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Hello everybody! Welcome to Weigh-In Wednesday!

Please go check out my sweet co-hosts!

Ash @ A Step in the Right Direction

 Erin @ She's A Big Star

Rise and shine WIWers! Happy to be back for another week of fun. Despite another weekend back home, I managed to lose some weight and get back on track pretty quick! Definitely making better choices in tempting situations which I'm proud of.

Last week I heard Skinny Meg and Val from Fab Chick Gets Fit were teaming up to do a 90 day accountability challenge so I decided to join them! We started Day 1 on Monday and so far it has been a success! I love having little challenges and people to keep me honest in my goals - I'm glad there are so many women out there that want to build each other up. Our world is filled with so much negativity, judgement, and sadness - let's all just be nice and help each other out!

Before pictures for the challenge:

(After the weekend I think my SW was more like 208 - this was from Friday)

Weighing In

Height: 5'8"

SW: 236.2

Last week: 204.6

This week: 202.8

Change: -1.8

Total Loss: -33.4

I decided that the first WIW of the month I will start taking my measurements in addition to recording weight and progress photos. Maybe you can join me! It took me awhile to realize that the scale only tells a small portion of the story - especially now that I'm lifting consistently. I have definitely lost inches since reaching my highest weight and once I reach a healthy weight range for my height (~130-160) I will stop worrying about the number as much.

Measuring Up (inches):

Bust: 44

Waist:35.25

Hips/AKA Helga: 46

Bootay: 46.5

R Thigh/Calf: 28 // 16.5

L Thigh/Calf: 28 // 16

R Bicep: 13.5

L Bicep: 13.5

This morning I went to November Project and was so excited to see familiar faces - two my sorority sisters showed up! Despite that happy fact, today was a partner workout which usually means trouble for me. I'm slow. I also made the stupid mistake of doing legs yesterday so running stairs was the last thing my body wanted to do. And the piggy back rides. SHIT.

Here's the thing...I don't let people pick me up. Not that anyone really tries. I don't want Nick to pick me up, I don't want a friend to, and I really, really don't want a stranger to. 

Remember these guys from gym class?

Well when I was in elementary school, our gym teacher thought it was a good idea to have someone sit on the scooter holding a hockey stick and have a partner pull them around the gym in a circle (cue extensive collisions, concussions, and tears). I was/am a big kid and I hated it! A) I hated running and pulling someone like a mule (I hadn't yet tapped into my athletic abilities...I'd rather read). B) I hated that some other kid (probably a guy) had to struggle to pull me around the gym. It was humiliating.

Exhibit A: This child should not be picked up. (Age 6) - Side note: Disney World!!!

Piggy back rides, wheelbarrows, lovers leap (Anyone ever play Ships & Sailors?), etc. I just don't do it. 

Am I crazy here? Maybe so... but I survived even though I hated it. I apologize to my partner for being large and in charge. Hopefully you got a good workout!

Other than that...I'm just continuing to get settled post-wedding - headed to the social security office today to get my new card/name changed. Thank you notes galore and starting to review material from last year so my brain will get back in medical mode.

If you've ever wondered why my knees are weird looking, they are hyperextended according to my professor.

I think I forgot to mention that Nick and I joined a new gym down the road from us - I love it! They have all the equipment I need - barbells, kettlebells, spin bikes, rower, treadmill, machines -EVERYTHING that Planet Fitness doesn't have. The best part is that it's pretty empty when I've been there! Working out is best when no one can see me so I'm pretty thrilled...Also, Nick has been joining me in the gym and I'm so proud of him! 

I'll leave you with the skyline of my beloved hometown, Cincinnati. Going back AGAIN this weekend for 4th of July fun! 

How do you feel about partner workouts?

What are your plans for 4th of July?

 

<a href=" http://www.prettystrongmedicine.com " target="_blank"><img src=" http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g30/cheerxflip9/WIW-2014.jpg " width="240" height="350" alt="Weigh In Wednesday"/> </a>

Hello everybody! Welcome to Weigh-In Wednesday!

Please go check out my sweet co-hosts!

