Getting Back On Track

Hello everyone,

It's been nearly a year since I've posted about my workout journey.  I must say I'm extremely disappointed in not posting and keeping you all updated but I'm back!

First things first:  I have to announce that I have gained about 5lbs and several inches back during my break from posting on my blog.  Posting on here weekly and keeping you all updated on my progress really helps me stay on track.  I think part of it is knowing that if I post on here y'all can hold me accountability.

So I've been back on track for about two weeks now and so far things are going well.  I am currently doing a hybrid program between Turbo Fire and Chalean Extreme.  I'm using the Turbo Fire just for cardio purposes so sometimes I replacing Turbo Fire with just a running regimen.  The Chalean Extreme is a introduction to weight training program that is designed to introduce the body to weight training but it also seems as if it will help lean your body out totally.  The exercises are made to work two muscles groups at the same time.  I have to admit I really want to quit because I have no strength at all and the exercises are extremely difficult for me. Yes I'm whining a bit lol. But any who I just wanted to let you all know I'm back.  As always feel free to comment!!

Also I'm still logging my meals into Myfitnesspal.  If you haven't joined yet please do, it's free and really helps keep yourself accountable with your meals.  Add me if interested: My username is sherellejones.

24 hours

There are 24 hrs in a day and during that time many of us have work, families, school, and just normal day-to-day activities that fill up our schedule.  Fitting in an hour of exercise a day is ideal and very great, but what are we doing the other 23 hrs?  I saw this post on facebook and thought I'd elaborate.  Execising is great but if everything is not aligned the results will probably be minimual.  So ponder on this:

Motivation

I have lost about 23lbs so far and I'm feeling great.  However, the last couple of weeks I felt myself starting to get bored and plateau.  So I had to refocus, re motivate, and get back on track.  This can be hard on a long journey such as the one I'm on.  Not only is the journey about losing weight, but also about losing fat, getting stronger, and transforming my entire body.  I suppose it's normal to get tired.  What I did to get back on track is refocus.  I had to just stop and ask myself what are your goals and what is it that you're trying to accomplish?  Once I did that I was able to remember why I'm on this journey, which is to lose weight, get healthy, stay healthy, and continue to improve my physical fitness everyday.  If you feel yourself falling off, don't beat yourself up, just refocus, re motivate, and get back on track!

Hard?

So today I want to talk about what is considered a "hard" workout.  I think there are some programs that are just plain hard even for the most fit person.  But what I think is hard is anything that gets your heart rate up and challenges your body.  I like turbo fire because it is intense but I don't feel like I want to die during the workout.  I feel good and I actually smile during the workout.  This workout is also good because it gets my heart rate up and no matter how many times I do a specific workout with Turbo Fire it is designed where I can always push myself to the next level within that exercise. 

One of my good friends came to workout with me one day during Turbo Fire and she mentioned that it had too much coordination things.  I can definitely agree with this because the very first Turbo Fire workout I did I couldn't keep up and frankly I didn't know what was going on, nor could I get the steps down.  And if you know me, you know I have no coordination skills whatsoever.  This brings me to my next point consistency is key with any type of workout.  I kept pushing play with Turbo Fire and now I understand the coordination for this workout and I'm also able to keep up a little better.  I still get off some days but that's okay but as long as I keep moving I'm burning tons of calories and tapping into the fat burn of the cardio workout.

April ends 4 months of consistent work outs and eating well and I'm down 20lbs.  I didn't understand when people would say just stick with it but I do now.  CONSISTENCY is key.  So whatever your goals are whether it be a goal weight, a certain size in jeans, or just to fit into old clothes, just remember if you just keep doing it you will see results.  My favorite thing to say now is "I may not look like a supermodel, but I sure do feel like one"  Feel free to comment!

Supemodel Status

Greetings Everyone.  I haven't posted in awhile so I thought I'd give you all an update.  First I have to post this pic of my sister and her friend after working out.  I think this pic is so hilarious b/c it's exactly how I look after a workout A HOT MESS! lol that probably means I'm doing something right, after all you all know the quote "IF YOU STILL LOOK PRETTY AFTERWARD, YOU DIDN'T DO IT RIGHT!" That is for sure one of my favorite quotes, so here's the pic:

As of last week I'm down 15lbs and feeling great.  I have to say that I still have a long way to go but I'm feeling great.  I just stop and look in the mirror randomly and although there is still much improvement to be made I'm so proud of myself.  I've also come to the conclusion that exercising really improves self esteem and self confidence.  I don't have low self esteem by any means, but I do notice that I really feel like a supermodel.  I just fee great and this is the best thing because I'm truly happy that exercising has become apart of a permanent lifestyle change for me.

I've been slowly getting better and better with my nutrition choices as well.  Some days are better than others but all in all I'm doing really good.  I have this really cool app on my android called FOODUCATE.  It's been really helpful on me making food selections, because remember this is about more than weight loss, its about getting and staying healthy as well.  The app is really cool.  You just scan the bar code of a food item and it will give it a letter grade (A-F) and explain why or why it is not healthy.  It also lists alternatives so that you can make a better choice.  I'm still working out 6 days a week.  There was a week where I worked out 5 days but those 5 days were really tough workouts so I was okay with having two days off. 

Well, that's it for now feel free to comment!

Fit

I've talked a lot about nutrition and weight loss, but this year my goal has changed.  I don't usually make resolutions, but for 2012 my goal is to be in the best shape possible.  I have really been enjoying working out these past 7 weeks.  I think it's because my motivation is different then it has been in the past. My motivation came from wanting to get back to an old weight or to fit in clothes that I grew out of, but now I just want to be in good shape.  I want to be fit.  Everyday that I work out whatever exercise it is, I enjoy challenging myself, taking my workout to the next level, and pushing myself harder and harder each time.  One thing I've learned is no matter how fit a person is they can always push to the next level.  So that is what my exercises are now, just pushing and pushing.  The bare minimum no longer works for me.  There is not one person or one thing that is motivating me to do this.  It's all for me.  I want to go through this journey for myself.  And that's how it has to be to last.  Losing weight to fit into a dress or an old pairs of jeans will only last for a short time and I've experienced that.  But me being on this constant journey keeps me motivated to never stop even if I do get into that dress or those old jeans. 

I love this photo with the message because it describes what I'm currently experiencing.  I've decided that working out, losing weight, and wearing smaller clothes is all really irrelevant.  My life is better with exercise and no matter what's happening with work, family, or friends, this is an ecsape.  And a good one!  Happy Friday Everyone!!

Confidence

Another thing I've noticed is for awhile I let myself gain weight because I rested on the fact that I'm tall.  I'm 5'8" and I've never been a wide person so when I gain weight it just kind of stretches out all over, and it's really noticeable in the mid section.  Well, I decided I'm not going to use being tall as a crutch to be okay with being overweight.  Even though I may look okay, it's still not healthy and I am more determined than every to just be in a healthy weight range for the longevity of my health.

Since I never gave you guys a then and now here it is: