The body of a triathlete

I just spent a fantastic weekend celebrating my one year anniversary with my sweet husband.  Even better, his present to me was something that I have been seriously wanting - a triathlon one-piece suit.  Its hot green and black (like the Jamaican flag) and it fits me like a glove.  I CANNOT wait until August 21st and my next tri to be able to wear it.  It makes me feel like I am a serious athlete.  Which of course, I am!

Slipping it on (it is very tight - more like wiggling it on)... I had to stop then and there and just look at myself.  I have the body of a triathlete now and it is just awesome.  Combining  the three disciplines has allowed me to define my body the way I want.  I have strong shoulders of a swimmer.  I have strong legs from a biker.  I have an overall lean look from a runner.  While I am still in the process of leaning myself and garnering more strength, I cannot be happier with my body.  I look hott!

My Dream

I've been posting a lot on my facebook status's about protecting and defending my "dream".  I figured it was a good time now to explain exactly what my dream is.  It isn't just a simple dream, instead its how I want my life to be, a multi-faceted dream that encompasses everything I want out of life.

To start, a basic summary of the dream is to live a happy and healthy life.  I want to laugh, smile and enjoy everything that life has to offer.  But, in order to do that, this is when I begin to break down my ultimate dream into the smaller ones that begin to build the foundation of it all.  Each part of it is essential and I will do WHATEVER it takes to make sure it happens.

First comes my marriage.  I want a happy and healthy relationship with my husband.  I want it to grow stronger every day.  I continue to fall more and more in love with my husband each day.  I know there will be bumps in the road, however, I know at the end of every day, we love each other unconditionally and it will continue to make both of us happy.  With that, I will not let ANYTHING come between my husband and I.  No person or thing stands a chance at trying to drive a wedge between us.  Each day we only grow stronger together as a couple and more united and closer.  It honestly feels so good to have someone SO DEVOTED that they will give up anything just to be with you.  I will do WHATEVER it takes to defend and protect my marriage.

Second is to have a happy and healthy family. This includes a variety of people, but my main focus in on Bud and I and our children that we will one day have.  HOWEVER, it will be AWHILE before there are any little Hares running around our house!  So, please quit asking when we will have kids - its going to be AT LEAST another year at the earliest - more than likely they are 2 to 3 years out!  But, when they do arrive - I will protect and defend them with all of my heart and soul.  Same for my other family members - I will do anything to keep them safe and happy. 

Third are my athletic goals that make up part of the dream.  I have so many things I want to achieve athletically.  This whole triathlon kick isn't just for this summer.  I plan on doing these for as long as my body is able.  Its an incredible rush and has transformed my body is so many ways.  I have two more tris left this year, plus a half- marathon.  This is just the beginning.  I want to be the young mom who crosses the finish line to her babies after an Olympic Distance Tri.  I want to be the 70 year old lady crossing the finish line after her 50 half marathon.  I want to be strong and healthy for the rest of my life.  Using these athletic dreams pushes me to continue to make smart decisions in regards to my health.

Fourth, having a healthy and happy career.  I absolutely love my job and cannot imagine myself doing anything else.  It is exciting, challenging and rewarding.  I love getting up to go to work and have been blessed to be surrounded with amazing co-workers!

Finally, maintaining my current weight and healthy lifestyle is the ultimate part of my dream.  I refuse to ever let myself go like I did.  I will NOT be a size 12 or 14 ever again.  I will not let emotions fuel food choices or stress lead to overeating.  I will NOT get fat.  I will stay trim, healthy and happy.

What is your dream?

I DID IT!

Yes, I did it.  I am a triathlete and it is the most GLORIOUS feeling in the entire world.  I feel proud, I feel accomplished, I just feel plain old AWESOME!

I won't lie and say it was easy - it wasn't, there were some hills on the course that were awful and the run was hot, but heck, it was sure worth it.  The swimming, as I thought was the easiest.  I have learned however, that I am a stronger swimmer than I thought! I finished 39th in the swim out of 1100 competitors :)

When I crossed the finish line, the announcer said, "Emily Hare, congrats you are a TRIATHLETE!"  I don't think words can describe the feeling I had when I heard those words.  As I ran towards my husband and mother, who both were proudly beaming, I broke down and cried.  I did it.  I had trained hard.  I had worked my backside off for 4 months.  I had finished and I had done it with a great time.  I honestly couldn't believe it.  I've never given so much of myself to one project, that to actually finish through with it, I couldn't believe it.

I now am addicted.  I am doing another tri in August and then a third in October in my hometown.  And - I cannot wait.  I wish I could race again tomorrow.  The high you get throughout the entire thing is incredible.  If you ever have thought about it - TRI it.  It is WORTH IT.


So, as I look forward to my next one, I know where to tweak my training and where I am weak, where I am strong.  I have a new time to beat and I'm ready to take down my competition!

Here I am after completing my triathlon!

I'm nervous.

First of all, I apologize for another post on the triathlon, but that is ALL that is on my mind right now.  I have 5 days until the "big day" and I honestly cannot describe the emotions I am going through!  It is an up and down roller coaster and I am trying hard to hold on tightly.

These emotions aren't just because I am nervous about it.  These feelings stem all the way back to college and when I first got it in my head that I wanted to do one someday.  I tried to "train" but, alas, I was never serious about it enough to ever even sign up for a race.  When I finally bit the bullet and did sign up for the Ramblin' Rose tri... I knew I finally was serious.

