You are who you choose to be...

It's been nearly 3 months since my last post...there's not really much to say or much of an update to provide.  However, I do think it's important to check in to let everyone know that I've stumbled the past 3 months and I'm reaching out to my peers for support.  After the 12 week Better U Journey, the group of ladies and mentors making up the program, essentially went their separate ways.  I felt okay about that because I felt that the habits I had developed during those 12 weeks would be easy to sustain.  Unfortunately, that wasn't really the case...I need the encouragement of those around me to be successful, I need a workout buddy to meet at the gym and I need the support of my family to make healthier meal choices to truly make this a permanent lifestyle change.  It's definitely possible...it's just going to take a lot longer than 12 weeks to make it happen.

I have found that it is incredibly hard to stay focused on myself first...with both nutrition and exercise.  As summer began, so did softball for my girls and the stress level at work increased as well.  I found myself struggling once again to find time to take care of myself...putting my family and work before myself and turning to food for comfort.  During this time, I found myself putting some of my weight back on too.  Thankfully the weight gain has not been significant and I know I can get back on track. So, as I get back to focusing on my health and fitness, I will make sure to remember the following... 

From Start to Finish...I finished my first 5K!

It's been a crazy few weeks but I'm so proud to say that on Friday, April 26th I ran my first 5K race and raised over $800 for Crisis Nursery!  Thanks so much to everyone who made a donation and supported my effort.  I finished the race in 38:24 and beat my personal record by over 5 minutes!  It was an amazing experience to run with my mom, sister, daughter and sister-in-law...Go Red ladies Tanna, Lori & Sheree...the Crisis Nursery Miles for Smiles team...and some of the Illini cheerleaders.  I'm so proud of all of us and especially proud of myself for accomplishing a goal I wasn't sure I would be able to complete.  When I think back to where I was 6 months ago, this never would have been a possibility.  I think all the Go Red ladies agreed, this wasn't something we could have done prior to taking our 12 week challenge.  Way to go ladies and thanks for the push to complete this 5K together...it's a memory I will cherish and hopefully we can all continue to find our best self in each week and keep pushing towards our goals.

MY AMAZING FAMILY

 ILLINI CHEERLEADERS

GO RED LADIES!

CRISIS NURSERY MILES FOR SMILES TEAM

Facing bumps in the road and moving past them...

Well, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth but I have been hiding...from my bumps in the road that I've experienced the last three weeks. I've been hiding from my supporters and from those who ask on a daily basis how things are going. Truth is...I have fallen back into my old patterns...I'm not exercising the way that I should and I'm not making smart choices in the foods that I'm eating.  And, with that being said,...I've been embarrassed to update everyone on my lack of progress and the fact that I've gained 2 pounds since my last post.

During week 16 of my  journey, I spent an amazing 5 days in Austin, Texas for the NCAA tournament!  The weather was beautiful and I was able to be outside and explore the  University of Texas and other areas of Austin during our downtime between games.  I only really managed one real workout on the trip but I was so excited to finish my 3rd 5K on the treadmill at the hotel in 41:45, cutting 5 minutes off my personal best!  I ran/walked next to one of my cheerleaders, which definitely motivated me to push myself a little harder!  After that, I pretty much took the rest of the time off from the fitness room...not a good idea.  

When travelling, we had to eat out for every meal.  I haven't mastered the art of selecting the healthiest options and resisting the tempting choices when eating out.  I definitely was more aware of my choices than I had been in the past, but that didn't necessarily mean I made the best choices.  The pressure of always eating the right food is difficult sometimes...I start to feel like I'm depriving myself of things that I enjoy.  

I really hit a funk when I got back into town and was met with the 10-12 inches of snow that had fallen on Champaign while I was gone.  That was a complete disappointment and was so frustrating and depressing to me.  I know everyone is ready for Spring and I'm no different...I am over the cold weather and the dreary skies...I need some warmth and some sunshine!  

Week 17 was chaotic with the weather and trying to catch up from being gone from work the previous week.  I didn't make it into the gym and I still wasn't making smart choices about what I ate.  There were early morning meetings, lunch meetings, late meetings after the work day...all things that needed to be done but took me away from focusing on taking care of myself.  I wasn't thinking ahead to what meals to prepare...I wasn't scheduling workouts into my day.  I fell into my old habits with ease and started making excuses about why I couldn't take care of myself.  Leading up to Easter where I was surrounded by my favorite foods and my true enemy...CANDY...this was not a good sign for me.  

