Final Countdown…

November 24, 2011 By 14 Comments

In a way this journey feels like it has been going on for a long time, but in other ways it feels like it has just begun.  I suppose it’s a little bit of both.  I have, and JD has, battled with weight since adolescence, however, our true success’ are just now beginning.  With the support of Alyssa we have opened the door to a balanced healthy diet.  Pete has provided us with the lense to change our viewpoint on eating, exercise, and weight loss.  Finally Mamavation has provided us with a dose of reality in that we aren’t the only families struggling to find balance in regards to our health.  I think food will always be a challenge for both of us.  Our guest this past Monday night on Mamavation TV, however, gave me a new way to look at it.  Instead of feeling like a failure for eating certain things, take note and pride in the things you pass up.  This thought process has worked wonders for JD.  Do you know how many times he talked about getting a soda and thought better of it.  He’s now giving himself a huge pat on the back for his success’.

This journey will continue and I can’t wait to see where it takes us.  In January we will run our first 5K, probably our last, but one thing crossed off the bucket list.  Now I’m determined to write it all down and take pride in the accomplishments we make each day.

This week was victorious. I finally got the key to success in my battle against fast food was to make realize that… Wait for it… I FEEL HORRIBLE when I eat it. I feel so much better keeping up with my steps and making my food at home. My home life and my work are also improving. Quite the turn around. Started at 205 down to 198 and no stopping anytime soon.   -JD

Weekly Weight Loss: Kelly: .4 lbs.  & JD: 1.2 lbs

Total Campaign 10 Weight Loss: JD 7 lbs. & Kelly 8.4 lbs.

Total Weight Loss: Kelly 14.6 lbs.

 

Thank You to our sponsors for this campaign:

EASPORTSActive and Omron Fitness.  Each one is playing a huge roll in our goal to get active and healthy.

Also a Huge Thank you to all the Coaches: Leah @BookieBoo, Alysa @InspiredRD, Pete @PeteCohen_, and Drill Sergeant Alarik @gruntstyle.

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And it Goes Like This

November 23, 2011 By 24 Comments

I started this campaign with a list and I am going to end it with a list.

10 things I learned about myself during Mamavation Couples Campaign 10

  1. Losing weight takes work but it makes it worth it.
  2. Having a clean house makes life easier.
  3. Thank goodness for editing my random ramblings.
  4. 60 minutes of my time equals 3 miles.
  5. I am the queen of Squat challenges.
  6. Social Media took up a lot of time that I never realized.
  7. Nursing a baby required a lot of sitting time for me.
  8. Back Fusion Surgery only made me stronger
  9. Food isn’t my only reason for living, haha.
  10. Support of my friends helped so much!

Before 10/10/2011

After 11/22/2011

I know I have said this before, but I honestly had given up. I had told Megan I would die young and I believed it. I feel positive I can do this. I have decided to resist shaving until I reach my goal weight or 185lbs. I’m hoping I make it soon because my face is itchy. I’ve lost 17lbs since Megan convinced me to be apart of this.

Before 10/10/2011

After 11/22/2011

Being a Mamavation Mom/Couple is something that I will never forget. I now know that it is always going to take work and being idle is only an opportunity to keep moving. I have lost a total since joining Mamavation…(drum roll)…38lbs (not counting baby pregnancy weight). During the past seven weeks I have lost 13lbs.

The next campaign will be opening to moms soon and if you are thinking about applying, I urge you to do it. Don’t just think about it because thinking doesn’t yield results. Get up, grab your pedometer and walk until you hit 10,000 steps. The sooner you do it the easier things are. Build your team of supporters. Announce that you want to make a lifestyle change.

I started this with a newborn and a back fusion. I wanted this, I needed this, and I did this!  You can too!!

Thank you to our sponsors EAS Sports Active and Omron Fitness
And Special thanks to Leah @BookieBoo, Alysa @InspiredRD, Pete @PeteCohn_, Drill Sergeant Alairk @gruntstyle, and all of you in the the Sistahood and those thinking of joining!

