Great Beginner Workouts

I used to be the kind of person who hated anything remotely related to exercise...working out, walking, lifting weights, you name it I didn't want anything to do with it.  I didn't like the idea of getting hot and sweaty and always told myself that I was just too busy and couldn't make the extra time to exercise.  But as time went by my body got worse and worse and finally it began to HURT to sit all of the time and do nothing.  SO I CHANGED MY ATTITUDE.  I joined a local running group (of course I started out by walking and gradually worked up to interval running) and also joined CrossFit to try to tone things up (I am on a weight loss journey and so getting things in shape as I lose weight is really important).  What I learned about myself is that I don't hate exercising, I was using that as an excuse to be lazy.  I actually really enjoy the way I feel after running or working out, I love the feeling of my body being awake and my adrenaline flowing....but more than anything I love the feeling of accomplishment.  So much so that I completed my first 5K in March and have ran two more since then!  It wasn't easy to begin, in fact it hurt like crazy the first few times I went out with my running group because my body had never moved like that before.  But it did get easier and easier as time went by.

If you're in the same position and are looking for a good place to start moving your body and working out,  I've got some great beginner workout ideas I'd like to share with you that have really helped me.

1. 4 Week Walking Plan for Beginners:  My Fitness Pal and Leslie Sansone have paired up to bring you an amazing 30 day walking plan that takes you through not only walking but also working your abs, arms, core and more!  I love Leslie's workouts, they are always so fun and honestly go by so quickly that you can't believe you just walked miles during an in home workout!
2. Total Body Workout for Beginners:  This is such a great way to work your entire body yet is a great jumping off point if you're just starting out.
3. Beginner's Flat Abs Workout:  Ab and core work are SO important when working out!  Your core is your body's powerhouse...it facilitates movement, houses your internal organs and helps with balance, posture and back health.  Keep this area strong!
4. CIZE - The End Of Exercise:  This workout is crazy awesome!  I've never had a workout be so much fun and I'm not even a dancer lol!  But this baby works out your entire body in a FUN way so you actually ENJOY working out!  I highly recommend this one for sure!

So there you have it, some of my favorite beginner workouts.  What are some of your favorites?  They can be beginner or advanced, I'd love to hear from you :)

Giving In...

My sweet daughter made these amazing cookies from this jar of cookie mix that she picked up at one of our local shops. It was too tempting not to have one and I spent the next 24 to 48 hours beating myself up for being so weak and caving in. You see, I've spent my entire life battling with my weight and being on every diet under the sun, one after one. So when I have something I know I'm not supposed to have it really makes me feel terrible, like a complete and utter failure. I know I need to work on that, but I also know that I need to give up the things that used to make me happy (food) if I want to make progress and make MYSELF happy. ☺

Psalm 139

It took many many years of self hate and self loathing and always putting myself down before I came to the realization that God doesn't make mistakes… He makes each of us individual pieces of perfection in His eyes. He loves us with His whole heart! We are all fearfully, beautifully and wonderfully made! ❤

Psalm 139:14 - I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.

Feeling Fancy

I am loving my new workout outfit! It is so hot and humid out there and it's definitely time to move out of my comfort zone of wearing T-shirts and workout pants and start wearing shorts and tank tops! This is huge for me because I never wear shorts and I never wear tank tops because I've always had big legs and big arms but now that I'm losing weight I'm starting to feel a little more confident in myself and in what I wear.  And workout clothes don't have to be expensive either...I got everything but the shoes at Walmart smile emoticon

We Are All Different

Recently I shared a before/after photo of myself in one of my Facebook groups and while most people were supportive and encouraging, it also brought some criticism from a few people who said there was no way that losing 45 pounds could look like such a huge difference and that I had to have lost more than that to get those results.  In response I shared the photo above to show that while all of these ladies weigh the same amount, each one is different and what might look one way on one will look totally different on another.  The lesson here is to be happy with how you look and feel and don't let a number define you!

Down 45 Pounds...