Looking back, I'm completely frustrated and disappointed that I didn't see this pattern creeping its way back into my life...and I'm even more frustrated that when I did notice it...I didn't do anything about it.

Week 18 had to be one of the most stressful weeks I've had in a while...I actually started the week out well and made it to circuit training on Monday during the lunch hour.  However, that's where my progress ended...I had planned to get to the gym Monday after work and my schedule was derailed by an unexpected interview at the end of the work day.  I then tried to run outside for the first time, thinking that I really needed to get a couple of 5K runs in so my body would be used to running outside come race day on April 26th.  I was freezing and only made it through 1.55 miles before I stopped.  The cold was killing my knees and I was miserable.  Of course, falling back into my old patterns...I didn't see the positive side of the run...the fact that I had made it halfway through in the cold and wind outside.  Instead, I felt defeated that I hadn't been able to finish.

By the end of the week, I honestly felt like I was going to blow.  If something could go wrong it did...work was incredibly stressful...managing things at home was incredibly stressful...trying to find time to take care of myself seemed completely out of my control.  However, on Friday of this past week, I realized that if I didn't take some of this control back, I was going to quickly end up right where I started 18 weeks ago...and that was, completely miserable in my own skin.  I have to thank Laura for making me leave the office over the lunch hour on Friday and getting me into the gym...and really, thanks isn't enough.  We went about 30 minutes prior to the circuit training class and just got on the elliptical machines and warmed up...then we completed the circuit training and headed back to work.  I could tell immediately, how much better my mood was just from that 60 minutes in the gym.  It's exactly what I needed!

That night, my daughter and I ran our first 5K together outside.  I ran the entire way with her by my side and while it was a slow jogging pace, it was a constant jog and we finished together in 43:55!  I am so proud of her for running with me and she told me how proud she was of me when we finished.  What a blessing!  Just when I was about ready to throw in the towel and give into my hectic life that was pushing me down...Kennedy stood beside me and helped me reach my goal.  Seeing her pride in me reminded me of why I started this journey...to be a better example for my girls.

Now if I could just get the healthy nutrition lifestyle to become a habit within the walls of my home...I would feel like I've really accomplished something and we would all be better off!  Some days, that barrier seems insurmountable...

So as you can see, I'm not hiding anymore...I have shared my "shame" from the past three weeks and I'm okay with it.  Gaining 2 pounds isn't what I was hoping for but it is what I deserve given that I haven't done anything to change it and now I'm ready to get back to work and get the weight off.  I'm not completely over the hump but I did make it into the gym on Saturday and completed a cycling class.  I am really sore because I had taken so much time off from the workouts but I'll work through the pain.  After all...I know what's on the other side of the pain...and that's my happiness.

Staying focused during March Madness...

It's my favorite time of year which is why I'm late posting last week's progress.  Week 15 was the beginning of March Madness for the Illini as we headed to the Men's Big Ten Tournament in Chicago.  While still watching what I was eating, I definitely allowed myself to splurge a little as we enjoyed the Cheesecake Factory in downtown Chicago.  Living out of a suitcase and eating out for every meal while travelling during tournament time is a constant challenge.  I want to see more weight loss on the scale but realistically, that may not be feasible during the next few weeks.  Regardless, I am happy to say that I still have not gained any weight on my journey and that I did lose another 0.6 pounds despite having that amazing piece of cheesecake.  I've lost 19.1 pounds so far and I'm closing in on that 20th pound!  :)

My biggest accomplishment during week 15 was running/walking two 5K’s.  I’m so happy to know that no matter what happens on April 26^th, I will at least be able to finish the Illinois Marathon 5K!  My first 5K was 49:18 and my second was 46:45.  I know I will just keep improving on my time as I get over the fear of actually running!  I’m getting there but you have to remember…I have NEVER been a runner!  Not even during the time of my life when I was most fit.

Thanks again for those who continue to support my efforts.  During the most challenging weeks I still know that I will push forward and continue to change my habits and my life through healthier eating and exercise.  Like it says in the picture above…it’s about time I become the best I can be!

Now…let’s a make a run Illini and get this done! I-L-L!!

Celebrating the little accomplishments & running for a cause...

Week 14, I was still a little sluggish and I saw that in my results.  I'm happy to say that even during weeks where I show very little progress on the weight loss front, I have been able to find progress in my measurements.  I know this won't always be the case but it definitely makes a difference now.  This past week, I only lost 0.4 pounds.  However, I lost another 0.5 inch from my hips and waist. 

