Reason to be fit #0775

Hey all! I know it has been awhile, but I've been so busy with getting fit and healthy, I havent had time to post! Haha. In reality, work has been busy and I have been too busy myself to update.

This is going to be a short entry because I am still soo busy at work! The past week has had its ups and downs. Last Thursday was our company Pirate game trip. I used that as my "cheat day" because I just couldn't pass up a delicious buffet of food!! I was so happy with myself that even though I considered this a cheat day...I still stuck to my ground. Unhealthy food doesn't even interest me anymore! Proud self moment! Of course, still, every once in awhile, i might want a slice of pizza or something that used to be my favorite comfort foods!

After Thursday through today, I have only worked out twice. It is true what they say...the only workout you will regret is the one you DON'T do! I am so disappointed I didn't make time for myself , a simple 20 minutes, to work out!! Still, I kept thinking... 80% nutrition. I stuck to my guns and fulfilled the nutrition part!

A few days ago, i decided to jump on the scale. I weighed in 8 pound lighter than when I first weighed in. Fantastic. Talk about a jump in my motivation...that just did it right there. I am seeing results!!

I have been getting some comments from friends and family that they see changes. I feel changes but seeing them still is hard. It feels amazing for friends and family to notice my changes, not just in my physical appearance, but in my personality and positivity.

Not only am I motivating myself, but having motivation from so many people. Thanks to all of you who have been so supportive!! <3 <3 <3

Do the work, See the results!

Truth be told with this little fitness tip I stumbled upon this morning! For so many years I have tried SO hard to lose weight. I'd watch my eating, maybe hit the gym. (notice how I said maybe?) All my life I have struggled with weight issues. As I look back, the only time that I was fit and healthy was when I played field hockey. I probably wasn't eating the best foods, but the amount of exercise I had totally made up for that. I'm talking every day from the first week of August until the season was finished in October/November. This not only included drills and playing time, but also AT LEAST a 3 mile run every day (rain, snow, slush, humidity....it didn't matter!)

As I progress on this journey, in baby steps of course, I have added both eating better AND exercise to the mix. Obviously, for me at least, just eating right doesn't work. Sure it might make for a healthier heart and low cholesterol (which are VERY important), but it's not going to get me any closer to MY goal of becoming that "high school fit".

It has been a little over a week now since I have started eating better and working out. Now obviously I have had my up and down days. I skipped a whole weekend with eating right and exercising, but I got better after that. It is all about moderation. I am pushing myself to do better, but it takes one step at a time to get where I need to be. Anyways, It has also been 5 days since I officially started Herbalife. The combination of Herbalife and eating healthy/clean and exercising has produced some AMAZING results for me.

I wanted to wait to weight in until Wednesday. Which would have been my official one week with Herbalife. Well, I guess I just couldn't wait!! So last night around 8:30, I weighed in and took my measurements. At first I was discouraged. I gained a pound!!! WHAT?!! all this work and I've gained?! After I thought about it, I realized that not only was it late at night, but I have also been drinking SO much water, that might have something to do with that! Plus, they always say muscle weighs more than fat, so who knows, maybe I'm gaining some muscle? On to the measurements. Well, I am pleased to announce that I lost 2 inches in my waist, and a 1/2 inch in my hips. I think I almost dropped to the floor when I saw that. A week, and me, I, Katie Love, lost 2 INCHES?!! WOW!  I couldn't even believe it. I was in shock. This was such a happy moment for me!!

Last night I went and bought Jillian Michaels 30 Day shred. I was told to buy this by a few people, saying that it was a really good workout. So I'm standing in Walmart looking at the DVD. Hmm...20 minute workout? Wow, I spend AT LEAST an hour in the gym...and this is all just a 20 minute work out?! Well, I pondered buying another DVD to do after I was done with Jillian, but decided that I have enough machines down in the basement to work out after the DVD.

