Hello friends. Sorry I haven't been here in a while. Things have been quite hectic with the children going back to school. My little one started pre-K this morning. Very exciting. That means all of my children are officially "school-aged". Love it!
I have a question for those of you who are on this journey and have lost a significant amount of weight so far. How do you deal with loose skin? I am really struggling with this right now. It's mostly my arms and stomach. Ugh.....I know that I've come such a long way, but when I have to look at myself, I'm sometimes discouraged because I want to look different. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely happy about how I look now compared to how I looked 10 months ago, but I wish things were a lot "tighter". Strength training and toning aside, I am going to need surgery. Yes, I said it, SURGERY. Oh well....
Also, do you ever have days where you just feel "huge"? Well, I do and I had one of those days Friday. I'm not sure why I felt that way, but I did.
Saturday was better, especially after trying on capris in way smaller sizes and having them fit! Yay!!!!
I bought a nordic track fitness ball this weekend and I love it. I'm hoping to see results soon. I'm amazed at how many exercises I can do on that thing. We also got another set of weights so I'm incorporating that into my "ball" workouts. :-)
My diet is still veganish and I'm still loving it. I'm still incorporating raw foods into most of my day and it's going well. I hope everyone is doing well. I appreciate you reading and commenting and hope that continue to do so. You help me on this journey, more than you.
Love to all xoxoxoxo
Monday, August 29, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Food, food, FOOD!
Good morning all. I hope everyone is well and that things are going well for you on your journey to health. It has been a busy month for me and I realize that I haven't posted much, but rest assured, I am still here and the journey continues.
I bought a new book a few weeks ago, "Eating in the Raw" by Carol Alt. Sounds interesting, right? Well, maybe not to everyone, but for me it has been a big help in my efforts to eat a high raw food diet. So 75-80% of what I eat consists of unprocessed raw vegan foods that have not been heated above 115 degrees Fahrenheit ("raw"). WHAT??????? So what do I eat? Good question.
I eat lots of raw fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, sprouts, roots, root vegetables and squashes and fresh herbs. I have also found a love for green smoothies (I think I prefer kale to spinach). Yes, I know, you probably think I'm crazy. Oh well, it's not the first time someone has thought that, and it probably won't be the last. Trust me. :-)
That being said, if there are any raw foodist out there reading my blog, I'd love to hear from you. Looking for recipe ideas and some support. I'm not sure that I will turn into a die-hard raw foodist, as this seems a bit extreme for me (not judging, just saying for me). I will, however, continue to incorporate a ton of raw fruits and vegetables into my daily diet, because I love it!
My weight loss has been steady and I have been doing a lot more strength training. I can actually feel myself getting stronger and I have more definition in my muscles *smile* I have also been running more and I can really say that I'm getting better. I'm not winded as much and I can run for longer periods of time without feeling like I'm going to pass out.
So that's what's going on with me right now. I am really enjoying the journey and learning lots of things about nutrition, healthy eating, exercise and mostly about myself. I have a wonderful support system and am so very grateful for every reader, commenter, encourager, etc.
Let's continue to encourage one another and inspire one another to be the best we can be.
Love to all xoxoxoxoxoxo
P.S. I am working on putting up some pics (before and after). Hopefully I will get that done soon.
I bought a new book a few weeks ago, "Eating in the Raw" by Carol Alt. Sounds interesting, right? Well, maybe not to everyone, but for me it has been a big help in my efforts to eat a high raw food diet. So 75-80% of what I eat consists of unprocessed raw vegan foods that have not been heated above 115 degrees Fahrenheit ("raw"). WHAT??????? So what do I eat? Good question.
I eat lots of raw fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, sprouts, roots, root vegetables and squashes and fresh herbs. I have also found a love for green smoothies (I think I prefer kale to spinach). Yes, I know, you probably think I'm crazy. Oh well, it's not the first time someone has thought that, and it probably won't be the last. Trust me. :-)
That being said, if there are any raw foodist out there reading my blog, I'd love to hear from you. Looking for recipe ideas and some support. I'm not sure that I will turn into a die-hard raw foodist, as this seems a bit extreme for me (not judging, just saying for me). I will, however, continue to incorporate a ton of raw fruits and vegetables into my daily diet, because I love it!