Ash @ A Step in the Right Direction

 Erin @ She's A Big Star

Happy Wednesday, WIW family! Things are looking up around here - we're finally settling into our new life and routine & my motivation is better than ever after a few rough days.

This morning I did something I've haven't done in a few months now...I woke up at 5 am and I attended November Project! Now that I live about 20 minutes outside of downtown Indy (as opposed to 5 min or so) I've pretty much found every excuse not to attend since the end of April. 

Where's my head?

This week I've been doing a lot of "soul searching" and I realized I make A LOT of excuses. For some reason I have to have an explanation for everything instead of just letting my actions speak for themselves. I don't know where this desire to justify things came from but I do know that the excuses are coming to an end. Enough, already.

Just for fun, this week I took a fitness personality quiz on Bodybuilding.com. According to the quiz, everyone fits into one of four fitness personalities: the thinker, the feeler, the socializer, and the provider. Similar to the Meyer Briggs assessment. Here are my results:

• 50% Feeler
• 15% Thinker
• 10% Socializer
• 5% Provider

Clearly I'm a FEELER. After the quiz, they give you a neat little pdf that describes your personality type and how it relates to your fitness training. I was AMAZED at how accurate the description is - it describes me to a T. 

Feelers are extremely in tune to their environment and operate based on the "feel" of things - how they feels, if the situation is right, emotions and interactions with others, etc. I can't tell you the number of times I've felt so overwhelmed by the environment at the gym, the music, people around me, that I've just left mid-workout. I choose the foods I want to eat based on cravings and how I feel that day. I make half hearted workout plans and then change them based on what I feel like doing that day - it really is crazy and very ineffective.

Labeling the behavior and acknowledging it somehow legitimizes how I feel and makes it easier for me to identify when I'm actually doing these things! I hope by realizing how I'm responding and internalizing my environment, I can cut down the excuses and stick to my plan.  Here are a few of the "obstacles" Feelers may encounter:

• Staying Positive - You are easily discouraged and get down on yourself.
• External Influences - Because you're sensitive to your environment, external events can easily impact your motivation. Things that happen at work or with your family can hinder what you do in the gym and sway what you choose to eat.
• Comfort Eating - You tend to eat or drink out of comfort - snacking is a big problem. Feelers tend to have emotional ties to food because they associate food with positive memories and experiences {a million times yes!}
• As an aside, I can tell you that I have planned binges based solely around foods my dad enjoyed - frozen pizza, chips, ice cream, etc. I call them "Remembering Dad Nights.". This part hit really close to home and made a lot of sense to me.
• Hesistancy - You feel self-conscious or intimidated in fitness situations. You're afraid to extend yourself and try new things. 
• Inconsistency - When you're enthusiastic, you train hard - maybe too hard. When you're not enthusiastic, you struggle to get to the gym at all. {YES!} Your approach to training is trial-and-error rather than a systematic plan {I rarely follow the plan}. I would also add that I'm definitely an "all-or-nothing" person.

I'm working on breaking these habits. My first challenge to myself to stay consistent with training and eating and rely on myself, not the environment, to dictate what I choose to do. At the end of the day, no one else can motivate me to do what I know needs to be done.

November Project and those stairs - they mock me.

So back to November Project! Today was race day where we do a prescribed workout as fast as you can while trying to improve from your last race day.  Today we did:

-up and over (up one side of the monument, down the other side, and back...a shit ton of stairs) -50 sit-ups -up and over -50 push-ups -up and over -25 mountain climbers -up and over -25 burpees -up and over

 I'll post my time when our leader posts it! It felt so good to be back in action - now I need to start to recruit classmates and friends to go with me. So far I haven't been very successful which has been disheartening. There aren't a lot of crazies out there that want to workout at 6:15 am but I remain optimistic. You really can't beat a FREE workout full of positivity, hugs, and high fives though!

Weigh In Time

Weighing In

Height: 5'8"

SW: 236.2

Last week: 206.0

This week: 204.6

Change: -1.4

Total Loss: -31.6

Not a big loss, but a loss none-the-less. Nutrition continues to be my hamartia. We've had wedding food leftovers hanging around here which I finally decided to freeze and hide after indulging in one too many bites of mac and cheese. 

