Checking in.....Day 11 of the 21 Day Fix Extreme program

Ya'll.......Why are bad habits so hard to kick?????  I was doing so well from days 1-8, then day 9 hit and my mind just keeps nagging me, "I need sugar.  I need ice cream.  Go get donuts.  Wouldn't some chocolate taste good right now?"

Gahhhhhhh!!!!!!!  (that's me screaming)

And I'm ashamed to say that I gave in to that nagging more than a few times.  So that's what I'm feeling right now.....

SHAME

Sometimes when I'm feeling low and discouraged, I pull out my trusty pinterest account, go to my "fitness motivation" board and read quotes or success stories of others.

Most days I feel like I take a seat on the back burner.  Gotta get the kids breakfast, gotta get the house cleaned, gotta plan dinner, gotta get the youngest to soccer, gotta take the kids swimming, gotta walk the dog, gotta make the hubs lunch, gotta gotta gotta.  It's never ending.  It's exhausting.

And sometimes when I'm in the midst of all my "gotta's" I just want to relax and give something back to my body.....like some delicious sugar, because sugar always makes me feel better.  I know, that's bad.  And that's the first step to changing....realizing something is bad for you and wanting to change.  

So here's my mantra for this week: 

I'm working on my vision board, when it's finished I'll post it.  

Here's what S.M.A.R.T. goals are:

I have one goal for the next 5 days:

I will not eat foods off of the approved 21 Day Fix Eating Guide.  It's specific, it's measurable, I have agreed upon it (haha!), and it's difinitely realistic, I mean, come on, it's only 5 days! 

21 Day Fix Extreme Week 1 Review

 Hey there!  I cannot believe it has been over a year since I made a new commitment to myself to succeed at weight loss.  Obviously, I did not follow through with that commitment, and that makes me sad.  To think about where I could be right now if I had just stuck to my plan makes my heart sad.  But, I'm here now, using a new program that I've had sitting on my shelf for years.  I've always used excuses as to why I couldn't follow through with the 21 Day Fix diet.  

"I'm always on the run."

"There's so much preparation."

"My kids won't eat the things on the approved list."

"I need my sugar."

"It's too strict."

I could go on.  I am now on Day 8 of the program (previously, I had only made it to day 3 or 4 max), so that's a huge accomplishment for me right there.  Don't get me wrong, it is HARD!  It takes dedication and a desire to really change.  I have that desire. On Day 1 I decided I wanted to do something that would help me "see" my body changing.  So I decided to take a selfie every day.  It's only been 8 days, but I'm starting to see a change in my face.  I chose a selfie because I really want to get my slim face back.  That's what I miss the most.  I did take full body before pictures, but those won't be shown until Day 21. 

I've lost 7 pounds in 8 days....

I like taking pictures of my food......for some reason it makes me proud that I came up with a balanced meal....I know, I'm weird.  I've been working extra hard this week to cook for my family the same things I can eat.  It doesn't work every night, but we're evolving and learning.  Homemade pizza is always a favorite in our house.  My boys would prefer 100% white dough, but I'm trying to switch them over so I did 1/2 and 1/2 this time, and loaded my slices with veggies....my boys only like pepperoni and cheese.

The 21 Day Fix diet suggests you use Shakeology, which I love!  However.....I just can't afford $100 plus dollars every month for it, so I use a different protein powder.  This month it just happens to be Designer Whey, but that could change next month.  My all-time favorite protein shake below: chocolate protein powder, banana, spinach, cinnamon, chocolate PB2, ice, and almond milk

Tuna, beet salad with greek yogurt.  Wasn't the best, but I choked it down.  It had a ton of protein.  I don't know why I'm not a fan of greek yogurt....too tangy for me.

And finally, this has become an addiction.  I tried Tofu for the first time and really liked it!  I stir fried it with green peppers, noodles, beets, and avocado.  This will definitely be making it's rounds in my daily diet.....if only my boys liked it.  Oh well.....maybe with time.

I DID NOT eat 100% on the plan this past week.  I gave myself a cheat night on Friday night.  Ate Popeyes and candy at the movies and loved every second of it.  Then last night I caved and ate 10 marshmallows.  I hate what stress does to your mind and willpower.  Other than that, I did not cheat.  Stay tuned!

Something's gotta change...

I feel like my whole life revolves around what I eat, how much I eat, when I eat, logging what I eat, weighing what I eat....

It's exhausting....

I just spent the last hour looking at past blog posts and how happy I was with my weight loss success. 

I miss that feeling of accomplishment. 

I miss feeling proud of myself. 

I miss my smooth belly. 

So.....here goes nothing. (Well, everything)

I'm way overweight, I feel it. Time to change. 

Time to commit. 

Follow me, keep me honest. 

I have a few goals up my sleeve that I'll post once I cement them. 

Starting

I'm back.  I don't know what else to say right now, other than I'm back.

I'm back because my weight has crept back up, slowly but steadily.  I looked at myself in a picture yesterday and decided enough was enough.  I couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing.  This.....

Very embarrassing. 

Which is why I'm changing.

I will weigh in every Monday morning.

Running awe....

It's always beautiful running in the morning in the Northwest!

My first 10 mile run....

While this 10 mile run was NOT without pain, I did it!  And I'm very proud of myself!  Granted it was a walk/run 10 mile run, but nonetheless, I'm proud!

This picture was taken at mile 5 1/2.  Hence why I still have part of a smile.  

My half marathon is in 2 weeks.  Today was my last long run before the big day.  From here on out, it's small runs.  Good thing.  I can barely move my legs, and my feet hurt something fierce.

starting over......again.....

*sigh*

*big sigh*

I hate weight.

I hate always being in a constant battle with MY weight.

I hate that I can't eat what I want, when I want....as often as I want.

I love food too much.

Let me rephrase that......I love sweets too much.

And my current weight confirms that......

I've gained back 12 pounds.  *sigh*

For the past month I've tried to get my motivation back......with no success.

Then I found out that my next military ball is the beginning of October.  Boy oh boy did that ever light my motivation.  I want to look GOOD!  Enter motivation!

So....this blog will be updated almost daily (notice I said almost)....it will keep me honest....plus I'll be posting the link on the facebook motivation page I'm a member of.

Before I sign off, I must write about my small victory today.  I was out shopping, by myself, (that's always dangerous, because I can buy whatever sweets I want and eat them before I get home.....that was a huge confession).....anyway, I walked past the candy isle, thought about buying a candy bar, but passed over it.  I kept saying to myself.....20 pounds....20 pounds....20 pounds.

And that's my goal for October 5th (the date of my military ball).....to lose 20 pounds! 

That's about 2 pounds a week.  I can do that.

Today I ate:

Marathon Snickers Bar
Banana
Apple
Mini Babybel cheese
6 fig newtons (that was a moment of weakness.....a whopping 330 calories....ouch)
sweet potato fries
grilled chicken