Oklahoma has been having some crazy weather this week which has thrown my workouts off a little for some reason. Having some time off from the kids extracurricular activities is also making a little lazy. It has been nice to not be so insanely busy though!
How do you stay focused on your fitness goals when your routine is turned upside down? After next week our schedule will be all changed up for the Summer. I am having to look at my workout schedule and make some changes to it as well. I am having a hard time trying to figure out what I am going to do when. I know that I am going to have to give up my Tuesday and Thursday water aerobics class which I will probably replace with some weightlifting. I have also been trying to come up with some fun fitness related activities that my kids and I can do together. Hiking is at the top of the list and I think I would like to do some trail runs as well. We will definitely get some swimming in.
I would really like to hear from others on their plans for Summer fitness. Please leave me some comments and let me know what you are doing to get or stay fit this Summer!
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Monday, May 20, 2013
Staying Active
I have found that keeping myself active is easier when I am committed to other people. I clog, yep I have started clogging again. I spent the last school year teaching clogging to a group of kids and had a blast. I even had a few adults that started taking class, but in the end it was just my oldest daughter and I that clogged in recital. This is a picture of me and some tappers (not to be confused with clogging) who also happen to be some of my gymnasts taken backstage at recital.
And yes I coach gymnastics. I have two kids Jessica and Daniel that are slightly addicted to flinging their bodies around in the air so I have to support their habit somehow.
Gymnastics keeps me moving and lifting, and throwing kids around several hours a week. Good workout? Yep, I think so! Staying active isn't that hard when you just work to keep up with your kids and they can sure give a good workout! We went hiking in the Wichita Mountains and even the grandkids were giving me a run for my money.
Recently two of my daughters and I did a Color Me Rad run. That was a lot of fun and just fueled my addiction to 5k runs.
Oh I guess I should add that I dance because I have a dancer in the family. She is the blonde one on the left.
I set out on an adventure to get myself in shape and I am finding little things everyday that keep me moving above and beyond my workouts. The process so far has been very slow but at least it is steady not to mention fun!
And yes I coach gymnastics. I have two kids Jessica and Daniel that are slightly addicted to flinging their bodies around in the air so I have to support their habit somehow.
Gymnastics keeps me moving and lifting, and throwing kids around several hours a week. Good workout? Yep, I think so! Staying active isn't that hard when you just work to keep up with your kids and they can sure give a good workout! We went hiking in the Wichita Mountains and even the grandkids were giving me a run for my money.
Recently two of my daughters and I did a Color Me Rad run. That was a lot of fun and just fueled my addiction to 5k runs.
Oh I guess I should add that I dance because I have a dancer in the family. She is the blonde one on the left.
I set out on an adventure to get myself in shape and I am finding little things everyday that keep me moving above and beyond my workouts. The process so far has been very slow but at least it is steady not to mention fun!
60 Day Blog Challenge
I heard about a challenge yesterday and thought I would have a stab at it! This is post number 1 out of 60. I really like the idea of blogging as a way of journaling my adventures and sharing thoughts and ideas, but I have had a hard time staying committed to it. I guess technology stills scares me a little! This is the perfect time to get started on being more committed to my blog. The Village Green Network issued the 60 day blog challenge so I went and registered with them and now I am blogging my life away! Please leave me comments and be sure to check out the other blogs in the Village Green Network. And do be patient with me as I learn how to make my blog really cool!
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Today was the big day!! Back in November we signed up for a Dirty Girl Mud Run and the day finally came! We woke up early and got on the road by 6 am, got lost on the way up, then passed the park, got signed in and then the fun began!! Once all 9 of the team members gathered I think we all got excited and the lack of sleep from the night before was no longer on anyone's mind!
This was a 5k with obstacles. Some of us were ready to run, some us walked, but we all had a great time. Our first obstacle didn't look like much from the start line but when we got up to it we all got a little worried. Little did we know there was more where that came from.
This one was scary for me because it was closed in. Luckily it was short and wet and muddy and very cold!
Then there was the mountains and valleys. Unfortunately this area wasn't too muddy!
There was the really tall cargo net mountain that really tested my courage when it comes to heights. I was walking alone when I got to it and a perfect stranger talked me over it! That one was scary!!
Mud Fight!!
I think this wall was more difficult than the huge cargo net mountain to climb physically.
Under the net in the mud!! Did I say there was LOTS of mud?
Waist Deep mud and water!
Finish line in sight--it just didn't seem right to walk so we ran!!
The aftermath!! Shawna had already cleaned up (we were slow). Jocelyn (in purple) is our cancer survivor! Wish she was old enough to do the course with us!!
