Faith, Fitness and Fuel starts NOW!

Today is the first day of the month and last day of the week. The past week has been an emotional and eye opening one for me on so many levels. Yet I know that I am blessed to have woken each day.

This week I celebrated my 43rd birthday and in addition to that, I had a physical. I found out that my blood pressure is too high and that I need to get it under control or I will be forced to go on meds.  And that in itself is a serious reality check. And then on top of that, at my physical, my doctor tells me I should have a cat scan of my abdomen instead of the recommended ultrasound by my GYN last week.  One doctor diagnosed it as a nodule, the other as a mass. A bit unnerving to say the least but I have been working hard to stay strong in my faith and not in my fears. I know that God's got me!

So with all that being said, today is a new day and a new month. And what does this mean??? NEW GOALS are in order.

~ FAITH

♡Read from my Bible daily and discover key verses to help me with whatever may be going on in my life or those around me.

I just ordered a new Bible yesterday and I am so very excited to receive it!

♡Start reading The Best Yes!

This was an amazing birthday gift from a friend and I can't wait to dive in!!

~FUEL

♡First and foremost is changing my diet!! 

I will eat in as often as possible. I am going to allow for one meal a week may be bought from eating out.  But I am hoping that in reality it will only be once or twice this month.

My intention was to have a discussion with my family last night. But things did not work out the way I hoped.  The adults watching tv in separate rooms and the child alternating between us, eventually reading her book.

When I woke early this morning, it occurred to me that this will have to include eating in 90 percent of the time. While it will be a slight change for me, I prefer to buy food at the grocery store over spending too much money on fast and convenient foods.  However I am pretty sure it will be a big challenge and major change for my family! But if we do it in the right way, it will be fine.

♡Drink 96+ Oz of water daily.

My consistency is lacking. I need to get back to drinking lots of water so I can wash the over processed, salty toxins out of my body.

♡I will write down everything I put in my mouth!

I bought a journal and have already been doing that most of this week! This is just another tool to help build consistency :)

~FITNESS

♡Move everyday!

I dreamt this morning that I was running! I so want to bring this dream to fruition!! This not the first time I've dreamed that I was running.  About 15 years ago I had this dream that I was running and I loved the way I felt as I ran.

Last month I challenged myself to walk so many miles. I ended the month doing more than half of that amount.  I am proud of myself for doing something instead of sitting still.  #progressnotperfection

For this month, my focus is 20 minutes of daily exercise. Some days more challenging than others and longer than 20 minutes.  As long as I am moving my body daily, that is all that matters!

I know that by eating right, drinking consistent water and moving more I will reach my goals to becoming a healthier me. Notice that nowhere is the squarish box with the telling numbers (aka the scale) mentioned. That was purposefully done. That box and I do not have a good relationship so I am working hard to stay away from unless I'm at a doctor's office.  I refuse to let it rule my life. That is a story I promise to share very soon!

While this week may have been challenging, I know that God's got so much in store for me. He has given me a purpose in this life.  And in this season, I need to focus more on listening to Him and less on me and what the enemy is attempting to do.

So I start Transforming Simone with Faith, Fuel and Fitness!

2014 Awaits......So Excited

I'm so excited that 2014 is just around the corner.  Looking back at 2013, I do have any regrets.  God has blessed me with so much in this year.


I have pushed myself  this year in exercise harder than I ever have.  I walked in the extreme heat multiple times this summer-something I would have never done in the past.

I joined a gym and actually attended instead of paying for a whole year, not to go at all.

I felt absolute joy when I got below 300lbs.

And I cried tears of happiness this summer at Walmart when I discovered that I was able to wear a size 20 in a dress and that I had a smaller waist than I was allowing myself to see.  I was excited that same weekend to buy a size 20 bathing suit top for a girls weekend trip.  You can't really see it but here I am being silly and laughing as I try to get back in the boat after swimming in the late.

I ran a lot this year-not long distances but I was consistent with it.  This past fall I was so happy when I ran a whole lap at the track.  I was training for my first 5K and was going to the track every Sunday to prepare it.  I was not able to do the 5K at the last minute due to a family emergency.  But I am proud of myself for training for it and I know that I will definitely be doing a 5K in 2014.  Here is a picture of me, my daughter, and my friend's kids after I ran that whole lap.

