It's Been A Rough One Folks!

I'm going to pray that some grace will be extended for the past few days of not writing down one single item that went into my mouth. I know that there were undoubtedly a few things I "shouldn't" have eaten, mostly because of the amount of calories they contained, but I didn't go overboard and hog wild. I was just simply too busy to have ANY order to my eating OR my journaling. The wedding (my niece got married this weekend) was sweet, the reception, food, cake, etc was well received, and I did a whole lot of NOTHING yesterday! It was nice.

BUT......

I'm focused and back on track this morning, ready for a new week. :) I had a breakfast full of protein, and my morning snack held a lot of protein as well. I've already been through 48oz. of water, and I'm working on my next bottle full. This way I'll be ready for my workout, postponed from this morning to this afternoon.

I'm ready! Look out world! Here I come! :)

Mid-week Update!

Hello out there to those of you who are still following me on this journey! TeeHee...it's only been 3.5 weeks...ya'll are gonna get really tired of me at the end of 8 months. :) Either that or you'll join me on my journey and comment and let me know your own progress! :::hint hint:::

So, I had my weekly meeting with Laurie yesterday and once again my BP was completely normal. :) I'm thrilled about that! She was amazed that I'm not on BP meds...but that I've made this much change in it just by working out and eating right! :)

And...I lost another 2 lbs.....gone forever!! I was a teeny bit disappointed in that, only because I've been working SO hard, not missing my workouts and being careful about counting my calories. But Laurie was VERY pleased with me, and said it was exactly the way I am supposed to take it off, so YAY ME! ;) Then tonight I was talking with my friend Jessica and she pointed out something really cool....."Kim, do you realize that even if you lose 2 lbs a week for a whole year, you'll take off 104 lbs!!" Well, when you look at it that way, then.....WOOHOO!

Today was a good day, and tomorrow is another, so I'm ready to tackle it head on!!

...And What A Week It's Been!!

It's been a busy, good, sad, challenging, triumphant week. But all in all, in terms of my Thriver Journey, it's ended on a good note.

My greatest challenges this week were making sure I got all the veggies and fruits I need while still on the run constantly. So that's going to be my focus this next week. I was feeling really wiped out and tired on Friday morning, and really did NOT want to go work out. I TRULY am thankful for the accountability I feel this program holds me to, otherwise I would have seriously made some excuses this week. It's a day by day, sometimes moment by moment process. But once I got to the gym every day, and pushed through the exercise, I left feeling triumphant every time. ;)

My BP was COMPLETELY normal this week...even with some stress I was feeling early on in the week...and I lost another 3 lbs., so I'm forging ahead on my journey! I'm excited to see where I'll be in a year, but not focusing on the that. Praying that in the end, the glory of it all goes right back to God.

On a lighter note, I wanted some chocolate today....so we got a small bag of m&ms and I divided them into 4 snack bags. 26 m&ms have 55 calories. ;)

Anxiety that comes with facing the truth.

I've been embracing this new journey that I'm in the midst of. With joy and excitement and exhiliration!

For the first time this weekend I had extreme anxiety. My heart raced, my breathing became rapid and I had a little mini panic attack. I had to withdrawal from my family for a while, go to the bedroom and lie down, slow my breathing and pray.

All of this was the result of the Greatest Thriver participant's numbers being posted on the website. Now, in all it's glory, I had to become public about my weight. And why the anxiety? Why does it matter? Why did I feel threatened by a NUMBER??

I'm not sure if I was always able to "fool" people about my real weight. Seriously folks, I've never ever, in 20 years, even let my hubby know how much I truly weigh. I don't know if my feelings are prideful, and I think that as long as people don't know the REAL number, that I will never be that heavy. I just don't know. I still have a lot of praying to do about this. About how I'm feeling, and the thoughts I need to process. And I know, TRULY, that the number really DOESN'T matter. I just need my heart to know that.

And for the record...my hubby doesn't care either. ;)

I haven't let this get me down, btw. I was at the gym (my walking partner at the fitness park couldn't come) doing my cardio this morning, listening to my praise music, kickin' some butt!

Me? Love exercise??

I never would have thought I'd be saying this, but I am LOVING my workout times! I don't know if it's the challenge, the adrenaline, the time I get to just worship and pray as I'm doing it, or what, but I'm truly enjoying it and look forward to going each day! I think a good bit of it is the accountability I feel with this program, and also the challenge. I am determined to win this thing! :) And as I run into fellow "thrivers" out in the public or at the gym, I'm even more driven! ;)

I don't think I've said much about my calorie intake so far. Laurie put me on a plan that reduces my calories in different increments, slowly getting down to 1,100 over 15 weeks. (as my workout regimine increases at the same time) I love the gradual process. I allows me to see the true lifestyle change I'm making, not seeing this as just a "quick fix". I'm doing this for life. I've said that before, but by not having someone to guide me, I've always just drastically reduced my calories all at once, making myself feel like I was starving from the get-go.

