Jump Starting

We've all been there. We dive head first into our weight loss. The timeline looks something like this.

Day 1- Bound out of bed put on brand new gym clothes (because you can't workout unless you have new clothes). Lunch is packed with clean wholesome food. Cutting out that soda cold turkey.

Day 2- Don't quite jump out of bed because you are so sore. Lunch is packed because you took advice from others and meal prepped. Still not wanting that Diet Coke because you have goals!

Day 3- Today is much like yesterday. Still sore but pushed through. Today though, it seems like everyone was having a diet coke.

Day 4- No bounding out of bed. You are sore, tired and you convince yourself it is your "rest day". Today everyone is drinking Diet Coke while eating burgers and fries. Yummmm burgers and fries.

Day 5- You step on the scale. You think to yourself, I feel good. I feel lighter. The scale says +2. Seriously I gained weight?!?! How does that even happen? So today you partake in the burgers and fries. Because well you just can't lose weight.

Day 6- My body can't lose weight. I don't care. Eat all the foods!!!!

Day 7- Ugh I really need to get my eating under control. I need to go to the gym.

Does this cycle sound familiar?

I know this is how my life was.

I would do great but as soon as I didn't see results I would quit. Then I found a plan that would allow me to jump start my weight loss. I could eat real nutrient dense foods. I wasn't starving myself. I never felt deprived. I was feeding my body and taking supplements for what I was missing.

My cravings went away. I felt better. I slept better. My workouts improved and my strength woh I was increasing my weights it seemed like every week.

I also found success. I was losing weight. I was losing inches. My clothes were fitting better.

This is what I had been looking for. It wasn't a magic pill. I still had to put the work in. But I was seeing results. That one thing we all crave when we start our weight loss journey.

I want you to see results too. I want you to feel success. I want you to end this cycle.

Which one will it be? I'm here ready to help.

www.advocare.com/130638487

Motivational Monday: Seeing Progress

Doing a new link-up for Monday, Motivational Monday from Kelsey at Random Randts. She is blogger I stumbled upon through Assignment Amanda.

Anyhoo...

Starting on January 5th I started tracking what went in my mouth, cleaning up what went in my mouth and busting my butt at the gym.  I mean like I have been doing a few 2x a days which is something I haven't done in almost a year. As weird as it sounds, it feels so good! I have been on point with my eating and it just keeps fueling my fire. My sugary chocolatey cravings have gone to the wayside. 

I am also participating in a contest at my gym and the grand prize is $450! So another big motivator. Progress has been good and I cannot wait to see how the leader board changes after this week. I dropped 9 inches and 2.6lbs.

These types of weeks continue 

So motivated to keep going and see what this week brings!

Obligatory

I honestly cannot believe that 2014 is over. 

Like in less than 48 hours we will enter a new year. 

A new year with all the possibilities in the world. 

A fresh clean slate to mark however we want.

A year to continue what we started in 2014.

A  few weeks ago I was working out with my girls and it was just the 3 of us and we tend to chat because well to be stereotypical we are woman but more importantly we are friends. We discussed how we are no where near where we were weight wise during a different time of the year.

That got me thinking...

No I'm not where I was but I am not where I started. Cliche yes but it is true!

So bring on 2015 because I can only get better!

When You Miss the Gym

Again this week I am hooking up with the lovely Aubrey at ALG, Uninterrupted 

and her Friday link-up.

This week was a bad week in terms of getting to the gym. Usually I have no problem getting up at 4:25 every morning and heading to the gym for an hour sweat sesh on the spin bikes or total body.  Like I need that morning wake up to get me going and get through the day. 

This week though

I made it 1 day

Seriously, 1 day!

How pathetic right????

However, I am just going to chalk it up to a bad week and move on. There is a class tomorrow that **fingers crossed** Reagan has a good night of sleep which means I do and I get my butt to class!

I will say, old Megan may have crawled back in her hole until the first of the year because I fell off the wagon. Instead I just brush it off and move on. There is no point in dwelling in the past. What's done is done and we can't go back in fix it. 

So take that crappy week of not making it to the gym, you ain't got nothin on me!

Holiday Weight Gain

No no no Tiger not those kind of gains. I'm talking about the candy jar, candy platter, cookie and fudge kind of gains.

Ahh yes, the holidays. An absolutely amazing time of year where food flows like lava from a volcano and if grandma doesn't think you have eaten enough she will stack more on your plate amazing time of year.

But what do you do if you are on a weight loss journey?

Can we all go to an island where we avoid the holiday food stuffings and keep on going with out journeys?

