Transformation Tuesday

Today is transformation Tuesday and I thought I post on the transformation that has taken place over the past year.

My journey began in 2011 after I had Leah when I lost 50 pounds and then 60 pounds total. Then I got pregnant and gained weight and had a "new" journey to venture on. So, in February of last year, when Hannah was 3 months old I set out to lose the baby weight again. But, not just the baby weight, I wanted to really change my body.

This past year I was faced with so many challenges and it was a true battle -- but I was able to lose (as of today) 44 pounds total.

Here is my husband and I a year ago -- almost exact -- on a date.

I am 44 pounds lighter now than I was in that picture and Adam is 18 pounds lighter now. He is just at the beginning of his journey (started January 1). So, I know he still has much more planned to go.

This year on January 1, Adam and I went in TOGETHER on this journey. For the past few years it's just been me logging calories, finding low calories and healthy recipes, working out, staying active -- and now THIS year it's both of us.

As I think about my goals this year, it's to live a much more active and healthy lifestyle. To always be aware of my choices, whether it's Taco Bell or Panera Bread. Choosing to eat at HOME instead of eating out all the time. Choosing to go to the gym, go on a walk, or play with the girls at the park instead of sitting at home.

I am trying to incorporate more weigh lifting, which has been a huge goal to take on. I am still at the beginning stages and hope to become more comfortable as the year goes on and I hope to see a transformation in my body (hello muscles!).

What is your transformation tuesday? How have you transformed or plan to transform?

Pushing on

I've been sore since I did INSANITY on Tuesday. I'm probably not drinking enough water and I had planned to get in a lunch workout today, but I need to run a few valentines day errands since we have the floor guy coming tonight.

I'm not sure how long he will be here tonight, but I plan to do some T25. Okay-- I don't plan -- I must do some T25.

It's been hard getting back into things after injuring my hip. I felt so great after INSANITY, and then well -- things got busy like usual.

In honor of Throw Back Thursday, I thought I'd show off some pictures of Adam and I back in the day..

This is one of our engagement pictures in 2008.

Adam getting back from his first of two deployments to Iraq.

( I remember in the picture how nervous I was to hug him and now looking at it I can see it too. It always took a day to adjust seeing him again after 15 months!)

Arms and Back pictures :: now

This morning I decided to take some pictures of where I am at now so I have something to compare with later.

I have some pictures of my stomach, but I'm not ready to post those publicly yet. So, for now it's just my back and arms. I know I know.. maybe for some of you out there it looks like nothing and maybe it is nothing but I'm proud of the changes I've seen so far.

Have you ever been so sore from a workout it hurts to to sit? I could barely make it down to the toilet today or my office chair. Oh and getting back up.. give me a minute.

Recovering from an injury: Day 1

I injured my hip a week ago today and I'd like to say it's 100 percent healed. But, as I mentally gear up for INSANITY at lunchtime, I begin to feel like its bugging me again. I am hoping its just metal and that maybe I'm scared to push it. However, if I feel like it's too much for my hip I can modify or just step out of the class. I'm hoping it won't come to that and I'll be fine.

Ho-hum.

I just never thought I would get hurt and this would set me back so much. I did pretty good all week with eating, I even lost .5 on the scale on my Friday weigh in. Then I ate like crap all weekend and everything I felt like I had done.. was slipping away..

During the week, I have such a good routine and schedule with eating and then the weekend comes and it's hard to not get off track. Plus, not being able to go to the gym just really put a damper on everything.

I am trying to not get discouraged and so this morning I called up to the gym first thing and signed up for INSANITY.

Maybe I am INSANE for signing up, but I just have to do it -- I have to get up -- recover and go for it. I won't know until I try.

So, I'm trying.

----

Update: went to Insanity and my hip did really well. I modified a few things just to make sure I didn't over-do it. 40 minutes and burned 371 calories (per MFP). I forgot my gym bag, so I didnt have my HRM system will me for exact calories burned). I can already feel the soreness in my legs.

I was hoping to make it to the gym tonight, but remembered we are visiting his Grandpa in the Hospital tonight. Which is important! So, it may just be a double workout tomorrow.

5 on Friday

Today is linking up for 5 on Friday:

1. I am ready for my hip injury to be better! Resting has been hard and I am super thankful that I got in 4 workouts before it happened. Hoping to return to working out tonight.

2. For a moment I got sad last night looking through Leah's baby and toddler pictures. Where has the time went? She will be FOUR this month.

3. Taxes are done. I filed our taxes this week and can't wait to get that refund check to pay off part of our carpet we financed. This is the year of paying debt off! Who's' with me?

