health – This Crazy Life of Mine

Tag: health

20
Apr
2017

Small Goals Lead To Big Results

categories: accountability, commitment, fitness, goals, health

You have goals and dreams. Things to you want to accomplish. Some big, some small. No matter what they are, anything is attainable if you put in the hard work.

For me, setting small goals along the way is key to success. Going into the gym this year and wanting to get in shape helped me realize that I wanted to lose 50 pounds. That’s the big goal for the year, but I started by setting a starting goal for the first 12 weeks. Setting small goals as you work towards your BIG goal helps keep you on track and that big goal doesn’t seem so far away or so hard.
Another thing I’ve realized is that as you work towards a big goal things can change. That 50 pounds I want to lose will likely change because I am building muscle as I lose weight. I may lose 35 pounds and be perfectly happy because of all the muscle I’ll have built. I’d rather be a strong 155 pounds than a weak 140 pounds.

Here are my tips for setting goals…

Write down your goals, big and small.
Keep track of your progress often.
Be flexible and know that it’s okay for your goals to change along the way.
Know who your support system is and share your goals with them for accountability.
Don’t be discouraged if it takes longer than you wanted to reach your goal.
Break your big goal into several small goals.
Reward yourself for reaching your goals.
Be true to yourself along the way.

What is a goal you are working towards right now?

16
Apr
2017

Remember Me? An update…

categories: anxiety, bootcamp, change, fitness, Golds Gym, gym, health, healthy lifestyle, hubby, life, weight loss, work, workout

Hi! Remember me? It’s been almost a month since I blogged and boy did it fly by.

There is much happening in my crazy little world and it has bumped blogging down to the bottom of my list. While that makes me sad, I have also been doing things I need to do.

Back on March 1st, I got a new job. It started as part-time and quickly moved to full-time. And I love every minute of it. If you follow me on Facebook, you know how happy I’ve been working out at Gold’s Gym and how much hubby and I love going there. My love of being a member there turned into me inquiring about any open positions they might have. I lucked into the front desk position and it’s been so much fun.

It’s more than just a job, though. It’s a way out of something I was tired of doing. Our family business, after almost 25 years, has run it’s course. I just can’t do it anymore. My sanity and mental health are too valuable to continue doing something so stressful. Gold’s Gym gave me the opportunity to turn that dream of moving onto something new a reality. It gave me the last little nudge I needed to take the leap – a big leap – and move forward. I am also very thankful to hubby for supporting me in this change – and noticing how good it’s been for me.

That little change has prompted some other changes and we are working on making life easier, all while focusing on us. I couldn’t be happier at Gold’s Gym. I get up at 4:00 am, open the gym at 5:00 am, and work until 1:00 pm. This gives me time to run errands, work on Etsy orders, and do whatever else I need to do.

Our 12-week challenge at the gym has ended and I am so proud of both of us. We turned walking into the gym with the desire to get back into shape into a REALITY. Hubby and I go to the gym at least 5 days a week. It’s a way for us to do something for us and spend time together. We have many friends there and our gym family continues to grow. Our trainers Greg and Ila pushed out of our comfort zones weekly, all while cheering us on. I have to say that had our trainers not been who they were, this challenge may have gone totally different for me. They gave me the drive to work hard and keep going. They also made me realize I love push-ups and sit-ups which is a miracle in itself.

Here are my challenge results….

Because I am so much more than just numbers, I have to share the picture I took the first night of bootcamp and an end of challenge picture. Yes, my numbers are great, but I feel so much different than a 15.4 pound weight loss. My body has transformed in a way I really didn’t think was possible anymore. It has also helped my running and endurance, which we all know makes me a very happy runner girl.

The gym, the challenge, the trainers, and working out with hubby haven reminded me how strong I am, how I can do anything I can set my mind to, and how I am worth every single minute I put into myself. Taking time to be a better me is the best thing I can do not only for my weight, but also my anxiety. It has made a world of difference.

