Working Out and Eating Cleaner...

Since April 1, 2014 I have been pushing myself further than I have ever pushed myself before. I've been eating cleaner, working out doing blogilates and weights that I have at home. My collection will eventually grow - kettleballs, heavier weights, etc. Until then I use what I have. Mostly my own body. I finally treated myself to a yoga mat and MY GOD! it has made such a huge difference.

So, in the last two and a half months I have made so many wonderful changes for myself when it comes to how I take care of my body, from the inside out. I also have met so many amazing people along this journey. I have a new outlook on life, but I still have to put that new outlook on some other parts of my life. One thing at a time.

I absolutely LOVE eating the way I've been eating lately. I love fresh foods, fish, chicken, turkey and everything else that I have learned about that has made my process of eating "whatever" to eating healthy.

I don't weigh myself often, mainly because when I was weighing myself nothing was moving on the scale. I have lost a lot of inches (I wish I would have thought to measure myself on April 1st) and now I have finally started shedding some weight. 10 lbs to be exact.

At first this journey was strictly about losing weight. About fitting in clothes that I love. About being able to be comfortable and look nice during the summer. Now, this journey as opened my eyes to greater things. Living longer for my children. Being as healthy as I possibly could be. This isn't a diet so I will have some times here and there where I will eat something off from what I would normally eat, but you won't see me picking up processed cheese or eating anything with an ingredient list that's longer than my leg. I do still want to live and enjoy things. I now, just limit myself. If it's a yolo day I will have one of something. Or try to make it as healthy as possible. No fried foods, which now make me literally sick to my stomach. Sweets, well I used to be a huge sweets person. Now, if i have a thin piece of cake for a birthday or special occasion my mouth literally hurts. Then, my stomach.

This wasn't a hard task that I started. I thought it would be so strenuous and annoying and everything else negative. I think though that I was finally ready. My body had always been ready to lose weight. It was my mind and spirit that just wasn't ever fully into it. I truly believe that every part of my being was finally ready to be better, feel better and look better. Mostly, be healthier.

I started to run and I really suck at it. Majorly. I just wish that we had a park around here that I could feel so comfortable in that running would be the last thing on my mind because I would be too busy enjoying myself with the scenery. Unfortunately, I have yet to find a place. So I will have to hold off on the 5k I wanted to join. But that's ok! When I'm ready, I'll join another one.

So I would like to remember if at possible to document this journey further. I just always seem to forget to blog about it. I don't forget to post about it on Instagram though. =/

If there is anyone out there that is trying to lose weight or just wants to know how to eat better, I can actually help. I'm at that point where I have become an inspiration to others (so I've been told) and I would love to be one to anyone else who is willing to give me the chance.

-Cheryl

Something New This Way Comes!

As of tomorrow I'm going to be starting a new journey. I have decided that I want to run. Maybe even become a runner. Crazier things have happened! I don't know exactly how this will end but I want to start this journey with a positive attitude and hopes in myself that I become disciplined enough to do what I need to.

I'm going to register with a pretty cool marathon called The Color Run. I've heard of it before and know people who have participated in ones like this. I figured that if I'm going to start a marathon it might as well be one that is considered extremely fun and if I have to walk most of it I won't feel too bad.

So, the journey will begin tomorrow morning after I send my children off to school. I'm going to start my 3 days a week 30 minutes a day walking/running intervals. I'm going to start off slow on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Next week I will start of doing better (hopefully). I will run Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. If I do this every week for the next 9 weeks I should be able to run the 5K or at least 2 miles. I'm hoping to be able to run even 1 mile without any problems. I have faith in myself and I think if I make this into a fun goal I will push myself that much more.

I'm so proud of myself that I have been setting goals and starting to accomplish them. Slowly... extremely slowly, but definitely surely.

I would like to document my progress with my running and my Blogilates that I will also still be doing just not as much. It's very hard on someone like me who is so extremely out of shape. Although since Blogilates I have been much more flexible my agility is so much better and my strength has increased, so I definitely do not want to stop. Eating has become better as well. I can't diet. It's just not in my way. I can however eat better and make better decisions when it comes to what I put in my body. Plus I love trying new things like healthy smoothies and snacks.

Wish me luck!