a new challenge you say?

So, as most of you know, I am a beachbody coach. (no I am not trying to sell you anything, this is just important to know for the story about my crazy night with my husband) I want to do the Ultimate Reset - a detoxing, ph balancing, taking you down to  vegan diet to reset your body, 21 day program. It is kind of a pricey program, but well worth it. My husband, the forever skeptic, tells me this morning that he has thought about it, and if I work out for two hours a day and drink one Shakeology a day. Not hard, just have to increase the workout time. I can do this! No problem. We start the reset on November 26 and will end just before Christmas. It will be good accountability.

So as my night continues, I go over homework with my daughter, get her backpack ready and settle down to watch my fave show, Once Upon a Time. My husband says, are you going to workout? I say yes and shortly after Revenge starts, I get my shoes on and put on Turbo Jam. John, ever so sweetly goes into the kitchen and puts dinner away and then I smell something... something with grease. I asked him if he ate something and I get told no. Apparently I asked the wrong question because he later fesses up he cooked something - left over pizza. Left over really meaty greasey pizza. So while I am kicking, punching, jabbing and getting my jenga on, John is eating two pieces of Ginos pizza. He then begins with the comments, reach higher, kick harder, stop doing low impact... yadda yadda yadda...

I started teasing him about his eating habits and then comes a challenge... challenge number 2! My big stinking mouth says, "I bet I can lose 20 lbs before you can!" Crap. This man can just think diet and loses 15 lbs. I know this because during my July challenge, he did! So here goes nothing. I am on another challenge. My goal is to do it before I even start my reset and really stick it to him and his fatty food eating, beer drinking self! I love you John, but this means war!

-Kayla-

Stumble

So - This past month has been a bust for me. I have gained weight back and with the crazyness of this life, it has been easy to once again put myself on the back burner. Ladies (gentlemen too), why do we do that? Why do we as women put ourselves last? Is it the whole nuture versus nature, or is it because our nature is to nuture... everyone but ourselves?

I am really good at this, getting on the band wagon and then falling off! So because I want this time to be so much more different then every other time I had yoyo'd my weight, I am determined to find out WHY my commitment comes and goes - except I dont think it comes and goes, I think I just allow myself to be on the back burner.

There are obvious reasons why we put ourselves last
1. Kids
2. Spouses
3. Prior Commitments
4. Our Jobs
5. House Work
6. Family Matters
... and the list can go on and on

As I was thinking about this list I was still thinking to myself that my reasons to keep going have got to be bigger than this! They are, my kids deserve a mom and dad who are healthy and happy and they have one of those - unfortuneately for them, its their dad and he is the bread winner of the family so he is not the one who is always there and they get me, the woman with a body complex. Have I passed that on to them? Do they worry about their weight? The size of their clothes? Does my first grader compare herself to the other girls in her class and feel bigger? Does she know that she is on the charts perfect and in the eyes of her momma perfect? My three year old is perfect. My 16 month old is the silliest kid I have ever met and the three of them are the biggest gift from God I have ever recieved.

How did I get this way? Kids don't grow up comparing themselves to other kids unless its about how fast, what toy they have, what vacation they went on for spring break. You get the occasional bully on the playground who calls you fat, points out the zit - but we all know its that person too who has the insecurities that are taught.

Gosh, you know, I was going to tell you about my childhood and how things transpired that maybe led me to where I am, but the more I think about it the more I feel like its an excuse. I mean I do believe you are taught selfimage, and I had some unfortunate things lead me to believe I was fat and it was a horrible thing but YOU ARE NOT YOUR PAST! I AM NOT MY PAST!

So here I am, needing to get back on board with my journey. Thankfully I haven't gained it all back, but a gain in itself is frustrating to me. I have worked too hard to go back! (I have bought too many smaller pairs of jeans too!) I need to keep journaling, keep working and inspiring myself and others. If I can do this, so you can.

Im back BABY!

Dear Parents

This one is for you. It was like an epiphany for me! Why do we go the gym and pick up McDonalds on the way for the kids to eat? Why do I drink organic milk but give my kids store bought. Why do I pass on the box mashed potatoes but give my kids extra?
WHY ARE WE NOT TREATING OUR KIDS BODIES THE SAME WAY WE TREAT OURS?

My kids eat healthy. They love their fruit and vegetables. They love chicken and steak. They also love their chicken nuggests and french fries. I don't eat it but I will allow them to. Why? Why do we run through the drive thru for our kids (or spouses) and then come home to make something for us?

Let me be perfectly clear, I am not parent bashing - I am GUILTY of doing this.

I was thinking about all the changes I have made to lose my 30+ pounds in the last year. I cut out junk and added a lot of fresh produce. When my kids ask why I am eating squash and zucchini with my baked chicken - I say to eat healthy. When they ask why I didnt get the Mcdouble when I got their happy meals, I say to be healthy. Why dont I be a parent and say no? Why is something not good enough for me going into my child's belly?

I have found that kids will eat what you give them. They will eat what you teach them to eat. My girls are beginning to LOVE salad. They are beginning to LOVE raw veggies and fruit. They are starting to NOT ask for McDonalds and request water over juice. Healthy begins when you are young

-Kayla-

Biggest Adventure yet! BEACHBODY COACHING!!

Hello! I have recently embarked on a new journey - I am working for Beachbody as a Coach! I am really excited about this opportunity. It will allow me to share what I have learned and help others achieve the results I have achieved during my own Beachbody Challenge!

Not sure who Beachbody is? Beachbody is the company responsible for putting out workout programs such as Hip Hop Abs, Turbo Jam, Brazilian Butt Lift, Yoga Booty Ballet, Turbo Fire, ChaLEAN Extreme, p90x and Insanity. Beachbody is a wellness company who developed Shakeology and sell a variety of other suppliments to meet your body's needs.

Shakeology is a completely natural wellness shake. Use it as a recovery drink like my husband, or use it as a meal replacement like me - you will feel the benefits from it very quickly. Its all natural ingredients allow your body to have more energy, less cravings and feel satisfied long after drinking your shakes! The shakes come in multiple flavors and you have the choice for them to even be Vegan approved! For more information and to hear doctor's comments, head over to www.shakeology.com/kaylaski.

As I had mentioned above, I joined Beachbody in July as part of a 30 day challenge! It was a fast month of working hard, enjoying shakes and checking in with my other challenge mates for support and ideas to keep going. There were only 10 rules to follow during this challenge!
10 Challenge Group Commitments:

1. I will follow the program.
2. I will drink Shakeology once a day.
3. I will positively engage with the small group.
4. I will log my workouts in WOWY Supergym.
5. I will not over train.
6. I will share my activity.
7. I will share my physical results.
8. I will share my emotional and social results.
9. I will finish.
10. I will pay it forward.

During my challenge I used ChaLEAN Extreme, losing 6 lbs in 30 days (1.5 lbs a week!) and 12.5 total inches off my body. These programs work. I will not promise you that it will be easy, but I know they work! For more about my journey you can visit my weight loss journey blog at www.fatgirlshred.blogspot.com.

In September, I am starting my very own Challenge Group! My rules will be few and we will work mostly through social media. Beachbody offers different Challenge Pack varieties that include your workout program and Shakeology at a discounted price.

Kayla's 8 Challenge Group Commitments

1. I will follow my chosen program.
2. I will drink Shakeology once a day.
3. I will engage with the small group - sharing activity, physical, emotional and social results.
4. I will log my workouts in WOWY Supergym - it's a free chance to win $MONEY$.
5. I will send in my photographed weight to my coach on the designated days.
6. I will finish my challenge.
7. I will log in and track my food at www.myfitnesspal.com or on the myfitnesspal app DAILY
8. I will pay it forward.

If you are interested, when you sign up for a Challenge Group, you can join yourself as a Beachbody Coach for FREE. There is a monthly fee to continue being an active coach. If you are active duty military, you can be a coach for FREE with all monthly fees waved as well! All coaches will get 25% off all products too!

If you want to learn more about Beachbody or their products, visit me at www.teambeachbody.com/kaylaski. There is no time like the present and you can achieve results any age! Are you ready for the challenge?

Set Back?

I didn't win the challenge. Set back? No. It is all a mental thing. We could allow ourselves to give up or quit everytime something doesn't go our way. Disappointed, yes - and that's okay. However, I will not allow this to consume my day or even more than a moment! I am choosing to use this as a two things

1. A learning lesson. I put in a ton of hard work but I also know where I need to fix things now - how you eat is just as important as how you work out. If you keep eating like you always did you will weigh what you always weighed!
2. This was NOT a loss. This was a jump start. I am not going to be able to do challenges to push me the rest of my life. I will ONLY be able to do my best. I know I will have slip ups - you are not honest if you say you will not. Life happens.

This challenge has shown me what can be done and what I am capable of. I never thought I would ever be able to:
- use 20lb free weights
- do forearm planks and rotate my hips from side to side
- do burpees/mountain climber burpees in a turbo and do them ALL
- learn to love the way my elbows burn and feel nauseated when I push so hard
- run 1.5 miles without stopping
- be brave enough to sign up for four 5k runs and a Survival Run
- want to put working out as a priority
- be an inspiration to people
- be comfortable working out with my husband in the same room
- do some bycicle ab workouts and scissor kick abs!
- ever be able to wear shorts again

I want to tell Cory a big thank you for taking me on this Challenge, I am very grateful I got to be a part of it. It really PUSHED me to the next level I needed to be at mentally and physically to get the job done to really live out the fat girl shred!

-Kayla-

My photo Journey



So there is my picture photo journey!

Here is my beginning before (below) and after (above) for this challenge

MY NEW MEASUREMENTS!

Thigh Before 29" After 26"

Hips Before 52" After 49"

Waist Before 46.5" After 43.5"

Arm Before 14" After 12.5"

Bust Before 42" After 40"

Last Day of Challenge!

Time has just flown by! I mean really - I thought these last 30 days would really be the death of me. When I started out I weight more, I was a larger, more tired person. I was grumpier and had a shorter temper. When I committed to this, I knew I was ready and I wanted to- but what I DIDN'T know was how much I would enjoy it! I didn't know how much I would grow in my confidence and I didn't know my husband and I would connect better through working out! (Nothing like telling your husband why you don't want to be seen naked! That really opens the floor to a lot of conversation!)  I thought I would just push through it and work to get it done, but not really work to LOVE it and now I DO!

Today in turbo kick, it went by so fast! And Abby did turbo after turbo today! It felt GOOD though. At the end, today, I wasn't ready to be done. That is an accomplishment in itself! When I did get tired during a turbo - I looked over at Karen and thought Damn! She was killing it today! So I pushed myself harder. I wasn't in competition, but I was inspired to DO MORE! We were so sweaty by the end of the workout that during forearm planks, we both were sliding on our sticky mats!

So I am reading Chalene Johnson's book, PUSH. I really like it. She has a whole chapter on Fat Free Friends. Friends who push you, who are drama free, healthy, supportive and successful! I am so thankful for my group of ladies who have joined me on my journey. I am so thankful to have an immediate support group and I am grateful that the circle has been growing! Thank you so much Melissa, Karen, Grace, Cory, Lissa, Erin, and Deb! You ladies have either given me support, kept me trying, joined me in a work out or lead by example. I am very grateful to you!

Of course, I am also very grateful to my Super Fat Free Husband! He has pushed me to tears! There have been workouts I have been so wanting to throw up in and he says "So go throw up, rinse your mouth and come back!"  Through this challenge he was one person who called me out when I wasnt working to my full potential. He praised me and he really pushed me!

Tonight I will post my final challenge pictures and inches measurments. Tomorrow is our last weigh in day so I will post the final results tomorrow. Still got time today to go kill it! 

Please keep following me to my next goal - running and SUCCESSFULLY completeing The Survival Run! I will be posting pictures of training and my progress. Just because this challenge is over does NOT mean that I am done with this transformation! I have too much to lose if I give up everything I have gained in only 30 days!

-Kayla-

Starting to Feel the Pressure!

I started this whole blog to help keep myself accountable and while on my journey I have heard a lot of people saying I am an inspiration and they are proud of me. It has felt so good to hear all that stuff! It definitely kept me going.

I am so nervous about this final weigh in. I weighed myself yesterday (Friday) and I have GAINED two pounds. I am confident it will go back down by Wednesday, but still - it is discouraging. I am not a person of patience and I am annoyed to see that I have put on weight when I know I am putting in the time and tracking my calories. I also just want so badly for people to see that I am putting my money where my mouth is. Both literally and metaphorically. I have invested a lot of time, money and dedication to this and I so badly want to just have it pay off.

“The truth is we all get tired, we all get weary. In fact, if you never feel like giving up, then your dreams are too small. If you never feel like quitting, then you need to set some larger goals. When that pressure comes to get discouraged and to think about how you can’t take it anymore, that is completely normal. Every person feels that way at times.”

- via Joel Osteen Ministries

 

Today I kind of felt like giving up. Today I did not want to work out, but not like how I haven't before - it was because today I felt defeated! I felt like I am not going to win this challenge. I have slipped up here and there and I am irritated. The scale is not reflecting my hard work. I feel like somewhere I am messing up. It doesn't help that I am a VERY competitive person. Others are seeing my progress but it's the worse when I cannot see it. So to keep me going I have decided to stop thinking about ONLY the challenge - it sounds crazy but I think maybe the pressure of only have like three days left is making me kinda crazy. I have enrolled in a few 5k runs --

September 15 - Fit for Fall 5k with the YMCA

September 29 - Survival Run (Mud Run)

September 30 - Race for the Cure

October 6 - Color Run

 

Please don't misunderstand me. I have NOT given up on my challenge. I still am finishing those workouts and doing my best to win! I just have to get in a mind set that I need to keep going AFTER my challenge is over. I need to get in the mind set of training for these runs and trying to get an AWESOME time.

 

I have to make a special shout out to a few friends, Karen. She has been so supportive and really helped me get out of my funks even if she didn't know it. Melissa for congratulating me for accomplishing doing burpees. It meant a lot to see that someone else noticed I DID IT!

 

So please, hold me accountable. Encourage me. Ask me questions and check up on me. I will be honest, the pictures will show it. I want to keep being that inspiration. I want to be that role model for big girls (or anyone really) to know, you can do it!

 

-Kayla-

Working out for.. my marriage?

There are so many reasons we work out.

To impress someone
To lose weight
To get better confidence
To train for an event
To tone and tighten up
To help your marriage

While it is a no brainer on why working out makes a marriage better - today my husband told me some info that caught me off guard a little bit. He said I was a happier person on the days when I work out. I was kind of surprised by this announcement. I always try to be nice to my family. I never wake up in the middle of the night or in the morning and think "I'm going to go out of my way to be nasty today - especially in my marriage."

It's kinda interesting though - working out it has been quite an experience for my husband, John, and I. I think I shared a little before, but I was really thin when I started dating John, even after I had my first daughter, things came back to where they were supposed to be! Over six years and two more kids, I don't know what did it or when it REALLY happened, but I had gained over 60 lbs. I was embarrassed to share how much I weighed or the size of my clothes. I began a long fad of yo yo dieting and working out and before I knew it, my closet was filled with fat girl clothes.

One day I went through my closet to make space for new things and I had to get rid of old clothes that didn't fit anymore. It was kinda of heart breaking. Then I decided I didn't care if I was over weight. I would rather do fun things with my family and be fat and happy! I didn't REALLY feel that way, but it was a better way of dealing with it than the hard work I knew I would have to put in to really be that person I felt like but clearly didn't look like.