I'm disappointed in my weight loss because I know I can do better.  I'm not pushing myself as much on the exercise front but my body is thanking me for it.  This past week, I discovered the value of the foam roller which has brought my knees back to a normal state...the pain I was suffering has been reduced dramatically!  Thanks to Laura Swinford & Kim Ginos for showing me how best to use this...I cannot believe how quickly it has made a difference!

Now that I'm virtually pain free, I'm back into the swing of things.  I've been able to return to cycling, body pump and I've started running again.  I've missed it and I'm hopeful that this next week will have more dramatic results than what I've seen this past week!

I still continue to struggle with sweets.  My willpower to walk away from something sweet continues to ebb and flow...it's frustrating.  I gave up Diet Dr. Pepper in August without a problem and that was a habit I have had for YEARS!  Giving up candy and sweets is proving to be a much bigger challenge...even though I saw dramatic results the week I completely went without them and lost over 5 pounds.  Why is this so hard for me?  Any ideas or tips on how to overcome this?  I'm open to suggestions because I know I would be much better off if I just walked away from sweets completely...sometimes the temptation is too much and I haven't found a good substitute for my cravings.

We still need to improve the nutrition in our house as well.  We've gotten away from dinners at home because we are back to juggling multiple practice schedules and activities.  I need to continue to make the time to plan ahead so meals don't sneak up on us.  I gained lots of great tools from the Better U program and through Meijer...now it's time to get serious and get it done!

The Illinois Marathon 5K is less than 7 weeks away!  I'm getting nervous but I know I'll be able to finish.  For those of you who haven't heard yet, I'm running to raise money for Crisis Nursery.  Crisis Nursery cares for children birth through six whose families are experiencing a crisis that could potentially lead to a situation of child abuse or neglect.  Our goal is to connect with families before children are placed in harms way and provide them with an "Island of Safety" they can reach out to for help.  Asking for help truly is a sign of strength, and as the Executive Director of Crisis Nursery, I am asking those of you who have followed my progress to help me raise enough money to support an entire day at the Nursery.  You can make a donation at the link below and I would be very grateful...and whenever you are in the area, give me a call and I'll give you a personal tour so you can see for yourself the amazing work that we do!  Thanks for your consideration! :)

http://www.crowdrise.com/TeamCrisisNursery2013/fundraiser/stephanierecord

Have a great week and keep moving everyone...I know I will!!

The Journey Continues...

I thought after the Better U Challenge was complete that I would stop blogging.  However, several people have requested that I continue and I have found that it really was helpful in keeping me on track with my exercise and weight loss goals.  So...I have moved my blog entries to this new site and plan to continue blogging until my fitness and weight loss journey is complete...or at least until I reach my ultimate weight loss goal.   

During Week 13, all of the Better U participants were able to celebrate their success at the annual Go Red for Women Luncheon.  We were treated to a manicure, pedicure, color and cut at Rod Sickler Salon and then were glammed up the day of the event and dressed up in our fancy red outfits to walk the runway in the Go Red Fashion Show put on by Macy's.  It was quite the event and I think each of us felt truly blessed to have been selected as a participant.  After all of the attention and celebrations...I also think we all experienced a little bit of a let down when it was all over. 

We've agreed to keep in touch and the plan is for everyone to run/walk the 5K together during the Illinois Marathon weekend.  I have signed up to continue my membership at the Refinery and my husband and sister-in-law have signed up as well.  I continue to have a large group of supporters on my team and I know I'll need them during the next phase of this journey.

I've already noticed how easy it is to slip into the old habits of sleeping in, or finding excuses about why I can't make it to a class.  So hopefully my Facebook friends won't mind when I start sharing my workout and weight loss accomplishments again...because to be honest, I really  need everyone's encouraging words to help me stay motivated and to keep me accountable.

At the end of week 13, even with all the celebration and relaxing back into my life without the Better U Challenge pushing me forward...I still lost 0.6 pounds.  Definitely not as much as I would have liked...but my motivation took a hit after all the hype of the week.

Even better news though is that my blood pressure has gone down and so has my overall cholesterol!  My triglycerides dropped significantly.  I still need to get my bad cholesterol numbers down and will be focusing on that in the next few weeks.  Any helpful tips and advice would be greatly welcomed!

I'm so grateful for the Better U opportunity that I was given and on the impact it's had on my life and that of my family.  We will all continue the journey together and I look forward to continuing to share my progress.

Achieving the impossible...

My 12 week Go Red Better U Challenge is complete! I lost another 1.5 pounds this week for a total of 17.5 pounds during the 12 week program. A little shy of my 20 pound goal but I have no complaints! I’m so excited to have successfully completed this program.