Throughout all of my training, I've experienced a wide variety of emotions.  Highs, lows, you name it.  I've been motivated more than words can describe.  I've had days when the last thing I wanted to do was bike.  I've been so sore that it hurt to move.  However, I've developed muscles I never knew existed!  I've been so happy, I've been so scared.  I've been pushed to my limits and challenged in ways that took me to the next level.  I've actually cried while running thinking about crossing that finish line this Sunday.  Yes, I cried.

So, come Sunday morning, I am not sure how I am going to feel.  I'm sure I will be nervous and pumped up at the same time.  I have worked EXTREMELY hard on training for this event for four solid months now.  I cannot wait to see my results.  So, yes, there will be tears - tears of joy for finally completing a life long dream.

Discipline your dedication

As my alarm clock went off this morning, I rolled over in frustration.  Gah, I just want to sleep a little more.  I thought about skipping my pool workout and putting it off until later.  However, I knew if I did that, I'd never do that.  So, grudgingly, I climbed out of bed, threw on my swimsuit and was off to the pool.  An hour later, I felt better and stronger.  I felt HAPPY because I went.  I overcame my tiredness and decided that I was worth it to get up and go.

Throughout this process of becoming healthy and fit, there have been numerous times when the last thing I wanted to do was drag myself to the gym.  Or when I really wanted to have fried chicken and mashed potatoes instead of the grilled chicken and green beans.   As I read in the Fighter Diet blog, you have to "discipline your dedication".  You have to make the choices you need to make sure your body and mind stay together on the process of getting healthy.

Its definitely hard to make the right choices in today's society.  There is bad food everywhere and the obesity rate is rising, but if you want it badly enough, you can have a healthy and fit lifestyle.  But, you have to discipline yourself. You have to find the drive that is hidden DEEP, DEEP down inside yourself to push through those moments when you really don't want to keep going or when you really want to indulge.  You have to discover a whole other person who is inside of you.  Its not thinking of it as a diet, its choosing yourself well, and doing what is right for you.  You have to make the change mentally first though.  If you aren't mentally tough and mentally ready to handle everything life is going to throw out at you to derail you, you will struggle with this process.  Commitment is the key and you have to give it more than 110%. 

It gets hard sometimes, I know this for a fact.  I'm not always perfect in my quest to stay healthy and fit.  I've skipped workouts or eaten wrong and I have to continue to remember to learn the lessons from it.


When you start on this journey, you are dedicated and determined.  However, in six months, where will you be?  Will you still want to go to the gym at 5:30 every morning?  Will that veggie sub be as good as a slice of pizza?  Its an uphill battle, there is no doubt about it there.  But, here is the bottom line.  YOU CAN DO IT.  Yes, YOU CAN!  Stick to your guns.  Take a second to walk away before you eat the pizza.  Push yourself on the days you can't stand the thought of the gym.  Discipline your dedication.  You've got what it takes - so go do it!

I think I can. I think I can. I know I can!

I was going to write on something else today, but I decided to do an update about my tri training.  Come Sunday, there are only two more weeks left until I take the plunge at the Ramblin' Rose.  Sometimes when I am training, I wonder why in the world am I doing this to my body?  Other times, I get the most incredible "high" feeling... like I am totally unstoppable.  It is those feelings and those moments when I realize, you know what - I can do this!  It just makes me realize that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to... and when I cross that finish line on May 22, I will 100 % affirm this to myself.

There have been a lot of doubters throughout these past 4 months since I started seriously training.  So many people have said - why in the world? Can you really do this?  Why would you even think about doing something?  Are you sure you won't fall off your bike?  Even people extremely close to me questioned my ability.  I was never the "athlete" in our family... yes, I was athletic and I did play three sports in high school (golf, swimming and soccer), I was the "brain".  Stephanie, my extremely talented little sister, was the "athlete".  If it was a sport - she could manage it and was incredible at every single thing she played.  I, on the other hand, stuck to sports where it didn't get hurt if you got hit by the ball!

Over the past 4 months, however, I have been pretty determined to change that stereotyped that I had.  I have succeeded as well and proven to EVERYONE that questioned my abilities or my dedication to the training.  I have put in the sweat, tears and time.  I am mentally and physically prepared.  I AM READY!

Wish me luck... these next two weeks are jammed pack with some pretty tough workouts.  LET'S DO THIS!

New Year's Resolutions... where are you now?

It is the beginning of May, why in the world am I thinking about the resolutions I made on New Year's?  Hmm... maybe because these were promises I made to myself that I would actually do this year.  I've never been faithful to them and for the first year in my 27 years... I can say that at this five month check-in, I'm doing really well!

I have not had a drop of soda since January 1 and while I thought I would miss it.  I honestly don't.  I find myself drinking so much more water and it not only helped me lose another 7 pounds to hit my WW goal weight, it has made me overall feel so much better.  I feel cleaner and not so "bloated" as I used to with soda. So far, so good with that resolution.

I have completed a 5k which I loved and I found it fueled my need for a "goal", however, I knew I needed to continue to step it up.  I have just about 2.5 weeks until my triathlon.  While I am BEYOND nervous, I am so excited to complete this goal.  When I cross that finish line, I know I am going to be overwhelmed with emotions and I cannot wait.  I still have a 10K and a half to run this year... I am planning on doing this.  There are a few races this summer and several this fall I am entertaining the idea of entering.  I also plan on doing another tri before the summer is over.

This whole competing bug is ADDICTING!  Yes, it takes time and effort, but it is time and effort WELL spent.  My body has completely transformed since February when I started training.  It is almost amazing what my body can do now.  I have abs and triceps that I have ALWAYS wanted.

I still struggle with healthy eating.  While I am good 80% of the time, 20% of the time, it is still hard.  I am getting better each day with the choices, but I know this is a life long battle.

