The Gym: I don't like it

I've done it again. Fallen off the workout wagon... It's been three weeks since I've taken my scheduled cycling class and two weeks since I've had pool time with Christie. What on earth is wrong with me? Why do I do this to myself? The short answer, I just don't really like working out. So if anything, any little thing distracts me I get off track. 

Sure working out makes me feel better, increases my energy, helps me sleep sounder, but the physical act of working out -- I just don't like.  And to be truthful since I haven't shed any pounds in forever, I'm even less enthused about working out. I know better than this, all of this, but somehow I'm here again.

I talked to my dear friend who is active and healthy she says she goes through similar phases too. Maybe this is just to be expected, eh? I dunno. I just know that I want to better than this, or do I? Heavy sigh. I'll stop rambling. I'm sure I sound like a broken record. How many times have I been in this place? Geez, when will I come up with a plan I can stick to and enjoy? Back to the drawing board again. I'm reminded of this saying... if you don't like starting over, don't stop.

Other related blog post: 
It's hard
Better for it
Enough

Feel Good Resources

Do me a favor...Do something that makes you feel good. Give something of yourself that helps others. I tell you, it is the GREATEST feeling.

I'm just in from the "5 or 50" Women’s Sustainable Weight Loss & Lifestyle Group that I founded and facilitate once a month. The group started out with about 20 and has seen numbers fluctuate. But, what hasn't changed is the feeling I get from our time together. Each month I chose a different health/wellness topic and a guest presenter. We've had a few women share their weight loss stories, a Certified Wellness Coach, a Nautropath, and a personal trainer to name a few.

Since our meetings are held at the library, I thought it would be nice to actually tap into the bounty of resources that the library has to offer. So, tonight our guest presenter was the branch librarian Teresa Torres. She showed us how to use the library database to search for vetted health/wellness information, gave us a tour of the health/wellness book section and the cookbook section (my cookbook so happened to be checked in).

The ladies were genuinely excited about the information we gathered. Some left with books and magazines, Kay left with a library card, Teresa was all smiles for being able to share and help, and I left feeling all warm and fuzzy. Thanks Teresa and to all the wonderful ladies who came out tonight.

I love what I do!

prep.cook.eat Party with Fitness Enthusiasts

I've been here, there, and everywhere in the community teaching cooking classes and delivering healthy food presentations. Now I want to bring my passion for food and cooking right to you in the comfort of your home. Instead of going out, invite your friends or gather your family for a prep.cook.eat Party!  A prep.cook.eat Party is a fun way to learn and share new recipes and simple cooking techniques.
  
The scene
Saturday morning I had the pleasure of meeting with a group of fitness enthusiasts.  These health conscious ladies workout and group train together.They understand that while working out is beneficial to their health, eating well is even more important. After their group workout session they decided to have me over for a prep.cook.eat Party! Take a peek at the delicious fun!

The personalized Salads & Snacks menu:

Greek Salad • Wheat Berry Spinach Salad
 Avocado Tomato Salad  • Santa Fe Chicken Salad

 Kale Chips • No-Bake Oatmeal Energy Bars 

 Hummus w/Crudites • Brown Bag Popcorn 

 

The experience

I'm doing my part to bring Kale back. 

It's not just a green leafy decoration on the salad bar

 

 Even Baby Olivia likes the Kale Chips

 Prepping fun!

Goodies To-go 

The ladies working out before the party!

Better for it

It's a love/hate relationship. Despite not really like working out. I like working out. Yeah, I know that's a contradictory statement. Allow me to try and explain.

The physical act of working out I don't necessarily like so much. I mean huffing, puffing, sweating. Eeew. And for me cardio is the worse. Sure, there may be break through moments when I feel invigorated as I ride up a steep hill. Or when I'm on the treadmill and I get the runner's high. But mostly working out for me is no fun. I can think of many other things I'd rather do, for starters -- sleep in. I faithfully wake up at 4:15 a.m. at least three times a week to go to the gym. Why? Oh, why?

See the thing is I lived most of my life overweight and sedentary. It wasn't until 2009 I started a bid to lose weight and take control of my health. Over the course of the last four years I strung together about three and a half solid years of working out consistently. After stumbling and falling off the workout wagon, read a previous post here I now realize how important working out is to me. I never want to return to that sedentary lifestyle ever, ever again.

Despite the huffing, puffing, sweating, and overall discomfort -- working out makes me feel better. My outlook, my perspective is more positive when I exercise. I'm more upbeat, energetic. I move better. I sleep better. I'm more focused. I think better.  I am better. So, today I realize that I don't particularly like working out and it probably won't get easier, read a previous post here, but I workout it because overall I'm better for it -- mentally, physically, emotionally.