I tried some things that didn't work for me but I learned from them.  I realize I am a work in progress and remind myself of this constantly.

I received a new water bottle with infuser for Christmas from my best friend so I can experiment with flavoring my water naturally.  She also sent me a book that has several recipes to change up the everyday water.  It is just awesome to have friends & family support you on this life's journey.

I have big aspirations for my weight loss in the coming year.  I want to lose another 100lbs.  For the most part I am consistent with fitness however I do need to start adding in strength training.  But nutrition?  Not so much.  So I have taken steps to get my nutrition on point.  Just this past week I took a big step.  I will go more into that in a future blog.

                                   


I am just SO stinking excited for 2014 and all it has to offer.  I want to be healthy and I want to be more fit.  I have two weddings to attend.  The first is Memorial weekend and I will be a bridesmaid.  The other will be in September.

I really am excited to see what progress I will make physically and mentally as I go through this next part of my transformation.  I know that God has great things in store for me and I can't wait to see where He leads me...I've picked you, I haven’t dropped you, don’t panic, I’m with you. There’s no need for fear for I am your God. I’ll give you strength, I’ll help you I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.  Isaiah 41:9-11

Major Events Shaping My Thinking On Prayer, Food and Exercise!

This has been a week of ...I can't put my finger on the right word.  This week I experienced my first earthquake while at work.  Now to some, this may not seem like such a big thing.  But I live on the east coast, (in Virginia) and have all my life.  We don't get earthquakes.  I can definitely say I'll always remember where I was and who I was with.  It reminded me of 9/11 and I worried about how we would get out of the building if it came to that.  However, it was not such a major thing as that.  But working in a hospital, it is concerned an external disaster and we were on lock down-NOT fun!  It made me realize that I really need to work harder to make my dream job come true.  That I don't want to be told that I can't go home to my family.  That I must stay there until someone else tells me I can go home.  Was not feeling the love with that at all!  I did end up leaving at my normal time but it still doesn't sit well with me.

The following day I went for a walk.  I was determined not to hold others back.  So I walked half of it alone and then went through a lot of emotions there as well.  I felt pain in my lower back from the excess weight as well as in one of my ankles.  Then I had a lot of negative thoughts going through my mind.  A LOT of self doubt.  But I pressed on despite that.  I walked a total of 9 laps which was 2 1/4 miles.  It was a heck of a lot more than what I had done recently.  I was proud of myself that I finished but over all, I wasn't feeling real happy about where I am.  I realize that I didn't gain the weight over night and I won't lose it over night.  But I just became frustrated with where I am in relation to other people.  Not that I was comparing my journey to theirs.  It was more like I felt like I couldn't relate to people who weren't around my weight or who had lost as much as I need to.  But the next night, a very good friend shined some light on some things for me.  So maybe I need to take a different in my journey and go slower.  I thought I was going slow but maybe not.  While I was driving to work yesterday morning, I decided I would break things down into a few areas in my life.  I need to make small changes in the way I eat, the way I exercise and the way I pray.  Instead of adding this and that to my eating and exercising, I'm going to focus on changing ONE eating habit and ONE exercise habit so I can stay consistent!  With praying and talking with God, I just want to add more time in my day.  Right now I talk with God on my drive into work.  I thank Him for waking me up and all the things He has blessed me with in my life.  But I know I need to strive to do better with my spiritual side.  While these are 3 different things all together, they will all need to be worked on CONSISTENTLY so that they become habit.  One thing I'm not in these areas, is consistent.  The number 3 is my favorite number.  We have the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit-this is another 3!  So while I know some people feel superstitious about things in 3's, I think this is a winning combination for me!  Because I know how important God and religion are to me on my journey!

Right now we are in the middle of a tropical storm, a.k.a. Hurricane Irene.  This event has shaped my life to be better prepared in my life and to enjoy my family now.  Tomorrow is never promised to us.  Tonight, I've felt a bit down which I don't like.  I'm a bit depressed.  But I also recognize that many of my food choices in the last 24 hours have contributed to it!