This girl is down 45 pounds and loving life!! ✨ Back in February when I started my weight loss journey I was depressed, sick, had horrible self esteem, absolutely NO confidence in myself or my abilities...I was a hot mess! But now thanks to the support and motivation of my challenge groups, my coach, family and friends I have learned that ✨I CAN DO WHATEVER I SET MY MIND TO✨ and my self confidence is now over the top! Want more info on what I'm doing that's helped me lose 45 pounds since February? Leave me a comment below or email me at kimlosesit@gmail.com, I'd love to talk with you!  ‪

On a Quest For the Perfect Bar

I've heard a lot about Quest Bars for quite awhile from people in my low carb groups and finally decided it was time to try them :)  So far I've had the lemon and I'm on the fence about these…I wasn't crazy about that particular flavor but I've heard good things about the cookies and cream so I'm keeping my hopes up!  So much so that I picked up the Smores and Strawberry Shortcake flavors as well ;) If you've tried these weigh in and let me know your opinion, I'd love to hear from you!

A Work In Progress

Every time I see pictures of myself from before I started my weight loss journey I am amazed at how sick I actually was. The picture on the left is me at 275lbs at the beginning of my journey, I had blood sugar readings in the 350-400 range, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a bad thyroid...I was incredibly sick! The photo on the right is me just 4 months later at 233 pounds. I'm off all medication, my diabetes is under control, I feel amazing and am living life! I'm so grateful for those around me that motivate and inspire me!! 

Leslie Sansone

I just didn't feel like going out today to walk so I tried this DVD for the first time and I must say, it really worked some areas on my body that I didn't even know existed! It was different from normal outdoor walking for sure, I actually felt like I got a better workout than being outside!  And because you are walking in place to the beat of the music and the music gradually gets faster and faster, before you know it you've walked a mile or two!  This one is a keeper, I really love it!  ‪

Be In Love With Your Life

Yesterday when we were out on our walk I had my daughter take a few photographs of me from behind because that is the one view that I don't really get to see during my weight-loss transformation. I usually don't that big of a difference when I look at myself in the mirror and can only REALLY see a difference when I put up a before and after photo of myself … when I saw this picture it really took my breath away! I can see a huge difference! I know I'm not there yet and have a ways to go but just seeing this really boosted my motivation and made me so happy because NOW I can see a difference! 

Holy Guacamole!

(image courtesy of http://nourish-and-flourish.net/)

I am in LOVE with Chipotles and am REALLY in love with their guacamole!  So I'm sure you can imagine that when I found the recipe for it on their website my mind was blown!!  Because you NEVER can have enough guacamole, it's such a great source of healthy fat.  Want the amazing recipe?  Here you go:

THIS IS ALL YOU’LL NEED:

• 2 ripe Hass avocados (In the restaurant, we use 48 per batch, multiple times per day)
• 2 tsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp cilantro (chopped)
• 1/4 cup red onion (finely chopped)
• 1/2 jalapeño, including seeds (finely chopped)
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt

HOW TO DO IT:

1. Choose the right avocado. It should feel squishy yet firm (like the palm of your hand), and be a 
nice dark green color on the inside.
2. Cut the avocado in half and the remove the pit (carefully!)
3. Scoop the avocados and place in a medium bowl.
4. Toss and coat with lime juice.
5. Add the salt and using a fork or potato masher, mash until a smooth consistency is achieved.
6. Fold in the remaining ingredients and mix well.
7. Taste the guacamole (over and over) and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Chance vs. Change

Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change! If you're not living a healthy lifestyle (spending time in prayer, eating healthy, getting plenty of exercise, also getting plenty of rest, being as stress free as possible) then make some changes to LOVE and HONOR yourself!! Take time out for yourself, treat yourself to some quiet time alone in a room curled up with a good book or out for the day with good friends enjoying a nice healthy lunch or a long walk.  Your body, heart and mind will thank you!!

(By the way, my third 5K is in the books and this one was a virtual Run for God which means I was able to choose my own course and do it at the time of day I wanted to so I chose to do it outside in the drizzle!)

Color Run 2015

My oldest daughter and I did our first Color Run this year and it was amazing!  We had so much fun AND got some great exercise in the process!  This was my second 5K of the year but my first color run so it held every but as much excitement as my first 5K in March!  I can't wait for the next one :)

My First 5K

If someone would have told me a year ago that I would be running a 5K I would have told them they were crazy.  ME, run a 5K?  Heck, me run at all?  Go figure, I did do it and it has changed my life!  I've never been one to exercise and honestly have hated it my whole life.  But with the changes I have made to my life recently, I'm finding that I really like exercise and how it makes me feel.  ACCOMPLISHED.