Life happens

It was nice to see that I'm still on the Wall of Success @ 24 Hour

A hiatus. A bump in the road.

Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months. Now, I'm looking at my calendar, realizing -- I haven't worked out at a gym since November. I know. That's insane! Since I started my bid to weight loss and fitness three and a half years ago, working out had become like breathing air for me. But somehow everything else in my life became a priority and time slipped away.

Here's what I know:

- Life happens. When it does we make adjustments. We grow. We move on. It was a bump in the road, but nothing that I can't overcome. Heck, I'm the gal who lost 15 pounds while rehabbing a broken leg. This ain't NOTHING.

- This isn't a fad. I want to be healthy forever. I don't measure my success in the span of days, weeks, or months -- see previous blog post. This is my life. My entire life. I'll keep working at being healthy and fit.

- We all need folks in our lives to keep us on track, keep us accountable, and help us be the best we can be. I'm fortunate to have an awesome support system.

Fitness and optimal health require a commitment. I'm committed. I was off track a little bit, but now I'm ready to get back on course. I've re-enrolled at 24-Hour Fitness and am ready to get back in action! Plenty of workout updates forthcoming...

I'll miss my friends at Northwest Personal Training, but this is the best choice for me, right now.

Zumba Memories

Rehabbing a fractured leg couldn't keep me away

For months. Day in. Day out. An eager group of women -- myself included -- filed in, scurrying to claim our spots and packing the room like sardines. The crowded, sweaty room never bothered us -- not too much anyway. We were too caught up in the rapture. Too caught up in the Latin rhythms, Hip Hop beats, and African drums. Oh, what fun we had shaking our hips, stomping our feet, laughing in Zumba.

The days I spent shaking my hips and laughing with the ladies were the early days of my self-discovery and weight loss journey. For me, it was a time where I met new friends, discovered things about myself, unleashed inhibitions, melted inches off of my waist -- while having a blast! In retrospect, the months that I spent in those countless Zumba classes were really when Chrisetta became alive.

Recently, a Zumba favorite came on in rotation while I was listening to my iPod. It brought back memories, Zumba memories. I soon found myself listening to Zumba tune, after Zumba tune. The music started getting really good and before I knew it I was up on my feet shaking it a little! Funny, I still remember some of the choreography. 

I was so moved by the music, I paused just for a moment to post a Facebook message to my Zumba friends, calling for a Zumba reunion. I surmised from my friends responses that they too felt the same. Those Zumba months were a very special time in all of our lives. For different reasons. Though it wasn't said, it was implied. We all needed each other, for one reason or another.  But, the season has passed. That's not a bad thing. It's a good thing. We've grown. We've moved on. Yes, we're still friends. Sure, we still love Zumba. But, the season has ended. Our time together in that capacity has expired. See previous blog post about reasons and seasons here.

We bonded in Zumba. We changed in Zumba. We had the time of our lives in Zumba. Through music. Through Salsa and Merengue. Through laughter.

Thanks Zumba for the friends, the smaller waists, and the memories.

Your Biggest Loser

Honored. Humbled. A little apprehensive. I've been selected as the guest lecturer for Clark College's Biggest Loser Challenge.

Honored for a number of reasons. Humbled because the little fat girls' story does matter. Apprehensive because I'm not on my A-game right now. My eating habits are questionable so I feel icky and I haven't been working out so I feel sluggish!

So, what is it that I will say to motivate them? Resonate with them? What tricks will I pull from my bag?

As always, I'll just be honest. There's nothing to hide. Nothing to be ashamed of. For goodness sakes, I'm battling obesity. This isn't about me losing a few pounds that I gained after I got married or had kids. For as long as I can remember I've been overweight. So I can't expect that the weight and all of the bad habits disappear overnight. I know how to be obese. It's all I've ever been. The healthy, fit thing is new. It takes work. Constant work.

Again, I say, I can't wave a magic wand and make it disappear. Is that a cop out? No. It's the raw truth. The truth that no one wants to hear. Instead, they want to hear that they can make the weight go away in ten weeks: By following this plan, by eating this pre-packaged food, by eliminating fruits and grains out of their diet, by slipping this under their tongue. No one wants to hear the real gritty truth: It will take a conscious change to their diet combined with mindful eating, regular exercise, HARD WORK, and staying with it even if they slip up some.