4. I don't think I'll EVER eat at Joe T's (Fort Worth popular restaurant for those who don't know). The food was just okay and I've felt yuk ALL week since Sunday. I'd rather use my cheat meal on something else, like Texas Roadhouse or Chili's.

5. I've been soda free now for a week .. if not more.. I can't remember my last soda. Which is awesome and not planned .. so I'm going with it.

Happy Friday Ya'll!

It fits!

A year ago, even a few months ago, I had a suit jacket that didn't fit. I couldn't even button it -- as much as I wanted it to -- and then today I tried it on and it buttoned.

I ran into our other bathroom to snap this picture. It was a proud moment on this journey. 

I decided to snap a picture of me today, since I haven't taken any good "selfies" in a while. I am mostly busy taking pictures of Adam or the girls or dogs. However, after trying to find a more recent picture of myself for a transformation picture, I realized I didn't have any that showed what I look like now at my current weight. So .. there ya go!

Today, is the first day Ive felt normal since eating at Joe T's on Sunday for our cheat meal and celebration dinner with our friends. I've literally felt gross and bloated ever since. My stomach was NOT happy with my eating decisions. So, its back to the game this week of eating like I usually do, drinking water, and hoping to go back to normal. I don't think I'll have another cheat meal or dinner like that in a long time. It was an awful feelings.

I've been doing two-a-days this week and decided to skip my lunch workout since I have an important meeting today and I didn't want to look like I just came from the gym. So, tonight I plan to do cardio (running) and I have an ab workout picked out. Wish me luck, because most of this will be done utilizing mats and gym equipment and we all know how I feel about that. (I can do it! right? No shame.)

Wednesday is run-day for me!

Happy Hump Day!

Having that support

One thing that really keeps me motivated is having a workout partner. At work, I have my friend Kadedra. At home, I have Adam. It's been great! I am just getting into the weight lifting and having Kadedra there to get me through some of the exercises has been great--- because otherwise I would feel like a complete crazy.

Today I felt like everything was in slow motion, we are just getting the hang of these exercises and using weights, but I know it will get easier. Or -- should I say harder?

I am using the plan given to me by bodybuilding.com and so far I am really liking it. You can customize plans to what your goals are and what your level is with weights.

Today we completed:

• Barbell Dead-lifts 2*20
• Underhand Cable Pull-downs 2*24
• One leg barbell squat 2*24
• Standing dumbbell press 2*24
• Plank (60 seconds)
• Treadmill - walking 20 minutes

Tonight I will head to the gym with Adam for our nightly gym time. I am probably going to bike and do the treadmill. I somehow tweeked my hip on the right side and its been bugging me today. I don't want to push it too much.

Two-a-days are now in full force and I hope to keep this going as much as possible!

Oh Turbo Kick

Saturday I tried Turbo Kick for the first time.


The class started out with 29 women and 1 man. About 2 minutes in -- I knew I was in trouble.


She warmed us up, which I couldn't believe was only a warm up, and told us if it was our first time that we would probably be swatting at flies. Oh yes.. I was swatting as just about everything. Kicking too. She would show us what the moves would be and then the music would start and chaos would break out. People punching here, there, kicking, sweating, huffing and puffing. I just tried to keep up for the most part -- pretty sure my form wasn't even close to what it need to be..

Break 1: I got some water and looked down to see I had already burned a pretty big number of calories and was sweating like crazy. Which is great because it takes a lot for me to sweat. 

I noticed that about 5 people had left at that break.

Next round was just as crazy and we had to "shake what our mama's gave us" which really was me just shaking the loose skin on my love handles because this mama doesn't have much junk in trunk to be shaking.

Did I mention the lights were off and a disco ball was going?! I'm telling ya.

Several punches into thin air and jumping we were done and now it was break #2.

5 or so more people left.

Round 3 was a little easier for me and I felt like it went okay, but gee -- I had no idea how hard Turbo Kick was.

Looked down at my watch to see I was already up to 400 calories burned.

The last round and cool down were nothing of a cool down, more punches and kicks and then ab work on mats. I was dying. Sweating and dying.

Before I knew it the lights came back on, my eyes readjusted and I saw we had about 15 people in the room left (maybe that's why they keep the lights off...)

 I had survived. I was a sweaty mess and had burned 605 calories

This instructor does this class every Saturday so I may try to make it a thing for me. As hard as it was, I know it was my first time with Turbo Kick, so I have to keep going to get better at it. I have plans for next Saturday already, but the following Saturday, Turbo Kick and I have a date!