Anybody out there have an island we can borrow? No, well there goes that idea.

So how do you make it through the holidays and not lose all the work you have put in the other 9 months?

MODERATION MODERATION MODERATION MODERATION

Oh and don't quit your meal plan and your work out schedule.

If you are looking for a structured plan the Advocare 24 Day Challenge is a great way to keep your meals in check and continues with the structure you have the other 9 months out of the year.  Shoot me an e-mail if you want more info, I would love to help you not have post holiday blues.

I'm participating in the boot camp at our gym. It is a you vs you challenge. No better competition than yourself.

So I will leave you with this parting thought.

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!

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?!?!

Support

I've been on this weight loss journey before. I've tried group meetings and doing things solo and every thing in between. What I've discovered is, I need support. I need people who are on the same journey I am on.

Going at it alone I have no one to talk to about it. I have no one who has the same struggles as I do about getting up in the morning to make it to the gym. No one to share my victories with and to help pick me up when I get defeated. Going at it alone hasn't worked before so I wasn't sure why I thought it would this time either.

Matt always supports me, he is always in my corner no matter what. However, he isn't on the same journey I am. While he is great for moral support he doesn't always get it.

This guy, my rock, my everything. Always in my corner

Once I swallowed the pill that I can't do this alone and opened myself up to allow others in on my journey I found some pretty amazing people. These people are there for me when I need a pick me up, to celebrate my successes and every where in between. They have become more than gym support, they have become friends.

These 3 ladies, #gymbuddiesforlife Always there for a pick me up, a check in and a kick butt workout.
Crazy how life brings people into your life or in D's case, back into your life just when you need them most.

This lady has pushed me far beyond what I ever thought I would be able to do. She has me doing leg raises while holding myself up, even running! When I have wanted to give up she pushes me to keep going. While I'm not where I want to be, I wouldn't be as far as I am without her!

These 2 ladies have been there through college, weddings, babies and boyfriends.

Having the right support makes all the difference. I have insecurities but my gym buddies and friends don't point them out. Now don't confuse that with being called out when you aren't putting 110% in because I need that from time to time. Like the text message that they miss me, or reading on face.book about the kick butt workout I missed. Gives me the push I need.

I encourage any one who is on this weight loss journey to find a buddy, through whatever means, face.book groups, IG, real life and use them. Find someone who you can count on but don't be just a taker in the relationship, you have to be there for them too. You have to encourage them, be there when they stumble, celebrate their victories even when you don't have anything to celebrate and push them even when you are finding it hard to push yourself.

So I thank my gym buddies, trainer and friends, family and of course Matt for being there for me.

The Little Things- Wednesday Link-up

I'm usually bad at this link up thing. I'm not blogger savvy by any means. However, I've been following this lady (www.assignmentamanda.blogspot.com) for a few weeks and her and I are pretty much at the same place in our weight loss journeys.

She is also holding a July arm challenge on IG #assignmentamandagunshow which you all should join in!

Anyhoo, back to the link up...

This link up (co-hosted by Candra from Camo and Lipstick) is about taking the negative situation and finding the positive. So here goes. Negative- I am no where near where I need to be on this weight loss journey. Positive- I have discovered so much about myself since beginning this journey. I've found a love for going to the gym or working out with my cute workout partner. I love finding ways to make my favorite foods healthier and cleaner. I've become such a better wife and mom since I have taken time for myself. I feel rejuvenated when I get done with a workout and I no longer feel like I'm on the sidelines while life is passing me by. Am I where I want to be, no, but am I doing things that I am supposed to be doing, absolutely! Taking time to enjoy the process because that is part of the process. As the old adage goes, take time to stop and smell the flowers.

Forgiving Yourself

***I apologize for the absence. My brother got married on Saturday, it has been a bit chaotic***

While this journey to becoming a better me has mostly been about weight loss and getting healthier there have been other improvements along the way. Areas of myself that maybe I didn't even know I was lacking in or never even thought of improving.

One of those areas that never crossed my mind, learning to forgive myself

When I would eat foods I shouldn't (like a whole thing of Oreo's), go overboard at a buffet to the point of being uncomfortable, or simply not eat I would get mad at myself. I would criticize myself for eating foods I knew weren't healthy, for over eating on those unhealthy foods. I became mad at myself which would lead to more binge eating of crap food. It was a vicious cycle.

My unforgiving ways would also go to my workouts. If I overslept I would beat myself up all day. Like seriously, how could you not get out of bed, laziness, pure laziness. Then as I would be relaxing on the couch at night I would have this nagging voice that I needed to go do something. I needed to stop being a bum on the couch.

