It's your story. Be Fabulous

So it's January, 2016.  I hope you fabulous people didn't do the same resolutions that didn't work last year. Or make ones that are impossible to reach.

Last year, my resolution was to learn another language because I figured I had the food thing down. I jumped in both feet and worked hard at it. I took classes, bought books and I was going to conquer this. However, life gets in the way and I had to put it on the shelf to study for a work thing. Exceptionally boring stuff I might add.  I'll get back to it this year.

This year my goal or resolution was simple. I wanted to lose 20 lbs to get my eating back on track. All the summer craft beers and margaritas can catch up with you.  Healthy eating and movement have always front and center but something about the end of the year that makes it so final.  A new year makes it feel like it's a free pass to start over and be great at it. I'm working on with some gal pals that have the same mission. When you can network, you have power to get thought situations to vent about and to celebrate victories and there is success in numbers.

Make this year all about you. As I get older it's about pampering yourself a little more, be with loved ones and enjoy life. Over this past year I've met some wonderful people that I now consider friends. New relationships and new ideas have blossomed. In 2015, I took a belly dancing,a burlesque class and I learned yoga.  I accomplished more in 2015 but these ones were memorable moments.

Pole dancing popped up in conversations recently, but that one is on hold. Not sure about that one. I can see myself sliding down a pole flat on my face. My point is try something new. Take a dance class, join a team, yoga or get a dog or cat.

So far January 2016 is working out for me and my food plan. Using hCG Activator I'm down 10 lbs and feeling great.  I keep my self accountable with my chalk  board cupboard doors. I get excited to cross of each day.

Whatever big or small just do something that you can call your own and be fabulous about it.

Hot Yoga ( Are you Kidding?)

I mentioned that I do hot yoga. Never in a million years did I think that I would give up my hardcore beatings for smooth poetic movements (in a kick you in the ass sorta way)

I took a yoga class once at the YMCA years ago and it was a horrific experience. This was maybe 15 years ago and I had no clue as to what I was doing. I made it though the whole 60 minute class completely uncomfortable and in pain. I stormed off vowing to never take yoga again! After that godforsaken, horrible experience my back hurt for a week and yes, I blamed yoga. 

About 6 months ago, I had mentioned to Roberta that I just couldn't keep up with the tough exercises and that I needed to find something that was fun.  She suggested that I go with her to a HOT Yoga class. At first, I thought HOT Yoga are you insane? I have heard stories of how temperature is over 100 degrees and literally melt. I was imagining slipping in my own puddle of sweat and not breathing from the hot air. What are the survival rates here?

Anyway, I went to this cute little place downtown called FireFly and  I fell in love. The studio is small and it's above a restaurant that has been around forever. The walls are brick, floors are wood with calming candle light. Great, no one can see my straining face as I do down dog sweating profusely.

It turns out that yoga is awesome. My bad experience has been forgotten and now I have happy thoughts. What's nice, is the FireFly staff care about you as a person and show many different variations of how NOT to hurt yourself, but  also push yourself at the same time.

Now, I am an avid participate of Hot Yoga and know all the instructors names and its easy to strike up conversations with them as they are available after class for concerns or questions.

Plus, the play list is amazing. Music that I never knew existed or I haven't heard in 20 years. It makes you really want to get your groove on and stretch just a little bit more.

Insanity Class

I took an Insanity class last night after work and Jennifer (the instructor) says "it's okay if you take things at your own pace, Insanity is tough and you might are not expected to keep up. Well, every time a attempted to slow down, Jennifer jumped next to me pushing me harder.I'M SO CONFUSED/!!

No. really Jennifer- thanks for pushing me to my limits, I'm glad you did. I'll be able to flex my calf muscles sooner or later.

The Institution Face Book Page

Super Mommy

I took a couple months off of boot camp thinking that I would keep it up on my own. Well, that couldn't have been further from the truth.  I went back for a few weeks and thought I could walk into this like I never left.  About 30 minutes into it I wanted to fall over.Where is this muscle memory that I keep hearing about? I'm so frustrated that it feels like I'm starting over. But week 3 I'm still going and my fitness level is coming back.

We women do it every day. We jam pack our days that we rarely take time out to take care of ourselves. I made the decision that I had to get back to it. I missed the exercise and the way it made me feel both physically and mentally. My husband stepped up and helps with dinners and lunches so I can feel my best. Because face it, no one likes a cranky mommy.

