Down 35 lbs!

I was so PUMPED to jump on the scale today for my weekly weigh-in and to see that I have lost 35 pounds.  How awesome!  It feels amazing.  I know that I have sooooo much more to go...but hey, 35 pounds in roughly a month is a pretty dang good job.  Right?

I posted this pic that I took of myself on Sunday afternoon on Facebook.  I mentioned something about how my thinner face now looks different and that resemble Jay Leno and his long chin.  I had no idea that it would cause such an uproar.  Ha! I think Jay Leno would crack up if he knew how many times his name or initials (JL) were mentioned in all the comments.  Thanks for trying to make me believe hat I do not indeed look like Jay Leno now....ha!

Say what?

This is little "B"....she is the cutest little thing ever!  With that said, she is the most BLUNT and straight forward speaking kiddo I know.  She will just come out and "say it like it is."  I have started to notice small changes in my appearance since I started the program.  Not big physical differences....small ones.  I about fainted the other day because I walked in the room and little "B" who had not seen me in a month or so said, "You got skinny!"  I looked at her mom and asked her if she had told her kids anything about my weight loss journey, etc.  She looked at me with a surprised face and ears that also could NOT believe what she had just heard and said "Nope" as she shook her head.  I asked "B" where I looked skinny and she rubbed all over her face and shoulders.  I guess I need to quit complaining that it isn't more of a noticeable change so far...if little "B" sees it...it must be true!

Letting the drips....drop!

I got back from my trip to Vegas early this morning and then had a busy work day.  I had a few crazy phone calls that left me in  kind of on an emotional spin.  With that said, it fueled me to want to exercise even more today.  I went to my Zumba class tonight and rocked it.  I was a little lower energy than usual but still did a pretty good job.  After that, I went straight to my gym and the great thing was that NO ONE else was there.  I usually work out with my friend but she was busy tonight.  I was on the treadmill for a bit and then jumped on the elliptical.  I felt so free and amazing as I pushed it.  I did some intervals of intensity and it was awesome.  I turned up my music and just sang out loud and even breathed out loud and just filled up my lungs with every breath.  I'm sure that I looked crazy but it felt simply perfect.  What a way to release built up emotion in a positive way.  I let a few tears fall on the elliptical as well.  This whole process has been fairly easy for me so far....but the emotional side of it can take a toll sometimes.  It is at times like these that I just have to keep my mind on the prize of being healthy and remember that this time is about ME!  Nothing can get me off track and get in my way.  I've come too far to stop now!

Subway pulled through...

I was in a bind yesterday.  My brother and I went out to an early lunch and there weren't many location options. We decided that I might be able to make something work at Subway. I didn't want their lunch meat because of the sodium and the fact that it is super processed.  My next best choice was their egg.  I asked her to make me an egg sandwich with no bread.  It ended up looking like an egg omelet taco....ha! I could have done an even healthier way and had her use the egg whites only...but I just went with the regular egg.  She filled it up with lots of veggies, some mustard, pepper, and a couple dashes of hot sauce.  I had her toss it in the toaster for a minute too.  I thought I might have to choke it down....nope!  It was great!

(**Side-note...there is a special in my state right now where 6" sandwiches are only $2 before 11 am.  Because I used no bread she only charged me $1 for this.  What?  ha!!)

Looks who's on PINTEREST!!

Soooo cool!  If you know me....you know I love Pinterest!  I am always on there pinning fun ideas for my house and lots of holiday and party planning ideas.  I used to "pin" delicious calorie packed recipes but I have kind of lost interest in that over the last few weeks since the pictures make my stomach a little envious.  Anyway, I was pinning today and look what I found....the Live Longer, Live Stronger  pin from Woman's Day that takes you to the program introduction on their website.  How cool is that?  I was so excited!  I am actually mentioned on a real pin....love it!

Lovin' me some Naruto rolls....

Have you ever had a Naruto style roll?  They are delicious!  I have only had them a couple times before and they weren't my favorite at the time because...c'mon, who doesn't like all that rice and yumminess?  Right?  Well, I have found out that these rolls are perfect for my program and a much healthier option.   I found a place the other day that had this roll called the Cherry Blossom and it has a salmon, tuna, and yellow-tail center that is wrapped in cucumber.  I put a little low sodium soy sauce with a hint of wasabi and it was to die for!  I have to admit that I had one a couple days ago and I was back today for a take-out order.  Such a quick option that is low in fat and full of protein and goodness!

Interview with KPNX-12 NBC

I had a great time today during my interview with Tram Mai, local NBC reporter.  She was a delight to work with and really put me at ease.  I was worried that I may feel a little intimidated and nervous but all of that fear was washed away the first second I opened my door.  She was so personable and fun...we talked as if we had been friends for years!

