…This Last Couple of Weeks… October 29, 2009

…have been a real doozie (is that a word??? LoL) for me! I’ve worked, worked, and worked even more…which has caused me to digress a little bit in terms of my eating. The preparation is the hardest thing for me with such a busy schedule. I must say though that I am eating almost 4 times a day, combination of meals and snacks, but not eating nearly as much as I should be. That is what I am going to work on for next week definitely. Writing this blog has made me realize what I need to do to get back on and stay on track. I have been fighting this long so far this year!!!! I certainly can push a little further!!!!

-Mary J.

(Sorry about such the short blog…internet is acting up, so had to blog from my iPhone )

…Costs vs. Benefits… October 9, 2009

So I had the most informative and “ah-ha” moment with our nutritionist Julie this week, and so I decided to kinda of talk a little about costs and benefits when it comes to exercising and eating right.  So we all know the benefits of why we want to exercise regularly and make better food choices. Some of those benefits may be:

Losing weight can improve your health in many ways. Just losing 10% of your current weight can make a difference in the way you feel on a daily basis. Here are some other ways losing weight will benefit your health:

1. To be a healthier person overall
2. Having more energy
3. Having lower cholesterol and blood pressure
4. To look better to ourselves and others
5. Having less difficulty breathing and moving around
6. To prevent severe health issues such as heart attacks, diabetes, obesity, etc..

…and there are different benefits for us all, but these are some of mine. But what happens when you think about the costs of working out and eating healthier. We don’t think about it, but it is these costs that allow us to make the “not so great” choices that we make, or allow us to “fall off the wagon” as some would say. I listed a whole lot of costs as to why I had to decided not to exercise or eat right. Some of my costs were:

1. Healthier food is more expensive
2. Finding the time to exercise, and taking that time away from something I actually “like” doing
3. Getting sweaty (I absolutely hate it!!! I hate feeling yuckie!!!)
4. Having to wash clothes more often (sweaty clothes from exercising)
5. Having to plan meals for the week…so much preparation involved!!
6. I didn’t want to give up the foods I love…its much easier for me to eat those foods than to feel deprived!!! LoL….

…and while talking to Julie, I realized that throughout most of my life, I have been putting my health aside, and putting silly wants before it. At the end of the day for me, sure the benefits are worth the hard work, but the costs of what I may be “losing” or “giving up” are even more LESS important. So that what my “DING!! DING!! DING!!” moment…Thanks Julie!!!! Until next blog…

-Mary Rashelle

…It’s Almost Over…. September 30, 2009

….but the journey will not end in December. I have learned a lot about myself over the last year, a lot about my strengths, weaknesses, and my own motivatons. I would definitely like to thank everyone who has had a hand in my successes, physical, mental, and transitional. The most important thing that I have learned in the Get Fit Challenge thus far is that I am not alone, and I don’t have to walk this journey by myself. I have always been the person who wanted to do everything by herself, or not let anyone know what it is that I was doing, because if I failed, the only person who would know is me. I am so thankful that I have grown this year to learn that there truly are people in this world you can count on, and there is always someone who feels the same way you do. There’s no problem with being open about your goals, triumphs, and failures. In the end, you will always inspire someone, and at the end of the day, that is more important than someone’s negative opinion about you. I will continue to do my best, and if I slip up, that’s okay too. As India.Arie says, “…life is a journey, not a destination…there are no mistakes, just chances we’ve taken” and what I have done this year is take the biggest chance on myself, and I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time! Until next blog…

-Mary Rashelle

…This May Sound Kind of Superficial… September 13, 2009

…but I felt the need to blog about looks, how we see ourselves, and my NEW motivator in this challenge. Through this journey, I have always said that being healthy and feeling great was my main motivator for losing weight, but in the last week, that motivator has shifted…slightly. Being overweight, when you look in the mirror, a lot of times, we may not like what we SEE…thus that will affect how we FEEL. And because of that, I think wanting to be physically attractive and appealing to others is a real, justifiable motivator. I was talking to one of my friends at work who exercises constantly, and has been doing so for so long, and we were talking about workouts, feeling healthy, and why exercise is important. She said, “I have to be honest, I just want to look good.” This was the first time that I have ever heard her mention a different reason, outside of the norm of wanting to be healthy, as a motivator for her working out. FINALLY SOME HONESTY…LoL. I really don’t think that looking good to others is the first motivation we will ever admit to for working out, but it usually is the main motivation behind our weight loss, especially in my circumstances.  Most of us claim that we want to lose weight, first and foremost, because we want our bodies to be as strong as they can, and we want to live a long healthy life, and if we end up looking better, we wouldn’t mind that as well.  But, I think in reality, when we are at a point where we can be honest with ourselves and the people around us, looking good and feeling beautiful is the main motivation and getting healthy probably comes in at a close second place.

