Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Day 27 &28

I was to tired yesterday after Pumptime that I could not even attempt to write the blog; I apologize for that. Today...Pumptime really kicked my booty. After yesterday's arm work and squat track; I really didn't think I was going to make it! I did the best I could, and though I took a few rests, at least I finished the class. So, after a hard early morning workout; I was driving along Ashworth Rd, and I over estimated how much gas was left in my car. Charlie (my car) putted around the corner and stalled on me 3 miles from my house. So not only did I get a kick ass workout at Kees Camp, I then had to trot along 3 miles since I decided that I would leave my purse and phone at home this morning. I would say that I got my exercise today!
I am starting to see results, and I like it! My double chin is disappearing, and I have a waist! I tried on my bridesmaid dress yesterday and it about fell off of me :) My clothes are fitting better, and the best thing is that I am less winded when I go up and down my stairs. I like having more energy and the adrenaline and endorphins aren't bad either!!
I am glad that I am keeping track of my success on this blog, it really helps me to look back and see how far I have come in just 5 weeks.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Day 24, 25, and 26

Woops, I have been a busy girl the last few days.
Things are getting easier, and by the way, I shaved off a minute off of my mile! (walked mile :)) I am waiting for Jen to locate my missing measurements from the beginning of the 8 weeks so that I can see how many inches, if any I have lost. I remember my chest and hips, and when I measured them; I had lost an inch off of my chest and I think it was 2 inches from my hips?? We will see; I hope by next week. I think I am going to try on a dress that was a little snug on me to see how it's fitting, that might give me some idea.
I have noticed a huge difference in my attitude since I started this. I am so much more positive about everything in my life. Yesterday I was driving by myself, and I felt so happy! I decided to put a big smile on my face, and when I did that I started laughing because I was so happy. There wasn't anything that triggered it; I just had the warmth in my stomach. It felt strange for a second because I don't know that I have ever had that feeling without looking forward to something, or seeing someone. I did embrace it, and I am still feeling that way today. It's like having a wine buzz without the wine! Have any of you ever felt this way?
I like being happy :)

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Day 23

I am officially 1/2 way done with the 8 week Boot Camp. I am a little disappointed with my weight right now. I am trying to let go of the numbers, but when I get on the scale 3 1/2 weeks into this; I am a little let down by the fact that my numbers have not moved. I have been working so hard, and I feel like I am getting nowhere. I haven't been measured yet, and I am hopeful that there will be some differences there, because that is where it really matters. My diet is getting better, I still have slip ups now and again, but it is getting better. I need to have more cardio in my daily life. I was walking 3 miles a day, and since I have started the program I have missed out on that. I think I should add that back in.
So checking in at the half way mark...other than the numbers....I am feeling like I have a lot more energy, and I feel like I am a lot closer to being able to do one full push up. Mentally I have come a long way; my attitude has improved and I am thinking more positively about my life. I am working on freeing my mind from all of my walls that I have build, and I am letting go of all of the things tha I have held onto...at least I am trying.
I feel happier, and I am really loving this new way of life.
Until Tomorrow....

Monday, June 21, 2010

Day 21

2 work outs today! I had to make up for missing Saturday and Sunday. I went to the gym this morning and played a game of horse, rode the recumbent bike for 10 minutes, then lifted weights. After I got home I was contemplating my 12:00 Pumptime class at Kees Camp, and I decided that I didn't work out hard enough at the gym. I was really glad I went. Jen kicked it into gear today, and I was grunting all the way through the class. Very funny!
I made some progress with my confidence this weekend. My friend was throwing a house warming party, and there was a great funk band playing. They wanted me to get up and sing, and although I was hesitant to get up; I did. I have NEVER been able to sing on command, and I have always had a lot of anxiety about singing in front of small groups of friends. It's not that I am not confident in my singing ability, but it's more about the words that come out. I have always felt like if I am not prepared; I will fail. So with a couple of drinks, and some boosts from my friends; I finally conjured up enough gusto to get up there and sing with them. I overcame a lot in those 2 songs, and they weren't anything spectacular, but I still enjoyed it.
I like that I am starting to feel stronger, I still haven't lost any weight, but that's what I get for giving myself a 'free day'.
Live Strong!