My weight loss has been steady and I have been doing a lot more strength training. I can actually feel myself getting stronger and I have more definition in my muscles *smile* I have also been running more and I can really say that I'm getting better. I'm not winded as much and I can run for longer periods of time without feeling like I'm going to pass out.
So that's what's going on with me right now. I am really enjoying the journey and learning lots of things about nutrition, healthy eating, exercise and mostly about myself. I have a wonderful support system and am so very grateful for every reader, commenter, encourager, etc.
Let's continue to encourage one another and inspire one another to be the best we can be.
Love to all xoxoxoxoxoxo
P.S. I am working on putting up some pics (before and after). Hopefully I will get that done soon.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Fruits and Veggies
Hello good people. I hope that everyone is doing well. Things have been going quite well here. I'm loving the weights and the weight keeps falling off. :-) My food intake has changed a bit. I've been eating a high raw diet for about 2 weeks now and I'm loving it! I feel more energized, my skin is getting clearer, etc., etc., etc.
I'm not on a crusade. I just love to read, research and try what I think may work "for me". This is not an advertisement for a "raw food diet", it's just what I'm doing that is working for me. Fresh fruit and veggies have never tasted better. I'm also weaning processed foods out of my diet.
As far as exercise goes, I have incorporated weight training along with the cardio. I don't really have a schedule or a set workout, but I'm getting it done.
Lastly, my weight yesterday morning was 138. Haven't weighed myself today yet, so that's why I'm giving yesterday's number. At this point, I'm beginning to doubt my scale. The number doesn't match how I look to myself. Yea, I know that may sound crazy, but that's just how I feel. What to do? I want to buy a new one, but am scared that the numbers will be so different and I will be crushed! LOL!
For now, I'm sticking with the scale I have. I'm more healthy and happy about that. The number is important to me, but what's most important is my health. So we shall see what happens when/if I decide to buy a new scale.
Welp, that's all for now good people. I hope everyone is encouraged to continue on this beautiful journey. Remember, if I can do it, you can do it!!!!
Love to all xoxoxoxox
I'm not on a crusade. I just love to read, research and try what I think may work "for me". This is not an advertisement for a "raw food diet", it's just what I'm doing that is working for me. Fresh fruit and veggies have never tasted better. I'm also weaning processed foods out of my diet.
As far as exercise goes, I have incorporated weight training along with the cardio. I don't really have a schedule or a set workout, but I'm getting it done.
Lastly, my weight yesterday morning was 138. Haven't weighed myself today yet, so that's why I'm giving yesterday's number. At this point, I'm beginning to doubt my scale. The number doesn't match how I look to myself. Yea, I know that may sound crazy, but that's just how I feel. What to do? I want to buy a new one, but am scared that the numbers will be so different and I will be crushed! LOL!
For now, I'm sticking with the scale I have. I'm more healthy and happy about that. The number is important to me, but what's most important is my health. So we shall see what happens when/if I decide to buy a new scale.
Welp, that's all for now good people. I hope everyone is encouraged to continue on this beautiful journey. Remember, if I can do it, you can do it!!!!
Love to all xoxoxoxox
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Weighty issues.
Haven't been here in a while, I know. Sorry guys. Rest assured, I am still alive and very well, I might add. Things are going pretty good. I think I've hit a plateau weight-wise, but I'm just going to work my way through it. I'm actually reaching my calorie goal most days and once I actually went over. :-) I've been experimenting with eating a raw diet for breakfast and lunch and having a cooked (vegan) dinner. It's actually going well and I enjoy it.
I'm really starting to enjoy cooking again. I have been baking up a storm and for those of you who know me personally, you know that's a BIG deal. In other news, I had a green smoothie the other day and I am in LOVE! Sooooo good. I can't believe it took me this long to make one. I also made black bean burgers the other day and they were delightful. I've got to cook more. I find that my food tastes so much better when it is freshly made, as opposed to prepacked, frozen, etc.
So what's up with the title of this post? Well, we bought our weights last night and began some serious strength training (well serious to me anyway). My arms feel a bit sore, but in a good way. I think I'm going to like this. Can't wait to see actual results. There is so much talk today about celebrity women being too buff. I'm not sure what all the hype is about, but I can't wait to see some definition in my arms and shoulders, some nice toned legs and glutes, and....well....you get what I'm saying. :-)
I guess I've rattled on enough. I hope everyone is doing well. Those of you on this journey with me, stay encouraged. It may get tough some days, but it is so worth it. You can do it!!!!
