Motivational Monday...Holiday Edition!

This past week was kind of tough on the diet and exercise plan. Lots of baking, writing, and celebrating took its toll. I did better with the food than I usually do for Thanksgiving, but still indulged on the stuffing. It still amazes me that my stepmom makes her stuffing exactly like my mom used to...she's the only one so far that does, and she's always made it that way! I made the pumpkin pies with fat free evaporated milk and extra spices...I've been doing that for years and everyone loves it that way. I know I did not get enough exercise, unless you count running with the deal hunters on Black Friday as a workout!

I gained back the 2 pounds I lost last week...actually not bad considering that way the week went and the fact that Aunt Flo came to visit for Thanksgiving. (Ladies, you know what I mean!) It's OK though, I treated myself for the holiday, and I will not be indulging for the entire month of December...only Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and even then not too much!

If you look at the top right of my blog, you will see that I accomplished my NaNoWriMo goal for November...I completed a 50,000 word novel in a month. As I was telling one of my friends, it's just like exercise; you have to plan for it and be determined to do it. If you want it badly enough, you will find a way! Completing this goal will help me accomplish the other goals in my life, now that I see how perseverance, hard work, and determination have paid off.

My motivational person for this week is Kai Hibbard from Season 3 of Biggest Loser. She had to lose weight all over again after having a baby, and is back to fitting into the dress she wore for her season's finale! Please give her a shout over at http://www.facebook.com/zwierstra#/pages/Kai-Hibbard-of-The-Biggest-Loser-Season-3/114388032436 , she's doing great!

Let's all focus on the real reasons for the holiday season this year, and not on the food. Jesus, family, and friends are what is important! xoxoxo

Motivational Monday...Yes!!!

All of those extra minutes of exercise I did during the week really paid off. This morning I registered a 2 pound loss on the scale, now putting me at 194. This is the time of year when I usually gain weight or stay the same, so this is very exciting for me! Since I added more things to do for November this year, like writing a novel in a month, I was nervous about how it would affect my weight.

I drank plenty of water all day, including while I was on the computer writing away. When I watched TV, whether I was recapping a dance show or just taking a break and watching whatever, I jogged in place or danced during commercials. I also made sure I got up from the computer regularly, so I could stretch my muscles and move around.

This goes to show that if you want something badly enough, you will find a way to make it happen. I'm almost done with the novel, by setting daily goals to get it done. I found a way to fit in exercise even in the smallest amounts of time, and it showed on the scale. We all need to find those ways that will work for us, so we can reach our dreams and goals!

My motivational person for this week was a revelation to me. Those of you who are Saturday Night Live fans like me will remember the wonderful comedy of Horatio Sanz, and also what a big guy he was. Well, I only learned this within the last week, but Horatio has lost 100 pounds, and he is smokin' hot now! If you would like to see his before and after transformation, check out this article at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/24/snl-alum-horatio-sanz-dro_n_146143.html .

Here's to a successful and blessed holiday week for all of us, and remember to find a way to make it work for you!!!

Believe It, Be It!!!

***photo courtesy of Biggest Loser/NBC.

I read a lot of inspirational and motivational books, because they always help me reach further and move closer to my goals. This week I read Ali Vincent's new book, "Believe It, Be It". I have to tell you, this book is amazing. Ali takes us through her journey...starting with her childhood and going all the way through becoming the first female Biggest Loser, and beyond.

I see lot of myself in Ali's story. We didn't have all of the same problems in life to deal with, but there are several similarities in the way we approach things and some of our issues, especially our weight struggles and the determination to make a difference in the world. After reading about Ali's life, I am ready to kick it up a few notches on my own journey.

I'm finding ways to sneak in exercise, where before I wouldn't have even thought of it. Since I am in front of the television recapping dance shows, during commercials I have started getting up to dance or jog in place. Even all of the little extra bits of exercise add up, and get me closer to my goal. I'm planning my meals and snacks out better, so I don't wind up grabbing anything because I'm starving after writing at my computer all day. I am really working on finding healthier ways of doing things, which will get me where I need to go.

I HIGHLY recommend Ali's book. I couldn't put it down, and every page was a revelation to me. You will be inspired and motivated toward your goals...in weight loss and in life!

Motivational Monday...Eyes On The Prize

I wasn't sure what I would find on the scale this morning. Some weeks I do everything right and hardly lose anything. Other weeks I am a little less strict with myself and I lose a lot. But sometimes the opposite is true, so it's always a surprise. I knew that this week I had missed a couple of workouts and gave in to Mickey D's on Saturday. I wondered what effect that would have at my weigh-in today, and hoped the result would not be too awful.

I stepped on the scale, praying the whole time. I saw exactly the same number as I saw last week...196.0. I can live with that, since I know I didn't do everything I could this past week to get the best results. I now know what I need to do to stay strong this week, and I will do it!

One thing that will help me is keeping my eyes on the prize. Not only will I visualize being lean and mean, but the promise I made a couple of months ago to run in the next local Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure will motivate me to move toward that goal. I've had a couple of friends offer to come to town and run it with me this coming September, so that inspires me even more to get there!

My motivational person for this week is Mo'Nique. Our girl Mo has lost 40 pounds, looking fabulous and a little less thick, and much healthier. She has a lead role in the new movie "Precious", and people are already starting to talk about an Oscar for her! If you would like to learn more about Mo'Nique, please check out this article at http://www.celebritydietdoctor.com/monique-lost-weight-loss/ .