Friday, June 18, 2010

Day 18

I almost didn't make it to my class this morning! I woke up at 5:38am and I rushed to the studio to work out. I didn't make Monday or Thursday's class, and I wont be able to make it on Saturday. I have a membership to the Y, but I feel a lot better when I work out with a group, and an awesome trainer; that keeps me motivated. Maybe I should just go, and stop acting like a chicken!
Today's workout was BRUTAL! I was that only one grunting my way through it, and I felt like I was going to pass out! Every rep I tried to remind myself that this wont always be so painful, and once I build up more muscles the exercises will be easier.
I think that some of my judgments about myself are cause by all of the judgments that I hear from other people. I don't understand why the American society is so stuck on being skinny and beautiful. My whole life I grew up thinking that I wasn't good enough, or pretty enough because I didn't look like the models, or actresses on television. I used to spend hours in front of the mirror doing my makeup and hair, and I would try to make everything perfect. I was never satisfied with the outcome, and I would always compare myself to other women/girls. Sometimes I just wish that people would stop being so fake! It's not about what I look like; it's about how I feel, right? I need to let all of that self judgment go; I feel like I can't breathe with all of this self doubt surrounding me.
I can look within myself and find the person that I want to be, I just need to learn how to set her free.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Day 17

I wish that there was more time in the day. I haven't been able to make it to two classes this week and I can feel it! My body feels bad, I never thought that I would see the day when I would miss working out, but I do! I feel tired, and lazy!
I was thinking today about cleaning out my house, and in a way I will be cleaning out the mess in my head. I think that there is too much clutter in both houses!! I wish that I had a garage to store all of my things in. So my goal next week is to de-clutter! It's time to get organized. I feel like the way that my house looks is a reflection of my mind right now. Everything is so jumbled up and crazy like!! A couple of months ago, I would have really been stressing out about the way my house looks, but right now I know it's all apart of the process. It's all connected.
In time I know I will find balance, and I hope that it comes soon.
Thanks for reading...ta ta for now!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Day 16

Yoga was great today, I can feel my body getting stronger. I think that the motions are getting easier, but my legs don't like to move from under me! I get stuck when I try to go from Downward Dog to Crescent Lung. When I was in resting pose; I started to think about some of the things from my past that caused me to become addicted to food, and the television. I started to think about being left at home by myself after school, and feeling like I was never good enough to have friends, or to go even deeper, to have my dad around. I have forgiven him for things that he isn't aware that he did, and I am past that, but maybe I am still holding on to those feelings of loneliness. I have to let it go, I don't need that feeling anymore. I am ready to move on.
I think that I could use a 'sacred space' for myself. Somewhere I can go to meditate, or just be with my own thoughts. I am always surrounded by noise, and people. I love my people, but I could use a break now and again. I used to write music all of the time, the creativity just flowed out of my mind. Since I had my son five years ago, I haven't writing anything. I have just been so busy, or when I do have time to myself, I spend it spacing out. I need to tap into my creativity again. I want to write my own songs, or even just poetry again. I feel like I have lost a lot of myself in the last few years. I really enjoy singing, dancing, and listening to music, but I just feel like I don't have as much of it in my life as I would like.
So in this reinvention of myself, I need to bring a little of the 'old' Melodie back.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Day 15

It's nice to get back into the swing of things, this mornings workout felt great! I was extremely tired afterward and passed out on the couch. I could really tell that I missed a few days though. My arms felt like there was a flame thrower directed towards my shoulders, and I was so shaky! I just have to keep reminding myself that it's worth it, all of this hard work is so worth it!
I just watched a video that someone took of my band last Thursday, and again, I was disappointed to see the reality of what I look like! I really don't want to look like that anymore, it's not who I am. It's really no wonder why all of my joints are stressed out! They have so much weight bearing down on them all day long, then when I add dancing and standing to the mix, it becomes incredibly painful.
Jen helped me out today with my knees, but dang, they are still so fragile! I can feel them moving around and grinding against the bones. It is not the most pleasant thing to go through. Then again, either is looking at a video of me dancing around in front of hundreds of people looking the way I do.
I know I shouldn't get down on myself, and I know that what I am doing right now is helping, but the slap of reality really hurts. I am embarrassed. I honestly don't want to get up in front of people anymore. So even though I feel better that I have gotten back on track, I am taking a step back with my confidence. Arg!

