Tuesday Sucked, but Wednesday Was Better

My mother died in July 2013.  It still pains me to type that or read it.  We had our close and not so close times in our relationship.  At the time of her death, it was one of our not so close times.  Regardless, she was always there when I needed to talk.  And yesterday, I really needed to talk to her.  I think for the first time in my life I had my first real "I just want my mom" moment.  There were lots of tears and it was an emotionally draining day.  In terms of my workouts, it was a rest day and I took FULL advantage.  We're getting a snow storm and our cupboards were bare so I did a big shop.  I then fed my family cereal and oatmeal for dinner and ordered myself a small sub and cheddar bacon fries.  Because it was a shitty day and damn it, salad just wasn't going to cut it!  Normally, I'm a "cook everything from scratch" kinda gal but sometimes you just have to say screw it.

I just started the Push Circuit of ChaLEAN Extreme.  Today was Push Circuit 2.  I usually do my workout in the morning or, if I have to work, in the early afternoon.  Today I was tired from work, freezing cold, and worn out emotionally.  3pm came and I thought, well it's now or never.  So I put on my smelly workout clothes and, among other exercises, did one legged dead lifts (helloooo hamstrings!).  I IMMEDIATELY felt better physically and mentally.  I mean, let's be honest, of course I thought "thank goodness that's over with" but I also thought "that's it?".  The workouts in CLX are 30-45 min long.  Actually only Burn Intervals is 45 min long.  If my 9 yr old wasn't about to get off the bus, I totally would've done Ab Burner or the bonus Turbo Jam workout.  My point is that within 30 minutes, I wasn't cold, my energy went through the roof, I felt happier and I WANTED to do more!  

My life has been filled with self doubt and food regret.  I love food.  I love to eat it, cook it, read about it, watch cooking shows and my favorite, serve it to those I love.  As much as I love everything about food, I do what everyone else does...1 bad food decision and I'm off the rails.   Forget the diet.  Forget eating healthy.  What's the point?  Yesterday I made the decision to permanently change my thinking.  One bad meal does not a diet break.  I hate the term "diet" and "lifestyle change", even though that what I'm doing but I have no better words.  

So yeah, yesterday sucked.  Big time.  But today was better because I exercised and for 30 minutes, focused on nothing more than making my muscles stronger.  And I had a free chocolate covered strawberry...that was a bonus :)

New Beginnings

A few days after Christmas, I posted this

Why? Because it's hilarious. Don't we all see that on Facebook like, the day after Christmas? 2013 was a tough year and this was the perfect time to make a fresh start with myself - mind, body & soul. A friend of mine had been posting stuff about Focus T25. It's by Shaun T, the lunatic that does Insanity. I'm all for working out but Insanity scared the hell out of me and I have arthritis in my knees. Plus if I do jumping in a work out, I'm going to have to invest in Depends (thanks kids).
Anywho, she is a coach with Team Beachbody and set out to find a program that would help me lose weight and wouldn't be too stressful on the knees. She came back with ChaLEAN Extreme by Chalene Johnson. A little blonde lady who has as much energy as a sugar rushed squirrel. Extreme circuit training *insert scared look*.
I work part time and when I go to the gym, I get bored and don't work as hard as I should. She was also telling me about Shakeology "The Healthiest Meal of the Day".  A shake in which you can add water or other stuff to.  Well why not.  I mean, I've tried almost every diet out there.
Weight Watchers
Jenny Craig
Slim Fast
Atkins
South Beach
Dukan
Optifast
Special K (2 bowls of cereal & 1 meal a day)
as well as your general count calories/work out.

A few things worked, but as with most diets after a few weeks I got bored or didn't see results so I fell back into the same 'ole patterns. She gave me some samples of shake-o and I was surprised at how full it made me. When I work, it's from 9:30-12:30 so I have breakfast around 8:30 and then usually don't eat again until after 1. I never felt hungry! So I thought, eh why not. I'll buy the Challenge Pack and give it a whirl. I signed up the be a Team Beachbody Coach so I could get a discount (who doesn't love a deal?)
                                               On January 9th, my big blue box appeared

                                                              And inside was this

along with my big bag of chocolate Shakeology.
Good Lord, what have I gotten myself into?!?!!? 7 DVDs, a guide book (a guide book???  It came with a guide book!) a resistance band, some giant rubber band called a thigh toner and a ripped chick on the cover.
Today it's February 9th. I've finished phase 1 which is called the Burn phase. Mostly weight training and a little cardio.
Sad part - I haven't lost any weight. Not an ounce.
Thrilling part? I've lost 3 inches off my hips & 1 1/2 off my waist. My dear tape measure is becoming my new best friend and the scale remains my enemy. I have a ton of energy, I feel stronger (had to buy heavier weights!), and drinking the Shakeology really helps me not go for junk food.

So if you're interested in anything Beachbody, Shakeology, P90X, T25, or anything else drop me a line!  Being a coach will not only get me a discount on stuff but it will also fulfill my desire to help people reach their goals.  I've been 240lbs and I've been 140lbs and everything in between (which is where I am now) so I can definitely commiserate with wanting to change and having trouble.

Until next time....

Hello!

So I'm joining the blogging world.  I've called it Serendipitous Fitness for a few reasons.  Serendipity is one of my favorite words.  It sounds lovely yet I never use it.  It means "pleasant surprise" or "happy accident".  I've recently begun a journey of better health.  Like everyone else on January 1st, I said "this will be the year I lose weight and get healthy" (kinda like what I say every January 1st).  I started working out and eating healthier and realized that it really made me feel GOOD!  So it was a pleasant surprise that fitness and wellness has made me feel amazing.  I'm hoping to share my story and my journey as well as inspire others.