First Isabody Challenge Complete!!!

I have completed my first IsaBody Challenge!!  I am in the process of submitting all my photos and essay so I can be entered into the judging.  I didn't do as well as I initially set out to do, but considering what I've faced the last 16 weeks I am very proud of what I've accomplished.  

Over the last 16 weeks I've gotten rid of:

3.2% body fat

27.75" 

& 29.2 pounds!! 

I look forward to starting another right away and seeing where I can go over the next 16 weeks.   Here is my start date and finish date comparison:

I'll be using my after photos as the starting photos for the next competition.    Here are my after photos, taken July 24th:

And here were my starting ones, taken April 4th:

I wish I had the arms the same in my afters...but we had already taken them a few times because of user error...and I didn't realize until I sat down to put this post together.  Ah well...I think you can still see some changes.   My belly is smaller - and I have more muscle tone.  I can't wait to see what the next round brings!!

Keeping Motivated

I run an online weight loss group and I've learned a few things from doing it. 

Motivation is the key to success.  You have to find what motivates you enough to say NO to your excuses.  Because we all have them.  

too tired

no time

injury

expense

that time of the month

Over the five rounds of competition I've hosted the people who have the most long-term success are the ones who say "I'm tired of it, and I will be stronger than my excuses"  

But some days that's tough.  
Like today.  

I went to the dentist this morning for a quick filling, and ended up laying in that chair for three hours of unexpected, painful dental work.  I got home and my jaw was throbbing.  I was in so much pain and all I wanted to do was swing by the store for some soft comfort food.  I almost did.  But then I remembered WHY I am on this journey.  I want to be healthy for a LONG time.  I want to live for a long time, and be a good example to my kids.  So I drank a big glass of water instead, and made myself a nice chocolate raspberry protein milkshake. 

I have my whole life to indulge in sweets for special occasions...but I won't if I constantly give in.  There is always an excuse to eat poorly.  And I am an emotional eater...I want chocolate and chips and gummy bears and Oreos and a giant bowl of jambalaya.  I want it when I'm happy, sad, lonely, in pain, depressed, excited...like I said: emotional eater.   But I am slowly taking each day and each desire to overeat in stride...and conquering it.  


What are excuses that have conquered you in the past?  How are you doing at standing up to them? 

Half Way!!

This weekend I hit the half way point on my 16 week IsaBody Challenge journey.  I am excited!!  So far I've gotten rid of:

26.1lbs, 

24",

and 2.8% body fat.  

Here is a little collage I put together to show my progress so far.  

  
I have had a couple of days where I have gotten discouraged.  Where I didn't see the scale drop or felt like I wasn't going anywhere.  But seeing these photos is so much motivation to keep going!!  And do you see those shoulder muscles I'm building?!??  I guess my twice a week Body Pump classes are working!  

Best moment so far:  When I met with a trainer/wellness coach at my gym and she told me I was strong.  She was surprised how much I could lift...made me feel good.  

Toughest moment so far: Training my body to not want to turn to food when I've had a bad day.   

First BIG milestone

As of this morning I am down 20lbs!!!  

I LOVE Isagenix!!

Third time's the charm!

It's been over two years since I posted.  Why?  

You may remember I was shocked to find out I was pregnant in the summer of 2013.  Our daughter was born in March of 2014.  We were elated.  I used Isagenix products to lose all my baby weight (50lbs!) by the time she was 6 months old.  I started training for the Rome marathon again..  Well...we were surprised again to find myself pregnant in February 2015.   Our son was born in October of 2015, and shortly after we moved 6000 miles from Italy to Southern California.   

Our move and transition was rough.  ROUGH.  I have gained 20lbs in the past few months from the stress.  I have a baby who cries all the time, I am deep in the trenches of post-partum depression, and I have two other kids who still rely on me for everything.  We are in a new city, new country, new state...and we have no friends or family close-by.  I have tried to sooth my frustrations and loneliness with comfort food.  No more.  I am deciding it is time to get back on the fitness & health wagon.  So I am obviously turning to Isagenix.  It has worked two times in the past...I have no doubt it will work this time.  

Today I start, at the weight I was when I arrived at the hospital, nine months pregnant, to deliver both my babies.  And I'm not pregnant.  I'm disgusted with myself and I want to make the change.  We don't plan on any more biological kiddos and so this will be it.  I'm going to get rid of this weight for good.  I want to be healthy and active and be a good example to them.  

I have decided my mantra for this cycle (which I'm calling 'third time's the charm') will be:

   
I have some hefty goals.  I want to finally get down to 160lbs.  I want to be strong.  And, hopefully, be able to run again.    

I am entering the IsaBody Challenge as well, and I joined the local YMCA a week ago.  

I am ready to make this transformation.   

I am stronger than any of my excuses. 

I will. not. fail.

Let's go!!

Hiatus

You may have noticed that it's been a while since I posted.  Well, there is a very good reason for that.  

Yep.  We were surprised too.  Shortly after my last post I went on vacation to the US and while there discovered that my body had decided to work properly.  After almost TEN YEARS of not working properly.  Do I think it's a coincidence?  No way.  The way my lifestyle has changed and the healthy choices I've been making because of Isagenix had 100% influence on me finally getting pregnant.  So I am still trying to eat as healthy as possible, using shakes and IsaLean Bars for breakfasts and meals on the go...but I won't be jumping back into the 30-Day program until after the baby comes.  

Best wishes to you all in your continued work

- I'll see you next year!

Phase II 90 Days

Well another milepost has come...and more weight has been shed.  Over the last 30 days I've lost 7.5lbs, 6.5" and 1% of body fat!  I will admit, I worked really hard the last 30 days and so to see those numbers be so small is a little disheartening.  I've been amping up my running in prep for the marathon and watching what I eat...I just seem to have hit a plateau.  I've been 188 for almost two weeks...I lost that 7.5lbs in the first two weeks of this 30 Days. 

Here are my Phase II 90 Day Stats:

Weight:188
Body Fat: 38%

Total inches: 307.5"

And here are the pics:  

First up is the Phase II 90 Day pic set: 
 

Now the comparisons from the Beginning of Phase II to now:
 

L: Feb 12, 2013
R: May 13, 2013

L: Feb 12, 2013
R: May 13, 2013

L: Feb 12, 2013
R: May 13, 2013

It is a bit frustrating to look at those and not see bigger results...then I have to remind myself *just* how far I've come: 
 

L: July 9, 2012
R: May 13, 2013

I am doing a modified Isagenix plan for now.  I am having a shake for breakfast and then sensible lunches and dinners.  I am expending MANY more calories as I begin training for my half and full marathons and I want to make sure I'm giving my body the fuel it needs.  It was a tough call to make, because I still am not at my goal weight, but I want to be sure and do the marathon the healthy way.  And I think I will still lose a bit during my training...and I will hopefully not fall off the wagon as hard this time.  :)