ONE MORE

One thing I struggle with is pushing myself when it comes to any challenge with my weight loss journey. Specifically, pushing a bit harder with my fitness regime. I've started to ride my bike because it doesn't put as much stress on my knees as running would. For the last 3 weeks or so I've been riding my bike around the entire neighborhood, that equates to 1.5 miles. I can do it in about 8 minutes at an average of 10 miles per hour. Not bad. Not enough though. Once I've completed a lap I pack it up and put the bike away. In theory I could bypass my house and go for another lap, but I don't. Pushing myself is one area I need to really work on.

Another situation happened today, I started doing Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 workout and when it got to the pushups I just gave up. Don't get me wrong I don't want the drill sargeant type trainer yelling in my face but I need to do something to push myself a bit more. I want to feel healthier, and be fit. I know at some point I have to push myself. Oh why is it so hard?

I thought to myself if I want this weight to be gone bad enough I will find a way to push myself. Yes I want this weight gone yesterday, so I promised myself one way to push myself is to do ONE MORE. Whatever ONE MORE means, it could be ONE MORE push up, rep, or lap. How bad could doing ONE MORE thing be? I know it would get me ONE MORE step closer to my goal.

How do you push yourself? What do you say to yourself to do ONE MORE?

Motivation Monday: 10 Commandments

Here's a list of Weight loss commandments that we should all remember:

Source: shrinkingjustine.com via Erika on Pinterest

Successful People

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Let's get this year started off on the right foot!!!

Weight Loss Inspiration: Charlotte Siems

I'm still struggling with my weight, that is nothing new. While I haven't been motivated to do much I haven't gotten to the point of totally giving up. From time to time I get motivated from other people's success at their weight loss journey one person for me has been Charlotte Siems. Charlotte has lost over 100 pounds with T-Tapp!!!

I have to admit I find that when I'm completely discouraged I'll watch this video and somehow it sparks a little motivation in me. She is probably the only weight loss success story that makes me feel that if she can do it so can I. I'm not sure why because she is the mother of 12 and our life stories other than weight loss are different, but something about her journey speaks to me. See the video below.





Who motivates you?

What else can I do?

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I have been struggling with my weight loss and I'm not sure how to push through when the going gets tough and boy is it ever!

I don't know about you but if I read one more testimonial that states "If I can do it so can you!" I'm going to scream! I say, "You don't know me, so how in the hell do you know that I could do it?" My body has proven to me that I CAN'T DO IT! So there now what? Not to mention who knows what covert attempts you've taken during your journey to get to your goal weight. Like some of these fitness "gurus" that claim they used "Gadget X" to get into that svelte shape they're sporting, alot of them share half truths. Chances are that B rate celebrity didn't use gadget X to get that slim. They lied cheated and who knows what to get where they got. I know I sound miffed because I am.

This weekend I will celebrate my 41st birthday and I remember back before I turned 30, I vowed to get back down to the size 4 I was in my early 20's. Well that never happened. I learned alot about losing weight since then and have applied certain principles along the way but nothing that helped me get back down to that size. I've now settled on being a size 8 and feel like it's a much more attainable size for me even though it equates to approximately 6 more inches in the bust/waist/hips than a size 4.

I'm very angry that I'm not where I want to be physically or financially and I know I only have myself to thank for that. I'm angry that I feel like a failure in the weight loss department when I feel like I've conquered other aspects of my life. Gosh I probably wouldn't be able to live with myself if I lost the weight. No I think I'll manage.

What happens when you can't push through the periods of discouragement? What do you do when nothing or no one seems to motivate you? Well that's where I am. The only thing I feel that will take me through is to continue my exercise regime whether or not it's doing anything and continue to eat healthier than I have in the past. Man that will be the hardest thing I will do. I mean who really wants to work hard at something and never see the outcome they're looking for? Especially someone who has no patience like me!

Like I said that is the only the thing I can do because that is the only thing I haven't done. Being consistent. This will be the challenge of my life folks is being consistent. Ugh, not looking forward to it but what do I got to lose? Weight? I hope!

New Motivation

I have to say that I'm so motivated by my progress that I had to share it with you. While everyone knows I want to lose weight and fit into my fashionable Friday outfits, that motivation was not enough for me to stick to my plan.

One of my MANY goals for 2012 was to work out AT LEAST 3 times per week come rain or shine, or anything. I'm so proud to say that I stuck to my goal this week. And my motivator now...was knowing that I'm working toward eliminating my chronic back pain. Who would have thought that PAIN is a more powerful motivator than striving to wear a size 4 kate spade dress.

My breasts are the bane of my existence. I can never get comfortable because of them. I can't even lay on my stomach if I wanted to. We won't even talk about how difficult it is to do a push up or jumping jacks (black eyes, just joking)! Ugh!

I feel so accomplished by working out 3 times this past week. So my goal this week will be to work out 4 times. My ultimate goal is to workout out 5 to 6 days per week. I select a variety of workouts so I don't get bored with a typical routine. Not to mention it prevents plateau so my body doesn't get used to a typical workout.

I've started this week with a great start working out 2 out of 2 days! Yay. Who would have thought knowing that the constant gnawing pain in my upper back was all that I needed to motivate me to MOVE!

What motivates you to move? Do you prefer to workout in the morning or in the evening or throughout the day? Post below.

Motivation: Towards or away from?

You're plugging along with your diet and you hit a plateau...BAM! Or your weight loss journey is not going as "planned" and you lose momentum. What do you do to stay motivated? Or do you completely throw in the towel because you're fed up? We won't talk about giving up just yet. That is another blog post. Let's talk about motivation. A while back I discovered a podcast called "Inside Out Weight Loss" it approached weight loss thru self reflection. It has had a profound impact on my weight loss journey. It set the foundation for me that has helped me adopt and stick to my diet and new way of life.

{image, Personal life media}

In this particular episode Renee talks about towards or away from motivation. What is that you ask? In simple terms it states that towards is the motivation you want to strive to become, like a smaller size. Away from motivation is what you don't want to become, obese, larger than a size 14.

Depending on the day my motivation can be away from or towards. For example, the other evening I was laying in bed watching tv and all of a sudden I started having cravings for something to eat. I knew that I wasn't hungry but it was the after effects of having a dish with pasta. Boy Dr. Atkins wasn't kidding when he said to stay away from carbs like pasta and bread.


Anyway, the cravings to have something to eat were really strong. I went to the kitchen and had a glass of water. That didn't help so I went back to lay down. Laying there I thought to myself, "you're going to go and eat something you shouldn't eat that will satisfy you for 10 minutes. Or you can regain control and not have anything to eat go to bed then have a feast in the morning. What is more important? Eating some type of garbage now and look like the picture in the race car? Or watch the digital scale go down a digit or two in the morning?"

 {my AWAY from motivator}

Needless to say I opted for the second. It was tough. I can't say I overcome the cravings every time because I don't. But the fact that I think about what motivates me really makes a difference. And when I am faced with challenges I always think of what will motivate me more, looking like I do in the race car or finally fitting into the size 6 that I've dreamed of being for over 15 years!

{My TOWARDS motivator, to look like that in a cardi and boatneck}

So what is your motivation strategy? Away from or Towards? Have you thought about it? If so let me know I would love to know what motivates you. I may help me too! Here's to achieving our next goal!!!