At one point in our marriage, it was very rocky too! I mean I think we all have gone through our chapter in marriage where things are looking grim, where you aren't sure what is going to happen in the next few weeks but you know it can make or break your marriage! During that time I tried really hard to lose weight. I had two reasons, I wanted to be irresistible to him and if we didn't stay together, I wanted him to miss what he had. Let me tell you - THOSE ARE STUPID REASONS! I did get results, but they didn't last. It didn't last because it was for the wrong reasons. Losing weight will not solve you marriage's issues. That takes communication.

In August, I wanted to lose weight. My oldest daughter started school and since I have to take and pick her up, I had no excuses why I couldn't get right to the gym. So I started going on a regular basis. I think that since I wanted this for ME  it worked! And because I wanted this for me, my husband was so supportive and that opened up the doors of communication in a part of my life that I never wanted to share with him. You should want to share every aspect of your life with your LIFE partner.

On my list of goals, I never wrote "I want better communication with my Husband. I want him to know how much I hate being over weight and how much I want to be better at my life, starting with my health!" But that's where I am now. I am noticing that since I can tell him I am a fatty mcfat fat and I can SEE that he doesn't care and loves me anyway and supports me in my journey - I can tell him ANYTHING - even about the pair of shoes or new workout pants I have bought :)

I guess John's comment today really made me reflect on how much more working out and getting healthy is for me and our marriage. More than a size goal, a weight goal or a timed race goal - it's really creating a whole new part of life for us - and I kinda like it!

-Kayla-

OMG - WEEK FOUR!

When I began writing this blog, it was about 2 weeks prior to my challenge. I cannot believe today (Monday) kicked off the beginning of week 4! I officially only have 10 days left. This to me is insane.
I have decided to add some updated pictures. I am feeling a lot stronger, but to be honest - I am not seeing anything great with my looks. Maybe its because It is ME and I don't notice it. I have gotten some compliments, but I am really ready to see it all just fall off - literally, just all the weight fall off!



first set of pictures. grey and blue hot MESS is the earliest working to the left for the newest (at that time)

at the beginning of the challenge







week 2ish

So there is my photo journey. I do see changes. Not like what I WANT to see, but I did that in 20 days, so lets see what can happen in the next 10!!!

-Kayla-

Hurt Feelings

When a child says something horrifically truthful but not always PC - we like to say "Out of the mouths of babes" BUT really, it can be hurtful.

Today while working out my daughter had informed me I looked weird. A few days ago she informed me I looked like a Chinese Dancer. I have no clue what that meant, but she thought she was making a joke. I shrugged it off. But today - today after she informed me I looked "weird" she took it a step further to close our blinds. I asked her what are you doing? She replied to me that I was embarrassing her. Ouch!

Throughout my journey, I was hoping to make my habits be an inspiration to her or make her have a drive to want to be physically active as well! I wanted her to know that being fit was a good thing and to do the whole "monkey see - monkey do" thing. Today stung. It almost shook me to be embarrassed to do it in front of her. I actually sent her to her room cause she really hurt my feelings. It was weird to be slightly wounded by a five-year-old's words. We had been through the "I want a new mom" stage and "I don't like you." I didn't care about any of those things. I knew she didn't really mean it and that it was because that occasion didn't pan out the way she had wanted. This time was different. I think maybe I want her to be proud of her mom.

I finished the work out and she came out of the room and did the ab part of it with me, but still as I reflect I want to know why did that bother me so much? If I didnt care if the neighbors saw me doing kick boxing, why on earth should she. Have I not given her confidence? Is she lacking in the extravert catagory?

I will continue doing my workouts and maybe as time goes on, she will be more proud and less embarrassed of me. Either way, this girl is not done with her fat girl shred!

-Kayla-

Vocabulary

I am pretty sure most of you readers know by now that I am a mom. What I am not sure of is if you all know I am a mom of two little (but very observant) girls. I also have one very cool (and total gift from God - another story that deserves its own blog at another time) son. Right now, let's focus on my girls. They are 5 and 3 years old. They love going to the gym with me. We call it "zumba" because that's what I went for all the time when I began my weight loss journey.

My 5 year old has been coming to the gym with me since she was about 6 months of age. She is very familiar with the employees, the equipment and how to navigate the area to get to the children's area. Now that I am home working out and going to the gym and openly talking about my journey with a lot of people, she has also picked up on some jargon.

Just as I have become more acutely aware of how big I had allowed myself to be, she also became aware of that. I was using words like "skinny" or "fat" instead of fit and healthy. Since I was so concerned with my weight, she was concerned with my weight - worse though, she was concerned with her own weight. She started asking if she was skinny or fat. My daughter also began looking at other kids as skinny or fat. I was very worried! (Still am a little bit)

I need my daughters to know that no matter how big or little they will ever be, their attitude is what makes you beautiful and that you should only worry about your weight to be healthy. Being 80 lbs over weight isn't what makes me unattractive - being a smart mouth and having a short temper makes me unattractive. (That's right people, those are two of my biggest flaws!) Being 80 lbs is what makes me unhealthy. My body is not meant to carry that. My Heart was not build to have to work harder to pump blood through all that fat and all that tissue. My lungs shouldn't have to breathe harder and my joints were not meant to hold up all that weight. That is what makes it unhealthy - not ugly.

