Fitness Friday- 24 Day Challenge Completed

Fitness Friday Link Up with Aubrey

My challenge is over. Quite frankly I can of forget that I am on a challenge during the max phase because it is my normal routine. Once the cleanse is over I fall back into my routine of normal supplements. That isn't a bad thing by any means. The cleanse is where I see the most change because I tend to become lax in my eating and it jump starts me back on the train.

www.advocare.com/130638487

I haven't had a chance to do any measurements this week. Harvest has started so my nights and mornings are a tad more hectic. Plus being done with the challenge means I can get back on the scale.

Now that is a double edge sword...

I've done so good not obsessing over the scales movements up and down. The couple ounces here, a pound or two there. It was an obsession and quite frankly not one I am too excited about getting back on. However, I do want to check in and see where it is at. But I'm afraid if I step on it once it is all down hill from there. Kind of like when I have that one cookie...

I'm working tomorrow (yay harvest) and Sunday will be catch up day. Hope you all have a fabulous Friday!

How Did We Get Here

This morning at the gym, A and I were having a conversation about how we got to be where we were in our relationship with food, our bodies, weight loss etc.

On my way home then I thought more about it.

I thought about how I felt as a kid growing up. 

My relationships with food.

My relationship with my body.

They all stunk.

Sometimes they still stink.

I was overweight growing up. And it wasn't as common then to see an overweight kid (especially in my small town) as it is now (sad fact but true). I was always in sports but was still the big girl. I actually remember other coaches referring to me as "the big girl." Grown men calling me that. This is also where I learned to smile even though I knew it was true. I would be the typical girl who would be smiling on the outside while on the inside I was cursing myself for eating that extra cookie or drinking that can of pop. Talk about an unhealthy relationship.

Now though, I "try" not to beat myself up if I slip. Most days I can brush it off. Own up to it, and move on. As long as I acknowledge my slip up and don't allow myself to start down that slipper slope again I'm better than I used to be.

Do I beat myself up at times, absolutely.

Does it undo the bad choices, nope.

So does it pay to beat myself up, nope.

 Baby steps people baby steps. I celebrate the good choices, acknowledge the bad and continue to put one foot in front of the other. Because at the end of the day, sometimes that is an accomplishment all on its own.

Happy Friday! 

Weigh in Wednesday- GYSTS14

Seriously we are back at Wednesday already?!?! This month is flying by.  I'm going to venture and guess that working out 5 days a week keeps the week moving.

Slowly but surely, harvest is starting and my life becomes crazy so I have to make sure I budget the time to get my meals prepped so I am not relying on quick meals like fast food and pizza. I love using my crock pot during this time of year. I can throw something in and know that dinner is made when I get home.

Measurement check in

Right Arm- 16.5-    Same
Left Arm- 16.5-  +.5

Chest- 44-           -.5

Waist- 42-             -2.5

Hips- 54.5-            -1.5

Right Leg- 31.5-       Same

Left Leg- 29.5-     -1

So another 5 inches gone! I can definitely tell that I have been losing in my hips. I have been able to go to my closet and pull out 2 pairs of jeans that fit in the spring but as summer went on they haven't fit. The one pair is an old pair that I have kept around because I love how they fit and for the longest time didn't fit. Now they are part of my rotation of jeans! I can't wait till they can go in the too big pile.

Happy Wednesday!

Weekend Recap- GYSTS14

I've written a post before, about how I struggle with the weekends. You can read it here. They tend to throw me off track, I don't have the structure like I do during the week. That being said, keeping on track during the weekend is a goal of mine during this #GYSTS14

The first weekend, I did good. I stayed on track food wise, went to a Saturday morning workout and got my steps in.

This weekend...not so much...

Friday night Matt and I had a sitter. We didn't do anything wild and crazy, just some quality alone time. I love my daughter with all my being but it was nice to have a normal conversation and eat a hot dinner.

Obligatory Date Night Selfie

Saturday we went to the fair. Last fair of the season. Nothing crazy food wise but I did have some french fries and a milkshake. Well let me rephrase that, Reagan had a milkshake and I got some of it.

Then Sunday came... I was running around like a mad woman. So fast food for breakfast happened. Subway and a cookie for lunch happened. Oreo bomb cake for dessert happened.

Yea...

Then I remembered though, Monday I get a new day. A fresh start to the week. Today I kicked butt. I had a great workout. A good protein packed breakfast. My lunch was awesome. I don't have dinner planned but I know I have the choice to make it a god choice. So regardless of my weekend, I started fresh today. And I will win today. And tomorrow and heck the rest of the week. Then come next weekend, I won't slide down the slippery slope. Happy Monday!

A Day Late-Wednesday Weigh In- GYSTS14

Well I'm a day late and this isn't even technically a weigh-in. You could call it a measure in or a measure check-up. No weigh in yet, I have 2 weeks to go and it is getting easier to avoid the scale. However, you can bet your bottom dollar when the 24 days is up I will be hopping on the scale.

So I measured a day later as well which still I am darn proud of these results, in 8 days!

                                                                 Right Arm- 16.5
                                              Left Arm- 16
                                               Chest- 44.5
                                               Waist- 44.5
                                                   Hips- 3
                                            Right Leg- 31.5
                                             Left Leg- 30.5

 Now I will say I think my leg measurements were skewed and may have been measured too high up on my leg. However, even if you take those numbers out I still lost 8.5 inches! Gosh, it is crazy what eating good food, working out and drinking my water.

