healthy choices of food in that entire gas station and all I could think was "look at all this high fructose corn syrup!"
I am reading The Secret is Out, the book that comes free with your Medifast order and have been so interested about the information I am picking up. I will share some tid bits from the book as I get further in to it, but for today-- I just can't wonder why America is obese anymore. I know exactly why. Because we are sorrounded by unhealthy, quick choices and we as humans react to our sorroundings so quickly we don't even blink. We don't give a second thought to the yucky stuff we put in our bodies, yet we complain when the scale goes up, or our pants get tighter or even rip. We are sad when we can't chase after our little ones with the same exuberence that we once did, we are disappointed when we can't run that race, or even walk up the stairs with out gasping for breath.
We have choices every day of our lives and the only person that can choose to make you the healthiest person, the one that smiles instead of frowns when you look in the mirror is YOU!
What's your choice today!? Who are you going to be? Are you willing to take the time and energy it takes to take care of yourself, or are you going to continue being a slave to your body, letting it set limits for you on what you can and can't do?
Who are you!? Who do you want to be?! How are you going to get there?1

A little break

I am having a rough couple of days. I feel a little overwhelmed with life, a little under appreciated, and a lot exhausted.
I gave in today, I have cheated a couple of times before but today was big. I ate pizza, and more than one piece.
I wanted it so bad, and all I could think of was the guilt. I knew I shouldn't have it, I feel like I am not being a good example to my clients and to those who know I am a health coach. I feel like I am not living up to the standard that I should be, in order to call myself a coach.
I don't know if people will think I am a hypocrite, or just human. I am hoping they think I am human and understand that I am always trying to be the best that I can be, but sometimes I just need a break. Today was that day.
I feel better. It tasted really good! And I think I can hop right back on track safely and follow my plan like I should.
I have told my clients from the beginning that I don't expect perfection out of them, that there will be times they fall off the path for a little bit, but the important thing is to get back on the wagon and go foward from where you left off.
Have you cheated? Have you given in to temptation, or have you been 100% the whole time?

Woohoo!

Last nights tasting was great!!

I had 5 girls show up and we had a great time together sampling food and visting about the Take Shape for Life program.

I signed up my 6th client this week!!! I am so excited to share my knowledge and help people get in shape, and to their ideal weight. I mean really, I can hardly sleep at night I am so excited to check in with my clients to know how they are doing.

I am going to post our weekly losses to the right. I can't waite to show you the success my clients are having with the Take Shape for Life program.

And by the way, I am feeling GREAT! Energized, healthy, strong and happy. It doesn't get much better than that!

Calling All Tasters!!

Are your cothes too tight?
Are you tired of trying everything and seeing little, slow, or no results?
Are you ready to lose your unwanted pounds and Take Shape for Life?!

Come to a tiny tasting at my house to sample for yourself the Medifast food. Low cals, low carbs, low fat! Come see what Take Shape for Life is all about! 6:30 pm Thursday August 26thRsvp by email or comment here!! See you soon!!

6 hours in a Car!

Wow, that wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. I struggled to stay on my 5 & 1 plan yesterday with each mile we drove. It was a battle of the good and the bad angel on my shoulder the entire trip.

I think I made it through the entire 7.5 hour trip with maybe 5 bites of something that did not qualify as my plan food. That totally took me out of fat burning zone, I just know it!

My in laws are really healthy eaters, and they buy the best of the best food. I mean they are STOCKED with yummy stuff to the brim. Wow, this is going to be such a test of MY will power.

134 on the scale looks good to me. My clothes feel good, my body feels tighter, my energy feels higher, and I mentally feel stronger. I do not want to sabotage myself and start all over when I get home!

Wish me luck!

Fair Week!

I am off to the Western Idaho Fair to flaunt my new Take Shape for Life self!! I will be in the expo building with two other health coaches trying to share our program with ANYONE and EVERYONE who could benefit from living a healthier, stronger, happier life!!

Come see us! Talk to us about your struggles, successes, worries and questions. We have answers!!

Let's Take Shape for Life people!!

Once a Week

So I was talking to my health coach today about how I dropped .2 lbs from yesterday. She was like "stop weighing yourself everyday!!!"

Take Shape for Life recommends weighing one day a week, same time, same clothes (before you get in the shower first thing in the morning is best). So, even though you all know I am a crazy scale lady, I am going to limit myself to 3x a week, and only post 1x each week. That will give everyone a good idea of my progress and I will be following the guidelines that my company recommends.

I did a little biking and a short walk at the gym today. Felt good and strong. Much better than yesterday. Take Shape for Life recommends that if you exercise vigorously before starting the program that you should cut your exercise in half for the first three weeks. If you are not exercising at all... you can keep going with that for the first three weeks, and then it is time to start adding light activity into your routine. As we all know, you can not maintain a healthy weight with one or the other (exercise or nutrition) but need them both as partners to achieve your best, healthiest results.

