Hump Day Progress ... Week 3

Amazing Monday sunset

Half way through week 3 ... so far, so good!  I've had one day of "cheat" food, really, and 1 out of 13 days so far I've NOT done my exercise.  This past Friday when my alarm went off, I did NOT feel good.  I've been fighting a cold now for about a month, and I just wanted to stay in bed for an extra hour, so I did.  I ate well that day, just didn't push play :(  But hey, Exercise 12 out of 13 days is pretty damn good!!

Crazy light late at night!  And NO, we don't have street lights in our neighborhood.

The progress pics are not discouraging really, as they're more just not ENcouraging.  But I am posting WEEKLY pics, where as last time I posted MONTHLY pics, so of course the progress is going to appear more slowly.  It's just weird; the people I've known with 50+ lbs to lose seem to lose a LOT quickly.  It's like 5 months, BOOM!  60 lbs gone.  I only want to lose around 40, and it just hangs on SO tight and does NOT want to come off.  Of course, how to judge since I don't own a scale?  I was sooooo tempted at Target to buy one b/c they're only $10, but I resisted.  Fit of my clothes, that's my scale.

Monday's sweaty selfie

Planning to run on Saturday.  The snow came in heavy yesterday, and actually caused my work day to be canceled today.  Planning to go in like normal tomorrow.  By Saturday, highs are supposed to be around 50, and on Sunday, highs of 60 ... y'all know what that means!!!  Mufasa and Khaleesi will be on the prowl, lol <3 I have to decide if I'm going to run the Hot Chocolate 5K in Nashville next month; it's the weekend before my birthday.  I WANT to, just not sure I want to go all the way out to Nash.  We'll see.

Tuesday; pulse was UP as I did CARDIO

So, my progress pics show pretty much exactly as expected.  I lose weight FIRST from the LAST place I put it on, which is up around my neck.  My butt and thighs are the last places to finally give it up and shrink.  I wear scrubs every day, and the ones I wear the most are a size too big anyway, so I'm not going to notice any shrinkage there.  I have a few pairs that are the right size, and so far they're not feeling any looser.  Oh well, just got to keep trying and working.  I DID manage real burpees today.  For 2 1/2 weeks, I've been modifying them, and today I felt fit enough to really do them, so that's a for sure win!

Meh.  Still fat.

I'll just keep on keeping on.  Tonight's dinner was healthy, but a little on the starchy side.  I realized I have NO veggies in the house, so we had a baked potato and basmati rice alongside broiled Tilapia tonight.  Tomorrow is ground turkey stroganoff, so nothing with that, just the entree.

Was hoping the fat rolls would be less visible, but nah.

Can't wait to ride this weekend!  Read my horse blog to hear all about it!

TEENY bit less fat in the chin/collar bone area

Hump Day progress ... Week 2

Lunch today

I probably shouldn't keep up with everything like this as far as counting the weeks ... b/c ideally, "this" will continue for eternity.  I HAVE to make a habit and stay with that habit, and if I'm constantly counting, who knows?

Starting the week off right!  Monday sweaty selfie

Anyway, I didn't want to get up this week at ALL. But I did, every day so far.  Now I'm MORE than half way, 3 days down only 2 to go!  I have no idea if there's any "progress" so far.  For me, nothing happens in the first 3 or so weeks it feels like, which is why I quit all the time.  2 HUGE wins for me this week; on Monday, I fixed the baby some Fruit Loops.  I wanted to eat what was left once he was done.  I mean, so badly that my mouth watered.  I didn't touch it, poured it down the disposal.  The 2nd was yesterday and today.  My co worker got a birthday cake; a yummy, chocolate monstrosity from the bakery.  I haven't touched it, not even a lick of icing.  It's just getting through a series of moments until you've gotten through the day, and then you've gotten through the week.  I'm proud.  I'm not calorie restricting like I was 4 years ago, but I'm eating better than I have in 2 years.

Is it Friday yet??

I'm strategically modifying some of T25 this time so I don't hurt myself.  So far, so good.  It felt good Monday to begin NOT so freaking sore.  I will probably be sore tomorrow, but it shouldn't be so bad.  Trying to work as hard as I can so I'm doing myself the most good.  Here's to making it through 2 more days!

Meh.  Don't see much change yet.

HATE fat arms, hope they shrink soon.

Week 2 ... BEGUN!

