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!

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! 
 

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.

Weekends

Weekends are my favorite. Time to unwind, regroup and major family time. Weekends can also be hard on your lifestyle change. I refuse to say the word diet because this isn't a diet, it is a lifestyle change. Diets end and diets fail. This isn't going to end and these choices I'm making aren't going to fail, plain and simple!

Okay now that I've gotten that off my chest back to the point of this post.

Weekends are also a great time for me to meal prep. I can get my breakfasts (when I don't do a meal replacement shake), lunches and sometimes dinner made ahead of time so all I have to do is put it in the crock pot or warm it up. This has been huge in helping me stay on track health wise and financially. I would really hate to know how much money I have dropped on getting my lunches from fast food restaurants, pizza places, etc over the last 5 years since I've been working at my current job. Like, I think it would make a huge dent in my student loans if I were to add it up!

Meal prepping at first seemed expensive because I dropped a chunk of change at the grocery store but now I can go to the store, spend $75 and eat for a week and half. This has also cut way back on Matt and I eating out during the week, which also saves a ton of money.

Typically, my meal prepping starts with cooking my chicken breasts in the oven. Usually it is either chicken that my parents have raised or ones that I buy in the store, a pork roast or beef roast in the crock pot, sausage and eggs.

The sausage and eggs I make into my breakfast wraps. Most of the time they are simply, sausage, eggs and cheese because this is all Matt likes in them. If I get ambitious I will cook up some onions and peppers and add those to another batch just for me! I put the cooked sausage and egg into the egg roll wrapper, roll and bake till golden brown. Then I put them in the freezer and grab out what I need. A minute or so in the microwave and voila, a quick hot breakfast packed full of protein.

I am by no means a food photog they are usually taken on my phone too so no fancy camera used

Another item I love to make on the weekends and have it for quick lunches are my buffalo or BBQ chicken roll-ups. So quick and easy and delish! The only way I could make them better would be to make my own sauces but I use what I have and that is Frank's Red Hot or any BBQ sauce. I shred up the chicken, put it in a zip lock bag, add the sauce and shake what your mama gave ya! Roll them in the egg roll wrappers, bake and enjoy.

I've also become a big fan of the frozen recipe ready vegetables that you can buy the onions, peppers, mushrooms all ready to go into the pan. Makes it so easy and there is no waste because what you don't use goes back in the freezer.

I used to think the weekends were for relaxing, catching up on house work and not cooking. Now, I've changed my thinking and try to keep the house picked up during the week and do a lot of my cooking on a Saturday or Sunday and I have more time to spend with my family.

Day 13 & 14

I have been really good about doing each day. However, this weekend was so uneventful since we were snowed in. Exciting events did happen this weekend as I did some awesome cooking and made some great items that I could throw in the freezer and grab quick. I will be sharing the recipes. The best part, they are so easy!

Food Choices
Breakfast
Saturday- Berry Shake
Sunday- Family breakfast of Eggs and sausage

Lunch
Saturday- Brats and Green Beans
Sunday- Chili

Dinner
Saturday- Homemade chili. I made a crock pot of chili, nothing better than filling the house with the smell of chili on a day when you are snowed in. It was so delicious!
Sunday- My baked egg roll chicken wraps. (Another thing I made this weekend, super easy and super delicious!)

Snacks- Apples, peanut butter, chocolate shake muffins

Water intake- 100oz each day.

Exercise- Chasing and constantly picking up after my very active 1 year old. Best.Exercise.Ever

Being snowed in this weekend was a bit rough. I could have put more effort into working out but it also felt good to relax and give my body a rest.

Day 11- Starting Phase 2 Max Phase

Done with the cleanse. Done with the fiber drink! Ahh I feel so much better! It is amazing how much better you feel when you really focus on not shoveling crap into your mouth and eating only good clean, whole, unprocessed foods!

Before I started this challenge I was using the MNS packets. I had opted to try the MNS C for the maximum appetite control. Let me tell you, this has been huge in helping me not piece between meals (well besides my snacks!) There are times that I forget to take my snack because I'm not hungry because of effect of these packets. I will probably go back to the MNS 3 when I start another challenge and continue in that rotation until I get to where I don't need the maximum appetite control.

Food Choices- I know you can start adding in a few of the items back into your diet but I still limit my carbs and dairy. Limiting carbs works for me and with my PCOS it actually is recommended.