134ish

I can't remember what the scale said this morning exactly but I know the first 3 numbers were 134!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeeeehaaaaw!! I feel it already, I feel the loss on my belly already!
I am suprised the weight is coming off that fast. I am so excited though! I feel like my body was preparing for this big loss over the past month of no sugar, it was like "you are pushing me, but not hard enough... what else you got lady?" Well, bam bam body!! You are losing the battle to me!!
I went to Costco today to pick up formula for my little monster baby. I saw rows and rows of food, and the food court where I would normally get a frozen yogurt (giant size is the only size of course) but wasn't even the slightest bit tempted.
When I put my mind to something I do it. Do it right or don't do it. Go big or go home. Those are just a couple of my mottos. I did not cheat, and honestly there was not one single thing in that entire store that would have satisfied me as much as the feeling of the loss. N.O.T.H.I.N.G
I thought I would be having cravings but I am not. My body feels satisfied and happy. Just plain ol happy!

WoW!

135.8

Need I say more?! I am crazy with energy! I am so excited I have never, ever, ever seen 135 on the scale. I have run and run and run, I have secured 8-9 hours in the gym each week for EIGHT MONTHS, but I have never seen 135.8 on the scale.

This isn't going to be 2.5 lbs of weight loss every day, I know. I wont be suprised if I don't lose any at all tomorow in fact. I know that there will be really good loss days and then flatter plateau days. That's ok. As long as it dwindles off, I am following my eating program, and continuing to exercise I am going to be one happy girl.

For the record, my S'more crunch bar tasted like a million dollars yesterday. I felt satisfied each time I ate, never hungry or bloaded or stuffed (like I normally do). My energy level was up, I had a little diet dr pepper. I was a happy girl.

And for the Two Piece Pictures!

Official starting weight 138.4

I'm not going to lie. I kinda wish I would have worn something else... like maybe a leotard. But the belly is what is driving me nuts, and I guess those upper thighs too, so the belly must be shown.

Mind you, this is 25 lbs lighter than I was in January. This is the body of a half marathon runner, lady who spends atleast 8 hours a week in the gym. That is disappointing to me to say that. I feel like for as much time as I put in at the gym I should flaunt muscle definition.

That is why this Take Shape for Life program works (I know it does, I have seen it on the other health coaches) because it takes what you are puting in at the gym and combines it with the amazing, healthy food choices they offer and it puts the total package all together. You can not have one with out the other. I have learned and am convinced that our bodies are deleloped and changed by probably 30% exercise, and 70% the fuel we put into our mouths. That is painful for an athletic, workout loving lady to say.

It does not matter how much you exercise, if you do not combine it with the healthiest food choices, you will not lose weight, or I should say you will not lose a significant amount of weight.

So, today is Day 1 of my Take Shape For Life program. I am feeling good. Staying hydrated. I had a strawberry shake (it reminds me more of a smoothie consistency) for breakfast, chicken noodle soup for lunch and am about ready for a s'more snack bar. It hasn't been bad at all. The first couple drinks of my shake I thought "hmm... this isn't great", but the rest was fine and it satisfied me. What a difference I have felt today. I ate what they recommended, and I felt satisfied. Not stuffed, not bloated, not guilty that I had 3 pancakes and bacon. I am supposed to eat between 2.5 and 3 hours. We will have baked chicken breast and salad for dinner, and honestly I know I am not supposed to be in fat burning zone for 3 days, but I am still anxious to see what the scale says tomorow. (I am even allowed to have 1 non caloric beverage a day... woot woot... diet dr pepper I have missed you!) and I also found out with further research today I can have sugar free gelatin too. Kinda excited bout that as well!

takeshapewithteri

My heart is pounding, I have butterflies, "I'm so excited, I just can't hide it!"

I have been learning, reading, and researching for the past couple of weeks. I have been knee deep in a program I have just learned about called Take Shape for Life! I went to a meeting today, and after attending I am fired up and ready.

You all know me. You know I am SO AGAINST fad diets. I want to puke at the word HcG diet, because I know it doesn't work long term, and it isn't healthy for your body. I want to smack people upside the head with their stupid get skinny quick methods.

I am on to something new, and fairly quick, and here's the kicker-- HEALTHY!! It is endorsed by dr's all around, in fact go ahead and call your dr now and ask him what he thinks about Take Shape for Life and the Medifast food. He will tell you it's great, almost guaranteed.

Take Shape for Life is a partner company with the popular Medifast food, that is a portion controlled, nutritionally balanced, low-fat food that has been proven to help people lose weight faster. It is a program that is designed to create a calorie deficit that allows you to burn fat for energy. The real kicker on this program for me, is that it BURNS YOUR BELLY FAT, because that is where the majority of our fat is stored.

