Days of Rest (6&7/30)

Yes, I guess I missed a day, but it was intentional. Why? Because I made an intentional decision to take the day off on Thursday.  It was my Valentine's Day gift to myself. We ordered pizza for dinner, Rob bought my favorite bottle of wine (of which, I had a couple glasses). I went to bed Thursday night without picking up or preparing for the next day. I just did NOTHING. And of course, I didn't go to the gym either.

Now, today- Friday- was a different story. Today was a very much unintended rest day...well, sort of rest, but not really.  I got up today with every intention of hitting the gym, but when I looked at the clock, I was brought back to reality. I didn't get up until after 9am! My boys (BOTH of them) slept in! I'm so used to the baby monitor acting as my alarm clock and the baby waking up at around 5 or 6am and thats when I usually start my day. My ENTIRE schedule was kind of thrown out the window this morning. Plus, those two glasses (or so) of wine I had the night before didn't help either.  AND I woke up to a house in chaos. I failed to notice how messy things really were when I went to bed the night before. It was just a MESS!

****For those of you that don't know, I'm kind of a clean freak.....sort of. I don't think its anything more than a normal person, but recently a friend of mine diagnosed me as a "Compulsive Cleaner" and...I think she may be right. I think I may have a problem here. haha******

So I started to clean up the mess and before I knew it, it was after 1pm! Then we had a doctor's appointment for Jonah which lasted FOREVER.  The doctor's office was behind schedule today so we ended up waiting like an hour before we were seen and then it took even longer when we actually got seen because of a mix up about what shot it was that Jonah needed today. By the time we got out of there it was after 5pm! I got home, made dinner, ate, kept cleaning, and then looked up to see it was after 7! The kids area at the gym closes at 8pm on Fridays, so by the time I would get there, I would barely have 30minutes to work out. So, I decided that the gym wasn't a possibility today. HOWEVER, I feel like it was entirely a "rest day" because I was getting some pretty good physical activity in by cleaning the house. Moving furniture, sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, etc etc etc. Yeah...I think I did a minimum amount of physical activity today, but...it will have to do.

So there you have it, thats my coupla' days in a nutshell. I'm now sitting in front of the TV, half watching "Pretty Woman" and half typing this blog entry. I'm about ready to call it a night and get ready for a fun-filled day at the fair tomorrow. Well, hopefully....if its not too cold.

Goodnight!

Pushing (5/30)

So, I haven't made a video for my Youtube vlogging channel in over a week. Ugh! What is WRONG with me??? If I blog, I don't vlog.  If I'm vlogging regularly, then I'm not blogging. What the hell??? I really need to get this all together. For real.

Anyway, I came on tonight to discuss what its like to truly PUSH yourself towards something. Tonight, I pushed myself. And it felt good in the end.

After cooking dinner and eating it, I had made the decision that I was going to sit around for a bit to let my food digest, then I was going to pack up the boys and head to the gym, with or without Rob. Then...I ended up taking a little cat nap, which was actually maybe only 20minutes long.  I got up and laced up my gym shoes, then heard the distinct sound of rain coming down in buckets on my roof. Lord, if theres one thing I hate, its getting rained on. Seriously, its one of my biggest pet peeves.  So I thought, 'oh well...guess I'll just wait an hour and see if it dies down or not...' and sure enough, it did! But the longer I was sitting there, the more and more I began to talk myself out of going. It was like this mental tug of war in my head - go...no don't go...yes! go!...no...let's not - I swear, I felt like Jan Brady in the Brady Bunch remake movie when she hears that psycho voice in her head. Yes, it was really that bad.

But before I knew it, I grabbed my water bottle and my purse, got Jeremiah's shoes on (the baby was fast asleep so I left him at home with Rob) and out the door we went. It was as if I just shut my mind off and let my body just go through the motions of getting us out the door. And ya know what? When I got to the gym, the work practically did itself. I really, really, REALLY didn't feel like working out tonight....but once my feet started to run on that treadmill....I just kept going and going, like the Energizer Bunny.

So for right now, I don't care that I haven't dropped 30lbs yet.  I'm just happy that I'm finally turning a new leaf with my activity levels. I'm MAKING myself go to the gym, even when I don't want to. I'm PUSHING instead of giving in. If I just keep pushing, then I'll be at my goal before I know it. -And in that sense, weight loss is almost like an analogy for giving birth....hmmm....weird. -

Goodnight!

Inspired (4/30)

So, I posted this on my Facebook page earlier today...but something really inspired me today.

I was at the gym this morning - as usual - and I saw this man whom I've actually seen many times, but today I had the pleasure of working out next to him on a machine.  This man is probably 60yrs old at the least and....he's blind.