So tomorrow is Sunday and it's the start of a new week and the end of this month.  The end of the week starts September and after the holiday weekend will be my baby girl starting kindergarten!  YIKES....how did that happen?  My daughter makes me smile and I know she makes me a better person.  She makes me want to succeed on this journey.  We were driving home one day when this song came on http://youtu.be/emgv-VRtMEU  I treasure the moment of us singing it together.  And so now I choose this as one of my songs for this journey going forward.  Because with God and the support of family and friends, I KNOW I will continue to get STRONGER spiritually, physically and nutritionally!   Significant positive changes are coming my way.  Look out world....here I come!

Freeing My Inner Warrior...

I said I was going to try and blog weekly with pictures but I have been remiss in that lately.  I decided to do  weekly pics, instead of daily.  So this is a couple days after my 39th birthday.

7/31-Modeling a birthday outfit from Mom.  Emma took this and when I first saw this picture a few weeks ago, I felt bigger than ever.  However, looking at it now, I do see a difference in me.  Maybe more confident?  Can't quite put my finger on it!

8/2-Mom was kind enough to make this for me after a meeting and the night before we left for Baltimore Harbor.  It was so so yummy.  A steak, green beans and fresh strawberries!  

For 2 weeks, starting on 7/25, I participated in a No Sugar Experiment.  I was in the middle of the 2nd week when we went on our trip to Baltimore Harbor and saw these sugar hazard stores:

I did stay away from them and came home empty belly & handed of all things sugar:)  Consuming no sugar has made such a difference in my life!

8/3-This was my dinner at Phillips and it was delicious!  Now, yes I could have seafood but then I would've ordered Crab and Mac & Cheese.  I saw this as the healthier option for me at the time!  And man was I happy to have had it:)

8/4-On our last day, we took my daughter to the National Aquarium.  We saw Dora & Diego in 4D and then we went and watched the dolphin show.  Oh, how I ADORE dolphins!  I don't want to bore you with all the pics, but here is one that I found just precious!

When we got back on the afternoon of 8/4, Emma and I received our FabFit bracelets.  I have yet to take mine off.  However, with Em being 5 1/2, she wears hers on her bicep...LOL..so she wears hers when we work out or if we are going somewhere!  But we are 2 of the many Fab Fit family!

Last Friday I asked my husband to please chop off my hair.  I needed to start fresh all over and I felt like my hair was keeping me hostage.  8/6-I took this pic before heading to an event. 

I like the shorter hair but decided that: 

1.  I need to be wearing brighter makeup-i.e. lipsticks & eyeshadows-so I'm not referred to as "Sir".

2.This cut is Phase I in the making.  I need to go ultra short so that I can workout with out having to worry about what my hair looks like when I'm done!

8/14-This picture Emma took before church, reinforced the need to go shorter!  After church, Emma took it upon herself to pick out a work out DVD-the CareBears- and started warming up!

I SO love the positive effect my journey is having on my family.  We are starting to make itty bitty changes, but nonetheless, they ARE changes!  Pumping my fist up in the air!  I only want the best for my family.  I want the best for my friends but have discovered that some are not so interested.  That's okay because this warrior is now on a mission!!

Two of the ladies from my Northern Virginia Spark group, a.k.a. NOVA Sparks,and myself decided we want to meet once a week at the local school to walk the track.  So on 8/17, the Pink Lightening Divas (as we call ourselves) met up and did our thing at our paces!  I'm so happy to have additional support on the home and exercise front.  I'm also happy to support them as well.  Also, the talk of our doing this, helped me to decide to do a 5K in December! WOOOHOO:)

Tonight I took a walk with my family.  Well my husband & I walked and my daughter rode her bike. 

After almost the 3rd lap, Emma stopped riding her bike and joined me in a little jog.  At the end of that, we high fived.  

Then we came home and took a few more shots:

I felt rather pensive and focused on my journey and then came this picture....I definitely was deep in thought!