So as I started to see what my little 5 year old was seeing, I started to change my way of thinking inside and to verbalize what really mattered, being fit. Now when we go to the gym, when my 3 year old says, "Mom, why are we going to zumba?" I do not reply with "Because I want to be skinny" I reply with "Because I want to get fit and healthy."

I don't ever want my daughters to feel like they have to be a weight or size to be pretty. I want them to KNOW its important for them to be fit and healthy because that is what is important. I want them to want to be active and not sit on the sidelines and an unhealthy body cannot do that. Furthering this a little bit down the road - I am making a lifestyle change and as my son begins to realize what is going on, I want him to value a girl who she is, not her size. A girl who is fit - healthy and active.

I know I will never be a size 2. I am okay with that. I have wider hips, a round butt and I like my curvy thighs - my husband likes them too! I just want a toned and healthier version of this. :) It is all about perspective - from your eyes and from your children's eyes. So for all of you who are in a child's life and who are on their own weight loss journey to a newer, more fit you - I encourage you to change your vocabulary like I am. It will trigger a new mindset for you  as well. I changed from wanting a size to a weight to just hitting goals that will SHOW me I am getting HEALTHIER.

New Goals

At the beginning of my challenge, I posted some goals I wanted to meet. So I thought I would update since its been 2 weeks.

Goals I met:
- Signed up for 2 races (Race for the cure and Color Run)
- We have started gathering people to run the Ohio/Michigan Tough Mudder in June of 2013
- Started a downline with my new job as a Beachbody Coach
- I am down 4 lbs
- I track my food daily - being good at doing my Shakeology and staying within my calories
- Completed all my current and past Challenge Workouts


Some of these were not on my old goal post, but they are things I am proud of and habits I am anxious to keep! Just over 2 more weeks to go and I have a 10 lb goal. I could use all the encouragement I can get!





 I am so grateful to my husband because he is so good at pushing me to my limits and beyond. I truly could not do this without him. We have become so much closer. Before I would never share my weight or workout infront of him - now I dont like to do it unless he is there. We can laugh at ourselves and we enjoy our workout time together! I love it.

Here's to a happier healthier me (and you!)

-Kayla-

RANT

I try to be a positive person but there is really ONE thing that ticks me off about weight loss. So here it goes:

The cost of healthy food. I have a family of five on a single income that I have to provide for - much like everyone else. The cost of McDonald's food and junk in the grocery store is so CHEAP but to get out the door with enough fruit and veggies to last me a week and meat and dairy to last a while runs me about 200+ a trip! I have found a local produce market who sells ripe produce at a fraction of the cost - but if I am not careful, it goes bad very quickly. I still chose that one over a mega food store - just make multiple trips.

We wonder why there is an obesity epidemic - a lot of it has to do with choices - but what influences a purchase choice? Money. Everyone wants more bang for their buck and when it comes to food - cheaper = junk.

Why isn't there a sin tax on fast food or junk like there is alcohol and cigarettes? Just seems like it would be the right step in the right direction to encourage people to eat healthier!

------------------------------------

The solution?

My solution was to seek out (by recommendation of others or ads) smaller produce markets. They normally have better deals than the big grocery stores. I also have started shopping at my local ALDI store for the canned goods and boxed foods - which leaves me more money for meats and produce. I encourage you to do the same. My husband and I have also allowed more of our monthly budget to go towards food too.  See what works for you and keep moving!

One week weight!

So as promised ... my weight! 204lbs! Down THREE POUNDS! I will take it! My body will take it. Did you know that for every pound lost, you lose 4 pounds of pressure off your joints? That is insane! So I will keep this post short, but I will leave you with this, a pound is a pound - and in 7 days I lost three.

 A plan, some hard work and dedication - thats it! That means YOU can do it too!

Compliments

Today I have received a compliment from someone who didn't know I was working hard to lose weight and that was awesome. What a motivator to be told you LOOK different! That's the goal right? (Kinda) It's half the goal. The goal is to LOOK and FEEL good. To be HEALTHY inside and out. But none the less, it felt good to have an adda-girl without expecting it.

Its nice to see what hard work does! It makes things worth it and gives you that little bit of a push that you need to keep going when you just want to end a little sooner than you should end.

This week I am trying to push just a little harder. I am pushing to track my food better, to drink more water, use heavier weights and really focus on my form for ideal results.




I really am starting to think all this is, is mind over matter.
It is your mind thinking you can do more than or less than you can -
and if you believe it and follow it - that is what you will achieve. Its
all a mind set. So start thinking, YOU CAN DO IT!

When I signed up for my challenge and I decided to start working hard, an hour seemed so long, now I think an hour is nothing! I try to tell myself
"What is an hour of your day for a lifetime of memories 
you can have because you are tight and lean and healthy!"

The more you want to succeed the harder you will work! The harder
you work, the better results you will have and that will give you the
motivation to keep you going! (kinda like that book, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie")
You can do it. I know this because I am doing it - a mom of three under 5 - who is about
80 lbs over weight! I am seeing it in myself and now I know other people see
it in me, because I just got my first non-prompted compliment!