Now, I've seen him before. He has this little headset that he wears when he's on a machine and it hooks up to what looks like an old school cassette player, but I'm guessing its a machine that hooks up to the workout machine that he's on and it tells him in audio how fast he's going or how long he's been working out for, or something like that.  He also has his little walking stick and he uses it by placing it against a machine to feel if there is any vibration, if there is then he knows someone is using that machine, if there is no vibration, then he knows its free for him to use. I mean, I have really watching this man and...I'm amazed.  I'm inspired. I'm just totally humbled.

Here we are - and I use the term "we" as a general term - anyway, here we are everyday coming up with every excuse under the sun as to why we can't find the time and/or ability to get up and get some exercise...and then...there's this blind man who can not only find the time to go, but does so every.single.day. I mean, if THAT doesn't wake you up, then what the f*ck will????

I have decided that whenever I feel like just skipping the gym because I'm being lazy and whiny and I just 'don't feel like it', I'm going to remind myself of this man. I'm going to sit here and think about how difficult it must be for him to get up and get out there everyday, yet...he does it!

So, yeah.  Put that in your proverbial pipe and smoke it. If a 60yr old BLIND MAN can get out of the house once a day to workout, then YOU can surely make time for a 30minute walk around your neighborhood.

Goodnight.

Weigh In Tomorrow (3/30)

Yeah, I'm a little nervous.  I always get myself a little worked up before a weigh in, especially when I'm apart of a challenge. Don't know what I'm talking about? Well, as some of you readers may know, I'm apart of the Youtube weight loss community. Yep. Thats right! Along with this amazingly riveting blog of mine - please note the sarcasm - I also make videos on my very own Youtube channel. And yes, you guessed it, these videos are about weight loss. Well, a few friends that I have made through "the tube" - as I like to call it - are hosting a Biggest Loser challenge and I am one of the competitors. Hey, laugh if you want, but I'm in the running to win $150 to a store of my choice. Hell yeah! I wanted in on this competition for sure. Well, that and I also needed something that would help to keep me focused and driven.

Well, I'm having a visit from "Aunt Flow" at the moment (side note: if you don't understand the "Aunt Flow" reference then google it, or look it up on urban dictionary....or...okay, I'll just tell you...I'm on my period!) and I'm worried that it might effect my weigh in in the morning. Lord, I hope not.  I have been really good these past few days and exercising like crazy, so I hope it reflects on the scale in the morning. But, we'll see.

Other than that, everything was pretty great today.  I went to the gym this morning and was going to go back tonight, but I admittedly got sidetracked with putting together a Valentine's Day gift for my Grandma, so the gym got put off. But I ate very well today and didn't even snack late at night! SUCCESS!!!

Now, I've just cleaned up the toys and prepared the baby's bottles for the night.  Rob is already fast asleep and I need to hit the hay as well! Until tomorrow!

Goodnight.

Horrible Headache (3/30)

The title says it all. I have had a horrible headache pretty much all day and I can't figure out why. Am I properly hydrated? Yes. I drank a TON of water today not to mention a couple of small glasses of all natural fruit juices. I just cannot shake it. And no, I didn't take any medicine for it. I'm someone who does not like to take medications unless they are absolutely necessary. So, I'll just try to sleep it off tonight and see if it goes away. If I wake up and still have this nagging headache, then I'll take something for it.

So, it was a pretty good day for the family today and for my activity levels. We went to the YMCA as a family. The boys went into the play area while Rob and I headed for the fitness room. Our first stop? The treadmills. We ran for a total of about 35 minutes. I was very proud of myself because I ran for 27minutes straight without stopping, and at a pace that I have recently worked up to. When I first started running this time around, I was barely able to run for 2 minutes at a pace of 4.8mph. So I have been slowly and surely working my way up with speed drills and endurance running training. Today I did 27 minutes straight at 5.4mph! Now, back in the day I was running at about 6.0 to 6.2mph...on a good day I could even sustain 6.5mph! So, only being at 5.4 shows that I have a ways to go to get to where I was, but still, progress is being made. And thats the name of the game.

So, I'm going to cut this entry a little short tonight as I'm not feeling at my 100% best. But here's hoping for many more lengthy blogs in the near future.

Unintended Rest Day (2/30)

Okay, Day 2 out of 30.  Off to an okay start, I suppose. Lets not jinx it.