Speaking of nutrition, I have never been much of a Shakeology fan until now. My aunt sent me an almost full bag of it that she didn't want and I just decided to give it another try. The secret is to blend it with ICE. I've tried it just with almond milk in the past and it wasn't good AT ALL. Tastes change and I'm a big fan of this!

Shakeology Iced Mocha

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology

1 cup of brewed coffee, cooled

1/2 c unsweetened original almond milk

1 c of ice 

blend and enjoy!

I don't see Shakeology being a daily event - I prefer eggs with veggies for breakfast but after a hard workout or when I'm on the run, it will be perfect! I'm so glad I gave it another shot!

That's all for now! More wedding story to come tomorrow but for now, enjoy another sneak peak! {I want my pictures already!} 

Do you like to workout alone, with a partner, or a group?

What is your fitness personality?

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Hello everybody! Welcome to Weigh-In Wednesday!

Please go check out my sweet co-host!

Ash @ A Step in the Right Direction

If you're new to the link-up, please leave a comment & say hi!

Just got home from November Project - it feels great to already have workout in the books for the day! I've been trying to get a few morning workouts in this past week and I find that my energy is getting better and I am more likely to make healthier choices overall.  Knowing that I've already worked out makes me want to preserve my hard work instead of using the mentality that "I'll just burn it off later." I hoping that this will evolve into a routine! Below is my new November Project grassroots gear. 

That's all fine and dandy but let's take it back like 10 hours ago...every decision is a struggle. At this point, I'm not sure when it will ever get "easier" to make these positive changes. Thank goodness I have an amazing NP buddy in Washington DC to motivate my ass when I don't wanna wake up early and WORK.

It's as simple as that, friends. I HATE that I'm one of slowest people at NP. I hate that I'm still carrying around all this extra baggage and fluff. I hate that every day is such a struggle to make the right choices but Margie is so right.  If you don't like where you are, WORK TO GET THERE. I will never reach my goals if I keep being scared to fail. 

Every day is a choice. 

Today I CHOSE to work hard. Tomorrow, I will choose HARD again because it will be worth it.

As far as the weigh in, I forgot to take a picture but I'm right at 208. You'll have to take my word for it. 

Height: 5'8"

SW: 236.2

Last week: 210

This week: 208

Loss: -2.0 

Total Loss: -28.2

Like I said last week, I was worried about going home for the weekend. I still indulged a bit but I'm trying to keep it more controlled - less alcohol, less unhealthy food, and more activity. On Sunday morning, we took Nick's dog to the park for a walk so I could get some running miles in!  

I did enjoy this marg, though! That was my treat!

The pup is ready for a workout :)

The good news? We have a Dietbet coming up which is just the motivation I need to propel me into this half marathon, the summer, and the wedding! 

WIW Dietbet Starts Monday, April 14! 

www.dietbet.com/wiwbet

Please join us and share with your friends and family! 

I want to know: What's for breakfast this morning? 

I'm having swag & eggs!

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Hello everybody! Welcome to Weigh-In Wednesday!

Please go check out my sweet co-host!

Ash @ A Step in the Right Direction

If you're new to the link-up, please leave a comment & say hi!

It's a rainy day here in Indianapolis which means only one thing - I want to SLEEP, read a good book, and drink a chai latte. That is what dreams are made of, friends. Sadly, that's not the way world works. But what is better than sleeping? DOING BURPEES IN DA RAIN with November Project - Indianapolis! 

That's how my morning started off today. Running stairs (I HATE every second), lots of squats, pushups in a puddle, and partner work. I really just need to do a post about this so I'll writing myself a reminder right now. Post tomorrow or perish. 

So in all my haste to get in a solid workout, shower, eat breakfast, and get to school to start my study day, I forgot to weigh in officially. I can tell you that much to my chagrin, hopes and dreams, I am up around two pounds so back around 210. Even though I managed to get five good workouts in last week (when I was studying for THREE back to back exams), I still managed to gain because YOU CANNOT OUT TRAIN A POOR DIET. I did manage to get a few GOOD meals in too, though.

