I Am Back!

It has been a while. I apologize for my absence.

My intentions were to roll back my focus on the blog but instead devote my time to my new business. Plans did not turn out that way. My business had to wait. Family suddenly had to take focus and things are not quieting down but simply intensifying.

However, that did make me more determined to get back into weight-loss and focus on my health. I technically started my focus mid-December but then even more stuff happened so I thought, once things quieted down I would get going. It did not. Obviously. When does it ever?

But no more excuses. I have now made my schedule so I recommend you start following my Instagram and Facebook accounts as they will start being more active. If you are following my Instagram you know I have posted regularly for a while now and it will be even more going forward. Great things to come. I am so excited to get going again.

I decided to do a 3×30 Day Challenge within the next 2 months. It is really keeping me engaged, dedicated and it gives a full body work out. The App is called 30 Day Fit Challenge. It is free to download from your app store, however there can be in-app purchases if you want more advanced training programs. I have not needed them… yet.

I changed my diet slightly. I took out snacking and daily desserts, so I should only have 1 dessert per week and no snacking unless I get home late. Although, with my VERY emotional week last week and my birthday, I did eat more than I probably should have. I am not going to be too hard on myself. I know my mistakes and I did allow myself a bit more since it was my birthday.

I will keep you posted on my progress. For now I am at 245lb (111kg), so I am essentially starting over but hey, at least I am not giving up.

Stay tuned as more great things are to come.

XOXO

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Training – Motivation at the Gym

I have always been of the mindset that, if I am going to the gym, I might as well make the most of it as the hard part is getting out the door. That is still the case for me but not in the sense you might think.

The past week I have gone 11 days out of 14. This does not mean that I give it my all every single time. It is about being smart when going to the gym. I do the full workout 3-4 times a week and the rest I do a simple walk or elliptical for 30-45 minutes. Those minutes are to help my joints not get completely stiff after a tough workout and it really helps. There is nothing worse than the day after a tough day at the gym and it hurts when you are trying to sit down. The walk the next morning, is the solution but never forget to stretch after a workout.

I was doing a bit of research online to find out how I could make the most of my workouts and most research agreed with what I am already doing. Whew! What a relief, cause I like my routine.

If you are looking to learn how to run longer or faster, most suggest 3 days of actual running and 3 days of some other exercise with 1 day of rest. Military.com, Runnersworld.com and Active.com vary slightly so all in all it depends on your motivational level. Military.com is what you would suspect. Hardcore with no resting days until you get to a pretty high level but they are starting you off slow to avoid injuries. Runnersworld.com has you set at 5 days of training and 2 resting days while Active.com has you average out at also 5 times per week but you can get away with 4 times per week but they do not specify if you need rest in between.

I know these are simple articles and perhaps not as trusted as medical advice or university research but when I do a simple google search for university level research, the results are not too dissimilar. John MacKenzie at Delaware University, also, suggests 5-6 days of training with 1-2 days of rest in alternating weeks. Although, his take, is slightly different from the articles I first found. He has you running all of the days but in different speeds, styles and levels. The Mayo clinic is similar to John MacKenzie’s style with 5-6 days of training but they are adding in more walking in between. This has been my primary style, when I have been training for a run.

I had never really done proper research on how I should be running or training for a run but it looks like, I was not too far off. Although, I am not training for a run (although I have one coming up next week), I am using the same principles for my workouts. And why will come in my next article about training, which will be about the balance between cardio and weight training.

I would not suggest that you start off with a 5-6 day training routine per week as for any starter that will be too much and you will lose your motivation. If you are a newly starter or you have a hectic schedule, go for a more manageable training schedule of 3 days per week but if you have a sedentary job, think about taking a couple of smaller walks during the day. Personally, I try to get to roughly 10,000 steps per day as that will add roughly 500 calorie burn per day. That is 1 pound per week, in weight loss or more of the delicious food that you like to eat. Mind you, this is for me and my current size, the smaller you get (are) the farther you need to walk to burn the same amount of calories.

I am no doctor or training expert but I have done my fair share of research and I have tested it all out on my own body. With minimal injuries, I would say, my recommendations are not too off. However, it is always important to listen to your body and seek medical advice if you are unsure or over the age of 40.

