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.