Real Life Inspiration-Mary's Story

Last week I linked to a blog written by a girl named Mary, this is another Mary.  There are some awesome Marys out there!
I really am so excited to have this to share with you today!  You have heard me talk about this Mary-the woman who won the last local BL competition.  You've heard me mention how awesome it is to be in workout classes with her and see how incredibly strong she is!   She was kind enough to share a little about who she is, and her story.
So without any further blabbing from me, here is Mary. :)

I will introduce myself a little.   I am a wife and mother of 5 children. I had every reason in the world to be happy because the life I had was very close to the life I hoped I would have. My Husband is a wonderful man and I am surrounded by amazing friends and family and I love all of my kids to death but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't escape the reality of my weight. I would go months without letting myself think about it and then something would happen that would hit me smack in the face and I would have to sit down and cry because I would feel so ashamed at the reality of what my body had become.

I finally hit rock bottom one day when I went to the mail box and in the mail was an invitation to a baby shower from a dear friend back in high school. I opened the card and sat down in the garage and cried because I knew that these friends hadn't seen me in over 10 years and I could never show up 100 pounds over weight. I had allowed my weight to become so out of control that it was now stopping me from enjoying all of life. 

That is the night that I called Maryanne Holtz, who I knew was offering work out classes in her basement. She told me about a biggest loser competition and that next week I began my journey in changing my life. The competition was 12 weeks and I ended up losing 60 pounds in 12 weeks and winning the competition. 

I share with you my story about what got me to the point of deciding to change my life because I am a believer that everyone has these moments whether in weight loss or in something else in life where you finally reach a point in which you have to decide to take charge and change what is that is holding you back. 

When I started this competition I knew that the only way I would really have a chance was if I got very real with myself and so I sat down with my family and asked them to help me change as a family so that I could have success. We changed a lot of things but mostly our schedule. I had gotten very use to putting myself at the bottom of the list...that was the first change. I now wake up every morning at 4:45 am to go to my workout (not everyone has to workout this early in the morning but for me it was the only time that I could dedicate to myself). We pulled some of our children out of extra after school activities that were taking us away from home at dinner time, we changed my husband's busy night time meeting schedules around to fit my new life style. This was an important step that I suggest everyone who is looking to make a real change do. I had to learn that it is okay if the family gives a little for me to be healthy because a healthy wife and mother is a stronger and happier wife and mother. I also change what food we keep in the house and how often we go out to eat. I try to never be away from the house during a meal time and if I am then I pack my own food.

Next was pushing through soreness and being out of shape. Working out and changing your body hurts...there is no secret answer!!! I have had several people stop me and ask how I have lost so much weight and it is funny to me that they are surprised when I say exercise and eating healthy. This really is the answer. I exercise about 2 hours a day and eat 1500 calories. I have found that substituting some of my favorite foods for healthy versions has helped a lot. 

I am now in another biggest loser competition trying to lose the last 40 pounds and I can say that everyday is a still a choice. I have lost 10 pounds so fa.r I still have to decide that today I am going to make right choices. I have tried to be honest with myself and some days I even have to say out loud "I miss sitting down with my cookies or chips or Ice cream and watching a movie late at night" and then I immediately say "but if I wanted that life I could have it but not without all that comes with it...the weight, the fatigue and the low self esteem" I have found that being honest about health has helped me have a more realistic attitude about this not being a diet but really changing my life.

One of the most important things is to have a support group. Find people around you who believe in you and who are cheering you on. Find people that you look up to who have healthy habits and began to slowly change each bad habit with a good one. I owe so much of my success to the workout instructor who believed that I could change even before I believed it. I would say to reach out to people and let people know when you are struggling. 

I am grateful for a healthy body. I love that I can go and run 5 miles and not be sore I never could have achieved that 6 months ago. I am grateful for my body!!!

Weekly Challenge - Week 13

This week it's all up to you.

Design your own challenge.  Find your weak spot. What do you really need to work on?
Pick one thing diet related, one thing workout related.

You can leave your personal goal for the week here in a comment or on the FB page.

And then, get to work!

Real Life Inspiration

Another blog for you to check out.

I stumbled upon Fit This Girl a little over two years ago.  I was instantly intrigued by cute Mary and her journey to be fit.  She has changed her life in many years and it has been awesome to follow her on her journey.  She has turned her life around and made it something that she loves and is so positive and inspiring!  Check out her 'about me' page for her before and after pics.  In the time that I have been following her blog she has gone from a fit girl to an incredibly ripped girl on her way to figure competition.  She has the abs of my dreams.  Just in case you were wondering. 

But above all, her optimism and encouraging attitude speak volumes.  And her facebook page is full of fun inspiration as well.  

Weekly Challenge- Week 12

Diet Challenge:  NO eating out this week!  Remember you get one day off of the 7, so you do have that option available for *one* day this week.  Otherwise, plan ahead and cook at home!  Your wallet will thank you too. :)

Exercise Challenge:  This fabulously fun little routine added in to your day!
*Deep Squats- 30 sec hold

                        30 sec bouncing 

                        30 sec hold

                        30 sec bouncing

                        30 sec wide 

*Push Ups-20 (on your knees if or even on the wall if necessary)

*Calf Raises-feet shoulder width apart, 10 reps

        turn toes out, 10 reps

        feet forward facing again, 10reps          

        turn toes in, 10 reps

        back to original position, 10reps

        wide stance, 10 reps

*Tricep dips (on edge of chair), 15 reps

*Squats/Plies (holding back of chair if needed), 10 reps

*Planks- on your forearms, legs straight and on your toes if you can, or on your knees if necessary           

                          1 min side

                          1 min center

                          1 min other side

-This is really a pretty quick little set, should only take about 10min, so feel free to do it twice.  Or if you love it so much that you just have to do it more often, do it both morning and night!  :)
Just remember this is in addition to any workouts you have planned!

