I have many things on my mind today as I am experiencing re-entry from my week in Nashville. There are several topics floating through my mind, but one keeps coming up over & over: Cheerleaders.
We all need cheerleaders - for different reasons, and sometimes moreso in certain seasons. We need them! I have found that true over the past 9 weeks. I started with one - my #1 cheerleader, Scott! He wasn't yelling or even doing any jumps or splits, but he's been encouraging me every step of the way. Then, as we went on vacation and continued to be vigilant in our workouts and healthy eating choices, my parents joined my Cheerleading team. My dear friend, Monica, has been supporting me with her chants each week when we meet for dinner. Then this past week at the MOPS Convention, I met up with several more cheerleaders. Lauri, Michelle, Bobbi - who cheered me on Wednesday morning while I did my Tae Bo workout in our hotel room. Then there were random, sincere, compliments on my progress by a couple of MOPS AD sisters who noticed the changes. Holly & Tammy - thanks for your listening ears and care for me in my journey!
I suppose some people might say, "You should work out and eat well because you'll be happier." Maybe Others might say, "Wouldn't you love to wear some of those cute little outfits?" Sure.There are lots of reasons to pursue weight loss and a healthier lifestyle.
Here's the thing: IT'S HARD! No, I am not whining. I put myself in this position and I am the one who is going to get myself out. There are options and the one I have chosen requires me to put in some good cardio and watch what I am eating more closely. It takes willpower and determination in this world where you sit down for dinner at O'Charley's and they deliver you a basket of warm fresh yeast rolls. It means saying letting the chocolate and candy sit all over the table at MOPS Field Leader Training!
But, all of those "nos" mean I am saying "yes" to a longer life, a healthier body, wellness and fitness! It means I am saying "yes" to my girls more often when they want to do things. It means saying "yes" to fun and new clothing options. And it means saying "yes" to feeling good about myself because I am taking care of me!
Some days, I don't have it in me to say "YES" to ANOTHER Tae Bo workout. But I hear my husband say, "You're looking good, girl!" Some times I really want to take that roll and I hear my parents voices say, "Wow! You can really see it in your face!" There are times when it's difficult to let that candy sit on the table, but I hear my friend Monica or my dear AD sister and friend Bobbi say, "I am so proud of you!" It makes the difference and it keeps me going!
So I am asking, "Who can you be a cheerleader for today?" Who is in need of your words of encouragement? Share them. Say them. Give a compliment. It just might be you that keeps that person motivated!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
But the needle on the scale stopped moving...
The last few days have been a bit discouraging. I was having a pretty steady drop over the course of the previous 7 weeks, but the last few days, I'm not seeing that next "drop". It's one that I was really looking forward to, and so that makes it frustrating. Also the fact that I have really been doing well makes it hard! I've been doing my workouts daily - no skips. I've been eating smart. I even changed things up a bit...adding the weight training 2 weeks ago. Yeah, yeah, I know that probably means I am building muscle, which weighs more than fat, but I would prefer to see the fat going WHILE I build muscle!
I am sure that many people have suggestions...change up the routine (which, I'm not quite ready to do), or increase the difficulty of my workout (that's an option - there's an advanced workout on my Tae Bo DVD). Honestly, I'm not really looking for suggestions right now. I mostly want to vent for the time and I am confident I will see the changes coming in the next few days.
Tonight, I am coming more to grips with the fact that the needle on the scale wasn't further down today. I am realizing that I probably need this "plateau" for my body to adjust to what has already taken place. Also, I need the opportunity to get my bearings and move on. I'm looking ahead, too, and planning to "shake things up" coming in September when I'll be participating in a Aqua Aerobics class twice a week.
One thing I am pretty adamant about is that I am going to really try to do as much of this as possible without a "program" or a "diet". We've made a lifestyle change and I want to live it. I've learned a lot of discipline through these 2 months and it's been with the support and encouragement of my husband and my own faith. Some of it is just common sense (which, I am sorry to say, many many American don't have these days.) People just don't know what is reasonable.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Premiere
We've had some questions about what we've been doing to lose weight, and I keep typing the same thing over & over in emails, FB Messages, comments on FB. Today, it occurred to me that other people (and WE) could benefit from tracking our adventure in getting healthier and more fit! So, here we go with a blog. Most likely, it will be me (Krischelle), but Scott may find that he wants to post eventually, or maybe he'll answer questions more directly related to his journey and what he's doing sometimes.
The BIG question: What are you doing to lose weight?
Well, we have completely changed our lifestyle here at the Jones household.
It started more than 18 months ago with Scott. And I will let him tell his story if he wants to, but he was "inspired" to lose some weight and eat healthier. He lost about 15 lbs by watching what he ate. Last summer, we bought a treadmill and both started walking. Scott was much more aggressive and I was left in the dust. Through the fall, Scott began lifting weights at the fitness center in his office park. He started seeing results pretty quickly.
In May, Scott ordered the P90X program. He started right away. It is a TOUGH program. He knew, to fit it in, he'd pretty much have to get up early and do it. Some days, he was up at 5:30 to get in a 90 minute workout before getting ready and heading into work.
My adventure started May 31st. Scott had encouraged me a couple times to pull out a Tae Bo video I have had for a number of years. He said he'd even do the workout with me. I wasn't excited at all. But, on Memorial Day, something told me, now is the time. I told him on the drive home from our annual family picnic that I would do it as soon as we arrived home. But if we waited until after the girls were in bed, I wouldn't do it. "I'm not a morning workout person" I said.
