Just Kicking It:)

Did you guess what type of class I'm not taking?!?!  The hint I gave you was a pretty big one;)

Well, if you guessed kickboxing then you are correct!!! Sorry, I don't have any prizes or anything like that for you:(  You can just have the satisfaction of being correct!!!

Via

This class not only has kickboxing, but weight training as well.  It's a local class called BodyFit.  It's definitely not like Crossfit.  I wish someday I could do that!!  When I first started this class, I seriously felt like a fish out of water, I kid you not!!  The instructors were/are awesome and always tried to help me as much as they could, but even with their help, I felt like a fool!!!  I didn't give up though!  I pushed through and I kept on going!

These classes were WAY different than what I was used to!  I was used to running, taking Zumba, using the stair master, and elipitical.  These workouts consisted of different hit and kick combos on the bag, along with mitting up with a partner, from anything to burpees, jump squats, weighted walking lunges and so on!  I would stand in the class the instructor would be like:  "This is your hit combo 1, 2, 5, 6"  (she would show us) and then she would give us 30 seconds to hit the combo on our bags.  I just stood at my bag and watched everyone else.  I had NO clue what 1,2, 5,6 meant.  So, I just punched whatever, just as long as I was moving.  The weight lifting part of class was even worse for me.  I know that this is terrible and I'm ashamed to admit this, but I didn't even know what a bicep curl or hammer curl looked like!!  For the first month, (I think) the instructor repeated the directions about 4 times just for me, since I looked like a fool and a deer in headlights.

The first couple days more like the first week or two, I woke up and seriously had to have my husband pull me out of bed!  My WHOLE body was sore every where!!!

Via

Weight Loss Update!!!!

Like I said yesterday, I took so time off to do me and get myself in check, just to make sure that  I continue living a healthy life.  I'm happy to report that I have kept on a trucking, as far as living a healthy lifestyle.  I'm super proud that I look at this as a lifestyle change and not just a diet.  This is the way I will live the rest of my life.  I'm still learning as I go on this fairly new path and I'm tweaking it as I go along!  I've had my ups and downs since the last time I checked in with everyone.

Via

That's my new mantra!  Don't give up!  I've learned, if you fall, once, twice, or even three times, just get up, dust your self off, and hop right back on the healthy train. 

GOAL!!!!

Yes, I have yet another goal to share with you all!!!  I need to have goals to work towards in order to help me stay motivated and to keep on losing that weight.  Our Live Healthy Iowa, Weight Loss Strippers, have decided to enroll in a 5K April 6th around our area that we live in.  We are going to do this as a team and be there for encouragement!

My goal is to finish with a faster time than what I had when I ran my 2nd 5K this past fall.  I believe I ran it in 30 minutes 50ish seconds.  So far, I am able to run straight through a total of 1.5 miles at 6 mph.  Now, this isn't the best, BUT I do have quite a while to prepare for this.  It's harder for me to run when I have to run on the treadmill.  Iowa weather isn't really the best for running during the winter months.  I know it's pretty obvious why I don't, but I want to share anyways.  1. it's freezing cold!!!  I don't do that well with breathing, especially now, when I run outside in cold weather.  2.  I'm always afraid of slipping on ice or snow when I run during the winter months.  I guess, I'm just a little baby when it comes to that; instead I chose to run inside on a treadmill!  It isn't the most ideal, but it will work for now until it warms up and there isn't any ice or snow around!

As you all know, I love Pinterest and find so many neat pins on there!  I pin way more than I need, but times like these, I can always go back through and look to see what pins could help me for whatever I need them for:)  So, I want to share with you some different websites that I found that might help out beginning runners, like me!

Here is some info on running from a great blogger, Skinny Meg!

Running Tips

If you were looking for a great weight loss blog and inspiration, then definitely check this one out!!!  She is awesome:)

Runner's World is a site that gives in info on, you guessed it, running!

Do you want to Rock Your Run?

Rock Your Run!

If you want to rock it, (and who doesn't want to???) then check out this article!!!

Beginning Running Tips

She has quite a few different posts about running, be sure to check her blog out:)

Here is the ultimate link!  101 Running Tips:):)  This is another great post that gives a TON of advice on running!!!!

Via

The name of this post says it all!!!  Go and check it out:)

So there you have it!!!  Just a couple useful websites that I thought that I would share with you all:):)  I hope that you find some new information that will help you, as it did for me!

Thanks for stopping by:):):)

Until next time!!!!

~Live Healthy Iowa~

Here's to another step of the weight loss journey!  I decided to join Live Healthy Iowa this year, in hopes that this will be just another type of motivation to keep the weight loss a goin'!