Breakfast- Berry Shake

Lunch- Our operations manager decided to buy pizza for everyone. Believe me the pizza sounded good but I knew it would make me feel blah so I ordered a salad instead. I still got to smell the pizza but didn't have to mark down those calories!

Supper- Well supper brought the same temptation of pizza as lunch did. I ordered the boneless wings and a side salad. However, I wasn't able to resist the breadsticks and had 2 of them. I did take my carb ease before eating the meal so I felt slightly less guilty.

Snacks- Apples and peanut butter along with the cuties clementines. Love those things because they are so easy to peel and help satisfy the sweet cravings I get.

Exercise- Spin/lift in the morning. Then we are doing parent child swim lessons at the YMCA. Holding my chunk of a child for a half hour sure is a bit of workout. This was also the reason we had pizza for supper!

Water intake- 99oz.

Day 10-Cleanse Results

After 9 days on the cleanse, I was down a total of 5lbs and 8 inches. Any weight loss during the cleanse phase is a complete bonus.

Last day of the cleanse. I feel so much lighter. My belly doesn't feel so bloated. To put it simply, I just feel good!

Food Choices-
Breakfast- I planned on having a berry shake but walked off and forgot it. Thankfully, I had a few chocolate ones in my cupboard at work. It wasn't my favorite to drink. Wayyy to chocolately for me. Old Megan would have skipped breakfast and then wondered why I was hungry and feeling sluggish. So win for me!

Lunch- Last day of the quinoa stir fry. This is kind of a big deal for me since I normally don't eat left overs and for this many days in a row! Yes it did get old but it was so easy to just reach into the fridge and grab my lunch and go. This food prep stuff is growing on me! Finished off the rest of my berry bowl from Kroger, blueberries, black berries and strawberries.

Supper- Nothing sounded good so we went with the quick staple of eggs and sausage.

Snacks- Chocolate shake muffin along with some peanut butter. My favorite apple, honeycrisp and peanut butter as well.

Exercise- Today was a 2 a day. Started with a butt kicking personal training session with J. Today showed me just how strong I have gotten. I've always been a strong girl (farm girl right here!) but when the weight piles on you don't feel strong. Today, I felt strong. That evening was a total body class and even though I was tired I pushed through.

Water- 133oz BOOM! Still not quite where I want to be but a dang good effort!

Day 9

One more day, only one more day of the fiber drink!!!

Food Choices
Breakfast- A rather odd combo this morning for breakfast. I thought I had seen we had ham in the fridge so I was going to make an egg and ham omelet. Well, apparently I was seeing things because my omelet ended up being 2 eggs and 15 slices of pepperoni. It was good and had a bit of a kick which was nice.

Lunch- Day 2 of the stir fry. I also finished off the spring mix and the pineapple.

Supper- Matt got a ham from the local store and put it in the crockpot. It was delicious! However, he didn't make any vegetable and by the time I got home it was ready. It happens and I just have to make up for it.

Snacks- Apple, no peanut butter though. Then a chocolate shake muffin with peanut butter at night.

Water intake- 99oz. 1 step forward and 2 steps back

Exercise- Spin/Sculpt for an hour. I love riding my bike but spin always intimidated me. So glad that I tried it because I love it!

Weigh in and measurements tomorrow!

Day 8

Into the homestretch of the cleanse phase! Unfortunately, that means the dreaded fiber drink is back. However, mixing it in my bullet mixer makes it not so gritty and much easier to take.

Food Choices-
Breakfast- Berry MRS

Lunch- Sunday night I decided that I was going to start to clean out the freezer in the kitchen and use up some of bags of veggies and such I had in there. I found a bag of Bird's Eye Stir Fry Mix. I had already started cooking chicken breast. Unfortunately, my chicken to stir fry ratio was a bit off so I added some onion as well. It did smell amazing with some soy sauce and stir fry seasoning. Yum! I also made some quinoa. By the time I was done I had enough for 3 separate meals. Makes lunch packing uber easy! I also went to Kroger's and container of their spring mix salad. I had a bottle of the Olive Garden Italian dressing at work already so I just used that. The pineapple looked amazing so I bought some of that as well.

Supper- Matt made corn for his lunch and there was plenty left for supper so I had that along with 2 bratwurst. Exciting, no, but I got my protein in!