There are a few things that I have done over the last week that made me realize I had a new motivation. First, I have been looking at so many old pictures of myself..saying, “Wow, I look so different”.  I also have been paying very close attention to what other people say about me, as far as complimenting and recognizing that I  have lost some weight. People noticing the small changes in me makes me feel really good. I definitely have been focusing on upcoming events, such as my birthday party in a couple of months. Its very important that I look fabulous…and a whole lot better than the last birthday.

So, I hope I have said some things in this blog that other people have thought…because I really don’t think I’m too alone in my opinions and thoughts here…LoL…Until next blog…

–Mary Rashelle

…Time To Get Into Gear x2… August 26, 2009

Current Goal: Plan meals…

Current Struggle: Daily exercise…

Current Weight: I don’t think so!!!…

Current Mood: Optimistic…

So I must say that this month is not going so well for me, however, September will be the month to remember!!! I have had a sudden change in schedule at work, and it has completely thrown me off. What have I learned??? I need to learn how prepare for sudden change. So I know next month will be better. I also had an awesome meeting with Julie, my nutritionist, and she gave me a lot of ideas about meal prep, and gave me an awesome website to use for recipes. I told her I really don’t like cooking, and the perfect meal for me is one that doesn’t require a lot of work–I know, right? LoL. She helped me find a lot of good plans for meals that take 20 minutes or less, that still are healthy, yet fulfilling. So even though August wasn’t all that great of a month for me, I will kick butt in September…TIMES 2!!!!

-Mary Rashelle

To Market…To Market… August 14, 2009

Current Goal: To eat 5 times a day…

Current Struggle: Daily exercise…

Current Weight: Choosing not to weigh myself…

Current Mood: ? Not sure…LoL…

So a couple of weeks ago was our mid point event at the bowling alley….AND IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!! It was awesome seeing everyone bowl and have such a great time. What was even nicer was being able to see the challengers with their families. Everyone was so excited and there was just so much support around. The kids there had so much fun, you could really tell. Whoever came up with the idea for having some fun at the bowling alley is a genius….KUDOS TO YOU!!!! I definitely enjoyed myself and hope we can do it again.

Last Saturday was my first yoga class, and let me tell you for those who don’t know, YOGA IS NO JOKE!!! I was sweating, and couldn’t get my breathing together, and was feeling dizzy! Our instructor worked it out on us!!!! Wow, I had no idea so much went into yoga. Even though it is very relaxing and calming, you have to be physically strong and flexible to keep your composure….yes…I learned that the hard way…LoL.

After the class, a few of us joined each other at a local Subway in the area, by Lenox Mall. It was nice to get together with them and talk about any and everything. I’m hoping we can do that more often. We are even trying to plan a day at Piedmont Park together…if we can match up everyone’s schedules and if weather permits. I am sill pushing for KICKBALL!!!

I also experienced something new last Saturday. Kimmie took me to the Dekalb County Farmer’s Market, and let me first say that I am SO GLAD that she told me to bring my jacket because its FREEZING in that place. However, that was my first time ever going to a farmer’s market…weird huh? There is so much there that it can kind of be overwhelming. I mean, there are 50 million types of seasonings…100 million kinds of apples…that a girl almost didn’t know what to do with herself…LoL. I must say, its a lot different than shopping at a regular grocery store. The food, meats, everything was just so much fresher…AND CHEAPER!!! I’ve decided to go again this weekend…I’m afraid I may be hooked…Thanks so much for opening up that experience for me Kimmie…I may never go to another grocery store again….’smiles’…Until next blog….

Mary Rashelle :0)

…SO I MADE IT…HALF WAY THERE…. July 28, 2009

Current Goal: Running in the morning

Current Struggle: Writing down all of my meals…

Current Weight:  Choosing not to weigh

Current Mood: Drawing a BLANK…LoL…

……so I made it to the mid point and progress is coming a lot slower than I expected, nonetheless its still progress. Last week, we had our group meeting with the nutritionists and it was the best meeting thus far. We did an exercise that was so relaxing but gave us the opportunity to imagine and see ourselves in a new light. We saw ourselves, I think 10 years from now, in our “new skin”, meaning healthier, happier people. It was the most refreshing exercise that we have done yet, and I have even started doing it on my own at home, while listening to a relaxing music–like a thunderstorm–you really should try it.

