The scale is stupid...

Don't trust the scale, ever!  

Ok, well maybe not ever.  It's a good gauge when you are first starting your journey to a lighter and fitter you.  But pictures and measurements are a great visual, and serve as a good reminder when you get discouraged.  

I've not really discussed openly how much weight I've actually lost but in this post I will.  

When I set my mind to something I tackle it all out. I can remember 3 occasions that I've lost a significant amount of weight.  The first time was my Senior year in high school, the days of Atkins and Metabolife; yes the one with ephedrine.  And yeah, you can call me stupid!  Then I had 2 babies over the course of the next 5 years.  The second time I went the online diet route, I lost 34ish lbs.  I even participated in a commercial/photoshoot.  It was pretty awesome! Then I gained it all back plus some.  The third and FINAL time is now.

We joined a gym in November 2013, but never really started regularly going until late January '14.  I gradually added in exercises each time I went.  At this point I was working as a night shift nurse.  I would work all night, leave work and head the the gym.  Each week I was dropping more and more weight. I felt better and better.  I had lost 35lbs over the course of roughly 8 months! 

I had accomplished a lot but was quickly losing the satisfaction of what I had accomplished up to that point.  Here's where we go back to the "stupid scale" it's a number.  A number that we can easily become fixated on, almost obsessive.  I became fixated and obsessive about the number on the scale.  For the remainder of 2014 I was constantly looking for new and fresh workouts, new goals; goals that would push me to my limit.  I was on the hunt for something that would fulfill the "fitness satisfaction" that I felt like I was missing.  Here's what I knew; I wanted more muscles and less fat, I didn't care what the scale said anymore.  So in mid-late December I started working with a trainer who could help me in reach my goals. 

To be honest, up to this point my eating had been a 60%-40% approach and got me to a certain point.  That only works for so long.  So, beginning in January of this year things changed....and things just keep changing with some amazing possibilities this year! 

Ok, so that scale.  I've "only" lost 5lbs since January but I'm actually going to post my before and after pictures below. My BEFORE, Before pictures and compare them over the last year!  

Because just when I think I've reached a standstill, I go and impress myself when I don't even realize I'm doing it!  

So here's my challenge to you...take those pictures, do YOUR THING with all you've got and watch yourself be amazed!! 

~Adriane💪

STAY STRONG! 

Acknowledge. Manage. And....Move on!

Wow!  Watching the biggest loser I was half watching, half listening but my ears caught this phrase "acknowledge, manage, and move on" spoken by trainer, Bob Harper.

Then I stopped writing this post....not sure why.  But here I am attempting to write some new posts and I find this incomplete one.  Shall I finish?  Absolutely.  Interesting how things apply to your life in all different seasons. 

We can all wake up in a bad mood, have an off day, and off meal, just a brief fleeting moment of discouraging self talk.  But here's the deal, WE HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE IT!! I know! Who knew?  Every morning, I wake up and immediate think and VERBALIZE, "Today will be a great day!" And you know what?  95% of the time it is a great day.

Things can get out of control at home, you can have a stressful and looooong day at work but each and every person is capable of saying, "you know this isn't what I imagined today to be, BUT I can change how I react, how I handle this and MOVE ON!" Move on with a positive attitude, a different reaction; a reaction that will empower you over any situation,

Now, anyone reading this is probably thinking, "oh she's one of THOSE positive thinking, everything is roses person"  Actually no, quite the opposite.  However, I find that if I can channel the inner positive; and trust me this requires a lot of self talk, motivational quotes, often. I can find peace and find the positive in most every situation. 

My challenge to you, wake up and say "Today is going to be great!" say it as many times and as often as possible.  If you find yourself in a situation of self-doubt, becoming your own worst critic; remind yourself why you are doing what you're doing, what you're doing for someone else, and what your passion is.  Surround yourself with positive people, positive-speaking friends; these are the people who will build you up, and support your when you are stuck in those lows. 

Acknowledge these moments, manage them, and MOVE ON!  Continue to move forward, not backwards....you aren't going that direction. 

Eat the rainbow

Lunch today! 

Somehow I find it difficult several days a week to eat "enough" vegetables, without getting tired of them.  So the best way is the make a hoge-poge of veggies by tossing them into the skillet with a little olive oil, and today I added in my grilled chicken breast from last night.  It was the biggest plate of beautiful veggies, ever!  

What are some creative ways you incorporate "enough" veggies, and with variety, into your meals each day?  

Beautiful, Wonderful You

I read THIS blog post the other day from Amanda Adams.  It spoke volumes to me.  I mean it when I say, I read this thing at least twice, maybe even a third time. 

We, as women are our worst critics, every time, all the time.  We look in the mirror and quickly look at each part of our body as individual parts.  "My arms are so flabby, my thighs are gigantic, look at the rolls on my stomach, ugh...those stretch marks"  But rather lets see the beauty in our body, as a whole, a temple; An amazing creation that God created.  A creation to fulfill the Kingdom, with the gifts He blessed us with. 

So rather, lets change the way we talk to ourselves.  "My arms are strong, I can carry my children.  My legs are strong, I am able to walk, run & jump.  My stretch marks & 'belly rolls' tell a story...the story of my children, my family, the endless love I have for them" 

My challenge, speak kindly of yourself.  Give yourself a compliment.  When you feel the negativity slipping in, no matter how often it might occur during the day, don't verbalize it.  When you say it aloud you are giving ownership to that thought.  Change your thinking, correct it.  Then say THAT aloud. 

Write it down

Do you write out your workouts? 

I normally don't write them out but trying to get better at it.  

Write it down because...

(1) I forget everything I do at the gym and am constantly reinventing my workouts

(2) I need to know where I started, where I'm going & where I've been

(3) because that's what every good gym need does, right!!?? 

Get Uncomfortable

I had a conversation today

where I said, "Everyday I want to have

an uncomfortable moment"

Not because I necessarily enjoy it

but because I think it is vital for growth

For any type of growth. 

 

Comfort is a good thing

from time to time.

Its a place we can go for refuge

when we need it

It's family, its kids, its home

its yoga pants and a big comfy shirt

that may or may not involve

a bowl of ice cream.

 

If you find yourself doing the same thing

over and over again

but lacking the satisfaction

maybe its time to shake things up

and get uncomfortable

 

I don't mean abandon all things,

maybe its just a small change in your normalcy.

Try something new

something you've always wanted to do

Or something even that you think

to be impossible

But how will you know its impossible

unless you try??!!

 

What are you going to do to get

uncomfortable today? Tomorrow?

and the day after that?