for the past year or so i have always been talking about wanting to get healthy, in shape, and shed some pounds. november 28th 2011 i wrote about how i was at the point where i didn't know what to do anymore so i was going to join Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers. about a week later or so a good friend of mine offered me a groupon that she had purchased but could not use. i was very nervous to try it out because it was far from my comfort zone and seemed a bit intimidating... but thank God i did!
CedarFIT has been life changing! i signed up december 12th 2011 and have now been there almost 4 full months. after these four months i can admit that i am addicted... ok so i was addicted after the first month :) this is not just about the workouts/bootcamps... its also about the help and resources that i was given with my eating habits. i have learned so much about food in general. reading the nutrition facts is easy but i was taught what the information actually means. what to look out for, what to stay away from. every month i am changing something about my diet because there is always room for change to get better results. i have learned what percentages of protein, carbs, and fat i need to stay healthy, loose weight, gain muscle and to be able do the workouts all over again the next day.
not only have i learned about types of exercises and nutrition but it has also really pushed me out of my comfort zone. i am doing exercises that i thought i'd never be able to do; i am joining classes that i never thought i'd like; i am challenging myself more then i ever have (inside and outside of CedarFIT's doors); i am seeing results that i have tried to envision; i have accomplished personal goals and set more; and i have formed multiple friendships with different people across the board. not only has CedarFIT help re-shape my body, but it also helped re-shape my life. my lifestyle has done an entire 180 and it has all in a positive way. i am stronger, more motivated, more confident and can manage stress better.
after four months of daily food journaling, water chugging, and consecutive sweat dripping bootcamps and spin classes, i am proud to say that i have lost 5.5% body fat and about 15 pounds of fat are gone! i never thought i'd have to buy an entire wardrobe but its definitely looking that way.
but trust me this road has not been just rainbows and butterflies. i have had many high and low points. i have a pretty limited diet but trust me when i say i can make a killer turkey sandwich :) there are times when i struggle with cravings and temptations, but thats where the 1 cheat meal a week comes in. cheating is bittersweet for me... it tastes awesome while eating it but then i feel icky and guilty afterwards. since i am such a thinker it's hard for me to pick what my cheat is going to be because i love food so much that i am always craving something! seriously, i think about food about 95% of the day- what am i going to eat next, what am i craving, what is my next snack, what is my next cheat, etc.
this whole journey has been a lot about planning. planning my meals/snacks and workouts daily is helpful for me so i avoid cheating and skipping meals. sometimes i want to go nuts and eat everything insight but after seeing the results, feeling the way i do about myself, and learning healthy ways, i know that i won't give up or go back to my old ways.
this is a lifestyle change... this is the beginning of my new life. this isn't just because i am getting married or because i want to look hot when we go on our honeymoon... this is because i needed and wanted to get healthy and feel more confident and i finally took action. i am the only one who can control what i do for myself and it was time to do something positive and lifelong.
time might not seem to be flying as fast for you as it is for me but at this rate i feel like the wedding will be here before we know it!
last week Michael and I attended yet another Bridal Showcase (making this our 4th and last!) but this time it was at our wedding venue! It was so nice to see Sandia Resort dressed up in wedding decor since we haven't seen much except empty spaces. We also got a silly picture taken with the view of our ceremony as the backdrop. after leaving the bridal show i could truly envision what everything is going to look like on our special day and i walked away one very happy and confident bride :)
we definitely have been kicking butt in the wedding planning thanks to a fabulous company that is doing all our decor including our flowers and centerpieces! this company is God sent! Distracted by Decor has lifted so much pressure and responsibility off our shoulders that we can key in on the more detailed aspects of the wedding such as bridal party attire, dress shopping, rehearsal dinner, stationary, bachelor/bachelorette parties etc.
Speaking of dress shopping! my lady encourage will be sharing this special experience with me. even better, my bestest best friend and bridesmaid, rachael, is flying from las vegas just for this occasion! this truly means the world to me that she can be here for this because not only does her opinion matter to me but she is just such a great person i want everyone to meet her before all the wedding festivities begin! we go to try on dresses this weekend (sunday march 25th!) Our first place is Brides by Demetrios. if i don't find "the one" there i have a second place already in mind just might not be the same weekend. i really do not want to get overwhelmed so i think one shop at a time is what will be right for me. i think i know what i am looking for in a dress but because of my weight loss i am hoping this wont get the best of me. since my body is constantly changing i really need to just let everything unfold as its supposed to and make sure i bring my self confidence to the appointment! i can't believe the time has finally come to hopefully say "yes to the dress!"
another super exciting part of the process that is done is we have picked and ordered our Tacori wedding bands! unfortunately i had to send in my engagement ring so they could custom craft the wedding band to match perfectly. i knew i was going to miss it but i really miss not having it on my finger. hopefully it will only take a few weeks and then it will be back where it should be... on my left hand!
in 2 weeks from tomorrow, michael and i will be on our way to las vegas! michael surprised me with tickets as an early birthday present to see my guilty pleasure Kelly Clarkson in concert, spend time with rachael again and to see the Wynns' show Le Reve. for those of you who know me, you know that i love to celebrate my birthday for the entire month of april! :)