Let me know if you want to work out with me. I couple of you have already signed up to be a support 😀 Love it!

XOXO

 

 

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Week 28: Status Report

I can’t believe it has been 28 weeks already. Where did the time go?

Well, I guess, I have to catch you up on what has happened this past month. As you can tell from the picture, I am now down to 220.6lb (99.9kg) and I have officially lost my first 20lb (9kg) (actually 22lb (10kg) but I skipped the 20 so… I still want to celebrate). I can now say that I am under a 100 kilos. It is a number, I always told myself I would NEVER get above. Yet here, I was… Waaaaay over 100 kilos. My next goal is to get to 195lb (88 kilos). That was what I weighed 7 years ago. Shortly after I had meet Mike, I had to go to the doctor and she did a full check up and my number was 195lb. She was kind enough (read a little sarcasm in between the lines) to tell me that I was over weight and should consider loosing some. Well, thank you doctor and I then gained 50+ lb (23kg) after that… yikes!

So the new year will bring me to that goal. 195lb and I will be back in “Onederland” and Mike will get back the body he first knew, or at least somewhat. A 50lb weight gain WILL make changes to your body that you can’t undo unfortunately. And they are not flattering changes. I have these fat pockets by my hipbones, you know the ones that normally protrudes on skinny girls and that gets highlighted as something sexy because it signals that they are skinny and therefore beautiful?? Yeah, mine… not protruding but hiding from the world under an inch of fat. Hopefully, I can dig them out a bit.

Last time, I wrote, I had signed up for an 8K in January. Unfortunately, my legs did not want to come with me, or at least my one shin. Every time I would start running it would burn, burn like something in my muscle was tearing apart so I decided I needed to stop running and let my body heal. I have still been going to the gym but staying away from any high impact workouts. I have had running tests done a few times and I know that I tend towards overpronation when running, which means when running I need a shoe that supports my arch. My current shoe is neutral, meaning you do not lean more to one side or the other on your foot when running, which means it has not given me the support that I need. I knew this when I started running but the shoes that really helps me are so darn expensive. Well lesson learned. Don’t be cheap if you run. You need the right shoe. Needless to say. I will not be making my 8K in January but I will train for a run in March instead with my new shoes having just arrived and it will give me enough time to start out slow. Will keep you posted on the progress.

And now for my December plans. Can you believe it is already December? Well, we all know that after Thanksgiving all bets are off when it comes to your diet so my goal for this season is simple. Don’t gain weight.

If I can stand on the scale on January 2nd and it still says 220lb. I will be a happy woman (I almost wrote girl, but who am I kidding… can’t pass for one of those anymore). Any motivation you can send my way to get my butt out the door and to the gym is very welcome as I will need it for these cold, dark December days. I believe my friend offered to text me in the morning. If you are still up for that. I need to get out of bed at 5am in the morning. I will happily text you as well as we need to get out in the mornings.

Next week my sister is coming and that will be a test in itself. That I go even though she will be here and I would just want to sleep as I would probably be tired but please kick me out of that bed as I really need to get up and get out.

Well, that was it for now.

 

Xoxo

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Week 24: Grateful and now go VOTE!

It has been too long. No excuses really. Just been busy, sick and tired at around 7pm.

I am excited though. I had my first morning of running training (pretty sure this is incorrect but have no idea of how else to phrase this properly, feel free to come with suggestions). I have not been running in a really long time.

Two years I ran. 10K and I hurt my knees. I am not the lightest of people so running is tough on the knees. I, therefore,  took a break but the break became a bit longer than anticipated. So I am excited to say that I signed myself up for a 5Miler (8K) on January 8th. So I have 9 weeks to get back in running shape. I know it is a bit ambitious but I can always walk the last bit should I need to.

I must admit this was inspired by my friend Chelsea who just ran the New York City Marathon. She kicks ass. She, like me, has already been through her weightloss journey and has learned to skill the “maintaining journey”. I don’t say that I can or will ever run a marathon but I would like to get back to my 10K shape and then see where my weight is. Running a marathon with my current weight is not the best of ideas.