So, I can go on and on about all the great things I have learned. Bottom line is, you buy the Medifast food from my website, you eat 5 Medifast meals, and 1 lean and green meal each day (lean and green is your own 5-7 oz of protein and 3 servings of vegetables). You STILL exercise each day, (30 minutes recommended). The average female should lose 3-5 lbs a week!!! The average male 7-10!!

This is not a get skinny quick method. This is going to take some time and some self control to get your weight off, once you reach your goal you go into a transition mode where you gradually add more (still healthy at home) food into your diet, then to maintenance mode where you maintain your loss... because YOU HAVE LEARNED TO MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES, you have detoxed your body from all the processed high fructose corn syrup, and you have worked super hard to lose your weight so you KEEP IT OFF!! Another super great point of this company is that with buying your food, you get for free... ME!! A health coach, that helps you order your food, get the best deals on the food, helps motivate you, helps keep you on the bandwagon, and knows where you are with your program, and knows how to get you to the end, to be your best, healthiest self.

There are a ton of success stories and testimonials on the site, and the biggest, best one for me has been Sabra. She is who I am training under at the gym to be a group fitness instructor. She was like me, at a healthy weight, but felt like she had a few more unwanted pounds to go... so she started the program, is still on the program and lost 15 pounds in a month and a half and has kept it off since January.

I feel fully confident in thatI have done almost everything I can possibly do to get the rest of my weight off. I know how amazing I have felt to get this 25 pounds off by myself... but the reality is, not everyone can do that. And I can't get the next 5 off for the life of me, even with cutting out all sugar and soda. This is so lame. A month of no sugar and I have gone down 1.5 pounds. So not cool. If I am going to continue busting my butt, I want results!!!

So Monday is Day 1! And I am so excited! I can't waite for you to see where this plan takes me in the next 4-6 weeks. I am so brave, I am going to take a picture tomorow night, before I start this program of me in a 2 piece swim suit!! YIKES!! I am so brave, did I already say that? And then I will be taking another one in 4 weeks. If this program is even half as great as I think it is, I am going to feel good wearing that 2 piece, (Even though, for the record I will still be sporting a tankini at any and all times out in public, fyi) and you are going to see the great results this program is giving.

SOOOOO, keep checking in on me. Keep checking the blog to see my progress and for the love of everything, comment, email me, or call me.... let me know if you want to hear more about my new program!!

My new email is takeshapewithteri@gmail.com and my official website will be up and running hopefully Monday night.

If you are as tired as I think you are, and as tired as I am, of trying everything, of working hard and seeing slow or little results-- get in touch with me, and we can help you TAKE SHAPE FOR LIFE!!

137.9

HALLELUJAH!!!

137.9--- booyah!!

I have never ever ever seen 137(point) anything on the scale since I have been weighing myself and caring about how much I weigh. There was one day it said 137.7 but that was right after a morning like 10 mile run or something so it didn't count.

Today was a solid 137.9. I have been saying for months to people, I just can't get below 138 for the life of me.

Not any more!! I can totally get below 138, in fact I think I can get to 135 in less than 3 weeks. If I get to 135 by then end of my experiment, it will sooooo be worth all the lack of sugar and artificial sweetner aka diet dr pepper work.

Cuz it is work!! I still think about diet dr pepper all the time. Especially when I go run errands and have the burning desire to run in Maverick and get a fountain drink to accompany me, especially when I have a head ache, especially when the kids are extra whiney, or just plain naughty, especially when my husband has been home all week, especially when I have any amount of stress, especially when I see someone eating ice cream or candy, especially when I see someone drinking pop.

See, look how dependant my mood is on that dang drink!! I get into a better mood just thinking about drinking one. I think that says a lot about my emotional health. I am not very emotionally healthy if I need a damn diet dr pepper to ease tension and stress in my life. If I were a drinker of alcohol, or smoker of ciggarettes.... I would guess I would be a total alcoholic/chain smoker.

Moderation is not my middle name. Maybe one day it will be, but until then... if I am going to drop a few more pounds.... NO SUGAR NO SODA will have to be my middle and last name.

Happy weekend!

8 pounds

I went to step class today and informed Sabra I had yes lost a bit more weight, attributing it to no soda. A girl, Becky in class was like
"ya I lost 8 pounds in 2 months when I stopped." Becky is a twig for the record and I have no idea what made her want to try to lose 8 pounds... but she did and she looks great still.
Anyway, thought that was interesting food for thought for all of us.
8 pounds?!!?!!? Wow she rocks!

half a pound

REALLY?!
the scale went down half a pound today.
I was happy. My husband was sleeping when I saw the good news, pretty sure if he wouldn't have killed me I would have screamed in rejoice.
I hope hope hope it keeps going down.
I will totally think it is worth it to give up soda if my weight makes it to 135. I think my ultimate end all goal would be 135 at night when I go to bed, so 133ish when I wake up in the morning.
Can I do it?!
I reallly really really hope so. I want to see what it looks like, 133 on me.

