Almost 2 weeks/25% done. Keeping strong so far.
Trying to write about my priorities and how i prioritize health and fitness into my life and i am having a really hard time for it... I just keep coming back to success and failure... i prioritize and i succeed - i don't and i fail. More specifically, when i prioritize i feel great- mind body and soul. When i don't .. i don't
I know there is more story than that... but its hard to find the words.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
SHOES!!!
OK..... 18 days in and 13 stars earned.
10 days left and 15 stars needed.
The plan:
1- extra cardio...
2- extra blogs
3- ask for help
ASKING FOR HELP- 10 days and 15 stars, I need you to check on me and keep me accountable!
Thanks :)
10 days left and 15 stars needed.
The plan:
1- extra cardio...
2- extra blogs
3- ask for help
ASKING FOR HELP- 10 days and 15 stars, I need you to check on me and keep me accountable!
Thanks :)
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Two Challenges, One Day
In addition to my personal shoe challenge, I have decided, once again, to take the crazy path at the gym and participate in the "Holiday Trimmings" challenge. Like before... eight weeks, crazy hard work, strict meal plans, focus, dedication and determination.
How can I have a great turkey day, birthday, xmas and new years? Easy- preparation. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. I have total control over what I do or do not eat or drink on all of these days and I can have a genuinely good time with my friends and family without binging.
Ill keep you updated along the way :)
How can I have a great turkey day, birthday, xmas and new years? Easy- preparation. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. I have total control over what I do or do not eat or drink on all of these days and I can have a genuinely good time with my friends and family without binging.
Ill keep you updated along the way :)
Monday, November 19, 2012
Friday, November 16, 2012
The Shoe Path
Three addendum to the challenge:
1. I need a minimum of 28 GOLD STARS to earn the shoes. If I earn more they can be used for additional earnings or banked for future use.
2. If I am feeling weak, vulnerable, etc and I reach out for help, in a public manner (email/FB) I will earn 2 GOLD STARS, so long as I make the correct and healthy choices.
3.
Update:
Day 1: 1 GOLD STAR
Day 2: -1
Day 3: -1
Day 4: -1
Current total: -2 stars
PS- writing this post on the plane home from Boston. So happy to be getting home and back to routine.
Day 3: -1
Day 4: -1
Current total: -2 stars
PS- writing this post on the plane home from Boston. So happy to be getting home and back to routine.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Mamma Wants A New Pair Of Shoes
Here's the deal. I want a new pair of shoes. I also want to meet my fitness goals. How about putting the two together? Ding Ding, we have a winner!
The Game: Shoelandia
How to Play: Every day I work out and eat in accordance with my training schedule I earn GOLD STARS
Every day I cheat I lose GOLD STARS.
After receiving 10 GOLD STARS in a row I receive a SUPER STAR which can be redeemed for 1 cheat - skipping exercise or eating outside of plan.
BONUS STARS can be earned for every 5 days of consecutive tracking and for all blog updates (maximum one per day)
Tracking- daily on Livestrong, blogging at least once a week.
Contestants:
Me :)
You?
The Game: Shoelandia
How to Play: Every day I work out and eat in accordance with my training schedule I earn GOLD STARS
Every day I cheat I lose GOLD STARS.
After receiving 10 GOLD STARS in a row I receive a SUPER STAR which can be redeemed for 1 cheat - skipping exercise or eating outside of plan.
BONUS STARS can be earned for every 5 days of consecutive tracking and for all blog updates (maximum one per day)
Tracking- daily on Livestrong, blogging at least once a week.
Contestants:
Me :)
You?
Friday, November 9, 2012
Eight Weeks On...
All right... its been another eight weeks. And I'll bet your waiting with baited breath to hear how well i did! Please, exhale now. This was not my best eight weeks. Once again, weeks one, two and three were pretty amazing. I was convinced that I was going to crush the challenge. Then, work got in the way. Trip to Santa Monica, trip to Mexico, trip to Sunnyvale. And life got in the way, a sun burn and a cold.
The purpose of the challenge was to measure and reward the behaviors that are the building blocks successful weight loss and not the results.
What I learned most from this challenge was that why i gain weight, i gain it first in my hips, thighs and tummy.
So, looking forward. The Holliday Trimmings Challenge... A challenge that will span Thanksgiving, my birthday, Christmas and New Years....
Wish me luck...
