I'm on a serious mission to succeed! I'm not only talking about by Dec 10, 2009; I'm referring to the rest of my life. I'm trying to lay out the blueprint for building my life the way I want it. As this year is quickly coming to an end, I want to be ready and as prepared as I can to continue strong as of Dec 11, 2009. I want to aim high, try things I've never tried before; commit myself to completing certain things as I did with the 5K run. Just getting out of my comfort zone. As LesBrown says, "shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you'll land amongst the stars". So I'm currently in the research and planning stages....researching things that I am interested in or want to try (for example rock climbing, a mini-triathalon -"Try a Tri", joining a recreational sports team - soccer or baseball, taking tennis lessons) AND SO MUCH MORE and just planning out what I need to do to get there!!
I feel like I am so close to really breaking through and continuing on with my life - living the best life I can live! I feel there's just so much more to come and I want to live and enjoy all of it! I know it won't always be all good but right now it just feels like it will and I don't want to lose that. There's so much I want to do! I'm rambling...sorry...
Anyway, I had a good workout this morning but had to stay home with my son as he's under the weather and I think I may be coming down with it as well...cold symptoms. Hoping I can fight it off! I still have to make some time to meet with my trainer so that I could get my new program to propel me to that finish line! A lot of challenges have surfaced throuhgout this journey; from my travelling, exteme cravings and just overall busy life working fulltime and family. One of my biggest challenges have been and still remains, TIME!!! Making the time to workout, to prepare meals, to meet my trainer, to get to the gym, time for myself!!
I just started a new job a couple of weeks ago and just starting to get into it right now; I have a few deadlines this week that I MUST meet and quite a bit of work to do - so that's filling up the schedule right now. My husband is really busy with work so less available to pick up my slack with our son and at home. I said it so many times before, I could not have gone through this journey without my husband and his never ending support (in so many ways). All this to say that the next few weeks will be crazy busy for me. I'm hoping that I could meet up with Rob on the weekend, even if it's for 1/2 an hour to get the new program and instructions and be on my way..time is of the essence and I don't want to waste a minute.
So I'm going to check on my son (who should be sleeping - but probably isn't) and get myself off to bed. I've received a few requests to write my daily schedules down every now and then so I will try to that. Here are my plans for tomorrow ( which is the same on Thursday) I will do Monday and Wednesday's tomorrow)...
5:45am Wake up (have a cup of water)
Start my cardio (a 45 minute walk/run on treadmill - too cold outside in the am now)
6:30am Make breakfast (4 egg white/spinach omlette) and either eggs and toast or cereal
(for my son and hubby)
7:00am Wake up the boys, shower get ready as they eat
7:30 - 7:45am Get my son ready as hubby cleans up downstairs andgets ready (a joint effort - we make a good team)
8:00 - 8:15am Leave the house, drop son to daycare, head to work (both hubby and I)
9:ooam - Start work
10:30am Have morning snack (apple and 5-8 almonds, water)
11:45 -12:45 Jiu-jitsu class (drink water)
1:15pm Back to work....eat lunch at my desk while working (steamed broccoli and chicken breast, water)
3:00-3:30pm Afternoon Snack (boiled egg, cucumber slices, water)
5:00pm Leave work for home (hubby would have picked up son from daycare)
5:45pm Make dinner
7:00 -8:00 Playtime
8:00-8:30 Get my son ready for bed
9:00 - 10:00pm Weight Training
10:00-11:oopm Shower, Blog and BED!!!!
I only do cardio on Jiu-jitsu days.....on kickboxing days (Monday, Wednesday) - no cardio!! :)
As you can see the days are quite long and full; not much time to spare, hence the reason why my weekends are my time for family. We try to pack a lot of things in for the weekend - just making sure to spend some quality time making memories. Crazy life but fun, nonetheless.
Anyway, that's it for now...
Until next time...
Joania (2KMINE!!!)
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Monday, October 19, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Time and Motivation
I was going through my emails this evening and a couple of them really got me thinking, which led me to write this post today.
One of the questions came from a stranger following my journey and the other came from a friend of mine (from way back in our University days). The first question (from anonymous) was, "Where do you find the time to work out, while working full-time, having a toddler and all the traveling, etc.?"
Well, anonymous, lets just say that my days are very full! I will not sit here and tell you that this just comes easy after a while and it's no big deal, just do it, blah, blah, blah!! This shit is one of the hardest things I've ever done!! It may even be harder than labor because at least I got a beautiful son at the end and it "only" lasted 17 hours!!
