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!

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!

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.

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!

#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!

Day 22

I feel like I should always give a preface to the day that I am blogging about. Sadly, I have nothing.

Food Choices

Breakfast- OMG let me tell you about the amazingness that is my breakfast. A, a girl I work out with shared this awesomness with me and I just have to share it with you! Her version of the power bowls from Panera. This one has a cup of Chobani greek yogurt, 3 sliced strawberries, 24 almonds (I put mine in the bullet mixer and ground them up) and a drizzle of honey. This amazingness has 356 calories, 17g of fat, 25 grams of carbs and wait for it, 29 grams of protein! Ahh so freaking delicious!

Lunch- 2 of my BBQ chicken wraps and broccoli.

Supper-  Breakfast for supper. 2 fried eggs, ham and a slice of cheese. Hit the spot on this cold night!

Snacks- Blue Diamond Strawberry Almonds, where have you been all my life?

Please ignore the dirty dishes in the sink, bleh I need a maid!

I also had my trusty apple and peanut butter

Water- 135oz Another great day!

Exercise- Monday 2 a days!

Day 17

Only 1 week left of this challenge. Seriously, I feel so much better in general. I'm excited to see my numbers this week. I won't know them until Friday due to having to move my personal training around.

Food Choices
Breakfast- Berry Shake

Lunch- My BBQ Chicken Egg Rolls. These things are so dang good and easy! I also had a spring mix salad with Olive Garden dressing.

Lunch today

Right after I made them.

Supper- I came home from working out to ham in the crock pot. Matt also made mashed potatoes, gravy and texas toast. I took my fibo trim and carb ease and indulged a little in the potatoes and texas toast. He knows I don't eat a lot of potatoes and bread anymore but he was being sweet and was so proud of himself. Plus, he also did laundry, folded it and put it away.

Snacks- Apples and peanut butter

Exercise- Wednesday two a day!!! Total body in the morning and total body at night. J pushed us hard at the night class. I can tell I'm getting stronger because of things I couldn't do before I can do now. Plus I've been taking the Bio-Tune supplement to help with my knees. Volleyball, basketball and softball were not kind on my knees. Neither is being overweight so this supplement helps with reducing inflammation.

Water- 123oz

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 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 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!

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!