Once again, my schedule was insane this week…the only classes I could fit in were the 5:30 am cycling classes. So, instead of making excuses for why I couldn’t work out…I make it work and got to cycling at 5:30 am on Tuesday and Thursday! I’ve learned so many things during this journey but one of the most powerful lessons I have learned is that I have the power to change my attitude and that’s exactly what I’ve done. I refuse to let other people bring me down with their negative energy and negative talk…I still struggle myself with negativity so while I have not perfected this completely…I can say I have made HUGE strides in this area!

I’ve also lost a total of 2 inches from my waist and 2.5 inches from my hips in 12 short weeks. I’ve had my blood drawn to get a comparison on my cholesterol levels after the weight loss and I’m anxiously awaiting the results. I hope I see the results in this area as well.

While this part of my journey is complete, I will continue on my own personal journey to reach my ultimate weight loss goal of losing 40 pounds. This week I was able to purchase some new clothes to get me through the rest of this journey and I’m happy to say that I have dropped 1-2 sizes in pants and tops depending on the brand and how things are sized. :)  YES!!

As this journey comes to a close, the participants are gearing up for the Go Red Luncheon to be held on February 28^th. We all went to Macy’s to pick out a fabulous outfit to wear to the event and I picked out an amazing red dress to wear. This dress was 2 sizes smaller than the last dress I purchased for Crisis Nursery’s annual dinner & auction…and for the first time in a long time, I can honestly say…I looked great! I know I have a long way to go but I’m almost halfway there and that’s an incredible feeling. Wednesday will be the spa day at Rod Sickler Salon…I’m looking forward to seeing what new look I will walk away with and then revealing that look at the luncheon on Thursday.

The WCIA feature story on my Better U journey aired today and turned out great. WCIA showed pictures of my girls in the segment and they both heard from several people at school today that people saw me on TV. I hope I made them proud and that they continue to be proud of me as I live and model a healthier lifestyle for them. I started this journey for my family but in the end, I came to realize that this journey was really for me. It was time for me to take care of myself and make myself a priority. I’ve done that and I can honestly say, I think I’ve done it without sacrificing any of the other areas of my life that are so important to me.

Thank you again to everyone who has continued to support me through this journey. You have all made a difference!

Imagining the end result...

I can’t believe how fast the past few weeks have gone! I just completed week 11 of the Go Red Better U program and I’m still amazed at the progress that I’ve made in such a short amount of time. This week I lost another 0.6 pounds…less than I was hoping for but that dreaded weekend controlled me once again. Despite the progress and hard work I’ve put into changing my lifestyle, slipping back into my old habits is so easy to do. I constantly have to fight the urge to turn to food for comfort during those high stress weeks...especially when my schedule becomes so hectic that I can’t get to the gym. It’s a constant battle…I continue to push through it but I recognize how hard each and every accomplishment is on this journey and I’m happy that I have stuck with it!

I also lost another 0.5 inch on my waist and hips this week, so even though I get a little grouchy about that number on the scale, I know my body is changing and that I’m shedding not just pounds but inches as well. I would never have imagined that I could have lost 16 pounds, 2 inches from my waist and 2.5 inches from my hips in just 11 short weeks. As you know, my 12 week goal was to lose 20 pounds. It looks like I will fall a little short of that goal. That’s okay though because my total weight loss goal is 40 pounds and I know that if I keep working, that 12 weeks after this program ends, I can be close to the overall goal that my doctor and I have set for myself. How exciting to imagine myself 40 pounds lighter when summer arrives! I can only imagine the joy I will feel when I can ditch the capri pants and jeans and put on shorts instead when those summer temps start to get into the 80’s and 90’s. The thought of going to the pool or beach with the girls without being embarrassed about how I look will definitely keep me going through the next phase of my journey!

I survived the live cooking segment on WCIA’s ciLiving on Friday the 15^th. I’m not sure how entertaining it was but I think we pulled it off considering it was supposed to be a two part segment that we had to adjust and do in one segment with just a few minutes of notice. It’s funny how live TV works…not at all what you would expect but somehow it all works out.

This final week of the Go Red Better U program looks like it will be my most challenging to date. Every evening this week is filled with practices, meetings and games. Getting to the gym after work will not be an option. So, for this week it looks like I will have to do some 5:30 am classes at the gym instead. I will get there…I will be half asleep but I will get there. J Might as well see what I think of those classes before my free membership at the Refinery ends.

