Proactive approach to the holiday bulge

How many are like me and put on between 10 to 15 pounds between November and January? This year WILL be different. I am taking a proactive approach to the holidays and I have to tell you about it. I am not going to lie, I am pretty gosh darn sore, BUT I am determined to fit into a specific Halloween costume next fall. In fact, I am so determined that I am going to purchase it in a couple months and have it stare at me ALL.YEAR.LONG. Why? Because it is NOT cheap and I don't want to feel like I wasted money.


So ... how am I preparing to get my Size 22 body into a Size 16 body in 11 months? It isn't easy. I am actually using a variety of methods.

At Home Workouts

I am using Dance Fit (Zumba) and Blogilates at home to workout. I also have PiYo, Turbo Jam, and Tai Chi videos. For me, it is vital that I find the time to sweat and since I don't like group exercise, I love YouTube and fitness DVDs to help me out. I took a LONG break and am just now getting back into everything and my body is sorely paying for it. I am sure I look like a fool, but my toddlers LOVE to do yoga and pilates with me. It is important to me to show them that I care about my body and take the time to workout ... even if that means telling them they need to give mommy about 45 minutes to herself!

Social Media

Another area that I have really started to get involved with is social media workout accountability. Fort Strong is my current obsession. They had a Strongtober and I found out about it near the end of the month. I am now doing the workout on my own ... however, I AM participating in their current Tough Turkey Challenge. Then, next month, they will be having a Chrismahanustrongzakah challenge.

YMCA

For the first time in a few years, we finally have a YMCA membership again. This is our Christmas present to our family because everyone misses the Y. We have one that is only 10 minutes from our house and the hours are perfect for Jeremy being able to go before work. I will be using the treadmill while I am there because my other goal is to be in a 5K race next year. It is also a time for Jeremy and I to spend a little time together without the kids. Willow will be in the daycare area while the other three are in school.

The Body Lab

This will be a treat to myself. I know that sounds REALLY bizarre ... but let me explain.

This place says Pilates but do NOT let that fool you. This is not your average pilates group workout location ... at all. It is like Pilates on steroids and is worse than crack. I am so freakin' addicted! I was given  the opportunity to sample a class with a few other bloggers and moms in the KC Metro. Our Body Lab opens officially December 1st. If you live in the metro, you really need to check it out. It is in Leawood right behind Trader Joe's. The only other studios are in Arizona, so we feel super blessed to be the start of the Midwest branch.

The workout is done on a machine that is similar to the Pilates Reformer ... only better. It is the Megaformer and is designed by Sebastien Lagree.

This machine helps you mix Pilates, cardio, and strength training into a low impact workout. They are 50 minutes long and The Body Lab offers both group workout, semi-private sessions, and one-on-one sessions. There are only 12 of these in the building ... 11 are used for the class (so that is the max class size) and then one is reserved for one-on-one training. EVERYONE gets 1 free class. Not even joking! The classes are available every day of the week and you can find the class schedule on their website.

My desire is to start with going once a month for a hardcore workout each month. I was feeling the burn for two days after my workout, but I had the shakes for a good 12 hours. It was INTENSE but AWESOME. I slept so great and just felt relaxed. Eventually, I would love to go 2x a month, but I need to work myself up to that.


Megaformer Evolution Promo from The Body Lab on Vimeo.
Before you freakout and think you can't do the workouts ... let me tell you that they have a non-judgemental approach to the class. They modify EVERY workout for your strength level and health needs (including recovering from an injury). You won't realize how out of shape you really are until you do this workout. There were a few workouts that I wasn't able to complete due to where I am at physically but the modifications sure burned the same muscles.

So, there's my game plan to be proactive in preventing the bulge over the holidays ... it is also my jumpstart to a healthy 2015. Feel free to purchase the programs, join me on YouTube, social media, or let's schedule a class together at the Body Lab! I have 100 pounds to lose and I want them GONE before 12/31/15!

Being honest

I have been telling myself for years that I am fine just the way I am. I gained 50 pounds while I was pregnant with Bullfrog due to steroid shots I took for eczema. I was told that it may be extremely difficult to get it off. So, I was okay with my weight staying around. Sure, I couldn't keep up with the kids and I am exhausted a lot ... but it really wasn't my fault that I put on the weight ... right?

WRONG

It is time that I frickin' get serious and stop lying to myself. Stop listening to those who are telling me that I look "fine" and I should be happy with who I am.

