Friday Fit Day - Small Changes

Usually I write the day before, and schedule the exact time the post should release. I will admit that this week I have slacked off, and am sorry that it is nearly the end of Friday before I sat down to actually write. Things have been a little crazy in the Willeford household, though, and I will blame that for the procrastination.

This last week has been a forced eye opener for me. Everyone close to me knows that I landed in the ER on Sunday after struggling with some bad symptoms late Saturday night, that then exploded Sunday afternoon. I am okay, now, and am doing all of the follow up stuff that needs to be done. Because of that, I did not get my stats updated, so I have no clue if I have lost pounds/inches. What I do know, though, is that some changes have to be made.

I was told to completely stay away from caffeine. No more coffee, tea, Diet Coke, or even chocolate for at least a week, but to brace myself that it might be a permanent change. It sounded really easy when the orders were given to me, but let me tell you it's been an absolute battle. And I think I'm losing.

Actually, I don't think it I know it. I never actually thought about all of the things that have caffeine in them, or how long my system had been used to having it daily. My body has been very angry with me for this change - migraines, irritability, vomiting from the migraines, etc. Not exactly what you'd call a good time. The worst part is, a lot of the medications to fight migraines have caffeine, so that's an off the table option.

At any rate, I have managed almost a full week mostly caffeine free. By mostly, I mean that I had one Excedrin because I could not raise my head off of the couch, and some M&M's to get me through the day. And, I caved today, and had a few sips of Diet Coke. That's it, though, and I'm still alive and all of my resources tell me that the worst is now over!

After going through all of this, I realized that I actually feel better. Having 0 drink options minus water and juice has greatly increased my water intake (I'm actually at 64 ounces a day, now), and forced me to focus on sleeping when I'm tired instead of knowing that in the AM I can just sneak in a cup of coffee or Diet Coke. To be honest, I have gotten more sleep this week then I probably have in the last few months.

Though I am not exactly feeling like running a marathon, I am finding that I am becoming more and more in tune with my body and what it is telling me. The hope is that this (the increased water, stepping away from extra junk, and sleep) will lead to weight loss!

#Rever14 Day 5 Letting Go

Letting go: For next year, I’m letting go of…





Dead weight, that's what I'm letting go of. What do I mean by "dead weight", exactly? Well, this weight that is literally hanging on my body and will kill me some day. Halfway through 2014 I managed to lose 16 pounds (yes, some did come back, but not all). Since starting back at work the weight loss has stalled out. Mainly because trying to juggle work, kids, homework, and working out just does not happen. I am not super woman, much unlike the majority of the mom's that I know.

At any rate, this year I plan to continue losing a bit at a time. I'm not certain how, yet, at least in the sense of how to fit it into my schedule, but I do know it'll be made a priority. For the sake of my own longevity, being able to enjoy our family vacations, and the ability to chase my kids I have to do this.

The next thing I am going to attempt to let go of is stress. As I said, I am no super mom, so whenever life starts to get crazy I physically, mentally begin to feel it very quickly. My sleep suffers, and then my irritability sky rockets. It's not pleasant for my family, and not healthy for me at all. As with losing weight, I'm not exactly certain how I'll accomplish this one, just that it needs to be at the top of the list for my yearly achievements. I know I'll be experimenting and blogging about what works best, whether it's a better organization system, yoga, oils, extra sleep, etc. Something will work some day :)

Fit: One Step at a Time

Me September 2001

Me January 2014

Anyone who reads this blog knows I've had a long term struggle with weight. Years long. And I have had many bouts of giving up and not trying, and am currently coming out of one of those ruts. I have decided to give it another go, but be more realistic. And much more honest with myself. Part of the honesty is in seeing how bad things have actually become. It is hard to see pictures of myself from before (when I thought I had a weight problem, and really didn't), and look in the mirror now. Part of being realistic is in me accepting that pounds lost is not what I should focus on. It's so hard for me to shed anything beyond six pounds, and I've been told by a doctor and trainer that I just may not lose as easily anymore, and to embrace it. So I'm going to. I'm going to embrace that pounds lost will probably not be coming. What I will focus on, though, are inches lost, more energy, agility, and feeling more confident. Will I weight myself? Of course, but I will not dwell on it. I plan on measuring my waist, hips, thighs, abs, and arms on Sunday and will probably post the results (if not, I will be tracking on My Fitness Pal). So, what I'm trying to say, is that instead of focusing on pounds lost I will be celebrating in anything being reduced on my tape measure. Weekly, I will update how I am doing, and what I have been doing, to get back to a better me.

First up, turning our guest room (that is never used) into a work out room. We already have a full weight bench, and exercise bike, so I just need them together in the room and arranged so that a show can be watched while biking or something to help pass the time. Also, I will be doing some form of working out every single day. Oh, and in addition to that, I will be greatly reducing the number of meals we eat out. I have yet to decide how I'll do this, but am looking into pre making, and freezing, lots of meals every weekend. More to come on that :)

 So far this last week I have gotten myself moving again. It's surprising to me that 16 minutes of working out has me so sore and winded, when last October I was Mrs. Workout and it took a lot to give me sore muscles (was up to 250 squats a day). A few months off has left me winded, sore, aching, and not wanting to do more, but I keep pushing along. I have started using my exercise bike a few minutes a day, have been using the boot camp in Your Shape Fitness, and have started walking a few miles a day several times a week.

The last thing I will say that I am going to do is limit tv time. I find even though I spend lots of time on the computer, and sitting at work, that I am able to find ways to sneak in activity doing that, whereas when I get sucked into the tv I just sit. For example, while writing this, I took a break and got up to do the dishes, plug my Kindle into the charger, and work on some laundry. Though I know there will be times I am just exhausted, and tv (or the Kindle) is my solution, I will greatly limit those moments and focus more on other things. So long, now, until next week!