The purpose of the challenge was to measure and reward the behaviors that are the building blocks successful weight loss and not the results.
What I learned most from this challenge was that why i gain weight, i gain it first in my hips, thighs and tummy.
So, looking forward. The Holliday Trimmings Challenge... A challenge that will span Thanksgiving, my birthday, Christmas and New Years....
Wish me luck...
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Sweat It Out
I once saw a motivational you tube film about a woman's journey through weight loss and in one clip she is running and her supporters were holding a banner that said "sweat is your fat cells crying!" I love that statement. In fact, I feel that sweat is more than that. Sweat is the cathartic physical reaction of your body processing, purging, releasing and recovering!
In my past, when I have been really stressed, i have fed that nervous energy with McDonald's, hoping that the food in my belly would calm the adrenalin and cortisol pumping through my muscles. Today, I take a different approach. I sweat.
Today's achievement: 30 minutes of 30:30 intervals on the Jacob's Ladder machine.
Cheers-Tara
PS- if you don't know what Jacobs Ladder is... now you will http://www.jacobsladderexercise.com/
In my past, when I have been really stressed, i have fed that nervous energy with McDonald's, hoping that the food in my belly would calm the adrenalin and cortisol pumping through my muscles. Today, I take a different approach. I sweat.
Today's achievement: 30 minutes of 30:30 intervals on the Jacob's Ladder machine.
Cheers-Tara
PS- if you don't know what Jacobs Ladder is... now you will http://www.jacobsladderexercise.com/
Sunday, September 9, 2012
A New Challenge
I ended the last challenge with an overwhelming sense of "I never want to do this again", but i am just one week out from starting a new challenge. There are two reasons why my psyche is ok with this new challenge. First, its not about the goal, but getting to the goal. This challenge is about calculating and rewarding for all the hard work that one puts into the goal. It is a well known fact that consistency in nutrition is the best way to make changes to your body. This challenge focused on rewarding that consistency. Second, because this challenge is calculated with accruing points for good decisions, or negative points for cheats there is immediate feedback to know how/where i am in the challenge. There is no waiting for weigh in's or measurements to know where I stand in the competition.
The challenge starts on Sept 15 and lasts for eight weeks. Known upcoming obstacles: two weeks in San Fran on business in Oct. Hosting a baby shower end of Oct. Business trip for half a week in Boston... and then there is ever weekend between now and then.....
Friday, August 17, 2012
13 months..
 |
| June 2011 August 2012 |
Picture 2 - 8/1/12 After completing the 8 week challenge
'nuff said :)
Pict
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Results
Slightly delayed - I'm sorry.
Much anticipated - I know!
I came in 2nd place. There were two category of competition - weight loss and body fat percent loss. I was 2nd in both categories having lost 3.1 LBS and 4.43%.
Here are the before and after:
So, what is my over/under?
High- I lost inches, I pushed hard, I achieved more than I thought I would.
Low- the challenge was emotionally exhausting in the beginning, and my trip in the middle was quite a derailment
Would I do it again? Possibly.
Much anticipated - I know!
I came in 2nd place. There were two category of competition - weight loss and body fat percent loss. I was 2nd in both categories having lost 3.1 LBS and 4.43%.
Here are the before and after:
 |
| Beginning of July |
 |
| Beginning of August |
So, what is my over/under?
High- I lost inches, I pushed hard, I achieved more than I thought I would.
Low- the challenge was emotionally exhausting in the beginning, and my trip in the middle was quite a derailment
Would I do it again? Possibly.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
The Power of Perception
I have been watching a lot of TED talks over the last week and the presentation from Jane McGonigal really captured my interest. Now, Jane is a very knowledgeable woman and very versed in game theory and the world of gaming, but it was not her speech that i was most drawn to, it was her. I was very impressed with her poise, confidence, command of the stage, and how she looks young and professional but not naive or in-experienced.
Today i am in a class called Dynamic Business Communicator. It takes the components of presentation and communication and breaks it down into core skills. In order for us to reflect and learn about our communication; all of our presentations are video taped. Immediately following the presentation we watch our recordings. This allows the learner, me, to see and feel the difference between what it feels like to present and how the presentation is perceived.
My first thought, upon watching my recordings, is how impressed i am with myself. With my changes over the last few years. With my intentional and deliberate changes and self improvement. I look professional. I look like an adult. Sure, yeah, i know this, but sometimes you don't feel it. Watching myself in the third person was, is, eye opening and i am proud!
