Three Month Check-In

Yes, I'm here ... Been working my arse off to continue to make progress. How am I doing you ask? Not too bad... Down 33 pounds as of today with just under 3 months left until my 40 x 40 goal. Will I make it? YES! Will I antie up on my goal here & change it? Probably! Let's first make the 40 mark and then re-assess.

So, what is it that I'm doing differently? How am I achieving this completely "do-able" speed of weight loss? By keeping it REAL! Just like you, I'm a busy gal ... I work full-time. I have kids. I have friends. I have a life. I need to keep my house in order. Blah blah blah blah blah BUT, I also have learned that it's imperative to make time for ME! And, with that comes --- ready for it .... can you handle it?

EXERCISE!

Sorry ... But, it's good ol' exercise. No secret diet pill or drug. I'll talk another time more about how I'm eating but this post is more to focus on what I'm doing with my body that's different.

Be Human

I used to just give up when trying to lose weight because I figured I had to work out 90-minutes a day to make any significant progress. And, I did AT THAT TIME. But, something has sparked a change in my which I do believe is related to my diet (which will come in my next post).

I've realized that I need to be HUMAN. You know that word: Human. This is how the Oxford Dictionary defines "Human".

Definition of human

adjective

• 
  
  of, relating to, or characteristic of people or human beings:the human body


• 
  
  of or characteristic of people as opposed to God or animals or machines, especially in being susceptible to weaknesses:they are only human, and therefore mistakes do occur the risk of human error


• 
  
  of or characteristic of people’s better qualities, such as kindness or sensitivity:the human side of politics is getting stronger


• 
  
  Zoology of or belonging to the genus Homo.

noun

a human being, especially a person as distinguished from an animal or (in science fiction) an alien.

So, what does this tell me? I'm susceptible to weakness. Errors. Mistakes.

My words: I live my life ... I enjoy movement & exercise. Therefore, I exercise. I've released myself from being forced to work out. I know it's good for me. I know I enjoy it. So, I do it. I love how I feel afterwards, too.

Exercise - My Typical Week

Mondays - I call this "Marathon Monday"! My kids have swimming lessons in the evening so I get in the pool, too. It's 30 minutes lap swim (usually about a third to a half of a mile). Then, I join in on a 30-min synchronized swimming class (I consider this more low impact/intensity as it has kiddos in it & it's not very complex -- fun, though!). Then, once lessons are over, there's a 45 min Aqua Boot Camp class that I also attend. Yes - you counted that correctly: 1 hr 45 min of exercise. Now you know why I call it "Marathon Monday". I love it!!

I love to swim & look forward to my Marathon Mondays!

Tuesdays - This is my workout at home day during lunch. So, it's a max of 30 minutes which I'm trying to kick up the intensity to make better use of my time. I hit the treadmill at a slow jogging pace to warm up & then get my hand weights out doing various lifts followed by squats, lunges, abs, planks, & push-ups. Goal is to get through this routine three times in my 30 minutes.

Wednesdays - Aqua Boot Camp (yes, just that!)

Thursdays - Same as Tuesdays.

Friday - Office workout. What's that? I have a Spri band in my office & have the luxury of a door for privacy. I close my door and get about 15 minutes in of resistance training. I add in some lunges & squats to the mix. (Bicep > Squats > Delts > Lunge > Tricep). Then, if I can get a few minutes of walking in around the building, I'll do 10-15 minutes.

Saturday & Sunday are sporadic at best. I really like my sleep & being lazy with the family on the weekends. However, since I usually wake up before the rest of the brood, I'll go for a 30-minute walk.

My Learnings

I'm learning so much about myself & my own personal / physical limitations. And, the fact that there aren't too many limits - only those which I impose upon myself. Break through those barriers and the options are limitless.

Strength is gained by doing. This is not only physical strength but the mental & emotional side as well. Pushing yourself to the next level (especially without a trainer or a workout partner) is really tough work. No one to watch you or cheer you on. Strength requires that you become your own cheerleader and figure out how to motivate yourself. I may not be lifting really heavy weights yet, but my recovery of my shoulder does not prevent me from continuing to push myself to the max & be as strong as I can. The changes in my body prove that alone.

Prioritizing your health is not a bad thing. Trust me, your family wants you to be happy, healthy and fit! They'll manage the hour you're away and really relish in the newly found confidence you have in yourself.

Confidence in who you are and being happy in your skin is truly the #1 priority. I'm not a size 4 nor do I have delusions of grandeur that I'll be that size anytime soon (if at all). But, my size 20 frame is moving a heck of a lot more than many people I know much smaller than me! And, the way my body can move gives me tremendous amounts of confidence in myself.

Lastly, I've learned to love myself.  How important is that?

So, give yourself a big ol' hug right now (OK, or just smile knowing that if no one was nearby, you'd do it!) and figure out how you can be who you want to be!!