2 week update

Last week’s goals:

1. Eat 2 primal meals per day
2. Set goals each morning/reflect at night
3. Blog on Sunday
4. Weigh on Sundays
5. Walk every day

Well, failure is the name of the game in the last two weeks. I set goals for the first two days and didn’t actually follow through with any of them. I need a better system for reminding me of my goals and also time management. I know if I set my goals up as habits and work them into my “schedule” (quotes for its non-existence) then I would be better at following through. I have read a lot of articles about different thoughts on time management and I know this is something I need to work on. I get lost in the things I enjoy or in my exhaustion, where I don’t want to do anything. I feel like the exhaustion comes from a lack of exercise and good food.

I’ve eaten a lot of crap since my last post including McDonald’s, Domino’s, Chinese, donuts, and Burger King. I’m not saying all of those choices were terrible, but I did not pick any of the healthier options on those lists either...breakfast sandwiches,  mochas, and burgers anyone? The funny thing is, although I was full afterward, I was not satisfied. Often within a half-an-hour to an hour, I was tired, lethargic, and ready for bed. Just based on how I feel, I know eating this way is not making me happy or full of the energy I crave, but it's easy and thus the pattern has continued.

My one win is walking every day. It’s not much, but it gets me moving more than I have been. I usually feel better after a walk than I’ve felt all day, so I know this is something I should keep doing. I have been having some trouble with my ankle the last few days. Seems natural, when it was broken two months ago and I’m still healing, so I think this coming week I’ll alternate walking with my bike. I may even look into a lap pass at the local pool. Then I can do a three-day alternation between the three exercises.

So...time to respawn into a new week. I weighed this morning. I’m up 1lb from last week and plan to take my measurements this weekend. My overall goals for this week are as follows:

1. 5 min journal time each day
1. Set goals and schedule for the next day, 3 things I’m grateful for, 3 things I did well that day, 1-2 sentence “memory” of the day, 1-2 sentence goal/schedule reflection
2. Eat primal for one meal per day this week
3. Walk, bicycle, or swim each day for 30 min
1. I’m setting a time limit this week

Thank you for joining me as I continue the journey to find my inner goddess.

I lost my way

Original post date 6/21/17 (failed to actually post)

Well...it's been two years since I last wrote. I can't believe how fast time goes, how big plans go down the drain and I end up exactly where I was two years ago (weight-wise/health-wise that is). I am, however, going to give this one more shot. I know part of the downfall in blogging I've had in the past is not setting a specific time to sit down and write, so here it is...my commitment...(dun dun dun) I plan to write down my goals for the day each morning and reflect on then each night. I will then create a blog post about that week on Sunday morning to be posted on Monday.

As I've mentioned before, this blog will be about my journey to a healthier me or as I'm going to call it the journey to find my inner goddess. Let me be real with you. I am overweight and I feel fat more days than I feel ok our good about myself. I eat crap when I'm down, have a bad day, or am stressed and then feel guilty for doing it. I have a lot of days when I just feel ugly and gross. Now I know some of you are thinking, "Wow this is going to be a depressing blog!" But the purpose of writing all of this down is for me to work through these things, to find out what helps me have a better relationship with myself, food, and others, and to truely find my beautiful inner goddess.

I should also mention that I don't want to be a "skinny" woman. That's not what I'm looking for. I want to be the best version of myself. Someone who loves herself and feels comfortable in her skin. Someone who can play with her kids and not be totally winded after 5 min (if that). Someone who feels confident and beautiful even when she's in sweats and a baggy t-shirt with no make-up on and messy hair. Someone who has a healthy relationship with food and doesn't eat to fight the emotions inside. Someone who is strong and can do hard things. I want all of this and maybe, just maybe, by sharing my journey I can help someone else.

Thank you for stopping by and let's go find our inner goddesses together.

-Chelsi

Starting Over

It's been about a year since I've posted anything...shame on me. Unfortunately in that year I've gained back all of the weight I lost during the Candida cleanse. I feel gross and as ungoddess-like as I could right now, and am not in a very good place (mentally or physically). I've joined a community called Nerd Fitness, and hope through blogging about my experiences with a Paleo Lifestyle, strength training, and fitness in general and participating in the NF forums I will actually stick to it. I need support from those who are on the same journey as I am.