Today i am in a class called Dynamic Business Communicator. It takes the components of presentation and communication and breaks it down into core skills. In order for us to reflect and learn about our communication; all of our presentations are video taped. Immediately following the presentation we watch our recordings. This allows the learner, me, to see and feel the difference between what it feels like to present and how the presentation is perceived.
My first thought, upon watching my recordings, is how impressed i am with myself. With my changes over the last few years. With my intentional and deliberate changes and self improvement. I look professional. I look like an adult. Sure, yeah, i know this, but sometimes you don't feel it. Watching myself in the third person was, is, eye opening and i am proud!
Friday, July 20, 2012
Nearing the end
I just counted the weeks on a calendar and to my shock and surprise, this is the end of week 7. Its almost over. My first reaction? THANK GOD!
This has been a humbling experiment where i have been on top of the world, making mad gains (or losses as the case may be), been frustrated and later resolved.
This has been a humbling experiment where i have been on top of the world, making mad gains (or losses as the case may be), been frustrated and later resolved.
I can, with all honesty, say that i never want to do a challenge like this again. The emotional roller coaster has been too much for me to handle and i, personally, need to have a slower, steadier approach to my personal changes and goals.
Challenge recap:
Week 1- shock week- is it possible to eat that many veggies? yes.
Week 2- i can do this :)
Week 3- i rock at this, already down a size!
Week 4- total derailment - business trips, parties and weddings, oh my!
Week 5- am i still in the game?
Week 6- yes, i am still in it....damage control
Week 7- emotions get the best of me, harnessing the power of week 3, back on track success on the scale
One more week to go, lets see how strong i can finish out...
Monday, July 2, 2012
+ 10
Week 4...
Monday- 6 am flight to Sunnyvale - full day business meetings - carby catering - barely even breaks to pee
Tuesday- more meetings, more carbs - still no time to pee, 9 pm flight to Burbank
Wednesday- more meetings, lunch with the team, 5pm flight to Portland - hectic travel and rigid diet don't go together, living off caffeine
Thursday- 6 am flight to Newark - wedding - and carbs - here we come
Friday thru Sunday - its a blur.... people, drinks, food, partying, no sleep
Monday... back home... standing on the scale... +10 lbs.
I can rationalize it until I am blue in the face, but instead I'll just go do some sprints.
Monday- 6 am flight to Sunnyvale - full day business meetings - carby catering - barely even breaks to pee
Tuesday- more meetings, more carbs - still no time to pee, 9 pm flight to Burbank
Wednesday- more meetings, lunch with the team, 5pm flight to Portland - hectic travel and rigid diet don't go together, living off caffeine
Thursday- 6 am flight to Newark - wedding - and carbs - here we come
Friday thru Sunday - its a blur.... people, drinks, food, partying, no sleep
Monday... back home... standing on the scale... +10 lbs.
I can rationalize it until I am blue in the face, but instead I'll just go do some sprints.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Size 12...continued
I started off my last post with a the intention of writing about my new size accomplishment, however, it quickly diverged into a story about shorts and insecurities. Now, i am back to continue commenting on Size 12.
About three months ago my trainer, Amanda, loaned me one of her favorite books; The Female Body Breakthrough by Rachel Cosgrove. In that book one of Rachel's strategies is to have small and realistic goals in your weight loss and physical changes. She talks about the "skinny jeans" that most girls have stuck in the bottom or back of their closets. Rachel empowers women to use those jeans as a measurement of success and not some number on a scale.
I did not have a pair of goal jeans. Throughout my weight loss process I have consistently been wearing clothes until they are just TOO large to wear anymore. Then and only then I would go shopping to buy just enough new cloths to tide me over.
After reading this book i forced my husband to take me to the Levis store at Woodburn and i went to buy a pair of jeans that were specifically, too small.
When we got to the store I tried on several styles and types until I found a pair that fit nicely. That particular jean, that day was a size 16. I walked out of the fitting room, the assistant asked me how it worked out and I said great, I'll take a size 12 and handed her back the 16. She gave me the strangest look and I explained the logic behind having a goal pair of jeans that I can try on every week to see in progress in action. In the beginning they are just past my knees. After a few weeks, I can get them mid thigh. After another few weeks the are on, but not to be buttoned. Well, today, I tried again - buttoned, zipped and ready to go.
