Glow in the Dark 5K

Tonight I did something I never thought I'd ever be able to do again...run a race.  Even as I sit here and type that sentence I get teary.  Running was something I enjoyed for so many years, and then I let it fall my the wayside when my weight started to creep up.  With the added weight my knees and ankles ached at even the thought of a run.  But then I was inspired by the changes I saw in a few friends.  I made some decisions, some massive lifestyle changes, started Isagenix, and decided to take my life back.  

As I pushed the last 100 yards of the race tonight, my body was telling me to stop.  My lungs were aching and my right knee was throbbing; but I pushed through and crossed the finish line running.  The final stretch there were people along the course cheering you on, telling you the end was close...you were almost there.  I felt enormous pride in this thing I was doing.  This thing that I thought was so far out of reach for me.  

I am proud of my hard work.  It hasn't been easy, that's for sure.  And there have been many moments where I thought "this is good enough" but I kept pushing and I'm glad I did.  My only regret is that I waited until last summer to start...I should have started earlier.  So if there are any of you out there who want to change something...whatever it is...do it.  Today.   Make a change today - whether it is large or small - that will get you closer to your goal. 

Thank you to those who have encouraged me on my journey...now bring on the next race! 

And now for the pics:

Me and my biggest fan...pre-race.

The girls...yes those are tutus...and yes we ran in them. :)

Me and Becca...about 2/3 of the way through

All done - we got our finisher medals!

90 Days!

As of today (well...technically yesterday since it is now 1:30am) I've been on Isagenix for 90 Days.  The full update is on the Isagenix blog...but I'm so proud I have to show a pic.  It's of my before (left) and 90 Day (right) pic:

40lbs lost so far!

Checkin' in

In case you're curious about how our Isagenix journey is going...you can hop on over HERE and see for yourself.  

Excuses

A couple of conversations I've had the last few days have really got me thinking.  I have wanted to be back at a healthy, skinny weight for a long time.  But I always had excuses.  It was too hard, I have PCOS, I don't have a gym membership, I have a baby, I work too much, it's too hot, it's too cold, my knees hurt, blah, blah, blah...

The painful, honest truth?  

I didn't want it bad enough.  

I wanted immediate gratification things NOW instead of a bigger, lasting things LATER.  I wanted that can of Coke or bowl of pasta or extra hour sleeping in or that second piece of cake...I wanted it all more than being healthy and fit and strong.  And for a long time that was ok with me.  I had resigned myself to the fact that I'd be that weight forever.  That there was "nothing I could do about it".  

Then something happened. 

A few months ago I was sitting with Miles as he was playing in his room.  For no reason at all he turned, giggled, and ran to me arms outstretched...it was the first time he spontaneously gave me a hug.  My heart melted.  And in one clear, crystallized moment I realized that my selfish, excuse filled choices were now not only going to affect my future, but his as well.  I was making the conscious choice to shorten my life.  I was consciously CHOOSING to make my son have to bury his mother early.  And I knew I had to change.  

 

I was going to give no more excuses.  I signed up with Isagenix; threw out all the Coke, candy, chips, cake mixes, ice cream in our house; I made a vision board; and I got my butt in gear.  

It's been 34 days and I'm down 19.5bs.  It hasn't been easy.  It has meant some MAJOR sacrificing.  It has meant sitting at a baby shower with my bottle of water, watching everyone else eat cupcakes.   It has meant declining dinner invitations.  It has meant dragging my sorry butt out of bed and getting some exercise...even when I'm tired and even when my knee hurts (I've got bursitis...ouch!).  It has meant putting lots of time and energy into meal planning.  It has meant sitting at the dinner table feeding Miles his yummy pasta dinner while I sip my (also yummy...but not the same) dinner shake.  

But you know what?  I don't care.  I am getting healthy.  My body fat percentage is going down, I'm losing weight, I have LOTS more energy, I feel less stressed, I am happier...and I have no more excuses.  

I challenge you to free yourself from your excuses.  It. is. liberating.

Say good bye!

Nathan and I are saying good bye to the fat versions of ourselves.  I have tried so many diets and have NEVER had long term success with any of them...and many I never had any short term success with either!

About a year ago a girl I knew from back growing up in Pleasant View, posted some before and after pics on Facebook.  She looked AMAZING!  She had lost something like 130lbs in a year.  I asked her how she did it, she told me Isagenix.  I asked her about PCOS (something I knew she and I had in common)...she said the Isagenix helped with it.  I looked into it a bit but I was honestly so overwhelmed with the upcoming move to Italy that I forgot about it.  Then a few months ago another friend from growing up posted some of her before and after pics on Facebook.  I, again, inquired and she also had used Isagenix.  So I spent a LOT of time looking into it and decided to give it a try.  We ordered all our stuff, prepped our food, took before shots and all our measurements, and started yesterday!  It is a bit spendy, but if it works it will be worth every penny.  

I am detailing our Isagenix Journey HERE if you want to follow.  Please be warned our before shots are on there...and my tummy is WHITE, WHITE, WHITE!  (My swimsuit is a tankini)

I'm really hoping it works for us, I want to be healthier and thinner so I can be around a long time...I don't want Miles to have to worry about caring for us at a young age because we didn't take care of ourselves. 

If you want more information on Isagenix, go HERE. 

Wish us luck!!