Why I ever got off track when I know what my body is capable of beats me (oh wait, smore's, adult beverages, fair food, snacking...)

This picture spoke to me this morning. Read it and let it sink in then go out have a great day!

The Scale Struggle- GYSTS14

I've linked up with ALG, Uniterrupted For her Fitness Friday. Amanda from Assignment Amanda had this and it fit in line with the theme I had in mind for today's post.




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So remember back oh a few days ago when I mentioned how I was only going to measure once a week and weigh in at the end of the challenge. In case you forget, Go Here. 

Well let me tell you, as a former scale addict this is HARD!

I feel like my scale just looks at me from under the storage rack, taunting me, encouraging me to pull it out and see the little blue screen light up.

Yup pretty sure I've lost it!

However, I have remained vigilant. Even when I see the scale at the gym just begging me to step on it. I turn and walk away. Kudos to me I say.

I know that number does not define me. That number is simply gravity pushing down on me or something along those lines. I watch enough Big Bang Theory I should get it #amiright!

Yet that number on the scale still has such a hold on me. I get excitement when I see it go down, and disappointment when it doesn't move or worse, goes up! Even when I tell myself that it really doesn't matter. Even when I know I lost inches. Even when I know that my clothes fit better.

It still has a hold on me...

So I am going to break the addiction. I am not going to let myself live and die by what the scale says.

(Pinky Promise)

Speaking of pinky promises. 

My gym buddy and I made a pinky promise. And you don't dare break a pinky promise right A!

We are going hard 6 days a week (unless kids or work interfere) for the month of September. When we reach our goal we are getting a girls night!

Quick Checkin

Wednesday
Spin/lift

Steps- 8,212

Water- 158.6

Thursday
Circuit Training
Steps- 9,993 (seriously I didn't get 7 more steps!)

Water- 151.3

Tomorrow is a big day for our family, please say a prayer for us that our dream that we have worked hard for comes true!

Weigh In Wednesday-GYSTS14

Well this technically isn't a weigh in post more of an accountability post in the #GYSTS14

Yesterday I dealt with a sick little girl. I knew she didn't feel good in the morning. She was warm but nothing alarming and at this age it is hard to know what is teething related and what isn't. So we sent her on to the sitter.

J the sitter texted me about noon and said she hasn't had a wet diaper all morning which is unusual for my kid because like me she likes to guzzle water. So I called the doctor. I hate being one of "those parents" but dehydration scares me. The Dr. said that if she was still dry after her nap to call and we can go from there. Well sure enough she was so I called and they said to bring her in. Thankfully by the time we got their she didn't have a dry diaper anymore. When they checked her throat it was enflamed so he gave us a prescription for amoxicillian. She was such a cuddle bug last night and went to bed around 7:30.

Which allowed me time to get some cleaning done and make Oven baked chicken fajitas (I just didn't use the wrap part, no need for extra unwanted carbs!) I also cooked up some asparagus to put in the freezer for a quick and easy veggie.

Needless to say I didn't hit my 10k steps but I did get my workout clothes situated because this morning I woke up for 5am spin/lift.

Stats for 9/2
Steps-6,842
Water- 124.8

So today I will get my 10k steps and hit 150oz.

While I am remaining vigilant on my once a week weigh in and measurements I can already say I feel better after 1 day of eating healthier, moving and drinking water. Amazing!

Get Your Sh*t Together September

I swore I wouldn't be one of those people. The ones who let a vacation get them out of their routine. That when I came back from vacation I would jump right back into where I left off, 4-5 days a week working out.

**Insert eye roll here**

Because it hasn't happened. Since the county fair ended at the end of July, we have been camping almost every weekend. (August is really our only month off all year between farming, fairs and work).  I don't know about you but camping wears me out and it takes about a day or 2 to get back at it (along with cleaning and catching up on laundry).

Excuses excuses.

I know but I just can't seem to drag myself out of bed in the mornings to get up and get going. I either roll over and shut my alarm off or don't hear it at all. Can you say, slacker!

So when I saw Ash (Ash's Right Direction) was holding a challenge called GetYour Sh*t Together September I saw this as the perfect place to start. With Labor Day, camping was done so I wouldn't have that messing with my schedule and fairs were done. Except for the one we go to for 1 day, no biggie. So now, starting today I am going to Get My Sh*t Together!

-Tomorrow I will workout in the morning. My goal is back to my 4-5 days a week. I will also be getting my 10k steps a day for at least 6 days.

-Tracking my food, making sure I am keeping my protein high, carbs and fat in check. Which if you follow me on IG I will also be doing #tracktember with Jess (Operation Skinny Jeans) so you will see lots of my food posts.

-Start and kick A$$ with a 24 day challenge. Want to know more, shoot me an e-mail and we can chat! This falls perfectly in line with getting my butt in gear and keeping me accountable.

-Hold myself accountable by sharing with everyone what I achieve and where I fall short (pssshh ain't gonna happen!)

Also for the first time in a long time, here are my day 1 pictures. Along with my measurements.

 Flattering, not at all but I do blame some of it on the way Matt was holding the camera, especially the forward facing one.

Measurements:

Right Arm- 17

Left Arm- 17
Chest- 47.5
Waist- 45
Hips- 59

Right Leg- 34

Left Leg- 33.5

I will not be stepping on the scale again till my 24 day challenge is over. I am going to be measuring every week.

Who else is ready to get it together with me?!?!