Blog Name Change?

Hey, ladies!

Ok, so I've been doing some thinking.  When I started this blog, it was to be about my Resolution to change my lifestyle, lose the weight, get fit, and be totally happy with my body.  I am currently doing that through Jillian Michael's Body Revolution (as you all know).  Well, not all of you are, so the name of this blog doesn't quite apply.  I think it's time for a change that reflects us all.  We're all on a journey.  We're all wanting to get fit and be happy.  I, honestly, am so not creative when it comes to this, so I'm extending it to you ladies for that reason, as well as, I really do want a name that reflects what we're ALL hoping to achieve.

Post in the comments with ideas that you have!  Let's really make this blog about US!  =)

Whatever It Takes!

Ok, so I know I just weighed in two days ago, but I wanted to keep on track with the Facebook Challenge weigh-ins, too.

At the beginning of the 60-Day Challenge, I was at 159.2.  Wednesday, I was at 161.  Today I weighed in at 159.8 (just goes to show how much one will fluctuate).  I'm feeling pretty good about the fact that I'm only up .6 lbs in the last two weeks.  And here is why:

For those who don't know yet, I went out on May 3rd, and it is veeeeeery possible that something was slipped into my drink.  I completely lost 4 1/2 hours of my night.  Even now, that my sister has (finally!) talked to me and told me what happened, it is still completely black.  Seriously, not a thing.  Long story short...blacked out, got in a fight with a girl in the bathroom, attacked my sister, had to be picked up by my boyfriend (who I don't remember seeing at any point before I go back to the house), tried to jump out of his moving vehicle, he stopped, I DID jump out, and then wandered aimlessly through a not-so-safe part of town for HOURS!  Around this time, I started to come back in a bit, and I remember trying to stop a car because I knew I needed to call someone.  In the process, I fell in the street.  I remember falling, and I remember it hurting, and I remember being really pissed that I fell.  Then I went out again (not sure how long), and came back in to a cop asking if I needed help.  Obviously, I did.  He asked if I was Madison, and I said, yes, and he told me to sit on the curb because my Dad and brother in law had been looking for me.  Then I went home.  It was absolutely crazy.  Did I drink?  Yes.  Enough to black out?  Not even close.  I wasn't even hungover the next day...at all.  All the more reason that I think I was roofied.  My Dad said he was talking to a co-worker, who is close friends with a cop.  The cop told her that she needed to keep a watchful eye on her drinks when she was out because the amount of roofie cases happening right now is asinine.  =/

So, there's that.  Worst part?  When I fell, I seriously jacked up my foot.  I haven't been able to do an actual workout since May 3rd.  I'm really sad about it.  All I've been keeping up with is the arm-toning workout.

Another reason that I'm happy I haven't gained more weight is because when we were in Carbondale, all we did was eat crap food, drink beer, and not workout.  We did walk Campus Lake and a little bit through Thompson Woods and the rest of campus, so there's that, at the very least.  I wish I could have done more because it would have been really nice to get a workout in with Sara.  =(

So, there's my story, and why I've been a little MIA lately.

Now, to add a little more stress, sadness, AND motivation into the mix.  I got my blood test results back yesterday.  Everything was completely normal.  I was actually way more upset about it than I thought.  I'm actually going to be working with my doctor to get more testing done for thyroid issues.  While I'm very happy to know that my levels are normal across the board (I mean in EVERY thing), there are still issues.  Like the fact that I'm eating right, drinking water, cut out soda, exercising daily (before the 3rd), and the weight wasn't coming off all that quickly AND I was still exhausted allllllllll the time.  Those things are not normal.  They don't compute.  There are a few tests that they didn't do, that could actually show an issue with my Pituitary Gland, which could be causing me to be hypothyroid, without there being an issue with my Thyroid itself.  Nonetheless, knowing what I know, I'm going to push harder than ever, and I'm going to continue this journey.  Even if it means hiring a dietitian because it turns out there's nothing wrong with my Pituitary Gland, either!

Whatever it takes.  My new motto in life...not just on my weightloss/get fit journey.  Whatever it takes.

Weigh-In Wednesday #4

Sadly, I'm up 3.8 lbs. I weighed in at 161. That sounds about right, though, since my foot is basically useless for anything other than minimal walking, and I went to Carbondale for 3 days. I decided to just make it a cheat long weekend because I knew we were going to be drinking, and I needed some Quatro's and Don Taco in my life. I imagine that this almost 4 lbs will drop off very quickly, as soon as I catch up on sleep, can really start working out again, and I get back to my diet...which starts tomorrow after I figure out what we even have in our fridge.

I also have my doctor's appointment in the morning, so I get to find out what is going on with my body! I don't know if I hope that there IS or is NOT something wrong with my thyroid/hormones. If there is, some medication could help me drop some serious poundage and help clear up this adult acne that decided to rear it's ugly head. But, if there isn't, then I know I'm capable of more, and I'm just not pushing hard enough for the results I hope to achieve. I suppose that it is sort of a win/win, in that light.


Also!!

Where is everyone?! There haven't been any posts for a while! Is eveyone keeping up with their workouts and diets, etc? I want to hear from you! You have author status...don't be afraid to use it! This is your blog as much as it is mine. You may not think you have anything important to say, but if you get in a really good workout and are feeling awesome, a simple paragraph post may just motivate someone to get their workout in, instead of taking a rest or a cheat day. =D

60-Day Challenge Starts Today!