The beautiful and frozen Bald River Falls

Just a quickie post.  Great weekend, despite the frigid temps!  Saturday we took a drive south to Tellico Plains and the Cheroala Skyway; didn't actually go on the Skyway, but the entrance to Bald River Falls is close by there.  I'd seen a pic of what Bald River Falls looks like right now w/ the freezing weather, and it's AMAZING!

My precious little poot poot!

Once we turned on the road leading to the falls, traffic was the worst we'd ever seen!  Waited in stop and go traffic for about 1/2 an hour, then turned into a pulloff to park and just walk.  Um, stupid me brought my hat and gloves, but FORGOT MY COAT.  Dummy.  The baby had plenty of clothes, but I do think the cold weather has really aggravated his sinuses :(  We oo'd and ahe'd over the falls (just a little half mile walk), then headed back to the warm. 

Very yummy and healthy balsamic chicken!  Turned out great.

Can't WAIT FOR WEDNESDAY!!!!!  Totally going to ride.  Most LIKELY riding to work that morning, then getting David to meet me there so we can head out.  Freezing rain today, 60 and motorcycle weather on Wednesday ... CRAZY!

So excited to ride this week, I feel like a kid waking up on Christmas Day <3

Today I didn't want to get up.  I did it anyway and sweated hard core.  I meal planned this weekend and successfully have my week 2 menu in place.  I love having it all figured out ahead of time, makes life so much easier.  Gives me leftovers for lunch, too!  I have gone to bed "hungry" every night, and after my workout, I'm STARVING.  So, happy that I'm finally exercising a little portion control again.  I don't really feel like any progress has been made yet, but I'm trying and I'm optimistic :)

Just. Push.Play.

Next post :  Humpday progress and hopefully a "rider's high":D

Week 1 ... DONE

So blessed to see the spectacular Smoky Mountain sunrises every day

Wow.  5 days down, only 360 more to go!  It's almost disheartening to think of how truly difficult this week has been, but as most of us knows, it takes a minimum of 30 days to build a habit.  So if I can just get through 25 more days, I should be golden, right??

5 days, 5 different Insanity workouts.  I have worked every single muscle in my body.  Wednesday was the WORST, yesterday I was less sore, but my body felt like an unyielding block of wood, and today was hard b/c I NEED a nice, cushiony mat for my knees.  Regardless, I did do my best!

Went out to eat tonight.  Had mashed sweet potatoes and salad with NO dressing on it, just on the fork.  One roll.  Before I touched one single bite, I cut my chicken in half, and scraped half my sweet potatoes into a takeout box.  I'm currently about 30 minutes post meal, and I don't feel full at ALL.

Thursday's "Lower Body Focus" just about killed me!

I don't feel even the SLIGHTEST bit "smaller", but I do feel like I'm trying.  Guess we'll see what Wednesday's pics look like!  I'll combine yesterday and today's sweaty selfies into one post.  They're not the most flattering pics, but I think they capture the essence I'm looking for :)  Weekly meal plan and grocery shopping tomorrow!

REALLY need a nice thick yoga mat!

Hump Day Progress

Adventure is on the horizon ...

Wednesdays have always been my favorite.  It's half way through the work week, and it's a short day.  My routine worked out ok today; I do need to get mine and Colton's stuff ready to go the night before so all I have to do is grab and go.

Can't wait for these love handles to go bye bye!

Day 3 is probably the hardest for me; I am VERY sore by then, and pushing 'play' is the 2nd hardest thing; actually sitting up and putting my feet on the floor instead of pushing 'snooze' is the 1st hardest thing.  Shaun T did a very effective job of kicking my butt today; only 2 days left!  It hurts so good right now, great to feel the burn of work again!  I'm going to post a few pics every Wed of my progress.  Today I'm considering Ground Zero. 

Fat arms and fat belly ...

Happy Hump Day!

WHY do I still have back fat??

Be still, my heart!

Hello?  Bueller?  I mean, can anyone relate here??  Lol.  I don't know about y'all, but I fall into the trap of, "I've eaten well for the past 24 hours, I've worked out for TWO DAYS in a ROW here, and I still have fat rolls.  WTH?"

Don't think you can see that bead of sweat rolling down my neck

I'm in AMAZING shape for a morning routine here; Tuesdays are going to become my get stuff DONE days :)  I don't have to be at work until 9:30; it takes me half an hour to get to work.  My normal Tuesday routine is hit 'snooze' 4 dozen times until I roll out of bed around 8:15, then by the time I get all my stuff packed and ready to go, it's 9:00 and I've barely gotten it all together.  This morning?  It's currently 6:12 in the morning, workout DONE, showered, made up, dressed, hair coiffed, and my first cup of coffee by my side.  WHAT?!  Lol.

