This past week was difficult for me emotionally for several reasons. Those emotions lead to some unwise food choices. By no means did I binge like I would have in the past but I noticed myself slowly gravitating to food as a crutch....even if they were healthy eats. Several years ago my Godmother told me, "It's ok to grieve, it's ok to be sad. But don't lose yourself in the process." These words have stuck with me for 7 years and I think they always will because they are applicable to any pitfall life throws my way. Life will have it's ups and downs but it is important to hold on to SELF...on to who Tamika is and the work I've done in my 30 years and the past 60 days to get here.
I'm taking some time in the next two weeks to re-focus emotionally and overcome this hump. It happens sometimes and I just have to remain consistent. Speaking of consistency, I've made the decision to sign up for a second Journey! I have seen great results and not just in the numbers. I am stronger, my clothes are finally getting looser, and I feel better about myself in general. I do not want to lose that progress nor do I want to fall back into bad habits and lose my consistency. I also tend to quit too easily if the results aren't there. That is a huge downfall but I can say the exact opposite about this Journey. Not only am I proud of myself for even just the simplest things, the sense of team and support has made all the difference.
This week I was truly motivated by Claudia. I don't often get to the 6:15 classes because of my schedule so I miss seeing some of my fellow Journey members in the 7:30. This past week on several occasions, not only did I see Claudia pushing herself to the limit but I also noticed that she looks great! We may not talk often but I was sure I stopped her to tell her that she helped me along that day and her efforts are noticeable!
My goal for this final week of my first Journey is to overcome the emotional struggles and stay on the bandwagon. My life seems to be a roller coaster more often than not and it can be difficult to 'stay the course'. This is a life change so I am working on it.
About a week ago I bought a t-shirt at Old Navy that said, "Just love life and it will love you back." This could be interchangeable with body..."Love your body and it will love you back." I will be holding on to these words this week.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
Home Stretch
It's so hard to believe that it's been about 45 days since we started this Journey. I feel better than I have in a long time...emotionally and physically. For the past year I have been working on ME emotionally and the Journey has allowed me to put the same focus on myself physically and realize how much I was missing out on. I am sore in places that I have never been sore before...but in a good way. When I get up in the mornings I feel appreciative of my coach Flo for keeping me encouraged, Maia for allowing us the opportunity, and most importantly, I feel appreciative of myself. I struggle through the WorXouts every day but I feel stronger and am starting to see the changes.
This past weigh-in was good for me. I was not expecting to see those numbers and I have become better at preparing meals and selecting wisely. I did indulge this past weekend with a bit of drinking and late night eating. However, I saved over a 1,000 calories because I knew I would be out and about. Life doesn't stop and there will be those cheat meals. But the most important thing for me is to pre-plan, not to fall off the wagon, proceed as normal during the day and thereafter....which is what I did. In the past, the whole day would've been a bust but not anymore. I left a reserve of calories and remained HONEST with myself and tracked every calorie LOL. Sure, I exceeded, but it was still better than in the past because I care more about my progress and my body. I exercised, prepared meals, and planned for the week before enjoying some time out and about. That in itself is an OH YEA moment for me.
My other OH YEA moment is my consistency. I have not been this consistent in a long time. Most Friday nights will consist of time in the gym. This past week I did not get home until after 7:30PM. I had dinner and started to get really sleepy. I fought that off, forced myself to get to the gym and felt great after. My goal for the upcoming week is more sleep! I know I am lacking in that department and it makes such a difference. I am looking forward to finishing the next two weeks stronger than ever.
This past weigh-in was good for me. I was not expecting to see those numbers and I have become better at preparing meals and selecting wisely. I did indulge this past weekend with a bit of drinking and late night eating. However, I saved over a 1,000 calories because I knew I would be out and about. Life doesn't stop and there will be those cheat meals. But the most important thing for me is to pre-plan, not to fall off the wagon, proceed as normal during the day and thereafter....which is what I did. In the past, the whole day would've been a bust but not anymore. I left a reserve of calories and remained HONEST with myself and tracked every calorie LOL. Sure, I exceeded, but it was still better than in the past because I care more about my progress and my body. I exercised, prepared meals, and planned for the week before enjoying some time out and about. That in itself is an OH YEA moment for me.
