Mid Month Update..

So for the next 8 weeks I will also be blogging about my experience with "Burn it 2 Earn it". Burn it 2 Earn it is a weight loss challenge that started on September 16th and ends November 16th.  I am not a person that likes to compete. Even with this workout challenge- I feel like my biggest enemy is myself. I think for a lot of people this is true. 

I started working out at D1 one month ago. I really wasn't sure that I really needed this type working out element. It felt a little intense and hard core. But, I worked out 1 day that week-- 2 days the next week and I worked out at D1 4 days last week. I am a believer. I need to be purposeful or intense if I am going to meet my long term goals!

Clearly, I stepped up my game by adding in the workouts. Working out has change my entire weight loss journey. It feels weird to say that but, its true.  I think as humans we don't want others succeed in where we have failed. What a waste! I am thankful that I am surrounded constantly by people who are encouraging me every step of the way.  It's also a key to my success.  This month I have lost approx 7 pounds. I am hoping for 10 pound loss by the end of the month! 

Non Scale Victories...

• I was solidly in a 26/28 clothing at the beginning of this journey. I am wearing mostly 22's and I even had a dress on the was 18/20 this week.
• My balance and physical endurance has improved greatly.
• While all of my workouts and trainings are still modified - my physical ability has improved.
• The whole reason this journey began was because we realize I was suffering from neck vertebrae separation and lower back issues due to weight. While I am have soreness from working out on a regular basis- I am not hurting anymore!
• I zipped up a raincoat the other day that I have never been able to zip up!!!!!!! 

I have also realized the importance of weight training. It's actually a huge part of melting off fat. I know- we have all been told lifting weights will make you gain weight or that it will "make you bigger".. Check your sources. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, a mere 21 percent of women strength train two or more times a week. What you don't know: When you skip the weight room, you lose out on the ultimate flab melter. Those two sessions a week can reduce overall body fat by about 3 percentage points in just 10 weeks, even if you don't cut a single calorie. That translates to as much as three inches total off your waist and hips. Even better, all that new muscle pays off in a long-term boost to your metabolism, which helps keep your body lean and sculpted.  (To continue reading more click here.) (and whoa!)

I am hoping to have a blog more about strength training soon! We started with some weight training this week.. I was so scared of the weight room but, I have decided that day by day I will conquer it. I was also recently told this: "Since fear is mostly about ignorance, the best part is that it's as temporary as you choose." My batwings (arm fat) need to leave permanently. 

Have you ever had a time in your life where you felt mentally "off"? Like everything is going
okay but, you can't seem to get motivated or feel excited? That was me this past week. I wasn't depressed but, I was not roaring to go..  Not a feeling I am used to feeling. I assume it could be a number of things.. I realized tonight that I missed a nutrition class at D1 today. I was so pumped for the class and I had it in my calendar or so I thought. uggh.. Now that I have started blogging I wonder if it's a ADHD issue.. Sigh..   Anyways,  I also spent the weekend trying out a few new recipes.. Here is a sneak peak. This is my breakfast "casserole". (It's healthy too!) I will post the recipe this week. 

Till next time.. 

Mama said there'll be days like this...

Today was rough... Not sure if I can say why but, it was.. 

7:30 am..  Knocking on the door.. Is the babysitter early? Another solicitor? I put on my robe and a young

mans says "A man drove by and his tire came off and went through your fence." I look at him and I am like "what?" So, I go out in the back yard and find this. Call the police for a report...  Thank the Lord there was no in the way of the tire!!!

Then it was time.. Time to the doctor for follow up from you know that weight loss surgery I had three weeks ago.. He said "You are making great progress... 22 pounds since surgery is awesome..." We also discussed my problems with my adderall. Apparently, we need to adjust it because my body is not "processing" the XR component. So, I am not crazy.  I was diagnosed with ADHD a while back. You can read that blog here. My life is so much better with meds. I also can start working out for real in a few weeks!

Then lunch with my sister was a delight.  She is all grown up and studying Nuclear Medicine Technology.

And it's Wednesday. Therapy day. I enjoy therapy time.. Several things are going on with our family.. Please pray for us that timing of things will work out...  As for now- I will be thankful for the 22 lbs gone! 

Today is the last day of July... Tomorrow means game on for me... Summer break is almost over... 

Therapy..

Therapy.. It's been a God send.. It's really help me face some issues. Issues I didn't even realize.. 

A friend of mine confided in me that her daughter was diagnosed with ADD. I was shocked. I thought there was no way. So, I did some research. Research, along with my husband and my therapist we come to realize that I also probably have some ADD tendencies. I went to get tested recently. I am not just ADD but, ADHD.. Wow, me? "Is losing your cell phone, wallet or keys part of your daily routine? People with ADHD frequently misplace common items. (that was in an article I read recently"  Relaxing is really hard for me too.. Completing tasks.. And I could go on and on..  While part of me was sad to learn this- the other part of me felt free. 

I am a daydreamer. I have been a for most of my life. Lots of simple things were really hard for me. Paperwork- for example-requires me to be very precise about my organization. So many folks- say I am organized- but, I work twice as hard to keep up the "look". All the time doctors tell me how good I am at keep things organized and the ideal parent! I play the part of organized mama well. School was very challenging for me- mainly because I couldn't focus. It was College Algebra (3rd or 4th time) that I dreamed up my plan for the Life Made Simple business. Report cards were so depressing- I tried so hard and yet couldn't finish the task. The history of my ADHD goes back to 2nd grade. Probably earlier in life with all the day dreaming I did. 

My poor parents- I just told my mom recently. She was bummed that she didn't realize it for me as a kid. She says maybe I could have made life easier for you.  I shared this article with mom and told her this quote: “Often, if girls are smart or in supportive homes, symptoms are masked,” Solden says. “Because they’re not hyperactive or causing trouble for other people, they’re usually not diagnosed until they hit a wall, often at college, marriage, or pregnancy. A lot of things that are simple and routine to other people—like buying groceries, making dinner, keeping track of possessions, and responding to emails—do not become automatic to these women, which can be embarrassing and exhausting.”

I finally decided I would be successful in spite of my ability to focus in class. I didn't succeed in school. But, I love people. I love kids.. I love life.. I feel God has his hand in so many parts of my life.. However, lots of things were beginning to become very overwhelming.. 

My ADHD went into overdrive with the stress of motherhood. They say motherhood is stressful- special needs kids is a whole another world of stress. Appointments, organization of the girls  medication, school work, IEP meetings, recent hospitalizations,  therapy appointments, day to day tasks on top of my work- I then took on a new job as director of an afterschool program. That happen 3 weeks before I got married... The paperwork and detail became more important. I hit a wall- not a depression wall but, I needed help because on the inside I was becoming a failure at simple tasks while smiling and pretending success on the outside. Erica talks about it on her blog. I finally got help with time, therapy and medication --my life in my brain is getting better - I feel more organize, able to complete tasks, attention to detail and defiantly not as many private freak out moments.  I still wake up some days and freak out and hyper focus but, I recognize it-

So, you will read about ADHD diagnosis - I fall into some categories. Some don't describe me. I am not a person who struggles with depression- I am happy, outgoing and confident.. No longer do I worry about failing my family and not being able to hold everything together.

And yes, everyday- I get in the car and I make sure I have my sunshades, purse, keys and cell phone. 

By the way this diagnosis is probably key in me being successful with weighloss. :)  thanks for reading. Mama Rho