you dont get it...

Most of the people that know me, know that I am pretty passionate about fitness. I enjoy working out, competing in races (running & triathlons), and seeing my body transform into something I never thought it could be. Sometimes, I may make it look easy, but it's nothing close.

The old me would go mess around at the gym for a few hours a week, and I was happy with my looks and how I felt. I ate whatever, did whatever. Didn't really see any differences in my body, but as long as I was "maintaining", it was all good. Like a lot of people, when you don't see any results, I thought "what's the point?" "Why am I wasting my time"... So, then I fell off - fitness wise. After having my second child, and being nearly 200 pounds at the hospital checking in, that was it. I had been called out. I was not meant to be 200 lbs. Given, I was 10 months pregnant, but still - that was NO EXCUSE.

As soon as I got the thumbs up to resume working out (post baby) in October of 2010, it was ON. Fitness wasn't an option, it was a PRIORITY. I dedicated myself and became super active. I was doing 2-3 work outs per day, most days. I was eating right and feeling good. After a couple of months, it just sort of hit me, BAM. Where did this new body come from? I went from seeing no changes, to this whole new body. My clothes were falling off, I was amazed. In the past, I never stuck with it long enough to see any change in myself.

I am now, so passionate about it, that I want to help others. I want them to see that sticking with it pays off. It may look easy, but it's hard. It doesn't come easy. The easy part is already done when people decide they want to get in to shape - the easy part was all of the bad habits that got you where you're at, and no longer want to be. The hard part starts when you make the CHOICE to change. Not only physically, but mentally. You have to change your way of thinking, or it will never work. I came across this photo, and it describes the process perfectly. If you want something - PROVE IT by EARNING IT!

"you eat ALL that stuff..."

Lately, I have been going through my fitness goals, analyzing every aspect of getting there. Most of my work now focuses on my diet. I have started to check myself through calorie counting. I know, most people hate it, but there is an AWESOME free website out there that makes it SOOO easy - so it's silly not to take advantage of it. They've even added a bar code scanning option, where you can scan the food you're eating, and BAM.. all of your nutrition information is right there.

Everyday, I spend a good amount of time in the morning counting out portions for the day. I am not "dieting" persay, just trying to maintain and lose those last few pounds. Many people are surprised that I seriously eat ALL DAY long, and am able to manage my weight. Really? I guess I never thought of it that way. I do, looking at all of my food sitting out, seem to eat a lot. But, when you break it down, do I really?

It drives me nuts that everyone trying to lose weight has the stigma "less is more". Really? Maybe, when it comes to calories, but not necessarily does that mean you can't eat... or you can only have 3 meals per day... etc. You have to have the energy there to burn, or you aren't going to make any progress.

It also drives me nuts that there are programs out there using points to make yourself be OK with eating badly, in moderation. Really, are we falling for that? So, you can eat a couple pieces of bacon, and get a couple points and you're good to go. Please. We all know that, even in moderation, bacon is terrible for your body. How accurate are these "points'? Here, you can have a brownie for a few points. No. The focus of your diet should be feeding your body healthy foods... not just coming in under your "point quota" for the day and BAM you lose weight. We need QUALITY food sources, not empty calories and sugar! You know the things that are bad for you. Don't fool yourself in to thinking you have the "points" to use, making it ok to eat them.


I challenge you to really take a look at what you eat in a day. Do you feel satisfied through out the day? Are you starving? What does your day look like, food wise? Are you eating a ton of processed foods or snacks, or are you eating lots of fruits and veggies? I am not saying to starve yourself, by any means!

Here's what my 500 looks like. These are the calories that I eat while at work during the day - when I am feeling like I "eat all day long". What does your work day look like?

Lunch: Smoked Turkey wrap, topped with raw spinach and a sprinkle of low fat cheese.
Snacks throughout the day: banana, strawberries, apple slices, cheese stick, raw carrot sticks, raw broccoli crowns, and low calorie pretzel thins.