After setting up the camera and getting settled, we started the interview with some basic questions about the program, my progress so far, expectations, the communication process with Woman's Day and Joy, my goals, etc. It was easy for me to talk about all of these things because I have so much passion for the program and truly believe in what I am doing and how it is not only changing my life but hopefully will inspire others as well.

We finished up all the questions and it was time to get some footage that she could use while she was "telling the story" for he clip...so I cooked up one of Joy's yummy breakfast recipes and we even headed to my gym so I could run on the treadmill and show them a bit of my workout routine.

It took about an hour and at the end I was bummed to see them go!  Tram said that we would keep in touch over the next few months and that I should give her updates.  I am not sure if they will do follow up stories about my progress but regardless, this experience was well worth all the butterflies in my stomach because it was a blast!

Joy supports ZUMBA...

I was so pumped to learn that Joy is part of the Zumba Gold program and endorses Beto in this effort!  I was walking with my mom in Costco today and saw that they had Zumba Gold DVD's that you could buy.  I thought they only sold the regular Zumba stuff in stores.  I turned over the box and saw Mrs. JOY!  Two of my favorite people on the same box.  How cool is that!  I have to show off though. I love Beto a ton not only because of his fitness program....but because he was so thoughtful and kind when I got to spend the day with him in Rockefeller Center in 2007.  Such an awesome guy!

My ZumbaHIPS were shakin' tonight!

Look how proud I look!  This is one happy girl!  So, this is what you look like when you shake around aprox 300 pounds for 70 minutes during your first Zumba class in 6 years.  It felt soooo good to be back in my element and to be movin' my body.  I had sweat drops rolling down my face and I didn't wipe away even one of them.  Sick, right?  Why?  Well, because I deserved every one of them!  A few months ago, I thought that my "work-out" days were over.  Today I proved to myself that I still have it!  I was out there keeping up with the instructor and getting my heart pumping. I just may have shed a tear or two during the cool down song...yes, I just may have.  I feel like an empowered and unstoppable woman with a goal to love herself and become more heart healthy.  This is my year....my time!

Camping the HEALTHY way...

Wow, I have been around a lot of yummy looking food and even more FANTASTIC smelling food this weekend!  These friends of mine really know how to make up an awesome camping menu!  I helped whisk together 35 eggs this morning and cooked up 12 pounds of bacon for their big extended family.  I have to admit that at first I was tempted/sad not to be able to eat the bacon....but as I kept watching the fat boil off of it....I just almost felt bad for everyone because they were going to be eating all of that grease.  Their BLT sandwiches this afternoon looked AMAZING!  Although all of their meals have been looking delicious I haven't wanted to break my "promise" to myself to follow this challenge with exactness.  This morning I did a stir-fry with zucchini, asparagus, onions, spinach, and 2 egg whites.  I ate it with a 100% whole wheat sandwich thin and it was yum-o! See...you can be healthy while camping after all!

Getting those STEPS in!

I am camping this weekend with friends and it has been a blast!  I have had so much self control that I cant believe it.  I didn't realize it would be so hard to get my steps in though.  I thought I would be running around and hiking a lot more but we have had some rain and all the card games and fun chatting has kept me sitting a lot of the time.  I have never been a late riser when camping...just like my dad, I am up at the crack of dawn.  I got up around 6 this morning and decided to get some steps in early before everyone woke up.  I didn't prepare well enough to have taken my tennis shoes out of the tent and I didn't want to wake up my friend and her baby...so I headed out in flip flops and had to make do.  I walked around a few loopy roads at the entrance of the camp site and even did crab squats and walking lunges across a field.  I am supposed to get 10k steps in during the day and getting almost 3k before the day really even began is pretty dang good! What do you think?

Keeping Hydrated!

I am learning that it is so important to stay hydrated.  I have cut out all soda from my diet.  Well actually, I had a couple Diet Coke's over the 4th of July but they were pretty watered down and I didn't finish all of them.  Anyway, I have noticed that I crave water all the time.  It really fills me up and can take my mind off of food.  I carry a bottle with me everywhere I go and sip on it all day long.  I never used to have to fill up my bottle but now I do it multiple times a day.  I think that besides filling us...it hydrates us as we work out and go throughout the day AND it flushes and cleanses.  I am learning to love how refreshing it truly is!

Picture Perfect Picnic...

I am in Colorado all week and it has been amazing!  We are hear during the wildflower festival and have been hiking through waist high flowers.  We stopped today for a picnic and thought this would be a good setting.  What do you think about my turkey sandwich?  It was super tasty! I'm not sure about all the sodium in the peppers but I ate some of them because I didn't have vinegar with me and it was delicious!