I go on my Macy’s shopping spree on Sunday to pick out an outfit for the Go Red Luncheon on February 28^th. This is the first time I’ve gone shopping since I’ve started to lose weight so I’ll be interested to see how new clothes will fit and what size I’ll be wearing. I’m a little apprehensive about the “big reveal” at the luncheon but I know it will be great! J

I'm downsizing...

During week ten, I really had to give my body a break. My knees were slowing me down and were swollen from overuse so I took it easy on the exercise. It was a tough week for me as I worried that not exercising as much would have a negative impact on my weight loss. However, I did find time to do some sort of exercise at least once a day. By the end of the week, my knees were feeling better and I was able to fully participate in circuit training and cycling class at the Refinery.

For me, while there are many perks to this 12 week program, the free membership to the Refinery has really had the greatest impact on my change of lifestyle. The classes offered at the Refinery are exceptional! Of course, this is compared to absolutely nothing since I’ve never participated in classes like these ever in my life…but I do feel that I am accurate in assessing them as awesome! The instructors are great and I always feel like I’ve accomplished something after I leave their classes. If they weren’t great, I wouldn’t want to keep going back each and every week…to me that speaks volumes! I never thought I would enjoy working out in a group but I found that it makes the time go by faster and it pushes me to do better each time. If you are looking to join a local gym in Champaign, check it out… http://www.refineyourself.com/. Okay, that’s enough of my completely unsolicited commercial. :)

This was supposed to be my final week of training for the C25K, however, I was only able to run a couple of times and still have one more day before I complete the training. I am happy to report that despite the reduction in exercise, I still lost 1.4 pounds. The ten week total is a weight loss of 15.3 pounds!

To top off a great week, I celebrated my 42^nd birthday on Saturday. I feel better than I have felt in years and I’m so happy with the life changes that I’ve made through this program. It truly has given me the tools to make this change possible. I’m so grateful! On a side note…I have to give a shout out to the Illini for upsetting Indiana on Thursday night and Minnesota on Sunday. What a great week for Illini Basketball…all in time for my birthday!

Since there are only two weeks left in this part of my journey, I decided to go through my closet on Sunday night and pull out all the clothes that no longer fit. It was a pretty decent pile and my oldest daughter and I got a few good laughs at how baggy my clothes were on me. I took a picture of the pile and put it on Facebook and it got 74 likes! Really?! It was just a pile of clothes but I have to say, the incredible response never ceases to amaze and encourage me. Thanks to everyone who continues to motivate me simply by liking a status or posting words of encouragement. I appreciate it more than you know! :)

Look for me this Friday the 15^thwhere I will be doing a LIVE cooking segment on WCIA’s ciLiving between the 4-5 pm hours. Considering the fact that I’m not much of a cook, this promises to be VERY entertaining! To top it off, you will have a chance to win 2 free tickets to the Champaign Go Red for Women Luncheon on February 28^thalong with some other fun Go Red goodies from the American Heart Association. Make sure you check it out!

https://ahaspringfieldil.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/20122013ChampaignILGoRedLuncheon/YourEvent/tabid/419946/Default.aspx

Embracing change!

During week nine, I have had to frequently remind myself of the quote above. Making a lifestyle change is hard! Nine weeks into the program, and I still revert back to some of those bad habits brought on by stress. However, I continue to remind myself that I have taken major steps to change my lifestyle because I didn’t like the way I looked, the way I felt, or the example I was setting for my family, especially my girls.

I want to be around when they grow old. I want to be able to run and play with them and not feel tired and out of shape when I do so. I want them to learn how to live a healthy lifestyle because of the example I set for them. I see my oldest gravitate towards the sugary snacks that were a daily staple in my diet and my youngest gravitate towards the salty snacks that my husband loves. We have to work together to get our entire family back on track and we are making progress each week.

I know we are more likely to have success if we don’t force drastic changes on the girls but let them watch and learn as we introduce these new habits into our lives. They have learned about serving sizes and are proud to tell me they only ate one serving of the “healthier” chips instead of the entire bag. They are helping identify healthier food choices because of NuVal system utilized by Meijer (see January 14^thblog). Hopefully, the chips will eventually exit the household altogether and they will start to crave those healthier fruit and vegetable choices. I’ve seen those choices start to happen and it keeps me pushing through those difficult times when I’m tired and want to give in to the stress because I know I'm impacting my family with each choice I make.