What is Live Healthy Iowa, you might ask?  Well, it's a simple plan where you form teams in order to lose weight!  Your team should help each other with losing weight whether it would be encouragement, working out together, setting goals with each other, holding each other accountable, or even planning events such as 5K's or 10K's to do together and accomplish as a team!  It's a 10 week plan where you make healthier choices to lose weight, tone up, or just be healthier.

Each member of your team enters their weight and how long you workout each and every week.  Your team can win prizes at the end of the challenge by being the team who loses the most percentage of weight or exercises the longest amount of time within your area!

Our group consists of: Bubba(my brother), Tiffany(friend), Dana(friend), Ben (friend's finacee), and myself:)  You even get to pick a name for your team and ours is...wait for it....wait for it.....Weight Loss Strippers!!!!  YES, isn't it the best?!?!?!?  Hopefully, we will be the best Weight Loss Strippers, there ever could be:):):)

Tiffany

Dana

She is a skinny minnie, but wants to tone up before her wedding in June!  She is the one I mentioned in this post!

Ben

Bubba

Bubba has already lost 20 lbs since the beginning of the year!!!  GOOOO Bubba!!!  He is really rocking the weight loss wagon:):):)

Together as a team, we will get to our goals, our at least start to jump on the healthy wagon, if we haven't already!  It's always easier to do it together instead of by yourself!  Gooo team, GO!!!!  This is going to give me just that extra push that I need to be successful and reach that goal of mine!

Thanks for stopping by:):):):)

Until next time!!!!

Flashback!

Whenever we have get togethers or just hang out with friends, I sometimes feel like I could be a paparazzi because of how many pictures I take!  I'm clicking pics all of the time because I don't want to forget those memories.  I also just LOVE taking pics!  Since I take so many pics, I'm constantly going through my old pics that I have taken and organizing them into folders and so on.  As I was organizing tonight, I came across some older pictures and I couldn't believe what I saw!  I know that I have posted many different photos of myself and my weight loss, but this just puts everything into perspective for me again!

So, I'm going to flashback to March of last year!

That is me 40 lbs heavier!

See that girl sitting right next to me....she is the one who inspired me, got me motivated, and helped me start this weight loss journey!  I owe her TONS of thanks!!!  She has lost a total of 60 lbs I believe in a matter of 2 years or so!  I will post her after picture down below.  She started trying to loose weight back in 2010 sometime...so this picture isn't the best picture to show how much weight she has lost, but you can definitely tell!

A completely different person-inside and out!

This is us now!!!!

 I never really thought about this before, but together we have lost a total of 100 lbs!!!!  That could almost be 1 adult....almost....  That is just A-mazing and crazy to think about it that way!  Soon, it will be a total of 120 lbs that we will have both lost, once I loose 20 more pounds.

I just wanted to give a HUGE shout-out and thanks to this girlie right here:)  Thank-you soo much, you have helped me with beginning this weight loss journey and changed my life forever:):):)

Here's to staying on track and continuing to shed those last 20 lbs!!!

Thanks for stopping by:):):):)

Until next time!!!!!

Side-tracked:(

I have been dreading this post for the past couple weeks, but I haven't really mentioned it..figuring that I would turn it around!

Via

 So, here I am now, telling you all, I have gained about 10 lbs:-0  I have been dreading to accept the facts that I have stepped off of the bandwagon!  This holiday season has been hard for me, to say the least!  Ever since I went to Florida, I have gained 10 lbs because of all of the holiday parties and get togethers.  I wanted to post this, so I will be held accountable and also to motivate me to keep on pushing on; even if I had a minor side-track!  I will not get down on myself,especially since I have come clean, BUT I will try my best to eat healthy and make healthy choices:) As long as I learn from my mistakes and just move on, I think that will be the best!

There will be ups and downs, but I can't give up and for those of you who are on this same journey with me, neither can you!   Never give up!!!  Brush yourself off, pull yourself back up, and keep on trying to reach for your goal!  I just have to keep on trying to make the right choices:)  I want to be the healthiest self I can be:)

Via

When I first started this journey, I wanted to lose 60 lbs in 6 months and to tell you the truth, I thought I could do this!  It was hard to lose 40 lbs in 6 months, yet alone 60!  I have also learned that plans can change and should be changed and if you don't make a goal by a certain time that's OK!  As long as I make it to my goal that is what matters!  My NEW plan and goal is to lose the rest of this weight by the beginning of March!  This is an attainable goal, I just need to set my eyes on the prize...lol!   I just came across this quote and I thought it was VERY fitting for what I'm going through right now:)

Via

I have gone through some hiccups along the way, but that's alright!  I'm ready to start fresh and get right back on track:)

Since I am talking about my journey, yet again, I wanted to thank you for ALL of your support along the way.  It truly has helped and kept me motivated:) 

Here's to jumping back on, staying on, and NOT giving up!!!