Again, one day off from each challenge, whatever day you choose!  Doesn't have to be on the same day.  Have fun!!

Weekly Challenge - Jan 16

Diet Challenge:  It's pick your poison week!  :)
You get to choose from either a NO treats week, or 9 servings of fruits and veggies a day.  Since the big produce challenge may require some coordinating with shopping I figured I'd give you a choice.  Aren't I so nice?  You choose and let us know.
No treats really means NO treats.  Not just no baked treats or no candy or no desserts in the evening....No treats all day every day.  And yes it's possible.  I promise.  I've done it a handful of times and never died.  I came close, but never did.  Just kidding.  Kind of.
If you go the 9 servings of fruits and veggies routes, look up what a serving really is.  You'd be surprised at how much it is for some things and how little it is for others.  Wondering how in the world you'll get that much in?  Salads are fabulous.  Smoothies are amazing.  Add veggies to a sandwich to boost flavor!  Turkey sandwich?  Add not only lettuce and tomato, but throw some sprouts on there too, along with a handful of bell peppers!  Good stuff!  You'd be surprised at how many ways there are to get more produce in your diet.  Fresh is best, but frozen is a darn close second.  And do yourself a favor and don't negate the goodness of it by drowning it all in butter or cheese or something else that will kill you with fat and calories.  A little is fine, but there are some great spices that will make it much more exciting!

Exercise Challenge: Try something new at least three times this week.  Keep up your regular routine and throw something new in the mix too.  Never tried yoga?  Give it a shot!  Pilates sound foreign to you?  Try it out!  Bought those kettlebells and promptly stuck them in a closet to collect dust?  Pick something that is not part of your regular workout routine and add it in this week.  Maybe you'll find a new love.  Maybe you'll hate it and be glad you only do it three times.  You never know.
There are a myriad of things available on Netflix, and hunting around the web turns up some great workouts too.  You do not need to sign up for a class or buy any new equipment or dvds, unless that is something you choose to do.

Weekly Challenge - Jan 9

Diet Challenge:  Another revisit to get back on track after the holidays-water intake!  Calculate what your water intake should be and hit it every day this week.  Most of you should be over 100oz/day!  But there's a second part this time around.  No soda.  None at all.  Not even a single swig, even if it's diet, zero calorie, whatever.  It's crap, so Cut. it. out. of your diet.

Exercise Challenge:  30 pushups every day.  They don't have to be in one set, do it in two sets, three sets, or even ten sets if you need to.  Watch your form!!  If you cannot do full pushups, go from your knees.  Your back should be completely straight.  If your butt is in the air, it is not a pushup.  If your body is limp and rolling up and down off the floor, it is not a pushup.  Thirty every day.  Go.

Real Life Inspiration

Meet my friend Becky at beckyloses200.blogspot.com.
Yep, you read "becky loses 200".  As in 200 pounds.
She is one amazing and inspiring woman!
Every time I see her around the neighborhood I am still blown away at the transformation she has made in her life.  She started out at 390 pounds and has dropped down under 200 now.  She has completely turned her life and her lifestyle around.  She has always been a sweet person, but she just absolutely beams now!  I swear the woman is always glowing!  And yes, even when she's not sweating. :)  She made a huge huge commitment and really dug in and got down to business and is one of those people that still must put in a concentrated effort every single day to maintain the changes she has made.

When you have a minute go peek around her blog.
Amazing things are possible!

Weekly Challenge - Jan 2

I am finally getting in gear and have prizes.  Really.  No they aren't fancy but hey, who doesn't like to win free stuff?
Two challenges every week, one pertaining to your eating habits, one to your exercise habits, one entry for each challenge you complete.

Diet Challenge:  Food Journal.  Yep, I know we already did it, but who is still doing it?  Anyone?  Track what you are eating.  *Everything* you are eating.  Down to the food you "clean up" off your kids' plates, the handful of M&Ms you threw down at the end of the day, all of it.  Make sure you are tracking your fluid too-are you drinking enough water?  adding too many calories from a cup?

Exercise Challenge:  Pick a goal.  Whether it's signing up for a 5k, running a mile by X date, the Hundred Pushup Challenge, whatever-pick a concrete attainable goal with an end date!  Something you are working toward.  Not a number on the scale, not work out so many minutes per day, pick something specific.  Share it with the group so we can encourage you along the way.  (and badger you about it if necessary)

Let's get this party started!!

It's January.
Holidays are over.
Parties are over.
Time to get moving.

If It’s Important, You’ll Find A Way. If It Isn’t, You’ll Find An Excuse

NO MORE EXCUSES!!

Here's where you decide just how bad you want it.  It's not easy.  It's not rocket science, but it's not easy.
The question is, are you willing to make the sacrifices you need to make to achieve it?