Love to all xoxoxoxoxo
I'm really starting to enjoy cooking again. I have been baking up a storm and for those of you who know me personally, you know that's a BIG deal. In other news, I had a green smoothie the other day and I am in LOVE! Sooooo good. I can't believe it took me this long to make one. I also made black bean burgers the other day and they were delightful. I've got to cook more. I find that my food tastes so much better when it is freshly made, as opposed to prepacked, frozen, etc.
So what's up with the title of this post? Well, we bought our weights last night and began some serious strength training (well serious to me anyway). My arms feel a bit sore, but in a good way. I think I'm going to like this. Can't wait to see actual results. There is so much talk today about celebrity women being too buff. I'm not sure what all the hype is about, but I can't wait to see some definition in my arms and shoulders, some nice toned legs and glutes, and....well....you get what I'm saying. :-)
I guess I've rattled on enough. I hope everyone is doing well. Those of you on this journey with me, stay encouraged. It may get tough some days, but it is so worth it. You can do it!!!!
Love to all xoxoxoxoxo
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Oh-Em-Gee!!!!!
Good morning everyone! I just realized something. I have only 8lbs to go and I will have lost 100lbs. WOW!!! That is AMAZING! It's overwhelming to believe that I've actually come this far without ever stepping into a gym. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have gone to a gym, but it wasn't in the budget so I did what I had to do (still doing it).
I don't really have much else to say. Just realizing that fact has me kind of giddy! Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me along the way. Those of you who leave comments, those who give advice, just everyone. Keep it coming. Together we can do this. Our goals are attainable.
I'm encouraged to keep going on this journey and to keep moving forward.
Love to all xoxoxoxoxo
I don't really have much else to say. Just realizing that fact has me kind of giddy! Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me along the way. Those of you who leave comments, those who give advice, just everyone. Keep it coming. Together we can do this. Our goals are attainable.
I'm encouraged to keep going on this journey and to keep moving forward.
Love to all xoxoxoxoxo
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Denial hinders progress.
You always hear that the first step to getting help for an addiction (problem) is to admit that you have a problem. Well this holds true for weight loss, healthy living, etc. Let's not live in denial. As long as we deny that we have a problem with overeating and as a result are overweight, we can't progress. "Hi, my name is Shontill and I am overweight." Collectively now..."Hi, Shontill."
Seriously. We overeat for various reasons: stress, grief, joy, the love of food, etc. But when we make excuses for our lack of self-control and our lack of exercise we are not helping ourselves. Figure out why the unhealthy habit is there and then work to change it. Sometimes we blame others, sometimes we say "well if I had a gym membership", or if I had more time....blah, blah, blah.
I don't have a gym membership. I work full-time and have a family (a husband and four kids). Time is precious, but my health is important to me. Yours should be too. Some of the time we spend on social networks (i.e. Facebook, Twitter) can be spent exercising and/or preparing healthy meals. Too preachy? Maybe, but there has to come a point in our lives where we stop making excuses and just do it. Nike had the right idea. Don't think about it, "JUST DO IT!"
You can change your eating habits, you can exercise, you can adapt a healthier lifestyle overall. If you want to. You can't do it for anyone else but yourself. Your motivation has to come from within, not without. If you "love" to eat and are too lazy to exercise, chances are it is reflected in your health. Admit that and change that.
Yes, I want to be "skinny". I admit it. But more than anything, I want to be healthy. I have a family and friends that I want to be around for. I don't want to have health issues related to my weight. Diabetes and high blood pressure run in my family. There is no need for me to add fuel to the flame by being unhealthy and overweight.
Do I have it all figured out? Not at all. I'm still learning everyday, making mistakes and I welcome advice all the time. But, I've spent the better part of my life making excuses, ignoring my problems and just letting life pass me by. No more of that.
I apolgoize if this is not what you wanted to read, but I believe that sometimes we need a little nudge (kick in the butt) to get going. Consider this my nudge to you. You can do it! I know you can. Let's get it!