Monday, June 14, 2010

Day 14

I can tell that I have taken 4 days off from working out. My eating habits are terrible, and I feel lazy. I will get back into it tomorrow, but my knees are so achy right now, and I am worried that they are going to go out on me. I have had knee problems since I was 16 years old; I broke my knee cap at a concert, and then when that got better, the other knee decided it was too weak to stand, and dislocated on me. They would both randomly go out on me; one after the other, and it started to take a toll on the joint. Over the last 15 years, I have battled with knee pain, dislocations and the atrophy that has occurred. I know that when I loose weight I will have a better chance at avoiding surgery. I am not going to let them stop me from moving forward with my exercise routine, it just means that I need to be careful.
Since I have been changing things within me; I have also decided to start changing my bad housekeeping habits. It's terrible how messy my house can get when I take a break from cleaning. A cluttered house is a reflection of a cluttered mind. I want to be balanced in all of the areas of my life.
Balance!

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Day 11 & 12

I find that when I work out, I eat healthy, and when I miss a day or two of exercising, I don't make good food choices. I have been so busy the last couple of days, and I have had not been eating healthy. I am bound to fudge up now and again, but I really feel cruddy.
I hope that the weather is nice tomorrow so that I can go to Yoga on the Lawn at the West Des Moines City Hall. I really need to work off this junk and alcohol that I have consumed. I really don't want to put myself through this again. My face feels greasy! I feel heavy and tired!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Day 10

I am feeling so good! Jen was talking to me today during Zumba, she said I look like I have dropped a lot in my shoulders. It's true, I have been letting go of all of the weight that I have been holding onto..emotionally and physically. I have always carried the weight of the world on my shoulders, and since I have been working out, I have allowed myself to let it all go. Zumba is the perfect workout for that, I can just shake it all out!
I can't keep carrying all of these worries, why shouldn't I just let them all go? Am I afraid to loose control of myself if I am not worried about getting everything right? If I continue to let fear control me, then I will never be able to move on. I shed all of my fear, and I am willing to let fate have it's way with me. I refuse to hide behind this wall that I built any longer. I will not make excuses for the way I look. As I write this, I can feel my power chakra blazing in my belly!
Today is a powerful day, I can feel the changes that I am making taking the proper course.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Day 9

What a beautiful day! The sun is shining on us all!
I was expecting to wake up as sore as I was last week, and I have to say, I feel great! I was looking forward to Yoga Sculpt today, it's a really nice compliment to the rest of the workouts! I was impressed at how much I have already improved in one week. My body has finally learned how to sweat, I had it dripping in my eyes, and I was drenched when we were done. I used to work out at the gym for hours and I would barely be able to sweat, even a little. So this is a new development!
Diet has been doing better, I could use some toning up on that. It's really hard to eat right all of the time, especially when I live with 2 piggies! Todd and Isaac can eat anything they want, and they would rather eat pizza than green beans, but I sit alone with my healthy meal while they get to engorge in delicious greasy foods. That is a huge challenge for me. I will say, that since I have been working out I have not been craving sweets and junk as much as I thought I would. I actually feel like I am eating for fuel. I would like to take a cooking class sometime, so I can learn how to use fresh foods in my meals.
Emotionally, I am feeling better. Focusing on myself is new to me, and I am learning how to keep balance with everything.
Thats all for today...I am feeling tired from all of the sun :)
~Much Love

