Slim Down Saturdays... Come Join Us!

Hi everyone this is Jennifer from Teaching with Grace!

I am so excited! This is the year that I am going to get back on track with my weight. How many of us say this? I know it's possible because 2 years ago I lost it all... and then life/stress/commuting got in the way. I'm going to get back in the swing of things and hit it hard this year to lose the weight (again).<br />
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<a href="http://thirdgradetidbits.blogspot.com/2014/12/slim-down-saturdays-are-coming-back.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLl4hTY_7j0DcLbQ8VywExooeEwNJldY-JX3tcOluoTSkegCsFWhHUazpjG1ehGknFzrp1_AHLffp5Lu_49CSBHqpuMRDVBtOyN0dttS_MwunUsUSz35PyJB7rN5ZG_SsUpaCN75M7onw/s1600/slimdownbutton.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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To help hold myself accountable, I am going to join in with Gina at <a href="http://thirdgradetidbits.blogspot.com/2014/12/slim-down-saturdays-are-coming-back.html" target="_blank">Teaching with a Touch of Pixie Dust</a>&nbsp;for her Slim Down Saturdays. Here's my first weeksish....<br />
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Do you have the same goal? Head over to get accountability too!</div>
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A Step or Two in the Right Direction....

While everyone seems to be steering their lives towards healthier ways.... I've been eating loads of chocolate. Anyone else with me?

I thought about doing the 3 weeks and no cheats deal...and then I ate more chocolate.... maybe not the best idea right before Halloween!

After talking it over with my husband, he surprised me with an awesome treat yesterday:

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0095PZHZE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0095PZHZE&linkCode=as2&tag=teacwithgrac-20&linkId=N2MPFJXXQ6VFBG3Y"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0095PZHZE&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=teacwithgrac-20" ></a><img src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=teacwithgrac-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0095PZHZE" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0095PZHZE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0095PZHZE&linkCode=as2&tag=teacwithgrac-20&linkId=N2MPFJXXQ6VFBG3Y">Fitbit Zip Wireless Activity Tracker, Charcoal</a><img src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=teacwithgrac-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0095PZHZE" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

It's a perfect size! Plus it's more affordable (for me at least) than the bracelet...even though I might upgrade at some point. It's definitely motivating to have it on and see how close (or far) I am from 10,000 for the day!

Definitely a step in the right direction!

Back On The Wagon--Again

So it's been...awhile..a long...long...*long* while. I could list the 1,000 reasons why I've not kept up with this blog or my fitness as I'd like. But then you would get bored and never come back! Haha!! My sweet friend Rachelle from For Blogness Sake has completely motivated me...

again. And I needed that. I needed to see someone else be successful and know that I can get back into this..this is not the end for me!

Truth is, I'm a real person. With real stress. And I sometimes let my stress get the best of me. I've been working out again for about a month. Eating clean and working on my fitness does help with my  stress levels, tremendously! If I had to say one thing that holds me back is my headaches. I don't know about you or if you've ever experienced a true migraine headache..but they are plum awful. I've dealt with this since I was 15 years old . When I was 15, I was involved in a major car accident. You can read more about that here.  So since then I've tried every medication, therapy, and magic pill that you could think of. This year my migraines took a turn. I not only suffered from migraines, but vertigo. I didn't even know that existed until it hit me. How awful. Another round of 8 or 9 pills a day, therapy, and still nothing. Nada. Zip. They told me not to drive, no exercising and essentially stay at home. I'm like great. Fantastic. So bottom line is one day my good friend was telling me about this "vitamin supplement" he sells with those crazy wrap things. I'm like yada yada yada..I'm not one to EVER buy into this kind of stuff! In an effort to help him out, I buy it. I spend the $33.00 bucks on it and think what's the worst it could do. 

So I try it. I mixed one scoop with 80% water and 20% diet cranberry juice everyday. For the first week, I started to feel better, like more energy and back to my old self. Still have the headaches though. 

*Week 2 CHANGED my life* 

Week 2- so I still drank my greens (that's what it's called) every day. First three days in the week, no headache. I'm not really getting excited yet, it's been three days. The week continues, no headache, and not ONE episode of vertigo. Not ONE. 

Week 3 and 4 are exactly the same. Not one episode or one headache. I go back to my doctor at the end of week 4 and they are excited, but want more information. So they ask me to bring the greens into them. They take a look and what they come up with blows. me. away. Remember, I eat a 98% clean diet. No processed junk. 

They tell me that my body, for some crazy reason, isn't absorbing nutrients like it should. The greens supplement are giving me the nutrients I need to prevent headaches. I'm confused at this point. Because I eat good food. I don't eat junk. Most of the time. The doctor puts into simple, dummy version terms. Bottom line, it's like juicing, when you juice the nutrients go straight to your bloodstream, not to the stomach. When you drink this stuff, it goes straight to your bloodstream. 