Yea, I was mean to myself. I was very unforgiving when I would slip-up.

I'm not sure why I beat myself up.

I obviously wasn't perfect before I started this journey.

Not sure why I thought that starting this journey I would never miss a workout or eat crap foods.

I knew I would, because I'm not perfect. If I was perfect I wouldn't be trying to lose the weight in the first place!

Source- pin.terest

Here lately though I've been forgiving myself.

Now this is not to be confused with making excuses. There is a HUGE difference!

For example, this wedding and helping my mom get everything around has made for some long nights and restless sleep.  There were times that I chose to sleep instead of doing my 5am workouts.

Old Megan would have beat myself up about it but not done anything on my own.

Improved Megan acknowledged that my body needed the sleep and then since I also knew that I needed to workout I pushed myself to do it. Alone. No gym. No coach. Just me and Reagan (usually). I didn't use the excuse I was tired to sit my butt on the couch at night. I used that as motivation, like hey I didn't work out this morning so now I have to use my evening to do it!

source- pint.terest

The same goes for eating.

I don't eat perfect. I try my hardest to be healthy 80-90% of the time. There's times I don't. Not beating myself up as I continue to lick the brownie batter but instead, stop eating the crap, acknowledge that I did and do some burpees to feel better!

It is just amazing to me how this journey is shaping me into the woman I always knew I was but had forgotten I could be.

Boot Camp Day 2

Day 2

Breakfast-
Advocare Chocolate Shake made into a muffin with 2tbsp peanut butter

Lunch-
Leftover Ham Steak & green beans


Supper-
Hamburger (no bun)

Snacks-
Blue Diamond Strawberry Almonds
Medium Honeycrisp Apple with 2tbsp peanut butter

Water intake-149.2oz

Steps- 9,024 not quite 10k but better than the day before at 6,849

Exercise- I slept in. Did not make it to the gym and the weather was nice so Matt was spraying so no gym in the evening. I decided to make my own and went up to the Shrine park with Reagan and we walked, did tricep dips, and 2 workout programs from Instagram. Ended up with a great workout in am hour and a tired baby.

Old Megan would have just walked or said screw it, new Megan voluntarily did burpees, crazy stuff!

Boot Camp

Today was the first day for the buddy boot camp at the gym. I have a pretty awesome buddy and we are ready to kick butt!

In order to keep myself accountable during this 8 week boot camp I plan on blogging about my daily intakes, exercises and whatever else comes to mind. This will be pretty similar to the posts I did about the 24 day challenge (starting here).

My buddy A and I are planning on heading to the store together on Saturday morning and we are going to be texting each other throughout the day to keep us in check. We both are usually at the gym in the mornings and we both want to get some 2 a days in. With the boot camp we get personal trainings and our hope is to be able to do them on Sunday mornings. That way I don't have to worry about a sitter for Reagan. Plus, I will get a good start to my Sunday which usually according to my fitbit is my laziest day.

Day 1

Breakfast-
Advocare Berry Shake

Lunch-
Modified "stir fry"- veggies and chicken no rice
Blue Diamond Strawberry Almonds

Supper-
Ham steak and a veggie

Snacks-
Best Life Peanut Butter Extreme Protein Bar
Medium Honeycrisp Apple with 2tbsp peanut butter

Water intake- So far today I am at 129.5. My goal is at very least a gallon but more along the lines of 150oz.

Steps- 10,000 so far today I am at 3,602

Exercise- I woke up late but still managed to get a 45 minute spin/lift in.

Goals for the bootcamp-
1. 30lbs total.
2. I'm bad at figuring out inches lost but lets shoot for 10 inches.
3. Run a mile without stopping
4. Full out burpee

Week 1 goal- 3lbs

Rewards-
1. Shopping for 2 new pair of jeans
2. Massage
3. Pedicure

There it is, all laid out for the world to see.

Bring it boot camp, you ain't got nothin on me!

Goals and Rewards

Goal- the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end.
Reward- something given or received in return or recompense for service, merit, hardship, etc.
 (source- www.dictionary.com)

I have goals. Non-fitness related such as paying off debt, finishing my kitchen, decluttering rooms and my life basically. Then I have health/fitness ones. Such as, weight goals, endurance goals, weight lifting goals and some days, running goals. The running one tends to sway some days but it is still there (it just isn't a priority at the moment and not exactly sure when it will become a priority).

Having goals is so important in anything you want to accomplish. Having goals in your head is one thing, but when you write them down and look at them every day, for me it makes them real. They are tangible. You read it every single time you walk by it. 

