Monday, August 1, 2011

Burn Baby Burn!

I have been on a constant weight struggle since 2006.  I feel like as soon as I get the momentum to lose the weight I need to, something in life gets in my way and I quit after just a few short weeks.  I have had to jump over so many hurdles with my weight loss, but now it's time to get serious and say "screw all those hurdles" and just do it already!

I am not a strong person when it comes to food.  I LOVE food.  I love everything about it except the effect it has on my body.  I tried Weight Watchers, but because of the flexibility, I found myself eating the things I really shouldn't and in turn, it didn't work.  I could probably gain weight by just looking at a cheeseburger!  

So when the opportunity to join Cerner's KC Slimdown Challenge, I jumped on board as fast as I could.  Before I knew it, I was the Team Captain of two teams; one for my office and a personal one.  I need support all around me or I will fail.  I know from experience that it's best to start a weight loss program with other people.  Everyone's schedules are different, so it's hard to work out together, but I now have my work, family and friends involved so that pretty much covers every area of support for me.  I have it at home, at work and when I'm out and about.  

Here are some of my helpful tips that I have learned over the years:

  • Drink 60-80 oz. of water a day.  Yes, you will be using the potty a lot!
  • Drink green tea with breakfast, lunch & dinner.
  • Try and do your work out in the morning or you might find yourself not being able to fall asleep.
  • Work out with a buddy.
  • Clean out your pantry the day you decide to start your healthier lifestyle.  Donate the unused food to your local food pantry or church.
  • Keep your goal & motivation in front of you everywhere  you go.  Tape it to your computer, your car, set reminders on your phone, notes on the fridge and pantry.
  • Picture how you will look and feel at your goal weight.
  • Celebrate your successes no matter how small they are.
  • Share your goals with a friend so you have someone to hold you accountable.
  • Get out and exercise even for just 20 minutes a day to start out with.  Increase it a little every few days.  Eventually you will be working out an hour each time.  
  • Give yourself a rest day so you're body doesn't go in to overdrive.
  • Allow yourself a little treat every once in a while...notice I said little.
  • Whatever you do....STAY AWAY FROM DIET PILLS!!!!
  • Most importantly, do what works for your body, not anyone else's.  We are all built differently, so what works for someone else might not work for you.  Talk to your doctor and don't be afraid to try different plans.  
I have found that working with my personal trainer, Tammy, is what works best for me.  She trains me once a week out of her home and is just amazing!!  I know that I can go to her with just about anything and she will have an answer for me based off of what she knows and my body type.  She is available to me via email, phone and text.  I couldn't ask for a better person to help guide me through my weight loss.  I have never enjoyed being in such pain from a work out like I do when I'm done training with her.  I actually worked out twice in one day yesterday because I was so motivated! 



I also enjoy logging my food and exercise on the My Fitness Pal website.  It's free and super easy to use!!  You log what you eat, how much water you drink and the exercise you complete and at the end of the day, it will tell you "If everyday is like today, you will weigh ____ lbs in 5 weeks".  It's wonderful!!  You can invite your friends to join, put your weight ticker on your personal websites (like I have done at the bottom of this page) and I have yet to come across food that's not on the food list.  

I never physically saw myself as fat or obese, but according to my BMI, waist measurement and weight for my height, I was just over the line of being considered obese.  Fortunately for me, I carry all my weight evenly so it's harder for people (including myself) to think I weighed as much as the scales said I did.  We all thought something was seriously wrong when the scale at the YMCA weighed me in at 221 lbs for my "official weigh-in weight" for this challenge.  But, the scales don't lie.  All of them are a little different, but not by much.  

Everyone keeps telling me "Oh Erin, you're not fat" or "You're not overweight".  Give me a break!  I appreciate the self esteem boost, but that's not how I feel.  I feel the 30-40 lbs of excess weight I carry.  I feel it in my back and my knees.  I feel it when I get winded just walking up the stairs in my house.  I feel it when I have no energy to go outside and play with my son.  I FEEL it!!  It's not an appearance thing.  It's a feeling.  I want to be and feel healthy.  It's been so long since I've felt that way that I don't even know what it actually feels like. 

Here's my before:


Stay tuned for my after!!!











On Hiatus

After a 2 month hiatus from blogging, I have returned in hopes of starting fresh, to share new ideas, to inspire and motivate as many people as I can.  I have spent the past couple of months re-evaluating my life, those in it and the direction I am going.  I have learned who my true friends are, gotten closer to certain family members and know those that are going to stand by my side no matter who I am or what I do with my life.   

I have no regrets of the past nor do I think I was a bad person or that anyone I hung around was a bad person. My past experiences have built me in to the person I am today and that is a good Friend, Mom, Daughter, Sister, Niece, Granddaughter, Employee, Student, Christian, Girlfriend and just an overall good person.  It has taken me a long time to get to this point and to say that I am honestly proud of the person I am becoming.  It's always going to be a work in progress.  

