Supreme September Superduper Challenge

I walk 3 days a week in the morning, but this is proving to be not enough.  The neighbor I walk with told me that a friend lost 40 pounds by doing workout videos.  I have workout video and I will do them for awhile, but then I get bored, bored, bored!!!! 
So last night I decided to give it another try. Here is the great site that I get my videos from: http://www.collagevideo.com/  I have ordered from them several times and what I really like is that they have previews of the workout so that you can see the instructor and their style. So if you like Jillian from the Biggest Loser you can get her right in your living room pushing and yelling at you if you like that in-your-face- style. 
For me, I like someone who knows how the body moves and can cue me so that it flows.  I don't like high pitch voices and I would rather have someone kind, but firm.  I like Kathy Voight, Leslie Sansone and Rodney Yee, but you have to find your style and speed.  I did want someone more like my bootcamp instructor and I wanted a variety of workouts that included cardio and strength training so I went with the Supreme 90 days program. It had the best reviews and since it is 90 days I felt like this could be my next challenge.  Just what I need to get my ass moving in the morning.
It takes 90 days to create a habit and I know for me to be successful I have to break it down into a shorter time frame.  So anyone want to join me for the first 30 days and do a Supreme September Superduper Challenge?  Like the June Boom let's post our workouts for the month of September.  To do the challenge here is what you have to do-

• Minimum 30 minute workout
• 5-6 days a week
• Cardio or strength training
• post on your blog daily your workout

So who is going to join me?
WE CAN DO IT!
NEVER GIVE UP!
STAY STRONG!
Always on the Move- MER

Strong Start Secrets

Here are some strong start secrets to think about from Spark People-

Secret 1- Build a strong foundation of healthy habits

Secret 2- Spend less time exercising

Secret 3- Track food and calories

For me Secret 1- means to make healthy choices always. I am not bad at this. The more I make my own meals at home the better I am at this. It is making the right choices when I go out to eat or making it a habit to only eat half of whatever is on my plate. 

I am struggling with Secret 2.  Not so much the daily routine which is the key to the strong start, but I am to the point where I have learned to set myself up for success by wearing my workout clothes to bed so that I don't make getting ready to workout an excuse for not getting my butt moving in the morning.  It is more about pushing myself. When I did bootcamp someone else pushed me to my limit, but now that I am on my own it has been hard because I am lazy. I have to figure this out and I think I am going to go back to working out to videos, but I have to do some research to find someone I like and won't get bored with. 

I will be honest about Secret 3. I am horrible at this! Quite honestly it takes so much time to track not just food, but the calories too! If this is how I am going to lose the last 30 pounds then, I leave myself no choice, but to do what I know what I must do!

Only I can kick my own butt around and find the motivation to do this.  I have come so far and I will succeed! 

Always on the move,

Mer

Yes - there really is a hole....

I am going to admit it - there was a hole in my stomach this weekend. Not sure where it came from, but really - it must have been a big hole. You know the one, the kind of hole where everytime you eat it just lets the goodness roll out and well, you never get full. The kind of hole that just opens up and says - feed me, feed me - but in the long run you don't care what or how much goes into that hole. You figure that the hole will get full, but it is just a bottomless, black swirling hole. I got this hole, I think sometime Saturday afternoon. I am not sure if the hole appeared to be an emotional hole (ok, sort of think it is emotional because of the weekend I had), or a hole of boredom or a non-motivational hole - the fact is that I had a hole and I did not like it!!!!!!!!!

I munched a bit on Saturday. But, Sunday that hole was HUGE. I kept going into the kitchen and would grab one thing, eat it and then a little bit later (sometimes five minutes, sometimes an hour) I would venture back into the kitchen and grab something else to eat. I even found some M&M's in the back of the pantry and munched on those - thank goodness it wasn't a large bag. This went on for a few hours - oh, maybe about 3 hours, I sort of lost track - I am not really sure. That hole just kept filling up, then would empty out, and then I would not feel full. I kept wanting more. The hole started to control my brain and not my stomach. It was telling my brain that I was not full. Oh, you can have another bite of that, how about trying this today. I guess the good part was that when I finally did get out of the house and went grocery shopping that the hole was good to me. I only bought was I was supposed to bye. I didn't even have a list - but I didn't overspend, I didn't get anything bad for me and I for sure did not purchase any candy, sweets or that ice cream I thought would fulfill the hole of desire.

I am going to close up that hole. I need to close up the hole. I am a little upset with myself. I allowed the hole to win. I have come so far - how in the world did that hole appear and how in the world did it win this weekend?!?

Time to do some evaluation. Time to find the drive (again) to keep losing! I don't want to see the hole again. I am going to make sure it does not appear and win me over ever again. Oh - hole - just go away!!!

I did do my best to fix the hole yesterday. After grocery shopping I went swimming for over an hour. I did more leg work then anything and am feeling it this morning. Hot weekend, made for a refreshing fix the hole method!!!