Well, I started out the day today with the full intentions of working out TWICE. I was planning a 1.5gym session this morning with the boys in the daycare area. Then I was planning either a long walk or a quick run after dinner time. Well.....THAT didn't happen. We had an impromptu visit from my inlaws and it was a great day! I just didn't get ANY physical activity in (well, other than cleaning the house and picking up after Jeremiah).  I feel kind of crummy about this.  I can't quite put my finger on it, but I'm starting to feel like nothing is happening with my weight loss. I keep struggling with the scale going up and down the same 3-4lbs and its really getting annoying. I have had many suggestions to keep track of my measurements along with weigh ins on the scale and I think I'm going to start doing this. Along with, PICTURES. Maybe this will help me stay motivated. Now don't get too excited. I won't be sharing any of these pictures just yet.  For right now, I would like to keep them for my personal motivation, and once I see a noticeable difference, I may post one or two here on the blog. 

The thing is - if I'm being perfectly honest- I'm still not giving my weight loss endeavors 100% of my effort. I think back and remember (and watch my old Youtube videos) of how I used to be, and DAMN! I was one focused woman! I know that I am still capable of being that focused and on track, I'm just a little bit more busy than I thought I would be. I don't think I fully realized how busy you are when you have a toddler and a new baby.  And let me be clear here, I'm NOT making any excuses for myself. In fact, I'm doing the exact opposite. I've always believed that the key to success - no matter what your situation is- is to realize your limitations and deal with them head on. Thats how anyone becomes great in this world, in my opinion. You have to realize what you can and can't do, then run with it. For example, I cannot dedicate 4-5hrs a day to working out. It just doesn't fit into my schedule.  But I CAN fit in 1-2 hours a day and whats more, I CAN counteract inactivity with extremely healthy eating.  The fact of the matter is - again, if I', being completely honest here- I'm not doing these things. I mean, I have the activity down - sort of - but I'm not being the healthiest I can be with my eating.  For the most part, I stick to my daily amount of allotted calories, but there are a few days that I don't and its those one or two days a week that can completely ruin your entire week of healthy intentions.  This is what I need to work on.

Everyone has to have a moment like. I like to call it my, "Cut The Bullsh*t" moment. There comes a time in everyone's life where you just have to be real with yourself. Why am I not losing the weight I want to be losing? Because I'm not giving it my all, thats why. Bottom line is, you can work out 5 hours a day but if you go home and eat a whole pizza and follow it with a pint of Ben&Jerry's (insert your favorite flavor here) then all that work ends up being for nothing. Now, I'm not doing THAT bad with eating. In fact, I can't even remember the last time I even had frozen yogurt, and pizza? Forget about it. But there are still those moments of overeating and eating out of boredom or emotional eating, and that has to stop altogether if I really want to get anywhere.

So, there you have it. There's my late night confession, I suppose. 

Missed 11days...WHOOPS!

Well, so much for my resolution of "daily" blog entries. LOL Why in the hell do I find this so difficult to do? I just don't understand. How hard is it to sit down at your computer and tap out a few lines each day? I mean, really Julie. Lets get it together.

So, whats been going on lately? Well, a lot!

I'm definitely "on track" now. Today - Friday- is a well needed day of rest.  I'm thinking that I will continue to make my rest days on Fridays because I weigh in every Tuesday morning for the Biggest Loser Challenge that I'm apart of with some friends on Youtube.  Anyway, I have been going to the gym, faithfully, every morning and even going back at night a few times. I'm really beginning to feel like I'm back in the swing of things.  I've already lost a good amount of weight too. Altogether, since giving birth I am down 22lbs! I just realized that yesterday and I was blown away! I'm well on my way to health and pre-pregnancy weight. And after I reach my pre-pregnancy weight, I'll have about 20 or so more to lose in order to get to my ultimate goal, and healthy weight according to my doctor. I'm so excited and motivated to reach these goals. But, first things first.  Lets just focus on ridding myself of the pregnancy weight.

I think the most important thing that happened lately, is the fact that I'm now THINKING like I should be.  I'm no longer expecting things to change overnight. I've finally come to the realistic way of thinking about things, which is to say that I've realized it is going to take a lot of consistency and hard work and TIME to reach these goals. I still have the same goal though, I want to be at my pre-pregnancy weight by June. That gives me roughly 4 more months to lose about 30lbs.  That means I would need to lose 5-8lbs each month. And I think it can be done. If I'm not at my goal by June, then thats okay, but I definitely want to be within 5-10lbs of that goal. And from there, I will re-evaluate things and figure out how I'm going to get the last 20 to 30lbs off. And thats that.

In other topics, I"m thinking that making this '365 Days of Blogging' goal, was a rather lofty one. So, I'm going to just shoot for a month. 30 Days of Blogging. If I make it 30days, then I'll try for another 30. Then another and another.  You see where I'm going with this, right? Okay. Thats enough for today. My coffee cup is empty and the baby needs to be fed. So, I'm off. Have a wonderful weekend!