Feel free to make your own MyFitnessPal food diary and join me (DearGym)
 on phase 2 of my journey- really tracking what I am eating. I would love the
accountability of your commentskeeping me in check! If you eat poorly and
workout, you wont see huge changes. It just wont happen. I'd love you have
you join me on my journey and work along side you as you begin yours!

-Kayla-

Day 8 (start of week 2)

Weight - I forgot to weigh myself BEFORE I worked out - I will update tomorrow (sorry!)
Workout today : Ab Jam - Chalean Extreme Burn Circuit 1 / Dance Party - 1 mile walk at local gym

My next official weigh in is on Friday. Kinda nervous - whenever I work out, I never show great weight loss quickly. My only comfort is I KNOW I am putting in the time and effort way more than I was before so I should see something, right?

As promised, here are my new pictures. I will put the other ones up here too just so we can compare.

There is a slight difference

Notice the saggy arm skin - at least its smaller, right?
There is a slightly smaller pooch and gut -
better results come next week!

So there you have it! Hard work is paying off! Tracking calories IS paying off. I can do this!

-Kayla-

Bring on WEEK 2

I feel like its been forever since I blogged last! (when really it has only been two days) - I am on the start of week two for my challenge. I am experiencing so weird heel pain (plantar f!@#$%^&*()_  or maybe heel spurs? I don't know how to spell that f word that follows plantar) and I have had to take the weekend really easy - only doing my challenge workouts! It is hard to feel like you are limited! I know maybe some of you are feeling kind of the same way - weight is holding you back or some kind of disability - but a little bit is better than nothing at all!

So tonight, I will have John take pictures of me so you can see my one week progress - not thinking you will see very big changes, but the pictures are for me as much as for you! I like to see change and I know put the work in to make change!

So - here are a few things I have learned this past week -

1. In the past I did not work as hard as I thought I was. I have pushed myself to muscle failure multiple times this week - doing everything I could to not drop the weights I was holding in my hands. If I had worked out that hard and had the confidence that I do now (I CAN DO IT) I would be a lot further than I am now

2. I felt like my arms were level and working and they were not! I thought I was doing full range of motion and didn't get why my arms weren't getting as toned as I thought they should - people BUY a mirror and use it! You cannot correct what you cannot see! It makes a huge difference!

3. Having a workout buddy is a must! Without my sister or my husband doing this with me (along with a few other friends) I would have been burnt out and ready to give up! This is no joke- its hard work. No one likes to be doing something that's not always fun, alone! Get a partner and start walking - go for bike rides - do your own home workout - join a gym together and just the classes together (I think you work harder in a class anyhow) I don't know of anyone who says "I am happy being tired and unhealthy. No, I do not want to get fit! Especially if I have someone with me to be my accountability partner... nope."

4. Breakfast is essential. I like to workout in the morning - just starts my day right! I have been eating breakfast and when I don't I am so tired. I know I am not giving it my all and its because my body is used to and NEEDS that energy. (PS - Breakfast does NOT mean doughnuts or coffee cake)

5. Shakeology WORKS! I am full - I am content - I am energized - I am not craving sweets. It works.

6. Stop taking yourself so seriously. When I am serious, I am so focused on what I am doing and then I compare myself. When I do dance party, I let go and I don't care who looks at me funny. I am more willing to jump more willing to make bigger arm movements and get my heart pumping!

7. Keep making goals. Since doing the challenge I have signed up for three more 5k runs! I am excited because I know these are short term -REALISTIC- goals!

Bring it on Week Two - This girl is READY for some FAT GIRL SHRED!

-Kayla-

Day 5

Today was a real life day. Today I did not have the ability to just stay home all day and I did not make time to do my workout. Today I made a choice to hang out with friends and do a garage sale, clean my house, and then go out with my hubby. I decided to make time for my family, so Sunday - my normal day of scheduled rest, I will be completing Saturday's workout and going right into week 2. Today I allowed myself a few indulgences. I ate pizza had a hamburger and had a drink (cherry vodka with sprite) - and I am not upset about it. I went out with my husband and we laughed and laughed and laughed and we have not done that in a long time.

I am not upset because I know I will get right back to where I need to be because I WANT this - I want it bad. I know I can do this and I will not let one day determine tomorrow. I will still track my calories on www.myfitnesspal.com and I will still report to my fellow challengers how my day went.

I am posting this because I need to be honest about it - just like I want you to be honest about your journey. If you keep a food journal, you need to be honest about what you eat. You will change nothing - not your weight, not a bad habit, not a relationship if we pick and choose what we are honest about and what we choose to hide.

Whether you have big plans or lazy days, make choices and keep going. If you get off track, get back on. YOU can do this. If I can do this, you can do this and it has taken me a lot of years to realise things wont happen in an instant. Its a process and everything you do have to be maintained at such a  level this can last a lifetime! Have a great weekend!

-Kayla-

Day Four Part 2

Today I dud 2 workouts, both Turbo Jam. It feels good to say that I have completed everything I have been trying to accomplish.

Today I ate some yummy food - the kicker, it was all modified to be better for me! The biggest meal for me was dinner. I had sloppy joes - french fries and corn on the cob! The sloppy joes were cooked with sirloin so there was less fat, i only used half a bun but ate more meat - i baked the fries and added no salt to my meal. I had corn, but did not butter it and it was so sweet! One small paper plate filled and I was full!