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Day 8

Day 8, 38 more days to go!
I have been trying to say at least one positive thing about myself every day, because I found myself being really negative last week. I had a shock of reality, and instead of thinking ahead and focusing on what is to come; I was focusing on all of the bad choices I had made that got me to where I am. No more of that! Geese!! I thought I was going to have a breakdown! So from now on, whenever I start to call myself 'fat' and 'ugly' I am going to cancel the thought and replace it with something more on the sunny side of things.
I got on the scale, 237 lbs! I am happy that I lost 3 lbs in a week, but really, it's not about the weight. I want to loose inches, and feel energized and healthy. I want to start being more active with Isaac (my 5 year old). It would be nice to run around with him; instead of sitting on the bench. I want to set a better example for him, and show him that there is a lot more to life than watching TV and playing video games. For the most part; this is about me, but it is also about Isaac.
This morning was Pumptime Express! 45 minutes of cardio pumping goodness! I like these 6am workouts, they get me energized for the whole day! I don't know if I will have much use of my arms later, but in the end, it will be worth it. I thought it was really funny when we were rowing with the bar bell, every time I would bring the bar up, it would crash into my gut....more motivation to hold that belly in! I am also finding out how much stronger my left side is than my right; holy cow! My right pectoral and my biceps are on FIRE!!!
I feel great, and now I have the rest of the day to take on!
Until tomorrow......

Monday, June 7, 2010

Day 7

Sorry I missed yesterday, something was wrong with the blogger! So I will sum it up...it was a free day and I enjoyed every bite of that Little Debbie Fancy Cake!
Today, after 2 1/2 cups of coffee I was ready for the day! I knew that Booty Camp was at the end of it, so I was excited to go work out. (did I really just say I was excited?) I made a delicious pizza today! Whole grain crust, pizza sauce, fresh mushrooms, artichoke hearts, chicken breast, and fresh mozzarella ( I didn't need to use very much of that!) topped with oregano and black pepper. I will say that I had 4 small slices..but if filled me up for the whole day. This made me nervous as the class time came nearer, I have worked out on a full stomach before, and it's not very fun!
Booty Camp kicked my butt! I have never done so many lunges in my life~and then adding in the medicine ball was another challenge. Lunge after Lunge!!!! I am going to have nightmares about them! I feel good, my endorphins have kicked in! However; it's time for a shower!
I also wanted give you all a big thank you for all of the support that you have been giving me...you have no idea how much it's helping.
Ta Ta!

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Day 5

I feel guilty that I can't make it to the class today; it's okay to take a couple of days off, isn't it?
I will stick to my low cal ingestion; I am trying to stay away from the 'D' word. This morning I had a salmon fillet, scrambled eggs, cinnamon and raisin english muffin, and blueberry juice. So far so good.
Emotionally, I am a mess. There is so much going on with my self esteem. I have had a hard hit of reality since I have been forcing myself to look in the mirror. It's really hard to face what I have become, in my mind I was something completely different, and now I feel like I don't know who I am anymore. It's all changing for the good, and I am aware that this is just a part of the process. I have to free my mind of these blocks, but when I look in the mirror, I am reminded of them.
So for today, I am going to work on saying positive things about myself.
Ta Ta For Now

Friday, June 4, 2010

Day 4

Happy Friday!
Gluts, Guts, and Glory! Well, I felt the gluts, I felt the guts...the glory....well I am sure that will come with time. We started at 6am, bright and early on this muggy Iowa day. I had a really hard time waking up this morning, but I had to remind myself why I am doing this over and over to get my ass out of bed. I was very intimidated by this class, as the areas of focus, are my areas of weakness.
With my body engaged in the exercise, I couldn't keep my butt off the ground..I kept trying to lift it off of the floor, but gravity got the better of me today. So with grunts and legs a'fire, I pushed through, laughing all the way. After the first 30 minutes, Jen was very excited for the 'run' around the block...the 1 mile long track, smiling; I joined the group. I started jogging, and as everyone passed me, I found a new goal. I want to be able to run a mile by the end of this journey. I had to walk for the majority of this run; due to my knees being weak, but walking alone allowed me some time to reflect.
Even when running the mile was a requirement in school, I was never able to push myself to run the entire thing. I believe my best time was 10 minutes. I was also never able to do a single push up, or pull up. I remember my Jr. High gym teacher telling me that if I don't do it now, I will never be able to. Now I realize what she was talking about; it wasn't that I would never be physically able to accomplish this, it was that I was not able to mentally push myself to achieve it.
So with 4 days down, 42 more to go, I am feeling tired, and ready for a nap. I also find myself fantasizing about pizza, Mmmmmmm! Can I have a free day? And if I give myself a free day, will I binge? After all of the hard work that I put in this week, I really don't want to ruin it with bad food choices. Please talk me out of it!
Have a fantastic Friday everyone!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Day 3