Thanks for stopping by:):):)

Until next time!!!!!

Lighter Fiesta Lime Chicken:)

Oh Yes, you read that right!!!  Lighter Fiesta Lime Chicken, like the kind you can order from Applebee's and it is so, so good!  I like to think of it as mouth watering, but with a whopping 1,280 calories and 47 grams of fat, I have to skip it; not any more:) If you have made a New Year's resolution to eat healthier then this recipe is for you and you should definitely pin this baby!!!

Yumminess Squared!!!

Tropical Paradise!

As I posted yesterday, I went on a trip with the hubby!  The hubby told me that, once I lost 40 lbs that he was going to take me on a trip....so we went to Florida:)  Fort Meyers beach, Florida and it was well deserved and needed!!!  I loved every bit of it.  It was very relaxing, and fun!  We actually got a pretty good deal through Allegiant and the resort was very nice!  I think it would be a great spot for families because it's in a quite neighborhood and it seems to be very safe.  We went jet skiing with dolphins and even got the jet skis up to 55 mph...which was exhilarating:)

Cruising in our car!

View from our room!

Our resort and the jet skis we went on!

Poor little guy had a sinker stuck to him:(

10 More Pounds, Gone!!!

Hey Everyone!!!  Sorry I have been MIA for SO long...I have been really busy between: the holidays, school, staying healthy, and spending time with family and friends!  It's crazy that the time has gone by this quickly already.  I can't believe it's almost Christmas!!!!  I have lots to share with you all:)  First, about a little over a week ago, I hopped on the scale and couldn't believe what the scale was telling me.....well I could because I have been working my booty off!  I was down another 10+ lbs:):):)  That puts my total weight loss at 41 lbs!!  I'm super duper excited and am happy to tell you I am down to 156 lbs.  The last time I saw this number was when I first started teaching 6 YEARS ago!  It's just nuts!

I wanted to show you all my before and after pictures, so you can see what 30 lbs looks like.  Just a reminder for everyone, I started out at 197 lbs, but I didn't start taking pics until 188 lbs.  I was just too ashamed to take my pic, but I got enough courage to do it eventually:)

Here is the side view:

I can't believe that this is only 30 lbs, I'm wishing now that I would have taken a pic when I was 197 lbs.  Then it would be a true comparison of what I really lost!  Oh...well...shoulda. coulda. woulda!  I used to wear a size 15/16 in misses and now I can wear a 9/10 in misses!

I know that 40 lbs really isn't a HUGE amount of weight compared to others who have lost weight, but for me it is HUGE!  6 months ago, I thought that I could not lose any weight and that it was impossible. Well, I definitely proved myself wrong and it just makes me feel so great, like I can do just about anything:)

 I still thank my lucky stars to have such a wonderful support system that has been there for me throughout this whole journey! Thank you SO, SO much for always being there for me and you know who your are:)

Well,I hope you all have a great night!!!

Thanks for stopping by:):):)

Until next time!!!!

 

 I've linked up to:

Day 28-31 : Loving Yourself!

Hey everyone!  Sorry again for not posting hardly anything at all lately!  I just started with Zumba again and I have lots to do at school, on top of all of that I'm taking another Master's class....so I haven't had much time!

I wanted to get in a full 31 Days for :

Most of your journey is about learning to love yourself for who you are and excepting where you are now!  Celebrate the small goals or huge goals that you have accomplished, relish in what you have done everyday, and never forget where you started!

It's really easy to get caught up in the, " If only I could loose 10 more pounds" or "Man, I wish that my stomach was flatter.  So, I'll just do this and that to help it out."

Remember that you have come so far and already lost X amount of pounds. 

 Remember what type of exercise that you couldn't do before and what you can do now!

Remember all of the sweat, tears, and time that you put into this weight loss.

Remember the size that you started out in and the size that you dropped down to!

Remember the great feeling you had when you lost those first 10, 20, 30, 40, or X amount of weight!

Remember that feeling and never forget it!

Because you truly have come a LONG ways and you deserve to celebrate!!

Celebrate the weight you have lost and how far you have come.

Celebrate how good your life is and how much confidence you have in yourself now, to do just about anything!