This week I made it to cycling class three times and body pump twice. In addition, I finished week seven of the C25K training and lost 1.2 pounds and nearly 1% body fat. The nine week total is a weight loss of 14 pounds and a loss of 1.5 inches around my waist and 2 inches around my hips! I love fitting into different clothes and looking in the mirror and being happier about what I see. I’m not to my final goal yet but seeing the progress keeps me going!

There are only three weeks left in this part of my journey. Thank you to everyone for the continued support…I still need it and each day someone comes through with little words of encouragement to boost my confidence. I’m honored to hear that I have motivated many of my friends because of my daily Facebook posts and weekly blog updates. I’m completely focused on this lifestyle change for myself and my family and the added impact of inspiring someone else because of my commitment has truly been humbling. Thank you for letting me know the impact I’ve made on many of you as well…it keeps me going! J

Heading into the homestretch and I'm on the run...

Week eight was a challenge! It was a stressful week at work and just a hectic schedule in general making it difficult to get to the gym and making me crave food. It was hard week at work and just a hectic schedule in general making it difficult to get to the gym and making me crave to fight off the “stress eating” urges that I had throughout the week. I wasn’t totally successful this week, but I was aware of what was going on with my stress and so I definitely handled the urge to eat better than I have in the past.

I’ve been training for a 5K and plan to run in the Illinois Marathon with the rest of the Go Red team on Friday, April 26^th. I’ve started week seven of the training and ran 25 minutes straight this morning! I’ve never been a runner so this is definitely a first for me. I just keep thinking how much easier it will be when I lose the rest of this excess weight I’m carrying around. I’m excited to be running not only for myself, but also to raise money for Crisis Nursery!

I’m a member of the “Miles for Smiles” team and my goal is to raise $1,800…enough money to support an entire 24-hour day at the Nursery. Check on the link for more details if and if you want to support me on my run…

http://www.crowdrise.com/teamcrisisnursery2013/fundraiser/stephanierecord/updated

Crisis Nursery creates an “Island of Safety” dedicated to the prevention of children abuse and neglect by providing 24-hour emergency care for children and support to strengthen families in crisis. We serve children birth-six years of age and last year provided nearly 30,000 hours of crisis care to 776 children! Crisis Nursery can care for up to 12 children at any one time so on a day when we are at capacity, the cost of care for a child is about $6.25/child/hour. That’s a bargain! :)

This week I only lost 0.6 pounds. I knew there wouldn’t be much weight loss this week, given the challenges I mentioned earlier but I’m still pleased with the progress I’ve made. I also lost another ½ inch off my hips! Slowly but surely the weight is coming off. The best part of the week is that people have started to notice. Joey, one of the male cheerleaders I coach, informed me this week that my pants were too big.  :)  So this morning, when I was getting ready for work, I decided to dig in the back of my closest to find a pair of pants a size smaller…I was thrilled when they fit! I'm planning to weed out the old clothes and get rid of them as my body continues to shrink. I will not be back in those sizes again so there's no reason to keep them! The scale is not always my friend but it does keep me accountable. This week I’m celebrating the fact that my body looks different and I’m heading in the right direction!

I’ve already planned my meals and workouts for the next week so I’m hoping that will help ease the stress of fitting everything in. I’m looking forward to week nine and the last leg of this journey! Thanks to everyone for supporting me and good luck to the rest of the Better U participants. You can do it!

Defeating the weekend!

Week seven is complete! I had several goals this week but my biggest goal was to see a difference on the scale and to not be derailed by the weekend! My primary purpose of applying to be a Better U Challenge participant was to lose weight and develop healthier habits for myself and my family. Those things are happening but last week I was disappointed by the lack of weight loss and was sure it was impacted by my weekend eating habits.

This week, I’m thrilled to report that I’ve lost 5.2 pounds for a total of 12+ pounds in the 7 weeks of the program! I also lost another ½ inch from my waist and hips. Now, before anyone panics and thinks that I starved myself, I can reassure you that’s not the case. I talked to a trainer at the Refinery and met with Deb D’Angelo, our nutrition mentor from Christie. Turns out I wasn’t using My Fitness Pal correctly. I figured out how to use it more effectively this week and it made a huge difference. I didn’t consume the additional calories that I burned off in my workouts and the pounds came off. I also think that the lack of weight loss last week actually showed up early in the week after my weigh in. J

In addition, for the second week straight I gave up all candy and desserts. My dad emailed this week to say he was giving up sweets, bread and potatoes for three days in honor of my effort. I told him I would do the same. Then at the end of the three days, he challenged me to continue it through the weekend with him…and added in no pizza or pasta. I skipped birthday cake at my sister-in-laws party and I skipped my mother-in-laws homemade mashed potatoes and chicken and noodles…it was hard for me but it paid off! Thanks to my dad for challenging me to work a little harder! I’m looking forward to pasta tonight with my family but it will be in moderation and will be a recipe from my Cooking Light cookbook. J

This next week is all about stress management. We just got some great tips from our stress management mentor, Jennifer Carson, and I am ready to try them out this week! Good luck to the rest of the participants, we are in the home stretch and hopefully they are all experiencing success as well!