ZUMBA! This class was exactly what I needed! I was feeling very tired after the last 2 work outs, and now I have a ton of energy! I was laughing at myself, and shakin everything that I have...even the parts that I try to keep still. Why not let go and have some fun?
My diet has been great so far today, and I am really feeling good about myself.
I was people watching earlier and I saw this woman who was in very good shape walk by. I started to say, " I wish I looked like that" and as I realized what I was saying I changed my thought to a more positive one and said, " One day when I look like that, I will be able to wear really cute clothes."
I have to change the way that I think about myself, I have to be a lot more positive. My life is only going to change if I change my way of being.
Today was a good day!
Talk to you tomorrow!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Day 2

Happy Wednesday!
I woke up this morning and I felt like my legs and arms were on FIRE!! Holy Cow, so the first thought that ran through my head was, "how the heck am I going to make it through another day!" Then I remembered the 'before' picture that I regretfully decided to take yesterday, and that will motivate me for the rest of my life. I had a completely different view of myself; maybe I was in denial, but I really didn't think I had gotten this bad. The image of my stretched out belly is forever burned in my head! There is my motivation.
I ate really well today, lots of water, 7 grain Kashi cereal with organic milk, and a cup of blueberry Naked juice. For lunch I had a grilled chicken breast, cottage cheese, and Brussel sprouts. Dinner was a Subway sandwich..Sub Club on honey wheat with all the veggies, no cheese, and light mayo. So I feel good about what I ingested.
Today at Beach Body Boot Camp, I took the Yoga Sculpt class. This was a huge challenge for me, as I was already in pain from yesterday. I pushed through it, and as the hour went on, I was feeling more and more like I was going to collapse. By the 25th push up...(the girl kind) I was almost in tears. But I persevered and I made it through the class.
I felt angry that I have let myself get to this point. I think it's disgusting to look in the mirror at myself and see this sagging body. I let myself get this way, and it's my job to get myself healthy again. I am just looking forward to the day when I actually feel good when I wake up.
Thanks for listening...if anyone is.
Have a blessed nights rest!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Day 1

Current weight: 240lbs
Today was the first day of my lifestyle change. The last 29 years of my life have been filled with yummy sugar treats, indulgence, and laziness. I joined up with Jen Kees for her Beach Body Boot Camp. It's an 8 week exercise program, every day will be a challenge! Today was pumptime Express, armed with a barbell that had a total of 15lbs on it. I have lifted weights before, but never in an aerobic routine. My body was shaking for an hour after. I suppose this is good, and I should be thanking Jen for encouraging me to do this for myself. I don't know if I will feel so positive as the week goes on.
So why put this pressure on my body, and mind? I have been overweight since I was 10 years old. My max weight was 290lbs when I was pregnant, and now 5 years later, I am still battling with the weight that I put on. I am addicted to sugar, and television, and I fear that I am setting a bad example for my son. I am tired of getting winded going up a flight of stairs, and I am tired of looking in the mirror and seeing what I have become. I feel absolutely gorgeous inside; I am a kind person, and I love to take care of other people. I have a great boyfriend who loves me for all that I am, and I have all the support in the world. The only thing that has been holding me back has been myself, I am my worst enemy.
So this is going to be an amazing journey for me. I am finally taking care of myself.
Take Care!