Priorities &Life

Before-->> at 226lbs-->> 2yrs ago!

After my online BCx workout!

5am workout! Why not?

Me in 'normal' clothing & 90lbs down :)

New Recipe Below!!

Honesty is key to my blogs.  I want to be real as I can with each of you and so I will let you in on a struggle of mine…  It’s called:

Priorities!

In all reality, we make time for what is most important to us.  We make time for friends and family that we treasure, and spend less time with those who we don’t care for.  It’s human nature!

So what has become important to me in the last couple years is fitness.  It’s all I read and think about.  And when I was living at home after graduation, I was able to focus completely on in.  I attended Eva Shurts’ personal training, Piloxing, TRX, Tighter Assets, Zumba, and went running.  Her and I lived and breathed fitness.  We were always bouncing ideas off of each other and thinking how we could get/create “a deeper burn”!

Now, with my recent move and job change, my schedule doesn’t allow so much time to work out during the day.  Or should I say, I sleep less!  If I know I have to be at work at 7:30 or 8:00am, I’ll drag myself out of bed at 4:45am to be at the gym by 5:15am for cycling class.  I will get off around 6 and go back to do weights.  I won’t lie, I’m exhausted and should sleep more- but as I said, you make time for what is really important to you.  And that is where my passion lies. 

I love challenging myself and pushing my body to a level of soreness it hasn’t been before!  It’s only in that push that my body will become stronger!  However, one thing I do have to accept is rest.  A healthy body is something that I desire, and a healthy body needs rest.  This last week I put in 4.5 hours of work in at the gym in one day.  The next day I was sore, worked a 9 hour day, and felt guilty for not working out.  I came home after working, and went running.  My body was dead and the run was crappy.  Why did I do that to myself?  The next day, I was even more tired and cranky! 

For myself, I need to find a balance.  I’ve become so excited about working out and pushing others that I’ve put my prayer time with God on hold as well.  He is the one who strengthens me for each workout.  So I know that when I begin to put my workouts before the Lord, I’ve messed up.  I took Sunday evening and Monday morning to study God’s word and it was amazing the strength and energy I had from the short time I took to rest in Him. 

I was back at it on Tuesday with Cycling class, Yoga, and BootCamp that I’m doing online with a personal trainer.  I’m pushing myself to new heights but not losing sight of the blessings I’ve received.

My Success this week: Reaching exhaustionà failure and learning to rest
Looking forward to this week: It’s my last week of my online BootCamp with Bonnie Pfiester.  I plan on finishing strong & completing each workout to my fullest potential.  On Tuesday I will be weighing and measuring myself.  The last time I did was right before I started my Online BootCamp program.  I’m excited to see my results! I will also be working on allowing my body to REST. 

YOUR Challenge: Push yourself, but don’t lose sight of reality.  Know what you’re capable of, but don’t underestimate yourself.  Tell yourself “You CAN & You Will”

***MY EGG Recipe:
As I mentioned last week, my diet has changed.  No grains or dairy.  I was informed that I should eat sauerkraut and I was kind of disgusted by the thought and taste, but I embraced it came up with this recipe!
Sauerkraut Scrambled Eggs!
Spray a small skillet with Olive Oil
Add ¼ - ½ C Sauerkraut in the skillet and cook for couple min on med heat
Add 4 beated eggs
Stir and cook until eggs are done
ENJOY w/ a cup of FLAX milk… I’ve moved from Almond milk and love the taste of FLAX milk!

It might sound bad, but b/c the sauerkraut is salted enough, you don’t have to add salt to your eggs!  Really simple!  Please give me your feedback on the recipe AFTER you try it! J

Love

-A

Eating=Success

My Protein Bars! Recipe Below!

^^^I know everyone has been asking for the protein bar recipe and so I have included it below^^^

90lbs down and I still say eating is the key to my weight loss!  Eating right has so many different dynamics.  I say this because my body isn’t like your body!  Your body isn’t like anyone else’s body.  We consume and digest things differently and honestly, I wish there was just a set “Eat & Don’t” eat for everyone.  However, there isn’t.

As for my diet, recently I was talking to a good friend about what I eat.  I explained that I eat several SMALL meals or snacks in a day.  I eat every 2.5-3 hours and it consists of protein (eggs, fish, and chicken), fruit, veggies (no dressings), whole grains (CliffBars & Kashi cereal), and dairy (Greek yogurt & fat free cottage cheese).  This has been my diet for the last 2 years.