Today during my home "challenge" workout, I was feeling some pain in my heal so I decided to take it low impact. John was watching me and made the comment, you are barely doing it. He was right, I had taken it so low impact I wasnt punching hard - my arms didnt hurt - my foot did. So just cause I wasnt jumping didnt mean my arms couldnt have been higher or stronger - so I pushed myself harder and ended it on a good note!

Where are some areas you arent trying hard enough? Could  you just apply part of you to that and see if you can work a little harder?

There are two more days left in this weeks challenge! Have a happy Thursday night!

-Kayla-

day 4 - part 1

The other day I had shared how I threw myself a pity party. After talking to a few trainers and friends, I need to share something new with you - celebrate your accomplishments! We are so upset about what we haven't lost or what we cannot do. It will come with time. Focus on the big picture. For me, I started out at 230 in August - the beginning of my weight loss journey. I am down 23 lbs. That is the size of my son. I cannot imagine carrying him around all day. Are you kidding me? Up and down stairs, doing laundry, standing doing dishes - or even on the elliptical or doing zumba. But I was - I lost the size of my 13 month old child! Its all about perspective and when I think about what I DID do, I am amazed at what I am capable of doing! Here are some other items you may have lost in your own weight loss journey.

I hope that I reach an "Irish Setter" or "the World's Largest Ball of Tape" - but to think that I have already lost an automobile tire or how much Americans consume in pizza - that's crazy to think that my HARD WORK did that - and you can too! It's not about a pill or a wrap or a fad - those things work but they are only temporary and I don't know about you, but I want to look good in 20 years from now too! So be happy about what you have accomplished and you and I can look forward and get more motivation from that. Being upset about what you haven't done only makes you want to give up and then we lose nothing, not even a dozen Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.

-Kayla-

day three

Here are just a few of my pre August pictures

Today was a good day. My husband is getting way to excited about his workouts (Maybe its what keeps him going) but he is just insane. Keeps the house interesting anyhow :) I had three good workouts. One at my local gym and then I did ChaLEAN Extreme burn circuit 2 and Turbo Jam's Ab Jam. I was dying and John was right there helping to push me - he even threatened to call my Challenge Coach! Really? (I wont tell him, but I would hate it if he wasnt there pushing me. I know he will be a big reason I will have made such a success in my challenge!)

 Over all good day. I am starting to feel more hungry more often - I think that is a good thing.

Today my daughter asked my why skinny girls work out when they are already skinny - made me feel like sad, like she totally knows I'm fat and my daughter has the fat mom :( John answered her for me. I don't want to be the fat mom.

So far its been easy fitting in my Challenge WORKOUTS in to my daily routine. I think its cause I really want this. I talked to John's aunt last night - shes on her own weight loss journey and she said it best - It just comes down to how bad do you want it? I want it bad. I really do.

I think I may have mentioned this before, but I recently became a Beachbody Coach. They hold an annual summit in Vegas. How awesome would it be for John and I to use our 5 year anniversary to FINALLY get a honeymoon and do it there - since it is just about the same time we would celebrate! I love working for Beachbody. It is so easy to incorporate in my everyday life since I am already on this journey. I am finding people will text me or message me on here or on myfitnesspal or on facebook. Its so cool how we can all connect together! I am not a coach because I am perfectly fit - I decided to become a coach so I can learn with others and together beat obesity.

I don't think people realise how dangerous it is to be obese - I think sometimes we equate being fit with hard work and unenjoyable. I mean I remember my friend and I saying I would rather be fat and happy then skinny and deprive myself.

We hear things like it can cause heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Do you guys know what that means? Did you know you can lose your FEET form diabetes? Its insane. Here's a few more facts that may sway you to begin your own journey now--

http://weight-loss.emedtv.com/obesity/health-effects-of-obesity.html

Please just at least skim that link. (PS - you don't have to be over weight to be at risk for some of these, being unhealthy and not striving to be fit puts you at risk too!)

My next short term goal is to figure out how to incorporate more sleep into my night - after my kids fall asleep I am a night owl and it never fails, I only sleep 6-7 hours. If I only went to sleep and hour or two sooner...

Have an awesome Thursday people! Looking forward to day 4 of my official challenge!

-Kayla-

Pity Party

Today I was a big baby. I have written about this before but, I am not sure if I have become more aware about how much I really weigh and how big I really am. Being a size 16 is no joke people. I mean I started at an 18/20 in August, so I know I am making progress - it just seems like I will get dressed in the morning and then I leave and I feel good about myself. Later, I will look at pictures from a day when I thought I looked good and I think - WTF? Who let me look like that and why didn't anyone tell me you are putting on weight. Obviously these questions are both rhetorical, but still in my mind I am upset about how I really look. I hate how acutely aware I have become about how I look and what I weigh. But I need it. I cant hate something that isn't there, and I need this not to be there. I need to not wonder if my husband is checking out other women cause they are skinnier than me (Ladies, you know you have wondered the same thing here and there) or if the people in the gym are looking at me because when I run I jiggle more or because when I dance I have extra bounce in my body. I mean I specifically go to my 24 hour gym at night so people don't watch me run, silly right? I know I shouldn't compare but you would be lying if you said you never compared yourself to someone else physically. How I physically look and not just how I feel.