Here's to a great week for all of us...and remember to keep your eyes on the prize!!!

Motivational Monday...Keeping It Going!

I have had a busy week, and it only gets busier from here. Beside all of my usual writing and editing my novel, I have taken on NaNoWriMo. Novemeber is National Novel Writing Month, so the challenge is to begin a new novel on November 1st and complete 50,000 words by November 30th. I have been working dlilgently on it, and as of last night I am at 15,231 words. So of course, I need to fit exercise into my crazy schedule, especially since I am spending a lot of time sitting in front of my computer.

I did pretty well with that challenge, only missing my Tuesday workout. I am still eating well and drinking water. I fill up my son's empty 32 oz Gatorade bottle with water and drink from it constantly while I'm writing. I make sure I drink two of those bottles of water each day. Saturday was a surprise birthday party for my next door neighbor's 40th, so I did have one small slice of cake. At least it was cassata cake, so there were a few strawberries in there!

I was happy when I stepped on the scale this morning and lost another 1.2 pounds. I love weeks when I see big losses, but as long as the number on the scale is still going down and my clothes are getting looser I am happy.

My motivational people of the week are Matt and Suzy Hoover from Biggest Loser. They have a wonderful family now, and are helping others achieve their fitness goals. Matt just completed his first Ironman triathalon as well! If you would like to learn more about Matt and Suzy, please check out http://www.bodyevolution.com/.

Here's to another wonderful and busy week...I love what I'm doing and wouldn't have it any other way!!!

So You Think You Can...Let Go Of Your Fear?

I am a firm believer that music and dance can help you learn more about yourself. This point was proven to me once again on Tuesday night, while watching So You Think You Can Dance.

As you know from reading my previous posts, I have been doing a lot of soul searching in order to life my life to the fullest. One particular dance on Tuesday night brought one of those "light bulb" moments to me. This was a Contemporary piece, choreographed by Stacey Tookey and danced phenomenally by Kathryn and Legacy. Kathryn was a woman trying to fight her fear, with Legacy representing that fear. Every movement brought out strong feelings in me, as she kept wrestling and fighting her fear, finally pushing that fear right into the ground.

I saw so much of myself in this dance. It all started coming back to me...all of the times that I let fear control my life, which prevented me from accomplishing great things. I know this all started when I was a little girl. My parents were very protective of me, especially since I was their only child. There were a lot of things they would not let me do, for fear of physical or emotional hurt. I don't blame them; they loved me so much that they wanted to protect me and thought that was the way to do it. They didn't know, so they did their best. I wound up being afraid of taking risks...and until recently I hadn't taken very many risks at all. I'm getting better about that, and this dance made me realize that there are some fears still holding me back. God has put some wonderful friends in my life, who are helping my realize just how much potential I have and how much I have to share with the world. I am so grateful for them, and I wish for all of you to have these kinds of friends in your life.

I am now working on moving past those remaining fears and pushing them right into the ground. Thank you to Stacey Tookey for her brilliant choreography, and to Kathryn & Legacy for their amazing performance. You have all touched my life forever, and I'm sure you have also touched the others who watched as well.

If you would like to watch this incredibly moving dance, you can see it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po417XoP0O0 Maybe it will help you reach into your own soul and confront your fears. I know it got to me!

November Goals

Now that it's the 3rd of November, I need to set my goals for the month. This is not only the most wonderful time of the year...it's the most fattening time of the year! (Well, if you let it be, it is!) I am taking on November first, but then I will also plan for December.

These are my goals for the month of November:

1. Stay far away from my son's Halloween candy

2. Resist the temptation to buy all of those wonderful pumpkin treats and other goodies that are now out in the grocery store

3. Find healthy substitutes for those treats...have already found a couple of good pumpkin recipes

4. Drink a lot of water!

5. Find time to exercise every day...I can do something even on the days I'm most pressed for time

6. Enjoy small portions on Thanksgiving and not get stuffed like the turkey

7. Order a healthy lunch at our annual Black Friday shopping event (I know some of my shopping buddies are reading this, so I want you to hold me to it!)

8. Use music, writing, and other non-caloric ways to de-stress

I may add to this list as I think of more. These are the things that usually set me back in November, so it's time to tackle them head on. I also want to say that I already make my pumpkin pies with fat free condensed milk, and they taste even better than the original. I also plan on staying accountable with my friends who are also on this journey. We can help each other through the holidays...there is strength in numbers. Here's to a healthy November!

Motivational Monday!!!!!

I really needed to get back on track this week...the last couple of weeks have been completely nuts, and it only gets crazier from here. I have to get it together before the holiday season really kicks in, so I don't look at myself on New Year's Day and feel like I did last year.

This morning my weight was 197.2, which means I lost 1.2 pounds. I am very happy with that, since it is the famous "time of the month" and I almost always have trouble with the scale every month at this time. I am definitely headed in the right direction, and I will be setting my November goals to post tomorrow.

My motivational person for today is my friend, Laurie Runyan. She has been through all of this herself, and now trains and coaches others who are struggling on their weight loss journeys. Her blogs are very inspirational, and you can find her at www.lifecoachwithlaurie.net.

Let's start November off with a bang, and we will all look and feel better by Thanksgiving!!!