Top 10 signs that you need to go on a diet

10. You haven't had a veggie in month unless it was in a casserole.

9. Water? You mean it's for more than bathing?

8. The only dead-lifts you do daily is emptying the dishwasher

7. When you inputted your "today's weight" on "lose it" app, you swear you heard your iPhone gasp!

6. You may or may not have outgrown the last pair of jeans you have.

5. You can't find one picture of you taken over the holidays that you liked.

4. You don't remember where you put your sports bra at or what color it was

3. The only squat you do during the day is getting out of bed

2. There is dust on your scale

1. You have almost outgrown your yoga pants!!!!!!!!

So yes I weighed in yesterday, and I am beginning to try to lose weight and get health. I refuse to be depressed or discouraged. It's ok, I'm just a work in progress!

You mean it takes work?

I have to admit it! I always thought that you either were naturally thin or you were not. I mean I had read the articles with super models who said that they did not diet, they just enjoyed biking and walking with their families. I saw countless of very skinny, tiny girls at church - I saw that during VBS they ate a chocolate chip cookie with the kids. I felt so overwhelmed and mad at my genes. I was so frustrated I wanted to be classified as a "skinny chic" who would look good in clothes. I did not realize that it took work! I am honest! I did not realize that other ladies worked at being thin. My own mom who is itty bitty - never seem to have to work at it. Oh, she occasionally would watch what she ate. Once she was passed 40 she started walking. However that just never seemed like it took a lot for her to maintain her youthful appearance.

I remember that I started my weight loss journey in January, thinking ok it is just a "food issue" I have to get this under control. "I wonder why some people can eat anything they want, but it is such a struggle for me?" Well you should have seen all my thoughts the first week I went to the gym back in March. I could not believe all the ladies I knew that I was running into!!! I was a little awe struck! Here I had admired some of these very thin, beautiful ladies from my previous church for years!! I had been jealous that they could shop, and & come to church in the latest styles. (I know jealous is not a good emotion, but I am trying to keep it real!) I was shocked that I saw some of these same ladies showing up at the gym day after day, putting in some grueling workouts. These ladies did not just have "great" genes! These ladies sacrificed for it! It was such a relief to me. It was an "Ah-Ha!" moment for me.

It connected in my brain that being in good shape, wasn't just about eating 100% perfect all the time! (Because really who can be 100% perfect all the time!) It was combining good eating choices, with exercise that pulls staying healthy all together. It finally made sense! To me it was like finding the perfect recipe for the best banana bread! It has started to click. I don't feel angry anymore that I have genes that allow the excess fat I store to be on my thighs. I am not frustrated that I have to make good eating choices. I realize for the most part everyone who is over 40 and in good shape probably has to deal with both of these issues - they may have just had it figured out before I did!

1 degree can make all the difference!

I got home from the gym the last two days with a giggle. The First one, was after my second class called "Body Pump" -each class has a different instructor. This instructor was precious! Funny, kind, encouraging, and she wanted to know my name at the end of class, and encourage me to come back to class which I Really, Really appreciated!! But I got the giggles almost when she asked if I was a new member at the gym. (Did I happen to mention that I was the only Plus size woman in the class? I couldn't help but giggle and think, "hum, however could she tell". (The old me would have been to intimidated to go into class and participate, but not now! That old way of thinking though still roars it's ugly head every once in a while. )

Just as quickly as I can be encouraged something small can happen that lets the wind out of my sails! I am fighting through it! I ran into a good friend today at the grocery store that I used to see on a weekly bases, and haven't seen as much in the last 6 weeks. She did not mention my weight loss at all -boo hoo! (33 pounds! and she did not notice-ugh!) I kinda whined around, and had a little pity party for myself. However not a huge one, no following off of the diet wagon or anything.

So when I got home and was checking my emails I was very encouraged to find the below video being sent to me. So after watching it, I am more positive and I choose to cross the line!!

and keep crossing that line!! I also received my LoseIt weekly report from last week. I choose to celebrate my small victories, or choices each day, each week!

Exercise total for last week:

type: Total time: Calories burned:

Yoga 25 Min 64

Walking 5 Hours & 50 Min 1400

Stationary Bicycle 1 Hour 20 Min 831

Weight Lifting 1 Hour 15 Min 259

Total 2555

I hope you enjoy the video. Thank you everyone, who sends me an email, or comments on my weight loss journey updates! I really appreciate your encouragement!! (More than you know!!!)

keeping it real

Well I have not blogged much this last week because.....I fractured my elbow while I was jogging- ugh!! So this weeks total was

2 miles run/walking/falling

You see I was jogging enjoying the wonderful weather, the beautiful view (down on riverside drive) when I fell (just rolled my ankle - over what I am not even sure!!) . When I was falling I put my hands up to brace for impact and well the left arm bone was shoved into my elbow joint on impact. --OUCH!!! However what does any red blooded woman do???

Well we quickly look around to make sure no one is videoing your fall to upload to YouTube -whew! Doesn't look like it - one very nice biker stopped to see if I was OK, but did I mention he asked "mam, are you OK?" I don't know what was worse being called "Ma'am" or being on the ground hurt. So of course I thank the nice gentleman, as I brush myself off, and get up and finish my jog and go to Starbucks for a coffee before my pride allows me to inventory possible injuries. Thus when I realized I had started to loose the use of my left hand and decided it was time to call wonderful hubby in to take me to the urgent care.

Did I tell you that my whole family is trying to give me away for free right now - I am horrible patient, who feels bad, likes to whine, and really sick of being in my house - who can not right now tie her shoes or clasp her own bra. Thus unless it is coffee with the girlfriends (who do not care if I am bra less) I have been pretty much stuck in my house driving everyone crazy.

So how is that for keeping it real??????

keeping it real

This post is so real ...it is 4 days late!!! Sorry my laptop died and I am having to fight my kiddo's for the computer in the family room - and since the temperatures have been topping over one hundred degrees they have seemed to be camping out there permanently, at least until next week when school starts.

Last week:

*I ran 14.8 miles---Woo Hoo!!! This is a first for me!

*I did Pilate's 2 times - double Woo Hoo!!!

*I did Yoga..drum roll please .......None!

Well it goes to show you can not do all things all the time. But I still am working to add this to my weekly routine.

My goals this week:

* running(jog/walk)--9.8 miles

*Pilates 2 times

*yoga 2 times

I am very excited that my new shoes seem to be working out - my feet are not so sore! In fact almost all my feet pain are gone except for in one heel, I believe it is a bruised fat pad on that foot. Also a result from improper foot ware. I am hoping that this to will improve with time.

keeping it real

Well this is my once a week report on how I am doing - learning to run and getting in shape. This is my accountability - it is to keep it real, and keep my honest!

Well this is how I fared:

*I made my goal of doing 10 miles walk/jogging

*I did not do Pilate's or yoga even 1 time! Ah!!!

I was having feet pain - horrible pain!! the day after I walk/jogged 2.8 miles I spent the next day with my feet on ice, popping ibuprofen like it was candy and whining. Lots of Whining!! However my neighbor - expert runner - came over and took one look at the shoes and said "scrap those shoes! That is what is causing your feet pain" . So with that in mind I am going to go shoe shopping this weekend. I will probably be looking at a New Balance or Ascics running shoe. Because honestly, it is hard enough to get this body going and keeping on -with out my feet putting me on the sideline the day after I exercise!

New goals for the upcoming week:

*12 miles walk/jog

*yoga and Pilate's at least 2x each (I know I am a sucker for punishment - but I would really like this to be part of my routine!!!)

My next keeping it real post will be next Friday - thanks for indulging me and helping me keep it real!