We are NOT stopping here. The end of the challenge just means that we keep pushing on. Hubby and I both set another 12-week goal for ourselves. My goal is to lose another 15 pounds by the end of June. We will continue to track our food, workout, and focusing on our goals.

So while I have been away from my little blog that I love so much, I have been working on me and that, my friends, is the best thing anyone can do.

Until next time…. <3 <3 <3

22
Feb
2017

A Healthy 2017 with #VianceNutrition

categories: #VianceNutrition, food, health, healthy, healthy eating, nutrition, review, Viance, Viance Nutrition, Viance Vitality Blend

As we quickly approach March and I am six weeks into an awesome bootcamp at the gym, I am constantly looking for different ways to stay healthy while I am on the go. This year is already proving to be a busy one and I have to make sure I am prepared for anything, including not having time to cook a meal or find a healthy snack.

Thanks to Viance, I am taken care of for meal replacements and snacks. I love my morning coffee, but I find that in the midst of working out regularly, I need to fuel my body better. Viance Vitality Blend is a quick and easy meal with either water or almond milk (my favorite with the chocolate flavor Vitality Blend). Just shake and go. Chock full of nutrients and antioxidants to help your body be it’s best. If you have more time and want to use it in a blended smoothie, that’s delicious too!

As I try to get back in shape this year, my focus is on:

– Eating healthy so that I am not mindlessly eating when I don’t need to

– Fueling my body for workouts and being active

– Keep my calories in check, while getting plenty of protein.

Viance Vitality Blend and Nutrition Bars have been a wonderful addition to my routine to help with these goals. And even better, it’s so quick and easy. My time is valuable and I need to get what I need and GO!

Screen Shot 2017-02-22 at 2.33.28 PM — Having a Viance Nutrition Bar on hand while at Universal Studios last week was a huge help.

I am determined to make 2017 my year as I work hard to feel good in my skin. Between being active, working out at the gym, bootcamp, running, and eating nutritious meals and snacks, I *KNOW* I can reach my goals.

Learn more about Viance Vitality Blend and more on their website. When you visit, you have a chance at great savings!

What is your number one health goal for 2017?

13
Feb
2017

The One Where I Did Sit-Ups {Week 5}

categories: #contest, #fitfor45, #ggchallenge2017, bootcamp, fitness, Golds Gym, gym, health, healthy eating, hubby, non-scale victory, plank, T25

Each week of bootcamp brings something new that I learn about myself or that I can do. This week it was sit-ups. And you would think I just learned how to grow money on trees, it makes me so happy.

I can’t tell you the last time I did a sit-up. And when I did, I definitely did not do it on my own, without someone or something holding my feet. But in bootcamp on Saturday morning, our weekend trainer Ila had us do a couple pretty intense circuits. Reverse lunges, spider planks, single leg weighted dead lifts, and more including sit-ups. And for those sit-ups, she wanted us to use a weight. I thought there was no way I could do a sit-up, let alone one with a weight. I grabbed a 10 pound dumbbell to try.

I don’t know how it happened, but when she started that stopwatch and told us to start, I sat up. Just like that. And then I did it again. And again. Mid-way through the first set, she walked passed me and told me to lose the little weight and go for the 20 pounds kettlebell, to push myself. So I did just that. And I loved every second of it.

What is it about doing a sit-up that makes me so happy? Because I didn’t think I could do it and I proved myself wrong in an instant.

Moral of the story…. Never think that you CAN’T do something until you try. You never know what you are capable of. This picture is proof of that. One month apart and the changes are very noticeable. Four week of bootcamp, working out, and healthy eating. I really can’t wait to see what twelve weeks looks like!

[Tweet “Never think that you CAN’T do something until you try. You never know what you are capable of. #ggchallenge2017”]

Hubby doesn’t say much about bootcamp but he is a ROCK STAR. I am so proud of him and his progress. Also, he pushes me on the days we work out together and I love it. I can’t imagine working out and getting healthy and fit with anyone else.

Challenge Week 5

Start of week Weigh-In – 183.8.00 (7.2 pounds lost)

Body Fat change – Down 1.8% in body fat

My lean muscle is definitely increasing and my body is changing!