I was so excited to bring it home and do the DVD. Popped the DVD in, started the work out. 20 minutes later, my whole prospective changed on Jillian Michaels. This bitch didn't even give me a water break!!! But during the video, she made a very valid point. "This workout IS NOT supposed to be easy." "We promised results, and you will get them, but you HAVE to follow the workout!" "There is no time to rest". Miss Jillian Michaels, your workout is FOR REAL! I can honestly say, I am SOOO sore today, but its not a bad kind of sore. It feels GOOD! During the workout, my legs were shaking, I was breathing hard, my heart rate was up, and I was sweating like I had been sitting in a sauna for 2 hours. And 20 minutes??? That workout felt like it was an hour long!!! It all comes down to this....I am 100% NOT complaining. I loved EVERY hard EARNED minute...and when I was finished...I finished on TOP. Seriously cannot wait to do it again tonight!!!

This journey of mine has not been easy or pleasant. It has been one of the HARDEST things I've ever had to do. But so far, it has been ALL worth it. And honestly, I have nothing buy love and thanks for every single one of you who read my blog and give me the support. Just a simple message really brightens my day and makes me more motivated that ever. Whether I have known you my whole life and we are close, if i just met you, if we don't talk much anymore...your support and kind messages have been amazing. So thank YOU all for helping me achieve my goals. I've got a long way to go, but This girl is NOT giving up :)

If anyone wants more information on Herbalife and MY PLAN or is interested, please let me know!!

Progress is Progress!!

 

 

 

Progress is progress!! Ok, so although I have yet to weigh myself or take measurements since I've started (waiting til my one week is up!), I totally feel better about myself!

 

 

I must say, I did pretty well this weekend. On Friday, my office had cake for my birthday. I think I was obligated to at least have one piece, so I opted for a very small piece. On my way home from work and once I got home, I felt SO sick! Terrible stomach ache. I honestly think I have putting so many GOOD things into my body, that it kind of went into shock with that piece of cake! Friday evening I had a nice clean dinner. Not bad for the start of the weekend.

 

 

Saturday was definitely my cheat day. I started out good! Had my shake in the morning and an apple. I had a lot to do on Saturday, so I tried my best to keep up with it. I had a fit n active yogurt for a snack closer to lunch time. For in between lunch and dinner, I did eat a hot pocket and fruit. Then dinner came and I definitely ate some unhealthy things! This weekend was Oktoberfest in Canonsburg. All I wanted was some perogies and halushki. I saw that sign and I was right to it! It is just too bad I didn't even enjoy it! Number one, the halushki was buttered noodles. It was gross. Perogies were OK, but definitely tasted like they were frozen out of a box. I drank light beer that night as well.

 

 

Sunday was pretty good. Had my shake in the morning, and half of a veggie sub for lunch. For dinner I cooked chipotle chicken and pasta salad ( I know, PASTA is CARBS) but the pasta salad had a lot of fresh veggies in it, so I felt pretty good about it!

 

Honestly, this weekend I really has felt like a success. My friend came to visit me this weekend and I haven't seen her since I started this CHANGE. She said she could see a difference in my sides. Probably the most motivational thing that was said this weekend had to be by my boyfriend. I think it is extra hard to see results when you see that person every day. So how was he motivational? Well, back in beginning of the summer, I went through a phase. Back in college, I had purchased a sweat belt to wear while i was working out (and I must say I'm pretty sure it works!) I found this early this summer and put it on. As embarrassing as it is, it sucked in my fat in my tummy area, so when I would wear certain clothes that I thought made myself look bad, I would throw on the sweat belt and wear it. Well I haven't worn it for quite awhile. As I was getting ready to head out both Friday and Saturday, I came out of the bathroom fully dressed and Cody said to me "Katie, why are you wearing that thing again??"  (referring to the sweat belt) I told him I wasn't, and he seriously didn't believe me. I actually had to lift up my shirt to show him I didn't have it on. He said I looked like I did have it on. That was HUGE for me. That "thing" I would use to make myself looks skinnier....I no longer have to because I look like I have it on, without it actually being on! This has pumped me up even more. Results are starting to show and I am so excited not just to weigh myself (I am not too concerned about that) but to measure myself. Even if it is just a half inch...I don't care. It is progress. More progress than someone sitting on the couch, at least! And I am damn PROUD!  :)

 

 

Until later, my friends :) 

Motivation!!!