Other than that... I am happy!  How are your resolutions holding up?  What challenges can you present to yourself?  What can you change to still make them happen?

Just do it.

Yes, that is the Nike slogan, but hey - I think it summarizes this post pretty nicely.  I used to sit around looking at pictures in SELF, Cosmo, Glamour - all of those magazines that you see on the shelves at the store.  I would see pictures of incredible fit women with a so-called "perfect" body.  I remember watching the Biggest Loser and thinking - man, I'd love to look like Jillian Michaels.  Now, here's the funny part - I remember watching tv or reading the magazines while eating ice cream with hot fudge or a whole bag of cheetos.  In my mind, isn't that a little backward?  Wanting a healthy, fit body while stuffing yourself with bad foods?  Looking back, I think one word could describe how I was - LAZY!!!  How in the world did I think I could get that body by eating like crud and not working out.

Yes, so I then started to work out, but you know what - I really didn't notice a difference in my body at all.  I lost a little, but I wanted those toned abs and those killer triceps.  I wanted legs that muscles showed with every step I took.  I thought I could miraculously just wish I had it and wham after 30 minutes on the elliptical they would show up.  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA  I was just kidding myself.

I now know what it takes to have that kind of body.  I finally have abs I'm proud of and yes, I'm starting to see that tricep line.  But you know what - it wasn't easy to get here.  I still eat healthy, but I also have considerably upped my time in the gym.  I spend six days a week doing tri cardio and two days a week are spent with my coach working on weights.  WEIGHTS can be your BEST friend. 

I also have realized that if you want it - you can get it.  You just have to get off of the couch and just do it.  Stop making excuses.  Stop saying you can't.  ANYONE can do it.  Just get moving!

Becoming "Fit from Within"

Thanks to two very good friends from Lutheridge, I have had the opportunity to share in their quests to get healthy along with having them influence my own quest.  I give lots of credit to these two women - both are beyond inspirational and motivating.  I look up to them and respect them for their ability to be strong in an unhealthy world and to also want the desire to just make themselves better.  So to my M & M - THANK YOU!

In regards to the two of them, one has let me adopt her slogan - "Chose yourself well."  It is a VERY difficult thing to do when you are used to everything in your life somehow revolving around food, mostly unhealthy.  Instead, thanks to her guidance, I am now on the path to chose myself well.  It affects big choices, but also every day small choices.  You can live your life however you want to, that is definitely up to you.  I've found however, that by choosing myself well, that I feel better.  I feel stronger, I have more energy to be the woman I want to be.  Yes, it means I get up and workout for several hours before work.  Yes, it means I'd rather eat steamed veggies and fruit than french fries.  Yes, it means I've undergone a life change.  But the best  part is this - I feel better than I ever have in my entire life.  Everyone has the option to chose - so do you chose yourself well?

The second friend recommended to me a book she was reading - Fit from Within.  I wasn't sure about it at first, but now that I have become immersed - I am hooked!  I know I am fit physically - I weigh around 138-140 pounds with a BMI of 22 and a body fat percentage of 14% - all of which I have worked EXTREMELY hard for and I am BEYOND proud of myself.  However, I knew that I'd changed my outside, and was still working on changing my inside.  In pairing the book with my new life slogan, I found wham!  This book was exactly what I needed to be reading!  The two compliment each other and I look forward to what the rest of the book holds.

So, as I wrap this up, I am about to head out for a 15 mile bike ride and a healthy lunch.  How will you chose yourself well today?  How can you become fit from within?

She's a BRICK...house!

I can proudly say I successfully completed my first brick workout today in preparation for my triathlon.  The big day is officially less than a month away and I am bound and determined to not just race to finish, I want to race to compete and win.

Today's workout on the schedule was a brick.  First, a 45 minute bike, then jumping off of the bike and breaking into a 15 minute run.  The bike was great- it allowed me to explore the new bike trail here in Sanford and really get outside.  I discovered a beautiful neighborhood behind our house and it is also a great place to run.  After I got off my bike, however, breaking into the run wasn't the easiest thing ever.  It honestly felt like my legs were full of bricks!  It was crazy!  However, like my coach said, it didn't take any time before my brain realized what I was doing and was able to quickly pick up the run.

Needless to say, I feel MORE than accomplished today and cannot wait for next week's brick which is longer and more intense.

I AM READY!!!

Fit Chick Credo

This post has to be given credit solely to Beth Casey.  She emailed me this article about the Fit Chick Credo and I fell in love with this.  It is how I started living my life and I hope that it will be an influence to others! It is a great, positive, and healthy way to live life.  So, get on board!

1. Act as if you are a fit female

2. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

3. Fuel Your Body to be  Fabulous

4. Train hard or go home

5. Get hooked on feeling fit, not a number on a scale.

6. Be an early Riser.

7. Make R&R…&R a priority!

8. Obstacles will arise -anticipate them!

9. Keep a journal or a blog

10. Eliminate Crabs and  surround your self with supportive people!

11. Think about your thoughts!

12. Attitude is everything!

13. Manage Your “Tub of  Stress”!

14. Put an end to body bashing and instead celebrate your strengths!

15. Don’t rely on will power. Have strategies!

16. Stop rationalizing and making excuses!

It has been awhile!

My apologies for being MIA for the past few weeks!  In the past month, I have taken a new job back in North Carolina near my hometown.  This has required lots of packing, moving and 9 hours of driving!  However, my husband and I are in the process of settling in and LOVING being here in North Carolina.  It is such a great place to live - I am so glad to be back and don't plan on EVER leaving again!!

