Stay off the scale!

I am officially done with week 2!  Starting into week 3 and working the Herbalife 24Fit DVD's I can honestly say I feel really good.  I am beginning to see the definition in my abs again and my body just feels better.

So after 2 full weeks, I am down 3.6 pounds overall, 2.3% in body fat, 7.5 inches and up .2 pounds of muscle.  My clothes are feeling better and we are getting into somewhat of a routine.

So the challenge I gave myself, each of my customers and challengers this week. STAY OFF THE SCALE!  Do not let the scale dictate your day, your mood, your self worth or define you.  You are not the number on the scale.  You are you!  You are a strong person who is on track to a healthier lifestyle.  Sometimes that journey is day by day and sometimes it is step by step, but you are making changes. 

Even with some challenges last week, we are still on track. I didn't get to the treadmill as often as I wanted.  My plan was to make some changes in this weeks routine, but that too has been sidelined.  Jim is facing his challenges this week as he reached for something and pulled a main muscle in his back.

One thing I have definitely learned over the last 10 years is there will always be bumps in the road, there will be things that pull you off course and then there will be road blocks.  It is our choice in how we deal with each of these obstacles.  We either give up or we fight for ourselves.  It isn't always easy, but you have to get up, brush yourself off and remember your ultimate goal to better yourself.  If you don't think you can do it on your own than ask a friend to help you push yourself through.  WE ARE WORTH IT!

I am looking forward to the weeks ahead!

You got this!!
 

One Week in

Officially I am one week into my Body Transformation and I am feeling pretty good.  The depression is gone, I feel good and outside of a bout with food poisoning I am in good shape.

I am down 1 pound and 6 inches after week one.  Since I didn't add these last week, I am adding them now.

Weight 131.6
Measurements 
UC 30.5
C 31
W 26.5
Ab 33.5
H 40
RT 22.75
LT 23
RA 9
LA 8.75
Now, I get a lot of flack for my weight and I am often told I should just be happy where I am at.  There are probably some of you who thought the same as you read my numbers. I have also been told that losing 25 pounds wasn't significant, that's what I lost 10 years ago and had maintained.  Well 25 pounds is the size of a toddler and it was pretty darn significant to me.

The fact of the matter is, I am not happy with me, I am not the best 'Me' I can be, things jiggle that shouldn't and I let my nutritional program slack off.  I want to be happy, feel great, be the best mom and wife I can be and mostly be proud of myself.  In 12 weeks, that is exactly where I plan to be. 

These last few months are the only time I have ever been so slack in my regimen, it is the only time I ever strayed so much for so long.  Don't be mistaken, I do not eat a perfect diet 24/7/365.  I do however eat a pretty clean, whole food diet about 90 - 95% of the time.  I do not miss anything and indulge when I want to.  I just refuse to put garbage in my body like fast food and processed box foods. 

SO, what is my goal?  Well, with my weight I do not have one.  Before getting hurt in September I was gaining muscle and that has since turned into fluff.  I want to drop my body weight percentage to 16%.  I want to have definition in my arms and legs, and possible even 6 pack abs.  I want to wear shorts without worry and to be proud of my after picture, in my bikini.

My over all goal is a different story.  What is that goal?  To inspire.  I want to inspire change, I want to help others reach for their goals.  I want to help them to not give up on themselves and push through those days when the "just don't want to".  I want to lead a healthy active lifestyle and show others that they can do the same.  I want to help others achieve their goals and aspire to be the best they can possibly be.  THAT is my true goal and I will do my best each and every day.

Here's to the journey!

Here is a link to my food journal.  If you cannot access, please just message me.  It's not perfect.  You will get the general idea though.  http://www.ichange.com/coach/JulieLuptak

New Year, New Me

It's been quite an eventful few months. September sent my path into a bit of a new direction.  I hurt a ligament on my right ankle chasing one of my nephews which completely derailed exercise for me.  One thing I have learned about ligaments, it is very easy to injure them again.  We were also in the process of purchasing a condo and that deal crumbled the day before closing.  Believe me it was a very hard thing to walk away from, I really had my heart set, but it was the right thing to do.  What I didn't expect was the journey it sent me on personally.   It's been a very difficult 3 months, I have been a frustrated with myself, a little depressed and relatively unhappy with me.  Which of course spills over into other areas. 

I have come to realize over the last few weeks that the reason I stay so regimented in my program and weight maintenance is control.  Yes, that is what it really boils down to, control.  Herbalife helps me in that tremendously,  but ultimately it is the choices I make as to what I want to put in my body.  Through struggles with lay offs, parents, kids, finances, relationships, and so much more I could always control my weight.  Now with that being said, the stress of carrying for my mother-in-law day in and day out did take a toll on my weight and while I could control what I ate and how much, my weight dropped severely just  due to the stress.  That was extremely hard on us, but caring for her had to be our priority and it has been.  I was eating plenty, but with the hours we were keeping and late nights at the nursing home, it was a lot for my body.  It is the only time I have not been able to keep weight on while trying too, but the circumstances were also extreme.  Once my husband quit working to take care of his mother more and help me with our business, my weight came right back on.  It's so funny how the body works. 

Now back to control, I am a people pleaser, I don't like to be in confrontation, I just want everyone to be happy, and never want to be the cause of upset for anyone.  It makes me physically ill, my heart races and I want to run or hide.  Now being a people pleaser and business leader, do not go hand in hand so I have had to learn how to lead.  I may not have always done the best, but I have always done my best.  My weight on the other hand, I control.  I control what I eat, how much I eat, when I eat, where I eat, if I eat, I control it all.  To top it off, I am stubborn in what I eat.  I do not eat fast food, even when we travel, I do not each junk food, and I do not eat sugary foods.  Control.

Once I was not able to exercise anymore, I began to miss it.  Yes me.  The person who really doesn't care for exercise was actually missing it.  On top of that, I could not wear my favorite shoes, I am a high heeled girl through and through, and with that it also eliminated much of my wardrobe because everything is tailored to my heels.  By November, i wasn't really caring a lot about me, I was frustrated in many aspects of my life and admittedly depressed. There were so many things I couldn't control, that I didn't want to even try anymore.

In December a multi-state body transformation was announced, registration was beginning in January.  So I put it in my mind that I was going to continue just to stay out of routine and set my sights on January and that is exactly what I have done.  Better yet, my husband, Jim, decided he would be joining me on this journey.

Next week Jim and I begin our body transformation challenges, together.  I have planned out 12 weeks of our routine, our meals, our snacks, our fruits and veggies, our and exercise.  It has me focused again and excited about the changes that are coming our way.  I have gained a few pounds while sitting in my duff.  Oh and that newly gained muscle from August?  Well let's just say it can no longer be seen and has found some fluffy friends.  Friday I will scan, weigh, measure and take pictures.  Sunday I will start on our new plan and Monday we add exercise back in.  I cannot explain to you how excited I am to begin this new phase, I am ready for it all to come together.

I will be sharing my journey throughout the next 12 weeks and so will my friend Stevie.  I will link to her blog whenever I figure out how.  

*ETA - Clearly I began this blog a couple weeks ago.  So far so good.