Right On Point

I feel the need to self-five myself and high ten to Alex this past week. 

Self five because my paleo eating and workouts were right on point this week and he gets a high ten because he's mister healthy eating (picking up nuts instead of chips while watching tv) and going to the gym at least 3x a week doing weights/running and bootcamps. This is not the boy I knew a year a go, weeks into quitting social smoking and not caring what he puts into his body. 

Me and paleo are going great, I ate like a pig on Easter and felt it ever so much on Tuesday, it's amazing how much my body reacts to eating poorly. I'm sorry body for hurting you. And so I made a choice to clean up my intake of food as I was feeling sick on the toilet (tmi?!) Eating 2-3 servings of veggies and less natural dried fruits. 

Since school is out (for a little while) if I'm not at work, it's gym time. This past week I've been doing 2 classes back to back a few times a week like I did on Thursday where I ran 5km then bodypump after. I'm oh so sore the days after but It helps me meet my goal of burning 2,000+ calories a week. 

I've got goals for myself, my friends. Can't wait to see where a lot of dedication takes me.

~

Share with me--how do you know when you're treating your body good? Skin clearer? Happier? Tell. 

No excuses, get up at work for it.

I shocked myself this morning. I really didn't think I would have time to workout today like I normally do-birthday celebrations for me and ton of school work. 

Instead of skipping todays workout like I wanted to, I decided to get an early morning sweat on and went to bodypump for 6:30. Yes, I was tired when I rolled out of bed and looked real scary on the bus but eventually I woke up and had a great workout. 

With school winding down in the next few weeks, going to the evening classes isn't going to work all the time with my schedule since I have papers after papers to write. Basically today was training day for "sweating at 6am" a few times a week.

Best part-It's a little after 11am and I'm halfway done what I wanted to complete for homework today. 

What really shocks me is the old Sarah would have made today a "rest" day and slept in till 9 and started homework later.  This is where I see non-scale victories, making myself accountable and doing something the old me wouldn't have done. 

I can't (we all can't) let life get in the way of working out and making good choices. So if going to the 6:30am classes is what fits for me that day-then I'll do it.  It'll be tough rolling out of bed that early but it's tougher not being happy in my skin. Quote that. (I'll make sure to read this when my alarm goes off next time at 5:40am.) 

It ain't easy

This past weekend I went to a surprise party Karen's mom. Tons of fun and a great time to catch up with lots of people I have't seen in a while. 

During the afternoon, I had about 6 different people come up to me and comment about how good I look/ or were astounded with my weight loss and wanted to know what I've been doing. 

So I say 'well, I eat paleo about 80% of the time (as I was eating cake) and I've found some really challenging but fun classes at the ymca. ...mostly bootcamp and weight lifting." 

I guess some people think I woke up 39 pounds lighter and 10 sizes smaller because during these talks on saturday mostly everyone said something along the lines of how hard working out is, or that they hate veggies or don't have time to join a gym. 

Yes, working out is hard. It's not supposed to be easy. I hate veggies too but I know they're good for my body and health so I eat them. And you don't need a gym- I lost most of my weight by eating smaller portions and running a few times of week. 

It takes work, folks. Losing weight and changing bad habits is not easy. (Or else everyone would do it)  Cutting grains from my diet was tough but after a few weeks my body didn't crave them anymore. Working out is not easy, my saturday bootcamp class is a killer but it's changed my body so I keep going back. 

I feel I'm being a tad harsh but it's in a loving way. 

If you want something bad enough, go get it. 

Eat better. Go exercise. Better yet-aim to walk 10,000 steps a day. Drink more water. Make one change a week and do that thing for 7 days. Then add in a new thing. 

It's hard at first but then it becomes your lifestyle. I used to dread hitting the gym but now I'm there at least 4-5x a week because it keeps the stress down and it's just part of my weekly schedule. 

~

As much as I feel I'm touting my own horn- I'm not. I eat junk food, I like cake for birthdays and have days where my makeup looks good and I really don't want to mess it up by sweating. I struggle too. 

But I treat myself. I allow myself a treat meal every few days and next weekend I'll probably have a green beer for st. paddy's day. 

Currently

Currently, Kasey Musgraves has been playing non-stop. I can't believe I even hated her songs.

Currently, I am writing a terribly boring essay on food banks which is tomorrow so I better get back to writing. 

I am currently loving my thursday morning bodypump. Best bodypump burn within the week. 

Currently, wishing next thursday will hurry up so I go back and build that muscle. 

Currently there is 4 weeks left of classes. 

Currently, wishing spring will arrive. Say it with me now, melt snow, melt. 

Currently, itching to get back into running. I miss it a lot. 

Insta-Lately....case of the animals

1) Taking a break from the fake nails and painted my own nails last week. Not bad. 

2) Little Iggy waking up from a nap  I mean, after Sarah woke him up. He just looked so cute.

3) Victoria Secret makes pretty decent nail polish. 

4) Princess likes sleeping on the couch. A little ew! 

5) Daily walks.

6) I came home one afternoon ad found her sleeping with a pillow. In the wash it went!

7) After Sunday's Half-Marathon.

8) Carb-o loading pasta Saturday night. 

30 day ab challenge=DONE!

I've been hearing great times about this 30 day ab challenge.  Shannon did it and got amazing results and I was sold.

So, when may 31 rolled around I decided that for June I would do the ab challenge and see how it went.

I am so pleased with my results. I didn't take measurements but I feel stronger, stand taller and love when I cough that I can feel my abs contracting. 

It is difficult. Day 1-8 would take me close to 20 minutes to complete the workout because I needed breaks but then by day 15-ish I was finishing in 9 minutes. 

Seriously, it only takes 15 minutes to do and it works! 

*please excuse the mess in my room. Bad habit.