The best part of the whole day was watching my youngest daughter and my second daughter just go wholehearted and finish together (long before me) and then seeing my oldest and third daughter stay together when the third could have lapped us all! Gotta love playing with your kids!
The Lim girls!!!!
I can't forget my sister in law who stayed with us slow pokes the whole time!! I have to agree with her on the whole adventure. It really was nice to walk and enjoy the outdoors. We weren't timed, so there was no stress to move fast!
I accomplished what I set out to do! I made it over, through and under ALL the obstacles!! I feel like superwoman! What an awesome experience!
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Some old pictures and stats
I found some older photos from a weight loss program I did several years ago. There were also stats that I haven't compared to my current stats quite yet.
I thought I would share these photos and stats with everyone just for grins AND it is incentive for me. I was 258 ponds in these photos and had not hit the health problems at this point. Surprisingly I didn't start with the health problems until I had lost a little weight.
These pictures were taken Jan. 8, 2007.
Here are my measurement around that time.
December 1, 2006
Chest 47"
Waist 44 1/2"
Abdomen 53"
Hips 55"
Right thigh 30
Left thigh 29
Right Bicep 18
Left Bicep 18
January 31, 2007
Chest 45 1/2"
Waist 42 1/2"
Abdomen 47"
Hips 52 1/2"
Right thigh 27 1/2"
Left thigh 26 1/2"
Right bicep 15 1/2"
Left bicep 15"
Here are my last measurements
November 27, 2012
Neck 15
Bust 44
Waist 40
Hips 53
Right Arm 17
Left Arm 17
Right Thigh 28
Left Thigh 28
Right Calf 16.75
Left Calf 16.75
Chest 42
Right Forearm 11.5
Left Forearm 10.75
This picture was taken today. It isn't an official photo but maybe it will help me see some difference.
Some differences there! Keep your eyes peeled for more pictures this week and more stats.
The last couple of weeks have been hard with the holidays and I decided that I just wasn't going to torture myself while everyone else ate the goodies. So I just ate what I wanted and made sure I ate healthy. I still ate fudge and cookies and enjoyed them greatly!!
I thought I would share these photos and stats with everyone just for grins AND it is incentive for me. I was 258 ponds in these photos and had not hit the health problems at this point. Surprisingly I didn't start with the health problems until I had lost a little weight.
These pictures were taken Jan. 8, 2007.
Here are my measurement around that time.
December 1, 2006
Chest 47"
Waist 44 1/2"
Abdomen 53"
Hips 55"
Right thigh 30
Left thigh 29
Right Bicep 18
Left Bicep 18
January 31, 2007
Chest 45 1/2"
Waist 42 1/2"
Abdomen 47"
Hips 52 1/2"
Right thigh 27 1/2"
Left thigh 26 1/2"
Right bicep 15 1/2"
Left bicep 15"
Here are my last measurements
November 27, 2012
Neck 15
Bust 44
Waist 40
Hips 53
Right Arm 17
Left Arm 17
Right Thigh 28
Left Thigh 28
Right Calf 16.75
Left Calf 16.75
Chest 42
Right Forearm 11.5
Left Forearm 10.75
This picture was taken today. It isn't an official photo but maybe it will help me see some difference.
Some differences there! Keep your eyes peeled for more pictures this week and more stats.
The last couple of weeks have been hard with the holidays and I decided that I just wasn't going to torture myself while everyone else ate the goodies. So I just ate what I wanted and made sure I ate healthy. I still ate fudge and cookies and enjoyed them greatly!!
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
A Quick Update
I have been working hard on this getting in shape thing, but it sure is slow going!! I am so incredibly thankful for friends that are really supportive and encouraging (even if they can be silly--like saying they can't see me because I have lost so much---haha but I am not THAT skinny--YET!!).
I have been lifting weights twice a week, walking/runnning twice a week and clogging twice a week. I am definitely seeing a difference in my strength. The scale as stayed consistently at 238 but that is all the movement I have seen, inspite of my waist line shrinking. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed lifting weights. I look forward to the days I go to lift.
My plan for the rest of the month is to keep on keeping on. The next couple of weeks are going to be hard because the weight room I use will be closed most of the time, there are no clogging classes, and I will have to walk outside and I hate the cold weather! I will probably do alot of yoga. I bought a dress that I hung on the back of my bedroom door as incentive for the month. My goal is to wear it for the New Year.
I will be posting measurements on or around January 1, so if you are following my progress keep an eye out.