Spinach & mushrooms, eggs with red pepper

Asparagus, potatoes, squash, and risotto!

Hello, My name is Heather and I'm the queen of stress eating. Oh you want a study break? Let's go to Qudoba. Another 5 hours of studying tonight? Give me that Reese's egg. We finished our exams? Let's get Mexican and drink $2 beers. It's this vicious cycle and I'm SO sick of screwing up time and time again.  

Perhaps I was born with the appetite of a goat?

This weekend I'm going home again because Nick and I have to pick out our wedding bands.  I'm getting really nervous and scared that I'm going to mess up all my hard work this week by indulging too much when I go home - comfort foods, drinks, snacks, I lose all control. Every weekend home cannot be a vacation.  I'll be SO SO SO happy when Nick moves here in two months and I won't constantly be running back and forth.

In other news, don't forget that Ash and I have a DietBet coming up that starts on April 14 and ends May 11. Just in time to get ready for summer! I'm excited to win some money, are you in?!?  I'm hoping that extra motivation will be just what I need.

My half marathon is coming up sooner than I'd like - I have a few 5ks coming up just to get into the racing spirit but I still feel really behind.  I'm kicking my training into overdrive for the next month and praying I can finishing.  Yesterday was pretty slow going for only 4 miles - I need to find the fun in running again.

That's all for now folks!  Hoping to catch up on comments and reading y'alls posts this week since I've been a little MIA.  Peace & blessin's

I want to know: What is your all-time favorite exercise (move or style)?

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<a href="http://www.prettystrongmedicine.com/" title="Pretty Strong Medicine"><img src="http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g30/cheerxflip9/WIW-2013.jpg" alt="Pretty Strong Medicine" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Hello everybody! Welcome to Weigh-In Wednesday!

Please go check out my sweet co-host!

Ash @ A Step in the Right Direction

If you're new to the link-up, please leave a comment & say hi!

This girl has finally got her groove back! Thank you sweet baby Jesus! The past few weeks have been just kinda blah - I was eating like a hormonal teenager and living the couch potato life.  Maybe it's the dawning of Spring weather or something just clicked again but I'm feelings pretty great.  

I have to be honest, I was pretty down in the dumps lately which happens to me on occasion. Anyone else experience this? I just have little cycles of not feeling like myself - they come and go, maybe they last a few days or maybe a few weeks but eventually I get over them. I hesitate to say "depression" but that's what it feels like sometimes. Luck for me, I'm out of the funk and feeling much, much better.

Weigh in time! 

Height: 5'8"

SW: 236.2

Last week: 208.5

This week: 207.6

Loss: -0.9

Total Loss: -28.6

BMI: 31.6

Small victories. I rebounded a bit from my water weight loss when I was sick so my loss is pretty small this week. 

In other news, long run last night. It was a 50 minute "fall back" run and my first club run in THREE weeks - exams, spring break, illness - all the excuses. So I was able to get 4.7 miles in which were slightly painful and not at all enjoyable. However, in order to catch up in my training I need to bust out 7-8 miles this weekend.  Wish me luck. I'm scared.

Remember my Turkey meatloaf(s)? I think I've perfected the recipe. Holy delicious - these are pure perfection! Paired them with some roasted squash, zucchini, and potatoes (plus topped with tomato sauce).

Now for something completely new!

Thanks to my dear friend, Marguerite, I found out about a FREE fitness movement called November Project! It started in Boston and now has expanded to 15 cities across the country including my dear home of Indianapolis! This morning (at 6:25 am) was my first time and I had a blast (well...I felt great afterwards. It was pretty hard!). Everyone is super nice and encouraging and people of all fitness levels are welcome!  

I will have more updates about NP soon! It's definitely something I'm going to incorporate in my week - the opportunity to meet new people with similar interests that ARE NOT medical students is so refreshing - "real" people? WHAAAA

 Killer burn followed by a much deserved breakfast! Lentil and bean "taco" with yummy 'matoes and the always pleasing scrambled eggies.  I'm happy and full 'til lunch!

Excuse me while I got foam roll my life away.  Hope you all are enjoying the first hints of spring!