While moving though, I've learned that it becomes a challenge to eat healthy and workout while you are doing all of this.  BUT, I also realized that as long as you make it a priority, it doesn't just become an option and is easier than you think.  Gas stations now offer healthier choices thankfully - I found fruit in several and fiber one bars!  It is just so much better for you to make those choices than chips or a soda.  Make wise choices!

I can also proudly say, that during the move, I only missed one workout - a swim!  Completing this triathlon and being successful in it is VERY important to me and I refused to let the fact we moved interfere with anything.  I have found there are always gyms in hotels or nearby, plus pack your sneakers- you can go for a run anywhere!

With the move to Sanford and Bud's new job, I've also reverted to being a morning gym person.  Yep, alarm goes off at 5 and I am at the gym every morning between 5:15 and 5:30.  I never thought I would be that girl at the gym so early - but you know what?  I LOVE IT!  It feels incredible to knock out 5 miles before breakfast and not have to worry about it that afternoon!  Try it- you might like it!

I've got some great ideas for some upcoming posts including the Fit Chick Credo and other's opinions on you and your healthy lifestyle.  Stay tuned!

Don't stop... Believin'!

After talking with my best friend Beth today, it occurred to me that one of the main ingredients in losing weight is believing in yourself.  Without the confidence to know that you can succeed and you can lose weight, how are you really going to make it work?  If you don’t believe in yourself- who else is going to push you to lose the weight and get healthy?

Looking back on my journey over the past 9 months, I truly believe that while I have had supporters on this quest, the one person who believed that I could drop the weight was myself.  It always helps to have someone there during the tough times, but what it ultimately comes down to is YOU.  You are the only person who can control what goes in your mouth.  You are the only person who can get your legs going on the treadmill.

So, ultimately it all comes down to YOU.  So, if you are going to take on this journey of becoming healthy- why doubt yourself?  The second you start doing that is the second you are bound to fail.  Why not have confidence that you can do it?  There is absolutely no reason why someone cannot get fit and healthy.  You don’t even need a gym membership.  Just get moving and watch what you eat.  The guidelines are simple, but don’t sabotage yourself with a negative attitude.

Keep it positive and trust the process that you can and will change.  It isn’t an easy battle, but it sure is a lot better when the person who is changing has confidence in themselves.  So, keep yourself strong on the inside and it will come through on the outside.

Working out- even when I don't want to go to the gym...

I can't lie, I don't always enjoy going to the gym.  Its not always fun - its 5 pm, I'm hungry, cranky and tired.  All I want to do is go home, eat dinner and go to bed.  And, I've done this before in the past and it immediately gets me out of my routine and causes me to make bad choices when it comes to food.  I think everyone knows the feeling I'm describing - you just don't think you have any energy to move one ounce of your body in spin class or the thought of the treadmill just makes you sick.

But you know what?  That's when you have to "discipline your dedication" and just go.  To me, the feeling of guilty and grossness of not working out is a whole lot worse than an excuse of being tired.  I know if I just suck it up and go- even for just 20 minutes, not only will I feel better, I bet I find the energy to get through the rest of my work out.

You have to give yourself your own tough love.  Don't let any excuses come in your way of getting healthy.  There is no reason why you can't find 30 minutes to just walk- no matter how you feel.  Even if you have to go at lunch- if you work out, you will feel better.

As I told my best friend Beth, sometimes you just have to get out of your own way.  So, in my opinion, suck it up and give yourself tough love.  There is not a single excuse good enough for me about skipping a work out (ok - maybe if you are on your death bed or extremely sick- but you get my point :) ).

So, get out of your own way and get going.  No excuses!!!

Emotional Eating

Emotional eating is something I have been wanting to do more research on as it is something I struggle with greatly.  It is particularly a problem when I have something stressful or negative going on in my life, but I also find that I am an eater when I am happy.  The happy eating usually happens when celebrating something positive and I find it is easier to control these cravings than it is with the eating that comes with negative emotions.

For some reason and it is hard to pinpoint exactly when it happened in my life, but when something that was negative or stressed me out entered into my reality, it was an immediate turn to food to help me feel better.  I don't know what it was about the food that made me feel better.  I always picked something extremely unhealthy and normally made myself feel worse instead of better.  But it didn't matter, I still turned to the bad food.  In some weird way, the food was a comfort because I was making the choices about what I ate.  Instead of not having control of the negative part of my life, I did have control over the food, so that somehow made me feel better and gave me power.  Pretty gross isn't it?

I still struggle today with emotional eating.  When I am sad or mad, I still want to turn to food in hopes that it will make me feel better.  It happened the other day actually, something stressed me out and the first thing I did?  I ate an entire box of girl scout cookies- yes, the entire box.  Well, there went all of my extra points for the week!  About an hour later, when I realized what I had done, I couldn’t believe myself.  Seriously- did I need all of those cookies to feel better?  Had it made me feel better?  The ultimate answer – no, I actually felt WORSE.  And the worst part about it all is I can’t even tell you why I couldn’t say no.

Even with happy events, I have a hard time saying no to sweets.  I can’t just eat one or two bites and put it away- if you hand me cake, I’m going to eat the whole slice.  This is something I am working on especially – how to celebrate a positive event without turning straight to unhealthy foods like high fat desserts. 
I will have to admit though, I am proud of myself in one way.  My husband and I went to a wedding shower for a friend this past weekend.  Of course, there was cake and I had saved points to eat it.  Well, I had one bite and honestly, didn’t like it.  So, instead of just eating it for no reason, I threw it away.  It wasn’t good- why waste the calories?

As I work towards continuing a healthy lifestyle, my goal is to try to control my emotional eating and to work towards conquering life’s ups and downs with something other than food.

Tri it... You might like it??

