Fall down eight times, Get up nine.

Q (my wonderfully amazing fiance) and I have been gradually converting our eating habits and training habits. This alone makes me so proud, it is never an easy task changing what we eat. Our plan was not to take away everything we loved (P&B nites - aka Pizza and Beer nights) but to make small changes to our every day life.
1. I went through our grocery list and started there. First priority was to be sure that we got our fruits and veggies before others.
2. We ate fresh. Fresh fruits for snacks, fresh veggies (LOTS) with dinner). I strive for 3/4 plate of veggies but it ends up being half with 1/4 meat and 1/4 carbs.
3. We stuck to meal times. Breakfast in the morning (UGH - I hate eating in the morning). Because I have such a hard time with breakfast I sometimes make my classic Xpresso Shake - a coffee shake with protein supplement that is fortified and very similar to meal replacement shakes. Q rarely has a hard time eating in the morning, as long as he has his cereal he is good. Lunches are simple and usually leftovers. Dinners are a little different as I try to make enough to eat for that night and the next day for lunch. Or sometimes make enough to remake into something still good but still delish. Other times it is about trying to find the strength to leave some of the leftovers.  Always important, leave yourself leftovers. (4)

I have been going for walks, it started with 1/2 mile. Now I am up to 2 miles walking and jogging the last straightaway. Jogging the straight away is a little tough currently. I'm also trying to work in some strength training to tone.

Overall, I have to say I am so frustrated. 3 years ago I was running 6 miles and currently I cannot even run 1/2 a mile. This is what I chose and I am changing my mind. I screwed around for 2+ years, it's time for NO EXCUSES! And no matter how many times I feel I missed an opportunity, I will try - try - and TRY again. Because....

Happy New Year & Happy Birthday

Happy New Year to you! A very Happy Birthday to the most wonderful man in my life!

I am starting this year with a resolve, not a resolution which are lost easier than my keys, to slough off the year 2011. The past year has been a very rough chapter I added to my life. It has been difficult because I have given only half-hearted attempts at my goals and it has shown. One might say that I could easily be upset with life and times around me, but I am more disappointed in myself. Being disappointed in yourself is a very difficult, depressing and destructive force.

This new year, is a blessing. It is a line in the sand. It is the point you say "no excuses". This is the baseline, not a pity party, it is the shadows that define the light. To chronicle a jumping off point to see what can be created, a year to embrace challenge. By the end of this year, I want to look back and laugh at an "over achiever" me. But first lets get the stats on where I am right now.

Good point: Engaged to the most amazing guy ever, wedding planning for October 2014.

THE REST: In a j-o-b (just over broke), working as a Customer Service Rep. I am not good at my job, nor do I care much for it. I get yelled at a lot, and no matter how hard I try I can't seem to escape my own screw ups.

I am most definitely the heaviest I have ever been, even though I am not fat or overweight realistically. No person on the street would call me fat necessarily. However, I am in no shape (no pun intended) to achieve any of my goals or to coach others on health and fitness.
WEIGHT: 170.0 lbs.
Hydration: 48%
Body Fat: 34.1%

Thanks to LiveStrong.com, I found that I am fine with my hydration level. However, my body fat percentage is not my fave and neither is my weight. I want my body to show body mass instead of body fat. Mass being that how much space I take up is composed more of muscle, bone, and brains :)

I am ready. I have no more excuses. And I have a whole year. What more do I really need?


If you are not able to follow the link, here is the site:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/276984-proper-body-hydration-percentage/