So today I took my daughters to a movie and ate crap. I told myself I would push myself in my workouts today to compensate. I did my Turbo Jam and then headed to a class at the gym, Dance Party. While I was at dance party it was hard not to notice I was the fattest girl in that class. Pity Party - party of one.. right here! I really didn't push it because I was so focused on what was around me and not focused on ME.

I didn't sign up for this challenge because I am already skinny and fit and runner ready - I did it because I need help. I need accountability. I need to shred these pounds to be a better mom for my kids. I need to shred these pounds and get fit to have a better marriage with my husband. I want to be confident and enjoy what I do and never have weight and unhealthy reasons to be self conscious or worry that I cant participate in things with the people I love. I wanted to join this group challenge to learn and establish healthy habits that I can continue after the next 28 days are over.

So now that I have allowed myself to be down about how I look, I have decided to never do this again! I have spent the last how many days being down. I need to just look at the skinny fit girl thats inside me and know that I am working hard to bring her out! At least I can rest in the fact that I still did the workouts, finished the day with healthy eating and didnt give up all together!

Here's to tomorrow! I think maybe I needed a slap in the face like today. I know I will accomplish more tomorrow because my attitude will be better!

-Kayla-

Today I weigh 207 lbs
I wear a tight 14/ loose 16 pant
I am only 5 feet 1.5 inches tall (I say 2 to make me happy)
My BMI is a 38 - for a healthy BMI it should be between 18 and 24 (between 100 and 130 lbs)

Bust 42'' - Waist 46.5" - Hips 52" - Thigh 29" - Arm 14"

I am doing a CheLEAN Extreme/ Turbo Jam Hybrid as my challenge
I am consuming Shakeology a minimum of one time a day

Today's Workout:
Dance Party at my local gym (50 minutes)
1.5 mile walk/run (26 minutes - my cool down)
ChaLEAN Burn Circuit 1 (36 minutes)
Turbo Jam 20 minute workout  (... 20 minutes)
Total time - 2 hrs 12 minutes

Today I tried the Chocolate Shakeology just plain - with water and ice in the blender and it was really Good! They send you a calendar of a different recipe for every day and I am not sure I will even use them! There was no funny after taste or anything. I was pleasantly surprised!




After working out at the gym, I was afraid that I wouldnt be able to complete my Challenge workout that I had committed to, but I did. I had John in my ear helping me with my form and pushing me to pick a heavier weight. By the time I was done I was dripping with sweat, from everywhere. My daughter said, mom you're wet! It felt good. I feel good. I am so pumped for the rest of the challenge.

John did the first step to p90x today. He really surprised me with how far he pushed himself. I was not as good as a cheerleader as he was for me. :[ I need to get better at that. It wasnt that I didnt want to, I didnt know what to say. He was in much better shape that he and I both thought and really rocked it! Yay, Honey!

Hope you all enjoyed the pictures from yesterday! Look forward to updating them weekly (not all of them) so you can join me on my journey. You can also join me on my food journey. I am on www.myfitnesspal.com and my screen name is DearGym. I will be logging what I eat daily. You can do it too!

-Kayla-

John and My Fit Test... yikes!

Push Ups Knees - 6

SO - as I promised (but a few minutes later than midnight so TECHNICALLY Monday) I am posting pictures of my fit test before I start ChaLEAN Extreme! It was not as bad as I thought, but the results were not as good as I had hoped. They really stress to only count what you can do while maintaining and striving for perfect form. So be kind and enjoy the beginning of my official 30 day Challenge journey.

Push Ups Toes - 0

Crunches - 61

4 count up and 4 count down Squats

23

Forearm Plank - 28 secs

Bicep Curl

15 lb weights - 12 reps

Flexibility Test

Ruler Lined Up With My Heels

Right at the end of my ruler. Fingers went passed just a little bit!

Overhead Shoulder Press - 10 lb Weights - 13 Reps

Bust 42 Inches

Waist 46.5 Inches

Hips 52 Inches

Thigh 29 Inches

Arm 14 Inches

John's Journey - My husband has been very supportive of me and agreed to do this with me. So I have decided to update him here and there. You guys can see us both do this together. It is so important to have people who uplift you and support you and motivate you. So I am thankful to have someone in my own house to really give me the truth how it is. (He started this already while doing the fit test, and he was right. I wasnt pushing myself hard enough!)

Crunches 60

4 count up and 4 count down squats 30

Side Profile

Forearm Plank - 50 secs (He didnt have three babies!)

Overhead Shoulder Press - 25 lb weights/ 10 Reps

Shoulder Press

Bicep Curl 30 Lb Weights/ 10 Reps

Push Ups (John says he doesnt so knees) Toes 26

Flexibility Test

Three Inches from his toes (I beat him at something)

( Look at that piece of sexy! :] )

I hope you noticed my sarcastic remarks about John. Really, I love the man to death but it really gets me going that men in general can say "diet" and lose ten pounds. :) I am excited to have my best friend with me on this road to healthy living. I am inspired by all the people around me, that I see regularly, who are encouraging to me! I am so excited for the opportunity I have in front of me and while I am still a bit nervous, I am eager to start tomorrow morning and get my workout and shakeology on!