Since last time I wrote I have been in Denmark and have since come home. The image above (the scale) is from when I returned. Sorta proud that I only put on 3 pounds while I was away and I must say that I would not have been able to keep on track had it not been for my sisters support. It made me realize that no matter where I am in the world or in life I have great support around me. Which is everything. This weight thing I certainly can’t do on my own.

That being said. It is me that has to get up at 5AM in the morning to go work out and me that has to say no to fun with friends so I don’t get tempted by alcohol or sugars. I am so proud of my husband that he sticks by me even when it sucks and I mess up.

As you can tell, I have a week where I am simply grateful for the people around me and I hope friends and family read this and know how much I appreciate their support, love and words.

I am not an expert in loosing weight (clearly) and I am not sure where this blog will take me but I know that it is a great motivator. My husband is my constant blog reminder. Had it not been for him I probably would not have posted since June. I know this was not my intention with the blog but I have now dedicated a specific time during the week for the blog. It should help me get more organized and post more regularly.

Also, now I have my running training to keep you updated on. Very exciting stuff. Should be said it felt great being on a running schedule, again. Lets see how it feels when I have to get up tomorrow at 5:30AM to get my walking done before my day starts.

And people tomorrow is the big day so go vote. I don’t think I have ever been this nervous for an election. Sucks that I can’t vote this time around. All I can do is urge all of my American friends and family to vote and make their voices heard.

I know that I should not throw with stones when I live in a glass house myself (just look at the current racist Danish government) but America has a bit more power than small Denmark so this more than anything counts. Think twice before putting that dot and please elect someone you think is worthy for the right reasons. Check the facts. Read the candidates proposals for the country and fact check again. There is one day left so don’t vote with your heart but vote with that beautiful brain of yours that I know you all have.

Well that was my election rant. See you all next week!

Xoxo

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Week 8: Support Is Essential

Week 8: If you think you can do it alone… Think again! I have tried so many times loosing the weight on my own and I would be so excited when people would notice the difference but once I got the compliment I would fall back into my old habits.

This time it is all about making my surroundings aware of my plan so they have a chance to support me and be my cheerleader when I need it the most. I am a person who does not have a lot of friends but the ones that I do have, I cherish and I don’t know where I would be today without them.

I love my family and I love my husband but there is nothing like having a friend – a true friend, who will be there for you even when you are being ridiculous, silly or in need of a good verbal spanking.

Claudia, Me, Shelley - Missouri 2016

One of my best friends here in the States moved from Florida to Missouri. She is the quintessential woman of strength. With other words, Shelley is AMAZING! Another best friend of mine, Claudia, fabulous and ‘I am not sure where I would be in life, if it was not for her’ kinda friend, and I decided to trek out to Missouri for a visit.

One of our better ideas, if I may say so myself. It has been a bit of a stressful time, with work, moving, starting the blog and I could go on. Not until I sat on the front porch of my friends, from now Missouri, with a glass of wine in my hand did I realize how badly, I needed a small vacation where I could shut off from the hustle and bustle from daily life and just kick back and enjoy.

Winery in Missouri IMG_41801 IMG_41891

I was on vacation and I was going to enjoy so I decided to have 1 day of just eating and drinking until I could not stand and another day where I would control my portions a bit more but still enjoy the yummy barbecue they have around these parts. It was close to Kansas City and summer time. Perfect for barbecuing. To not completely destroy my last few weeks hard work I also wanted to get a workout in (ideally two but that would have been pushing it).

Margarita for no money...

It is in those times that you realize how amazing your friends are. They went on a workout with me. How amazing is that. In the hot sun of noon they went to the local college football stadium and worked out with me. It was a tough one. The day before we had been merrily drinking and eating the entire day away and I must admit I was a bit hungover Saturday morning, yet they were dressed and ready to go.

IMG_62861 20160716_125155 20160716_124608 20160716_123629

THIS is the type of support and motivation you need at times. People, who are willing to do the hard work with you even when they really do not want to but they love you enough to do it and support you. To Shelley and Claudia, I know you are reading this blog post… I love you and appreciate you! Thank you for the talks, the support and your thoughts.

So my advise to anyone trying to loose weight. Lean on your friends and loved ones when it is tough and good choices are hard to make. And as you can see, just because you are traveling, there are no excuses not to work out!

xoxo

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