Tonight I asked Hubby to please please finish my hair and let's get Phase II done.  So I sat in the chair as he cut with butterflies in my stomach.  All I could think about was the movie, GI Jane and Demi Moore shaving her hair off.  That's what I wanted!  I wanted to feel free.  I wanted to shave off the past and start anew.  I wanted to enjoy my work out and not have to wonder, "Is this messing up my hair??".  So Hubby used one clip.  I looked in the mirror and then told him, "Shorter!".  So he picked another clip to use and went back to cutting.  Then I felt  my hair and again it felt long.  I consulted the mirror after he'd finished and I said "Shorter!  Think GI Jane short...I want to chop it all off!!!"  He asked, "Are you sure?"  Without missing a beat my response was, "YES!!!!"  So he picked up a new clip.  After a little bit I looked in the mirror and said "Hon, that's still not short enough!"  I asked him, "What clip do you use for the back of your head?  THAT'S THE ONE I WANT YOU TO USE!!"  He said, "A one or a two."  He then found a clip and proceeded to start again.  I didn't say a word.  When he finished I looked in the mirror and said, "PERFECT!!!"  I quickly went and showered & shampooed.  Here's the finished product.....

I think my Inner Warrior is making her way out!  A long time ago, I did see myself as a warrior, but I was talking the talk but NOT walking the walk!  I feel like this hair change is a big part of my transformation into weight loss mode.  Don't get me wrong, I've been making significant changes the last month and a half.  This just totally makes me feel liberated and free!  I'm ready to keep going.  I'm not looking back.  I WILL DO THIS!

Changes In Me...

So I started noticing a change in me on Sunday, Day 2.  I was looking at one of my friend's FB status and it mentioned  the Push up Challenge and how many she had done that day.  So I went to www.hundredpushups.com.  I knew that this friend was doing the challenge.  I just wanted to find out more.  Huh?  ME???  So when I went there, I decided I would try to do a different one-200 squats (the link is on the aforementioned website).

I shoot a text to my friend, Leslie.  Leslie is simply fabulous, she's lost tons of weight and has got the smokin' guns!!  So I ask her, did she know there was a squatslogger?   So she tells me she had seen it but hadn't looked at it.  So then I tell her I'm in the process of signing up.  She says, "Sweetness! I'll do it with ya!" just like that!  How cool is that???  Can I just tell you I have some of the bestt friends-some of whom, I've never even laid eyes on in person.  Leslie is in the midwest, I'm in the midatlantic, and one of my goals is to meet her and our other friend who lives in the midwest, and go white water rafting together!  This is another reason for me to get fit:).   I really want to get in shape and travel and see so much more of this great country.

So then later on Day 2, I'm getting myself geared up for Day 3 which starts the No Sugar Experiment.  I am eating cookies like crazy so I can hopefully get it out of my system.  Then I decide, I'm going to sign up for that push ups challenge as well.  I need to start working on my upper body as well.  And both the squats and push ups are good for me to work on for the next 6 weeks.  Then I figure I will do the dips (for the triceps) the next 6 weeks.  Just gotta figure out what I'll use to do those dips!  After doing all that, I start making preparations for my meals for work the next day since I plan on bringing my lunch and snacks.  So by the end of the day, I've done 2 initial tests-1 for squats and 1 for push ups-and I'm all packed for work!

Day 3 begins and I'm wondering about these headaches everyone who's in on the experiment has mentioned.  I took some Advil but I seemed to be ok.  I actually took it because my knees were sore.  I got some turkey sausage burritos and ate my concocted tuna pasta salad for lunch along with some fresh pineapple later on.  I had a hard boiled egg as a snack.  On the way home from work, I stopped and picked up some groceries.

Ok, I was tempted by a few things but my only indulgence was Montery Jack Cheese! I bought some London broil steak, pork chops, strawberries, barley and lentils.  Big change up from my usual mac & cheese, Doritos, cheese hotdogs, lasagna...and the list could go on for hours.  So then, when I get home I ask my dear husband and daughter if they'd like to go for a walk.  They say yes and we leave shortly!

Now this walk, is fairly straight for the first 20 minutes.  Then you start going down the hill (which of course means you'll be going back up that hill:).  Here's the hill:

Sorry, they are a bit blurry.  I was walking as I took them.  Here is where the road starts to go flat for just a bit before it goes uphill...

Just ahead are lots of bushes and so I decide I'm walking on the other side.  Hubby and daughter walk on the  street.  Me?  I just want the gnats away from me! :)  So I begin my ascent up the hill (mind you, when I suggested this walk I said I would walk to the bottom but not up!)...