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Am I Ready?

November 22, 2011 By 27 Comments

WoW another campaign is coming to an end and this campaign feels alot different to me at the end than the last one because I knew I was still going to be in the spotlight for the interium and for this campaign. So this ending blog feels more serious than my last one. But this also a totally different campaign than #9.

Well to begin I lost 62 lbs this campaign which is fanfreakintastic but I was hoping for 8more lbs. My main goal was hitting the 50lb mark but I would have loved to kill it with 70lbs but I will get there it just will take a few more weeks and that is alright by me.

Start:              End:

  • Bust: 50.5            49
  • Waist: 48              46
  • Hips: 58                56
  • Arm: 15.5            14
  • Thighs: 28.5        26

Which is a total of 9.5 inches not too shabby if I say so myself…

 

 

David here… Wow, Campaign 10 is over pretty much. I will say its more work than I thought it would be, and can totally understand why Meaness (Meagan) stays tired sometimes and is constantly on the go go go. I’ve learned alot and can almost jumpsquat! These at home work outs are hard core let me tell ya.

Start:  End:

10lbs in 7 weeks!!!!

  • Bust 39.5      39
  • Waist39        37
  • hips 35.5      35
  • Arm 13.5     12.5

4 inches total pretty…

 

For any of you reading this who are pondering with the idea of applying for Mamavation Mom I have a few thoughts for you. Yes it is toally worth every minute of the process but first and foremost you have to give yourself fully over to the coaching staff and mentors. Seriously if YOU knew what to do then why are you over wieght?? Your way apparently isn’t working trust me they know their stuff and it works if you put the time and effort into it and listen, take it in and apply it to your life. Its more than just a 7 week process the campaign is really just the diving board and when you get to the end you need to be able to keep this going in your life. Is it hard? Is it time consuming.. Yes it is, You need to enlist help from your family and friends, because its alot of work but if you have a schedule to get things done it can work single moms, working moms, stay at home moms, You can do it. I wouldn’t change doing my time as a mamavation mom for anything I have learned so much and have met so many wonderful people who are now life long friends. Reach out be real because no one is perfect and we don’t expect you to be.

Stop thinking about it and GET TO IT!

HUGE Thank You to our Sponsors EASPORTSActive and Omron Fitness they are helping us with their awesome products to reach our fitness and weight loss goals

Also a Huge Thank you to our Coaches: Leah @BookieBoo, Alysa @InspiredRD, Pete @PeteCohn_, Drill Sergeant Alairk @gruntstyle, Shelly @Momma_Oz and all the Sistahood these results wouldn’t be happening without the support we recieve from you guys it is amazing what you do for us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart

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Home Stretch: What I’ve learned

November 17, 2011 By 8 Comments

Is it really week 6 already?  And not just week 6, the end of week 6.  Life has been so busy and I’m glad these past 6 weeks have been here to teach us that we can accomplish our goal.  Next week is final weigh in, which means pictures and measurements.  I am so excited to see how far we’ve come. I know for sure my clothes are fitting much better.

I’ve learned so much about myself.  I’m a planner, this I knew, I kind of get anxious with spontaneity.  Funny thing is when it came to eating I did the farthest thing from planning.  Kind of fly by the seat of your pants.   When my son was young I made homemade baby food and his meals were planned out, however, mom and dad often grabbed something quick and we rarely planned a home cooked meal.  Not only did it lead to some stress and weight, but inevitably it took a toll on our pocket book.  Buying day to day and eating out takes it’s toll.  Lots of food was wasted including mass amounts of fruits and veggies.  You’d be surprised that by planning out our meals we rarely have any wasted food.  We buy within our cooking means.

Next, I learned remembered, that I love walking.  I really do like to be outside and doing it with my son is so much fun!  Can I just say again how much I LOVE our new jogging stroller, thanks Kathi.