Activity:

Monday – Bootcamp (full body), plank (4-week weigh in)

Tuesday – REST

Wednesday – 20 minute walk on treadmill, 6 minutes on Elliptical, bootcamp (full body), 4 laps outside (2 running, 2 walking)

Thursday – T-25 Cardio (25 minutes)

Friday – 15 minute treadmill run, upper body circuit, ran up and down gym stairs 10 times each with 10 pound weights, sauna, wall sits and twists, plank

Saturday – 25 minute treadmill walk, bootcamp (full body)

Sunday – 15 minute run on treadmill, leg circuit (leg press, quads, hamstrings, calfs), ran up and down gym stairs 10 times each with 10 pound weights, wall sits, sit-ups, plank

Food:

I’ve been logging for 35 days now (today is Day 36). Tracking food is always an eye opener to the calories, carbs, and sugar you are eating, as well as portion sizes. I am on a huge broccoli kick and eat it whenever I can. Saturday night we went out to dinner at Kobe Japanese Restaurant and I managed to order extra veggies instead of the usual fried rice and noodles. It wasn’t easy easy since it was being made right in front of me, but leaving the restaurant not overly stuffed like normal was a great feeling. They gave me a birthday cupcake and I had two bites. It was the perfect amount of sweet.

12 Week Challenge Goal – 171

End of 2017 Goal – 145

07
Feb
2017

The One Where I Ate Birthday Cake {Week 4}

categories: #contest, #fitfor45, #ggchallenge2017, 5K, Best Damn Race, Best Damn Race Safety Harbor, birthday, fitness, Golds Gym, gym, health, healthy eating, hubby, plank

In the fourth week of bootcamp, I turned 45. And there was birthday cake. And I enjoyed every bite I had AND I tracked it. That is a win, folks.

It was a busy week – birthday, Best Damn Race, baby shower, wedding, a massage on Sunday, and all my usual day-to-day stuff. I started the week with a great weigh-in and continued to push myself at bootcamp. I can feel my upper body getting stronger, especially when doing push-ups. And I am loving the leg press on non-bootcamp days.

Bootcamp is hard and every class is different. Our trainer, Greg, does a great job of changing it up each time. He motivates and pushes each one of us, all while knowing that we are at different fitness levels. I enjoy every minute of class, even though I might swear at him when he is not quick on the stop watch and our time for each circuit. This is the first time I have ever done a bootcamp style class in my life and now I wish I had done one years ago.

16463112_10210752726445837_1333954451223634928_o — Thanks for the fabulous tank top for my birthday, honey!

I ran Best Damn Race on Saturday – Corinna, Angie, and I ran the 5K. As is typical when we run together, we don’t run for time because we are chatting and laughing up a storm. But I could feel a difference in my running – my legs felt stronger and my breathing felt easier. Bootcamp is doing it’s job at conditioning me. At some point this year, I *WILL* set a new PR for a 5K.

Challenge Week 3

Start of week Weigh-In – 182.00 (9.0 pounds lost)

Activity:

Monday – 15 minute walk on treadmill, bootcamp (full body), plank

Tuesday – REST

Wednesday – 20 minute walk on treadmill, bootcamp (full body), plank

Thursday – 15 minute run on treadmill, upper body circuit, ran up and down stairs 10 times each, wall sits, plank

Friday – REST

Saturday – Ran Best Damn Race 5K (and had a whopping 19,395 steps that day between the race, a baby shower, and a wedding)

Sunday – 15 minute run on treadmill, leg circuit (leg press, quads, hamstrings), ran up and down gym stairs 10 times each, wall sits, plank

Food:

This week was a little challenging with food because of birthday cake AND attending a baby shower AND a wedding. I am still tracking my food every day and stayed within my calories three out of seven days. The harder we work out, the hungrier I am. I am doing my best to eat more protein-filled meals instead of snacking but it is a challenge with the calories. I will find the balance as I go along.

12 Week Challenge Goal – 171

End of 2017 Goal – 145