 Alright, so, Mo and I are starting a 60-Day Challenge today in the group "Fit N Fabulous Females" on Facebook.  I was thinking, there's not reason we can't carry that over to the blog if you would like!  Post your weight and measurements today and get started!! Then every two weeks, we'll weigh-in/measure again.  The end of the 60 days is July 1st.  So, on July 1st, the winner is the biggest weight and inches lost.  Sound like a plan?

 

The reason that these challenges work is because who doesn't like a little competition?  Plus, no one is going to judge you!!  We're here to help and to movtivate!  Maybe in 2 weeks you don't lose any weight and very little in inches.  That can be super discouraging and cause you to want to give up, well, if we're all in it together, then we can help motivate you, talk about what's going on!  Maybe you're not pushing hard enough, maybe you're not eating enough, or maybe things just aren't computing, and a trip to the doctor might be necessary.

 

Speaking of that...quick side note.  I will be heading to the doctor in a few weeks to have some blood testing completed.  I used my HRM to see how much I burned during a night of sleep on my rest day (so, no working out to push up my resting heart rate), and I burned 350 calories in just shy of 8 hours.  Multiple each by 3, and that is 1050 calories burned in 24 hours.  That's just a normal day.  Now, I understand why the weight wasn't falling off of me before I started the diet, but now?!  I'm burning enough calories to be in a deficit most days, and I've only lost like 4 pounds.  That just does not compute.  James and I discussed it in depth last night.  I've been thinking I may have a thyroid issue for a while now, so I really want to get it checked out.  And, hey, maybe it isn't thyroid, but it's a hormonal problem.  I mean, since moving out here, I've had pretty horrible adult acne kick in and the weight gain was fast.....so it could EASILY be a hormonal issue.

 

ANYWAY....so, you can see that when things aren't working, and they should be, it's nice to have someone to discuss the issue with.  I'm glad that when I talked to James about it, he didn't make me feel crazy or like I was reaching.  Mostly, because it's not a reach, and it may not be a reach for any of you either, but until you really start keeping track of these things, you would never know.

 

So....who's in?!

 

 

Weigh-In Wednesday #3

I'm kind of hoping my current plateau is just seeming that way because I just started and I'm bloated. But I can't seem to get out of the high 150s! I weighed in this morning at 158.2 which is only down .6 lbs from last week. I think it's because I'm not eating enough, but I've alway been an "eat when I'm hungry" kind of person, so it's hard to force myself to eat. Plus, I never have enough time to make breakfast, so I end up eating a handful of trail mix (almonds, peanuts, cashews, raisins, and m&m's....almost all nuts, though) that I have in my desk at work. 

 

Who has tips for this?  I know that getting up early is the obvious option, but trust me, if you know me....that's not really an option.  Most people that know me are still amazed that I have a job that requires me to be in the office at 7am...maybe not that I have it, but that I've kept it for over 2 years.  I absolutely HATE getting up early, and I'm a grumpy b*tch, every...single...morning.  I've been looking into making some grab 'n go breakfasts.  The recipe that keeps catching my eye is the egg muffins one.  I would want to tweak them a bit, but basically, you put some eggs mixed with sausage or bacon or whatever you want into a muffin pan, bake, and then toss in the fridge so you grab one each morning on the way out the door.  I suppose that would work for me. 

 

Do you guys have any other quick breakfast ideas?  Or what does your morning routine look like?  Maybe I can start to force myself to get up in time to make something each morning.....maaaaaybe.


Also, next Wednesday is 2 days before my intial goal, so I'm going to just make it my goal date and not only weigh in, but include my measurements.  Perhaps, I'm at a weight plateau, but I'm still losing inches?

30 Day Squat Challenge

I am about to be technically in between challenges until I order my Les Mills Pump program at the end of May (Happy birthday to me birthday May 31st). So what I've decided to do is repeat my last month of TurboFire which is the program where I received ALL of my current results. To beef it up a little I've decided to add on to this last month with lovely Chalene the 30 Day Squat Challenge!! I want a booty for the beach!! First 50 starts tonight!!

Favorite Post-Workout Drink

Ok, so this is manufactured by The Vitamin Shoppe, and I freaking LOVE it!

Since I have cut out pretty much every liquid from my diet besides water, this has been a lifesaver!  When I need flavor, welp, just workout and follow with this!  It tastes SO good, and it satisfies any craving I hate for a diet coke or some other Monsanto artificially sweetened drink.

Here's what the label says:

Critical Aminos XT is an advanced post-workout performance supplement specificially formulated to help your body recover from the extreme physical demands of high-intensity workouts.  Ideal for elite athletes and hardcore bodybuilders.  Critical Aminos XT can also help weekend warriors and beginners.

Contains:
- Glutamine and BCAAs for muscle growth, repair, and development

-AminoMelon, a natural source of the amino acid citrulline, which plays a role in nitric oxide synthesis

-Carnitine & Bromelain for recovery support

-Vitamin C and Grape Seed Extract for antioxidant protection

Best part??

NO yeast, wheat, gluten, sugar, salt, soy, dairy, fish, animal derivatives, preservatives, or articfical colors added.

Basically?  It keeps you from getting so sore that you feel the need to skip a workout.  It helps you recover without the loss of muscle, since you're trying to replace your fat with muscle...losing muscle would be bad.  Anyway, I LOVE it so  much, and thought I would pass along to all of you in case you were looking into post-workout drinks.  =)