I’m looking forward to winter break, because all excuses will be taken away.  I won’t have the hectic schedule that keeps me away from home during days and nights.  I will have someone home to keep me accountable for my exercise and eating habits.
-JD

Weekly Weight Loss: Kelly: 1.2 lbs. & JD: .8 lbs

Total Campaign 10 Weight Loss: JD 5.8 lbs. & Kelly 8 lbs.

Total Weight Loss: Kelly 14.2 lbs.

Thank You to our sponsors for this campaign:

EASPORTSActive and Omron Fitness.  Each one is playing a huge roll in our goal to get active and healthy.

Also a Huge Thank you to all the Coaches: Leah @BookieBoo, Alysa @InspiredRD, Pete @PeteCohen_, and Drill Sergeant Alarik @gruntstyle.

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Food is Fun and Yummy

November 16, 2011 By 19 Comments

You are what you eat…Are you really though? Tomorrow write down everything that you put into your mouth. Then step back and look at it. Are you getting a picture of health? Is it more like a picture of the perfect chocolate candy bar? Is it an empty canvas because nothing passed those ruby red lips?

I was nervous that I would have a huge struggle with adjusting my nutritional habits becoming a Mamavation mom. Alysa @InspiredRD made things simple to look at and I realized I had some practice with this plan already when I was pregnant and was told I had gestational diabetes.  She uses exchanges/choices for meals. Here is a look at our breakdown.


I realized that cooking has been something that I had given up when I stopped doing cooking demos for people back in 2010. I couldn’t even remember the last time that I had really cooked anything from scratch besides Creamy Chicken Taquitos. I decided that this was the perfect time to get creative with my food again. Just because I was watching my food didn’t mean my food had to suck the fun out of it. I just needed to learn the exchanges to make nutrition work (plus fun names, exciting salad sized plates, and fearlessness helped too).

We have eaten & will be eating:

Megan 11lbs Morgan 16lbs

Gingerbread pancakes with apples and walnuts, Chicken Tangine with squash, Aloha pork tenderloin, Tandoori inspired 30 min chicken (greek yogurt and cucumbers), Bean and Veggie sliders, Breakfast Quinoa with avacado, The Elvis (whole wheat bread, peanut butter, sliced banana, and melted dark chocolate), Mongolian Flank steak…is your mouth watering yet? Lifestyle changing food is delicious! We practice moderation and portion control, along with a change of attitude. Keeping an open mind has helped open up a lot of food options and choices for us.

I have a corn allergy. If you have never seriously looked at labels then you probably don’t realize that corn is in everything…seriously, everything. The biggest nutritional change I had was finally giving up soda. Megan told me I had to give up soda to participate with her. I was drinking 4 Mt Dews a day, well, night to stay alert. I didn’t realize that the corn in the ingredients were doing as much damage to my body or holding me back with my weight loss. I thought I would die giving the soda/caffeine up because I had huge withdrawals. But my stomach was flat for the first time that I can remember. The bloating was gone. I’ll never go back to soda again, not even the throw back. I’m finding it easier to eat right and slim down. Its a great feeling to fit into your cloths the way you were meant to. Because we have this allergy to deal with it has opened my mind to foods I had sworn I would never eat. Not sure if it’s just the fact I’m allergic to corn, but food tastes much better without corn  and corn product added.



Thank you to our sponsors EAS Sports Active and Omron Fitness
And Special thanks to Leah @BookieBoo, Alysa @InspiredRD, Pete @PeteCohn_, Drill Sergeant Alairk @gruntstyle, and all of you in the the Sistahood and those thinking of joining!

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Moving Forward

November 10, 2011 By 13 Comments

I’m going to let my hubby go first this week as his feelings will help shed light on a little bit of what I’ve been feeling and going through this week.

