Been in Ireland

Okay so no excuse for not blogging,
But been on vacation in Ireland!
Surprisingly vegetarian friendly!
Lots of vegan or vegetarian soups and dishes,
So was able to stay on plan easily, except....
For the occasional Guiness, of course!

I´ll get back to blogging regularly in a few days.

Exercise was no problem, you learn to walk very fast in Dublin,
And we walked or hiked at least 5 miles every day!
(My husband has a  pedometer on his phone that tracked us)
Think I actually lost a few pounds!!

Had the time of our lives here!
Can´t wait to come back!
To see more of our trip, visit our new blog at
irishmaybs.blogspot.ie

Dreaming Big...Uh.. I Mean Great!

Let's keep the words Big and Large to a minimum......
Everybody has dreams.
I know I have a lot of them.
But until recently, I never thought many of my dreams would ever come true.
Like getting fit and controlling my asthma.
Or wearing a smaller size!!
But I've come to the realization that if you don't believe in your dreams
They're just thoughts.
Believing........sounds all new agey, but it works.

Three years ago, my husband and I said we wanted to take the trip of a lifetime.
We wanted to go to Ireland.
We had no idea how we could pull that off,
But we said it and we believed we could make it happen somehow.

A few months later someone came into our life and showed us how to do a home based business.
That business, that I work on once a week, paid for our trip and we leave in two weeks!!

So applying this theory to my weight release journey would be seemingly easy, right?
But I have so many paradigms to get over it's harder than just saying I believe. It takes practice to squelch the mean things I say to myself.
Oh voices in my head,
SHUT UP!!!!

I DO BELIEVE! I DO!!

Slip Sliding Away...

More like backsliding away!
It's been 15 days since my last post.
I've been taking a little break.

After going at it hard and heavy,
I felt like taking it easy for awhile.

Very BAD idea!!!

While I haven't put on any weight,
I can sure feel the difference in my energy, my body, but...
Especially my
ATTITUDE!!!!!

It's amazing how much a little exercise can change your attitude.
Who knew?

So back on schedule this morning and looking forward to the next chapter in my journey.

Here goes nothing!

Progress Day!

Size 12 Vera Wang skirt
Yeah, that's right!
Booya!!!!!

So while I didn't get as far as I wanted..
I did keep my accountability agreement.
Which was 2 dress sizes in 90 days.

Yea!!
I get to keep my Nikon!
Thank goodness. Phew!

Am I done yet?
Not by a long shot.

My next 90 days is to get some inches off my middle!
Haven't decided yet how many,
Just going to take some time to breath.

But the next 90 days brings me to November 18th, almost a full year to when I started this blog.
Wow.
This has been no short cut, no crash diet, no miracle pill.
It's been hard work and sometimes some back slides.
But I have learned a lot and changed a lot.
Can't wait to see where the next 90 days takes me.

When Things Aren't Adding Up In Your Life........

Start Subtracting!

                   Author Unknown

What a great concept.

Once I started subtracting instead of adding.

Things just started uh.. um...

                                      Adding up!

                                     Okay  a little crazy sounding but it's true.

I looked at my portions and apparently...

I needed to subtract.

I thought I was doing so much right!

But I was adding to much.

I was thinking that because I was working out,

Eating on Plan, etc,

That things should add up.

But thy weren't.!!!!!

So I subtracted.

And I think it's working!

Progress pictures will prove it on August 20th!!!

Oh lord, I hope I'm right!

No Magic Pill.....Darn!!!!

Where is that magic pill all the commercials talk about?
Because I can't find it..
If I had all the money back I've spent on miracle weight loss gimmicks.............
You know the rest.

This changing your life thing is hard!
It's so easy to fall into old habits...
They're like a warm comfy blanket.


But if I really want things to change,
Well..
Then things have to change.

I'm actually on track lately,
But for some reason
Instead of getting easier,
It's getting harder.

Why is this so hard?

What's that about?

Eating on plan,
Working out on plan,
Two weeks until my progress picture!
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm Giving Her All She's Got Capt'n!

But am I?
Really?

One of the trainers at the gym asked a friend of mine, "If your giving it 100%, why do you think it's taking so long to get to your goal?"
Wow!
At first I was pissed off, and insulted for her.

But then I asked myself the same question.
Am I lying to myself that I'm doing everything in my power to make this happen?
Why is it taking so long?

So I re-examined not just my exercising, because I do well at that, but...
and it's a big but,
my food intake.

I discovered that I was miscalculating how much I was putting in my body.
After all,
just because you work out doesn't mean you can eat more.
Not if your trying to Release weight.

