RISING ABOVE, 14 Day Health Challenge Update and Weekly Weigh In

Since Mondays are my weigh in days and I'm on day 5 of the challenge, I thought it would be a great time to communicate how I'm doing with the challenge and weight loss numbers to date. Yesterday was a difficult day for me because it was my Dad's birthday.  If you're a regular reader you know he passed away in August and I thought he was the greatest Dad ever!  On top of the emotions pertaining to the day, I had other personal stresses I was dealing with as well and had every excuse to emotionally eat.  I had to summon the kind of strength that only comes from God.  I definitely felt as if I was being tested and in that moment thought, "if on this day of great emotional strife, I am able to rise above and resist my desire to emotionally eat, then I can do it every other day of my life!  In fact there will be nothing I can't do."  It was that important to me.  I did it!  I made it through with no junk food or late night snacking.  I was successful today as well.

Since I've been successful with obtaining the daily goals I set, I was excited to weigh this morning to find out the results of my hard work. I weighed 157, a 3 pound weight loss!  I was very happy to see those numbers at this stage of my journey.

Since I'm new to my current gym I had the 1st of two free personal training sessions with Dane, my personal trainer.  My body fat percentage calculated today was 36%, so I still have a long way to go.  I think I'd like to see that number at about 25%. We talked for about 30 minutes and trained for about 30 minutes.  The training was intense!  I was doing heavier weights than I ever thought I could do.  For example on the shoulder press machine we started at 40 pounds for 12 reps, then 55 pounds for 10 reps, then 70 pounds for 8 reps.  Afterwards he said 40 pounds was too easy for me, so next time we'd start heavier.  O.K., maybe it was, but 8 reps was all I could squeak out at 70 pounds for sure!  He gave me a choice a time or two for doing more, but said if we start training together there would be no choices.  O.K. cool!! I love to be pushed like that in the gym!  If I couldn't complete a set, quitting was not an option, he was there to help me through it instead.  I know working with a personal trainer will give me better results than working out alone, so I really hope I'm going to be able to afford to keep him.  Fingers crossed.

Thought for the day:

(from Positive Outlooks)

Reading this brought this scripture to mind:


Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.


We are braver, stronger, smarter, and more beautiful than we imagined. So true.

I want to encourage you to set your goals high because you can attain them.  Anythings possible! I never thought I could overcome emotional eating and I have.  Just set your goals and establish the steps you will take to achieve them and stick with them.  If you "fall off the wagon" just jump back on immediately.  Forgive yourself and start again right then, don't wait!  This is what I've implemented and it works beautifully!  You can do it. 

I hope everyone has a fabulous, healthy Tuesday.

Take care.

Cat's Belly Fat Cure Facebook Page

A Glimpse Into Part of What Changed My Life a Few Months Ago

Candace Cameron Bure - Dominican Republic from Compassion International on Vimeo.

Day 3 of my 14 Day Health Challenge went well, I obtained my goals with no cravings for unhealthy food.  Yea, but I have something else on my heart to talk about tonight, part of the key to what changed my life a few months ago, the heart of this lady, Candace Cameron Bure.  The video above is a glimpse into her heart and passion, which runs all through the weight loss book to the left as well.  I would LOVE to one day hear her speak and meet her.  She really truly changed my life.

I've adopted much of her eating philosophy and I'll let you in on a little secret......It's not that hard.  Nothing has to be cut out of your life forever.  She eats this way and maintains a trim healthy body and you can too!  It does however require faith, perseverance, and discipline, all needed in any successful endeavor, don't you think.

A few days ago I heard about an online magazine community she started called roomag.com.  I've just started to browse the site, and it looks amazing!  Check it out as it looks like an amazing resource for women in all areas of life.

I know most of my readers have heard me say most of this before, but the video above moved me to tears and I just had to share!

Tell me:


How does your faith impact your health and weight loss decisions?


Have a wonderful, healthy Sunday.

Take care,

Cat's Belly Fat Cure Facebook Page

Challenge Day 2, Feelings Pass

Just wanted to do a quick update before heading off to bed.  I met my challenge goals today, even though I have a nasty cold and I worked today and have other stresses in my life.  I am passionate about finishing this challenge strong and empowered.  I'll do what it takes.  I was struggling last night with emotional eating, not giving in but struggling with stress and the feelings of wanting to run to food for comfort.  A friend said, "don't eat. Feelings pass."  I thought yeah, so true.  It helped. It worked!

Doesn't it feel great to flex that discipline muscle and feel it getting stronger and stronger!  I love Hebrews 12:11!

Well onward and upward! 

Have a safe, fun, and healthy weekend.

Take care,

Cat's Belly Fat Cure Facebook Page

14 Day Health Challenge, Day 1. This Accountability Rocks!

I met all of my goals today!  It's all due to this challenge and the support from all of you.  I have been floundering for the past few weeks.  Maybe floundering is too strong of a word here, but I haven't been my normal healthy self.  Sometimes I think we start to backslide and don't even realize it until it results in a marked change enough to grab our attention.  I know that's true for me.  I desperately needed something to bring me back in line with my health and wellness goals.  I've worked too hard to turn back now!

I've received lots of questions as to what this challenge means to me.  These are my daily goals for the next 14 days:

1. No snacking after dinner.  
2. No junk food.  I realize this is open to interpretation somewhat. For me if I can understand the ingredients and nothing is refined, I don't consider it junk.
3. No gluten.
4. No dairy.  

That's it.  Pretty simple.  Nothing to count or track.  I do plan to take pictures or keep a list of what I'm eating during the day to keep me accountable.  Now my goals may not be your goals.  Just decide on your daily goals, know that you can do it, and have the discipline to see it through.  