This week was what I am going to call a work in progress. I am slipping into some old habits. Spontaneous eating, sitting when I could be doing chores or creative endeavors, and a negative attitude.
The last two days I began to get out with my son more for walks and really focused hard on creating meaningful classroom experiences for my students. It’s all about replacing food with social experiences and realizing that not only will I be healthier physically, but also mentally.
-JD

Let’s start with the positive and how things have been going this week for me.  I have been getting my steps in easily everyday this past week.  I’ve figured out some easy and quick fixes to squeeze extra steps in I talk about on the vlog.  Not to mention with the exception of maybe one day this week my DS and I have gone for a long stroll around the neighborhood and to the park, sometimes dad and even Grandma joined us.

While I didn’t show any weight loss this week I honestly wasn’t stressing about it because I know that number was tricking me.  Earlier in the week I was weighing in much lower.  I’m pretty sure the finger can be pointed at some stomach issues I just so happened to be experiencing Saturday and Sunday all day.  Relief has set in and I’m happy to say I’m at least back down to where I was last week, but shhh… you have to wait for the actual number until Monday night.

Lastly, I get a little emotional this time of the month, you know…  Anyhow some of the, well, bad habits JD was discussing really hit me hard. I was feeling a little bit glum last night and thankfully I’m happy to report no Emo eating.  I recognized what was going on and didn’t fall into my pattern.  All is well today and we are moving forward. Wish him and me luck.  If you have a moment reach out to the Mamavation men too on Twitter and Facebook.  I think they need to know the support is there for them to and everyone is anxious to see them be successful as well.  It’s also nice to say hey, your accountable too!

Weekly Weight Loss: Kelly: 1.6 lbs. gain & JD: .8 lbs

Total Campaign 10 Weight Loss: JD 5 lbs. & Kelly 6.8 lbs.

Total Weight Loss: Kelly 13 lbs.

Thank You to our sponsors for this campaign:

EASPORTSActive and Omron Fitness.  Each one is playing a huge roll in our goal to get active and healthy.

Also a Huge Thank you to all the Coaches: Leah @BookieBoo, Alysa @InspiredRD, Pete @PeteCohen_, and Drill Sergeant Alarik @gruntstyle.

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Find Your Fit in Fitness

November 9, 2011 By 11 Comments

So far during this Campaign I’ve lost 9.4lbs, but 33lbs since having this baby…WooHoo!!! My husband, who had given up the thought that he would ever lose any weight is down to 211lbs, that is 14lbs!

It’s important to give ourselves props about losing weight. No matter how little, big it is, a loss is a loss. If you throw yourself a party for every ounce then you look forward to every single ounce.

This week I am focusing on Fitness. Fitness is huge! Okay..so are Nutrition, Sleep, Support, Water…there is a huge list. But right now it’s fitness I’m talking about.

I was sick last week, I had dental work, it was rough. But I kept up with my workouts. I tried to make every activity count. A few weeks ago I tweeted that it took me 2000 steps to clean my bathroom. The reason I was able to rack up so many steps is because I purposely tried. I made trips back and forth between my laundry room and the bathroom, I did the dishes, I went to the basement several times, I sorted a load or two of laundry…I am usually the person that goes from point A to point B, not the one that hits point C and point F before coming back to point B. I’ve been working on retraining my thought process.

In my head runs a continuous stream of “Make those steps Count” and “Walk with Purpose”. If I’m on the treadmill I try to go further, faster, and work harder. If I’m doing squats and lunges I add weights because they are easier if I don’t. We might think that because we are moms that we just don’t have time, but we do, it’s just a matter of prioritizing. I can get my 10,000 steps a day in 60 minutes of purposeful walking and doing my every day stuff. It is almost like a game for me now to see how fast I can do it or if I can get all my steps in as aerobic steps.

That is how I fit my fitness in. How do you fit it in?

I work in an office for almost 13 hours a day. My office has no windows and I don’t leave my office area. I’m actually locked in, well the door is locked on the outside so no one can get in. When I get home my health and fitness is the last thing I am thinking about. I’m actually thinking sleep. This week I have 40 hours overtime and it sucks. I have to workout in my down time. I have a treadmill in my office and I am finally using it. I’m past that funk where I was just tired all the time and didn’t want to do jack squat. Now I have energy, drive, goals, ambition.