Damn.
You would be surprised how little food I should be eating in comparison to what I have been eating.  While I'm eating healthy and on plan, my portions have been way off!
Double Damn and Damn again.

Well, knowledge is power?
Right?
Moving on.

Back In The Saddle

It's been far to long between posts.
Update,
My back is better!!
YEA!!
But I am way behind schedule....
Stupid life just gets in the way sometimes.

I have exactly 27 days to pull this off.
Can I do it? Can I lose two dress sizes?
Anybody out there taking bets?

I'll admit, I'm a little scared.
But that just means I have to push myself harder, past the fear.

I've learned a lot about myself on this journey,
And one of the things I've learned is that I'm way stronger and
More determined
Than I ever gave myself credit for.

PUSH, PUSH, PUSH!!!

I Thought I Had It Under Control...

And then something else happened.
I injured my back.
UGH!!
So a short interruption in my new workout routine.
But I'm not letting it get me down,
Just gonna move forward as much as I can.

I have approximately 6 weeks until my progress date.
Time sure moves fast,
So that means I have to move faster.
Jeez!!!!
This is so hard!!

Moving Past My Fear

So I realized that in order to achieve my goals I had to do something I Never thought I would do
Join a gym.
To me the gym is a place where bullies gather to make fun of the fat People,
Or it brings back memories of PE when I was a kid and the overly Muscular female PE teacher,
Joined in while the jock kids mocked the kids that were more interested In literature than sports.
Aka..... me.

Now I didn't just join one of those gyms where there are just rows and rows of treadmills and bikes,
Nope... I joined a gym where there are trainers that kick your ass!!

It scared me to death to finally commit to this, but now that I have, I'm glad.
Because I know with the proper trainers, I can push past my comfort zone 
(you know, that zone where nothing happens)
And begin to believe I can do this thing!
Believing is half the battle.

So I've been twice to the gym and have had my ass properly handed to Me, but that's okay.
In between gym time I've been walking three miles, three times this Week.
It's Saturday so I only walked two miles this morning.
HELL YEA!! Gym twice, walking 4 times!!
Got back to using the My Fitness Pal app on my phone so I can keep Track of my calorie intake to make sure I'm on track.
Just over 6 weeks to Progress Day,
Here we go!!

Two Month Countdown

So if I want to keep my camera,
I need to get and stay focused on my goal and nothing else!
Which is hard...
Because for the most part,
I can rarely hold a thought for more than a few minutes
Before my mind races to the next.
But keeping the end result in my mind, always, is the key, right?
Sooooo....
After watching Deb Cheslow last video in her 5 part series...
I apparently need to put systems in place.

This includes my dream board that has my face on models bodies..
So funny..but cool.
But also I wrote on my mirrors with dry erase little reminders of what I need to do through out the day.
Hey!!!!
Whatever it takes right!!!!????

While I haven't been able to do my walk for the past few days, I still have stayed on plan
And instead of walking I've been swimming.  Not as strenuous, but still movement.
YAY!!

If only I could battle this water intake thing!!
Curse you water monster!

Stop Complaining! Please!

So here I am,
Changing my life with gratitude and positive feelings and thoughts.
(I was going to say "trying to change", but that's like "trying to exercise", you either do or you don't!)
So anyway, where was I?... oh yea, changing my life, blah blah....
But I am surrounded by people who complain about.... well....
EVERYTHING!!!
I never realized it because, up until now,
I was participating in keeping the complaint department of life open!
Now that I'm focusing more on what I'm grateful for....
I'm so much more aware of what NOT being grateful sounds like.

Gratitude sounds so much nicer!

So I did a dumb thing...
No blonde jokes friends!

I took my shoe off during a walk around the lake because it was rubbing on my heel blister.
Now I have a giant blister on the bottom of my foot.
OOPS!!
Not gonna stop me from my goal though.....
Rock on!!!!

To React or To Respond, Same Thing?

My coach, Deb Cheslow, gave a lesson about this subject,
and me being the genius that I am thought to myself....
Aren't they the same thing?

So I got out my dictionary and guess what...totally opposite.
To Reacting means to repeat, resist or oppose something.....
A Response means to reply, answer or retort..
Color me corrected!
Funny thing, responsibility was right under response.........mmmmm

I've been having a situation problem and I guess I've been reacting to it.
Obviously it has gotten me nowhere.
(The last thing I need in my life is more resistance)
Then I blame myself for things not working out,  then.....
I punish myself by doing something that's not in my best interest,
Like eating only free day foods...
Not on a free day....
And then I get sad...
Such a vicious cycle..

