Thursday, April 17, 2014
Woman of Steel...almost!
This past weekend my sister, my niece and I participated in the Woman of Steel 5K. Now, we didn’t run the whole time or even half the time. We are power-walking fools! I know there are those out there who may ask why we even bothered to show up – given our lack of actual running enthusiasm. I may never be a runner, but I don’t participate in 5Ks to be the fastest. I realized that the greatest accomplishment was the fact that I was there and that a year ago you wouldn’t have caught me dead at a 5K. Progress, my friends!
Since August, I have been on an adventure of sorts. It started as a weight loss challenge among friends and has turned into a lifestyle change for myself. It hasn’t been an easy road, but I have no intention of stopping. I have finally hit the 30-pound loss mark! I have to say that it took longer than I ever thought to get from 25 to 30 pounds. I was cruising along and then I hit a wall. Sadness! I am at least proud that I didn’t just give up, but I was frustrated! Then, along came Lent. A ritual that I have never truly participated in due to my lack of religious ties to the practice, but I thought I would give it a try. I decided to give up fast food since that always seems to derail me. I seem to thrive on speed and convenience - I know I'm not alone. I've been able to keep this up so far - hooray! My coworker decided to take on a tougher endeavor - no white flour and nothing with over 10 grams of sugar. Honestly, I thought she was crazy! Then she started seeing results - quickly. I realized she was on to something! So, I decided to join her on the journey. This week marks the end of week three and I feel awesome! In three weeks, I have already lost 4.8 lbs. and an inch off my waist! Holy crap! I have been shocked the difference it has made in my body and my mood! My ultimate goal is to go 120 days with little prizes for myself every 30 days. I am allowing myself to have one cheat meal a week if needed. I can't go crazy, but if I'm really feeling a Reese's peanut butter cup it's ok. Just one!! It's been a long time since I've felt this good about myself! Woo!! I hope to keep posting about my progress and share some surprisingly delicious things I've found along the way.
P.S. I have discovered a love for cauliflower! Did not see that coming!!
We are Women of Steel!!
Look at our medals!
Kayliee and I showing off our muscles!
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Another Year: 2013 Reflection
...And so it begins.
Another day, another dollar - another year, another list of resolutions.
I suppose I should begin with things like "Happy 2014" and "My New Year's resolutions are..." but I'd rather take a new approach to the beginning of a new year. Instead of dwelling on all the things I didn't achieve during 2013 (and vowing to do them during 2014), I'd like to focus on what I did achieve during 2013.
Here are some stats:
5K's finished: 5
Pounds lost: 25 (Since August)
New job: FOUND!
Michael Jackson moves busted: Too many to count!
I am very proud to have participated in five different 5k races! I did Kiss Me Dirty in August, Color Me Rad and the Heart Walk in September, Witches Brew Ha Ha in October, and the Human Race in November. Since August, I have made an effort to be more active and eat better which has led to a 25 pound weight loss! Out of my many efforts to lose weight in the past, 2013 has been my most successful year so far and it is something that I hope to carry into 2014.
One of my favorite things I did in 2013 was the Michael Jackson Thriller dance class. I went to a two hour dance class every week in October to learn the dance from MJ's Thriller music video. It was so much fun and I was usually drenched in sweat by the time class was over. Although I was not a pretty sight at the end of class, it was very satisfying! Our class also did a performance for the dance studio's Halloween party - such an adrenaline rush! I may not be the best dancer, but I had the time of my life!!
All and all not too shabby of a year!
Another day, another dollar - another year, another list of resolutions.
I suppose I should begin with things like "Happy 2014" and "My New Year's resolutions are..." but I'd rather take a new approach to the beginning of a new year. Instead of dwelling on all the things I didn't achieve during 2013 (and vowing to do them during 2014), I'd like to focus on what I did achieve during 2013.
Here are some stats:
5K's finished: 5
Pounds lost: 25 (Since August)
New job: FOUND!
Michael Jackson moves busted: Too many to count!
I am very proud to have participated in five different 5k races! I did Kiss Me Dirty in August, Color Me Rad and the Heart Walk in September, Witches Brew Ha Ha in October, and the Human Race in November. Since August, I have made an effort to be more active and eat better which has led to a 25 pound weight loss! Out of my many efforts to lose weight in the past, 2013 has been my most successful year so far and it is something that I hope to carry into 2014.
One of my favorite things I did in 2013 was the Michael Jackson Thriller dance class. I went to a two hour dance class every week in October to learn the dance from MJ's Thriller music video. It was so much fun and I was usually drenched in sweat by the time class was over. Although I was not a pretty sight at the end of class, it was very satisfying! Our class also did a performance for the dance studio's Halloween party - such an adrenaline rush! I may not be the best dancer, but I had the time of my life!!
All and all not too shabby of a year!
Kiss Me Dirty 2013 - At the finish line!!
My sister (Lisa) and I at Color Me Rad 5K
Lisa and I at the Witches Brew Ha Ha 5K
My mom and I at the Witches Brew Ha Ha 5K
Hooray!! Finisher's medal from the Witches Brew Ha Ha!
My Mom and I at the Human Race Thanksgiving morning.
Zombies at the Thriller Dance performance
Working it on the dance floor with my MJ glove!
My zombie make-up!
Cause this is Thriller!!!!!
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Fall Weight Loss Challenge: Week One
Hello there to one and all and all and one!