I did it. It was TOUGH! 25 minutes. I cannot tell you how hard it was to do some of the elements of the routine. But, I did it...with Scott by my side. I had to stop, I couldn't get my leg up to my knee on the kicks. My arms wouldn't go THAT fast on the speed bag work. There were times when he would increase the activity to "double time" and I just had to stay with the slower pace.
For the first couple of weeks, I worked out about 4-5 times each week. I waited until Scott arrived home, he worked out right along side me. He will never know how much that meant to me. He never pushed, never criticized, he just did it. One day, it occurred to me that he was really doing this out of love, but I felt guilty. Here he was, getting up at 5-5:30 a.m., working out out for 60-90 minutes and then working all day, only to come home and do this 25 minute workout with me!
So, I got started on my own. Every day, getting up and working out. We even took our DVDs with us and worked out on vacation!
Now I am in a solid routine. I am working out at least 6 times a week. Still doing the Basic Tae Bo Routine. It's 25 minutes and I am comfortable with it now. There is an Advanced Routine on the DVD I am using and it is about 45 minutes. I hope to start that in a couple of week. There is also an 8 minute (very fast) workout that I have done a handful of times.
When we returned from vacation, I added some weight training. I really want to make sure that I am keeping up with toning as I am losing. I bought my first set of dumbbells (10lbs each) and Scott set me up with a circuit of exercises. I do those about every other day and I am feeling the changes already.
In addition to the working out, we completely overhauled our grocery list. Fresh fruits, veggies, and lean meats. We eat at least one salad a day. We're not obsessed, but we watch our calories and we plan ahead when going out to eat (takes time but it will shock you how bad even SALADS can be at restaurant!
Our two-door, 5 shelf pantry is just about to be converted to a storage, craft and resource closet for the girls! Almost all of our food fits into a 3-shelf double door cabinet. Everything else is on the counter (apples, bananas, etc, or in the fridge/freezer. We are consuming very few processed foods.
Last week, I hit a milestone (for me). I had reached the first 25 lbs of weight lost. My clothes are fitting differently, I see and feel muscles! I FEEL better. I CRAVE good food.
I have a LONG way to go. I don't know when I will get there. I don't have a goal date yet. Might consider setting one later on. Right now, I am enjoying the day-to-day experience of this new stage of Scott & my adventure together.
The BIG question: What are you doing to lose weight?
Well, we have completely changed our lifestyle here at the Jones household.
It started more than 18 months ago with Scott. And I will let him tell his story if he wants to, but he was "inspired" to lose some weight and eat healthier. He lost about 15 lbs by watching what he ate. Last summer, we bought a treadmill and both started walking. Scott was much more aggressive and I was left in the dust. Through the fall, Scott began lifting weights at the fitness center in his office park. He started seeing results pretty quickly.
In May, Scott ordered the P90X program. He started right away. It is a TOUGH program. He knew, to fit it in, he'd pretty much have to get up early and do it. Some days, he was up at 5:30 to get in a 90 minute workout before getting ready and heading into work.
My adventure started May 31st. Scott had encouraged me a couple times to pull out a Tae Bo video I have had for a number of years. He said he'd even do the workout with me. I wasn't excited at all. But, on Memorial Day, something told me, now is the time. I told him on the drive home from our annual family picnic that I would do it as soon as we arrived home. But if we waited until after the girls were in bed, I wouldn't do it. "I'm not a morning workout person" I said.
I did it. It was TOUGH! 25 minutes. I cannot tell you how hard it was to do some of the elements of the routine. But, I did it...with Scott by my side. I had to stop, I couldn't get my leg up to my knee on the kicks. My arms wouldn't go THAT fast on the speed bag work. There were times when he would increase the activity to "double time" and I just had to stay with the slower pace.
For the first couple of weeks, I worked out about 4-5 times each week. I waited until Scott arrived home, he worked out right along side me. He will never know how much that meant to me. He never pushed, never criticized, he just did it. One day, it occurred to me that he was really doing this out of love, but I felt guilty. Here he was, getting up at 5-5:30 a.m., working out out for 60-90 minutes and then working all day, only to come home and do this 25 minute workout with me!
So, I got started on my own. Every day, getting up and working out. We even took our DVDs with us and worked out on vacation!
Now I am in a solid routine. I am working out at least 6 times a week. Still doing the Basic Tae Bo Routine. It's 25 minutes and I am comfortable with it now. There is an Advanced Routine on the DVD I am using and it is about 45 minutes. I hope to start that in a couple of week. There is also an 8 minute (very fast) workout that I have done a handful of times.
When we returned from vacation, I added some weight training. I really want to make sure that I am keeping up with toning as I am losing. I bought my first set of dumbbells (10lbs each) and Scott set me up with a circuit of exercises. I do those about every other day and I am feeling the changes already.
In addition to the working out, we completely overhauled our grocery list. Fresh fruits, veggies, and lean meats. We eat at least one salad a day. We're not obsessed, but we watch our calories and we plan ahead when going out to eat (takes time but it will shock you how bad even SALADS can be at restaurant!
Our two-door, 5 shelf pantry is just about to be converted to a storage, craft and resource closet for the girls! Almost all of our food fits into a 3-shelf double door cabinet. Everything else is on the counter (apples, bananas, etc, or in the fridge/freezer. We are consuming very few processed foods.
Last week, I hit a milestone (for me). I had reached the first 25 lbs of weight lost. My clothes are fitting differently, I see and feel muscles! I FEEL better. I CRAVE good food.
I have a LONG way to go. I don't know when I will get there. I don't have a goal date yet. Might consider setting one later on. Right now, I am enjoying the day-to-day experience of this new stage of Scott & my adventure together.
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