Today, I go get my Size 8!
About three months ago my trainer, Amanda, loaned me one of her favorite books; The Female Body Breakthrough by Rachel Cosgrove. In that book one of Rachel's strategies is to have small and realistic goals in your weight loss and physical changes. She talks about the "skinny jeans" that most girls have stuck in the bottom or back of their closets. Rachel empowers women to use those jeans as a measurement of success and not some number on a scale.
I did not have a pair of goal jeans. Throughout my weight loss process I have consistently been wearing clothes until they are just TOO large to wear anymore. Then and only then I would go shopping to buy just enough new cloths to tide me over.
After reading this book i forced my husband to take me to the Levis store at Woodburn and i went to buy a pair of jeans that were specifically, too small.
When we got to the store I tried on several styles and types until I found a pair that fit nicely. That particular jean, that day was a size 16. I walked out of the fitting room, the assistant asked me how it worked out and I said great, I'll take a size 12 and handed her back the 16. She gave me the strangest look and I explained the logic behind having a goal pair of jeans that I can try on every week to see in progress in action. In the beginning they are just past my knees. After a few weeks, I can get them mid thigh. After another few weeks the are on, but not to be buttoned. Well, today, I tried again - buttoned, zipped and ready to go.
Today, I go get my Size 8!
Friday, June 22, 2012
Size 12
Good news guys and gals! I went shopping for a pair of shorts and officially introduced myself to a new size! A new size, that is wonderful! A smaller size, that is fantastic! Buying shorts, that is unheard of!!!
Thinking back, I CANNOT remember buying shorts. In the last 10 years i have HAD shorts but i don't recall ever getting up the motivation to actually BUY shorts.
Buying (and really wearing, for that matter) has always been a very tender issue for me. I dont know where this insecurity comes from. Skirts- fine. Dresses- fine. Pedal pushers- no problem. But shorts- I always seem to feel like I am showing too much to the world.
So the success in this story. I confidently walked into Target, went to the shorts, found a fitted pair (elastic, i am sorry, but your not allowed in my life anymore), size 12, tried it on in the fitting room, perfect fit. Proud and happy! Confident! Sexy! In shorts!
Mid week 3- i am very pleased on how my challenge is going!
Week 4- tentative to say the least. Traveling for business and pleasure. I'll keep you updated!
Thinking back, I CANNOT remember buying shorts. In the last 10 years i have HAD shorts but i don't recall ever getting up the motivation to actually BUY shorts.
Buying (and really wearing, for that matter) has always been a very tender issue for me. I dont know where this insecurity comes from. Skirts- fine. Dresses- fine. Pedal pushers- no problem. But shorts- I always seem to feel like I am showing too much to the world.
So the success in this story. I confidently walked into Target, went to the shorts, found a fitted pair (elastic, i am sorry, but your not allowed in my life anymore), size 12, tried it on in the fitting room, perfect fit. Proud and happy! Confident! Sexy! In shorts!
Mid week 3- i am very pleased on how my challenge is going!
Week 4- tentative to say the least. Traveling for business and pleasure. I'll keep you updated!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Week One, Done.
Alright- week one is done. Good news to report: there is over 2 inches less of me than there was last week.
Can I get a WOO HOO!
Though my jaw and tongue (and wallet) had issues with the amount of veggies I ate last week, my body is very happy with it!
Updates for week 2 - slightly less calories, similar percentages of caloric intake and I can reduce my veggie intake to 2 servings per meal instead of 4.
I remind myself that I created this blog to be accountable and to share my story about this process. I have to admit that I hid away from one thing last week. Sprints...
I hate sprints.
So, here is my plea, dear friends and family. Ask me about my sprints.
Sprint with me.
Help me sprint...
And for the most exciting part of this weekly update- my photo...
Can I get a WOO HOO!
Though my jaw and tongue (and wallet) had issues with the amount of veggies I ate last week, my body is very happy with it!
Updates for week 2 - slightly less calories, similar percentages of caloric intake and I can reduce my veggie intake to 2 servings per meal instead of 4.
I remind myself that I created this blog to be accountable and to share my story about this process. I have to admit that I hid away from one thing last week. Sprints...
I hate sprints.
So, here is my plea, dear friends and family. Ask me about my sprints.
Sprint with me.
Help me sprint...
And for the most exciting part of this weekly update- my photo...
