Birthday Month!

There was a time where I went out to eat several times a week. I was also a member of every club or gimmick they had going on at each restaurant. Most places give you a free meal, appetizer or dessert during your birthday month. I would always look forward to the beginning of June because that's when all the emails would start flooding in with the "free" coupons. I MADE SURE that I used them all. I LOVED eating out. And trust me-it was NEVER anything healthy. It was normally chicken tenders and fries or a hamburger and fries... At Red Robin-it was multiple baskets of fries. Everything was also loaded with Ketchup. I'd get an appetizer AND a meal AND usually a dessert-oh, and lets not forget the Pop.

That was the old Vitty...

New Vitty: Isn't a member of any restaurant club. Can't even really eat at a restaurant, and even when I do and try to stay healthy. I end up sick because they add this and that, its not organic/natural, my body isn't used to it! Some days I look back and think "Dang, I could really go for [real] food". But honestly, I wouldn't go back. After learning how certain things (foods) affect your body. I should honestly be either dead right now or have major health problems. I have NOTHING. Other than being overweight, I am 100% healthy! Although eating healthy is a TON of work, way expensive and involves planning. I wouldn't go back to the "Old Vitty" habits.

I'll be 24 next week and ALMOST 100 (98 to be exact, unless I can pull off 2 more pounds in a week) pounds lighter! There is no greater gift than that!

Here's to a healthy Birthday Month!

Paul's Zumba

Thursday nights are known at lifetime as "Paul's Zumba". Paul may also be one of my biggest blog fans too :-) (Thanks Paul!)

  Paul's class is not like your ordinary class of Zumba, seeing as though Paul's Zumba is mostly hip hop. Well, Paul has decided to take a break from it making today his last Thursday night :-( This has caused me to go into a mild depression (only kidding-kinda ;-)) His class was so popular people would line up 45 minutes to an hour before class started to make sure they got into class-and most weeks he was telling people "Sorry, class is full!" If that's not enough to tell you how awesome his class was, I'm not sure what is!

I get the best work out in his class without it feeling like "I'm working out".

Zumba has been a huge part of my weight loss-and will continue to be. BUT be assured there is no Zumba like Paul's! Zumba has been a confidence booster for myself and I've met a ton of great friends and people. 

Thank you for everything Paul!!! And don't forget to.....

"WORK IT!!!" 

 (Dont mind the way I look-this is post workout!)

Off-week

I'm normally excited to work out, go to the gym, etc. Not this week! For what ever reason-this week, I have no enthusiasm to work out. 

Monday-got to the gym, sat in my car for about 10 minutes, walked into the gym, stood around and talked with some trainers for about 30 minutes. Walked into Zumba, did about 25 minutes (not pushing myself at all!), move to machines-do about 3 leg curl things-I'm done! I wasted about an hour at the gym. I just wasn't motivated, it wasn't working. 

Tuesday-did an hour of Zumba, didn't push myself.

I do feel like crap when I just cant find the motivation when at the gym. I also have a hard time telling myself "It's okay to give yourself a night off" without feeling guilty. On those un-motivated days its like a lose-lose. I either go to the gym and feel crappy about it because I didn't push myself, or don't go at all and feel crappy because I simply didn't go. It gets tiring when I work full time, try to go to the gym every week night (except Wednesdays which is church nights). I feel like I'm never home. AND I cook all my meals, its hard to fit everything in. Worth it? Yes, I'm sure. Just gets old and tiring sometimes. (Not complaining-just saying its not always easy!)

When I slack or don't go to the gym I am extra aware of what I am putting into my body on those days/weeks...

Not sure of my intent in this posting, just sort of putting my thoughts out there :-) And I know I'm not the only one with struggles with this. Sometimes we just have those "off" weeks. I'll get my "groove" back!

People have been asking what I eat exactly-so my weekly shopping list is coming soon!!

Primal

I had text-ed my doctor one day asking her what I was doing wrong because it had been a couple weeks where I had been at the same weight and was getting discouraged. She told me to read a book called "Primal Blueprint". Now, I trust her 100% and know she has my best interest. BUT I'm not a reader. I've started MANY books, and never end them. I just don't like to read! But I know if she's telling me to read this-there must be a reason... So I order it on amazon.com. I'm interested in it, just not looking forward to the reading aspect of it all! I then start to do a little research on what it is. So I get the definition of primal and it reads:

"first; original; primeval: primal eras before the appearance of life on earth." I google the book and get some reviews on it, seems interesting. I'm learning that the book is about eating like the primal  people (caveman-ish people)?!?! I'm not sooo sure about this! 

I get the book in the mail and open it up just to read a few things from it, check it out, etc. One of the first pages compares Conventional Wisdom vs. The Primal Blueprint. Very interesting and very valid points on the Primal views. I don't have much time to read at that moment, but now, I'm getting interested. 

The book from the get go is saying no grains-NONE! I'm thinking, there's no wayyy I can do this. Does my Doctor seriously eat primal?!?! The answer is YES!

I read part of the 1st chapter-and its very interesting, however, I'm not sure I can live this way. I know I've changed a lot, but going primal? Not sure its my thing... 