 

 

 

Ok. This would be Day 3 of Herbalife. I woke up this morning, usual routine. Once I got to work I noticed something.....

 

 

First, I have to say that I dry all of my jeans. When I go to put them on, they are a little snug. By the end of the day they are usually stretched out so bad that it looks like I have no ass whatsoever. Today was different. I put the jeans on, a little snug as usual, and finished getting dressed. About 10:30 this morning while I was at work, I got up from my desk. As I was walking, it felt as though my pants were falling off of my hips. Then i stopped. Wait a minute....my jeans are loose. It's not time for that yet......that usually happens after I have been working all day.

 

 

Ok, so this MAY be in my head....because the scale sure hasn't proved anything but I am TELLING you, I know I've had to lose weight. My jeans never felt so baggy and big since I purchased them!!! As stupid as it might sound to some people, this was SERIOUSLY an epic moment for me. Then I started thinking. I don't SEE results, I FEEL results. I feel more energized ,and generally I feel better about myself! I HAD to share this epic moment with a friend, so I had texted her. And she replied...PERFECTLY

 

 

 

Inside out, huh? Yep, it's true. Now as far as my skin glowing, maybe I just don't notice it, but the energy I have is amazing. It feels good to FEEL results. The slight "bag" in my pants is all I need to keep me on track!

 

 

 

Ok, so tonight starts the weekend. The toughest days of the week for me and my new lifestyle. It is REALLY hard being around people that will just eat and booze all weekend, and not want to do it myself. Motivation, Katie!!!! Anyways, I probably won't be posting until Monday with updates on this weekend and how good my motivation is! But, I'll leave you all with one of those funny e-cards that I saw today. Made me laugh! (By the way, I don't count points, but sometimes this is my mentality!!!)

 

 





Reason to be fit #0522

What keeps me going? That very "reason to be fit" right there. When all of you that read my blog, comment on it, or talk to me about it it inspires me to keep going. I know this is all for me and no one else, but knowing I have people following my blog, and keeping tabs on me makes it so I keep going. I will not fail!!

Ok, so my cheat day (Friday) turned into a cheat weekend...oops! I am still early in the game though, so rebounding from this won't be hard. Yesterday was my birthday, and I came from from work to find out that my Herbalife stuff had arrived! (might have been the best birthday present!) I was SOOO excited to start using it today!!

I talked to Nikki last night and she told me what to do for the morning. One shake and one of the following: multi-vitamin, cell activator, and cell-u-loss, plus fruit.  I was so excited to start that I didn't even hit the snooze button this morning!! (and for those of you that know me, that's a usual 2-3 time thing for me!) Got up, got ready and headed to the kitchen to make my shake. I had already packed my lunchbox with 2 apples, 2 sugar free jellos, and a small piece of ham for the day, so I didn't have to worry about that!

I was reading how to make the shake. 2 scoops with 8oz of non-fat milk. Ok, got the milk, got the shake powder. Scoop....hmmm. What kind of scoop? I didn't see a scoop in the container. Big scoop? Little scoop? I settled for a tablespoon. I come to find out later this morning when I talked to Nikki that the scoop is SOMEWHERE in the container. Guess I gotta dig some more :)

Anyways, I scoop the powder into the shaker and add my milk. Shake, shake, AHHH! the shake is going EVERYWHERE! Must not have had the lid on tight enough. So, needless to say, I changed my clothes quickly, tightened the lid, finished shaking and headed out the door.

When I got to work, I knew it was time for the dreaded pill taking. I don't take pills well. Maybe an ibuprofen, OK. But these pills are huge. Big glass of water, check! 3 HUGE pills, check! Courage to swallow these pills, uhhh...not exactly. I literally had to mentally prepare myself to take this pills! (pathetic, i know lol). It wasn't fun, and it was hard, but I did it!