Snacks- I picked up some honey crisp apples while at Kroger so I one of those along with some peanut butter. At night I had a chocolate shake muffin with peanut butter.

Water intake- kicked butt in this, 125oz. Still not enough but progress is progress.

Exercise- 2 a day! Total body for 45 minutes in the morning. We did circuits which usually end up being harder than they initially look. At night an hour total body.

Day 5

Halfway through the cleanse, wahoo!!!

Food Choices
Breakfast- Berry meal replacement shake

Lunch- Our company is going through a merger. Therefore, we are doing company tours. Friday, we had a tour come in and we had a catered lunch. It was boxed lunches. Crap, at that point I figured I should just run to Subway but I decided to stay and eat. I was able to eat the sandwich sans the bread with some mustard. Although it wasn't till the end that I realized that I didn't take the cheese off. I felt guilty for a minute but I didn't beat myself up over it. The world continued to turn even though I ate a little dairy

Supper- I had to go baby shower shopping so I knew I wasn't going to make anything. Matt wanted pizza and that didn't sound good (nor could I even if I wanted too). So I got my shopping done, Matt his pizza and myself Chipotle.

Snacks- Celery and peanut butter. Exciting, no but it got the job done.

Exercise- Spin/Sculpt for 45 minutes. I will admit that by today I was exhausted. However, I knew I needed to go because I wasn't going to Saturday's class and didn't have one on Sunday.

Water intake- 84oz.

I am so excited to see my results after this cleanse!

Day 4

Here we go, day 4.

Food Choices
Breakfast- Berry meal replacement shake. This are so convenient for mornings when time gets away from me. I can literally drink it on my way to work and know that I am not eating junk. Plus I get 24 grams of protein in only 220 calories. Where else can you find that?

Lunch- Leftover chicken and sauce. I know it sounds redundant but I am trying to eat what I have and obviously I have a lot of chicken. I also would like to really eat what is in my cupboards so soon I can go and replenish with more good stuff. I am just tired of going to the store and buying foods that we don't eat and just go to waste. I also had the last of my green beans =(. No worries I got broccoli out to make!

Supper- Hamburger (one from my freezer so it was not lean). I had mushrooms and mustard on top of it.

Exercise- Morning spin class. Kicked my butt!! Then Reagan and I had parent child swim. Not that it is full out swim, however I am carrying the chunk around the pool walking, bending, kneeling for a half hour.

Water intake- 74oz. Yea it stunk today. It happens and tomorrow will be better.

Day 3

Today was the last day of the fiber drink, thank goodness!! Although my mom found that by mixing it in her bullet it really helped with the gritty taste.

Food Choices

Breakfast- Egg and ham omelet plus 4 pieces of sausage. I had the discussion this morning with my advisers about not eating organic and not always eating lean meat. We all agreed, we eat what we have in our freezers. I cannot imagine going to the store and buying beef or pork when I have a freezer full of it. So again, that is why I eat the pork and beef that maybe others don't on the plan. The thing to remember is, it is okay! Life happens, and sometimes you cannot afford to buy organic or ultra lean but  you have hamburgers in your freezer that is so much better than eating pizza or not getting any protein.

Lunch- I had the rest of my chicken from Monday along with the rest of the green beans. Those green beans were so good. I need to see if I have another bag of veggies I can do that with. Yummo!

Supper- This one was tricky. I had made plans to meet a friend for dinner. When she suggested the Mexican restaurant I didn't think anything of it and where I would be in my challenge. Well, I once again asked advice (see a theme?) and about one of the only things available to eat was the chicken fajitas. So mom and I both had the fajitas, no sour cream, no tortilla, no cheese. However, I did get my favorite thing at the restaurant, the salsa!!

Snack- More of my frozen grapes. I also tonight when I got home made a muffin from the advocare shakes. Chocolate is the only one I've done it with and to be honest probably will be the only one. Tonight I added 2 tablespoons of peanut butter. Seriously, so yummy!!!

Empty a packet into a bowl and mix with 1/3 cup water. Microwave for 90 seconds. Then enjoy =)

Exercise- I had my personal training session this morning. Since I have been doing a lot of lifting here lately we did all cardio, 15 minutes on the bike, 15 minutes on the treadmill and then repeated. I was drenched but it felt so good. Since we went out to dinner tonight I didn't get a second session in but it was okay.