This weekend, we also had out PT test. I think I did okay, but didn’t reach the goal of reducing my mile time by at least 1 minute. Its okay though, I did improve. The only thing was that I started to get sick after my run. I felt really dizzy and nauseous during the rest of my PT test. Before the work out, I did not eat anything and I only had an 8 oz drink of Gatorade. The last time I ate before I worked out I got sick. So I figured this time, I wouldn’t eat. So after I ran…I just knew I was going to pass out or throw up or something!!!! But I didn’t and I don’t know how I managed to make it through the rest of the test. Kimmie told me I should have eaten about an hour before the workout…and I wish I did. I think I was also sick because of the heat. When I do workout, its early in the morning, the sun is down, and the air is cooler. But let me tell you, 11:00 on a Saturday morning is nooooo joke, and my body was not prepared. So I know that added to how I was feeling. I know better next time!!! This weekend is our Mid-Point event, and I am so excited, and can’t wait to see everyone and their families. We’re gonna have a blast….!!!! Until next blog…

—Mary Rashelle

…and WE’RE ALMOST THERE… July 14, 2009

Current Goal: Making it to the Mid-Point…LoL

Current Struggle: Writing down all of my meals…

Current Weight:  220 pounds

Current Mood: A little anxious

So this month started out on a fabulous start! I completed my second Peachtree Road Race on Saturday, July 4^th.  I completed it….6.2 miles in the heat, but it was well worth crossing the finish line and getting my T-shirt. Another great thing is that my T-shirt size has gone down, and it was so awesome getting a shirt size smaller than that of last year…so I am on cloud nine right now!!! I also have to talk about the great workout that we had this past Saturday. First, let me say that our trainer Reggie had the greatest energy and such a positive attitude to begin with. We did several different workouts on this huge ball, forgive me because I don’t know the proper name of the ball, but it was so fun. Something Reggie pointed out was that the workouts are still cardio, but easier on your joints, which is great for me because I have been putting pressure on my ankles and knees. We were doing sit ups, push ups, jumping jacks, and so much more. I have to be honest and say this has been the best workout yet!!!!! I look forward to trying to go to the classes offered at the Forum, but the classes I am interested in are offered while I am at work. But on a happier note, can you believe that we have reached half way through the challenge. And everyone looks so great!!!! You can really see changes in everyone physically, but they’re also changes in their spirit and confidence, including mines. I look forward definitely to everyone reaching their fitness goals….congratulations Subway Challengers on our continued success because there is NOTHING we cannot do!!! Until next blog…

Mary Rashelle

….On Your Mark…Set…GOOOOOOOO!!!! June 27, 2009

So this Saturday is the 40th Annual Peachtree Road Race and I am so excited!!! I will be participating as one of 55,000 runners this year!!!! I got my number a couple of weeks ago….Time Group 9…#91166!!!! Can’t wait to get started. I have been running about 6 days a week for preparation, so I am feeling really confident. The important thing will be pace, and that I finish. I will have my iPod in my ears, my cute running outfit on, and a smile on my face. Things have been great lately, the hardest part has been keeping my physical activity up the the level of what we used to do in boot camp. Its harder to maintain that kind of energy when you are working out alone. So I have incorporated some friends in my workout regime, and we go to Piedmont Park around 7AM and run, do lunges, squats, skips, etc….and its really not that bad, now that my body is used to it. This past month has been awesome, and the focus for next month for me will be keeping up the exercise, but also incorporating new foods and recipes into my daily routine. Another goal of mine is getting in to bed a lot earlier. I go to bed around midnight now, so I figure an extra hour or so of rest will do my body right. Time to eat now, I try not to eat past 8PM…I’ll write after the race this weekend. Can’t wait to have my picture taken in my road race shirt. And this year…I’ll be getting a smaller size!!!! Who would’ve thought???? Have a great holiday weekend and be safe!!!! Until next blog…

-Mary J.

…I Graduated from Operation Boot Camp…. June 8, 2009

….and I accomplished all of my goals!!! I started on May 11 and graduation was on June 5. I set 3 goals for myself. They were to make it to every workout on time, 5:45AM sharp, and schedule activities (including work) around boot camp, to complete my mile run 1 minute less than I did on day 1, and also learn how to control my breathing during cardio work outs. I am happy to say I completed all of the above…plus some!!!!! So here are my stats from Day 1 of boot camp:

• Facilitated Push Ups:  20
• Sit-Ups:  19
• Dips:  8
• Run Time for Mile:  15 minutes 30 seconds

After 30 days of hard work, I am proud to say that I increased my strength and my abilities. Below are my stats on the last day:

• Facilitated Push Ups:  32
• Sit-Ups:  26
• Dips:  30
• Run Time for Mile:  13 minutes 15 seconds

I can honestly say that I am sooooo very happy right now, but I could not have done it without the support of all of my co-challengers and boot camp instructors. I even had perfect attendance…and I received 20 free kick boxing classes at Atlanta Kick…and I know that is going to be soooooo fun, that I can’t wait. Graduation was awesome…shout outs to my inspiration Gary who showed up to support me on last Friday. And to all my challengers who are reading this…please believe in yourself because I am living proof that you honestly can do anything you set your mind to…this challenge is 90% attitude and 10% hard work…and if I can do this, anyone can. Look at me!!!!! 4 weeks ago I needed a little push and encouragement…and today I am down 4 pants sizes!!!! Good luck to everyone…hopefully you can join me for another boot camp after the Peachtree Road Race this summer!!!!  Until next blog….

∞ Mary J ∞