My calorie program is as follows:

1900 for two weeks (almost to the end of this two weeks!)
1700 for two weeks
1500 for one week
1700 for two weeks
1500 for two weeks
1300 for one week
1500 for two weeks
1300 for two weeks
1100 for one week

And then we'll reevaluate where I need to be as far as calories/exercise. I have a "meeting" each week with Laurie, to go over my food/thoughts/workout journal, and to get weighed, bp and oxygen taken, etc. I'm even looking forward to those! Who'da Thunk?

Drive-by posting!

So sorry I haven't updated everyone, and I'm sorry I have to make this a really quick one right now, but so many have been asking how it's going, so thought I'd better take a few minutes at least and let you know that progress is happening!!! YAY! So far my BP is down, my oxygen level is MUCH better, and I've lost 6 lbs!! GO ME! I'm LOVING working out! Truly. It's been a real time of prayer and praise and worship for me and I'm SO thankful for it. More later....promise! Love and Blessings to all!

Now, get out there and move!! ;)

Music is good for the soul...and for the workout!

Working out is fun for some, difficult for others, boring for yet others....but I've found that the music I listen to really has an impact on how I feel about exercising. It truly does make the time go faster and motivates me to push through to the end.

I just have to remember that I have earbuds in and I really shouldn't sing out loud....

haha

I currently have a mix of my favorite worship songs on my iPod, but I'm going to change it up each week to give myself some variety...such as the playlist here on my blog!

What is your favorite music/songs to work out to?

Blessings!
Kim

A Good Night's Sleep

I'm finding it more and more crucial that I get a good night's sleep in order to function well the next day. I knew this before, but as I'm changing my diet and working out each day, it's essential for my energy level. I'm going to have two particular goals this week...along with working out, and eating right. Making SURE I get all the water I need, and going to bed early every night...no matter what I'm going to miss on TV. (I can always watch it later online, right?) I drink water most all the time now (except for my morning coffee), but I need to increase my intake especially on weight resistance days. My muscles rebelled a little bit yesterday and it HURT! UGH!

Set a goal or two per week and focus on them! What would your's be?

Headed to the gym now!
Blessings!
Kim

My workout schedule

Tammy asked about my workout schedule...I guess that would be some helpful information, huh? ;) If ya'll ever have any questions or challenges for me, bring them on! ;)

The company my husband works for recently put in a fitness park on their work grounds. This is for all employees and their families. It has a walking track and outdoor fitness machines.

The Greatest Thriver program provides personal training at two different facilities for the participants of the program. I am working out at Health Ridge. (this is where my personal trainer, Laurie, is also)

So....

Mondays: I'll be doing one hour of walking at the fitness park.
Tuesdays: Meet with Laurie and do cardio and weight resistance for one hour at Health Ridge.
Wednesdays: One hour of walking/fitness machines at fitness park.
Thursdays: One hour of cardio and weight resistance at Health Ridge.
Fridays: One hour of cardio at Health Ridge.
Saturdays: One hour of cardio and weight resistance at Health Ridge.

Only on Tuesdays will I be meeting with Laurie to talk about my week, weigh, etc., but she and her intern are there every day. And let me also say, Amber, Laurie's intern is wonderful as well! She and Laurie are SO encouraging, and the rest of the staff are as well.

That about sums it up for now. As I get further into the program, we'll be changing this up a bit, but this is our plan for right now. :)

And if I have one bit of advice for you, it would be to exercise with a smile on your face! :)

Blessings!!
Kim

You can call me Red! ;)

It's going to be a little bit more of a challenge than I thought to keep up with this daily, so I think it's going to have to be every few days, unless of course something is on my heart or mind and I need some butt kicking or encouragement or attaboys. :)

The Hubster is joining me on my journey, not only in supporting me, but in looking forward to being healthier physically as well. He's set some goals of his own, and I'm really excited to see him achieve them. Look for him on a bike more often! ;)

Part of my challenge right now is the calorie schedule. Laurie has me on a gradual decrease of calories each week, which obviously is smart, so my body doesn't think it's starving immediately and I can learn new habits, etc. I think my struggle is that I'm so afraid I'm going to eat TOO much that I have it in my head that I should be eating less than I really should. Does that make sense? Anyway, I'm keeping VERY busy counting every single calorie that not only goes into MY mouth, but into Mike's as well, so that's a full-time job! That, and working out...which I'm loving right now, btw, and keeping up with housework, and family schedules.

I know that it's going to get tougher...I'm realistic...but right now, I'm loving the adrenaline that the exercise is producing. I'm trying to get more sleep at night, because I don't want to become overly tired...it's then, especially when the weather changes, that I tend to get sick. I'm standing against sickness this winter and I'm going to exercise it all away! :)

I went to get my bloodwork done on Monday and got the results in the mail today. It would be easy for me to excuse my weight because almost (with the exception of one) EVERY blood level in me is NORMAL! But I've seen the BMI and THAT is the shocker. THAT is what I want reduced. It doesn't have to be weight necessarily, I just want the BMI to go down.

Okay, I've rambled enough...I have workout today at 3:30 and I've got a weekly workout schedule made for myself now. I'm SO excited about it. :) 6 days a week people!! If I can do it, SO CAN YOU!!!! ;)

Blessings!!

oh, and P.S. the title is because of the picture...I'm no longer a blond. I needed a sassy color to go with my new sassy, kick-butt attitude! Thanks Carmen!!!