Thanks for the comments readers!! I love love love comments!! I love to know that you are reading and getting something from my babbling. And for the sweet lady Rachel who says she is so far behind me... you aren't!! You are doing so good and we can all only do our very best. I have seen what you are capable of during our competition and I know that you can be your best self. We are all a work in progress every day-- I hope you are still remembering to celebrate all the great things you are choosing to do every day! You Go Girl!!

Socializatoin

I left the gym this morning to go run a few errands and was a little sad with out stopping to get a diet dr pepper to accompany me.

Then I was a little sad later in the day when I went to my friends to get my hair done. I wanted to bring a treat... but my options were no sugar, no soda... and of course I didn't want to sabotage us and bring fries. So I brought nothing.

It is crazy how much of my eating and drinking (haha that sounds like I am an alcoholic, but I don't even drink. But I am sure the same principle applies to those who do.) are so much of a social thing. My entire life I have spent eating dessert, or french fries, or soda in the company of my family on a car ride, in my circle of girl friends for a night out, in a group of families for a picnic, or on a date with boyfriends (in the past,) or now my husband. I have socialized over food my entire existance.

With this experiment I had the hopes i would be able to retrain my brain that I can still have fun and enjoy life with out indulging in everything in sight. That I can choose things I love and not feel a bit of sadness to turn down anything and everything I do not love. I have heard before you have to teach yourself that if you truly do want to be thin and in shape, you have to teach yourself to not want that "bad" food, and teach yourself that you do love to exercise. I can trick myself just like the rest of the world.

I am a work in progress every day. I feel optimistic that I made it through the day with still no sugar, and no soda either. I do not have a raging head ache, just a little hurt in my heart that I didn't get to enjoy the drink that I really do like, or maybe even love. I also feel a little exhausted and I don't know if that is from life in general, or the lack of caffiene. We will see what the rest of the week brings.

addict

I didn't have a soda until 430 this afternoon and by time I got to that can I had a RaGiNg head ache.
I can't believe how quickly I got addicted to it again, I only started drinking it again after my race July 10. How fast my body returned to craving it... it is insane!!
I will pump some advil in my body first thing tomorow morning and remind myself probably atleast fifteen times that I no longer am able to drink the soda. I thought it, I said it, I wrote it-- that's it... It is gone.
I am anxious to see what my weight does with out it. There was a time when I would have said I didn't think it affected my scale number... but as I have experimented and remembered back to after my daughter was born almost 3 years ago (When I was a dedicated diet coke drinker), I have realized that I think it plays more of a role in the weight loss than I thought. Whether it is actually pounds, or whether it is just water retention I am not sure... but I do believe I will be more able to drop 5 pounds with out the soda.
My friends sister is working with a trainer from Utah State... and in her words the soda is like "poisen" to our bodies.
I believe it. And I am quitting it, for good this time, atleast I think it's for good this time. For sure I am quitting it for the next 2 weeks.

Thankful

I was really starting to get a little crazy there for a couple of days. I can not begin to tell you the amount of stress that was lifted when I saw 139.7 today on the scale.

I know I might sound like a lunatic. In fact even saying it out loud I feel like one. But I have been so proud of my progress fitness and weight wise that the thought of that slowly slipping away has been a tremendous amount of stress on me. I have started out each of the days this past week already feeling a little down from my weight, and then trials have come our way in other aspects of our lives, and it has left me feeling a little gloomy. It is so frusterating to feel like I am are giving life 100%, and not seeing the postive results from doing that. While I understand the reason I was put here in this body on this earth was to go through life and face trails and tribulations-- it is sometimes not enough to know that, to keep me from feeling overwhelmed!

I feel a little skip in my step today. I know that regardless of my weight, I am still a good person who is trying my best every day. Some days will be better than others in different ways. I know how blessed I am to have my health and my strength and when I feel gloomy it is important to remind myself of that, not everyone is so lucky. Today is going to be a great day!

In the words of one of my favorite workouts songs (I dont know the singer or the title... jsut these words I sing several times through out the day), hope my weight, and the struggles of life keep going down, down, down. (Sorry you can't hear the tune but it is really peppy!)

bleh

Well it was the ugliest day I have seen on the scale in a couple of months.

141

I went to bed last night almost in tears. I know it might seem really lame to some people I am upset over a few gained pounds... and normally it would to me too. But I am working sooo hard and being so concious and I am just totally feeling crazy inside. If I didn't know better I would guess I was pregnant or something because that would be the only thing that logically would make sense considering what my workouts/eating is entailing right now.

Don't worry, I can't be pregnant. So I wont even waste the 8 bucks on a test. I have an IUD and you don't get pregnant with an IUD thank the heaven above.

I went to another step class today, but didn't stay for the last 30 minutes of strenth training because nobody else was. Oh well yesterday was a hard core strenth training session so I don't think it is a big deal. I think Jared is working tomorow so I will be back up to attend Sabra's cycling class at 8.

I am having a ton of fun in these classes. I am learning a lot and am taking notes of things I like: certain music, switching up hill workouts with speed workouts in the same classes, & yelling (encouraging yelling, or cueing), and things I don't like: talking during workouts, not cueing, and some instructor's music selections haha)

I guess I am just going to have to ride out this next few weeks. I am trying so hard not to get down and gloomy because of the scale results. I am trying to focus on my strenth and my new learning curve.

Experiment

Well i just got off the scale for the night and it looks the same as last night, which means tomorow morning will be the same too. Isn't that weird I only lose 2 pounds from night to the next morning? It seems like I used to lose like 4 or something... but not now. Always 2.

I keep thinking and thinking. Analyzing, talking to myself even.

I can't for the life of me figure out what is going on with the weight.

It could be the soda I am still drinking. But it's weird because the soda is diet, there are no cal's in it.

So, I was going to not have any soda today, and stop drinking it all together again. But then I was thinking that if I do that, and drop some weight in the next 2.5 weeks I have left of my no sugar experiment, I will never know if it was the no sugar or the no soda.

My next experiment will start 3 weeks from the original experiment, where I will continue to sugar for 2 weeks, and then add in the no soda. That way I have a solid 3 weeks of testing to see what just no sugar does, then 2 weeks of none of either.

Somethings gotta change. Or else no sugar wouldn't really be worth it to stay the same/go up in weight.

I guess it still kinda is because I know it is healthier for my body not to have it. I kinda wanted to just try it out (not eating sugar) to lose my belly number 1 but number 2 just to train my brain that just because there is dessert there, or candy there.. it doesn't mean I have to eat it. I have always been someone who eats it-- like say a piece of dark chocolate, because it is in front of me, even though I don't like dark chocolate. Or I will eat homemade icecream because everyone else is, even though it really isn't my favorite. I really want to be one of those health consicous people who eats dessert or something that isn't "healthy" because I love it, like cheesecake-- but not feel the desire to eat something that isn't my favorite just because it is in front of my face.

I believe I can teach my body new tricks, and that I am in control of my eating. I believe that I can teach myself to eat and enjoy healthier choices and I believe I can lose 5 pounds. COME ON HELP ME LOSE 5 POUNDS!!!!!!

Discouraging

There is nothing like the scale moving up up and up to discourage a girl from a goal.

I can't believe this dumb weight! I have thought back to every piece of advice I have given, I have thought logically, I have tried to tell myself it's a fluke. I just can't figure out for the life of me why the scale is not dropping. I am working out like a crazy woman, resting 1 day, eating healthy food and having absolutely NO sugar, with the exception of diet dr pepper.

This is weird. Very weird. I came home from the gym today and thought extremely hard about eating a whole bag of licorice, or going and having a cheese burger and fries (technically that would not be cheating). But I didn't. I just continued to have an annoying day that consisted of cleaning, grocery shopping, and fussy kids-- sans sugar.

I have committed to the 30 days (minus my 2 days I have scheduled for cheat days.. one being a birthday cake I have to make for Friday, and the other my cousins bachlorette party/girls night at Cheesecake Factory). And I will finish my 30 days. But I am going to do it kicking and screaming if the weight doesn't start coming off. I know I have said a million times who cares about the number, it is about the strength and how your clothes fit, but COME ON!!! I am not eating candy and dessert anymore!! That has got to be worth some weight~

I am a work in progress, every day is a new day... and Every day wont be perfect, but I am hoping one of these days SOON I am going to jump on the scale and see some results for the will power and dedication I am putting in here.

is it possible?!?

I was in the middle of a speed workout in spinning class today and I looked in the mirror. For the first time in my entire life I thought to myself "I look good."
No stomach bulge, no fat thoughts, no ugly words to myself. I really truly thought I looked good. (could have been the busy print on my tank that hid the bulge?!)
Wow, at 24 years old I don't know if that is a good thing or not to admit. I wish my self confidence could have come earlier in life, but since it didn't I am sure appreciating it now, and appreciating what my body has been able to do for me.
Speaking of spinning class. WAHOO!! It is so much fun it is getting addicting too. Yikes! I sweat like a crazy lady. Whoever said girls glisten must not have been an athlete because I do not do anything like "glisten" I drip like a sweaty hog!!! But it feels good to pump my body that hard to have the sweat roll of my shoulders and drip down my arms, and go through not one but 2 sweat towels because I have that much perspiration running everywhere. Thank goodness for dark colored clothes so everyone doesn't know my clothes are soaking wet in nasty stinky sweat. I guess, they might be able to smell it... but I do wear marathon fresh deoderant so I think that covers up some of the stench. Thank goodness!
Another week of learning, pushing my body to its limits, and enjoying the time in between. It's a great week!