I used to always be a follower instead of a leader or role model.  I would do whatever anyone else wanted me to do just to feel like I fit in somewhere with someone.  I've been that way for as long as I can remember.  But, when it came down to it, I was only trying to be someone I wasn't.  I wasn't being a good role model.  It felt as if my life was spiraling out of control and I was making bad decisions.  Then God gave me my son and for a while things were better.  Then I lost my dad and other life situations happened and knocked me down, so I lost that sense of control again for many years and did whatever I could to mask all the hurt I was feeling.  Truth be told that it doesn't matter what you do to hide it, the feeling only goes away temporarily unless you confront it head on. 

It took my son recently responding to one picture of me in a way that made me feel just horrible about myself and realize that I had to get my act together.  Don't get me wrong, it's not like it was highly inappropriate, but definitely got my attention.  Therefore, I have no interest in staying out late, drinking or smoking anymore.  I have no interest in going to bars.  I have no interest participating in the activities or going to the places I used to go to have a good time.  I enjoy staying at home or going to a friend's house for a BBQ.  I enjoy the quality time, in the comfort of my own home, or a friend's, playing games or having a good ol' movie night.  Call me old, call me boring, but that's what I enjoy.  That's the real me.

I still see and talk to the almost all of the friends I have hung out with over the years, but it's not the same unfortunately.  I still love each and every single one of them with all of my heart and will always and forever be there for them, but the truth of the matter is that we all have gotten older, have husband/wives/boyfriends/girlfriends, children and are on different paths building families of our own or we live far away from each other.  

I used to always get so upset when I lost a friend, and still do because I wear my heart on my sleeve, but I do remember one thing.  My dad used to always tell me "Erin, you will be lucky to keep even just one friend from high school.  It's not about the quantity of friends, it's the quality of the friendship".  Dad.....you were right.  I have been fortunate to keep a few good girlfriends from high school that I love dearly and I hope that never changes, so I guess I'm one lucky girl.

So, to all of my girls, you know who you are....I want you to know that I love you dearly from the bottom of my heart!  A true friend is always there for you no matter what and I still treasure all the time we get to spend together. 

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

The Gift of Giving

I want to start off by saying that my heart, thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of the recent horrific tornado that tore through Joplin, MO.  What a tragedy!  I haven't been able to get them out of my mind since Sunday night when I first heard about it.  I can't stop thinking of how I can possibly help them in any way I can.  By Monday morning opportunities were popping up everywhere I looked.  My first instinct is to keep them all in my prayers; the children, parents, friends, family, loved ones, emergency response teams and many volunteers that continue to help in any way they can.  God promises to NEVER leave your side.


My home church Abundant Life Baptist Church has been generous enough to open up a drop site at The Core Monday-Friday from 8:30am - 8:00pm.  They are located at 414 SW Persels in Lee's Summit, Missouri.


Here is a list of the items requested by Red Cross:

  • Bottled water   
  • Non-perishable food   
  • Baby formula   
  • Diapers and wipes   
  • Toiletries    
  • Empty gas cans   
  • Extension cords    
  • Blankets and towels    
  • Medical supplies (sterile adhesive bandages, hypoallergenic adhesive tape, aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids)
  • Please note that the Red Cross asks that no more clothing be donated because they have been overwhelmed with those items. 
ALBC will also be partnering with Forest Park Baptist Church in Joplin to further serve the community in any way they can.  If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Chris Thomson at the church office at (816)554-8181, extension 127.

I have also recently joined Teisha Barber, the organizer of Models on a Mission:  Joplin, MO Benefit Show, to help raise money to send a couple of local charities there in Joplin.  The show will take place at the Vox Theater on Thursday night, June 16th.  She is looking for models, designers, stylists, Make-up Artists, photographers, etc. to participate in the fashion show.  She has formed a group on Facebook for all interested in helping out: Models on a Mission: Joplin, MO Benefit Show.

Evil Pawn Jewelry has chosen 3 of their GORGEOUS pieces to partake in this event.  Until June 23rd, they will donate the proceeds to a charity/relief fun from these necklaces.  Here are the 3 pieces that were chosen:

    



The proceeds of the first necklace (The Caroline Necklace) is the one chosen for the families impacted from the recent tornado in Joplin.  You can find out more about these necklaces and the charities the proceeds will go to by visiting Charity/Relief Fund Pieces on Facebook or visit the Evil Pawn Jewelry website.  I recently purchased the Caroline Necklace myself.  I highly encourage visiting the website to read the inspiration stories behind Faith Evangeline's jewelry. She is an awesome woman!


It's times like these when we need to pull together and do anything we can to help others in need.  I pray that God will continue to be with the residents of Joplin as they get through this very difficult time.





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