My other OH YEA moment is my consistency. I have not been this consistent in a long time. Most Friday nights will consist of time in the gym. This past week I did not get home until after 7:30PM. I had dinner and started to get really sleepy. I fought that off, forced myself to get to the gym and felt great after. My goal for the upcoming week is more sleep! I know I am lacking in that department and it makes such a difference. I am looking forward to finishing the next two weeks stronger than ever.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Still Standing
Last week my goals were to get to the Worx at least 5 times (versus the minimum 4) and also take Yoga. I am proud of myself for getting the Worx 6 times and still getting to the gym on the 7th day. By Sunday I was most definitely feeling it and took a much needed rest day. No matter how challenging it was to muster the energy after long stressful days, I know I am not the only one in the same scneario. It helps to push right along with the rest of the Journeymen! Classes are tough, my legs feel like lead, and a lot of times I don't feel like I can move another inch. Without fail, Helina always has something to say to put a smile on my face. Shooting each other a look across the room or laughing through the pain, it helps to remember that even though we are working towards individuals goals, we are still moving forward as a team.
As for yoga, well.....at least I tried it! I've done yoga before and I've never been very good at it. I'm not flexible, the poses are difficult, and I have an extremely hard time calming/focusing my mind like you're supposed to. It is constantly running and I know that defeats me. But I tried my best, made it through the class, stepped outside of my comfort zone yet again, and definitely felt in in my core the next day. Thank you to Yukie for holding me to my goal and for joining me!
My OH yea moment this past week were definitely my food choices. I am trying really hard to stick to protein and veggies with only minimal carb choices such as whole wheat wraps or sandwich thins. I was able to increase my veggie intake last week which is always a challenge for me. For the upcoming week I want to reduce my sodium intake. I try to make good choices, I don't cook with salt much, but when I input my food intake I am sometimes shocked at how much sodium certain food choices have. My crazy schedule and the fact that I do not like to cook contribute to short cuts sometimes. While pre-made food is never the best option, I see more now that these are always the foods that contain the most sodium. I am gradually working towards a more reasonable work schedule, which would make more down time / "me" time and the ability to cook and prepare more. But for now I take them as lessons learned and modify in other places in attempt to keep those numbers down.
Overall I feel good, I feel as though I am accomplishing something and I just have to convince myself that it will continue to get easier with time.
As for yoga, well.....at least I tried it! I've done yoga before and I've never been very good at it. I'm not flexible, the poses are difficult, and I have an extremely hard time calming/focusing my mind like you're supposed to. It is constantly running and I know that defeats me. But I tried my best, made it through the class, stepped outside of my comfort zone yet again, and definitely felt in in my core the next day. Thank you to Yukie for holding me to my goal and for joining me!
My OH yea moment this past week were definitely my food choices. I am trying really hard to stick to protein and veggies with only minimal carb choices such as whole wheat wraps or sandwich thins. I was able to increase my veggie intake last week which is always a challenge for me. For the upcoming week I want to reduce my sodium intake. I try to make good choices, I don't cook with salt much, but when I input my food intake I am sometimes shocked at how much sodium certain food choices have. My crazy schedule and the fact that I do not like to cook contribute to short cuts sometimes. While pre-made food is never the best option, I see more now that these are always the foods that contain the most sodium. I am gradually working towards a more reasonable work schedule, which would make more down time / "me" time and the ability to cook and prepare more. But for now I take them as lessons learned and modify in other places in attempt to keep those numbers down.
Overall I feel good, I feel as though I am accomplishing something and I just have to convince myself that it will continue to get easier with time.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Gotta Be....
Many of my friends would describe me as loyal and consistent. I would also describe myself to include those traits but then I started thinking....if I can be so loyal to others and so consistent in my actions, how come it's so hard for me to be the same to myself and my body? This Journey has been much more for me than just getting back to a healthy eating pattern and consistent physical activity. This has also been a period of reflection and self-awareness. Learning to say no to the choices I know are unhealthy or that will provide a set-back to my progress as well as saying YES to this committment far past this 60 days has been a learning and growth experience.