What I've come to learn (and still learning) is that when you truly want something, you go get it....you make the time!! I really have to "MAKE" the time. My son (family) is the most important thing to me and although part of my reason for doing this is for them (especially my son), I also don't want to take time away from him either. I work full-time, so that's already time away from him. When I pick him up after work, I want to make sure we get our time together - it's for that reason that I don't workout after work! That's his time.
So I make the time by waking up early enough (530am) to get my workout done prior to heading to work. I also work out on my lunch hour at work so that leaves my evenings free. Don't get me wrong, there are times when it's not perfect but I make do!! Some evenings I go for a power walk with my son (in his stroller)...I then stop of at the park before heading home. we play together and I get some exercises in as well ( like dips and push-ups on the park bench) while my son goes up and down the slide/play structure.
I also try to keep my weekends free for family....I try to get an early morning walk/run in on Saturday or a yoga class and that's it for the weekend!! The rest is for family fun!!! :) It keeps me sane!
The other question came from my girlfriend Tasha who asked me, "How do you stay motivated?" And as I told her in the email, it is really a struggle, it is difficult but I credit a big part of being able to stay motivated to the fact that I've put myself out there for all to see - that whole accountability factor. It is definitely helping to keep me on track. The extra attention I've received from the media is helping as well!! Nothing keeps me sweating it up, than the thought of a journalist calling for an update article and progress pic!! :)
Also, blogging about it helps a lot. I can't tell you how grateful I am to have an outlet in which I could express all my feelings throughout this journey - it's been quite therapeutic to write about it - all the ups and downs!! Sometimes when I feel like I can't do this anymore, I go back and read some past posts and trust me it helps, especially the incredibly supportive comments.
I pray a lot. Prayer and more prayer also helps me to keep going. I have a very strong belief in God and His grace. Praying to me is also a form of meditation and reflection, you know? I take comfort in the fact that I am loved and blessed, daily!
Of course the support I've received from my trainer has just been fabulous. I cannot tell you (or him) enough, just how much it means to me to have him in my corner - not only providing me with the tools and guidance that I need to succeed on this journey but just incredible support.
My family and friends keep me motivated with continuous support, encouragement and loving me regardless - nothing beats unconditional love!!
I've said this many times before but the incredible support that I receive from the blogging community - who regularly check in on me, leave encouraging, supportive messages/comments...IT IS JUST AMAZING and a HUGE part of what keeps me motivated. I don't ever want to let them (you guys) down!!
AND last, but certainly not least I really don't want to let myself down - you know!??! I make sure I keep myself motivated by constantly reminding myself of the reasons that I'm on this journey. I frequently go back and read past posts just to keep it fresh in my mind and avoid complacency.
So that's my rant for tonight, bottom line - if it's important enough to you - MAKE IT HAPPEN, KEEP MOTIVATED, MAKE THE TIME, you deserve it.....it's still a difficult thing to do, but the rewards are definitely worth it!!
One of the questions came from a stranger following my journey and the other came from a friend of mine (from way back in our University days). The first question (from anonymous) was, "Where do you find the time to work out, while working full-time, having a toddler and all the traveling, etc.?"
Well, anonymous, lets just say that my days are very full! I will not sit here and tell you that this just comes easy after a while and it's no big deal, just do it, blah, blah, blah!! This shit is one of the hardest things I've ever done!! It may even be harder than labor because at least I got a beautiful son at the end and it "only" lasted 17 hours!!
What I've come to learn (and still learning) is that when you truly want something, you go get it....you make the time!! I really have to "MAKE" the time. My son (family) is the most important thing to me and although part of my reason for doing this is for them (especially my son), I also don't want to take time away from him either. I work full-time, so that's already time away from him. When I pick him up after work, I want to make sure we get our time together - it's for that reason that I don't workout after work! That's his time.
So I make the time by waking up early enough (530am) to get my workout done prior to heading to work. I also work out on my lunch hour at work so that leaves my evenings free. Don't get me wrong, there are times when it's not perfect but I make do!! Some evenings I go for a power walk with my son (in his stroller)...I then stop of at the park before heading home. we play together and I get some exercises in as well ( like dips and push-ups on the park bench) while my son goes up and down the slide/play structure.
I also try to keep my weekends free for family....I try to get an early morning walk/run in on Saturday or a yoga class and that's it for the weekend!! The rest is for family fun!!! :) It keeps me sane!
