Halfway!

It's not all about the scale. 20 days ago I started this "40 Days of Awesome" challenge for myself. I took my "halfway" measurements from my chest, stomach, hips and thigh, and I've lost 5.5 inches, two each off my hips and stomach. That can't be anything to sneeze at, even if the scale is a heartless bitch :)

40 Days of Awesome: Day 15

So...yesterday wasn't the best day but I knew it wouldn't be. It was our annual 4th of July party and I snacked more than was acceptable and drank 3ish beers. But it was fun and no one got hurt (from the explosives not my overindulgence).

I had my monthly massage today (thank you Mandy!!) And she did wonders for the knots in my back. Today I thought about what being Lean and Strong means to me. I'll post that soon.

So...here's my video for the day filmed after my workout (read: no makeup). Thanks again for the amazing thumbnail, YouTube.

40 Day of Awesome: Two Weeks In

Well, been at this thing a full two weeks. I'm f. eeling fairly good - give it a B. I'm doing good at staying within calories, tracking, moving, etc. My big struggle, for some reason, is water.

I've done Turbo Fire 30 twice this week, and it's getting less challenging (I didn't say easier!!). That feels like a win.

Today I've been struggling. I've been trying REALLY hard to not make this about the numbers. It's been about making the right decisions, moving more, being healthy. But today, the number on the scale went up from last week. I'm 90% sure it's water retention....but it still feels like a weird failure. My challenge is to not let it get me down.

Pardon the overuse of the word 'frustrated:'

40 Days of Awesome: Days 7-9

This video talks about WI, how things are going with the FitBit, and random other things.

In other news, I saw NKOTB last night....a dream from my childhood. Had a great time, laughed a lot, and said "Oh my God, I can't believe they can still do that!" Very cool show, and glad to have it off the bucket list.

Oddly, it was cathartic as my dad had passed away kind of in the midst of my whole NKOTB obsession (1991). I have this one memory where he took the old video camera, focused in on each of the posters that I had of them in my room (directly across from my bed with Joey in the middle of course) and did little voice overs for them. Example: "Hi Liz, this is Joey McIntyre. Just coming by to wish you a happy birthday. Mwa - love ya honey!" So being at that show was kind of like being that age again when I still had my dad. Stupid, maybe. But....oh well.

Anyway, here's the video (why can YouTube never select a decent thumbnail???):

40 Days of Awesome: One week in

So I've been at this 40 days thing for a week now. Today is Day 7. First weigh in was this morning and....

Down 3.8!!

Week 1 rocks. I had a gain last week, and that's now gone plus two additional pounds. 22 to go before I get to the vanity pounds.

I LOVE THE FRIGGIN FITBIT. You'll see why in the videos. 

And I lost almost FOUR POUNDS IN THE FIRST WEEK!

I busted out my TurboFire DVDs and did Fire 30 last night. When I'm pushing myself past a threshold, I get this weird hot chill on the back of my neck. You know how Icy Hot feels? It's like that. And I had it last night and pushed through it.

I've been keeping up with the videos, so for accountability, here they are:

Day 4:

Day 5-6 (I had taken a shower, so my hair is wet):

40 Days of Awesome

So, on August 1, Brad and I are taking a little getaway with our dear friends for TWO WHOLE NIGHTS! I'm so excited to have the time with Brad and the time with friends and the time with sleep!

On Saturday, I realized there were 40 days until the trip. So, I want to see exactly how much I can accomplish in that time frame. So far, so good. I'm going to keep a video log and post the videos. I'm not doing this for any other reason than accountability to myself. If I know I have to report while staring at myself on my phone, I'll do better.

So, here's Day 2:

And Day 3:

Gotta recommit

Back on the wagon. I was full speed ahead until my show in the first week of April. I had a gain, which messed with my head. I took it off and then some by the beginning of May, then put it back on, and this week I had an even maintain. Same 3 pounds just coming and going and coming and going.

I really don't know where it went wrong this week. I tracked, I ate few processed foods, I drank a ton of water.

But, I guess that doesn't really matter now. It's over and done with. On to a new week.

I'm in two days already and they've gone relatively well. I'm really proud of today. I went out and ran, which I haven't done since before I got pregnant with Alexander. Honestly, it was probably November of 2011. I ran for 3 minutes, then 5, then 3 again, then 5. Huge accomplishment for me. I kept telling myself I could do it, see myself doing it, etc.

I'm just tired of this. I miss my little pre-baby body. I was slim and athletic. Now, I feel like Jabba the Hut. And I'm 20 pounds in to the 50 I want to lose! I hate how clothes look on me, that I look down and see a giant flabby tummy, a big bulbous ass, huge thighs.

This isn't me. This is SO not me. I'm the little athlete.

So, we chip away at the mountain and remember the Whys.

Why:
To be tight
To be comfortable in my clothes
To be confident at work
To feel like I'm deserving
So I want to have my picture taken with my kids
So I don't feel shame anymore
So I can keep up with my kids
To be a non-neurotic wife to my husband

Onward and downward....