The book sat for a week or two and again I text my doctor asking what I'm doing wrong and give her a break down or what I'm eating. She says nothing, I'm doing perfect... However, I still pick at things I'm not suppose to, still eating some carbs (brown rice, chipotle (sodium) carbs (natural chips, etc...). Since I'm not losing how I want I decide no carbs for 2 weeks along with no fruit, except berries and an apple after 3 pm. I also decide to jump back into the book. Not sure what happened this time around, but I got a huge liking to the idea of primal eating (no grains, sugars or legumes.) It was interesting to read how food effects what happens in the body, to your insulin and blood glucose. I instantly became addicted to this book and what it was teaching me! It broke everything down!

I got rid all my grains, sugars and legumes-I had brown rice, black beans and corn in the house. There aren't too many changes I have to make to my eating lifestyle, but there are still changes that are definitely challenges. NO grains at all! I'm already down two pounds though since starting :-) So we'll see how this goes! There is obviously a lot more to living a primal lifestyle, and I'm not done with the book yet-so I'm still learning :-)

 My primal skills were put to the test when we had a birthday party this weekend! Its very hard to be surrounded by hamburgers and hot dogs, cake and ice cream. Luckily they had a lot of fruit and veggies which I ate! After about 5 hours of a hamburger staring at me. I caved. Hamburger isn't bad according to the primal lifestyle-however they prefer organic. And I, on my own have cut out red meat, and do only organic meats. But I ate the hamburger anyway (no bun, only mustard). It was good for the 60 seconds it took me to eat it, until I got sick from it. My body has gotten so used to organic white meats (Chicken, turkey, ground turkey) that when I stray away from that, I tend to not feel well :-( Other than the 1 hamburger, I feel great about what I ate :-)

The book is on amazon.com (Primal Blueprint) if any of you are interested. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Push

It's no secret that Zumba is my main form of workout. I was in Zumba tonight and went to the same instructors class that I had when I first did Zumba. For whatever reason as I was doing ZumbaZumba experience. Let me tell you-It was one of the hardest things I had ever done physically! I modified EVERYTHING so that I could today I was thinking about my very first half keep up. I was ALWAYS in the back of the class. Dying, sweating to death (while modifying everything!) Legs were burning, like burning burning where I'd have to stop for a minute to get feeling back!

Today-I'm in the front of the class (I HATE when I cant see myself in the mirror!). I go on stage. I still modify, however the modify I do now, is to get a more intense workout and find ways to make me sweat more!, I've met a TON of awesome new people/friends, and have fun while working out. Its cool to look back and see how far I've come. I'm not perfect still-and its still hard and challenging, but that's what makes it fun! There is honestly no better feeling than leaving the gym in sweat! I get a high from it!

(I do get guest passes, so if anyone would like to join sometime, let me know-I'd love to have you!)

Challenge yourself

I've repeatedly told myself "I can't". And honestly, I'm still guilty of saying the words "I can't". One of the biggest lessons I've learned is I CAN. My posture may not look like the person next to me, I may not be able to do it as long as the next person, or as many reps. But none the less, I've been able to do it. My biggest excuse was and still is "I can't do that! I'm too fat to do that." One of the best feelings is proving myself wrong. When you challenge yourself you realize just how strong you are. Physically or Mentally. So I challenge YOU to challenge yourself, in ANY area of your life. 

I never thought I could/would...

• Go to the Gym
• Be in the front of the class at Gym
• Go on Stage
• Get through 10 minutes on the stair climber
• Run
• Do certain workouts
• Change my eating habits
• And MANY MANY more....

I've conquered ALL of these. 

My challenge for the next 2 weeks is:

• No carbs
• No Chipotle (Sodium)
• No fruit after 3PM except berries and AN apple if NEEDED.  

I've been tested with ALL of these already (and I'm only 2 days in!)-It's NOT easy-but that's what is so rewarding!

Pick something and stick with it. It doesn't need to be 2 weeks, but start somewhere. Prove to YOURSELF that you CAN do it :-)

The Dr.

I don't have health insurance, so it had been some time since I've been to the doctor. YEARS, except for Urgent Care when I was super sick.


Well, September came around and I was getting sick. Missed about a week of work (I NEVER miss work), had very little money, and no insurance. Tam used to work in a Dr.'s office and suggested we give it try, she says they'll see me and shes sure they'll work some sort of payment out for me. I'm desperate, so we all load in the car and make the trip (its in Auburn Hills which is 30-45 minutes from me, depending on traffic.) I look like absolute crap, I've been sick and in bed for literally a week. I get called back and see Dr. S, he takes 2 seconds and immediately says I have strep throat. I get some meds and now Tam wants to introduce me to people. LOL-Like I'm in any condition to meet people! Nice to meet you, here's strep throat! She points out different people, points out another Dr... yada yada yada... We get in the car and she informs me that they saw me for free (which was a total blessing), and she promised them I'd make an appointment for a physical. She had been bugging me to get a physical as I hadn't been to the doctors in years, which is easier said than done when you don't have any insurance. She also suggests I see the woman Dr. I didn't meet her but Tam had pointed her out to me. And there was noooo way I was going to her.