The other question came from my girlfriend Tasha who asked me, "How do you stay motivated?" And as I told her in the email, it is really a struggle, it is difficult but I credit a big part of being able to stay motivated to the fact that I've put myself out there for all to see - that whole accountability factor. It is definitely helping to keep me on track. The extra attention I've received from the media is helping as well!! Nothing keeps me sweating it up, than the thought of a journalist calling for an update article and progress pic!! :)
Also, blogging about it helps a lot. I can't tell you how grateful I am to have an outlet in which I could express all my feelings throughout this journey - it's been quite therapeutic to write about it - all the ups and downs!! Sometimes when I feel like I can't do this anymore, I go back and read some past posts and trust me it helps, especially the incredibly supportive comments.
I pray a lot. Prayer and more prayer also helps me to keep going. I have a very strong belief in God and His grace. Praying to me is also a form of meditation and reflection, you know? I take comfort in the fact that I am loved and blessed, daily!
Of course the support I've received from my trainer has just been fabulous. I cannot tell you (or him) enough, just how much it means to me to have him in my corner - not only providing me with the tools and guidance that I need to succeed on this journey but just incredible support.
My family and friends keep me motivated with continuous support, encouragement and loving me regardless - nothing beats unconditional love!!
I've said this many times before but the incredible support that I receive from the blogging community - who regularly check in on me, leave encouraging, supportive messages/comments...IT IS JUST AMAZING and a HUGE part of what keeps me motivated. I don't ever want to let them (you guys) down!!
AND last, but certainly not least I really don't want to let myself down - you know!??! I make sure I keep myself motivated by constantly reminding myself of the reasons that I'm on this journey. I frequently go back and read past posts just to keep it fresh in my mind and avoid complacency.
So that's my rant for tonight, bottom line - if it's important enough to you - MAKE IT HAPPEN, KEEP MOTIVATED, MAKE THE TIME, you deserve it.....it's still a difficult thing to do, but the rewards are definitely worth it!!
Monday, April 13, 2009
My Workout Plan
Hey guys,
First off, thank you all so very much for the wonderful feedback/comments on my recently posted anniversary pics!! THANK YOU GUYS!! IT MEANS A LOT!!!!! I always look forward to your comments.
After looking at those 4-month pics and noting all the changes/progress from Day 1 to now, I'm motivated like crazy to just keep pushing through!! I don't want to lose momentum. I am so very excited for what's to come. I've been feeling good, really good actually.
The next few weeks I plan to really give it a 110 percent with each workout and with my eating as well. I want to stay true and clean to both the meal and exercise plans!! Optimal results!!! I feel like I'm in a zone and I just want to stay there!!! Fitting into those size 16 jeans may have a lot to do with this attitude!!:))
Working It Out
I am currently working out 6 days a week...rest on Sunday....Rob (trainer) now has me doing Cardio 5 times a week instead of 3 days a week and my strength routine 3 times a week. Here's the breakdown:
Monday - Strength Routine (1 hour) and 30 minutes of Cardio
Tuesday - Spinning Class (45 mins to 1 hr)
Wednesday - Strength Routine (1 hour) and 30 minutes of Cardio
Thursday - Spinning Class (45 mins to 1hr)
Friday - Strength Routine (1 hour) and 30 minutes of Cardio
Saturday - My own day of exercise fun - either I go for a walk/jog outdoors, do yoga, swim or any new fitness thing that I want to try - SAMPLE SATURDAY!! This is something I wanted to do, my program calls for me working out 5 days a week. I think it's important in regards to maintaining this new lifestyle for me to try new things; for example in the summer time, I think it will be just as simple as putting my son his stroller and taking a long walk - we'd then end up at one of the many parks in the area where we'd play (you'd be surprised at the workout you can get running around and climbing up and down those play structures!!!) Healthy FUN!!
I've always wanted to take tennis lessons, so this may be something I will try in the very near future!! Maybe I'll join a recreational sports team (like soccer, or football)...who knows???The options are endless!!
Sunday - I'M OFF BABY!!! Rest, Worship, Family and REST some more!!!!!
Then continue strong on Monday!!!
So this is my plan for the next few weeks. I look forward to the weigh-ins on Wednesdays to see what happens next!!
Until then...
Joania(2KMINE!!!)
First off, thank you all so very much for the wonderful feedback/comments on my recently posted anniversary pics!! THANK YOU GUYS!! IT MEANS A LOT!!!!! I always look forward to your comments.