I am not saying that I do not like who I am ... well ... I am a little bit. I am currently at a whopping 258 pounds. The heaviest I have been was 269 when I was about to pop with Turtle. You have NO idea how carefully I watched my diet during my last pregnancy because I was NOT going to break 270.

Let me back WAY up and take you guys on a little journey ... to see what I see and my acknowledgement of where I am today.

I was not always a big girl ... in fact, I was pretty gosh darn thin until high school. I biked everywhere and played. I got into an accident in 1994 and so began my life of excuses. I messed up my knee real bad and was not able to run or play soccer without it giving out. I didn't change the way I ate though!

I began to gain weight and by the time I graduated high school, I was 200 pounds. I got the desire to start losing weight and began running. I entered the St. Patrick's Day 5K in 2000, weighing 180. I worked out a lot and was beginning to feel great. I also had 2 knee surgeries performed between 1997 and 2000.

When I met Jeremy, I was bouncing between 180 and 200 pounds. However ... I told myself that I was fat. I could only see myself as a person in size 16 that desired to be in a size 6 or 8. Crazy, I know. But that is how I was. Then .... I got pregnant. I barely put on weight with ANY of my girls and with Bullfrog it was crazy. While I know that it was due to steroid shot and possible extremely late onset of gestational diabetes, it did not change the fact that I became a slug after he was born.

Between 2002 and 2004 ... I went from 200 pounds to 250 pounds. I stayed at 250 pounds for a LONG time. Then, I steadily gained until I went out into the work force. Started at PetSmart and knocked off a good 20 pounds while working there. It didn't stay off though ... after quitting, I had a miscarriage and then jumped to where I am today, 260. Even after two babies and losing more than my pregnancy weight gain with the last!

My diet consisted of whatever the heck I wanted, energy drinks, and soda. After several starts and stops with weight loss plans and ideas ... I am putting a stop to it. I am going to get serious. I have serious goals and a reward system in place. I am going to share them with you.

Stats:

• Current weight - 258
• Goal weight - 135
• Ideal weight range - 115 to 154

Goals:

• Reach 200 pounds by my 35th birthday (Oct 23, 2014)
• Reach my goal weight by my 13th anniversary (May 25, 2015)
• Start walking with my husband
• Workout 4x a week
• Consume 8 c of water a day ... and work my way up to 1/2 my body weight in water
• Soda only once in a blue moon

I am currently using MyFitnessPal, Earndit, MapMyFitness, and Endomondo for tracking weight loss and exercises. My favorite weight loss programs are Blogilates and Lauren Fitz.

I am so sore

So, last week I went caffeine free and by Friday, I decided that I want to really push this weight loss journey of mine. While it is not Friday just yet, I want to give anyone who wants to join me in losing weight. It doesn't matter if it is a nagging 5-10 pounds, or closer to 150 pounds. I am not going to do any diet plan that costs a lot of money. It is simply going to be me, eating healthy, working out, and blogging about my journey.
I will be doing this NORMALLY on Fridays.

I plan to weigh-in and keep myself accountable. I am still using My Fitness Pal, but I also like a few free apps on my phone (Android):

• Fitness Buddy
• Runtastic (I have abs, push-ups, sit-ups, and squats)
• Map My Fitness

After spending 30 minutes on my elliptical today, I can tell you this will be a LONG journey. However, it will be one that is totally worth it!

60 hours in ...

I quit caffeine (outside of chocolate and other natural caffeine sources) Tuesday morning shortly before noon. I expected my headaches to be much worse, but I have only had one massive migraine. I have been flushing my system with a lot of water and I am taking herbs that help with the flush.
Honestly, I thought it was going to be harder. The things I am having the hardest time with is the missing the taste of the soda and the fact I feel super tired. My husband assures me that I am not any more tired than I was before. I am sure much of it is my body getting rid of excess sugar.

Okay ... so for the other reason why I cut the energy drinks ... my weight loss journey.

Starting weight: 261 (I hate writing that number down)
Weigh-in this morning: 258

I know that most of the weight loss is water weight. I am going to be adding in a few more things slowly, as I increase my exercising (need to get my elliptical fixed). I will be doing a blog every Friday for Fitness Friday. I will update you on how I am doing as far as exercising, diet, and weight loss. Feel free to join me in the comments! I am putting this out for the world because it forces me to be held accountable. It also gives me the ability to have people pick me up when I start to falter.