Time to get off the merry-go-round and start responding to things...
Then take responsibility for them!!

Walked 2.5 miles today, need to do some strength training after work.
August 20th is creeping closer and closer.

P.S.  I believe everyone should have a coach or mentor.  It really helps!

Meal planning is key

While keeping on plan on the weekends is hard....
Keeping on plan after a long day at work is just as hard.. if not harder
My favorite thing I used to look forward to at the end of a hard day,
Was exactly what I shouldn't eat..
A bag of chips..
Cheese and crackers...
Fast Food...
Yada Yada

And while I am vegan now, no fast food or cheese, (you think I'd be thin!),
I find it so much easier to stay on plan
when I have everything mapped out for the week.
That's what Release has taught me.

So my walking partner friend is entering a triathlon in June.
That made me think that I too needed to step up my game.
No triathlons for me.
But something has got to rev up my workouts in order to achieve my goal on
August 20th!!!!!!
What to do????
What to do????
Mmmmm........

Accountability Agreement...What Have I Done?

Well I've gone and done it now!
Who in their right mind makes an accountability Agreement with the creator of your fitness program?
Yup, you guessed it...
Me

So here's the agreement:
I lose two dress sizes by my next progress date of August 20th or
I leave my favorite thing in the world, next to my husband and dog,
MY CAMERA
at home on my trip to Ireland.
WHAT WAS I THINKING!!!!??????
Well maybe it's exactly what I need to get my butt in gear!

Since I made the agreement, however, I noticed that I'm more focused than ever!!
Yesterday was weights and today was a long walk.  Tomorrow is a walk on the beach for an hour.

And water, water, water, water!!!

Oh Nikon, how I love thee!

Okay So Here Goes Nothing

Third 90 Day Photo!!
I get that you can't love every picture of yourself.
And that it had been a long day and my husband is a great sport.
And that my dog wanted in the picture.
But I really don't like the way I look in this picture.

But a commitment is a commitment and at the end of the day there are worse things than looking like a dork in a picture!

Third 90 Days!

And slow progress is still progress and pictures don't lie.

So another 90 day journey begins.
After talking to Deb and Angie from Release today,
I feel good about a new start to this 90 days.

August 20th, here I come.
Cheers!!!

Can't Everywhere Be A No Judgement Zone!

It's been over a week since I've blogged.
Been feeling down.
One thing I've learned through this process is.....
EVERYONE HAS AN OPINION!!!

I knew when I started this I was opening myself up for criticism.
What I didn't expect was the complete lack of support!
For the past month or so I've let other people get into my head.
And as a result, gone off the path I have worked so hard toward.
Hey, I'm human.

So, now at a crossroad, do I go forward with my dream, or....
Give in to the people who have decided for me who I am?

As I've said before, and will most likely say again....
GET OVER IT!!!!!
Onward HO!

Love is the Key!

Took a long walk today.. YEA! Exercise helps my attitude.
Drinking half my body weight in water today, that's a commitment by the way.
And back on Release Plan.
My progress picture is next Wednesday.. not in the place I expected to be.
But a commitment is a commitment.
NO JUDGEMENT PEOPLE!!!

Slow Progress is Still Progress!!

I have been beating myself up for weeks now
because.....
I'm embarrassed that my weight isn't coming off faster.
But my friends at Release reminded me
That Progress is Progress no matter how slow.

But still....
I sure wish this would go faster!


I found out also this week that one of the main reasons you have a stall is...

Yes...
My best friend water.
Your supposed to drink half your body weight in ounces per day.
WHAT???
Yeah, I missed that in the orientation!!
Okay, I'll do better.
Wish me luck!

Where will I be in three weeks?

It appears I have a decision to make....
I feel as if I'm standing still.
I know from the Release Plan that your either creating
or disintegrating....
But I honestly feel like I'm in a bubble.
So.
It's either jump or get off the bridge at this point...
So where will i be on May 22?
It's time for me to take control.

Weekends are the hardest for me!!
But I've kept on my exercise schedule......
However I really need to reevaluate my eating plan....
Ugh!!!!!
And drink more WATER!

See Yourself Slim...No Really!!

This is the weight mirror
photo, I really don't look
this good, but I will!!

So at My Release Plan they shared this website where you can download a picture of yourself,
Put in how much weight you want to lose,
And it adjust your picture showing you at that weight!!
It's awesome!!
It's at http://makeovr.com/weightmirror/
You've got to try this!
I look fantastic!
Gonna put that picture on my wall so I see it everyday!