Love to all xoxoxoxoxo
Seriously. We overeat for various reasons: stress, grief, joy, the love of food, etc. But when we make excuses for our lack of self-control and our lack of exercise we are not helping ourselves. Figure out why the unhealthy habit is there and then work to change it. Sometimes we blame others, sometimes we say "well if I had a gym membership", or if I had more time....blah, blah, blah.
I don't have a gym membership. I work full-time and have a family (a husband and four kids). Time is precious, but my health is important to me. Yours should be too. Some of the time we spend on social networks (i.e. Facebook, Twitter) can be spent exercising and/or preparing healthy meals. Too preachy? Maybe, but there has to come a point in our lives where we stop making excuses and just do it. Nike had the right idea. Don't think about it, "JUST DO IT!"
You can change your eating habits, you can exercise, you can adapt a healthier lifestyle overall. If you want to. You can't do it for anyone else but yourself. Your motivation has to come from within, not without. If you "love" to eat and are too lazy to exercise, chances are it is reflected in your health. Admit that and change that.
Yes, I want to be "skinny". I admit it. But more than anything, I want to be healthy. I have a family and friends that I want to be around for. I don't want to have health issues related to my weight. Diabetes and high blood pressure run in my family. There is no need for me to add fuel to the flame by being unhealthy and overweight.
Do I have it all figured out? Not at all. I'm still learning everyday, making mistakes and I welcome advice all the time. But, I've spent the better part of my life making excuses, ignoring my problems and just letting life pass me by. No more of that.
I apolgoize if this is not what you wanted to read, but I believe that sometimes we need a little nudge (kick in the butt) to get going. Consider this my nudge to you. You can do it! I know you can. Let's get it!
Love to all xoxoxoxoxo
New Workouts and I'm loving it!!!
Exercise TV is my new best friend. I discovered so many new and exciting workouts yesterday that I had to stop myself before overdoing it. LOL! Belly dancing, kickboxing, hip hop aerobics, and so on, and so on....
I really appreciate the comment from Nicole (Health Nut in Training) regarding weight training. We will be picking up weights this weekend and her suggestions are very helpful. If you aren't following her blog, I suggest you do. She has and continues to inspire me daily and I think you will be inspired as well.
I totally skipped dinner yesterday. #FAIL Didn't reach my calorie goal, but I still felt full after my lunch. Speaking of lunch....I had the most delicious meal with my sister yesterday. We ate at Karyn's Cooked in Chicago. A wonderful vegan restaurant. This has renewed my desire to pursue the vegan lifestyle more vigorously. The food was so delicious and of course I'm now inspired to try to recreate what I ate at home. :-)
If you have any vegan recipes that you would like to share, they are most welcome. I love cooking and don't do it very often anymore (though my wonderful husband does a great job at it). I miss cooking and try to cook as much as possible on the weekends. So send those recipes my way.
Well, since I seem to be "chatty Cathy" today, I am going to wrap it up. Stay motivated, keep moving. You can do it! I believe in you. You should believe in you too! :-)
Love to all xoxoxoxoxo
Today's weight: 142 1/2 (yea, I know....)
I really appreciate the comment from Nicole (Health Nut in Training) regarding weight training. We will be picking up weights this weekend and her suggestions are very helpful. If you aren't following her blog, I suggest you do. She has and continues to inspire me daily and I think you will be inspired as well.
I totally skipped dinner yesterday. #FAIL Didn't reach my calorie goal, but I still felt full after my lunch. Speaking of lunch....I had the most delicious meal with my sister yesterday. We ate at Karyn's Cooked in Chicago. A wonderful vegan restaurant. This has renewed my desire to pursue the vegan lifestyle more vigorously. The food was so delicious and of course I'm now inspired to try to recreate what I ate at home. :-)
If you have any vegan recipes that you would like to share, they are most welcome. I love cooking and don't do it very often anymore (though my wonderful husband does a great job at it). I miss cooking and try to cook as much as possible on the weekends. So send those recipes my way.
Well, since I seem to be "chatty Cathy" today, I am going to wrap it up. Stay motivated, keep moving. You can do it! I believe in you. You should believe in you too! :-)
Love to all xoxoxoxoxo
Today's weight: 142 1/2 (yea, I know....)
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