Let me give you a little back story. I HATE doctors. Every time I would go to the doctor whether it was for a check up or because I was sick. The doctor would simply say "Your overweight" or "Your fat". Great-I already know I'm fat, but can you help me out with my sickness? I even had one doctor refuse to treat me because I was so "fat". So you can clearly see why I hate doctors.




So Tam is steadily pushing me to call and make an appointment with Dr. J (the woman Dr.) This woman is 1-a thin woman, and 2-very pretty... I, being fat and ugly, was NOT going to go to the woman Dr. and so I procrastinated making the appointment, for about a month. Tam is trying to convince me that shes the best at what she does, she's funny, shes sweet... And in my eyes, a Dr. cant be any of those things, I don't like Dr.'s and now she wants me to see this woman?! She's crazy. So what does she do... makes the appointment for me-How nice of her right? ha!




My appointment is Nov. 2nd, which was still about a month away. I go get blood work done ahead of time so it can be discussed at the appointment. This physical is also going to cost anywhere from 100.00-150.00, with a minimum of 50.00 the day of. So I'd also been saving up as well.




Nov. 2nd comes. I had an AM appointment so I could just get this out of the way. I'm NOT looking forward to this and totally "scared". The doctor is just going to tell me I'm fat, I need to lose more weight, and that's it... Good times. And the 45 minute drive isn't helping! I know I've gained weight because I'd fallen from my diet, just not sure how much weight, so that's nerve wrecking on top of having to go see this thin, beautiful doctor.


I get to the office, sign in and wait, which felt like forever but in reality was about 5 minutes. The girl calls me back to get height and weight. I step on the scale... And want to cry.




296...






The last time I weighed myself I was in the 260's. This meant I had gained anywhere from 30-40 pounds and I was 4 pounds away from being back in the 300's-which I vowed to never be again. I was devastated, and to top it off, still had to see the doctor. Great.




I'm now waiting for the Doctor, and totally nervous. She walks in and I'm prepared for the worst. This woman was gonna tear me apart!




I COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE FURTHER OFF FROM THE TRUTH.




This woman was amazing. Funny, sweet,  and kind. Weight got brought up, obviously... I told her I had lost, fell off, gained... the whole story. She didn't judge me at all! She was SOOO encouraging. She had believed in me. I had all the tools to lose weight-I had already lost a decent amount, but wasn't staying disciplined. It was all up to me to start losing the weight again, and she believed I could do it. She also said the words "Nothing tastes as good, as being thin feels." Which to this day, have stayed imprinted in my brain, and basically become my motto for life.




All my blood work came back and Okay, and I was healthy-so now, I just have to get back on the train and start losing. I couldn't allow myself to get back to 300. I was almost on the brink of tears the whole time I was in the Doctors.




The Doctor and I talked a little while longer, and Tam was right-this woman is absolutely the most amazing Doctor/person ever. I love her! She totally changed my mind about how I felt about Doctors (sort of-I'm pretty convinced I dislike all doctors except her, but I've become partial!) She even hugged me before leaving, which Doctor does that?!




Now its time to leave, I get to the counter. The lady then proceeds to say "It'll be 25.00 for today." Now, I brought 50.00 with me because when I had called previously they said 50.00 at time of visit and I'd be billed for the rest. So I give her 50.00 anyways and just tell her to apply it to my bill. She says "No hunny, the total is 25.00." Because of Tam and her previously working there, and the office knowing my no insurance situation, they totally helped me out. And only charge me 25.00 each time I go. So-an amazing Doctor and an amazing office?!




I'm still on the brink of tears, because I cant believe I've allowed myself to gain that much weight. I get in my car, and tears started instantly. I sat in the parking lot for probably about 30-45 minutes after my appointment. I called Tam (who at this point, still doesn't know I had been eating fast food again.) I called her crying and completely confessed everything that had been going on for months. Scared shes going to be mad or disappointed or something! She was sooo supportive, told me she understood. And was 100% on board with me and would help me with EVERYTHING. I told her how much I loved the doctor, and she of course laughed-because I usually doubt Tam, and then when it happens-I Thank her!




That day, I got back on track! We started hitting the gym again, I was VERY determined to lose this weight!




Since Nov. 2nd, I have lost 54 pounds, bringing my total weight lose to 96 pounds from my original 338 pound self. I'm still not perfect and have my off days. I've had fast food ONCE, and pizza a couple of times (which was portioned to a slice or two-that's it!) And I still mess up from time to time...




I'm completely blessed with an amazing support team, and Doctor. She's one of my biggest cheer leaders. She puts up with all my crazy text messages about food questions,  or if I'm having a bad discipline day/week-she hears about it! She always puts me back in perspective and is always sooo motivating and encouraging. I can now say I actually LOOK FORWARD to going to the Doctors. People say all the time "You drive 45 minutes to the doctors, get a different doctor!" HELL NO! I love my Doctor and the relationship I've been able to build with her. I WOULD NOT have gone this far if it wasn't for her. And could never Thank her enough for all she has done for me. She has single handedly changed my life. There is no way to repay that.