It has been a while since my last post, so I wanted to write about my new venture. As of last Tuesday, I have been engaged in an epic battle of wits and sweat. After all, sweat is fat crying! Six ladies have gathered to compete in a weigh-loss challenge for the next eight weeks - obviously I am one of those ladies. I had to weigh myself in front of another human being and let me tell you... it wasn't pretty. The flood of reality had hit me like a ton of bricks. Yes, Jessica, you have gained a lot of weight.
Even though it was a hard number to face, I feel I have done swimming well over this last week. I have tracked my calorie in-take and gotten my ass in gear. I know it is only the first week, but I feel fabulous and I hope to continue the trend. Oh, did I mention there's a cash prize at the end of this? The winner (well, I guess biggest loser) gets a cool $300! Motivation!! However, I really want to do this as a first step in the direction of a new life. The past few years have been difficult with my mind and body taking a beating. More than ever, I feel that this could be just what I need to finally push myself out of the rut.
In the wake of the challenge, I have signed up for several walks and 5Ks. I am set to do the Kiss Me Dirty mud run (a 5K in mud) later this month. I am proud to be a member of the Muddy Melvins team, but I am terrified that I am going to make a fool of myself. I have never even ran a 5K - let alone doing a 5K obstacle course in mud. WTSF was I thinking?! If you see another post from me, it means I survived! I have also signed up to do the Color Me Rad 5K at the end of September. This one looks like some serious fun and I think I could have a handle on myself by then. Finally, I have signed up for the Heart walk in September. My work has teamed up with the American Heart Association to sponsor the event. I'm really excited for each event and hope I can keep my spirits up!
It's funny that it is only one week into this challenge/new adventure and I already feel different. I have this wonderful sense of accomplishment and new perspective on how I really want my life to be. For so long, I wallowed in the thoughts that my life is shit and there was no way to get out of it. There is!! Change your attitude! The ever cheesy quote: If you think you can't - you're probably right. Anywho, I wanted to share my new attitude with the void.... Hopefully, I still feel this good after our Tuesday weigh-in... I'll let you know! :-)
It has been a while since my last post, so I wanted to write about my new venture. As of last Tuesday, I have been engaged in an epic battle of wits and sweat. After all, sweat is fat crying! Six ladies have gathered to compete in a weigh-loss challenge for the next eight weeks - obviously I am one of those ladies. I had to weigh myself in front of another human being and let me tell you... it wasn't pretty. The flood of reality had hit me like a ton of bricks. Yes, Jessica, you have gained a lot of weight.
Even though it was a hard number to face, I feel I have done swimming well over this last week. I have tracked my calorie in-take and gotten my ass in gear. I know it is only the first week, but I feel fabulous and I hope to continue the trend. Oh, did I mention there's a cash prize at the end of this? The winner (well, I guess biggest loser) gets a cool $300! Motivation!! However, I really want to do this as a first step in the direction of a new life. The past few years have been difficult with my mind and body taking a beating. More than ever, I feel that this could be just what I need to finally push myself out of the rut.
In the wake of the challenge, I have signed up for several walks and 5Ks. I am set to do the Kiss Me Dirty mud run (a 5K in mud) later this month. I am proud to be a member of the Muddy Melvins team, but I am terrified that I am going to make a fool of myself. I have never even ran a 5K - let alone doing a 5K obstacle course in mud. WTSF was I thinking?! If you see another post from me, it means I survived! I have also signed up to do the Color Me Rad 5K at the end of September. This one looks like some serious fun and I think I could have a handle on myself by then. Finally, I have signed up for the Heart walk in September. My work has teamed up with the American Heart Association to sponsor the event. I'm really excited for each event and hope I can keep my spirits up!
It's funny that it is only one week into this challenge/new adventure and I already feel different. I have this wonderful sense of accomplishment and new perspective on how I really want my life to be. For so long, I wallowed in the thoughts that my life is shit and there was no way to get out of it. There is!! Change your attitude! The ever cheesy quote: If you think you can't - you're probably right. Anywho, I wanted to share my new attitude with the void.... Hopefully, I still feel this good after our Tuesday weigh-in... I'll let you know! :-)
Monday, April 29, 2013
Tulip Festival 2013
Hi all!
So, I have recently gotten into photography and I bought myself a fancy digital SLR camera. I'm in love with the camera and I am eager to learn more about taking great pictures! I'm really excited, because my dad has the same camera as I do so we can learn together. Anyway, my sister and I went to the Tulip Festival this year at Thanksgiving Point and I got to try out my new camera. I took some pictures of my niece and nephews, and pictures of the beautiful flowers. I'm going to enter one of my photos in the Thanksgiving Point photo contest - pretty excited! So, below are some of my favorite pictures I took that day.
So, I have recently gotten into photography and I bought myself a fancy digital SLR camera. I'm in love with the camera and I am eager to learn more about taking great pictures! I'm really excited, because my dad has the same camera as I do so we can learn together. Anyway, my sister and I went to the Tulip Festival this year at Thanksgiving Point and I got to try out my new camera. I took some pictures of my niece and nephews, and pictures of the beautiful flowers. I'm going to enter one of my photos in the Thanksgiving Point photo contest - pretty excited! So, below are some of my favorite pictures I took that day.
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| Kayliee all dressed up! |
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| Kayliee and baby Ashton |
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| Baby Ashton |
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| Jackson, Kayliee and Kolter |
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| Jackson checking out the flowers |
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