The normal Tuesday is David's day off, so I usually don't have to take Little Man to the babysitter, but with the holidays, he's working the rest of the week.  We're down to 1 vehicle this week, b/c David dug into the car to replace the busted heater core (which entered literal meltdown stage last week, after being on the edge of broken for a year now) and realized he needs a mechanic to help him out.  So we're going to figure it out and hopefully come next Monday, I have a car with a nice, warm heater!

I'm going to make wise use of my extra time; finish up this post, read my bible, then get dinner in the crock pot.  I was already planning where to stop and pick up dinner on the way home, and I said NOT!  I have my handy dandy list on the fridge; it has 6 meals on it.  That means ONE DAY of eating out, not multiple days.  If we eat out tonight, that means nothing over the weekend, and David really likes to have a meal out either Friday or Saturday evening.  I have one meal planned that can go in the crock pot, and Kody's home to get it started, so I will chop up the beef, mix up the soy sauce and garlic, and get that broccoli beef simmering.  It's healthy, and it's DELICIOUS.

Amazing Broccoli Beef recipe

I guess not having a scale causes me a tiny bit of discouragement.  At least with a scale, you have a tangible THING that says you're on the right track.  Lately, I haven't stuck with any exercise/healthy eating LONG enough to feel my clothes loosen up, so I get discouraged.  I feel like yesterday's 24 hours of eating well was an eternity.  Today, I need to figure out lunch, dinner will be ready when I get off, and I'll have my usual Cheerios.  I HAVE discovered Kroger's Carb Master milk.  I've tried the low cal eater's favorite milk substitute Almond Milk, and I Just.Don't.Like.It.  I've tried different brands, different flavors, and it's just yuck.  I've thought about delving into Keto, but the guidelines are to stay UNDER 20 grams of Carbs a day, and my Cheerios are more than half that.  I tried eating eggs for breakfast, and #1 they don't stay with me, and #2 I'm about to eat the entire loaf of bread by dinner (hence the day I ate well ALL DAY and then gorged on 5 sliders and a bowl of Doritos).

Compare the labels.  Carb Master is AWESOME!

Last night I fixed the aforementioned sliders.  Used the same sweet buns I did last time.  Made it solely with Turkey Sausage.  I had TWO, only 1 bun (and just the bun bottoms, at that) and a bowl of my Boom Chicka Pop popcorn (my fave low cal option; 45 calories for a cup, and my bowl was about a cup and 3/4).  Dessert was a serving size of Turtle Chex Mix.  I have icecream, brownies, hot fudge, cookies, etc in the house.  I managed to walk by ALL of them, go me.  How long can I do it?  Hopefully 364 more days!

Couldn't resist this cuteness!

Here's to 2018!  I've got that "hurts so good" day 2 soreness going on.  I am dying to do the Hot Chocolate 5K; it's in Nashville (3 1/2 hours west) and it's the weekend before my birthday.  I have 4 weeks to decide for certain if I'm going to do it.  They have a 15K that would be AWESOME to shoot for next year.  Hopefully the weather moves about the 30's so I can not only get out and do Cto5K, but also so Khaleesi can get out and stretch her legs!!

One of our MANY trips down the Dragon's Tail this year

My annual Non-New Year's post!

It goes without saying that 2018 will include LOTS of motorcycle rides!!

I feel very blessed to say that with the exception of maybe 2012, I have never said "good riddance" to a particular year.  2017 was a great year for me.  It was like any other year, it had it's ups and downs, but I truly have no complaints!

For 2018, I don't have resolutions.  I have affirmations.  Resolutions, because you could "fail" at those.  Affirmations are statements that are true and factual.  These are mine, in all their concrete glory!

1.  Read my bible every day

2.  Meal plan every week

3.  Move/exercise 5 days per week.  It could be as little as walk 2 miles (the length of my neighborhood), I just have to DO it.

4.  Keep better in contact with my side of the family.  David's family is literally part of our daily lives, ALL THE TIME.  MY side of the family is an every few months sort of thing, and it has to start with somebody (might as well be me).

5.  Hike in my beautiful Smoky Mountains 3 times

6.  Run a 5 K

7.  Drop 2 pants sizes

8.  Earn a raise at work

9.  Be present for my children

10.  Be a better wife to my husband

Here's to a new year!  I'm excited to continue my journey <3