Hmmmm...

Well I wont lie. I was a little ticked off to see 139.7 on the scale this morning. My soreness is all gone. I should not be retaining any water now.... I still have not had any sugar so this might be rain on my friggin parade. I did have pizza last night, but it was nothing wild... and I had as many raw veggies as I did pizza.

Hmmm... well I deserve several awards for the week. I made brownies yesterday for a lady from church. I even had to cut them out of the pan to put them on a paper plate for her... and I didn't even have a lick of batter, or bite of a crumb. If you know me, you know this was a major trial for me. I also let my little girl pick out a candy bar at the store this week, and I didn't have a bite lick or taste of that either. I mean really, come on you stupid scale. That is AMAZING coming from me. No fruit snacks, well I accidently took a mini bite of a fruit roll up forgetting that I am not eating sugar but that was Monday and I quickly repented. I mean really!! That was my only cheat!!!!

Well, maybe it will take a week or two for the scale to realize I stopped putting stupid processed sugar and other crap in my body. Let's hope or this sugar boycott is going to be a drag for a whole month seeing no progress on the scale.

What a Happy Day

I was feeling a little exhausted/overwhelmed when I went to hit the sack last night. I plugged my phone in and noticed a text message. Not just any ol text message but the kind you want to save for the rest of your life to remind you that you are ok when you think you bite the big one.
The instructor I am taking classes from/learning under, had texted me and told me she thought I was doing a great job, that I will be a great instructor and that my hard work is paying off.

I couldn't have felt happier if someone sent me a million dollars in the mail. Well, maybe I mighta been a bit happier then... but rest assured I still would have gotten my butt up this morning to go to spin and learn a little more from a different instructor.

Sabra is an amazing lady. She is, I don't know 40 ish and has a few kids. She has been through some major trials, I really don't know her well but unfortunatly one of her biggest struggles the public knew about. Anyway, she is great. I have loved her classes from the beginning. She is a kick booty instructor, always pumping everyone up yelling and singing and sweating it up with us. She is the mom I want to be when my kids are teens and going to college... the kinda mom that can kick her kids butt in a run, the kind that makes them get up a little early to train a little harder so they will be the best on the varsity team, and the kinda mom who shows her kids all about what a healthy lifestyle really is. I am so exicted to learn under her and hope one day I can be almost as cool as I think she is.

Anyway, her text made my week... and will help push me a little harder at my workouts and at my learning curve.

Half a Week is Over

Here I am on Wednesday already, and just barely had my first opportuntiy to attend step and strength training class today. My little man has been sick with an ear infection, and day care was not an option until today. After my work out I walked in to the child care area to see my 9 month old in the middle of a circle of three 4 or 5 year olds. They were taking turns kissing him. While this is tender they love him... they are too big to be playing with him and I definitly do not want their slobber all over my baby. So, I will have to mention that tomorow as I drop the kidlets off. :o) haha, but seriously I don't want other people's kids' slobber on my baby!!!

Step class. Hmmm... I was nervous to go, but knew I had to start sometime. So, I got started and was amazed that some of my prior knowledge came back. However my prior knowledge was limited to a months worth of classes, so that only got me through the first couple of songs before I was off beat and totally off step. All in time. It was fun though, a great work out. I was sweating up a storm, as much as I do when I run 10 miles or so. I would be interested to know the difference in caloric burn between the two. I definitly had my heart rate up as high, maybe even bursts of higher during class then I do on a run.

We finished step and went into some walking lunges, squats, abs, tricpes, shoulders, and a few biceps. It was WORK. I felt like I was definitly getting as good of a work out in as I do on my own (strength training wise) and maybe even better because it was higher repetitions. Maybe this will help my muscles lengthen, and in turn shrink my arms/legs/ABS!!!

What the crap? I can not get rid of my stomach. I am sick of it! I saw my dr today and asked her what the heck. She said give it time, keep doing what I am doing, and give it more time. It isn't like I am trying to say I want a 6 pack. I don't. I mean I like 6 packs and all, but all I really want is this flab to burn off my belly. Flatter. That's all I am asking.