Here's some of what I'll say:

"I've been asked by your trainers and professors to speak to you today because I have a story to tell that the textbooks can't. I have a story to tell that will resonate with you as you begin your journey to health and fitness. I am your real life Biggest Loser. I've been there, done that -- am doing that. That's why most of you can relate to me.  I'm not a Biggest Loser contestant on TV being worked by a staff of personal trainers and fed by personal chefs. I'm not an airbrushed Weight Watchers celebrity spokesperson. I'm not a health professional who has all the book smarts, but none of the real gritty insight of battling obesity and life at the same time. I'm your real example. I'm your Biggest Loser."

So, yup I'm not at the top of my game right now. But, such as life. No need in hanging my head and shying away from my calling. My calling to tell my story of weight loss and self-discovery. I say this often, there's plenty of other folks who have recorded large amounts of weight, but not everyone has the voice to tell the story, the passion to tell the story. I was given that voice and am filled with that passion. I'm your real life example. And, I'll keep sharing my story in hopes to motivate others. In hopes to drive home the point -- diet, exercise, hard work, dedication, commitment, and a never give up attitude is the route to successfully become healthy and fit. I got this!

I'll end the lecture like this, "170 pounds gone forever. I'm proof you can do anything you set your mind to."

"5 or 50" Changing Lives

Our NEW poster

Have you ever thought of an idea and without much forethought -- just went for it? Well, I have. Three months ago, an idea came to mind. An idea to start a women's group to support, encourage, and motivate.

After years of blogging about weight, health and fitness -- I've talked to a number of women.  Sadly, there seems to be the same common issues among us. Often times, women will come to me for advice, support and I'll exchange a few words with them on the blog, FB, at an event, maybe back and forth via email, but that would be the extent of our dialogue. I started feeling like there was more that I could do to help. More that I wanted to do to help. It's one thing to hear from a doctor, nutritionist, or trainer, but it's entirely different to hear from someone who lives it every day.  And so I created "5 or 50" Women's Sustainable Weight Loss and Healthy Lifestyle Group so the dialogues could continue. So we could share, grow, support, encourage, inspire, and motivate one another. So we could cast out negative self image, look beyond physical attributes, and stop obsessing over our weight and every bite we put in our mouths.

Last night, we held our third meeting, had our second guest speaker, welcomed five newcomers, and had a nice time sharing our "Outside of the Box" changes we've been making. At our August meeting I asked the ladies to think of things they could do differently that they would normally not do "Outside" of their comfort zone.  It warmed my heart to go around the room and hear the ladies comments. Here's a few of them:

"I've started walking in the evenings even on the nights I don't feel like it." ~Maria
"I volunteered to be the President of TOPS. I would never have done that before, but something just came over me." ~Jaleit
"I had my hair cut and colored." ~Jennifer
" I mowed my lawn. I wanted to see if I still could." ~ Carol
"I really have been trying to eat less packaged food. I cook at home a lot more." ~Toni

And then this morning, I received this FB message from Debbie (it just about killed me over): " I have so much new information from last night! Can't wait to check out the books mentioned and the Costco 21 spice idea."

My heart is full. It's such a beautiful feeling to know that I'm creating an environment for women to share, bond and realize their potential. My short sighted idea is working, I'm helping change lives.

Read the blog that started it all: "5 or 50"

Sue sharing her story -- she's lost 100+lbs.

Debbie sharing her juicing recipe/tips

The ladies

Mirror Mirror

I've been obese my entire life so it's a little absurd for me to believe I can erase the years and years of unhealthy behaviors overnight. For goodness' sakes I use to weigh a mortifying 388 pounds.

Today, I'm 170 pounds lighter, healthier, and happier. But, it's been a while since I've recorded a lost in weight or inches. The good news is I haven't gained any weight or increased in inches either. So, it's safe to say I'm able to maintain, and the practices I've adopted in my life are sustainable.

I tell myself, maybe I'm suppose to be here in this space. Maybe this is what's comfortable for my body right now. And yes my thoughts are sort of contradictory, but like I've said before my blog is my diary and you just so happen to be privy to read it. Bear with me.

I have to remind myself, this is no yo-yo, fad diet. I'm not seeking a quick fix. I'm creating a healthy lifestyle for myself by eating a wide variety of fresh, whole food, discovering new things beyond food, exercising, and reaching out to the community along the way. I'm proud of myself. It's taken an awful lot of discipline and deep inward stares at myself to lose and keep the weight off.  I've taken a whole lot of negative and turned it into a whole lot of positive.