After looking at those 4-month pics and noting all the changes/progress from Day 1 to now, I'm motivated like crazy to just keep pushing through!! I don't want to lose momentum. I am so very excited for what's to come. I've been feeling good, really good actually.
The next few weeks I plan to really give it a 110 percent with each workout and with my eating as well. I want to stay true and clean to both the meal and exercise plans!! Optimal results!!! I feel like I'm in a zone and I just want to stay there!!! Fitting into those size 16 jeans may have a lot to do with this attitude!!:))
Working It Out
I am currently working out 6 days a week...rest on Sunday....Rob (trainer) now has me doing Cardio 5 times a week instead of 3 days a week and my strength routine 3 times a week. Here's the breakdown:
Monday - Strength Routine (1 hour) and 30 minutes of Cardio
Tuesday - Spinning Class (45 mins to 1 hr)
Wednesday - Strength Routine (1 hour) and 30 minutes of Cardio
Thursday - Spinning Class (45 mins to 1hr)
Friday - Strength Routine (1 hour) and 30 minutes of Cardio
Saturday - My own day of exercise fun - either I go for a walk/jog outdoors, do yoga, swim or any new fitness thing that I want to try - SAMPLE SATURDAY!! This is something I wanted to do, my program calls for me working out 5 days a week. I think it's important in regards to maintaining this new lifestyle for me to try new things; for example in the summer time, I think it will be just as simple as putting my son his stroller and taking a long walk - we'd then end up at one of the many parks in the area where we'd play (you'd be surprised at the workout you can get running around and climbing up and down those play structures!!!) Healthy FUN!!
I've always wanted to take tennis lessons, so this may be something I will try in the very near future!! Maybe I'll join a recreational sports team (like soccer, or football)...who knows???The options are endless!!
Sunday - I'M OFF BABY!!! Rest, Worship, Family and REST some more!!!!!
Then continue strong on Monday!!!
So this is my plan for the next few weeks. I look forward to the weigh-ins on Wednesdays to see what happens next!!
Until then...
Joania(2KMINE!!!)
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Living in the Present
My life is a journey, not a destination. This weight loss journey that I am on is just one of the MANY things I'm doing with my life. I've said it so many times before in prior posts, "although, this weight loss journey is very important to me, I don't want it to consume me, there's so much more to me than just this - as encompassing as it is!!" From the very beginning it has been important to me that I do not miss out on life as I attempt to get healthy. I'm at a good place (very good place) in my life and now is the right time for me to be on this journey but at the same time, I am also enjoying life as I go along! I certainly will not let life just pass me by!!! I don't want to put anything on hold so that I achieve these goals. Because if I was to do that, what would I do when I achieved those goals? Where would I start? I'd be lost!!!
Don't get me wrong, I realize that I will have to make some major changes to my lifestyle, particularly with regards to my nutrition and physical activity and committment to this (and I HAVE) and I will continue to make those sacrifices BUT I won't sacrifice living.....I am enjoying my life, my family and my friends and my work, even as I go through this journey!! It's great! No regrets. I certainly don't want to look back in 7-8 months time, having reached my goals and be miserable due to the things I've missed out on!! What brought these thoughts on, you may ask? Well I'll tell you.
I bumped into one of my old friends today; haven't seen her in about 2 years! She was so pleasantly surprised when she saw the change in my physical appearance...she complimented me over and over and wanted to know what I was doing. We grabbed a seat and I proceeded to fill her in about the whole journey/blog experience. It was really nice. We were having such a good time. Anyway, we started talking about old times. I asked how her sister was and it's then that the mood of our conversation changed. "Oh crap", I thought to myself...."something's wrong, I hope her sister is okay!"
She then started filling me in that her sister (who was always a bigger girl, like me) had lost all of the weight!! She did it using the South Beach Diet and running (she ran 5K's, 10K's and was even training for a half marathon). "WOW", I exclaimed, "that's amazing". "So why so glum", I asked. Well she continued to fill me in.
In her words, her sister had become so obsessed with losing the weight that it was all she did, spoke of and lived. She cut off ties with many of her friends and even some family members. She stopped attending functions etc. This was all that she was about, losing the weight. Anyway, in a nut shell, this went on for about 9 months or so. It has been a little over year since her sister lost the weight and has now been battling depression. She even attempted suicide ...she said that she felt that after she lost the weight, it's almost like there was nothing else and at first it wasn't so bad but she just slipped further and further into depression. she's currently on medication and showing signs of things getting better.