So why not juice? Well, I do occasionally, but what gets me is that it's very time consuming and most of all *expensive*. My grocery bill has already nearly tripled from eating clean and the juicing just adds to it. So I'm a gal that likes to have things quick and easy. This is not a "weight loss" supplement. 

So this stuff called "greens" really made me smile again. It made me feel better. It made me more energetic. It gave me the spark I needed to find myself again. God led me right to this and helped me get back up. You see friends, it didn't just help me stop having a little ole headache. The headaches owned me. They took my body over and sucked the life right out of me. So for me, it's more than just a headache relief. I have my life back. 

Fast Forward-- I've been headache and vertigo free for MONTHS! 

Funny story. I go out of town, husband calls, "Ash, where are the greens?" I'm like duh, with me. "WHY?"...he then proceeds to tell me he's been drinking it for weeks. I'm like why didn't you tell me Famous words of a man: "I didn't want to hear I told you so". HAHA

By the way, I am not on a single medication anymore.. Nothing. No Imitrex, nothing! Nada! <3

If you want to know more about the greens you can click here or email me benoitcreated@gmail.com.

So, what have I been doing in my workouts you might ask? 

Of course, lifting! And Running! I've also been doing the 21 day fix and LOVE IT! 

I have my first race..umm Color Run this weekend! Wish me luck. My family says I don't take any embarrassing photos--but this post proves other wise. Haha

Bottom line is, I know I have a long way to go. But I will put in the work. I will change again. Life can throw you curve balls, and the last 8 months have been some of the hardest in my life...but I'm a riser..I get back up and try again. 

Thanks for sticking with me through this journey! It's not over yet friends! 

<3 Ash<3 

So..I fell off the wagon

 In two weeks, it will be one year since I started this journey for a healthier lifestyle. 

But about a month ago, I fell off the wagon. I started school back and suddenly fitness quickly got pushed to the back burner. My six days of a week of working turned into one or two days a week. My healthy, clean dinners turned into Chick Fila Drive Thru or Friday Night Pizza! Awful, I know! But 11 months into this journey, this is the first time I really fell off the wagon! But I fell HARD! I gained about 5.5 lbs back in this time! So now I have MORE work cut out for me!  I still would like to lose about 10  lbs!  My little rodeo with junk food added a few lbs to that! 

So now it's time to get back on the horse and start this again. I REFUSE To go back! I refuse to hate to shop because I can't find anything that looks good on me. I REFUSE TO FAIL! I know we've all had these moments..and the truth is I LIKE BAD FOOD....BUT, I *LOVE* feeling GREAT about myself, having energy to play with my kids, and not feeling so exhausted at the end of every day. 

So this is my plan! First and Foremost BACK TO THE GYM! I've started my routine up again of 6 days a week! Here is my schedule:

Now, my next challenge...By Thanksgiving, I want to lose 10 lbs! It's a big goal, I know! But, I think I can reach it! Link up and tell me your *Turkey Day Goal*

Vacation is Over!

Hello Friends!! Well, My vacation is over :( Two and half weeks and only partially sticking to my meal plan. For the first time in 10 months, I caved!  Junk food was everywhere! I tried to avoid as much as possible but I'm honest :)

A Few Pictures from Vacay:

My sister, who started her weight loss journey last December. I keep trying to get her to guest post and tell you about her progress, because she has done an AMAZING job!! I am so proud of her! 

My little brother, who is a fireman. He *loved* making fun of me and in this particular picture he is basically saying that his triceps aren't as good as mine! The WHOLE visit, he informed everyone "Ashley has the best triceps EVER"

I told him I'd be at the gym at 7 if he wanted to come and show me up ;) He never did show, but he is also following a strict clean eating diet! He is just starting his journey, so keep an eye out for updates :)

He's my fireman hero :)

This hottie with me is my husband! We have been married for 8 years and I am so proud to call this man my husband :) He is such a loving and wonderful man! He has been very supportive of my journey...well, except when it involves rice. He refuses to eat whole grain rice. He says it's the "Texan" in him! He can't give up white rice ;) 

Even with eating white rice, he's still pretty handsome :) 

He's just my HERO! 

My older brother and I. Notice his excitement to see me ;)

We don't get to see each other very often, but when we do it's always so much fun. 

He's my Air Force Hero :)

This next guy is a friend of mine since high school! We've stayed friends forever and he is one of the ones who got me started on this health kick. My friend has followed a clean eating diet for..EVER. So when I started this, I knew I needed to pick his brain.  He gives me great information and constantly helps keep me motivated :)

So now it's time to get back to it! I have two months to go until I reach my one year starting point. I want to reach my goals by then!!