THEN EVERYTHING came to a halt!  This last Thursday I went to a reflexologist and nutritionist who recommended me to take the next 6 weeks off from dairy and grain so she could test me for food allergies.  Like I’ve mentioned before, I have hypothyroidism and I easily gain weight.  The nutritionist thinks that my last 15lbs could come off easily if I removed these two things from my diet.  However, I’ve had my meals planned the same every day for the last 2 years.  My meals are measured out, the exact times for when I eat are clocked, and I’ve had success.  But success has diminished.  I’ve gotten stronger, but my weight and measurements have platued.  This is the whole reason for visiting with a reflexologist and nutritionist.  They take a look at what you’re consuming and analyze your body specifically.  They decide what your body needs and what it doesn’t need. And sadly, what my body doesn’t need; dairy and grain!

But, all of the sudden I don’t know what to eat!  Changing jobs in the last month and diet has left me feeling a bit up in arms and stressed!  I decided to ask my Twitter family for help and guidance.  I got an awesome response from amazing women who had the same struggle and sought out answers.  They were very willing to guide me along and I’m so thankful for our conversations.  They advised and we discussed meal plans and ideal foods for busy lifestyles.  I’ve made note that my success will all come down to preparation.

For me to have a successful diet, I must take the time to prepare my meals ahead of time.  I can’t be lazy and allow myself to get hungry.  I need to continue to eat every 2.5-3 hours and eat lean protein, fruits, and veggies.  Sugar, has always been reduced.  I also got rid of my Almond milk and moved to FlaxMilk.  It taste wonderful and I highly recommend it!

Lastly, for my protein/grain craving: I started making my own protein bars.  So many of you have asked for it and so here is what I did.

I took 2 bags of dates and threw them in a food processor.
Mixed in  ½ C molasses  
Added: 1 bag each of organic chopped almonds, walnuts, and pecans.
Added: 1 bag organic dark choc chips for some sweetness
Mix all together by spoon or hand.  Place in pan.  Bake @ 350 for 15 minutes.  Then let cool.
You can also add craisens, raisens, different nuts, or take out what you don’t enjoy.
Cut into bars and place in baggies for easy grabs!  Keep in refrigerator. 

Confession:  I still want my grains!  Grains are literally my favorite go to food.  But that’s because grains are my comfort food.  Grains are what got me 100+ pounds overweight.  So even though I WANT them, I’m taking this challenge and confessing that I’m going to stay strong these next 6 weeks and stay away from them. 

This week’s SUCCESS: admitting I needed guidance on my diet.  It’s okay to ask for help.  My diet needed tweeking and I’m looking forward to keeping everyone up to date on my diet.

Your Challenge:  evaluate daily diet.  Is there something that is holding your back?  Something you can’t let go?  If so, I challenge you in saying is it helping or harming your body?  If it’s not helping, let’s find a replacement so we can help your body instead of harm.

BeBlessed

Doing #BCx BootCamp with Bonnie Pfiester's online training!



This is what Bonnie's BCx will make you do-->> SWEAT! lol



-A

Why Fit_NOT_Skinny?

"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are.”  I really like this quote from Bernice Johnson Reagon.  I've thought a lot about it since my recent move.  It applies to every aspect in my life because nothing has come easy for me.  I've always had to go above a beyond just to meet the standard and at times, I've found myself easily frustrated.  I become frustrated when I see others around me with gifts, talents, money, attractive qualities, and traits I desire.  The word envious comes to mind.  I'm envious of other because I don't have this or that.  Envious I don't look like that.  Envious I can't do what he or she is doing.  Jealous of what he/she has compared to me.  And I fall into the trap of "I want things, and I want them now" mentality.I think back to a conversation I had with my friend Francisco Flores a couple days ago... He lives in California & trains very similar to myself.  He wanted to know why I chose to get fit.  Why did I stick with it?  What changed or clicked in my head?  I thought about it & embarrassingly, I had to answer that my ultimate goal was to look hot.  I admitted that my first thoughts taken toward fitness was: "I have to lose weight or I'll never get married".  As my fitness levels increased and the weight came off, I admitted to Francisco, I gained a whole new respect for myself.  I didn't just desire to look good for the opposite sex, but to better myself.  This is what I think is important.  Overall health.  Working out isn't just something to do.  Eating clean isn't just a fad to get the results you want and go back to your old eating habits. 
Fitness, health, working out, and eating clean are a change in lifestyle-> not a temporary diet.  It's not always fun and glamorous.  Sometimes you have to sweat.  That is why I love the quote : 
"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are.” 