I think it is interesting that I haven't worked out (until today) since Saturday and my total weight loss on the no sugar is 1.5 pounds. This is encouraging. I have had a soda every day. Jeez, I know I have no self control. Well, that isn't true-- I do have self control. I am just choosing to still drink the damn pop... for now anway. Anyway, I haven't seen my weight at 138.anything since I was runnning 20-25 miles a week. I haven't ran since my race July 10th. So, this translates to me that I can bust my ace off running or kill myself in the gym and eat whatever I want and stay at 139ish, or I can cut out the sugar and ease up on the gym possibly.?!!? Step/cycle/strength is not really what I call easing up on the fitness, but it is definitly changing up my routine. Maybe my body was just at a pleateau and needed some change up. Anywho, I am interested to see what the next week or so brings with out the sugar and adding the workouts back in.

I see some runners out and about and I feel a craving to go run and sweat with my ipod on. I feel good that I miss it, but I worry that with cutting out the running and doing the classes my endurance for running will slither back to squat. I can't do both. I physically can't do both with out killing myself (see lost insurance post haha not a good idea to kill yourself when you have no insurance). I don't know, I just kinda miss the running though and having the schedule to follow and the workouts planned. My workouts are planned now too, just in a different way. I think I am just having a little sadness in my heart at the thought of letting go of the running that occupied my time for 5 months, and helped push me through to a new level as an athlete. I don't want to give it up.

Balance. I need to find the balance, in more than one area in my life. :o)

A New Goal in Mind

Well I have come to the conclusion I stay on track with my eating and fitness with a goal in mind. So now, I have chosen a new goal, and have been prompted by the fact that our health insurance is being cut, to eat healthier and stay stronger than ever before. It is no longer just about being strong, and fit. It is now survival mode. It seems to me that it has been proven that by eating healthy whole foods, avoiding high calorie, fat and highly processed foods one stays healthier, (like does not get sick as frequently) and has less chance of onsetting certain diseases, maybe even cancers. I could be off base, but I don't think I am.

So with that in mind. Exercise will continue to be a part of my daily life style. I don't have a problem there. My body craves the exercise and the exertion just like it craves the chocolate and the cake. Well, so sorry body. You are going to have to start training for "boot camp", in order to help us achieve our next goal which is....

To become a group fitness instructor at the gym!!! I am so so so excited about this new challenge I have set out for. I have always thrown the idea around in my head, thinking I would love to be one of the teachers at the gym. I have thoroughly loved doing this blog. I love helping to motivate others to be their best self, and watching people go from trying something new to mastering something, or just watching their progress along the way.

So I spoke with the head instructor this week, wanting to know the steps to accomplish this goal. She was excited I asked! She needs subs for cycling, step, and strength training classes like.... NOW!!! What the heck?! I was like, well how do I go about this? Where do I register to learn. She said right here. Take all my classes, and take other instructor's classes and we will get you ready. In other words, SHE IS THE CLASS!! I wouldn't qualify to teach at all gyms, but with this experience I could probably qualify for some, and then work my way in to new programs so I could work anywhere there was a demand.

This has me very excited and hopeful. What is great about this is that I am a stay at home mom who works out every day, while taking my kids to the daycare at the gym. Win win. I accomplish this task--I still take kidlets to the gym, I still work out but I get PAID!!! I know right?! What a great idea.

Monday the offical bootcamp for Teri starts. This means I will be getting up a half hour earlier everyday, so will the kids. :o( Step class and stregth class three days a week-- and spinning two or maybe 3 days a week. Boot camp also consists of cutting sugars out of my diet (like candy, cake, the soda I started drinking again since my race!! moron I am, I know) I am not going to go crazy and cut out bread, or fruit or anything like that, just processed foods and obviously unhealthy sugars.

The cutting out sugars initially came from the thought that crossed my mind to do the forbidden HCG craze. I am so annoyed with my stomach that seems to always have a handful of fat on it. The thought went through my little brain to go ahead and try it, to see if I truly could rid my belly fat. Then the light bulb went on and I decided that if I can get rid of the sugars and highly processed foods (which I would do on the hcg anyway), and not inject myself with a shot of hcg from a lady who learned how to make it on you tube, I should probably go that route. And maybe, hopefully, I am praying will have similar results.

Anyway, the cutting out sugars/bad foods secondly came from the unfortunate news my insurance is going by the way side. Now it is out of necessity. I heard once that cancer patients used to live to eat, after going through hell and making it through some survivors choose to eat to live. I can be like that. I can choose to eat to nourish and strengthen my body so that I can stay healthy, fit, and sniffle free as much as possible.

Fit For Life 2010

The Start line. I am three rows back in the BSU hat

All the half marathoners

After I finished strutting my stuff

Crossing the finish line at home plate Hawks Stadium

I did it.

I finished 13.1 miles today in 2 hours and 9 minutes. Without a second of walking, not even at the hydration stations.

It was amazing! I felt so proud, happy, strong, and excited.

I was nervous all the way up until I got to the race and got stretched out. I talked to a girl who was racing for the first time too. My nerves were really settled by time the air horn went off to let us start, I had just seen my Mom, Aunt and Cousin who came to cheer me on.

I am not sure how many half marathoners there were. There were a lot who passed me in the beginning, and I ran by myself almost the entire way. Until the last two miles when I picked it up a little and decided no body else was gonna make it by me. Hell or high water I was going to pass and beat those 6 people who were close with me.

I have no idea how many people I beat, or how many beat me. I was glad to have made it in under 10 minute miles, but was hoping secretly to make it below 2 hours. Maybe next time I will train my body to move a little quicker.

It was so empowering to finish 13 miles. I have been busting my butt since January 1st and it felt great to put all my training to work. My body pushed through for me today and performed. It feels beyond great to have set a goal and accomplished it. I am so happy.

What a great day!

I was 6th place out of 10 in my age group and 128th overall, I think there were aprox 270 half marathoners

Less than 24 hours....

I picked up my race packet yesterday from Shu's Idaho Running Company. Great store, super friendly employees and really helpful too.

The excitement started, I had been feelin some self doubt, and worried that maybe I was crazy. Well, I still worry I might be crazy. But the atmosphere of just the store got me pumped. I am starting to stretegize and make plans for tomorow morning. I am anxious to get going, and I know I will feel the adreneline rush when I show up at 7 am tomorow.

It'll all be over by tomorow at 10 am. If I am not done by then I must've died on the trail so somebody, plese come lookin for me!

McCall Run

I got to do my last training run in McCall yesterday. It was absolutly gorgeous and so refreshing. It was just a quick 3 miles, but it took me from our hotel to the lake and back around some cabins I stayed in as a kid.

It was a fun run. And it made me love the outdoors and running all over again.

I pick up my race packet today and run Saturday for 13.1 miles.

Woohoo! I am nervous but ready. Bring it on!

Finished that 5 miler

I got up and went to my dads to run my 5 miles this morning. Against my will. I thought I would wake up and be rejuvenated and ready to rock my running world.

But I wasn't. I didn't want to do it. Not one little bit, and I thought about skipping todays workout too.

Then the good angel on my shoulder said "uhhh... remember that race you are runnning in a week... yah, that one, you might want to finish training for it."

So I did it. The first 3 miles sucked and I wanted to stop the whole time. Then, my wind came, I guess the endorphins went off (which I did not feel so I can't say for sure) and it was smooth sailing all the way back.

As I ran into the drive way it hit me. I can't stop now... HELLO?!?! My dad is getting remarried in 2 months and I feel pretty certain I will be in some pictures. Ya, it is time to figure out how to get to 135. Time to get there Teri! Time to bust a friggin move and get to 135.

Side note. Ever heard of the Golden Rule, you learn about in kindergarten. Ya well I have a whole post on stupid moron people who apparently missed that grade. If you are driving down the road, and you see someone walking/running/biking and there is nobody right beside you-- MOVE YOUR STINKIN BUTT OVER FOR THEM. more on that rant to come, you can bet your bottom dollar.

Getting Frusterated/Tired

Got a little sleep last night. My toddler is potty training, and while I know it is a good thing she has been waking up to pee in the toilet instead of her pull up, 215 am is a little bleh for me. And I seem to have trouble getting back to sleep after.

My training schedule today was strength and stretch... which I have changed from day 1 to 30 minutes of cross training and lifting weights. Today, I couldn't do it. I rann 11 miles Saturday, worked all day and then was busy all Sunday. I took today off. I needed the rest. Besides that the scale looked like hell this morning. 140 ish, can't even remember the stupid number it was so sucky. Eat like a runner, run the hell out of myself, and the scale is SUCKY!!!

I am getting a little burned out I think. I am glad my half marathon is in 1 and a half weeks, and I am glad I already paid my 37 bucks, or I might just bag it. Atleast today I might think about baggin it anyway.

Then I talked to my cousin about running, and got excited all over again. I don't know. I guess today is just a bleh day.

5 miles tomorow. I am almost done training. I think I am going to do cycling classes again after the 10th of July, then in August do a step class. I think I just need to switch it up for a little bit.

They say once you run, you love it and you are addicted. I have felt that way since January. But now, it is July and I am scared I am losing my passion. I don't want to be a "was a runner" girl. But, then I don't know if I want to work this hard and pound my body to death either.

I want to be rich I guess. If I was rich I would have a boob job, tummy tuck, liposuction, laser hair removal, lip implants and have a fake tan everyday. Then I think I would love going to the gym because I would look faboulous, or close to it, and I would want to keep up my fantaboulousness. And I wouldn't bust my Ace off with the damn scale still saying 140. Oh, and while I am on the subject, I would have fake nails, a pedicure every few weeks, shopping galore, movies all the time and lots of VACAYS.

If I were rich I would have other problems though. Duh, it isn't like I don't know that. BUt still, I don't know, I just want to be rich today.

Hoping for a better tomorow.