Over 60 total inches lost

The month of August was epic for me. I swear I would try on something too small and then a week later it would fit.  I have so many pictures of my weight loss that I had to put it all in albums. And, now I am so glad that I did it. I can look back and it makes me proud every time of  I have done for myself.
This is me at 195 lbs. I was at a new low weight and I wanted to keep going. I originally set small goals but when I blew past 200 it was game on. Not only was I losing weight I was losing inches fast. It was round this time when I had my fat dream and scared myself awake.

 Now my measurements are getting impressive
July 2010              July 28th 2011
Weight 262           Weight 195 lbs
Hips 54                Hips 43
Thigh 39.5           Thigh 23
Bust 49                Bust 36
Waist 51              Waist 40.5
That is 61.5 inches of body that is GONE.
Totally amazing how I was feeling inside and out. I was really getting into reading about health and fitness. All about how food works in the body, the advantages of eating clean. I LOVED shopping for fresh natural foods and cooking in my kitchen. I had put in a garden and we grilled everything on the grill.Loving my 40's.

Smiley Faces and Sad Faces.

My weight was 260 lbs and I felt helpless even with all the working out and watching my food choices.  When I was 43 I started to have trouble with my menstrual cycle. It was getting physically harder to work out or even function normally.  I had a lot of cramps and was just miserable. Along with the physical aspect of things, I was mentally feeling frustrated. I was fatigued, achy and getting very depressed. I had no regularity anymore.SURPRISE!! The time of the month (TOM) would show up randomly and often. I had my annual appointment with my Gyn and I explained the symptoms crying through the whole thing. She said because of my age that it was important to get checked out, we didn't want any surprises. I made an appointment and she gave me some options.  We decided to go with the Ablation procedure and hopefully that would take care of everything.
http://women.webmd.com/endometrial-ablation-16200

That procedure was the best thing I could have done. It turns out I was a perfect candidate as I did have some mommy parts that needed to looked into.  My energy increased, my stamina improved, my body stopped hurting and most of all my depression lifted and I felt like a new person, I was eager to get back to my active lifestyle with new found motivation.

After my procedure I was back at the grind again. By late October of 2010 I got my weight down to 242. Looking back in my records it took me over a year to lose 18 lbs. REALLY, ONLY 18 lbs? I look back at my journals now and I can see the frustrations of failing over and over. I used smiley and sad faces I see many sad faces with some really deep pen strokes of scribbles  Like, I wanted to stab the book. But I had to hold myself accountable no one else was going to.

So there it is, yet another journal entry that showed jut how frustrated I was. Some times you can just feel doomed when you put effort into something and not to see results. I was glad that I lost 18 lbs ,but I still was not comfortable in my own skin. I was not meant to be this size, I just knew it.

Scrap Booking and Eating are a Dangerous Combination

When I took the BodyBugg off  it was like I put my life on hold. My weight started to creep up to 250 and plus. 2009 was just not my year, bagged it. 2010 will be better right? My husband turned me on to scrap booking with a starter kit that I got for Christmas. He knew I was down on myself and he thought it give me something to do beside moping around the house bitching and complaining about my weight.

All winter I scrapped booked, bought lots of stuff to master the craft. I found reasons to shop for the crafty items, cool bags and storage containers. I even started making holiday and birthday cards from scratch to send out to family and friends  Everyone loved them or said they did as they were original  I have to admit I was getting pretty good at the craft and have several books to show off. (Which are now stored and dusty) I went to a couple scrap booking party's and chit chatted with other mothers. Now, I don't want to offend any scrap bookers out there but its a free for all on eating when you do this hobby. I would unload my supplies and wheel everything into a school library or community center to set up. There was always a fee with these groups to help pay for the facility and food. Over flowing choices of high fat foods, high salt snack mix and desserts.  I remember one time we had chicken enchiladas and all the fixings. You can literally eat all day and  have no idea of what you are putting into you mouth. I would put on my elastic waist band pants and be gone all day eating and gluing pictures.

My weight really started to climb for a variety of reasons. I stopped exercising, I had a sit down hobby. I still didn't  eat fast food, soda or fried foods but I did eat and my will power was low and it was nothing to eat a box of crackers while scrap booking. By March I was 260lbs.