Staying MOtivated MO

PS - Update on my friend and how I wrote just the other day about Julianne. She left us early Saturday morning and is now flying with angels. I will truly miss her and my heart is breaking!! May her boys know that they were loved by a wonderful mother and that she raised them well!!!!

Follow your DREAMS!!!!!

Today's post is all about following your dreams!!! Not a weight loss dream, but one where you really have this vision, you strive to meet it and you finally get to fulfill it!!!!

Many years ago, at the age of 12, I had a dream - to be a babysitter. Yes, funny to have that dream, but summer money was going to be coming my way and I loved kids. My dream came true when my Mom told me that there was a lady just down the street with two wonderful little boys and that she needed me to help her out over the summer. That summer went on for years, with two more boys to add to the mix. Some of the best years of my life!!! I am even blessed that one of the boys is my God Son. The boys are fully grown now and doing really well with being husbands and following some of their own dreams.

Their mother, a very active and loving person, also followed her dreams some 21 months ago. She joined the Peace Corps and has been in Jordan doing great work and enjoying every moment of it. Her updates via email made you feel like you were there - seeing all the action, being at the many weddings she would attend and just knowing that she was a successful dream catcher!!!

Sad news came my way last night, that Julianne was very sick. The news I heard did not give me a full picture of her illness. Being the google fan that I am and wondering if the Peace Corps had an update and knowing contact with the boys would be limited at this point, somehow I found a blog that she started. Only one simple entry, but pictures to show that she had a fun time in Jordan and she did follow a life long dream!!! http://anastbasta.com/index.html - this is so Julianne - pasta in the name - of course. She will soon be at peace and moving onto a world with God at her side, be with her husband again and life for the boys will change.

I am truly BLESSED to have known the most wonderful, inspiring, glowing and dream follower in Julianne!!!! May her family feel the warmth of her love for years!!! My heart is breaking, but pleased that I have known such a great person. Time for me to fully embrace my duties as a god-parent with my "first" son. Sending them loving prayers right now.

Dreams do come true!!! They really do. Keep reaching for the stars and someday you might just be like Julianne, 67 years old, active and get the chance to make your lifelong dream come true!!!

A very sad Staying MOtivated MO

Dear John

When I was young I remember watching that popular television show about the Mobile Army Medical gang - I would watch this with my Dad every week. You know the one (or at least I hope you know, but are you too young??)

 

I loved this show. Not only did I get to be with my dad, but it was a funny show. Not too much for my little junior high ears, nothing like any of the sitcoms you see today. Heck, I remember the whole family (all 8 of us) watching the final episode from start to finish (back in the days when you didn't have a VCR and well, you just made sure you were home to watch the final episode). I now watch some re-runs with my son and so glad that he enjoys the show, too.

 

While watching this show I was introduced to the "Dear John" letters that military guys/gals would receive. The letters were from their "sweatheart" back home saying that they would had found someone else and decided to make sure their guy overseas was aware of it. There was even one episode where Radar O'Reilly got a Dear John on a record (yes, the show is that old - no CD's or IPODs in this sitcom). I am sure that our own current military receives these today, too. :(

I got to thinking the other day about Dear John letters - just something I do from time to time - (ha, ha). You see, I have been struggling with 5 pounds. I keep losing and gaining. I have been up and down, down and up with the same 5 pounds since about June. You can call it a Plateau if you want and some of it has not been because those five pounds just want to stick around. I will say that it is up to me to make sure I am consistent. I have been doing my best, can do better and will do better!! It is just time to get rid of these 5 pounds - enough is enough - give up the ghost!! I thought - why not write a Dear John to those 5 pounds.....heck, it just might work. So............without further ado - here is my Dear John to my 5 pounds:

Dear Five Pounds:

I have struggled with writing this letter. I know that you are attached to me and you have enjoyed many years with me, but it is time for us to part ways. Oh, the fun we have had. The eating, the exercising, the ups, the downs, being with me for so long - it is hard to let me go. You have been in my life for so long!! I am fun to hang with, but it is time for us to both spread our wings. Time to fly and be free!! 

I have found another pound I would like to be close to. You know the one, I have desired him for years!!! My Onderland Man is calling!!! I am very attracted to Onederland and I know he is attracted to me. I have been working hard and he is seeing the changes in me. I am not really sure when I will be with him, but I want to be with him forever and ever!! I am going to work hard and soon we will embrace. There is no need to worry about me, I am happy, feeling strong and getting healthy with this new relationship. You have made me happy, but there is a new man in my life. 

As much as you would like to stick around, it is time for us to go our seperate ways. It is going to be hard to let you go, but you are going to have to let me go, too. Why stick around with all those other pounds? Eventually they will all slip away and Onederland will have taken over!!!

I wish you well and giving you big hugs as we say good-bye!!!

Love Always -

Staying MOtivated MO

You know you've come far (in this weight loss journey) when...

...you open up the refrigerator after 8 pm at night and you actually don't pull out anything to eat.