Yet and still, the other day when I caught my reflection in the mirror, it caused me to pause and ask myself "Are you  giving it your all?" Sure, I've been busy, busy, writing my latest cookbook. Sure, I've been busy facilitating community meetings, speaking at various events, and hosting cooking classes. But those things encompass my life. Shouldn't I be able to balance it all? Heavy sigh. I'd like to think -- yes.  I'm going to have to figure out a way to make them all fit together and still work towards my fitness and weight loss goals.

Because of my weight loss success, folks, ask me all the time, "What makes me stay with it?" It's simple, I look in the mirror. A journey of this sorts takes a consistent commitment. Evaluation of self -- onus. Discipline. Accountability. I've come this far by being honest with myself, about my goals, whether or not I'm giving 100 percent. If I find that I'm not giving 100 percent. I call myself out, confront myself. I'm a no non-sense type gal, who doesn't make a lot of excuses. So my latest glimpse in the mirror has me on a new mission. A mission to put all the pieces together.

Mirror mirror I seek balance. Balance so that I can do all the things that I enjoy: blogging, authoring cookbooks, hosting cooking classes, speaking to the community, all while I continue to work on my health and fitness goals.

A look at my transition over the years...

It's more than the physical weight I've lost. It's more about the inner strength and peace I've found.

Right here

I'm guessing that about right here is where most folks would give up. Throw in the towel. It's too hard, frustrating. It's not happening fast enough. You're eating right and have a solid workout regimen. It's been two weeks now. What gives? Ha. All jokes aside.

I've been plateaued for several months now. Well, I did lose three pounds a few weeks ago, but that's a small drop in the bucket.  This is a hard spot. It's pivotal. Two choices: Fold or persevere. If you fold you can guarantee you will never get there. You can't get there without being here. Being here and staying here for a while is a choice. And, then there's being here, right here, and finding strategies to get through these challenging plateau periods.

If I would've stopped here...

My response to my body's latest plateau: I've sought a team of personal trainers (Northwest Personal Training) to assist me with my workout routines and I am refocusing my attention to my eating habits. Plateaus are our bodies way of saying uh...I need you to do something different. I have your workout and eating habits figured out.

News flash: Fitness and weight loss don't just happen. They require work. Lots of hard work. Consistency. Determination. Tenacity.

...I wouldn't be here

Think about the ripped guy at the gym. He didn't get those pecks overnight. Did he have challenges? You bet he did. But, he stayed with it. Yours truly didn't lose 170 pounds overnight. I've had to work through all sorts of obstacles. But, I've never given up. I just find a different way. 

Folks, take it from yours truly, there are no magic pills when it comes to fitness and weight loss. Hard work, patience, and a never give up attitude is what it takes. I'm guessing, right here is where you are highly motivated to make the commitment to your fitness and weight loss goals.

Next Level

Should working out be this fun?

I've been at this for a long time -- battling obesity. The finish line is within sight, but the closer I get to it the harder reaching it seems. I'll admit, I'm at the point where I need help. I can't do this alone. My tool belt is empty and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Nor am I afraid to seek help. I started thinking...Hmm...A personal trainer is what I need. Someone to guide me, challenge me, gently kick my butt, and push me to the Next Level.

Score! Not only did I find a trainer, I found a team. I'm super-duper excited to be training with Northwest Personal Training. A small, upscale studio with a team of awesome certified personal trainers led by Sherri McMillan a leader in the fitness industry.

I'm confident that I'm in good hands with these folks. There are no gimmicks. No frills. No magic pills. Just them working me to my maximum potential. In turn, I'll give them everything I have every time out. But, my work doesn't stop at the studio -- when I'm away I'll fuel my body by eating fresh, wholesome food and getting plenty of rest.  The team will help me stay on track by reviewing my food diary periodically. On Friday, to jump start my bid to the finish line we recorded my weight and measurements. Now, we have a clear idea of our starting point and it's time to do this!

I got my dukes up!

The finish line seems closer with the help of my new team at Northwest Personal Training. I'm committed to my health and fitness and with their help it's time I push myself to the Next Level.

Check out their website for more info on their Vancouver and Portland studios :
http://www.nwpersonaltraining.com/

What's IN

I had the pleasure of hanging out and shopping with my daughter the other day. As we were headed to the car in the parking lot of the mall a guy passed by riding a bike and smoking a cigarette. We both looked at each other bewildered. I said, "Smoking is so played out." She asked, "What's in?" Me, "Healthy." Like I've said before, I draw blog post inspiration from everywhere.

In my opinion, here's What's IN:

More...
IN: Weight lifting, Yoga, Pilates, Fresh juicing at home, Fresh fruits and veggies, Meatless Monday's, Sustainability, Health, Happiness, Wellness and this blog!