I meet with my triathlon coach tomorrow for the first time.  I am beyond nervous!!  I know I can do it, the problem is getting my nerves under control and honestly, actually going through the process and doing it.

I have been wanting to compete in a Tri for as long as I can remember.  The part that makes most people nervous- the swimming section, is the part I am most confident in.  I have been swimming since I could walk- my first swim meet was when I was 6 years old.  Being in the water gives me a freedom that you cannot experience anywhere else.  It might sound crazy, but I love swimming and being in the water.  It makes me feel strong, powerful and mighty.

The part that scares me is the bike part.  I don't know why it makes me nervous, but it does.  I figure though that with the help of my coach, I can conquer this fear.

I really excited about taking on this challenge.  Something inside me is ready to burst with confidence as I do this.  Now, comes the next three months full of training, hard work and perserverance.

I know I can do this- I'm going to give it a tri!

Self control... do you have it?

Self control.  It is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to have in my entire life when it came to food.  Why?  Because honestly, I never have had it.  I ate what I wanted, when I wanted.  It didn’t matter if it was good for me or not.  I ate it.  It didn’t honestly matter if I was hungry or not- if it looked good, I ate it.  I was a full fledged member of the clean plate club.  I remember so many meals where I was so stuffed that it was actually painful to sit still in my jeans.  Oh I just wanted to put on stretch pants.  I was so stuffed, I think I actually could have eaten myself sick, if that is possible.

The biggest challenge that comes when you try to live a healthy lifestyle (I hate calling it being on a diet) is ultimately self control.  Not only is it self control to go to the gym, push yourself, etc, you need self control when it comes to food choices.  To start with, the first part is the hardest to simply pick a salad over a juicy cheeseburger.  Then, you have to have control when it comes to every little bit of the salad- down to the dressing!  No matter what choice you make- self control is the biggest asset you can have if you want to make the right changes.  Even if you pick a healthier food, you have to have the control to eat the correct serving portion.  Especially with trigger foods- like cookies or pizza- it is just not easy to eat one.  It’s a lot easier to eat 7 cookies or 5 slices, until you are so stuffed you are sick.  But, if you had only eaten one- how much better would you feel?  How much time will you have to spend to undo the damage of the 5 slices?

Having a strong self control is something I struggle with.  Its why with a lot of items, I just have gone cold turkey with.  Anything sweet, I keep out of my house.  I also limit the junk food that comes in.  It is just way to easy for me to sit down and eat an entire bag of chips without thinking.  Despite having good self control 90 percent of the time, I have found it is just easier to remove the temptations.

Now, there are some situations where your self control is put to the test.  Bread baskets and baskets of chips at Mexican restaurants are two of the biggest challenges I feel there are when it comes to dining out.  They sit there, looming, and it is so hard just not to have one chip or one roll.  But, if you are anything like me, one chip turns into about 40 leaving me feeling awful before I have even started my meal.  I like to make situations like this a test.  Now yes, over time, it has gotten very easy for me to sit down and not eat a chip, but at the beginning, it was really hard.  So, instead of feeling deprived, I looked at it as a challenge to myself.  Can I make it and not eat the chips?  And you know what, I found out it was A LOT easier than I thought and hey- then I actually enjoyed my meal.  Plus, I had the added bonus of feeling stronger because I was able to conquer the challenge.

Self control is not an easy thing to harness in the least.  It is very difficult, especially in certain situations.  My challenge to you is this… see if you can resist the bread basket.  See if you can avoid eating 7 cookies and let me know how you feel once you’ve done it.  I think it will give you more confidence in your ability to be healthy- more than you realize! 

Fit and Fabulous February

Well, it is one month into 2011.  It amazes me how fast time flies!  But one month is in and I can proudly say my New Year’s Resolutions are staying strong.  How are yours holding up?

I have officially gone 31 days now without soda.  My body no longer craves them and I actually feel better and less bloated from the carbonation.  It’s been a pretty easy switch and thank goodness for crystal light!  These little packets are lifesavers when plain water just gets plain boring! 

I also have successfully completed a 5k and look forward to my next 5k and the 8k in May.  To accomplish and stay true to New Year’s Resolutions is something I’ve always struggled with.  But, to be able to keep them- now that is just something that is not only empowering, it is motivating.  It keeps me going to the gym and it keeps me going strong when I just want to give up.  It slowly is building inside of me a greater strength than I ever realized was deep down.

It amazes me how every year about this time, the gym is just empty.  Up to last week, when I would go to the Y, at 5 pm, you couldn’t get to a treadmill or elliptical.  Less than seven days later, the place was empty.  Last night there were only 2 other people in the Y with me.  It just baffles me how quickly people give up.  It’s the same with my WW meetings.  They have been packed every Saturday morning this month, but will become half as full this month.  Why do people just quit?  You had the motivation- why not do everything you can to continue your healthy streak?  Stop with the excuses- everyone has them from being too tired or too busy.  However, honestly, I say it is just an excuse to be lazy.  Anyone can make time for themselves- you just have to stop with the excuses.  This is the only life you have- don’t you want to live it to the fullest and live long?  With obesity rates skyrocketing (Alabama- we are number 2 in the nation for being fat), why in the world would someone be content with just sitting and not doing something to change their lives for the better?

Like I said, I know we all get busy, I know life gets in the way.  But to me, I feel like I’ve made this change to become a better me.  I know what it is like on the other side and I don’t want to go back.  I just wish I could figure out a way to help more people stick with it because ultimately, it is worth it.  It is your life after all.  Can you stick with it?  Can you make this February being fit and fabulous?  Everyone has got drive inside of them- you have to just find it, stop making excuses and do it.  It’s not going to be easy, but it is WORTH IT.  And a favorite quote to end… “If you are interested, you will do whatever is convenient.  If you are COMMITTED, you will do whatever it takes.”  Are you COMMITTED??  I'll see YOU AT THE GYM! :)

Big meals are the enemy!