So...here it goes. I'm a 31 year-old teacher. I have tried several different diets and "weight loss" solutions as you can see by my earlier posts. I have not maintained weight loss in 9 years and have steadily gained weight. I know part of my weight gain is having 2 kids in that time, but I believe most of it has to do with being an emotional eater. I eat when I'm angry, bored, and sad. I've found food to be a comfort in those times, although I always feel guilty afterward. I am glad to have realized this in the last few months, and hope to change my relationship with food during this new leg of my journey.

In this blog, as I've mentioned before, I'll be talking about my experiences through my weight loss journey. I'll be sharing recipes I try and love, book reviews, successes, failures (we all know there will be some), and how I'm managing all of this with a family. My goal is to post at least once per week, and go from there.

Please join me on this journey to find my inner goddess.

New Challenge...

With the Candida cleanse behind me, I'll write more about that in a bit. I've entered the Commit to Be Fit challenge at Chiropractic USA (Dr. Chris Moore). I'm hoping ths new twelve week challenge will get me back into the good habits I formed during the cleanse, but without the extremes.

Overall during the cleanse I lost a total of 30 lbs and several inches all over, though mostly in the upper body.  I did go down enough to get into size 12s (down 1 size). However, during the last 8 weeks I've been off the cleanse, and with my busy schedule, I haven't been eating very well and have gained about 8 lbs back. This new challenge comes with meal plan, shopping lists, and a recommended training schedule. The plan I'll be following is meant for athletes in training, which is perfect as I'm beginning to train for the Doxa Threelay (a triathalon relay) and the Zion Red Rock Relay in August and September. I'd also like to run a half marathon this year, if finances allow.

The 12 weeks began as of Friday when I had a Bod Pod body assessment. The assessment measures your body fat percentage and extimates how many calories you are burning at different activity levels. I am currently about 1380 at rest (so laying down and basically sleeping). If I stay within 200-300 of the recommended calories based on the estimate for the amount of exercise I am doing I should lose weight. At least that's what I've been told.  Dr. Moore said he has lost up to 30 lbs on this program without doing much exercise, which is about what I'd like to lose to be within my goal range of 130-140. I think the "optimal" weight for my height is 136.

With Summer coming I should have more time to blog and exercise, athough I'll be working most of June. I would like to blog at least once a week about this and also the switch to a project-based classroom I hope to create. Here I'll be posting about my favorite recipes, workouts, and successes.  I'll also be posting weekly weight updates, and bi-weekly measurements.  I have a fat % and BMI monitor (although I've been told it can be off by up to 5%), so I'll also post those amounts weekly.

I hope that by blogging about my experiences with weight loss, eating, and exercise I can inspire others to do the same.

To finding and releasing the inner goddess!

Candida Cleanse Day 10

I started a Candida Cleanse on Dec 27, 2013.  It's hard to believe I'm already almost two weeks into it.  When I weighed in at the beginning of the cleanse I was a whopping 198 lbs! I haven't weighed that much since I was pregnant with my second child 2 1/2 years ago.  It was scary to think I hand't followed what I wanted to do at all. I am working through the Club Reduce Candida Cleanse, through Elite Health Utah.  Let me explain a little about what a Candida Cleanse is for those of you who may not know.

We all have candida albicans yeast in our bodies naturally, but through the use of antibiotics, birth control and a few other things this naturally occurring yeast can overgrow becoming a fungus. The yeast leads to cravings for high amounts of sugary and yeasty foods (baked goods especially).  It can also cause many symptoms such as fatigue and weight gain (the two I show), along with many other symptoms.  To cleanse the body of yeast a strict diet cutting out sugar and yeast must be followed.  The Club Reduce method allows for veggies, poultry, seafood, lentils, and brown rice for 12 weeks.  Fruit can be added back during the 3rd week on Day 23 of the cleanse.

The plan also includes body wraps, whole body vibration therapy, chiropractic, supplements, and self-management technology.  As mentioned earlier, I have been on the plan for 10 days now.  At my last appointment (Day 5) I had lost 9 lbs, and after my wrap 7.5" off my whole body. I will keep you posted on if I maintained the inch loss (which they say I will) with the diet I've been on.

Eating this way has been a big challenge for me, but I have found several sites that provide candida cleanse friendly recipes and am trying my best to keep it up.  My cravings for bread (mostly tortillas actually) and sugar come and go, but I have been feeling very good and trying to just stick with it.  I think it is the hardest when my family is eating something I really like, but I cannot partake.