Real talk

I must preface what I'm going to say, by saying, I don't want to discourage anyone. I certainly want everyone to pursue a healthy, fit lifestyle. I want everyone to reach for their goals and be the best they can be. It's just that since I've been through it and am going through it -- weight loss and pursuit of fitness, I would like to offer my unsolicited advice.

Yesterday, I was at the gym and New Year's resolution folks were packed in there like sardines. I looked around and seen people who were pumped up, some looked rather lost, and some who had teamed up with a friend. If  you fall into the category of  folks who has deemed that beginning January 1 you are going to be fit and healthy. I caution you, this is more than a New Year's resolution, this ladies and gentleman is a lifestyle resolution. It's best you sit down and create a realistic plan for yourself that includes small steps. My concern is too much, too soon and then if results aren't seen you may become discouraged. Results, real results, lasting results from exercising and eating properly take time. This will not happen overnight. Whether you need to lose 10 pounds or 100 pounds.

If you're like me once your committed to doing something you like to dig in and go for it. That's fine and dandy, but please understand that this is a lifestyle change and a few weeks of exercise and eating right won't classify you as healthy or fit. This is going to take hard work and perseverance.

Another thing, I've noticed lots of different weight loss challenges going on. These are great ways for folks  to come together and jump start a fitness plan, receive support, tips, and motivation, but again it will take more than 30, 90 days. I hate to burst your bubble, but I just want you to be realistic. Have a plan. Take your time. It's your whole life.

I know, it can be done. I'm the gal who has lost 170 pounds through diet, exercise, hard work, staying the course, believing in myself, and never giving up.

This article may be helpful too:

Sherri McMillan's four steps to healthy resolution success

Better for 2012!

Hello, 2012!  What a heck of a year 2011 was. It started off with me being knocked off my path when I was hit by a car and suffered a fractured Tibia and concluded with my first cookbook "Bringing Cooking Back" being bought by New Seasons Market - what a stark contrast. So many positive things happened for me over the year. Being knocked off my axis in the form of a car was actually a blessing in disguise. I learned and grew a lot in '11 and was presented with wonderful opportunities that allowed me to share my passion and knowledge with others. I am grateful for everything that happened over the course of the year, yes -- even being hit by a car. I made a bold statement in my blog post "Hello 2011… Goodbye 2010" and I fell short of the statement...I'm still fat. Ha ha. Fat, but better.

All I want is to be better. I"m always striving for improvement, in all areas of my life. Often I put so much emphasize on my health, fitness, and weight loss, but at the end of the day that's not what I will be remembered for.Well, maybe I will be, (Jack Lalanne was). My point is I want people to remember my heart. This year, I'll strive to be: More loving. More caring. More forgiving. More peaceful. More supportive. There are plenty of physically beautiful, rich, powerful people around that are soulless. I strive to not be one of those people.

I'm better inside and out than I was last year at this time. Next year, when I reflect I hope to say the same. This is an ongoing process. I am a work in progress. As I embark on 2012, which is full of fantastic opportunities and promise -- I simply want to be better.

"Stewards of Earth"

Will Allen - Growing Power

A journalist by trade, I've always had an inquisitive nature, combined with my Jesuit education -- watch out! I'm always seeking information, questioning everything, and advocating change. Throughout this amazing self-transformation and weight loss journey I've evolved and learned so much about health, fitness, food, and of course myself. I'm bursting at the seams with tons of information about the food industry. I have a nagging desire to share it -- it's my civic duty, the journalist in me. My goal over the next several weeks, months is to pass on what I've been learning, reading, researching to you. We've got a lot of ground to cover, but some of the bigger topics are:

• Sustainability
• Feedlots
• Food deserts
• Organic food 
• Local food
• Milk - The Truth
• Plant based diets

I am forever changed by what I've learned about the food industry, the abuse of animals, raping of the land, and the government's involvement or lack thereof. The food industry is in need of a huge overhaul. It's going to take some work on the part of the people and that's why I feel it's very important I share what I've learned. It's going to take all of us to stand up and say no more.

A few weeks ago, I added two new sections to the blog "Food and Your Health" and "Food and Your Health: Recommended Readings & Films" if you haven't checked these sections out I urge you to do so. Also, check out these farmers who are doing there part in keeping alive the traditional farming practices with the help of some modern technology:

Will Allen - Growing Power
Joel Salatin - Polyface Farms 

"We are stewards of Earth, we are to respect the design of nature." Joel Salatin