I have been lifting weights twice a week, walking/runnning twice a week and clogging twice a week. I am definitely seeing a difference in my strength. The scale as stayed consistently at 238 but that is all the movement I have seen, inspite of my waist line shrinking. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed lifting weights. I look forward to the days I go to lift.
My plan for the rest of the month is to keep on keeping on. The next couple of weeks are going to be hard because the weight room I use will be closed most of the time, there are no clogging classes, and I will have to walk outside and I hate the cold weather! I will probably do alot of yoga. I bought a dress that I hung on the back of my bedroom door as incentive for the month. My goal is to wear it for the New Year.
I will be posting measurements on or around January 1, so if you are following my progress keep an eye out.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
There is no stopping me now!!!
I have taken a turn in my journey. In 2007 I started ediets at the time I weighed over 250 lbs. I worked and worked, danced, worked out ate good and lost very little weight so I got discouraged after about a year and gave up. I did the Dr.Li diet for awhile and had some success, (I may even do it again in the near future just for the shear benefit of tightening up my skin) but it was expensive and tiring on many levels. I still sit at around 240 lbs.
Recently I signed up for another online weightloss community that is free and just wasn't feeling it. And on it goes!! No success, discouragement, hopelessness, ugh!!!
Not too long ago I started reading a book entitled 'Younger Next Year'--a must read for everyone! This book has been a major inspiration to me and has changed my life!!!
Then it happened.........
I was at the gym where I coach gymnastics with fellow coaches having a bridal shower for one of our coaches who was getting married. I have felt kinda akward at the gym being overweight and coaching. The others are younger and in a lot better shape. After the shower we all went out into the gym to hang out and I decided to get on a beam, I used a large mat as a step and walked the length of the beam for the first time since I started coaching 2 years ago, that was fun and a little enlightening. It takes core muscles to be able to walk on a beam, guess I don't have much of those!!
This was taken at my second daughter's wedding June 2, 2012. I was about 242 here! Love that face!!
At one point in the evening we were sitting around chatting and someone mentioned something about a girl they new that was working on training for a fitness competition. I commented how cool that was and that it was something that I always wanted to do. Actually as a teen I wanted to be a body builder, but a few years ago I read a book about figure/fitness competition and dieting and thought it looked fascinating and more my speed. I was then asked why I didn't just do it. I replied that I was too out of shape and too old. Which was challenged with an offer of support and training. REALLY?!?!?!?! Yes really!!!! That was the beginning of November or maybe the end of October. I really don't know because the next couple of weeks were a blur. I was told to cut sodas, and breads. I did! I was told to start eating more vegetables. I did! Then the workouts began. I had fun!! My boys moved the weight bench into the house, I dug out the dumbbells and I started lifting weights. I began slowly working into cardio workouts (still not my strong suit). I bought some really cute, really high heels! I started noticing a difference in my posture within a couple weeks so I had my husband measure me. Ok so I am off to a great start. I lost 4 pounds the first week--I am feeling good!! During this time I also joined the online community at bodybuilding.com and made some contacts with women my age and general weight or had been there done that and now looked great! I continued lifting weights, doing alot of toning exercises and eating good, but I wasn't losing weight--I know, I know "Don't step on the scale because it is going to take 60-90 days before you will start losing the weight!!" People were starting to notice that I was changing and a few asked if I had lost weight. Of course I said no, because I hadn't!
Then one day I was whining about the scale not budging and one of the coaches at the gym said but you are slimming down. Ok, ok so I am slimming down but I am not really feeling yet. The next day one of my kids picked up a tape measure and I took from them and measured my waist. I looked down at the tape measure and the emotions were too much to hold back. Through my tears I saw that I had lost 2 and a half inches from waist in two weeks. I had to measure everywhere else and with each measurement I added 2 inches here, inch and a half there........16 inches total! I am getting somewhere!! Lifting weights is doing the trick, wow!!! Now I need to add some cardio to the mix, but I will get there!
Here is the plan, November of 2013 my goal is to stand on a stage in a bikini with a spray tan to be judged on my physique. Yes you heard me right! I have never worn a bikini a day in my life, (wait I think I had one when I was 3 or was it 4) but in November I will wear one not only in public but also on stage. I will also perform a choreographed routine to display my fitness abilities (not in a bikini). I am excited and nervous, but determined to do this! I have some great friends who are supporting me and helping me train as I work out the details of diet and workouts to be able to reach my goals. I have also signed up for a 5k mud run in April as a kind of halfway to my goal reward--it will be great fun!
