Mixing up my workout...

So if you are like me, and you live in the surface of the sun, you know that from the months of June - October, your workouts are done inside.  If you are also like me, and you live 10 miles away from your gym, you probably wont make the 25 minute one-way drive every single day.

I love me some workout videos, but there is only so many times I can do the same one before getting bored.  So, today, I looked at my Pinterest.  I found something that I pinned last year, and never used (obviously).  So, today, I tried it.

The app is called "Sworkit."  I downloaded the free one.  I decided to start slow and chose 15 minutes of Full Intensity Cardio.  I turned on my favorite music and went at it.  It tells you exercises to do in 30-second increments.  It even works in some water breaks/rest time.  Let me tell you, it was WORK!  Was it the most difficult thing?? No.  Had I been wearing a better bra, I could have probably made it better (#boobprobz).  But, did it keep my heart rate up? Yep!  Best of all, I could do things at my own pace, as long as I kept going for the 30 seconds. 

It was killer for me to get through 15 minutes, but I did.  I'm going to try to work up to 30, but I think I could do that.  Is this going to be an every day workout? No... but it will be nice to throw in the mix when I'm not in the mood to do a video!  Try it out, let me know what you think!

Thanks brit.co for the image

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#tbt Graduation 2008 vs 2011

If you know me, you know I'm pretty obsessed with pictures.  Thank goodness for camera phones, because lugging around a camera was getting real old. The thing I like about pictures is looking back and remembering those times.

#tbt Graduation - May 2008

One of the things I remember most about my senior year of college was the friends I had made. We were the first cohort of this kind at my college, so we became very close.  Something that we grew fond of was our 2 hour lunch break.  Well, there just happened to be a Peter Piper Pizza a few miles away that we loved.  What did we love?? All you can eat pizza buffet for lunch, of course! OMG, I could seriously down like 10 slices of pizza, plus some dessert pizza, and soda. No WONDER I looked like this!

Fast Forward...

#tbt Graduation - May 2011

Holy mother of what-a-difference!! May 2011 was about a year and a half after my seriously weight loss journey started... I want to say it was about 75 pounds down, but I was in FABULOUS shape and had high fitness levels.  It was also when my now-husband and I were trying long distance.  I wanted to hard to look good every time I saw him... it was fabulous motivation. I was on a roll.  I exercised frequently, ate better, and FELT better.  

Why I love looking at these pictures...

Looking at the picture from 2008 reminds me that I never want to be there again... and that wasn't even my highest weight!  I am reminded at how gross I felt and looked. Looking at the picture from 2011 reminds me of how far I've gotten... and that wasn't even my lowest weight! I kept my outfit from my 2011 graduation. I can get it on, but I can't zip it.  That dress is going to be a measure of my success.  I am so excited since it is such a CUTE dress, and I am going to work HARD to fit my fat ass into that dress and PULL IT OFF!! 

Here's to success, people! Find your motivation! Find your measure of success! We can do it!!

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It's OK to not keep up with the video!

I used to be in fabulous shape... even though I've always been overweight, I was in kick-ass shape. I played soccer, softball, volleyball, and swimming growing up.  I did dance in college.  I was an avid gym goer and hiker.  Why the hell did I stop all that?? Now I'm just lucky that climbing up the stairs doesn't put me out of breath. 

Today, I did a workout video that I've done several times before... and today, I couldn't even finish it! Talk about a wake up call.  In the beginning, I was struggling and wanted to give up.  But then I remembered something... I remembered watching my husband a few weeks ago.

*back up a second*
My husband is one of those guys that is so fit and can eat whatever... one of those people you hate.  He's in such fantastic shape.  I really admire him.  I've never really watched him workout because... well... that's just weird. 

But one morning, our daughter was downstairs playing.  He wanted to work out, so I told him I'd watch her, while he did Insanity.  I caught a glimpse of him working out with the video, and he wasn't staying at the exact pace of the video.  He saw me looking at him (and, who knows what he was thinking) and said, "What? I know I'm not keeping up.  Who cares? At least I'm doing it.  My heart rate is up.  That's all that matters."

DING! DING! DING!

Back to today... As I'm not keeping up with this video, I thought.... SCREW IT.  I'm getting my workout in.  I'm sweating.  My heart is beating.  No one is here to get me in trouble if I don't stick directly with the same pace.  I'm doing AWESOME.  That gave me motivation to keep going. And it's something that I'm going to remember with each video that I do. 

