Have a little faith in me.

No, not you. Me.

I have found myself in complete "screw it" mode the last 2 weeks. I can't tell you why I have fallen off the wagon. I am not quite sure myself.  I do know that I find it hard to keep fresh fruit and veggies on hand at all times with this economy.  I find myself struggling to pay $100 grocery store bills ever week or two and that just kills my eating plan.  The last week I snuck food and binged, again.  I do have to say I was proud that I DID keep with my work-out plan.  That was the only thing I kept myself accountable for.  I didn't track.

I kept my two very special friends in mind all week as I struggled.  I e-mailed and texted them to seek motivation and advice of my struggle.  I found too that they have struggled and got over it.  I received some amazing e-mails from them helping to give me the extra push. It helped BUT it seemed like one of those "It's not you, It's me" situations.  Everything they said was amazing, helpful, and encouraging but I needed to fix it. Myself.

Tonight was weight in. I anticipated the numbers on the scale to shoot up. I was nervous and regretful. I hopped on and...

 -2.0 pounds!

I had a hard time at first being excited for the big 2 pound loss. I didn't feel as if I deserved it. But then, my good friend Meg made a good point.  Being that I didn't track...maybe I was exaggerating in my own head of all that I had done this week.  I think I also owe a lot of it to exercise!

Now, I am 100% ready to tackle this week! I know I can do it and I am pumped! Thank you for all your support. You are amazing.

Any money saving tips on buying groceries?! 

Stuck.

I am having a really hard time this week getting back on track.  I want to blame it on my lack of groceries, lack of time, and stress.  But, that is just not fair.  I need to make time for ME.

Tonight I kicked and screamed my way to the gym after work.  I was fighting a migraine this afternoon and just wasn't feeling up to it.  After work, I just drove.  I pulled into the parking lot at the gym and there was no turning back.  I just so happened to get there RIGHT at 6:00pm.  Little did I know, that was the start of Jon's hour long boot camp.  I walked in and he sucked me right in.  I guess it was just that little extra push I needed.  I worked out the 4 other women of all different fitness levels and it was great! I am assuming I will hurt tomorrow!

There are 2 really special people in my life that I want to thank for always being there for me.  I can send them a text or call and they are right there....pushing and encouraging me. You know who you are...Love you both :)

Sometime I want to just give up and quit.  It seems like too much work.  

BUT...

I have come WAY to far to quit.  I decided to start fresh after tonight's workout and KEEP MOVING!

Weight loss isn't easy. Weight loss isn't fast. Weight loss is a lot of frickin' work.

LET'S DO THIS!!

After you fall, get right back up!

The start to my week last week was pretty great! I was feeling good, gettin' my move on, and over all feeling great.  I stuck to my points and was ready to conquer the "wedding weekend". Mike and I headed to South Dakota for his cousin's wedding.  It was a long over due mini vacay for the both of us!  The weekend was AMAZING. SO much fun, laughter, and an amazing celebration for Kristina and Kevin. Plus, I felt amazing in my new dress!

 Ghetto Workout Room at the Hotel. Made it 2 miles Saturday morning!

 We clean up well :) Looking and feeling GREAT pre-Wedding!

Weight Watchers approved? No. Fail.

I lost control on Saturday night and didn't regain it until Monday. I binged. 

I dreaded going to Weight Watchers tonight.  I felt embarassed of my loss of control.  I texted 2 of my friends yesterday telling them about my mistakes.  They were both there to hold my hand and make sure I got back on track.  One friend reminded me "one foot in front of the other". And that is JUST what I did.

I gained 1.4 pounds this week. It could have been worse. I refuse to get down about it.  It was worth it this week-Maybe I needed to fall down...maybe I needed a reminder to pick myself up and keep going!

I am determined this week to live by "Healthy Serina".  I am determined to keep my body moving and remember how GOOD I feel when I make good choices.  Everyone makes mistakes and it is up to me to get right back on track.

PS: Shin splints are a Bitch.  I am out of running for at least a week.  Low impact and lots of ice for this girl.  They tend to flare up once in a while but after my outside run around como park yesterday they are MISERABLE! Jon said to ice, ice, ice, and stay low impact.  We will see next week how it goes.  I will get my cardio in this week with the ellipitcal and bike. SHIN SPLINTS WILL NOT STOP MY FROM RUNNING WW 5k on MAY 22!!

Have a happy and healthy week, all!

