The Little Engine That Could Part 2

So I decided late December that I would run a Biggest Loser Challenge on Facebook. I invited my friends and we got a group ready to start on January 5th.  I've run these challenges in the past and usually do pretty well, so I figured it would be the kick in the ass I needed to get healthy once and for all.  But when I'm done with the challenges, maintenance is always my worst enemy.

See, I have never known how to just maintain my weight. It's not just EASY for me.  I always gain it back.  So who was to say this time would be any different? 

I didn't know that my AHA moment had shown itself. I didn't know that I would use this Biggest Loser Challenge as a springboard to go above and beyond.  I like to play it safe. I set attainable goals to avoid being disappointed.

I met with a trainer at the gym on base who did a free fitness assessement - weight, calipers, inches.  I saw her every 6 weeks for the first few months.

I ended up winning the BL challenge and lost about 22 pounds in 8 weeks. I was motivated. I ran another few challenges, the last one ended about 2 weeks ago.  My starting weight was 198.  My current is 143.  I do not know when I have been this weight before, not anytime that I had a scale!  Probably high school or college. I didn't weigh myself much then. 

People have asked me how I lost the weight - I know people want a magic pill. I know people want there to be a quick fix. I know because I've lived it. I used to pore over people's Instagram's and Facebook pages and see how they lost the weight.  I knew I couldn't do any fads. No low carb, no low calorie, no gimmicks. I had to pick from different approaches and carve out a plan that worked for me.  I stuck to a lower carb plan but still eat plenty of carbs (150g per day). I try to get at least 100g of protein per day.  I limit sugar.  I work out 6 days a week.  In the beginning I was doing cardio and weights most days, then running took over my life. LOL.  I'm still running 4-5 days a week but plan to get back to weights 2-3x week next week.

So what should you do?  FIND WHAT WORKS FOR YOU!!  What is something you can sustain for the long term?  Is low-carb something you see yourself doing forever?  What is your lifestyle like?  What exercises do you like doing?  Carve out a plan that works for you that you can stick with every day.  We are all different and need different things.  For me, I LOVE running. Love it. I also love lifting, but not as much as running. Running is my ME time.  I function better when I get a run in.  I'm a better mom and a better wife. So find what makes you feel that way and run with it!

To date, I have lost 55 pounds. And I'm not done.  So stay tuned!! 

Jamie Eason's Live Fit Challenge - Day 1

Well.

Day 1 is COMPLETE!

If I didn't mention it, I just started Jamie Eason's Live Fit Challenge!  I am part of a Facebook group of over 250 gals who are participating in the challenge - all set up by Made With Love's Alesha!  She completed the Live Fit Challenge last year and she's doing it again heading up this group.  She had some great results - as did some other bloggers that I follow.

I can't even remember how I came across Brittany Eats Clean on FB, but somehow I did, and man did she ever inspire me!!  She first started the challenge January 2013 and has KILLED it!  She stayed on plan most of the year and dropped almost 50 pounds - she leaned out and toned up and looks fan-freaking-tastic.

The Live Fit program is basically this.  Eating clean. Lifting Heavy.  Rinse and Repeat.  There is cardio after Phase 1, but NO cardio in the first 4 weeks. 

Say what??

No what??

Yep.  Hard to imagine.  It almost didn't make sense to someone like me who has focused endlessly on cardio over the past 10 years and has not seen lasting results.  Then I had a Eureka moment.  I thought about the times in my life that I was in the best shape.  All those times I had a steady weight training routine going, along with some cardio.  High school, college, the first few years after college.  Weights + cardio.

BOOM.

Got it. 

So I went to the YMCA today and got a trial membership.  Picked up some weights and followed Day 1 of Live Fit.

I got this. 

2014 is here??

How in the hell did that happen?

I'm flummoxed.  Flabbergasted.  I can't believe it came so quick. Because I was definitely  not prepared! 

The second-half of 2013 was a busy one. My fitness took a big backseat to everything else (including kids, moving, work etc).  That was not my plan, but I'm not going to focus on things that I should've done last year.

I do that rearview mirror crap with so many things in my life, but I'm not going to do that here. Not with my health and fitness.

Coulda, woulda, shoulda.

That's a damn good Sex and the City episode too, if you haven't seen it.  Love that show.

I digress.  I've been pondering some goals over the last few weeks.  I want to get some solid goals with solid dates written so I can share them on the blog for accountability (aka, I'll forget what I said). 

So, I will list a few things I want to accomplish this year.  Tomorrow I will get some hard core plans together. 

- Join a gym.  Really don't want to because it's so expensive out here in Cali.  It annoys me.

- Lift weights.  Besides hauling my kids all around the damn town.  Heavy weights. A la Brittany Eats Clean and FIT by Jordan.  I heart them.  I will be following a Jamie Eason plan.
 

- Eat cleaner.  Less sugar.  Less artificial sugar. Less carbs. More protein.  Probably need to break up with white bread.

-Run more.  Well anything is more than I have been!  I got a Garmin GPS watch for Christmas, and I'm so excited to use it! 

I'm sure there are more.  Until then, ta ta!