Being born and raised in the south, I realize that most special occasions and almost every Sunday revolves around a big meal.  That is just a part of southern life.  The worst part is that nine times out of 10, the food is incredibly fattening and unhealthy.  While it may taste absolutely incredible, it is more than likely not good for you.  For someone on a diet or who is trying to eat a healthy lifestyle, meals like this can be a tricky situation.  You are hungry, you want to eat the food and you don’t want to offend anyone.  However, you do want to be smart and not ruin all of the hard work you’ve put into yourself.  Or like me, who the thought of all of that unhealthy food honestly makes me sick to my stomach. 

Now that I reside in the deep south, this issue of “meals” unfortunately has arisen more often than I would like.  It is just plain hard to eat healthy down here!  It sure has been a task, but one that I feel like I finally have control over.  It hasn’t been easy and comments have been made, however, I finally also have learned to let those roll off of my shoulder.

So, what have I done?  What do you do in a situation where there are only unhealthy choices?  There are a few options.  One- first and foremost, I never go anywhere without a fiber one bar.  It may sound crazy, but they are easy to throw in your purse, only 2 points (old WW – 3 points for WW+).  They keep you full and are great for breakfast.  Second, I drink lots and lots of water- it keeps you full.  Third, the meal.  I always try to glance around and see what all is on the table.  (If you can- offer to bring a healthy side or entrée – then you will at least know what is in that meal).  From there, I gage what I think I want and what will do the least damage.  If there are veggies- fill up on these.  I try to only take small portions (and I mean VERY small) of the foods I want to eat.  I also try to eat slowly and enjoy each bite.  There is no need to rush.  Foods that I really like (i.e. mashed potatoes) I limit myself to a portion the size of my fist.  It is just easier to practice portion control.  Otherwise I will stuff myself and end up getting sick. 

At these meals, usually dessert is offered.  I try to avoid dessert at all costs because sweets are my main weakness.  If I want any- I will just take a bite of my husband’s because he will only share one or two bites.  Otherwise, I just stick with fruit (if offered) or a cup of coffee.  I’ve had many of hostesses try to “push” dessert on me – very simple reply- oh I am just too full right now.  It usually works.  If other food is pushed on you- there is no harm in putting it on your plate- you don’t have to eat it. 

Ultimately, it all comes down to being smart.  There are going to be situations in where you cannot control what is on your plate.  However, you can control how much of it you put into your body.  So chose wisely and don’t overeat.

And for the food pushers- just keep affirming to them that you are full or ask if they can give you some to go.  They will usually love this idea.

And if anyone makes a comment that is negative or asks why you are being "picky", I believe in honesty.  I truly do.  I will easily say, I like to eat healthy and this is what I am trying to do.  Its not hard.  Don't let it offend you- more than likely they wish they had the same will power you do.

Cravings... the devil in disguise!

Being a female, there is always one problem standing in the way of a diet – food cravings.  Why is it, especially during a certain time each month, that I want chocolate or something sweet?  Or why do I always crave something bad for me, something unhealthy that will easily undo all of the hard work I put in at the gym.  Why would I want to do something like that to myself?

During my entire weight loss/get healthy journey, I noticed myself giving into cravings as I had them.  Thankfully, the Weight Watcher system allows you some “cheat” room.  However, the more weight I lost and the more fit I became, I noticed a few different things happening to my body as I gave into the cravings.  Instead of enjoying the meal as I had in the past, it made me feel sick.  It hurt my stomach and my body felt sluggish.  I almost felt sick after eating.  It was just not a pleasant feeling and it has caused me to basically stop giving into any craving that would cause me to eat unhealthy food.  Why you may ask?  Because honestly I didn’t like the feeling it gave me.  I don’t like the idea of getting sick over what I put in my body and that was what happened.  My body was used to eating the right way and the choices of eating the wrong way – plain and simple – made me sick to my stomach.  So, do I stay away from these foods?  Yes.  It’s just that simple.  I love my body too much to make it sick!

So, what now?  Do you have to abandon all of the so-called “comfort” foods?  No, you don’t have to in the least.  My recommendation is, that if you want to eat something that is so-called unhealthy, just do it in moderation.  One slice of pizza will not hurt you.  Seven slices will.

The honestly neat part to me is that throughout this journey, my food cravings have changed.  While once in a blue moon, I’ll crave a cheese burger or Sour Patch Kids, I now find myself craving spinach and tangerines.  Yes, you may think I’m crazy, but it’s the truth.  My desires for bad food are not there any more.  There are still some temptations, but it is a HECK of a WHOLE LOT easier to say no.  It is even to a point that I can look at unhealthy food and it makes me sick to my stomach because I remember that bad feeling it gave me.  Yes, I do give in every now and then, but over the past two months, even Christmas time, I’ve noticed my body doesn’t want the bad stuff anymore- it craves the good stuff!!

What cravings do you struggle with?  How can you keep these under control??

Fitness Goals for 2011??

When I crossed the finish line of my first 5k last weekend, I finally completed one of the many fitness goals that I have wanted to achieve in my lifetime.  It was a small step and a small race, but I finished and that is what was important.

So, the next question in my mind becomes simple- what's next?  I've got several "challenges" that I want to see if I can conquer (and I know I will)- the question is- which one do I try first??

After working out tonight, Traci and I decided we would yet again conquer another 5k on February 12th- the Polar Bear Plunge.  With a cool name like that- how could we not compete?  That t-shirt is going to be awesome!