One Stick of Butter Today

Down 0.4 pounds this week for a total of 43.0 pounds! It could have been better...It could have been worse! Considering my week I am totally OK with that number on the scale.  I need to learn to embrace those -0.4's and -0.2's because ANY thing down is...down! And for your information...0.4 pounds is the same as 1stick of butter!

I met my new friend Kala at the gym right after work.  We hit up the treadmill and I jogged 1 mile and fast walked the rest.  We did some floor work after and it felt great!  I was taking it a little easy today because tomorrow I meet with Jon (my trainer) and I am sure he is gonna kick my butt!  Another thing I am learning about exercise it that it clears my head.  I had a very emotionally wearing day at work and left with a heavy heart.  I cried the whole way to the gym.  Once I started running, I was able to release my sadness, my anger, and my thoughts.

Today's run/walk!

At the meeting tonight we all got super stoked for the WW Walk-It Challenge! We are creating a team of our Tuesday night crew to do the May 22nd WW 5k!  If you are in the meeting with me, please see me if you would like to join. We are brainstorming team names and t-shirt ideas as we all could use the most encouragement we can get!  If you are free that day and are not interested in participating, please come cheer us on! It will be my personal 1st 5k! It is in writing...we are on the list!

We are IN!

After the meeting I headed out to dinner at Chili's with Mom, Meg, and Emily.  We have a really fun time together!  We were able to get to know each other a little better and talk about our awesome team :)  I just can't wait to cross the finish line with these girls!

Chicken Fajita's: Delish.

Here is to another healthy and active week. Get out there and kick some butt!  Remember, If I can do this...so can you!

It's all about MOVING!

I have officially learned to love moving.  I remember the days where I would make any excuse in the book NOT to get to the gym or get outside.  I was totally against physical exercise.  It was too hard.

Today I have learned to LOVE it.  It still takes some hard work and preparation to get myself to the gym but after I complete a workout, my body feels SO amazing.  Seriously, If I can do this...so can YOU!  I want to be that girl. That girl that people look at and say " Really? Serina is running?! If she can do it, so can I!".

Weight Watchers is currently advertising it's Walk-It Challenge.  They are encouraging thousands of people to get out and MOVE! I am excited to use their tools to help me in the training process for my first run.  Also, Emily has already signed up to do her 5k with the Walk-It Challenge! Can't wait to hear your progress, Emily. You are such a motivation! 

If there is anyone that would like to join me on a 5k, please let me know! I would love to do a few this year with friends!

On Sunday, I kicked and screamed my way to the gym.  Michael and I had a super lazy day and I just wasn't having it. BUT, I sucked it up and went!  The only bummer was that when I was on the machine I accidently pressed the clear button and cleared my progress! I HATE that.  So, I snapped a quick pic of my 1st workout and jumped right back into it.  Here is how it went...

1st try-15 minutes, 1.42 miles and 165 cals!

Right back into it for another 20 minutes, 1.5 miles and 190 cals! Total of 35 minutes and 355 cals! 

After I got home I was tempted by Todd's DELICIOUS homemade lasagna. Too delicious to pass up!  I am not sure of the points but here was my dinner.

Thanks, Toddski! It was delish!

I couldn't wait to get back to the gym today.  I hit the ellipictial hard!  I was a hot mess! But man, it felt AMAZING. I am looking forward to another run tomorrow!

Today's Workout!

Ill leave you with this quote I read in Max Sports Fitness Mag:

 

"Every morning in Africa, a Gazelle wakes up.  It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed.  Every morning a Lion wakes up.  It knows it must outrun the slowest Gazelle or it will starve to death.  It doesn't matter whether you are a Lion or a Gazelle...when the sun comes up, you'd better be running." -Anon

Ahh, Spring is in the air!

Finally! Today was beautiful! I was determined to make today right after a lot of eating out this week and late nights at the bar with my friends.  Sarah P was in town for the week so the festivites were keeping me busy. 

My cousin Duke came over to my place today to hang with Mike and I.  He brought his rollerblades and we headed to Como Park to play! We spend an hour following him around the park and got a great walk in! The park was crazy busy...everyone was in need for fresh air. It was so refreshing.

This kid can skate! He had a blast...Thank goodness for fresh air!

Here are a few updates... (since I have not been able to blog daily)

Here are my new kicks! Amazing. They don't fix my shin splints but they sure are better than what I had!

My new addiction: Coffee, Raisen Bran, and Strawberries! Delish. 6 pointsplus.

Brought to you by the K-2 FAN classroom! We supplied this awesome fruit and cheese tray for treat day! It was a hit and totally healthy!