Feeling like a Super Hero

This was an eye opener for me yesterday as I went to put on my batman utility belt, getting ready the Super Heroes and Villians 5K Run. Last year when I wore it, I punched grommets at the ends of the belt and tied it on me with ribbon. It actually has velcro on the belt but it didn't fit me that way then.

Yesterday, I was completely shocked at the difference when I went to wrap it around my waist and realized just how much I have lost since then. Sadly, just a year ago, I didn't even realize that I even could lose that much and that I had it in me to make that kind of progress. But now, seeing how far I have actually come, truly makes me feel like my own super hero. I did that! I made the changes in my life to get those results.

The size difference. The grommets are where I had my batman belt tied on my waist last year.

It's been a slow gradual progress, in a healthy consistent way, and I don't spend a ridiculous amount of time working out. In fact, I've missed many scheduled workouts, hit some road blocks here and there, and I actually don't eat perfectly clean and perfectly stick to my meal plan ALL the time. But I continue to work hard to reach my fitness goals, consistently not sporadically, and I have never given up!

This little journey of dropping some weight and getting my booty fit and back in shape has definitely had some ups and downs. Throughout the weight loss, there has also been some weight gain. Weight loss is certainly not a constant downhill drop. There have been moments where I felt I was making great progress, and then moments where I felt completely bloated and frustrated with the scale. Of course I know that the scale does not tell all, but it can still be discouraging at times when you are not seeing or feeling changes and progress seems to be stalled or going in the wrong direction.

The important thing to remember is that road bumps are completely normal and going to happen. Some days are going to be harder than others when it's time to get your workout done. And some days it will be hard to resist the urge to binge on foods that you might later regret. But you can't let those days stop you from going on and trying harder. You have to be proud of your progress along the way and how far you have come in the long run.

Slow progress is still progress! Just keep going and don't worry about how long it will take you to see the changes you want to see.

If you're interested in doing what has worked for me and having someone help you stay accountable, shoot me a message and talk to me. I don't share my progress to brag, I share it to inspire and motivate others and to gain trust that what I do works and that I can help.

You can Contact Me here on my blog. If you are serious and dedicated to making some improvements in your nutrition and fitness, I'd love to have you in my next Fitness Challenge Group for one-on-one support and accountability. To help me learn more about you and what your fitness and nutrition goals are, I have a brief questionnaire here.

-To good health and happiness,

Sandy

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My Focus T25 Results

So a few weeks ago, I mentioned that I was just about done with Focus T25 and just a few pounds away from my (first) goal weight. That weekend, I was on my way out with the hubby for a little week long getaway to Vegas for our 15 year anniversary. I've been a bit busy since being back. So finally, here are my results. I did reach my goal, just one day before the deadline!

19 pounds gone in 93 days!!

On New Year's of this year, I was not happy with my 5'3" self standing on the scale looking at it say 164 lbs. More importantly, I was just not happy. I was tired, fatigued, cranky, irritable, hormonal, constantly had migraines, had little energy or desire to do anything, my joints were always achy, I didn't like how I felt inside, and I didn't like what I saw in the mirror. 2013 had been an exhausting year for me after being a third time mom and battling all these issues and symptoms (that I just mentioned) that I learned are apparently due to an autoimmune disorder, Hashimoto's, causing my thyroid and other hormones to go haywire. Last year, I was having blood drawn every month and visiting the doc to monitor the changes in my thyroid levels. Lucky for me, I have not had to go on thyroid meds for it and I'd like to keep it that way as long as possible. Never the less, I was tired of feeling crappy and needed to do something about it.

It was time for a change!!

So, I set out to lose the extra weight that I packed on from motherhood and decided that I really need to take control of my eating habits and learn to steer clear of foods that can cause thyroid complications. I started drinking Shakeology shakes again daily, usually at lunch or for an afternoon snack to boost my energy level when I most needed it. I first tried Shakeology about a year ago when I started having thyroid issues. I wanted a good quality protein shake that would provide great nutrients to help support my immune system and help with some of the symptoms I was having (fatigue, irritability, lack of energy, bloated feeling). At the time, I had a couple of leading shakes I was interested in, but after checking the ingredients and specs on them all, Shakeology was the winner for me. The biggest winning factor is that Shakeology is gluten free, which is a plus for anyone with thyroid and autoimmune disorders. 

The DVDs for Focus T25 had been sitting by the TV for months just collecting dust. I was on a mission to lose 19 pounds and get back down to my pre-preggo weight of 145 by April 5th, which was when the hubby and I would be leaving for vacation. It was a slow start at first, kept missing workouts, wasn't sticking to any particular meal plan, but still managed to lose a few pounds. A couple weeks into January, I found the Power HALF Hour Challenge Group on Facebook that was just about to get started for a 60-day challenge. How perfect for my 25 minute workouts with Shaun T! So I signed up to join hoping that having some peers to report my workouts and eating habits to would help keep me accountable and on track. That it did!! 

When the group formed, I started over with the T25 workout schedule since I had already missed so many days in between already. I wasn't perfect, but for the most part, I made time to squeeze the workouts in for 5-6 days a week. I was eating healthier, drinking my shakes and making a better habit of drinking more water. About half way through, I ordered the 21 Day Fix from Beachbody and was excited to try it out. So for the last 3 weeks of my T25 challenge, I incorporated the 21 Day Fix meal plan into my daily routine. LOVE the 21DF meal plan! By the end, I had reached my goal. No magic pill, no medical intervention...

just a healthy meal plan,
     a daily Shakeology shake,
          and 25 minute workouts!!

So what's next? This week I just started the 21 Day Fix with the Fix workouts. Results to come...

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