Another 5k, well that doesn't seem like much does it?  Well, while it is another huge race, I've decided to lay out a few more goals for myself to be completed for 2011... maybe then I will have the Jillian Michaels body??

After this 5k, I would like to compete in the Jubilee Cityfest 8k.  However, it might possibly conflict with the biggest challenge I have to date and something I've wanted to do since I can remember - a triathalon.  There is a triathalon on Memorial Day in Birmingham and I am going to do it.  It is a sprint triathalon, specifically designed for beginners and I'm just determined- I'm going to do it.  And I'm going to finish.  I know it is going to require a ton of training between now and May, but since I've made working out my hobby, I've got the time.  I'm pumped but super nervous!

On top of the triathalon, the other big fitness goal for myself is to compete in the Montgomery Half-Marathon in October.  I've always wanted to be someone that said - heck yes, I've run in a half marathon.  So you know what?  I'm going to put my feet where my words are.  Its a long race, but I don't see anything standing in my way.

So, I've set my fitness goals... what are yours?  What do you want to achieve in 2011?  It can be as small as getting yourself to the gym 3 days a week.  It might be taking on a full marathon.  It might be learning to swim.  It might be getting certified to teach zumba.

What are you waiting for?  Get going!

Now, how did I get here?

Before I post too many items on this page, I feel like I really need to talk about where I came from and how I got to be the healthy, fitness obsessed chick that I am.  It’s been a long road, but one that I feel was totally necessary in order to change my life for the better.  I’m not afraid to say I used to be fat.  Nor am I afraid to say- LOOK AT ME, I did it the RIGHT WAY and I am healthy and happy now!  I don’t want to make anyone feel bad about the size they are, I just want to help inspire people to get healthy and happy.  Everyone is beautiful; sometimes they just need some motivation to make themselves healthy as well.  

 

Growing up, I was always the chubby girl.  While I wasn’t obese, I was overweight.  My mom’s nickname for me as a child was “Fatty Face”… guess that’s where it all started!  I never really had a concern about my weight, but even as young as fifth and sixth grade, I knew I was bigger than the other girls and just felt chubby.  I wasn’t very popular; I was just the smart, fat girl that everyone got along with.  Even in middle school and high school, while very active on the golf, swim and soccer teams, I was still chubby. Heck, when I got straight A’s (which happened all but once) my parents rewarded me with guess what- not money, but a CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKE!

Even in college, while popular and having a great time, I not only packed on the freshman fifteen- I think I may have added a freshman 30.  I loved food…and food was my comfort.  Any time I was upset, happy, or feeling anything, I wanted to eat.  My life revolved around what meal was next, despite the fact that I might not even be hungry at all. 

From college, I moved to life on the road as a NASCAR PR rep.  Don’t ever think to try to lose weight while traveling- it won’t happen.  Especially with Murdock as your cook- once again, those pounds crept on and my pants got tighter.  But did I really notice?  The sad part is yes, I did notice.  And because of that- I ate.  More.  And more.

While on the road, I met my adoring and wonderful husband Bud, who loved my curves and loved the fact I loved to eat even more.  He was incredible, I was in love, we got engaged… which meant I was happy… which meant- time to eat!  (Are you seeing the cycle here?)  Despite the fact my wedding was only six months away, I still managed to control my eating, yet somehow only dropped 3 pounds.  What bride doesn’t want to lose weight for her wedding day?  I wanted too, but all that tempting food at parties, showers and cake tastings was just too darn good to pass up.

So, I had the big white wedding, loved and stressed every second (which meant I ate more)… and was whisked away on a honeymoon. (where I gained 8 pounds!)  Needless to say, through all of this, while I was beautiful to my husband, I was starting to feel sick to myself.

Then one day in mid-July, as I went to put on a bikini, it hit me.  OMG, I look horrible.  How in the world had I let myself get this big?  I had rolls where I never though I could, dimples everywhere and I got out of breathe walking.  It was even painful in my knees to squat.  I wanted to have a breakdown and go eat, and eat, and eat some more. But instead, something in my head just clicked and BAM!  I was done with the old Emily.  Done being the girl who let food solve her emotions, done with being lazy, done with just being unhealthy and out of shape.  I was done.

The very next day, I went and joined Weight Watchers.  It was the best decision I had ever made in my life.  I had done countless diets (which usually lasted a week at the most) and this one I realized would make me have a LIFE change, which was what I desperately needed.  With my husband supporting me, I went full speed ahead, ready to conquer the world.

That was 8 months and 32 pounds ago.  I have gone from a size 10/12 to a size 2/4.  It is incredible going shopping now because clothes fit and look good.  My heartburn is gone.  My knees don’t hurt.  My body all over feels like a brand new person has been born.

I can’t say it has been an easy ride because there have been temptations, but I can say this… I feel strong and accomplished because I was able to finally get the weight off.  I have five more pounds to go, but I know I will get there with time.  What I do know is this- it has taken me 8 long months for this to come off, but I am proud because I did it the RIGHT way.  No diet pills, no fads.  I moved a lot more, watched my portions and ate healthy.  Plain and simple.  There is no fix to it, it is all about eating less, moving more. 