Hitting the work outs pretty hard,
But I still feel stagnant,

Really want this next progress picture to reflect it,
But I must be patient,
It is not a race,
This is a lifetime........
Blah Blah
Who am I kidding?
I want to look like that picture NOW!!!!!

Boy, do I need to find my ZEN!

Starting All Over......

I feel like I'm starting all over again
Everyday
But that's okay because it just means a fresh start...
Right?
Today is the second day that I've worked out after not working out for 2 weeks
And it feels like I'm starting from scratch
My muscles are so fatigued, it was really hard to get through the work out
But I did it
And I'll do it again tomorrow
Because I'm never giving up

Set backs are part of life
It's what makes me know I'm on the right track
I'm looking at them differently now...
Not as brick walls
But as hurdles that I'm getting in better shape to jump over
Here I come May 22nd

Gratitude

I start my day with a healthy dose of gratitude.
Yesterday is gone.
Tomorrow is not here yet.
Being grateful for right now is the key.
Any mistakes that I have made in the past is not who I am,
It's who I was.

With that in mind,
Learning to love myself for who I am, right now, is a challenge.
Because that little voice that sounds like a scolding parent tends to pop up when I least expect it.
SHUT UP!!!!
Nobody wants to hear from you voice!!

So, feeling much better now.
The devil flu has loosened it's grip.
Looking forward to getting back on the exercise track!
I told Deb Cheslow yesterday, "If there is one thing that stands out in my mind on what I have gotten out of The Release program, it's that I have to exercise at least 5 days a week to feel good!"
Wow, yea, I really said that and I meant it.
Me.
Who knew?

A funny thing happened on the way...

to my goal...
Oh I started out with so much momentum, but then I lost steam.
Like anything else
Its new and exciting at first...then it becomes old hat.

I've been sick with the flu for the past 10 days.
As a result I've lost some weight.
But it's not weight that I intended to lose.

In order to do this for the rest of my life, I have to intend to keep my momentum.
Intend to keep to the Release Plan.
Intend to stay true to what I want the most.
A long, healthy, fulfilled  life...
Full of Intent!

So now that I'm on the mend from the ever lasting flu.
I intend to stay on plan,
I intend to have a healthy respect for myself,
I intend to live my dreams,
and most of all,
I intend to rock my next progress picture on May 22!!!
YEAH!!!

Oh, and god bless yoga pants. :-)

Time Flies....

Usually that phrase ends with "when your having fun."
But in this instance it's just...time flies.
I can't believe that I haven't blogged in eight days.
I wish I could say that it's because I've just been so busy with my business and my
Release Plan
But....
I don't want to regress
and pushing forward is a new experience for me.
It's terrifying and to be honest!
I just want to stop right here and say I gave it my best shot.
However..
I know I haven't, given it my best shot that is.

Everyone I talk to that's around my age has a story of how great they looked when they were younger.
Same story,
Different name.
I am no different.
But I'm coming to grips with the fact that that was the past,
and living in the past will never get me the future I want.
Soooo...
While releasing weight is such a painfully slow process at my age,
I have to stop thinking of how when I was twenty, I could lose 7 pounds in a week.
I'm not twenty anymore....
Damn, did I just admit that on the internet?
Well...
If it's on the internet, it must be true!!!  Bonjour!

I Got Lost On The Way To My Goal!!

It's amazing how easily distracted I can get.
I thought it would be habit by now to stay on track
But it seems I've been slipping quite a bit.
At least i know I'm slipping,  and can straighten myself up faster than I could in the past.
It's a process to change habits.

Especially the habit of berating yourself for slipping a little!
Thank goodness for good friends and life guides!!!
Staying positive will soon be second nature.

Wish I could say I'm staying on track with my food plan but....
I get there again..soon.
I can say, however, that I've become accustomed to exercise on a daily basis!!

Who woulda guessed it!!
Ah,  good habits....
Where have you been all my life??

Losing Direction... Not

Okay that whole "not" thing is a little dated... agreed...
But this was my Birthday week..so gimme a break!

I always get a little blue around this time.
But I'm over it now.

Funny how the universe works if you pay attention.
My first reaction to new people and things is to put my hands out and protect myself...
But now...after reading some of Deb Cheslow's books
                                                      I realize that these feelings I've designated as warning are actually my
                                                      fear of moving forward.
                                                     Always learning.

So instead of giving into my fear of moving forward....
I have listened to the universe and now I have a new walking buddy!!!
So excited!!!
We walked the beach this morning...brrrr 40 degrees
But.... it's so nice to have more accountability other than this blog!

Even though it's my birthday week, I stayed on plan!!
May 22, here I come!!!