Thank you to our sponsors EAS Sports Active and Omron Fitness
And Special thanks to Leah @BookieBoo, Alysa @InspiredRD, Pete @PeteCohn_, Drill Sergeant Alairk @gruntstyle, and all of you in the the Sistahood and those thinking of joining!

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Random Thoughts

November 8, 2011 By 8 Comments

I think having the tuesday blog is the hardest one because we talk so much monday night at Mamavation TV I never know what to say on Tuesday… Crazy right? But any who…

My week was decent I had a loss but I had this huge number I wanted to reach this campaign and a 1lb loss wasn’t gonna get me where I wanna be, But Leah put it into prespective for me… I’ve lost 58lbs in a few short months… HELLLO 58lbs is HUGE!!!!!!!! Stop worrying with the small number and focus on the big picture. So that is my mindset for now because I am a BookieBoo Badass and I am Gruntstyle Strong! This week I did alot of thinking and worrying really,  My brother went in for his weight loss surgery on tuesday (he had the duodenal_switch which is the hard core one) and then got a an infection and I will honestly say I am scared for him and hope and pray this works for him. But I see so many chose Surgery over the “natural” way. Im not saying the surgery doesn’t work and for some they need it but I just don’t know I think there should be more that goes into the before surgery I mean I know there is but I think if we as a world would stop trying to fast forward everything it would be better. We are always so rushed,

The holidays are quickly approaching and I know for alot of us its a scary time because Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Years are huge eating events. I mean these are the holidays where the deserts are the meals for alot of time especially at the parties. But if you go into the season with a plan you can conquer the holiday season and not gain back everything you worked your butt off the whole year to lose. We decided as a family we were going to do more family things over the holidays. Decorate together, watch all the holiday movies, have family game nights etc all things that can be done and actually help lose weight. Instead of chips we eat popcorn or fruit. I am really looking forward to spending time with the family and unplugging a bit during that time they are growing up so quickly and in a few years its gonna be the opposite Im gonna be begging for time with them and they arent gonna wanna hang out with Mommy and Daddy..

Alright so now about David, I really dread this part every week almost as much as the video she makes me do. But I had a good week, as long as Megan makes the meal plan and keeps tabs on me during the day Im less likely to cheat. It will be interesting this holiday season trying to keep on track and not over do. Luckily we don’t do many family gatherings or parties. Im still learning lots and still can’t do a jumpsquat but other than that Im on track and down 2 more lbs!

Next Up our Vlog

HUGE Thank You to our Sponsors EASPORTSActive and Omron Fitness they are helping us with their awesome products to reach our fitness and weight loss goals

Also a Huge Thank you to our Coaches: Leah @BookieBoo, Alysa @InspiredRD, Pete @PeteCohn_, Drill Sergeant Alairk @gruntstyle, Shelly @Momma_Oz and all the Sistahood these results wouldn’t be happening without the support we recieve from you guys it is amazing what you do for us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart

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We’re Halfway There…

November 3, 2011 By 10 Comments

It’s Wednesday night as JD sneaks in to come snatch my son off me to put him to bed.   The last couple weeks he has been quite clingy and refuses anyone, but me to put him to bed.  I don’t blame him, with the late hours and early mornings that have filled the past 2 weeks I feel like I have only seen him a couple hours durning the week.  Makes me sad, but I know winter and Thanksgiving break are soon on their way.  Tonight was supposed to be date night, but I passed out and thankfully when I awoke remembered I had my Mamavation post due.  Thankful that I started it early in the week.

Despite my busy schedule I have managed to stick to my meal plan and exercise.  This feels like a huge accomplishment, and for that alone I am thankful for this opportunity.  Building these habits now means when someone isn’t watching anymore I will already have practiced the new healthy way and long forgotten, we can hope, the lazy habits.  I am inching closer to my goal of 15 lbs. this campaign.  With just 3 weeks left I have a little over 2 pounds to lose each week.

