Reflections

November 2012 *with my awesome friend, Evelyn* 

So,

I've been thinking the past few days (dangerous, I know). And I realized that it's been about a year since I decided to really take this weight loss bull by the horns and wrestle it with all my might. It's been quite an incredible year, actually....

In my first post I talked about how I was convicted about New Years resolutions - how we make these grand plans for how we're going to improve our lives for the next year, but never actually do any of those things. The next year rolls around and we haven't changed one lousy bit.

I am so thankful to say that when I hit December 31 this year... I will not look back with regret. I will not look back wishing I'd stuck to those plans. I will not be discouraged by  how little I've done and now no progress has been made.

This year has been a good year. No, I havent come as far as I wanted. No, I'm not done yet. But yes, I have made progress.

I now have two (and a quarter) rounds of Insanity under my belt where a year ago I barely exercised at all. I can honestly say that the vast majority of days this year I HAVE been faithful to workout in the morning. I HAVE been faithful to eat well (though I still can improve). And I HAVE increased my strength, stamina, health, body image, and physique.

Hey, it's a small thing... but I was excited when I was at the grocery store the other day getting a turkey for today (Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!) and I could pull a 22 lb turkey out from the bottom of the bin - out from under other 17, 18, and 19 lb turkeys - with ONE hand! Booyah. Last year, I could barely get the 18 lb-er out with *both* hands.

Yes, I'm a bit of a dork. But yes, I did stand in the grocery store and do a few bicep curls with the 22 lb turkey. Laugh if you want. It was fun. And pretty dang cool to see that kind of visible improvement.

Another part that's interesting... while I'm "shrinking" and having to get smaller clothes, there is one aspect that's challenging..... sleeves. Due to the masses of pushups required in Insanity (plus the intense dumbell routine we go through at every kickboxing class), my biceps no longer fit well in sleeves. I've had to buy larger shirts and take them in at the waist just in order for my *cough* guns to fit inside.

Nevertheless, I decided last week to do a photoshoot with my sister (yes, this year I have been comfortable to get IN FRONT of the camera. It's quite a change...). So... now we're going to delve into deep, dark history, and pull some "before" and "afters" (cuz I know you all loooove that). And really... feel honored. We're going back to a few years ago... back to the kids of pictures that most ppl would say.... NO! don't put that online! I look fat!

my 18th birthday - 2009 

senior photos 2009

"refrigerator model" at a friends' wedding in 2010

birthday photo 2010

spring formal 2010

brother's wedding 2010

Father's Day 2011

July 2011

October 2011

Thanksgiving 2011 (ONE YEAR AGO!!!) 

April 2012

May 2012

June 2012 - My 21 birthday - check out the difference from 2009 (yikes!)

July 2012

September 2012

September 2012 

September 2012

September 2012

November 2012

November 20, 2012 

November 20, 2012

November 20, 2012 *I actually have BICEPS!* 

 As I said before, still a distance to go. But um, hello! I'm so happy with how far I've come already. Can't wait to see what the next year holds!

Third Time's the Charm!

So turns out that that old saying, that I always found annoying, actually has an element of truth to it!

This is my third round of Insanity and this was my FIRST time making it through all three sets of the warm up!

Yeah, I know. It sounds lame. But really. It's not. Think 10 minutes of full speed ahead cardio - to you runners out there, imagine a 10 minute sprint. wheeeee! it's tough, but I'm excited to know that I could actually make it through!! I was a bit more tired through the rest of the routine, but making it through one milestone was definitely worth it! Now to just keep up that wining streak AND be able to continue strong through the rest of the workout!

OWN IT! :) :) :)

Because I Forgot

I realized that I never posted pictures from my Diamond Head hike (eventhough I said I would).

Sooooo here they are :)

headed into the state park

starting the looong hike

first stop

breathe. just breathe. 

not even halfway up... but exhausted. 

some random person offered to take a picture. yay me. about to tackle the first set of 73 stairs. 

the tuuuunnnnelllll 

that, way down there, is the parking lot where we started. and i had my camera zoomed in as far as it would go. 

at the top!! 

I made it!

looots of staairs. i hate stairs. 

but the view was worth it. 

 

in every direction. 

another random person offered to take a picture on the way down. 

Bam! 

Insanity biceps. 

 

the second set of 90+ stairs that i forgot to take a picture of on the way up. i wanted to cry. 

but we conquered and lived to fight another day. 

Back on Grid

Okay, wow, I've been totally off the grid for a couple months now. Oooops. You can tell I'm so great at blogging :-P

So these past two months "off" from Insanity have involved lots of hiking and running. Yes, that's it. Running. I hate running. Always have, but also have always known that it was good for me. Also, for the past few months, I've been in a "challenge group" with my coach, Amy, and a few other dedicated ladies who are committed to changing their lives and their health. It's a 90 day challenge where we hold each other accountable to exercise, eat right, drink enough water, and get enough sleep. It's also a place where we can encourage one another and celebrate in each other's victories.

These first 60 days have been super encouraging! Not a huge amount of "weight loss" yet (hey, but 5 lbs is something!), but more working towards a healthier lifestyle in general. My accountability partner checks with me daily to see how I've been eating (because, face it folks, the majority of the battle is fought IN THE KITCHEN not in the gym), whether I went for a run, and how much water I've been drinking (another huuuuuge factor). She's basically awesome, and having somebody there, other than a family member, to keep me on track has been incredibly helpful (and pretty much guilts me into actually working out every day. funny how that works.... lol).

So now that it's getting cold again, and running outside literally will bring tears to my eyes, my sister and I have decided to start Insanity again. Third time's the charm, right??? :) We did the Fit Test yesterday and I was really pleased with the results. Some of the sets I had *higher* reps on than I did the *last* Fit Test. I was amazed. And definitely encouraged. This was also the first "first" Fit Test that I didn't get nauseous right around Globe Jumps/Suicides. Again, very encouraging.

For the next two months (haha, hopefully we'll actually be able to complete it in the two months), we'll be on the Insanity schedule, but I'll also implement running on MWF as I dont want to lose ground there either. I'll be keeping my distances shorter, as I dont want to overpound my body with working out, but will try to get my speed up instead.

So yeah, there it is. Updates! Will be sharing some exciting news and maybe a picture or two in the next few days!! :)