Sticking to the plan

Week three of the program was about sticking to a plan. I've been using the My Fitness Pal app during the past three weeks. I log in my meals, snacks, water intake and exercise each day. It helps keep me accountable and makes me think twice about what I put into my mouth. There's an online website as well that provides even more features than the app. I haven't had a chance to check it out yet, but plan to do so in the coming weeks. Check it out...it's free and totally worth it! http://www.myfitnesspal.com/

The biggest challenge for me this week was finding time workout. My husband was sick the majority of the week with the flu that's been plaguing everyone this holiday season. I was pretty much on my own with the girls all week and trying to prepare for Christmas at the same time. It was a stressful and overwhelming week. However, for the first time in my life, I found that finding time to exercise was a stress relief to everything else that was going on during my week.

I also started the Couch Potato to 5K workouts this week. I've probably mentioned before that I get bored with workouts so mixing it up is a necessity in my case. I was shocked and surprised that I was able to do it. I've never been a runner, and to be honest, I'm not sure I want to be...but this was another way to get my workout in by doing something different so I gave it a shot. It really wasn't so bad...and my knees held out which is what I was most concerned about.

I was happy to end the week visiting with the other challenge participants. We got our "before" pictures taken on Saturday and were able to reconnect with each other to see how everyone was doing. It really is an amazing group of women that were chosen to participate and everyone is making the program work for them in their own way. I'm looking forward to the big reveal at the end of the 12 weeks. It's going to be a fun celebration of our journey!

So at the end of week two, I had lost less than a pound. At the end of week three, I'm happy to report that I lost 2 pounds for a total of nearly 6 pounds in three weeks. This was the motivation I needed going into week four that coincided with several Christmas celebrations.

My goal in week four is to really tackle the nutrition aspect of the program. I've purchased two new Cooking Light cookbooks and I'm carving out time to plan our meals for the upcoming weeks. Like exercising, I think it will need to be a deliberate process of getting meals scheduled into our hectic calendar. I know we can do it! I'm working hard in week four to maintain my weight loss and hopefully lose a little as well. We'll see how it goes!

Finding the time...

I was the queen of excuses when it came to taking care of myself, focusing on a healthier lifestyle and finding time to exercise. Note the word...WAS! Week two of this program was extremely challenging for me because reality set back in and my schedule was back to normal...meaning, completely crazy and hectic! Basketball games, volleyball practices, Board meetings, three Holiday parties (yes, THREE!), and a family celebration that consisted of eating twice within a 3 hour period (YIKES!)...a challenging week to say the least!

However, while my workout schedule was more segmented, I still found a way to get in my exercise each and every day. Sometimes that meant getting on my treadmill at 20-3o minutes in the morning, walking during the lunch hour or 20-30 minutes at the end of the night...even when I had a thousand excuses for why I really needed the extra sleep or that there just wasn't enough time in the day, I made it happen. Thanks to my co-workers for helping push me through those busy days. Erin got me out to walk during lunch one day and Laura headed to cycling class with me after our holiday party at work! What a great team I have in my corner! :)

I was even able to eat in moderation while surrounded by sweets and treats the entire week! Another challenge for me, because sweets are one of my biggest weaknesses. I wasn't able to completely walk away but I was proud of myself for not completely going crazy either. It's amazing how much pride I take in those little accomplishments.

Imagine my disappointment when I got on the scale at the end of the week to find that I had only lost 0.2 pounds and I had not lost any inches. Definitely not what I was hoping for...however, after my inspirational meeting with Jennifer Carson, our stress management coach, I was able to reflect on her PACE motto...Positive Attitude Changes Everything. And she's right, I hadn't lost weight but I knew I had accomplished a lot that week. I ate less and still found time to exercise and despite all the temptations I faced, I did not GAIN any weight back! So at the end of the two weeks of the Go Red Better U Challenge, I was down 3.7 pounds from my starting weight.

I also know that I'm getting stronger, I'm adding weights each week I lift and I'm not as winded when I walk, run or cycle. Hopefully, week two was about building muscle. I'm not sure how accurate my scale is but it does measure body fat as well and I was down 2% in that measurement so I'm hoping that means something!

I'm enjoying the journey so far, and the women who are on this journey with me. Thanks to everyone who has been so supportive...I can't wait to see what the next week holds!

Success in Week 1

In my opinion, week 1 of the challenge was a success. I have had numerous friends and family members supporting me on the journey. I have used Facebook to keep everyone informed of my daily exercise progress and received the following inspirational quote from a friend of mine.

It's true that the process of change is a slow one and I have to keep reminding myself of that each day. I'm not a patient person so I want to see results quickly and that's not the reality when you are talking about real life change. Exercising every day, sometimes twice a day is real life change for me! I'm proud to say that so far, I've been able to keep pushing myself to find time in my hectic schedule to make time for me. At the end of week 1, I lost 3.5 pounds!

Getting ready to kick off the 12 week challenge

The 12 week program officially kicked off on December 3rd. Prior to that I was checked out by a cardiologist who advised me to lose at least 40 lbs. Dr. Brasch and I together felt that with a good balance of exercise and improved nutrition that setting a goal to lose 20 lbs. was feasible during the 12 week process. I also met with Dan McCulley at the Refinery to get everything in place to begin a consistent exercise program for myself.

Dan encouraged me to start out my day with 20-30 minutes of exercise, like walking on the treadmill, to get my body jump started for the day. Then later in the day I should fit in a longer workout to incorporate some strength training as well. Dan and I talked about my 20 lbs. goal and again felt that it was feasible in the 12 week period to accomplish. During my tour of the Refinery, Dan handed me a 25 lbs. weight and said, "Imagine how great it will feel to walk up the stairs and not be carrying this amount of weight up and down the stairs with you." Wow...it was heavy and I was determined to make that happen for myself.

Dan also encouraged me to try the classes and mix it up so my body and muscles didn’t know what to expect and so I kept progressing. In addition, he encouraged me to eat throughout the day, every 2-2.5 hours to my metabolism up and to keep from getting too hungry. I took all this to heart and got started right away. Thanks to Dan for his positive words of encouragement...he gave me the confidence to really attack my fitness goals and to get started!

Why I'm taking the 12 week Better U Challenge

During the past 18 years, I have maintained a full time job serving children and families in our community while also working as the Head Varsity Cheerleading Coach at the University of Illinois. In 2008, I became the Executive Director of Crisis Nursery, a beloved non-profit in our community, and continue to coach cheerleading. During these years, I have also given birth to my two beautiful daughters, who are now ages 12 and 8. I am constantly on the go!

While these accomplishments have been amazing, I have neglected one very important area of my life...taking care of myself. Since having my second child, my weight has continued to increase and I am overwhelmed by my current appearance and how to gain control over this very important aspect of my life. I am constantly in the spotlight in both positions with frequent speaking engagements both in person and on the news. I'm very self conscious about my appearance and it impacts my ability to exhibit confidence in all situations. I worry about my weight and how it is impacting every aspect of my life.

I'm also concerned about the impact it has on my family. My weight and the fatigue that comes with it prohibit me from being active with my children and I'm not happy with the example that I'm setting for them. I want them to understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle and to see me living that as an example for them. It is for these reasons that I applied to become a Go Red for Women Challenge participant.