It's true. When I first started working out, I was terrified!  I didn't desire to do group classes because I didn't want to look stupid.  However, I swallowed my pride.  I've had the chance to work with a variety of trainers and experience various training styles.  I continue to try new workouts because I don't want to allow myself to get TOO comfortable.  When I get comfortable in a workout, I tend to slack and lose form.  It's through the "chase-the-burn" workouts like Serg. Eva Shurts & I would power & and laugh through because the burn was so bad.  BUT, It's when the workouts are complete, that you can look back and say- wow! I just did that.
This weeks SUCCESS: I tried yoga.  I'm trying to take my training to another level- it definely challenges me like I've never been challenged before!

Your Challenge: CHALLENGE yourself! Sweat, turn down the sweets, add an extra workout, run the another mile, try a new class-->> whatever you do, the key is to challenge yourself.  Don't tell yourself you can't-->> Know you can!
Food for thought: What if I were to get everything YOU wanted without working for it? What if you had the perfect body and it required no work- would you want it? What if you could achieve the fitness goals by only a supplement?  Would it be worth it?  Would you want it?  Think about the character built every time your sweat hits the floor & chase the burn this next week.#BeBless
-A

Accountability & Training

Haven't we all done dumb things?  Looking back at this last week: I placed my protein shake in the freezer instead of the fridge. I went to the gym without my gym shoes. I left my protein bar in my car to melt it the scorching sun. All minor things, that I just had to laugh at myself for doing- something we all need to do more of (laugh)! 

 

But Sunday, was a great day for a mistake!

 

Since I moved, started my new job, and a new schedule... I haven't been running outdoors.  The majority of my training has been done in classes or on machines. I'm familiar with the city, but not confident.  I don't know my way around the town so I didn't want to venture down a road or trail not knowing where it led to.  I didn't have to work on Sunday so I decided to skip the gym and hit a trail my aunt had told me about.  I slept in till around 8am, ate a pear, drank a cup of water, and headed down the road a little before 9am.

 

I had intended the run to be about 4 miles, enough work on a 'rest' day.  The run went smooth, it was hot, but nice steady pace.  I reached mile 4 and thought, I better turn around.  I stretched my legs and headed back.  Still going strong, but at mile 6, I needed some water! The cup of water and pear wasn't holding me over for this run!

 

Ugh, fine... I'll walk it out I thought.  I walked maybe 2 minutes, when an older gentleman came up beside me.  My headphones where blaring a little bit of "Pretty Girl Rock" (lol) and I quickly popped them out.  He motioned for me to follow him and said, "C'mon"!  I picked up my pace and had a little spark to my step.  He introduced himself with his thick accent.  I had to listen very carefully.  He informed me he was from Brazil and had actually played soccer for a team there when he was much younger.  We chatted for the next mile and then he asked if I wanted to finished the last mile down by a bridge?!

 

(I know, never follow a crazy man!) BUT this guy was waaay legit.  He was an honest and wise man.  He told me about a past half marathon and I told him about my body transformation and training.  He told me he was going to Canada for some meetings and would be running a half marathon there in two weeks.  This training talk distracted me from how hot, tired, and sick I felt.  && I wasn't going to let this older man out run me either (just my mentality, I like to out perform! haha) Anyways, we finished the run and exchanged contact information.  I headed home and thought about what all had happened...

 

What HAD I learned?!  I set off on a run I wasn't prepared for.  I was ready to give up, and when I had, here came along a friend.  This happens in life too!  Sometimes we have more than we can handle. This is why it is so important for us to reach out to others for guidance, council, aide. 

>When it comes to living a healthy life style, we are all on this fitness journey together.  We need each other to push us, and help carry us through.  I won't lie, I'm not going do your workouts for you- ONLY YOU CAN DO THAT.  Only YOU can chose to EAT CLEAN.  But when it comes down to needing help, don't be afraid to ask!  I've had to ask my trainers and friends for advice and they challenge me. We have to push ourselves. My advice: KNOW that you CAN.  YOU have to FIGHT for yourself.  Take care of your body emotionally, physically, spiritually, and mentally. 

 

Remember this: To win any battle, you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do, it will always give up.

 

This weeks SuCCeSS: Taking time to LISTEN.

Your challenge: Find someone who encourages you to be your best*

 

#beBlessed

-A

 

Heaviest Weight 2 yrs ago

90lbs down with my friend and trainer Eva Shurts.  (My accountability) I have MANY others too!

 

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

If you know me directly, you know that I love music.  I always have my ipod, especially for my workouts.  I also, hate sitting in a car and is dead silent.  I have to have music.  I’ll admit, I’m not a huge Selena Gomez fan, however, I heard her song one day.  I tapped my toe to it, but as I listened to the words, I thought they were AMAZING!   I want to post a couple of her lines below and I’ll explain my reasoning following:
Who says you're not pretty,
Who says your not beautiful,
Who says?
Who says you're not star potential,
Who says you're not presidential,
Who says you can't be in movies,
Listen to me, listen to me,
Who says you don't past the test,
Who says you can't be the best.
Would you tell me who said that, who said?

These words really hit me.  Having struggled with my weight my whole life, I’ve always told myself that I wasn’t beautiful or pretty.  I believed that because I was fat, that no one would love me (even though my family told me they loved me every day).  I always would be the first one to make fun of myself because I was so overweight.  I viewed it as: “If I can make fun of myself first, no one else can”.

BUT, this is my struggle now.  Losing 90lbs in the last 2 years, I still see myself as the 'old me'.  When I go shopping, I still go to the plus sizes.  I always look for the extra larges in all clothing.  I automatically assume I can’t wear OR won’t look good in something because “I’m fat”.  I still tell myself “I can’t, I’m fat”.  However, this is not true.  I can!  I "can" run farther than a mile- I've done a 1/2 marathon! I’m not even considered “overweight”.  I’m right where someone my height and age should be at.  My goal now- toning my body. BUT, even more work needs to be done on the inside of me… This is why I like the question in this song.

WHO SAID?
The ANSWER is “I SAID”.  “I SAID” I couldn’t do something because of my weight.  “I LIMITED” myself by eating my feelings when I was sad.  “I’M” the one who has believed the lies I have told myself and I have done such a disservice to myself.  REALITY IS: I’m worth something! AND SO ARE YOU!

Genesis 1:1-26 I’m “made in God’s image”

John 3:16 “God gave up his one and only son to death on a cross” for me.

Life isn’t measured by how much we own or obtain.
Luke 12:11-21 

Walking into the gym every day and facing mirrors is still intimidating.  I still view myself as I had been the previous years.  I catch myself taking a double take in the mirror as well as looking at recent pictures and asking myself if it is really me?  I still have a very hard time taking a compliment when someone tells me I look pretty or that I’m small and petite.  These are words that hadn’t ever been used to describe ME. 

BOTTOM LINE: I’m learning treasure myself.  I encourage you to do the same.  You first have to have a sense of self-worth before you’re ever going to be able to push yourself on your weight loss journey.  Overweight or not, know that you are loved.  Know that you are beautiful & should exercise and eat clean because you owe it to your body. Only you can do this though... I encourage you, you are worth something.  I love you and so many others do too. We were given one body; let’s take care of it mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

Your challenge and task: Know your worth

My week’s Success: Accepting the person looking back at me in the mirror.  It's a process~

#BeBlessed

-A

GymMembership vs. ChurchMembership

Discomfort… Not a word any of us really care for.

Uncomfortable… another, we don’t care for.

These two words come to mind for me in the last week. It applies to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, as well as life in general.

I’d like to give you my latest scenario.  This last year I’ve substitute taught at a rural elementary school.  The school year ended, and I started my new job in retail with the Buckle. Going into it, I was scared. However, I packed up my things & took a chance. Two days in, glad I did!

Then… My gym membership… Those who have their workout patterns know what I’m talking about when I say you have everything at the gym marked.  You know the gym like the back of your hand because a lot tears and sweat have gone into that place. You know who uses what and when.  The down times to go. Who’ll be there and when. Who to stay away from and so forth. And walking in, I was scared.  Scared of where to go when I want to do weights or cardio.  Scared because my personal trainer wasn’t with me.  Suddenly I forgot how to even workout! Ha! I was scared that I didn’t know the proper gym etiquette.  EVEN more… I wanted to do group classes!

BUT which ones?

I decided to branch out & try my very first spinning class.  I had heard they were great! I arrived early and actually put time in on the treadmill before class to warm up.  I met an older lady who guided me in the correct direction. I asked if there were bikes that were ‘spoken’ for & she smiled and said no.  I climbed up on a bike and waited for the instructor.  As I sat their peddling, an older couple walked in and the one particular lady stopped dead in her tracks and stared at me.  I looked at her, turned away, looked back, and she was still staring at me.  I quickly said, “Is this your bike?” She said, “Well yes”! I volunteered to move and did so quickly.  I thought, wow, how rude. I was ready for some spinning! However, class got started, I cooled off (my temper anyways). Haha

Thinking back on it though, this thought occupied my mind…

 Gym membership is no different than a church membership.

  In churches, you have the same people who have been sitting in the same pew for 30 years.  They show up, put their time in, and leave.  They don’t do anything outside of the church to glorify God; they just come and put their time in.  So I ask; what are you getting out of being a member of Christ’s body?! Same goes for the gym… Are you showing up and just putting your face time in? Are you giving your full effort? Being a Christian and being Fit have huge parallels. 