So my big goal that I have written down right now is to lose 50lbs so I can buy me a pair of legit Sperry shoes. I have a pair of the Kohl's knockoffs and they are fine but I want to reward myself and spending $$$$ on shoes (other than boots because that is always justified!) is a great way. 

I have a picture of the shoes on my mirror that I pull out of the drawer and look at while I brush my teeth/do my make-up/and do my hair (and by do my hair I mean usually throw it back). 

Source-Pinterest

 This allows me to see the end result while also looking in the mirror and seeing the progress I am making towards that goal. Now I know I said not to get hung up on the number on the scale but in reality my number needs to go down and pushing myself to get that number down with a goal is what I need to do. However, that number will not define progress that I am making in other areas.

That one is a more long term goal. Currently my short term goal is 10lbs for the month of May. Watch me rock it and when I do, I'm getting a massage! Again, a number goal but easily measured.

Source-Pinterest

This leads to another point, rewarding yourself for accomplishing your goals.  

I am all about rewards that are things I normally wouldn't buy for myself. Such as Sperry's, a massage etc. I've seen cool things like people putting money in a jar every time they work out and using that money to pay for their reward. However, I never have cash on me so I feel like I would always be owing the jar money. It will just be easier to go out and buy whatever it may be that I deem necessary. 

So basically, have a goal, write it down, read it every day and reward yourself (however you deem necessary) when you achieve it! 
 

#transformationtuesday

Oh IG and twitter and your numerous hashtags. Some that I don't even understand and have to google for an explanation (yup I am that pathetic at times). Well this one, #transformationtuesday has intimidated me for a long time. Why you ask, would a silly hashtag bother me? Well....

I was scared.

I was scared that my transformation wasn't good enough to use the hashtag. Lame yes but self-confidence issues don't just vanish overnight?  Seriously, past self-esteem and self-confidence and stuff doesn't just go away. I still see the Megan who was at her heaviest and I need to work on that. But that's another post for another day, maybe another hashtag????

But it's the truth.

That old feeling of what I have accomplished doesn't compare to what others have. 

That's not the point though.

The point is, I am darn proud of what I have accomplished as well as the friends I've made along the way and what they have accomplished.

So without further ado, my first post for #transformationtuesday

These pictures are about a year apart exactly. The one on the left, April 2013 at Reagan's baptism. I was about 4 1/2 months postpartum. The one on the right, taken this morning at 4:50am. Yup I look hot going to the gym.

Put these side by side and I am simply amazed at the progress I have made. I am no where near finished but seeing this gives me the motivation to keep going!

Non Scale Victories

The scale and I are not friends. I mean if we really want to get down to it, we hate each other. Almost as much as I hate burpees. I like burpees a little bit more than the scale because burpees make me feel good when I get them done. Like heck yea I just did 25 burpees. I never feel that way after getting off the scale. Even when it goes down I don't jump off and say heck yea scale I like you today. I think hmm what could I have done better to make that number even smaller?

Lately though, I haven't given a crap what the scale read. I've been more focused on other victories.

For example, pants that have been in the back of my closet that I couldn't get past my knees now go over my thighs and almost past my hips. Jeans that are getting too big. Shirts that look sloppy. I love all these clothes that aren't fitting, except, I gave up shopping for non necessities for Lent. So even more reason to keep pushing myself so I can have a good shopping spree this spring!

Another non scale victory is my energy. No longer am I trying to get as much sleep as possible. Well, except for the nights when Reagan doesn't feel the need to stay asleep all night. Or like the other night when we went on a drive to get her to fall asleep. So when she is back to being the great sleeper I can go to bed around 10 and get up around 4:30-5:00 go workout and then go about my day without getting the mid morning yawns or mid afternoon slump. I will say that spark has helped with that too. Eating better and getting all my vitamins and minerals from my MNS packets is also key. I know having more energy makes me a better mom, wife and person in general. No longer do I need my diet coke before I wake up and am functional. My early morning workouts are way better than that diet coke ever was!

Another victory is how much stronger I am getting every day. I've always been strong but now it is apparent. When I started working out I was grabbing 7's for my heavy weights. Now it is 10's sometimes 15's depending on what we are doing. I'm not afraid to lift heavy (no woman should be afraid to lift heavy, ever!), it is so empowering. I've done hanging leg raises, full out push-ups and wall sits for over 2 minutes. The strength I've gained isn't just in my muscles, I've also gained strength in myself. I know that I can do whatever I set my mind to.

No longer am I afraid of failing. I know that this time, I've made the change for good.