Why do I write all of this?  To tell you that once again, if I can do it… anyone can do it.  I went from a food obsessed girl to someone that does not let food control her anymore.  Yes, I still have cravings, but instead of wanting chocolate or SPKs, I tend to want tangerines or fruit.  I just want everyone to know, that if you are MENTALLY ready, you can do this.  But, in order to do it, you have to have the right mindset.  Unless you are ready up there, the rest of your body can’t do it.  I’ve seen too many people start over and over again, only to fail because they can’t wrap their mind around it.  You can have pizza, you can have nachos, etc.  But that doesn’t mean you have to eat a whole serving by yourself- have a slice and move on.  I don’t want to discourage anyone, I want you to know that you can do it.  You just have to have the right mindset and then I say – GO GET IT!  Make the healthy choices, while hard at first, the longer you stick with it and stop making excuses, the easier it becomes.  You will want to be healthy and make the right choices.  So- what is stopping you???

Yes, I may be obsessed with eating right and working out.  I still treat myself occasionally.  But, I love the way I feel and the way I look now.  For the first time in my life, I am the “skinny” girl, but I am also HEALTHY.  It has taken A LOT of hard work, discipline and dedication, but I am finally here!!!

So, if you want to change your life - stop making excuses.  Join the Y or Gold's Gym.  Go join Weight Watchers( I love the program).  Start by making small changes and push through your comfort level.  You will be surprised what you find deep inside of you!

                                            

This is me in December 2009 with my beautiful sister Stephanie.  This is before I underwent my life change!

This is me December 2010- One year later!  Loving my new life!

Cruisin' the Creekwalk!

Well... I was successful in completed the first of my New Year's Resolutions by competing and completing the Crusin' the Creekwalk 5k in beautiful Prattville, Alabama.  (Its about 10 miles from Montgomery).  My workout buddies Traci and Nicole also competed and I want to give a HUGE shout out to the two of them as well.  All three of us not only finished, but managed to beat the times we wanted to achieve.

In all of my years of working out, competing in sports and being active, I never imagined that I could be a runner.  I have to admit- I've tried, I really have, but I've always failed.  Either my knees hurt or it just wasn't fun.  However, in my recent quest to expand my gym time activities, I decided I would try running again.  I wasn't sure how it would go, but I soon realized that I fell quickly in love with it.

I never thought I would, especially the first day I climbed on the treadmill in December.  I could barely make it a half of a mile, but I just had this feeling inside me that I could do it. I was already in pretty decent shape (thank you spinning and zumba) but I was excited to add running into my routine.  With the new year rolling around the corner, I decided I would compete in not only a few 5k's, but I would also do a 8K and a half-marathon.

Thanks to my former PA area director and motivator, Mitzie Shafer, I realized that no matter how long it took me to do it, I could finish the 5k and finish it strong.  I worked hard and finally I can proudly say that I was able to run 5k straight.  I finally realized I had become a runner and I was addicted.  Nothing can quite describe the feeling of a runner's high.  You feel invincible and that feeling was exactly what I needed to have.  Running did not come easy to me, but it gave me a power that I had never had in myself.  It made me feel like I could honestly accomplish any feat that lay in front of me.  I was healthy and I was a runner.

So, this past Saturday- Jan. 22, in the bitter cold, I put on my running tights (that now fit- thank you weight watchers!) and I was ready to go.  My wonderful husband along with Traci's husband had come out to support us.  And we were ready to go.  I can't quite describe the feelings that were inside me that morning... I was shaking (was I cold or just that nervous?)... would I be able to run without stopping?... was I in over my head???... how in the world did I get myself into this??

9 am and the shotgun went off... and I started.... as I ran to the sounds of Nelly's Heart of a Champion and #1, with each step I took, I felt that power coming back into my body.  With each tenth of a mile, I got faster.  I got braver.  I could see the end in sight and I was going to do it.

My goal for the race was to finish in under 35 minutes... well... I can PROUDLY say that I crossed the finish line in 29:17.  I could not believe that I had finished in under 30 minutes.  I had climbed up that mountain and conquered it.  HECK YES!!!!

I was so excited, I couldn't believe it.  And, I was so cold, that despite the sweat running down my body, I thought I would freeze.  But that feeling of accomplishment- that is something I hope that everyone can accomplish.

The moral of this cruise is simple.  If I can run.  ANYONE can run.  You don't even need a gym- just a pair of shoes and a good, safe area to run.  And I highly recommend to anyone that wants to lose weight, get in shape, or just feel better about themselves.  Start running.  Start slow- take it .25 of a mile at a time.  But see what happens to yourself.  See how strong you can become.  See what changes your body can endure and how it adapts to your new physical routine.

Also, once you get an "addiction" to it... check out www.active.com, it is a great website where you can see all of the local races in your area and it also sends out weekly blasts with running tips.

So go on and do it.  GO RUN!!!!  YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

                                          Here I am - runner 257!  I finished!!!!

Trying this out...

I'm probably the last one to get on this band wagon of blogging, but I figured it was about time to start.  My life is pretty routine, but I absolutely love it.  I work, work out and love my husband.  I want to use this blog to talk about my experiences in life, but mainly my experiences on what it is to try to be "healthy" in the south. 

It started last July, after my beautiful wedding, and I realized one thing that was loud and clear.  I was fat and unhealthy.  I mean, hello- I plopped on 8 pounds during the honeymoon alone!  I realized then I had to do something and do it fast.  So I did and I cannot believe how far I've come.  I've dropped 31 pounds and will run in my first 5k this weekend.  I can't believe how far I've been able to come in 8 months... it's been a long, long ride, but somehow, along the way, my mindset changed and I am loving every second of being a healthy, fit woman.

I will try to talk about healthy articles, eating right and just how I've gotten it to work in the real world.  The few things I've learned are simple: eat less, move more... watch your portions... and discipline yourself in the gym.  Its just as easy to go get on an elliptical as it is to eat a doughnut- its just all a mind game.

So bear with me as I learn about blogging and hope that ya'll will share ideas and information with me as well!