It was when I got right here that I was seriously huffing and puffing but was feeling determined to make the effort.  So I look across the street to my family and what do I see?

They are headed back down going back home!?!?!?!?!?!?  So I too, turn around.  My child has become tired and it's a bit of a walk back.  So I'm still trying to recover from the ascent I had started and I turn to find this...

Are they running over there??!!?!?!?!?  Well I'm so sorry but this chick is barely getting one foot in front of the other.   But I keep going.  Mainly because I know it's the only way I'll get home.  Hubby won't be going to get the car to get me unless I happen to be dead.  So I'm walking back up that hill I just descended and OH MY GOSH!!!  I can't breath, sweating like crazy and chest is POUNDING!  Can I just please please please lay down here on the side of the road for an hour or two?  But those family members across the street are still going and I trudge on.  Then at one point I just have to stop. I wait a second, look up in the sky and see...

Ok, God's trying to tell me something.  I need to keep moving.  YES, it hurts, but I WILL DO THIS...ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER...ONE STEP AT A TIME...even if I have to huff and puff home. I think of my supportive team in cyber world and know they are cheering me on!  I stop a few times.  The first time I just can't move.  Hubby & daughter cross the street to meet me.  I'm almost in tears.  They both encourage me but I just don't know if I can do it.  People are staring as I'm walking up this hill with my hands on my hips-my back is KILLING me.  I know why of course-cuz my body has SO much excess weight the pain goes right to my back when I walk a straight hill!  I get to the almost top of the hill and break down crying because I just NEED to stop.  Hubby and daughter once again to the rescue encouraging me on how well I've been doing.  We walk a bit more and I tell hubby I must sit at the bus stop for a moment.  Emma has to sit with Mommy:)  From there on it seems to get a bit easier.  I tell them I would like to take some pics.  So here a few with me and Emma....

Emma was simply awesome out there! It amazes me how much energy she has even when she starts to act sleepy:)  She stuck through it but again, unless she died, Daddy wasn't coming home to get the car to pick her up!

 Emma is my biggest why.  I want to be able to do so much more with her.  It pains me that I'm not able to run with her right now.  But that doesn't mean I won't in the future!!  Life is too precious to waste it.  I want to enjoy it!  So I'm going to get out there and DO what needs to be done!

I asked Em if she'd "take a picture of Mommy & Daddy" and she saiid "sure" ....

 So we decided maybe we needed to get down to her level:)

I was exhausted when I finished but I love the look of contentment in my face here!  I finished what I started. My only downside was that I did not have a plan for dinner.  So dinner ended up being a hard boiled egg and  a couple slices of Jack cheese.  Not the best choice but better than ice cream or some high carb item I might have chosen a few days before.  So Day 3 was a success!

Yesterday, Day 4,  I did Week 1 Day one squats and push ups.  I did my squats at work during a break.  GO ME!  I did the push ups at night. I noticed on Monday, Day 3, that my lower abs were hurting.  Well yesterday they were as well.  When I attempted to do the push ups I could feel where it was hurting my lower abs again.  So I decided for this go around, I will do the modified on my knees.  Then maybe after trying dips I will do the push ups again the way they are supposed to be done.

I told hubby about challenge and after reading about it online,  he ended up doing his initial test last night too! He did 33!!! WOOHOO:)  I'm so proud of him!  He gets to start with week 3.  Me?  Week 1.  But I'm ok with that.  I'm a work in progress:)  It feels good to be exercising with my family!  It's something I've always wanted us to do regularly but has not happened.

Today is the start of a new day and I'm hoping to get a nice walk at the track this evening(no hills for this girl-today anyway:) and we will hopefully bring Emma's bike so she practice that!  I don't know what has happened, but I'm loving the changes in me!

WHATEVER YOU DO, MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

"I will remember the lesson of the firefly who gives of its light only when it is on the wing, only when it is in action.  I will become a firefly and even in the day my glow will be seen in spite of the sun.  Let others be as butterflies who preen their wings yet depend on the charity of a flower for life.  I will be as the firefly and my light will brighten the world."  ~from The Greatest Salesman