I was truly stunned to hear all of this. I realize that this may be an extreme case (or maybe not, I don't know) but I just found it so sad. This is exactly what I don't want to happen to me and I don't think it would with me because I love life and people (especially my family and friends) and although I want to lose this weight, I really want to lose this weight, I DO NOT want to cut off my friends and family to do it. This does take a lot of time, effort, dedication, sacrifices and resources and I can see how it can get the best of you but I do not intend to let it!! I'm trying to get fit so that I can ENJOY LIVING even more than I currently do.
I always think back to a comment one of my new Facebook friends sent me, "Joania, if your head is right, your ass will follow!" It really is all about finding that balance and if you don't, you might get lost in the end, as was the case with my friend's sister.
Sorry for such a downer post but I really think it's important that I shared this with all of you, especially those of you on this journey with me or on journeys of your own and even those thinking of starting a journey. Stay true to who you are and live in the moment, enjoy the small accomplishments no matter what. I don't know, I'm no expert but it just makes sense to me that this weight loss thing (and everything else for that matter) should be about balance. I mean we all make mistakes but it's that big picture that matters in the end. Your overall accomplishment, right???
I would really love to hear your thoughts on this one, please feel free to post comments!
Thanks.
Until next time...
Joania (2KMINE!!!)
Don't get me wrong, I realize that I will have to make some major changes to my lifestyle, particularly with regards to my nutrition and physical activity and committment to this (and I HAVE) and I will continue to make those sacrifices BUT I won't sacrifice living.....I am enjoying my life, my family and my friends and my work, even as I go through this journey!! It's great! No regrets. I certainly don't want to look back in 7-8 months time, having reached my goals and be miserable due to the things I've missed out on!! What brought these thoughts on, you may ask? Well I'll tell you.
I bumped into one of my old friends today; haven't seen her in about 2 years! She was so pleasantly surprised when she saw the change in my physical appearance...she complimented me over and over and wanted to know what I was doing. We grabbed a seat and I proceeded to fill her in about the whole journey/blog experience. It was really nice. We were having such a good time. Anyway, we started talking about old times. I asked how her sister was and it's then that the mood of our conversation changed. "Oh crap", I thought to myself...."something's wrong, I hope her sister is okay!"
She then started filling me in that her sister (who was always a bigger girl, like me) had lost all of the weight!! She did it using the South Beach Diet and running (she ran 5K's, 10K's and was even training for a half marathon). "WOW", I exclaimed, "that's amazing". "So why so glum", I asked. Well she continued to fill me in.
In her words, her sister had become so obsessed with losing the weight that it was all she did, spoke of and lived. She cut off ties with many of her friends and even some family members. She stopped attending functions etc. This was all that she was about, losing the weight. Anyway, in a nut shell, this went on for about 9 months or so. It has been a little over year since her sister lost the weight and has now been battling depression. She even attempted suicide ...she said that she felt that after she lost the weight, it's almost like there was nothing else and at first it wasn't so bad but she just slipped further and further into depression. she's currently on medication and showing signs of things getting better.
I was truly stunned to hear all of this. I realize that this may be an extreme case (or maybe not, I don't know) but I just found it so sad. This is exactly what I don't want to happen to me and I don't think it would with me because I love life and people (especially my family and friends) and although I want to lose this weight, I really want to lose this weight, I DO NOT want to cut off my friends and family to do it. This does take a lot of time, effort, dedication, sacrifices and resources and I can see how it can get the best of you but I do not intend to let it!! I'm trying to get fit so that I can ENJOY LIVING even more than I currently do.
I always think back to a comment one of my new Facebook friends sent me, "Joania, if your head is right, your ass will follow!" It really is all about finding that balance and if you don't, you might get lost in the end, as was the case with my friend's sister.
Sorry for such a downer post but I really think it's important that I shared this with all of you, especially those of you on this journey with me or on journeys of your own and even those thinking of starting a journey. Stay true to who you are and live in the moment, enjoy the small accomplishments no matter what. I don't know, I'm no expert but it just makes sense to me that this weight loss thing (and everything else for that matter) should be about balance. I mean we all make mistakes but it's that big picture that matters in the end. Your overall accomplishment, right???
I would really love to hear your thoughts on this one, please feel free to post comments!
Thanks.
Until next time...
Joania (2KMINE!!!)
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