Water- As of right now I am at 91oz. I am planning on drinking another 24. Progress on the intake. Not where I need to be yet but slowly getting there.

Tomorrow is a spin class in the morning and Reagan's parent child swim class at night. Yup another busy day.

24 Day Challenge- Day 1

I'm backkkkkkk

Whew, the holidays then Reagan's birthday party, crazy weather and being gone for a conference for a week has thrown me off this blogging schedule I had set for myself. Excuses I know but sometimes life happens and it is okay but I'm back and ready to get back to normal.

I started my 24 day challenge today. I was going to start when everyone else did at the beginning of the new year but I knew I would be away for that conference and it would be hard to plan my meals and get my workouts in. Plus, I also got my mom to do the challenge with me and I wanted to wait for her to get her goodies. I am planning on chronicling the entire 24 days here.That will keep me focused as well as accountable. If I want this to work and I want to continue to succeed I need to be honest and I feel that this is the best place for it!

Food choices-

Breakfast was a no brainer, I didn't have a lot of time so the advocare berry shake was simple, quick and yummy.

Snacks- I know this will make me sound lazy but I LOVE the pre-sliced apples. I mean seriously, just open the bag and eat. No getting out a knife or a plate just yummyness right away. I also dug out my frozen grapes and OMG I don't think I will ever be able to ear regular grapes again.

Lunch- Last night I put half of one our farm raised chickens into the crock pot with seasonings and a jar of pasta sauce. I let it cook on low all night and when I woke up to work out this morning, the house smelled AMAZING! To put with that I took a bag of frozen green beans and let them thaw overnight. This morning I dumped them in a ziplock bag, drizzled with olive oil and Mrs. Dash seasoning and baked them for about 25-30 minutes. Those were so good. I could have ate the entire bag but left half of them for tonight's supper.
 

Supper- I'm thinking it will be the rest of the chicken and green beans just for simplicity sakes since I won't get home till after 6. I also will treat myself with an advocare shake made into a muffin with some peanut butter. Helps satisfy that craving.

Water- So far today I am up to 48oz that I have actually kept track of. I don't count the water that I drink with my fiber drink. Usually I am drinking so much so fast to try and get the nastiness out of my mouth I lose track.

Exercise- I went to the total body class this morning. I can only stay about 45 minutes but I still got a good sweat in! I am going back tonight for another hour and I know I will be sore but it will be worth it. I just love how exercising has made me feel lately.

At the end of every week I am going to figure out how to post my log from myfitnesspal on here. Just another form of accountability.

Here is to making this my most successful 24 day challenge yet!

New Year, New You?

We've all done them, heck this is probably the one thing that most of us never ever follow through on. Yup, I'm talking about new year's resolutions. We all know that feeling, the feeling of getting a fresh start, a clean slate, starting anew. We grasp it and run with it. We vow to follow through with our resolution(s), we aren't going to let life get in the way, if we stumble we are going to get right back up and start again. We are much like the college student starting the new school year, we are going to study, be organized, be involved. By the 4th week, yea not happening. The note taking is not even legible, study sessions aren't attended, studying yea right. Then we get that wake up call after midterms and we are shaken again and jump back on the wagon and somehow make it through.

That is always what happened to me with my resolutions. I would be a go getter, sign up for the 1 year membership at the gym, buy new workout clothes, vitamins, shakes you name it I bought it. This was going to be my year. And by about February I'd miss a few days and those days turned into weeks and then months and pretty soon I was shelling out $50 a month for a gym membership that I hadn't used in months. Yea, total waste of money. Then usually about June I get back on the band wagon for a month but I don't see results like I think I should see (umm hello I just burned 600 calories on the elliptical why don't these pants fit better type of results, geesh get real Megan!)

Then I had Reagan and my whole world changed. It wasn't just about me anymore. I had a little girl who depended on me, who needed me. I had a little girl that I didn't want struggling with her body issues the way I have my entire life. I knew this time I would have to change once and for all. So on a a hot August day I stepped into a gym on a farm (yup a farm, a building that had been converted into a gym) and sweated like I had never sweated in my entire life! I still have the text message from J that next day, asking how I was doing and wanting to know if I was coming back. I could hardly move the next day but couldn't wait to go back. Something was different this time, I don't know if it was me, the motivation J gave, the fact that I was a mom or a combination of all 3 but whatever it was it worked.