Love kickboxing? So do I.  It's a good workout and it's actually fun.  I always went to the kickboxing class at the gym, but now that we moved, it's too far away.  I'll settle for this video.  If you can get past the cheesy music (I just put on my iPod), cheesy outfits and hair, and room, it's a great workout.  Get's your heart beating and blood pumping! And - if you stream Amazon Instant Video (we have Amazon Prime) - it's free!!

Who am I?

Hello Friends!!

I'm new to this blogging thing, but I have heard that writing down your thoughts (whether someone reads them or not) can help you process things and help you reach your goals.  So, here I am!

I assure you not all my posts will be long.  I'm a mom, wife, and a teacher... ain't nobody got time for long blog posts! However, for the sake of introducing myself, I want to give you all an idea of how long my weight loss journey has been.  It ain't all glitter and butterflies!  After all, I'm a REAL PERSON.

I've always been overweight... stocky, I guess. I never really saw it as a problem until my senior in high school. I joined Weight Watchers with my mom and successfully lost 30 pounds in no time.  I quit Weight Watchers, and gained it all back my freshman year of college.  Fast forward several years later, an abusive boyfriend, bad break up, interning, student teaching, working several jobs, etc... I was FAT.... 271 pounds fat! Now, in the several (probably a good 6) year smorgasbord that I just compacted for you, I had tried, and failed, at Weight Watchers. I just didn't stick with it.

In 2010, I went on a trip to Washington D.C. On the plane ride there, I had one of the most embarrassing moments of my life - I couldn't fit my seat belt. I was too sad and embarrassed to ask for an extender, so I shoved it on and rode completely uncomfortable for a 6-hour plane ride. That moment, along with the horribly embarrassing pictures, was the kick in the ass that I needed to lose the weight. So, I joined weight watchers in January 2011.

 

271 pounds; November 2010

The first 45 pounds MELTED off... Like, in a matter of 5 months... I was shocked and it kept me motivated. After that, the weight loss slowed down, but was still consistent. I was on a roll! I got down to 210 when I met my boyfriend (now husband).  We had only dated for a few months before he moved away and we called it quits (who wants to do the long distance thing anyway, right?). I was about to graduate with my masters and told myself that I wanted to look good in those pictures. I kept going and got down in the 180s. I was in fantastic shape, hiked and went to the gym... I was motivated!

Well, low and behold, my boyfriend and I still had feelings for each other and we wanted to try the long distance thing. He ended up moving back and moved in with me.  Within a month, we were pregnant (yes, it was planned... I know I sound crazy).  Right then and there, I was told, by my doctor, to keep being healthy, but to stop trying to lose weight.  I had the healthiest pregnancy.  I craved grapes... I loved working out.  I still gained 20 pounds, but it melted right off after I gave birth. Of course, I still had flab, but I knew I could get it off.  My boyfriend and I were engaged and planning a wedding, so of course I wanted to be in shape for my wedding.  I got down to 179 and looked fantastic (better than I could have imagined).  Of course, for my height, it's not ideal, but for my body shape, I looked good.

180 pounds; October 2013

Then came the wedding... October 2013. Can you believe in less than a year I've put back on 30 pounds? Ridiculous.

My husband and I recently went on vacation to go whitewater rafting.  I've gone rafting 2 other times, so I was stoked... until I went to go put on my wetsuit. I tried and tried, and even had my husband help, but we couldn't even fit it over my calves.  I was so embarrassed.  My husband had never seen me so out of shape before, and I can't believe a "large" wetsuit wouldn't fit.  I started crying and told him how embarrassed I was.  He got me the larger size and it fit. But the damage was done. My husband saw my breaking point.  He saw how weak I was.  He was supportive and told me how beautiful I was, but I knew that I needed to do something about it.

So... here I am.  As of this morning (morning after an indulgent vacation), I weigh 209 pounds.  I am comfortably a size 16, in some clothes a 14.  I wear either a large or extra large in tops and dresses.  I'm not happy.  My husband and I want to start trying for another baby soon, so I want to try to get healthy before then.  It's not about losing weight, it's about being healthy and feeling better and setting a good example for my daughter.

Will you join me?

Follow me on instagram: @losinglbswithmfp