You know you've come far when...you open up the refrigerator a second time and wonder - Why? Is there really anything in there for you that you should have at this point in time? That you really are NOT hungry and you close the door and walk away!!!

You know you've come far when...you are doing 30 minutes of balance ball exercises while watching TV on a Sunday night. AND you are really enjoying it. You don't feel like you HAVE to be doing it, but that you WANT to do it!!

You know you've come far when...you realize that carbs can be delicious, but really, they are not what you crave anymore! A vegetable, a piece of fruit - yum!!!

You know you've come far when...you spend three days doing door to door popcorn sales with your Cub Scout and you are not tired after doing 2 hours of walking each day, pulling a wagon and standing in the hot sun being your Scouts support system (ok - it was hard to be upbeat on the 3rd day, but he wants to hit a goal this year and I will be there for him all the way)!!

You know you've come far when...you wake up craving a vegetable & egg scramble for breakfast (and not a trip to McDonald's or Starbucks).

You know you've come far when...you jump at the chance to go for a walk with your neighbor at the last minute and you really enjoy every moment of it!!

You know you've come far when...you are not getting that frustrated with going up and down with the same 5 pounds as last month. I will continue to be positive! I will keep up the good work, eventually those 5 pounds will be gone forever and I will start to tackle the next 5!!!

You know you've come far when...you feel like you have more energy!

You know you've come far when...you finally realize that getting more then 5 hours of sleep is really important!!!

You know you've come far when...you are craving a glass of water, rather then a soda!

You know you've come far when...you feel good everyday and want to keep losing weight. That no matter what obstacle gets in your way you are going to keep pushing forward!!

You know you've come far when...you make exercise part of your daily routine (and you are not complaining about doing it).

You know you've come far when...you are craving a nice ripe nectarine and not a bowl of ice cream.

You know you've come far when...you look forward to receiving the support you need!!

And then you think ~~~~

You know you still have more to do...when you can't wait to fit into those smaller pants!

You know you still have more to do...when you want to get into a smaller bra (LOL)

You know you still have more to do...because you want to keep feeling good about yourself everyday!!

You know you still have more to do...because you feel sexier and the boys are noticing and you want to keep going with that natural high!!!!!!!!!

You know you still have more to do...because you want to hit the small, medium and large goals in your weight loss journey!!!

You know you still have more to do...when you did not make healthy decisions and ate whatever, whenever you wanted the other day.

You know you still have more to do...when you REALIZE and SAY IT OUT LOUD that you did not drink enough water today!

You know you still have more to do...when you realize that you will continue to do well because you are supporting others that are also struggling.


The Pros - the Cons - it is all a journey. A journey I will not give up on. I have come far, want to go farther and I am going to hit more of my goals. No matter how hard it is to climb up that hill lose this weight, go that extra mile, or struggle with my decisions I am going to keep going. I feel good, and know that I am looking better each day!! This time I will ACHIEVE ALL of my weight loss goals!!! I want to get there faster, but it is all up to me. I am my own decision maker!! Looking forward to my final item on the list to say - You know you've come far in this weight loss journey when...you are at Goal Weight!!!!


Staying MOtivated MO

Inspiration comes from Frustration- Workout Ideas

Like Mo sometimes I sleep through my workouts and I get really frustrated that I did not get it in.  My days are so full that I don't get a chance to do much of anything to "add" a workout in.  Sometimes inspiration comes from frustration which is what happened this week with my return to work and the lack of a bootcamp instructor since she decided to stop so that she could sleep in. 

Here are some ideas on how to get in a workout while working at home or the office-

1. Friend of mine told me that when she goes to the bathroom that she does 30 squats! What a great way to get some strengthening in. I thought I could also do 30 lunges or 30 dead-lifts. 
2. At the photocopy machine, I stand in front of the machine and do calf raises until I am done copying.
3. When I have something to read through I will do a wall sit for as long as I can.  To challenge myself I might lift one leg at a time.
4. If I need a moment to move I might get up and do some wall push ups and will do them until my arms are tired.
5. I will also do some tricep dips or side bends on my office chair when I am thinking for a moment.
6. The shoulder roll is a great stretch and so is the seated figure four. 
7. I bought some resistance bands to do some toe and foot stretches, but there are a millon things you can do with some bands: tricep extensions, bicep curls and shoulder presses just to name a few. They are great because I can fold them up and take them wherever I want.   
8. I do sit on a big red ball and so I do bounce while I am working. It gets the blood going and I am more awake after I do that. I also I  do some sitting cat and cow stretches.
9. When I get home there are few things around the front door that I can grab and do. Hoola hooping is so much fun. My sister had it made for me, but all it is PVC pipe with some pretty ribbon.  Jump rope and do some planks. All 3 activites I do in about 5 minutes. Then, I am off and running to get dinner going. 
10. Dancing while making dinner. Just blast your favorite tunes and shake that booty. It always brings a smile to my husband's face and the kids just join in on the fun.

Whatever you do just don't stay still!
Always on the Move- MER