My Weightloss Journey

This has been a big topic lately in different conversations with people. I am no different than the average person and I used to make excuses as to why I didn’t want to workout or eat healthy. I was just being lazy.

From the start of my journey I vowed not to give excuses, especially to Dante. I was going in giving nothing but 100%. This is not just a personal investment, but a financial one too. I don’t have the luxury of wasting his or my time. I keep trying till I am able to do it, just like I do with my running. I am capable of doing anything I set my mind to, just like I do with my business, I should have the same mindset with my health too. Its all mind over matter, and we are all capable of doing things - our athletic level, age, injury, etc. should not be an issue.

Some people live their lives filled with excuses, whether they use their age, athletic ability, time or other people from holding them back. Non of us can live a full life if we are constantly giving excuses, when we all know its just because they are lazy. Admittance is the first step - If you don’t try, how will you ever know the amazing things you are capable of doing. If you tried just a little harder each time, just think of the results you will have! People set themselves up for failure. They cannot blame anyone but themselves when that happens because we all have control of our lives and the choices we make and the food we shove in our mouths.

Last Saturday I did a Mud Run Training, there about 16 of us out there. All different age levels from 20’s to 60’s as well as athletic abilities, and some with injuries as well. We all did the same exact workout. Some finished quickly and some didn’t, but no one was looked at any different. You just kept pushing through till you were finished.

“The day you take complete responsibility for yourself, is the day you stop making excuses, and let nothing stand in your way” - Krista

I’ve been reading several different blogs that offer tips on what you need day of race. I’ve taken the time to compile a list for those who are running in the April 21st Survivor Mud Run in Lathrop.

Don’t wear goggles or sunglasses.
Do not wear any jewelry.
Wear Sunscreen.
Take photos before and after the race.
Duct tape your laces to your shoes.
Stay hydrated before the race.
Warm up and stretch your muscles before the race
Dress comfortably. Long sleeve spandex shirts, pants or shorts will help with the mud and little rocks you encounter.
Dressing up in a costume can add to the fun.
Wear thick socks (ankle high) and all terrain shoes for better traction.
Bring gloves. Football gloves are the best.
Bring a garbage bag, towels, change of clothes and shoes for after the race.

Here is the breakdown (Pictures will be posted here tomorrow):

Day 30 
Weight: 267 lbs
Upper Arm: 18
Forearm: 10
Calves: 18
Thigh 27
Hips: 44 3/4
Waist: 46
Neck: 13 3/4
Chest: 48

Day 21 
Weight: 280 lbs
Upper Arm: 19
Forearm: 11
Calves: 19
Thigh 29
Hips: 47
Waist: 48
Neck: 13.75
Chest: 49

DAY 0
Weight: 303 lbs
Upper Arm: 21
Forearm: 11.5
Calves: 19.75
Thigh 29.5
Hips: 59
Waist: 55.5
Neck: 16
Chest: 53 

My 1 month anniversary of starting my journey is just around the corner and I had a realization the other day about the person I was just 30 days ago.

The best way to describe me when it comes to food was I was just flat out LAZY. I didn’t care what foods I was eating, where they came from and what it was doing to me physically. Plus I always had an excuse and tried to appease people who expressed concerned with my habits and say that I would eventually do something about it. The whole I’m going to start Monday Syndrome was used far to often.

A typical week for me was spent eating out, at least 4-5 meals. My work schedule can be long and hectic and we are at times on the road a lot, so fast food and restaurant dining were done out of convience. Not only was I spending a lot of money, but now I realize just how bad some restaurant food is, the high sodium and fat levels is what concerned me most.

At home I really didn’t care either. We would buy unhealthy foods, I did not have the motivation to cook and I felt bad for making Aleasha do it as she has a bad back. So I would say lets go out to eat - often. So bad foods were becoming a staple in my diet and I was slowly ballooning up into the 300’s again. I just stopped caring about myself.

Exercise = Non Existent

Present Day, I’m no longer that LAZY person when it comes to my health. In just 30 days I feel brand new. I feel stronger both mentally and physically. I have learned so much about foods and my body and that I can make big changes in a very short amount of time. I have never felt this good in my entire life. Not even in the past when Ive lost weight. This has been a completely new experience for me.

We now only eat out once per week, maybe twice, but never more than that. We choose restaurants that cook fresh food and that we can inquire as to how foods are prepared. My new saying No Salt, No Oil, No butter. My food selections are portioned properly and I only choose healthy meals excluding my 1 cheat meal a week. If I am ever unsure I always ask Dante and he is great at helping me select something within my plan.

As I said before, cooking was not my thing. Now I love to cook, and love coming up with ways to make new and healthy recipes that stick to my food plan. I love taking recipes and tweaking them to include the foods on my list. Granted several of my recipes are in the beginning stages, but I really enjoy perfecting them and sharing them with others. Unfortunately, Aleasha is my guinea pig and has to eat what I make but she is a really good support and gives me good feedback and suggestions. I really enjoy cooking now. Weird!

Exercise was non existent 30 days ago and now I am accomplishing things I never though I could. Last night in just under a week of running since I was sick, I ran a 5k. That is such a big deal to me because the last time I ran a 5k I trained for several months to finish one. I love seeing how fast my physical capabilities have changed in such a short amount of time.

30 days in and I refuse to be lazy anymore. I’m done making excuses for bad habits and it’s all about me achieving my weightloss goal.

I am so thankful to have Dante enter my life when he did, if he had not I’m sure I would be heading towards a very dark place, health wise. He has made this process very easy and he has given me the tools and support I need to reach my goals. I feel strong and its all do to his knowledge, expertise and what he knows I can accomplish by constantly pushing me.

Thank you Dante for saving my life. I appreciate and value the time we spend together and especially our new friendship.

Todays workout was more of an endurance challenge that was named after Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy who was killed in Afghanistan in 2005. This was his favorite workout.

The workout consists of the following:

1 mile Run
100 Pull Ups
200 Push Ups
300 Squats
1 mile Run

All to be completed within an hour. I completed it in 1 hour 15 minutes.

It was grueling but I don’t think my time was that bad. I would rather complete the entire workout than stopping short due to time. I’m sure when I do this workout again that I will be well within the time frame.

And no this is not my favorite workout. :o)

I had a very eventful weekend. Dante hosted an open session workout on Saturday which lasted 2.5 hours! Yes you read that right 2.5 hours! When I first learned about the length I thought he was crazy. He said we would be doing some martial arts - Jeet Kun Doe, relays, a 25,000 lb lift challenge, and finishing the day with 1 mile run.

It’s been just over 3 weeks now that I’ve been working with Dante and I lasted through the entire workout. I was only able to run 1/2 of the 1 mile run, but I was exhausted by the time we were done. The rest of the day I was a walking Zombie.

On Sunday I had to get out of the house, so we headed over to the Pocket Levy for a run. I actually beat my Personal Best! I ran for 2.13 miles straight, which was a 13 min mile. The last time I ran that long was almost 5 years ago and I ran a 14:45 min mile. I was so excited and in complete shock.

I can tell that I’m a lot stronger and my endurance level is changing. I love the results I am getting. I’m thrilled about the weightloss, don’t get me wrong. But to see what your body is capable of doing after such a short period of time is amazing!

Overall the weekend was focused on exercise but I had so many accomplishments it made for a fantastic weekend. Big Smile!