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Easy
Day before yesterday, I was reading my friends blog and she has posted the quote "Nothing in life worth doing is easy". I have been reflecting and ruminating on this since the moment I read it.
Making the decision to participate in this challenge was very easy for me. I have been on a mission to loose my extra weight for almost three years now. I am getting so close to making my goal that I am both getting very tired of the process and hyper focused on getting to the end.
At this stage in the process I am uncovering new challenges that I have not faced before. The desire to quit is greater than ever. I am so proud of what i have done and where i am, there is an ease is stopping the drive now. "Nothing in life worth doing is easy". Its easy to stop short of the finish line. Its hard to stick it out and see it through to the end. It wasn't easy to go from obese to overweight, but it feels so much harder to go from overweight to in-weight.
So- what is the goal? What is the finish line? I would like to get to a size 6-8 or 145 lbs. Where am i now? 175 and size 13...
Making the decision to participate in this challenge was very easy for me. I have been on a mission to loose my extra weight for almost three years now. I am getting so close to making my goal that I am both getting very tired of the process and hyper focused on getting to the end.
At this stage in the process I am uncovering new challenges that I have not faced before. The desire to quit is greater than ever. I am so proud of what i have done and where i am, there is an ease is stopping the drive now. "Nothing in life worth doing is easy". Its easy to stop short of the finish line. Its hard to stick it out and see it through to the end. It wasn't easy to go from obese to overweight, but it feels so much harder to go from overweight to in-weight.
So- what is the goal? What is the finish line? I would like to get to a size 6-8 or 145 lbs. Where am i now? 175 and size 13...
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Week 1 - Shock Week
I just got home from an excellent trip to India and on my return my trainer launched an eight week nutrition and fitness challenge to all of her clients. Without a second thought I said "YES!" What better time to dial in nutrition and fitness than right after three weeks of vacation.
So... week one. I received my welcome email from my trainer. She called it "shock week". I quickly poo-poo'ed it thinking she was addressing it to the other group members that might be newer than me. However, I was shocked. So he made a 'shocking' change to my nutrition and is taking the workouts up a notch!
Nutrition: My total caloric intake has jumped from ~1600 per day to 2200 to 2500 per day. WOW. Bigger WOW- how those calories break down. 40% fat - i can do that :) almonds are great! 35% protein - can do! Already accustomed to a higher protein intake and spreading it through out the day. 25% carbs* - can do!.. wait... what is that asterisk? Carbs need to come from veggies only??!! Only one serving of fruit post workout??!!
WOW - ok. That one will be hard. Yes, you found my shock.
Do you know how many cups of veggies you have to eat to consume ~ 500 calories a day?
I can tell you
cups
and
cups
and
cups
and
cups
More veggies than you think you can consume in a day!
I am writing this post on day 3 of week 1 and I am happy to report that YES you can eat all these veggies in a day!
I decided to write this blog for two reasons. First- I have had an incredible story and progress in the last three years and have done a poor job documenting it- through the highs and lows. Second- I am at a point where I need accountability. I need to vocalize, communicate, share and talk about this challenge. I need to see, I need people to see my progress. To that end; Week 1:
So... week one. I received my welcome email from my trainer. She called it "shock week". I quickly poo-poo'ed it thinking she was addressing it to the other group members that might be newer than me. However, I was shocked. So he made a 'shocking' change to my nutrition and is taking the workouts up a notch!
Nutrition: My total caloric intake has jumped from ~1600 per day to 2200 to 2500 per day. WOW. Bigger WOW- how those calories break down. 40% fat - i can do that :) almonds are great! 35% protein - can do! Already accustomed to a higher protein intake and spreading it through out the day. 25% carbs* - can do!.. wait... what is that asterisk? Carbs need to come from veggies only??!! Only one serving of fruit post workout??!!
WOW - ok. That one will be hard. Yes, you found my shock.
Do you know how many cups of veggies you have to eat to consume ~ 500 calories a day?
I can tell you
cups
and
cups
and
cups
and
cups
More veggies than you think you can consume in a day!
I am writing this post on day 3 of week 1 and I am happy to report that YES you can eat all these veggies in a day!
I decided to write this blog for two reasons. First- I have had an incredible story and progress in the last three years and have done a poor job documenting it- through the highs and lows. Second- I am at a point where I need accountability. I need to vocalize, communicate, share and talk about this challenge. I need to see, I need people to see my progress. To that end; Week 1:
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