Alysa@InspiredRD has provided me with new ways to eat and I’m actually really enjoying it.  I won’t lie I was a bit worried about the Meal Plans.  Wasn’t sure which kind of crazy things she’d throw at me.  Nothing on the plan I didn’t like.  In fact now that we are creating our meal plans on our own, they look quite similar to hers.  Pete @PeteCohen_, has reminded me of some very helpful ways to work through the cravings.  Drink water when you feel hungry and wait it out.  Sometimes hunger is really thirst.  My favorite though is self-talk.  I’ve said it before, but it has really helped me and JD to make it through some tough times with food and even exercise (I shaved 6 minutes off my 1 mile time by setting mini-goals throughout my path). Drill Sergeant Alarik@gruntstyle has made working out, dare I say, fun.  He has so many new ways to combine strength and cardio using little or no equipment. Daniel’s even thrown in some EA Active (II)too.

Weekly Weight Loss: Kelly: 1.8 lbs. & JD: 1.4 lbs. gain

Total Campaign 10 Weight Loss: JD 2.8 lbs. & Kelly 6.8 lbs.

Total Weight Loss: Kelly 13 lbs.

This week has been a little tougher for me. I blame it squarely on my state of mind revolving around Fall, my birthday, and Halloween. To me, this time of year represents letting go and celebration. I need to find a way to separate this from over eating. I have done a bit of brainstorming this week and found that if I keep myself busy with creative work it takes my mind off of thinking of social eating situations to put myself into. Stay tuned for an update next week to see how I get back on track. -JD

Thank You to our sponsors for this campaign:

EASPORTSActive and Omron Fitness.  Each one is playing a huge roll in our goal to get active and healthy.

Also a Huge Thank you to all the Coaches: Leah @BookieBoo, Alysa @InspiredRD, Pete @PeteCohen_, and Drill Sergeant Alarik @gruntstyle.

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Get On with Your…Self

November 2, 2011 By 22 Comments

As I take my place on the treadmill I glance back to make sure the swing is still swinging. I’ve finished nursing the baby and placed him in the swing, I’ve started a movie for the toddler and I am ready to go.
I put my headset on, turn on motivational movies on my phone and crank up the speed to race through my hour long walk/jog. I know that I have about one hour to get my 10,000 steps in a day. I can’t rely on anyone but myself to get those steps in. I know the only way I can get them in is to do it all at once.

Being a Mamavation Mom has taught me that I have to change my way of thinking and manage my time, even if that means cutting back on my social media time. It is all about finding a balance. As a mom that is nursing I find myself sitting a lot so I have to make my workouts count and that is why I love GruntStyle workouts, EA Sports Active and my Treadmill. Focus is really my key to success. Today I was able to push my Aerobic steps up from 6,000 to 9,000+ thanks to Omron Fitness and proper placement of my pedometer now that my pants don’t fit anymore.

Halloween is over and I wasn’t tempted by the candy, partly because I had some dental work gone awry that day, but why throw all my hard work down the drain for some candy. I’m working hard, I am making some big changes and I am looking like a whole new woman.

I had given up on losing any weight a long time ago. I was so set on remaining this size that I tossed all my smaller sized clothes about a month ago. I will admit I was not excited to have to workout, change my eating habits or get 10,000 steps in a day. I still fill really worn out doing most of these things, but I also haven’t been feeling well since this campaign started. I am however, reaping the benefits and enjoying the energy and happiness that Megan is experiencing. It feels good knowing she notices things changing as much as I have. I’ve been looking at photos from just a few months ago and I don’t even recognize myself. I’m finally excited and very glad I gave up my soda habit to do this.

Thank you to our sponsors EAS Sports Active and Omron Fitness
And Special thanks to Leah @BookieBoo, Alysa @InspiredRD, Pete @PeteCohn_, Drill Sergeant Alairk @gruntstyle, and all of you in the the Sistahood and those thinking of joining!

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