Ok, so since I had a cheat weekend plus one, it is time to get back on track. Eating better today, started Herbalife, and DEFINITELY working out tonight. Like I said before, your kind works and positive thoughts is what gets me through my days!

:) :)

Herbalife Beginning!

A special thanks to Nikki Marks.
She has definitely been very helpful
in getting me started on this stuff!

First off, HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE! It's a happy day for me!!!

Ok everyone, I just ordered my herbalife! I am sooo excited to get it in the mail and start using it! (of course, I have to add that my wallet is a little sad now! ha ha!) Even though it was a bit pricy, I made a good point to myself. First of all....it is nearly my birthday, so Happy Birthday to me! I got myself a gift that will benefit me for the rest of my life! Second of all, why waste my money on junk to put in my body when instead I could be taking this? So there ya have it! My journey continus with Herbalife!

It truely feels great to have the support I do. I was even talking to my dad the other night. He said he and my mom had read my blog, and are SO proud of me. Just simply HEARING that makes me want to go far! I am so incredibly motivated, its crazy! I have never felt so sure about something in my entire life!!

With that being said, this weekend is what would be considered as my birthday weekend. Which means I am most likely going to be packing in the calories. Hey, my birthday only comes once a year, and I am going to enjoy it, damnit! I am going to try my hardest to keep up with the eating routine and sticking to drinking water all weekend (when im not consuming alcohol, that is!) I plan on working out Saturday morning and Sunday at some point, which means that is only one day off from working out (today.)

Herbalife...PLEASE COME FAST!!!

Reason to be fit #0356

 

Now, THAT is a reason to be fit! Today's workout was even better than yesterdays! I'll get to that in a bit.

The day went really well today. For breakfast, I had an apple. For lunch I had string cheese and fresh tomatoes. It was delish! For a snack, I had a peach. For dinner, I had a small piece of steak, half of a baked potato, plain and side salad (with lo-cal Italian, OF course!) I was pretty happy with my food choices today, and I can honestly say, I havent felt the need to eat any more than what I actually had in front of me!

Going back to when I got up today. I know yesterday was my first day of my journey, but I woke up today and as I got dressed and did one final look in the mirror, i SWEAR I saw results. I know I didnt loose anything yet, but I think just from eating well and exercising the day before, in my head I could already see change. I felt like I was glowing!!

Tonights workout was many of the same things, and a few different. If any of you would have looked in my basement as I worked out tonight, you would have seen the normal routine on the total gym, jumping jacks, sit ups, etc. I did change it up a little though! I was thinking today while creating my workout playlist (which I have to say is AWESOME and really pumps me up!) I came across the "Wobble" song. For those of you that don't know what it is, look it up on youtube (Wobble by V.I.C.) It is a line dance that I learned a year or so ago. So this evening, after I already got warmed up, I put on the song and did it a total of 3 times. I'm sure I looked like a HUGE tard...but ya know what? It felt pretty damn good! I LOVE to dance, so this just was the highlight of tonight! My heart was pounding, and I was pouring sweat! After that, I had a try with the weight bench. Although the weights were pretty light, I was a little unstable and decided to wait until i have a spotter to do that. Better safe than sorry!

At the end of all that, Kasey came up and I asked him if he wanted to run to the barn and back with me. Well, he wanted a race. Challenge accepted! This gave me a little more of a boost, because instead of just jogging like last night, I was full on running! At the end of the race, I was breathing hard, but honestly, I felt wonderful!!! I felt like I really pushed myself past my limit tonight, and it felt great!!!!

As for the rest of the night, its time to cuddle up with my puppy, watch the VMA's and relax! I deserve it! Below is a picture that I took during my workout. I KNOW I don't look pretty AT ALL. but just like the picture says above...I earned EVERY DROP of SWEAT! :)
               

                                                             PROUD OF THIS SWEAT!