I spin you right round, baby right round

Well I had a horrible, horrible eating weekend!! pms struck me hard & nobody dared to get in between me & chocolate this weekend!! (trust me! I would have hurt somebody if they had even tried!) But at last today is Monday and I am back on the wagon again, striving for clean eating and I added a spin class today so............ Drumroll please .........I will be taking spin 5 days a week now!!! (dunt, dunt, Dah!!!!) (don't you just love "implied" sound effects!) So we shall see if I am still able to walk on Friday. (this has been about a month and half process to work up to). Definitely whining all the way!!

I have added step class back into my routine, and will be blogging about the low down of step class tomorrow. Now that is some fun stuff!

I am going to try to eat clean and step up my work outs for the next few weeks, I have set a "target date" to see what I can accomplish by that date of October 14th. (I have an annual party to attend on the 15th so I am going to use that as a source of motivation to keep me, keeping on. Hey! I have been on a diet since January you really have to set either different weight loss goals and/or event motivators to kick you in the bootie to kick it up a notch!). So much of this weight loss journey that I am on all starts in the mind!!! And for a large part 50% of it is fought and success is determined in the mind! What is my decision today? Will I make good eating choices today? Will I move my body today?


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Is your Purse heavy?

The other day I reached for my purse to get ready to head out the door, and all I could think is "what is in my purse?". My purse was heavy! I sat it down and started to go through it (to try to figure out what was making it So Heavy!) Well I found 4 lip glosses, not in the make bag that was in the purse, a change purse, hand sanitizer, a sheet of coupons, my ear buds for my i phone at the gym, 5 pens, a small notebook (I like my notes old school style), a pair of scissors (who knows!), a hair bow, 2 hair rubber bands, a highlighter, some lose change, a bulletin from church last weekend, a snack packet that my daughter did not eat one day when we were running errands in the car. No wonder my purse was heavy!!

I think in life, our thought life, or our inner tape that runs in our mind as we go about our business can sometimes get "heavy" or "negative" without our permission, or with out us "really" meaning to start being negative in our thought life. Lately, I have been unpacking my thought life - really listening to what I am saying about myself as I am going through my life. I have been stopping myself when I hear myself being critical towards myself that I would never Ever say about a friend, or let anyone say about a dear friend! Why, oh why would I think it would be OK, to think those thoughts about my self? I am trying to focus on positive, true statements, instead of the negative ones that have unfortunately become a habit for me.

"And now, dear brothers and sister, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

Philippians 4:8

I was shocked, when I really started paying attention to what I had been saying to myself, about myself!

What does your internal tape say when you are not paying attention?

Have you cleaned out your "thought life" or purse lately? Has it gotten "heavy" without you realizing it?

down 47.5 pounds

So the journey began with one step. Stepping out in faith that I could accomplish what seemed impossible: lose weight. I have been on this journey for about 5 months now. This far down the road I do think I will be able to now reach my destination.

Above is a picture of me on New Year's Eve (my heaviest 249)

Above is a picture of me weighing 222. (going down!)

Above is a picture of me weighing in at 202 pounds.

Well here I am this week getting ready for my body pump class. (sorry the picture is not my best) I am down a total of 47.5 as of today. Yeah! I am closely approaching my second goal which is 199, (I am 3 pounds away from reaching this goal).

I have decided to break my total weight loss down into mini goals to help me stay focused and positive. My first goal was reaching 215. My second goal is 199. The third goal I have set is 175. That is as far as I can focus "out" on the future, right now. Anything further just starts to seem unreal. Which is why I decided to focus on mini goals, instead of the huge end number of losing a 100 pounds. My mind just can't wrap itself around that number or what that might look like right now. (my momma always told me "how do you eat an elephant? bite, by bite, by bite". So here's to taking small bites out of my weight loss journey!)

I hit a plateau this last 2 weeks. I have tried to stay positive, and just keep moving. I added a step aerobics class this last 2 weeks. (The first week I could barely move the next day.) I was very sore, but the class was so much fun. I went back for my second week yesterday. I am happy to report that I am not nearly as sore as I was last week - yeah! This is such an accomplishment for me. I do not think I would have been capable of doing an hour long step class in January when I started my weight loss journey. I feel that I have grown stronger, increased my stamina, and it is just easier to move being 47.5 pounds lighter. So with all this in mind, I will continue on, walking down the road towards my weight loss goal!

Well I hope everyone has a great Memorial day weekend! Stay safe & have fun!

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!!!)

Get me out of here!!!

Are you in a time warp? Have you had your hairstyle in the same "do" for ten or more years? Have you quickly, (since you have no "me" time as a mom) done your eye make-up the same way for YEARS. Since it's quick and we know what we are doing, and the object of the game is to look good quick, so we can get back to the kiddos? Well If you had to pause and think about any of your answers You Need a make-over!!! (or if you quickly shouted YES!)

No, I am not offering to have you come to my house, or send you to OPRAH for a makeover. However, I have discovered the very best next thing. That's right boys and girls the magic of youtube!! Wow! I am in love with youtube. There are so many "How to" videos out there.
My favorite make-up one is by a lovely lady name Selby, she has a blog called Selby's Beauty Blog but you can also find her videos on youtube by searching for Magicgrl111. Selby shows all kinds of techniques for applying your eye shadow (in all different ways), to grooming your eyebrows, and applying your foundation.
I also like watching the youtube video's for new hair techniques Like this one for BeforeandAfterTV that shows you how to curl your hair with a flat iron.
So if you have had one look for WAY TO LONG! Girl just watch some videos and give a new look a try!!

As I am losing weight, and making positive changes in my life. I decided I needed to take a closer look at how I make-up me! So I have decided to try one new way of "doing" my hair once a week. I went and purchased a Foundation Brush (LOVE IT!!_) I honestly wish I would had known about that brush a long time ago! I am trying to show a little TLC to myself, as the new (or old me- depending on how you look at it_) is trying to re-emerge.

Have you found a wonderful Beauty Blog or Youtube Diva that you like to get tips from? IF so please share and let me know who I should be watching to! Happy Tuesday!