Summer of 2010 I'm sitting in my dream car. Big Black Camaro. But, no room for a car seat, and I was not feeling very sexy to drive it. You want to feel good if you are going to show off in a sports car and at that time I was in hiding as much a possible.

I felt like I had given up on life and stayed home more and more. I wouldn't go out with friends because I wasn't comfortable in my own skin. I stayed home with my family and my garden. 

July 15th 2010, was a turning point in my life.For some stupid reason I weighted myself at 10:00 pm and I was 262 lb. I think I cried myself to sleep. I found a small notebook and I started recording all actives for the day including my beginning measurements and food.  I strapped on a NEW BodyBugg  renewed my membership and I was back at it determined to make a difference. Don't ask me why but I bought the new improved smaller black version of the BodyBugg. Yes, I could have used the old one but I wanted to new one to go with my new life. Only money right?

Here were my measurements:

Hips: 54"

Thighs: 29.5" 

Bust: 49" 

Belly: 51"

Biceps: 15"

I figured if some accountability and writing everything down helped I was going to do it.  I also started an online source to help keep track of my food intake. I used FatSecret it had colorful charts, graphs and a buddy system, it was really user friendly.

Every day I recorded my food, exercise and weight. I sometimes wrote down my moods or if it was a crappy day. It was all recorded in sloppy writing and barely legible but it was working and I so needed it to work. I exercised every day, mostly walking to start as my back was in bad shape. By July 22nd I lost 2 lbs. I was on a roll. WooHoo {Yea, sarcasm}

Below is an example of what my journal looked it. I have many stories to share while using this journal.

July 15th, 2010 Journal

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Back to the Grind

I hate being sick. I had been sick for about a week and couldn't exercise. I picked up a upper respiratory virus and had to wait it out. When I can't workout I get cranky. Tom is the first tell me flat out GO WORKOUT please.All talking stops and I just go. It's a great stress reliever. I have always had the workout bug my whole life, heavy or not I always did something to get my heart pounding, I had to. I have a whole workout gym and workout discs in my basement. But, of course I feel the need to leave the house to get my sweat on properly. At home I'm half assed because I have kids that want a snack, the phone rings, or the dryer buzzer goes off. As a mother you always have laundry.

I had an online coupon on Groupon for 4 weeks of  Fit Body Boot Camp. close to work and  I thought could I? http://www.fitbodybootcamp.com/mi/lansing-fitness-boot-camp/ I saw pictures of what I thought was more of a torture chamber than a class. I saw kettle bells, weights of all sizes BIG tractor tires, car tires, bags of sand, punching bags, cables, ropes, and scuffed up walls, very manly looking place. I immediately thought of the Biggest Loser Gym and wondered if Jillian or Bob were going to walk in. My first reaction was Oh dear, this is going to kill me, so I bought 8 weeks and planned it 6 weeks out so I could get myself motivated. I added it to my calendar, I talked about it on Face-Book me and Tom bought some workout clothes. I take Tom shopping with me for a couple reasons. 1.) He's an excellent shopper and 2) he makes sure I get clothes that fit. I had a habit of reaching for larger sizes before I realized that I lost weight.

My first day was here. All day at work I was was thinking about this class, I told all my friends so I couldn't back out. I was doing this. It's 4:20 I walk in the door and it smells of sweat and tears. I was greeted by Emeka, the owner.  Emeka Umeh is from from Nigeria, 6"2 and just about as wide. I knew I had just signed my death warrant.


The class is only 30 minutes of hardcore, old school exercises and  I a couple trainers  are ex military. The first week I dragged my butt to my car wondering if I was going to make it home. I sent a text to my husband after class telling him I was coming home but my arms were shaking so bad I couldn't get my words right. He sends back don't text and drive. I said I wasn't, I couldn't put my hands on the wheel to drive and I had to wait to gain some strength back. "LOL"


6 months later I'm still going to FBBC at least 5 days a week. Life is going fast and 30 minutes is all I need to. I'm happy, its pumps me up and I make better food choices. I love that each class is different and not to mention that I lost 5% body fat in 6 weeks. I can do man push-ups now.  Lets talk a little about a burpee. Not the kind that you burp when you eat but the kind that will make your whole body wake up. Imagine squatting down like a frog, jumping your legs out behind you, into a push up. Do the push up from the floor, jump your legs back into a squatting position and then burst up from a jump squat. Got that? Now do 15.