At this point in the game I am on a 5 day juice detox, similar to the master cleanse.  I, however, have had poor experiences with the master cleanse (lemon juice, maple syrup, water, cayenne), so this detox has been modified to cranberry juice, maple syrup, water.  I am on day 2 of the detox and have had some mild hunger.  Nothing I can't deal with though, and I think part of the hunger comes from not consistently drinking the juice and water today.  I was very consistent yesterday and had no problems.

Weight this morning (according to my Wii) 182 lbs.  I know my Wii is generally off about 5 lbs from other scales, so I will say I'm at 187 which is a 2 lb loss.  I will post all of my stats and new pics next week, since all my records are currently at Elite Health Care.  I haven't been taking measurements and such, since they do it when I have my weekly visits.

One more thing...I have set all of my goals for the year, then broken down what I think I can handle in January. I'll get those posted next time as well, and let you know my progress on them.

Hope you're finding your inner goddess!

Weekly Update

Weight: 187.1 lbs

Well, I failed at all of my goals this week.  I didn't work out at all, do yoga, or eat six times a day.  I did meditate a couple of times in the morning, but nothing regular. However, even though I didn't meet any of my goals I did loose 2 lbs. I have also decided to go ahead with the gym membership, as it seems to have the best options for me to train.

I am going to set the same goals this week as last week, so I can get in this habit.  Although I'd like to see lots of results toward my weight loss goals, I am more concerned with getting in healthy habits right now...

Goals:  Drop 2 lbs, Work out 5 days, Yoga/Meditate 6 days, Eat 6 times a day (smaller portions)

7 Months Later...

I have had some successes and some ultimate failure in the last 7 months since I wrote last.  The failure being I've gained all of my weight back, plus some.  According to the Wii Fit (I know not the most accurate, but it's what I have right now) I am at 189.3 and back to "obese" BMI status.  I hate the way I look, and feel like I'm constantly sick with something. Successes I've had...I've completed 2 RAGNAR's (approx 200 mile relay race, 12 runners, over 2 days).  I felt great after this last one (2 days ago) and am itching to keep running and working out.

Here are the challenges I'm facing:  Working full time, spouse works 2 jobs, 2 kids, and it's quickly becoming winter (= COLD and crappy inversion).  Where will I find the time and motivation to workout?

Possible Solutions: Run/workout in the early morning, run/workout in the late evening (after 8 pm), get a gym membership to avoid the cold, suck it up and just dress warmly

Of these options, I would really like to have a gym membership again.  I like having access to the weights and pool to swim. I also like stretching in the sauna, and the health benefits that gives me. Hmm....decisions, decisions. I'll keep you posted on these...

Moving on to Goals: 1. Lose 60 lbs (Weigh 130-135)by my 30th birthday (Sept 2014) , 2. Get in the habit of exercising every day (easy days 1-2 days a week for better recovery), 3. Run a 1/2 marathon in April/May, 4. Get my running time down under 10 min in the next year, 5. Eat mostly fruits and veggies (less processed food), 6. Eat out no more than once a week, 7. Track my progress through blogging, pictures, and measurements, 8. Yoga and meditation at least once a day (probably before bed) to reduce stress, 9. Eat 5-6 times a day in smaller portions, 10. Be happy and love myself. 11. Read 1 fitness/diet/motivation/non-fiction book a month for the mind. (Starting with finishing You: The Owner's Manual)

I know this is a lot of goals, but I think they all kind of go together.  If I'm going to really change my lifestyle to be a healthier one, I need to start from the inside.  I need to keep myself motivated, and not look to others to motivate me.  I need to feel good about myself and my accomplishments, for example I feel amazing after RAGNAR Vegas and want to keep it up. I need to have a goal and stick with it.  I hope the photo documentation will help me keep up my motivation, becuase I can actually see the changes happening in my body.  Although I don't know that anyone will read this, I think sharing my journey will keep me motivated, even if it doesn't motivate anyone else.

I realize these are a couple of weeks old, but I think they're still pretty close to what I am now.
Starting (again) pics: 10.27.13

Starting Measurements: 10.27.13

Weight: 189.3lbs

Chest: 39"

Waist: 40.5"

Hips: 42.625"

Butt: 47"

R Thigh (Top/Mid): 28.25"/26.875"

LThigh (Top/Mid): 28.5"/24.25"

R Calf: 15.625"

L Calf: 15.625"

R Arm: 14"

L Arm: 14.25"

Week 1 Goals (mini goals): Drop 2 lbs, Work out 5 days (T-S), Yoga/Meditate 6 days, Eat 6 times a day (smaller portions)