I don't find myself doing a cheat meal each week but I did indeed have one this weekend for Superbowl Sunday! Dinner consisted of protein mainly and veggies and then came the wine and sweets...dunn dun dunnnnnnn!! :)
Well, yes, I had wine and sweets but chose half of a sweet potato cupcake (better option ingredients wise than the cookies and cream option that was also there), and small sliver of cheesecake. In the past I would have over indulged (knowing I had no calories left to spare). On the filip side, I did have calories to spare and although I may have exceeded my deficit, I didn't feel guilty nor beat myself up over it. Why? Because I knew that Monday was a new day. I had my meals and snacks planned for the week, and my workouts already engrained in my schedule. I also didn't look at that "cheat" as a reward or emotional crutch as I still tend to do and have done too often in the past. Instead I took accountability for what I was doing, tracked as best I could and moved on to the next day. I am guilty of beating myself up over the smallest things but instead, keep calm and carry on! :)
My goal for the upcoming week is two fold. The first is to get to the Worx at least 5 times versus the 4 with the 5th day being an alternative workout. I have been sticking to our schedule, (except for last week and my brief stint with the flu), but I am determined to make the 5th day at the Worx. Many of you may have heard me refer to my crazy work schedule before and I'm trying my best to get from underneath that stress and set back. The second would be to take a Yoga class. I have done them in the past and tend not to be good at it. For one because I'm not flexibile and for two, my mind is always running and I have a hard time slowing down and slowing the thoughts down. But as we're told by our awesome coaches...DO YOU. So stepping out of my comfort zone is something I've done in the past month and I will continue to do so by adding a Yoga class. I may learn to love it!
My OH YEA moment this week was when I logged into My Fitness Pal and saw...."You have logged in for 30 days in a row!" For those of you that don't use it, it's an awesome app. I've had it for over a year and NEVER have I logged in for that many days in a row. So this brings me back to my initial statement...time for loyalty and consistency to me, my body, my happiness, and health.
The title of my post this week is Gotta Be....(you fill in the blank)! It's driven by one of my favorite songs and although the lyrics could pertain to many different things, I find myself playing this on my ipod when I need that extra push for the week. This may seem like a song for those battling love or breakups but to me and this journey it is very applicable:
I don't find myself doing a cheat meal each week but I did indeed have one this weekend for Superbowl Sunday! Dinner consisted of protein mainly and veggies and then came the wine and sweets...dunn dun dunnnnnnn!! :)
Well, yes, I had wine and sweets but chose half of a sweet potato cupcake (better option ingredients wise than the cookies and cream option that was also there), and small sliver of cheesecake. In the past I would have over indulged (knowing I had no calories left to spare). On the filip side, I did have calories to spare and although I may have exceeded my deficit, I didn't feel guilty nor beat myself up over it. Why? Because I knew that Monday was a new day. I had my meals and snacks planned for the week, and my workouts already engrained in my schedule. I also didn't look at that "cheat" as a reward or emotional crutch as I still tend to do and have done too often in the past. Instead I took accountability for what I was doing, tracked as best I could and moved on to the next day. I am guilty of beating myself up over the smallest things but instead, keep calm and carry on! :)
My goal for the upcoming week is two fold. The first is to get to the Worx at least 5 times versus the 4 with the 5th day being an alternative workout. I have been sticking to our schedule, (except for last week and my brief stint with the flu), but I am determined to make the 5th day at the Worx. Many of you may have heard me refer to my crazy work schedule before and I'm trying my best to get from underneath that stress and set back. The second would be to take a Yoga class. I have done them in the past and tend not to be good at it. For one because I'm not flexibile and for two, my mind is always running and I have a hard time slowing down and slowing the thoughts down. But as we're told by our awesome coaches...DO YOU. So stepping out of my comfort zone is something I've done in the past month and I will continue to do so by adding a Yoga class. I may learn to love it!
My OH YEA moment this week was when I logged into My Fitness Pal and saw...."You have logged in for 30 days in a row!" For those of you that don't use it, it's an awesome app. I've had it for over a year and NEVER have I logged in for that many days in a row. So this brings me back to my initial statement...time for loyalty and consistency to me, my body, my happiness, and health.
The title of my post this week is Gotta Be....(you fill in the blank)! It's driven by one of my favorite songs and although the lyrics could pertain to many different things, I find myself playing this on my ipod when I need that extra push for the week. This may seem like a song for those battling love or breakups but to me and this journey it is very applicable:
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