Breaking through barriers...

Week six of the Better U Challenge was about breaking through barriers. I had several barriers this week as my schedule kicked into high gear and I had to rely on doing much of my exercise at home. Yuck! I definitely enjoy getting to the gym more than exercising at home. There are too many distractions at home and too many things to get me off track. It’s hard to exercise when I see all the things around me that need to be done. At least when I get to the gym, it’s out of sight while I truly focus on me for the short amount of time that I’m there.

That being said, there were a lot of highs for me this week. The highs consisted of being able to wear a ring that I hadn’t worn in over 5 years and wearing a pair of jeans that hadn’t fit for over a year! It’s nice to know that these changes are happening to my body, even though I can’t always see them just from looking in the mirror. I also managed to finish a full hour of cycling without having to sit down to take a break. That was probably my biggest accomplishment of the week. I’m so proud of myself for pushing through the difficulty of the class and for making progress each time. I also completed the 4^th week of the C25K training program. I really hate running but this program has made it possible for me to gradually work towards the team goal of running a 5K in April.

The Better U Challenge participants met with Maribel Alchin, Meijer Dietitian and Healthy Living Advisor, this week. That was a great experience! Did you know that Meijer using the NuVal system? Check it out at http://www.nuval.com/. The NuVal system scores food on a scale of 1-100 and the higher the score, the better the nutrition. The score is located on the shelf tag that lists the price. It’s really simple and you don’t have to read nutrition labels! I showed this to my family this week and they were able to pick more nutritious snacks and foods based on the scoring system. My youngest even passed up a few of her favorite snacks because they were rated too low! Wow!!

Meijer also has provides weekly healthy meal options and recipes each week. I haven’t had time to check it out completely, but I was excited about what I was hearing. If you are looking for simple, easy, healthy meal options for your family, check out http://www.meijermealbox.com/healthy-living. I had no idea Meijer offered so many healthy living options for my family. We shop there frequently so this was exciting information to learn!

As for the lows…I really don’t want to spend much time talking about them but they do lead to frustration so maybe putting them in writing will help. I gave up candy and desserts this week…and I was crabby because of it! I love my candy so this was a hard one for me. I’m hoping this gets easier.

The weekends are my downfall…every week. I work hard all week to eat healthy and push myself and the weekends derail me every time. I need to figure out a way to overcome the weekend barriers or I won’t make my goals. Uggh!

This week I didn’t lose any weight. I know the number on the scale shouldn’t matter…but for me, it does. Before the weekend it looked like I was on track to lose 1-2 pounds. After the weekend, I was back to the weight where I started at the beginning of the week. It’s frustrating and I know it’s my own doing. The positives are that I dropped another 1.5% body fat from last week so I know I’m building muscle. I also lost another ½ inch off my waist and hips. So I’m definitely happy to see the progress in those areas and I’m proud of myself for continuing to push through the barriers. If only that one number on the scale didn’t mean so much to me…but, the fact of the matter is…it does matter and I have to figure out a way to have a greater impact on that number so I feel more successful. So, for next week…I will continue to try to beat my weekend barriers so I don’t lose all the progress I’ve worked for during the week. I'm halfway through the challenge, so this is the final stretch! Wish me luck!

Halfway there!

We've made it to the halfway point ladies! Way to go!! Keep pushing towards those goals...there is still plenty of time to reach them and everyone can do it! Looking forward to the next 6 weeks with all of you!

Energy & persistance conquer all things!

At the end of week five, I’m happy to report that I lost another pound. That nearly 7 pounds total for the first five weeks! I’ve also dropped over 3% of body fat if the scale I use at home is accurate. This was also the first week I saw measurable progress. I lost ½ inch each from my neck, waist & hips!! How do you lost ½ inch from your neck? I have no idea but I’ll take it. :)

I wish the weight was coming off faster. I’m trying not to get discouraged but I’m cutting down portions and exercising twice a day…I would expect the results to be more dramatic that what I’m seeing. I know 1-2 pounds a week is the normal expectation so I should be happy but I can’t help it…the overachiever in me is still a little disappointed.