I have to admit that even in the first month there has been some rocky patches. I made it through Thanksgiving (barely). I have had a pretty rough fibromyalgia flare up that we got worked through pretty quickly and a little bit of a head cold that I was able to kick pretty quickly also. I have not had too much problem with being tempted by sodas and sweets really, which has been a great blessing!
I have to give a lot of thanks and credit to Shawna, Dorothy and Paige. Without these ladies I would not have made it this far. They have been my biggest cheerleaders, coaches, trainers and supporters!! Thanks ladies!! There are several others that have also been supportive and put up with my whining!!
I am in this for the long haul! Anybody want to join me?
Recently I signed up for another online weightloss community that is free and just wasn't feeling it. And on it goes!! No success, discouragement, hopelessness, ugh!!!
Not too long ago I started reading a book entitled 'Younger Next Year'--a must read for everyone! This book has been a major inspiration to me and has changed my life!!!
Then it happened.........
I was at the gym where I coach gymnastics with fellow coaches having a bridal shower for one of our coaches who was getting married. I have felt kinda akward at the gym being overweight and coaching. The others are younger and in a lot better shape. After the shower we all went out into the gym to hang out and I decided to get on a beam, I used a large mat as a step and walked the length of the beam for the first time since I started coaching 2 years ago, that was fun and a little enlightening. It takes core muscles to be able to walk on a beam, guess I don't have much of those!!
At one point in the evening we were sitting around chatting and someone mentioned something about a girl they new that was working on training for a fitness competition. I commented how cool that was and that it was something that I always wanted to do. Actually as a teen I wanted to be a body builder, but a few years ago I read a book about figure/fitness competition and dieting and thought it looked fascinating and more my speed. I was then asked why I didn't just do it. I replied that I was too out of shape and too old. Which was challenged with an offer of support and training. REALLY?!?!?!?! Yes really!!!! That was the beginning of November or maybe the end of October. I really don't know because the next couple of weeks were a blur. I was told to cut sodas, and breads. I did! I was told to start eating more vegetables. I did! Then the workouts began. I had fun!! My boys moved the weight bench into the house, I dug out the dumbbells and I started lifting weights. I began slowly working into cardio workouts (still not my strong suit). I bought some really cute, really high heels! I started noticing a difference in my posture within a couple weeks so I had my husband measure me. Ok so I am off to a great start. I lost 4 pounds the first week--I am feeling good!! During this time I also joined the online community at bodybuilding.com and made some contacts with women my age and general weight or had been there done that and now looked great! I continued lifting weights, doing alot of toning exercises and eating good, but I wasn't losing weight--I know, I know "Don't step on the scale because it is going to take 60-90 days before you will start losing the weight!!" People were starting to notice that I was changing and a few asked if I had lost weight. Of course I said no, because I hadn't!
Then one day I was whining about the scale not budging and one of the coaches at the gym said but you are slimming down. Ok, ok so I am slimming down but I am not really feeling yet. The next day one of my kids picked up a tape measure and I took from them and measured my waist. I looked down at the tape measure and the emotions were too much to hold back. Through my tears I saw that I had lost 2 and a half inches from waist in two weeks. I had to measure everywhere else and with each measurement I added 2 inches here, inch and a half there........16 inches total! I am getting somewhere!! Lifting weights is doing the trick, wow!!! Now I need to add some cardio to the mix, but I will get there!
Here is the plan, November of 2013 my goal is to stand on a stage in a bikini with a spray tan to be judged on my physique. Yes you heard me right! I have never worn a bikini a day in my life, (wait I think I had one when I was 3 or was it 4) but in November I will wear one not only in public but also on stage. I will also perform a choreographed routine to display my fitness abilities (not in a bikini). I am excited and nervous, but determined to do this! I have some great friends who are supporting me and helping me train as I work out the details of diet and workouts to be able to reach my goals. I have also signed up for a 5k mud run in April as a kind of halfway to my goal reward--it will be great fun!
I have to admit that even in the first month there has been some rocky patches. I made it through Thanksgiving (barely). I have had a pretty rough fibromyalgia flare up that we got worked through pretty quickly and a little bit of a head cold that I was able to kick pretty quickly also. I have not had too much problem with being tempted by sodas and sweets really, which has been a great blessing!
I have to give a lot of thanks and credit to Shawna, Dorothy and Paige. Without these ladies I would not have made it this far. They have been my biggest cheerleaders, coaches, trainers and supporters!! Thanks ladies!! There are several others that have also been supportive and put up with my whining!!
I am in this for the long haul! Anybody want to join me?
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