You have to be UNCOMFORTABLE where it causes you to act.  You’re never going to accomplish your fitness goals if you don’t reach being UNCOMFORTABLE.  You have to Act.  Action meaning… you have to push through. It becomes easier once you do. 

Same for a Fit Christian life. You have to push through.  Times WILL be hard.  There will be tough days.  There will be days that you don’t feel like even getting out of bed. That you don’t want to deal with this person or that situation- but you do.  You do because you want to get stronger.  You want to push through.  And when you do, it actually gets easier. 

When I first ran a half mile, I thought I was going to die.  Now, I get to mile six and think- I got this.  Same in your life situations.  When you push through those struggles, later, they’ll become like a downhill peddle (because you’re stronger).

This week is a Success because I did something new.  I changed it up and rose to the challenge.  I had fun and continue to have fun.  I encourage you- rise to the challenge. Don’t let life (or a bad workout) get you down. Re-evaluate your goals and how you’ll achieve them.  Make a plan and be determined enough to follow through. You got this, hang in there.

>Lastly, encouage & help the *newbies at the gym... They'll be forever grateful :)

BeBlessed

-A

My Eating Disorder, Overcoming

Eating disorders. There are many different types.  When I was younger, I categorized eating disorders as “Anorexia”, “Bulimia”, and “Binge eating”.  However there are others.  I’d like to touch on the one I struggled with all through my childhood, teen years, and college years. 

Over Eating.  “It’s a compulsive excessive consumption of food (bingeing), often thousands of calories at a time. People with Compulsive Overeating have what is characterized as an "addiction" to food. They often use food and eating as a way to hide from their emotions, to fill a void they feel inside, and to cope with daily stresses and problems in their lives. Common reasons for overeating include:

Emotional Comfort. Eating too fast. When eating out, “getting your money’s worth” mentality. “More is better”. Not paying attention while eating”. (Source: www.eatingdisorders.com)

This description defines me to a T.  I loved & craved salt, fried foods, and greasy foods.  I loved to drizzle and dunk everything from fries to pizza and sandwiches in ranch dressing.  Anything out of a box was ALL me.  I’ll admit that when I was in elementary school, I’d come home to an empty house where I’d make Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper, Mac N’ Cheese, and Fried Chicken T.V. dinners- I’d sit in front of the T.V. and finish everything I made while enjoying after school sitcoms.  When my parents would get home from work later in the evening, I’d eat again.  Why?!  I was addicted.  Eating made me feel good.  But only for a little while. 

I struggled academically all through school because reading was very difficult for me.  It wasn’t till the end of my 6^th grade year when it was corrected.  I had to work very hard in school to get the grades I desired.  I’m a very compassionate person as well.  I care for others before myself and tend to take on more than I can handle.  I’m not good a saying no, and rarely say no.  When I couldn’t cope, I chose food to aid my feelings of anxiety, fear, and sadness.  This all built up to 226lbs.  During that time, I had 2 surgeries to put pins and screws in both my right & left hips.  I was so over weight that the pressure was harming my joints.  I also had my gallbladder out in 5^th grade. 

I tell you this to describe how ‘unhealthy’ I really was.  I fought with myself.  In my mind I saw it as “I’ll make fun of myself before others can”.  I hated myself inside and out.  It wasn’t till these last two years where I was able to love myself.  I had my thyroid checked & was placed on medication to manage my thyroid levels.  I changed my lifestyle to Clean Eating and have had great results.

But 90lbs down physically, greater results have come within my heart.  Scriptures tell me “I’m created in his image” (Genesis 1:27), “He clearly has shown his love for us by death on the cross” (Romans 5:8), and that “He knew me before I was formed in my mother’s womb” (Jeremiah 1:5).   

>>I am loved and cared for.  “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

Success has come in learning how to take care of my body.  It needs feed, but not excessively.  It needs food, but food that is nourishing.  And when I’m overwhelmed and stressed, just going for a walk is beneficial-I don’t need food to cope.  We have to remember “our bodies are God's temples and that God's Spirit dwells within us” (1 Cor 3:16).  Honor him by how you treat your body.

For any misconception: I’m not on a diet, I’ve changed my lifestyle.  I’m chasing ‘fit’ not ‘Skinny’.  My prayer for you is that you’ll know how much you are loved.  That we have been given a gift of life, & that you may honor him in word and deed.

Lastly, if you struggle with one of these disorders, seek out help.  We aren’t meant to be on this journey alone.  God is with us, but it’s always better to have a friend- Iron sharpens Iron.

May you #beBlessed this week.

Love -A



Before



My progress so far... (2yrs later)