However, let me tell you what makes that disappointment disappear…getting a call from my dad telling me that he’s heard from my mom how hard I’m working. Him telling me “keep it up and let me know if I can do anything to help!” Him reaffirming that it’s so important for me to do this for me and to take care of myself…him acknowledging that for so long I’ve worked so hard to take care of everyone else…him letting me know that I’m worth the effort I’m putting towards myself. I don’t care how old I am…the approval and support of my dad still means the world to me and has such an incredible impact on my outlook and on the decisions I make in my life. Those who know my dad know this isn’t a typical conversation…so when he reaches out in this way, it’s truly powerful. I love that I can always count on his support, no matter what.

I’m not really sure how many people are following this blog but I can tell you that there are a large number of people following my posts on Facebook. Who would have thought that I would inspire other people while on this journey to better my health? I’ve had friends and acquaintances support me through Facebook…send words of encouragement…let me know that I’m inspiring them. I mean really, 60+ likes just because I lost a few pounds? Tonight, a friend of mine told me that on days when she doesn’t feel like working out, she’s getting to the gym anyway because she’s been motivated to take better care of herself because of me. What?! That’s not what I intended when I started this journey but again, what a powerful impact that has on me…that’s the motivation I NEED to keep going when things get tough.

Not having the time to workout and take care of myself was always the excuse I gave to myself and others for why I couldn't get into the gym. I've found that with planning and commitment, this is no longer a barrier that I can't overcome. I know if I can find the time with everything that I'm juggling, then everyone else can find the time to exercise too. So, come on people...get moving! You won't regret it!!

My goal for week six is to give up candy and sweets. I have a sweet tooth and have really worked hard to cut down on the sweets that I've been eating during this challenge. I'm hoping that cutting these out completely will help me successfully achieve my goals. When I walked into work today, there was a large box of donuts waiting there...I'm excited to report that I did not have a donut (which I happen to LOVE)...and instead I enjoyed a cherry Greek yogurt with a small amount of chocolate granola mixed in. So proud of myself for having the restraint to pass on the sweets today!

Again, I can’t thank everyone enough for their support.This no longer feels like a journey I’m taking alone…I definitely feel like part of a team…all pulling together to help me be the best person I can be. So, if you have ever liked or posted a comment on my Facebook page, you too can take credit for the success that I’m having in this 12 week challenge.Thank you! :) 

“You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it!”

Surrounding Myself with Support...

Week four of the Go Red Better U Challenge was about surrounding yourself with support. My friends, family, and fellow challenge participants and mentors have been a great source of support through this process. They definitely got me through the most challenging week to date. I made a commitment to myself that this journey would be a public journey for me. I risked putting myself out there in daily facebook posts and the response has been so positive! The support I get from high school and college friends and former athletes that I have coached has been phenomenal. They are definitely motivating me to keep going...and believe me, there are days when I'd rather just sit down and skip the workouts.

I'm really working on having a more positive attitude about everything. Those that know me well, know that I don't always have a positive outlook on things. I always see the glass as half empty...I think that's because throughout my life, I've always been the person responsible for having to figure out how to fill the glass. I put a lot of pressure on myself and it wears me down.

The reality is, this has been really hard for me and while I do my best to keep my posts and blogs upbeat, I am constantly fighting the voice inside me that says...you really may not be able to do this. So for those of you giving me positive boosts of encouragement, don't doubt for a minute that I need every single one of those. As for the new positive energy and attitude...it's actually really working for me and making a difference.

As you know, there are always barriers to weight loss and eating healthy but nothing challenges that goal quite as much as the holidays! My biggest goal for week four was to maintain the weight loss I had already accomplished. Being home for the holidays and being surrounded by all my favorite foods and desserts was definitely challenging but I was able to eat in moderation and still enjoy all of my favorites.

I was feeling a little down at the end of the week though and was sure I had gained weight. I really hit it hard on the exercise after Christmas. When I weighed in, I was shocked to see that I actually had lost 0.2 pounds. Not much to cheer about during a normal week but I was really excited about it during this particular week.

Heading into week five, I know I need to step things up a notch to really meet my weight loss goal of 20 pounds in 12 weeks. I still think I can do it but getting a handle on preparing healthy meals is essential. My family and I have picked out some meals to try from the Cooking Light cookbooks I purchased. We have gone shopping and plan to try a few of those this week. Wish us luck and good luck to the other challenge participants. We can do this!

"No matter who you are, no matter what you do, you absolutely, positively do have the power to change."