Now, here I am 4 months later, down 15lbs and numerous inches. I've done 2 breastfeeding challenges with advocare, I get up in the morning and go work out (4:30am workouts!), my energy level is through the roof, my clothes fit better, I have a pile of clothes that don't fit anymore, I'm stronger and my confidence in myself has increased. There are times I amaze myself with what I can do, what J pushes me to do. It motivates me to continue to see how I am changing and where I will go next.

Starting in January I am committing to the Lean in 13 along with another biggest loser challenge at the gym. My brother is getting married in June, the bridesmaid dress has been ordered and when it arrives in February I don't want it to fit. I want it to be loose and I want to have a huge alterations bill.
So now, who else wants to change once and for all. Who wants to make 2014 their year?

I would love to put together a group for a 24 day challenge starting in January. You would receive personal coaching, nutritional plans as well me to help keep you accountable!

Contact me for more info on advocare and what it can do for you!

Okayyyyyy

Okay, I think it is time to introduce this blog to the rest of the world. How will I be doing that per say? Well pinterest duh! So here goes with my first ever pinning of anything on pinterest. I made (haha thanks to some awesome tutorials) a button to share that I will be posting for others to grab and share as well. Without further ado, my masterpiece.

Simple, cute, effective right!

So now that it will bring readers (hopefully) to my blog, I need to hold myself more accountable to blogging 2-3x a week. I plan on sharing my struggles, my triumphs, recipes that I approve and if I can get my picky husband to approve as well, exercises, tips and information on advocare and some of my favorite products. Most importantly, I want to help mom's understand that it is okay to focus on yourself at times. It is okay to take an hour to work out, to leave your kids with someone else to take time out of the day for you. To ask for help, nutritionally and physically. The hardest step in this process is learning that I can't do it all. Tough pill to swallow, right but one that I think as mom's we have to learn to do if we are going to succeed in leading healthier lives for us and our kids.

So if you are a first time visitor, welcome. I hope I can give you some inspiration along the way. Should you have any questions please send me an e-mail  at mefredritz at gmail dot com I look forward to hearing from you!

Here Goes

I've done this blogging thing before. Well, actually I still have my other blog. If you want to follow that one as well, the link is on the side! That one pertains to the journey my husband Matt and I went on to have our sweet miracle Reagan and now parenting that not always so sweet baby girl. I started to chronicle my weight loss there but decided that I wanted that to remain what it was, an infertility and parenting blog. In the future that blog will once again be filled up with doctors appointments, updates, medicines and hopefully bump pictures. For now though, it is helping me remember important dates and achievements that Reagan has. Plus, it helps me stay connected to the IF world, a world where I have met some of THE most amazing woman and their stories pull at your heart strings and make you question your faith and then bring it all back full circle. So therefore, the birth of this blog.

Picking a name for a blog is hard. I didn't think it through all that well with my IF blog but that's okay. This time was different. I feel like I know more about the whole blogging experience. I kept it short and sweet and to the point. I am being selfish by taking time away from Reagan and Matt to work out. Then one day I stopped myself, I wasn't being selfish by taking that time away, I was being selfish by not doing it. Like every other mom and wife, we put our needs last. We worry about making sure the house is clean, dinner is cooked, laundry done, kids bathed and put to bed and everything else. We usually come last and in my case that meant that I had the excuse that I was too tired to work out. I was too tired to meal prep and plan out my week. I was too tired to really even care that I was slowly killing myself. Dramatic, maybe but the longer I left this weight stick around the higher my risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, do I need to keep going? What happens if something like that happens and I can't take care of my family anymore. To me that is selfish. So I said enough is enough. I decided to take charge.

In June I did my first 24 day challenge with advocare. More on advocare later. I didn't take any after measurements due to being crazy busy. July is a crazy month for us and August came and again I said enough was enough and started working out at a local gym. The first night was killer and the owner of the gym thought I wouldn't come back. Well to her surprise and a lot of other people's I kept coming back and now it is part of my routine. So much in fact that I even do personal training with J (the owner of the gym, a great motivator and even better, a friend) at 4:30 in the morning! Yea this girl gets up at 3:45 every Tuesday to go workout for an hour.

So I invite you to follow me along my journey of being a selfish momma so I can be a better momma!