Today's meals:

Breakfast: strawberry Glutino bar & a prune

Snack:  Cranberry Almond Kind Bar

My buddy for the day & a healthy thumbs up from her

Lunch:  tuna with mustard, Yah's best, and rice vinegar with sugar snap peas and raw baby carrots

I had a couple of handfuls of these and Julia ate the rest.  Sugar snap peas only last a few minutes in our house.

Snack:  Trader Joe's Teriyaki Natural Turkey Jerky with grape tomatoes.  I had a little more jerky than what's in the pic ~  couldn't resist a little pre-picture snacking ;). Yum.

Before dinner took Ashleigh to a gymnastics photo shoot.  She's quite the poser.

pre-dinner snack: handful of peanuts

Dinner:  Chicken stir fry with broccoli, onions, mushrooms, carrots.  

Dessert: organic red seedless grapes

I was supposed to meet with my trainer today, but I'm sick again. Boo.  I may not feel like making it to the gym, but I did follow through on the 12 Days of Fitness Christmas Challenge by performing 100 jumping jacks.  I'm hoping to feel better tomorrow because I'm going to work in the Hardware Store tomorrow and Saturday.

Tell me:


How was day 1 of the Challenge?  Did you obtain your daily goals?

Goodnight friends, I'm falling asleep on my laptop.

Cat

Cat's Belly Fat Cure Facebook Page

What I Ate Or Didn't Eat Wednesday

My life has been a little or maybe a lot CAH-razy running back and forth to Warrenton, managing our household, working out and caring for my silly kiddos.  I just have to make time for What I Ate Wednesday; it's just the best! I love making the post, and gathering inspiration from everyone else!

silly kiddos ;)

Super Yummy! breakfast on the run.  I've tried several flavors, but this one is my fave so far!

Normally I pack my lunch, but I didn't today.  Didn't have time to eat until about 3:30, so I stopped by the local Hardees' and grabbed tea and chicken fingers.  Not the healthiest lunch, but at this fast food stop it could've been so much worse!

Super Simple Dinner:  baked chicken and broccoli with butter.

Now for the best part of the day, what I DID NOT eat.  It feels fabulous NOT eating unhealthy food, very empowering indeed.  I stopped in a convenience store to purchase the local paper and look what I found:

I've learned when I don't eat good balanced nutrition I'll crave refined, fluffy, fat laden food!  

I'm working in Warrenton again on Friday and won't get a lunch break, so I'm going to make sure to pack a nutritious lunch.  Lately I'm finding junk food and late night eating creeping back into my life on a regular basis.  I can't continue along this path and expect to achieve my goals, so I've decided for the next 14 days to forgo junk food and late night eating.  

Well that's my crazy life.  No workout today, but I'm meeting with my trainer in the morning.

Tell me:


What unhealthy food or habit is creeping back into your life?  Are you ready to correct it?


O.K. everybody, since I'm starting a No Junk Food And No Late Night Eating Challenge, I thought I'd opened it up to you as well.  It will make it easier and fun to do together.  Just think how clear and radiant your skin will look at that holiday party or how great you'll look in your little black dress!  Who's with me?

Goodnight friends.

~Cat

Cat's Belly Fat Cure Facebook page

I Finally Did It!

This past Saturday I conquered my fear of Body Pump and now I'm in love.  Seriously, I almost started crying in the 1st few minutes of class.  There's something about working out with weights in a group setting and feeling part of something difficult to achieve that pushes me and lights a fire within.  That part of me, the drive to meet a goal, to push further, the place where discipline and emotion reside, is where the emotion originated.  The class was tough!  For a few moments I wondered if I was going to get through it, but I kept the weight at a challenging level and kept going.  What an empowered feeling when the class was completed!

Me after Body Pump

cool.

I tried another Les Mills class today, Sh'Bam.  I thought it was like zumba , but the instructor said no, it's very different.  Anyway it was almost all dance moves and super high energy.  A fun class?  Yes, but did it  ignite the passion within? No, not like Body Pump.  I definitely think I'll do it again.  In fact it would be fun to do Body Pump then Sh'bam.  I'm excited to try other Les Mills classes now, especially RPM and Body Combat.

On the weight loss front I maintained my weight for this Monday's weigh in. I thought that would be the case, especially with less exercise and more eating.  I'm back on track this week and hoping to break into the 150s for next weight in.

Tell me:


Do you go to Les Mills classes?  If so, which one is your favorite?

(courtesy of Positive Outlook)

I love this quote!  Are you following your passion and doing what you love?

Happy Thanksgiving! It's Just One Day.

Today I was feeling a little anxious and stressed, and it occurred to me I haven't exercised since Monday!  I decided to go for a walk/run, then push ups, squats, abs, and stretching.  Immediately I felt relaxed and ready for the rest of the day, a.k.a. Thanksgiving dinner.  I went a little crazy eating dinner, but you know what?  I don't feel guilty at all. None. Zilch. Nada. Really, it's just one day, one meal. Now immediately back to healthy eating.  No snacking tonight and lots of H2O to help with excess restaurant sodium. Then in the morning I'll continue living a healthy lifestyle with nutritious food and healthy exercise. 

On a personal note life has been difficult, but I'm pushing on towards the goal.  God has a way of working things out and I'm trusting Him on this one.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Tell me:


Do you throw all caution to the wind and allow treats on Thanksgiving or do you maintain a strict healthy eating plan even at Thanksgiving?

Take care & have a great Friday!