Here is a sample of my meal plans:

I basically just eat very clean. I try and eat five-six times a day.

Also, drinking enough water is a huge plus. Try drinking your body weight in ounces!!!

When I get off track, I have to get my mind back in the game. Living a healthy lifestyle is just as much mental as it is physical. And vacation proved that to me! The moment I ate the first piece of junk food, my brain had a taste for it again. Then, it was constantly reminding me of how much I liked it! I literally had to "detox" all of the bad food out of my MIND and body.  How did I do that? I dive right back in. I start with reading fitness blogs. Here are a few of my favorite:

Clean Eating Chelsey

Running-loving-living

The Gracious Pantry

They focus on clean eating and exercise!

Another way I get my mind back on track is Pinterest! 

Here are a few boards that I like to follow:

Fitness Board

clean-eating

So here's to my restart! I am dedicated and determined to reach that ultimate goal before my one year mark! 

18% Body Fat HERE I COME!!!

Till Next Time

Ashley 

Couch to 5K

Hey there!  It's Nicole from Teaching With Style!  I recently signed up for my second 5K ever.  My first 5K was the Shamrock run in Portland, OR in like 2010.  It was horrible!  It rained the entire time, then the lines afterwards for the free chowder and beer were horrendous.  Not to mention how far away my friend and I had to park!  After that race, I swore I would never do another one because "I'm not a runner".

Well, here I am again, signed up for a 5K without being a runner.  I actually committed with a group of friends to join their team for the Spartan race in Oahu on August 17th.  Spartan is a 3 mile obstacle course and is supposed to be really fun.  To help me gear up for it, I signed up for a local 5K, the Tri Lanai City Run the weekend before.

So, as I said, I'm not a runner.  I like to do yoga, go to aerobics classes or do aerobics videos.  But I've never liked running.  Every time I run I always get mad at myself that I have to walk, that I don't have stamina to run the whole time.  Then when I get home, I'm always completely out of breath, my chest hurts, and I want to die.

Last week I stumbled on this website Couch to 5K.  I was intrigued.  Could I really become a runner?  Could I do this 5K and not feel like I wanted to die? I downloaded the free mobile app and started.  Basically, for the first week, you run for 60 seconds and walk for 90 seconds for a total of 20 minutes. You do this 3 times in a week.  Each time, I ran 2 miles.  The second week the running increases, but so does the walking.  It's such an easy way to ease yourself into it!  I'm not out of breath, my chest doesn't feel like collapsing.  I can really do this!

I'm about to start my 2nd week, so I'll keep you updated after I do it!  I'm debating on if I want to run with my 3 year old in a jogging stroller or with my 1 year old Brittany Spaniel.  Either one will pose an obstacle! I will keep you updated!

Are you like me?  Or are you a runner?  Share your story in the comments!

Moving and Losing!

Hi there! This is Jennifer over at Teaching with Grace.  I am so excited to share with you my journey that I'm on!

This is me about 2 years ago. I had already had my son and my daughter was about 10 months old. I had lost some weight but wasn't really trying hard. I definitely lacked the motivation between teaching, mommy duties, and other home stuff. 

I've always been the "gee I want to be that fit" kind of girl... never really the "get off my butt and get it done" girl. In the past year that has changed, a lot! It hasn't been so much as a 'how I want to look' deal as much as a 'get healthy' deal. There is still some of the 'I want to be skinnier' in there though.

Just over a year ago, my grandmother got really sick and within a week passed away from a little known disease. Lots of if's, but's, and other questions circled for awhile. Then, 10 months later, my mother passed away from cancer. My motivation is for my own children to not have to feel this heart ache for a long, long time. I don't want them to lose me or my husband when we are only in our 50's.

So, with my motivation firmly in tact, I started running. I have a friend who is a runner and I've always wanted to be a runner. So this summer I simply started out by walking in the evenings... 1 mile, 2 miles, 3 miles. Then I started to see how far I could run before I had to stop to walk. 

I use a track at the school by my house. So I would set goals up for myself: 

"Run to the tree and then you can walk."

The next time it would be farther.

"Run from the pathway to the well cover."

Little by little I have improved and become a (slow) runner. I also made the ultimate investment:

Yep, running shoes! These babies are pretty... and they cost a pretty penny too. But, I won't (hopefully) be getting injured because of having faulty equipment on my feet while I'm running. I even went on a 5 mile run last week with my friend. Never thought I could do that and WHOA was it awesome!

Side benefit?

Losing 

Now, running definitely helps with that but I've also been counting my calories. I have a splurge every now and then (Barq's root beer last night and a tiny ice cream sundae :) ).

I also make sure to give myself rewards for what I've earned. New clothes!!

So, ask yourself, when you want to begin.. WHAT is your motivation? I'm doing it for me and my family.