I GAINED……..not weight BUT WORKOUT PARTNERS!

I GAINED……..not weight BUT WORKOUT PARTNERS! 

     This evening I held a weight loss support group meeting.  We came to the conclusion we don’t really need weekly meetings- BUT we are exercising together a couple days out of the week.  They are joining my early morning power walks and swimming pool exercise.  I love group workouts as they help keep accountability and fun.  I prepared frozen drinks and refreshing fruit during our chat.  Excited about my new workout buddies…TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE!!!

     I’m learning that I need people in my life to help accomplish goals.  We were not placed on earth to live alone……it’s important to reach out to receive and give support.  I hope I can support ones around me as much as I’m being supported.  THANK YOU TO EACH PERSON WHO HAS BEEN AN INFLUENCE ON THIS AWESOME JOURNEY!  

Tomorrow I’m scheduled to power walk at 6am and attend Weight Watchers at 9am before work………….more to come! 

Mind is powerful.......

     To start my day I beat the sun and did a power walk this morning for an hour.  It was such a beautiful morning out (picture below).  I’m looking forward to another walk tomorrow morning before work.  During the walk I thought of all the things that are good for us but HARD TO START.  The hardest part of working out seems to be JUST DOING IT- “showing up”.  Our mind is a powerful tool.  Some may relate to church- you really don’t feel like getting up, getting ready and going to church BUT once your there and the pastor is really on His or Her game you are SO glad you went!  Some may relate to a seminar, it’s hard to get going and your mind may want to stay home but once you’re there and the motivational speaker is sharing with  life-changing secrets with you, you can’t help but to think…..I’m glad I showed up! 

     Starting the day like this I immediately grabbed the cherries for a morning snack without thinking about it.  If I would have had a lazy morning, a pastry with my coffee probably would have sounded much more tempting.  THE MIND IS A POWERFUL TOOL…..Train it right! 

We fall down- BUT we get UP...............

WE FALL DOWN- BUT WE GET UP!  

     I have to admit it- I’m an all or nothing type of woman if I'm not careful.  So if I splurge, I REALLY SPLURGE or if it’s a healthy day, it's a REALLY HEALTHY DAY.  I either have the Super Woman cape on OR letting kryptonite kick my rear-end!  Sure this trait benefits me in some areas, but when it comes to weight loss I struggle with balance.  For example if I’m in the mood to throw my sons friends a pizza party- WE HAVE A REAL PIZZZZZZZZA PARTY!  One small slice of pizza and salad would be a logical choice, but this Momma PARTIED with too much pizza!  Not to mention the couple drinks offered to me later than night and the story goes on and on……….. I’m starting weekly weight loss meetings at my home which helps ensure accountability.  It’s easy to shy away from workouts, people, and the scale when things aren’t going so well, but going PUBLIC holds accountability.  I HAVE TO FACE YOU! ~smile~

Ideas that keep me on track 

• Hang out with friends who stay active, make good choices, and have things going for them in life  

•  Read uplifting success stories

•  Keep a consistent schedule

• Hold support meetings, attend spiritual engagements, and POSITIVE mindset before getting out of bed

• Go to bed at a decent hour! (I NEED my sleep or it throws me off!)  

•  GO PUBLIC WITH YOUR WEIGHT LOSS SO WHEN YOU GET OFF TRACK LOOKING LIKE A DWEEB IT’S A MUCH FASTER PROCESS TO GET BACK ON TRACK!  ~Smile~       

Progresso Soup to the RESCUE........

                 

              This soup is a lifesaver for my weight loss.  I don’t like cooking much in the summers.  The soup is not only convenient but inexpensive- especially on sale!  There are 2-servings in each can which is only 4pt on WW for the entire can.  In the summer time I eat it cold (weird to some but I love it!) but looking forward to the winters to warm it up.  The chicken noodle is my personal favorite but Progresso has a good variety.  I’m excited to see if Sam’s Club carries this so I can purchase it in bulk for savings. 

 

                I recently read in the WW weekly magazine that people who eat at least 1-consistent meal (the same meal) on a regular basis lose more than not.  I found this interesting because my brother and sister who are VERY fit eat the exact same meals on a regular basis.  Of course they splurge and change it up once in a while but for the most part they eat very consistent meals.  I’M LEARNING TO OBSERVE YOU SKINNY PEOPLE!  

                TODAY WAS WEIGH IN……….This week I lost 3lbs!  It’s not a huge number but any loss is invited!  It’s about the LIFESTYLE and the rest will fall in place!  I’m SUPER proud of my husband as he joined a gym and staying very consistent with his workouts.  A man in his 70’s has been his motivation……..apparently this guy is ripped and in crazy excellent shape!  He said he puts the fit boys to shame!  I may have to go in and meet this guy.  My husband refuses to weigh but once every couple months- so I’m excited to see his results.  

                So to kick today in full-gear I’m tracking all my WW points, exercising after work (stationary bike), drinking plenty of water, and taking my vitamins.  Tomorrow I’m super excited as a good friend of mine is coming over early in the morning for a 60minute power-walk and a couple hours of swimming (I love swimming!).  We’ll sneak some coffee chit-chat time in there too.  Until next time! 

Plus Size Apple Shape Women can feel sexy at the pool too!

Plus Size Apple Shape Women can feel sexy at the pool too! 

One of the best purchases is my swim suit.  I LOVE my black one-piece swim suit skirt.  It’s made by Merona.  I had to buy a larger size than I normally wear, which women HATE to do, but I’m very glad I did.  Don’t hesitate to go larger if it looks better!  Many apple shape women have nice legs, larger breast, decent arms but we suffer from the large GUT.  Hide the gut and show off those legs women!  NOBODY could have convinced me I would look half way decent in a suit- but I do.  My suit really does an EXCELLENT job hiding my stomach and showing off my legs.  My thinner pear shape friend (brat!) said “Wow you really have nice legs!”  Yes, the pear shape gave ME a compliment!  I always wanted to be a pear shape woman, but I’m gonna WORK with what I got.  

I was too embarrassed to go to the pool until I made a promise not to be so hard on myself!  I was determined to FEEL GOOD about going to the pool.  I’m an all or nothing type of person, so not only did I go to the pool but I held a family/friend pool party.   We spent several hours outside the pool but I wore my swimsuit the entire time.  I wore a beautiful sun hat (super inexpensive at Target), make up all done up, hair in a cute bun, bronze Jergen’s natural glow (cheap at Walmart), pedi/manicure (coupons women!!), light see-through open front swim suit cover (this is actually a dress shirt that I turned in a perfect swim suit cover for when I’m out of the pool), and cute sandals (paid $5bucks for!).  It takes some effort but anyone can look nice with an inexpensive budget! The compliments kept coming……even from the thin/fit ones.   We had a blast and I felt wonderful. 

Be good to yourself and get some swimming in this summer! 

*****Living Strong wrote an article claiming swimming (light to moderate) can lose ½ pound per week without any other changes.  That was motivating to add to my weight loss journey.  I LOVE swimming!  Everyone knows the benefit of swimming on joints and muscle pain but what I noticed is I can tread water, swim, and stay active (light to moderate) for a LONG time!  My time working out in the pool is much easier, more enjoyable, and rejuvenating.  Be kind to yourself and get in that pool.  *****