Celebrate the love you have from your family, friends, and co-workers!

AND most of all

Celebrate to a Happier, and Healthier You!!!

Cheers to a new lifestyle and a different way of looking at life:):):)

Always remember, you can do this, all it takes is the first step and no looking back!!!!

Thanks for stopping by:):):)

Until next time!!!!

Day 27: The Ultimate Question!

In order to have a successful weight loss journey, you need to ask yourself "Why?"  Why have I put myself in this situation?  Why do I turn to food for comfort?  Why, is a very powerful question and one you must figure out in order to keep the weight off.

Via

I have asked myself this many times and I think that I have figured it out, at least for now!  I want to help others out the best that I can and I worry too much(or at least about things that I can't change or control.)  The first thing that has to be done is YOU need to help yourself before you can help others!  YOU need to be happy with your life and happy where you are in it.

This might include a lot of soul searching to figure out how you can change this and how you can go about this.  I believe the "Why" is something that will continue to be a constant question.  It will have to be something that you will need to work on throughout your life time.  It's definitely not easy, but once you come to terms with why you are turning to food then you can change the situation, the way you think about something, or try different things to help you.

So, what are you waiting for?!?!  Get started and ask yourself one question, "Why?"

Thanks for stopping by:):):):)

Until next time!!!!

Day 25: Running Frees Your Mind!

There's no doubt about it, they don't say you get a "Runner's High" for nothing!  Running is one of my favorite exercises because it gives me the feeling like I can do just about anything!  That's probably one of the reasons why I love it so much:)  There are so many benefits from running such as: reducing the chances of stroke and breast cancer, helps with preventing bone and muscle loss, helps with general health, gives you confidence, releives stress, "Runner's High", helps to train your mind, and improves coordination!  Running offers many benefits, but you need to start off on the right foot and learn what is the best way to train yourself to acheive success!

Are you new to running and just want to find out the best tips to keep in mind?  Then here is the article for you!  It gives you all sorts of tips to help when you are starting:)

Beginning Running Tips

 Have you been running for a little while and want some new and more advanced tips then check out this next article!  You will be glad that you did:)

25 Rules to Running!

Day 26: It's All In the ABs!!!

It is always a good idea to workout out your core to get the perfect abs that you are looking for!  You could try cardio that targets the ab area such as Zumba!  Or you could try different exercises that target your core!  I have collected some different types of AB Exercises that you could try out and use on a daily basis!

A-mazing core workout!

Via

Day 24: Out With the Old and in With the New!

One of the most important things to make sure you do after you have lost weight is to buy and invest in some new clothes that will fit your new figure!  You won't truly know how much you've lost until you go through your "old" clothes and see what fits and what needs to be sent to Goodwill:)

I had to go through my old clothes and try them on to see how much weight I actually lost because in my mind I didn't realize how much I'd lost!  It feels very cleansing when you are able to go through your things and pitch the ones that no longer fit you!  Here are some things that I had to get rid of:

Organize your dresser

Get rid of the old

Donate to Goodwill!

Organize your closet!

That's better:)

Day 23: Sign Up!

I'm sorry I'm behind with our:

I have been really busy lately planning for our Halloween party and everything else that comes along with work!  I might be a couple days late with finishing before October is over with!

Another bit of advice to keep you going is to sign up for some type of race whether it be a: 5K, 10K, triathlon, bike race or whatever you're interested.  This is  a great way to start a goal and it will keep you motivated to get to your goal weight.

I did a 2 5K's this year: The Color Run and a 5K that raised money to help out those who are victims of domestic violence.  Here are some pictures that were taken on the day of my 2nd 5K:

Before the race! 

It was a chilly one!  My sis and I did a 5K to raise money for victims of domestic violence.

My best time for a 5K yet!

Day 22: Feel Good!

Whenever you are ready to workout, make sure you have some fabulous workout clothes to do it in!  If you think and know that you look good when you're working out then you will have the extra confidence that you can push through the tough exercise and you will try you're best!

Via

These are definitely cute and would make me want to exercise!  LOVE:)

Via

How about some Zumba clothes?!?!  I think so:):):)  Someday, I'll be able to wear that outfit!

Via

Day 20: Fruits and Veggies!

We're so far into the :

Via

Which brings me to eating healthy and eating your serving sizes of fruits and veggies!  Before I was so caught up on "light" or "reduced fat" or "100 calorie packs", that I didn't focus on eating enough fruits and veggies!  You need to make sure you are eating your fruits and veggies to fuel your body and so you can be happy and healthy:)