It's Your Time

Are you hoping to start an exercise program or establish healthier eating habits? Wondering how to get started or re-start?  It's your time! The truth is, this is the journey of a million beginnings for me.  After many failed attempts, I finally feel successful.  Here are the three secrets I've unlocked that have made all the difference.


1.  Setting Goals

Although my goal has never been to become skinny (I love my curves!), I'm currently a recovering scale addict.  Eight months ago my goal was to drop 100 pounds.  This goal made me obsess over numbers.  The obsession with weighing-in became very evident the last couple of months because weight loss is actually at a stand-still and it's not because I haven't been working hard.

Keep these things in mind when setting goals.    Lifestyle changes can lead to weight loss but, if your focus is just weight loss, you will be an emotional wreck when you plateau.  Focus your goals on nutrition, fitness, sleeping habits, or water intake.  Keep goals *SMART- Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-based.  For example, as apposed to saying that I'll drink more water, my goal is to drink 100 ounces of water each day this week.  I've read articles that suggest drinking half your body weight in ounces.  Drinking 155 ounces of water each day is not an attainable or realistic goal for me at this time.  At the end of 7 days, I will be able to measure my success in reaching this SMART goal.

2. Finding a Support System

Find someone or lots of someones to help keep you accountable, encourage and mentor you.  I found support in what seemed like the most unlikely places.  The CrossFit athletes that I have the blessing to know are a key factor in establishing life changes.  It's both heart-warming and humbling to know that, no matter how slow I run, they'll never let me run alone.  Trust me, I've tried to avoid the awkward moments when I'm breathing so heavily that it feels like I'm about to die and my dedicated friends are doing everything they can to run as slow as I'm going.  They believe in me and I won't let them down.

I also found the unconditional support of empowering women on social media.  Secret FaceBook books can be your best ally when implementing changes.  Being able to vent, post goals, ask for advice, cheer others on, read success stories, and post pictures to a controlled audience is priceless.  Please comment below if you're interested in joining of of these online communities or start your own with people you know.

3. Planning

Life happens all around me.  With a demanding career and two children to raise, my days aren't naturally conducive to exercising regularly or eating nutritious foods.  I have to force it. The key is in planning.  I've found a sense of security in planning meals, snacks, and grocery shopping trips for the week.  I seem to control emotional eating better when my food is planned. My Sunday evening routine includes preparing breakfasts and healthy snacks for the week.  I also take time to chop any meats and veggies I may need for our meals during the week.  In short, food prep is the new fast food in my home.



Dedicated to those who give me their unconditional support, are my healthy food companion when cake is abundant, run by my slow-pokey side, cheer me on during workouts, and encourage me on tough days...thank you!  You know who you are!

*SMART goals were developed for educational institutes but, are perfect for any area of life.  For more SMART goal information go here.

Recordar es Volver a Vivir

Title translation: To Remember is to Live Again

Hugging my brother for the first time in five years is a pretty amazing feeling.  My heart is full of admiration for him. Knowing that, at age 18, he decided to serve our country by becoming a United States Marine overwhelms me with pride.  Unfortunately, life sometimes gives you obstacles and this reunion was very delayed.

Six years ago our life was in turmoil.   Our mom's soul had gone to rest in heaven and, though her battle with cancer had ended, our struggle with life had begun.  Our little sister was only 17 and my brother was fighting a war in Iraq.

I remember her last days vividly.  Her cancer invaded her body right before our eyes.  There was nothing we could do except medicate her in hopes that she wouldn't suffer.  She had held on for so long but, was tired of fighting.  One night she told us she was leaving.  I knew that it was time to say good-bye so  I knelt by her feet and, with my arms wrapped gently around her achy body, I thanked her for the beautiful life she had given us. Tears ran down her face when she stared into my sister's precious face.  Sadly, there was someone missing.

My brother was on his way home from Iraq to say good-bye but, never got that chance.  She was already gone when he got home.  I had prayed for God to take her.  I couldn't see her suffer anymore. I knew that praying for her suffering to end would mean that my brother wouldn't get the chance to hug her one last time.  That was the hardest prayer I've ever prayed and I hope his heart has forgiven me.

When the funeral passed, it was time to say good-bye again.  The day my brother began his journey back to Iraq was the first time I missed my mom.  When the three of us were together, I felt safe in our memories.  The start of his trip was the also the beginning of trying to make sense of our lives without our mom.

We've spent years trying to put puzzle pieces together, years trying to make it back to each other. Being held tight in my brother's embrace suddenly makes everything fit.  Ecclesiastes 3:4 tells us that there is a time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance.  This is our time to laugh and our time to dance!

As I continue my journey to better health, I'll make new memories along the way.  Yesterday's memories will remind me not to be stuck in my time to mourn.

I CrossFit

I CrossFit.  Two words I’d never thought I’d say!   The reality is that my burpees are more like “stand-upees,” my mile is about 25 minutes long, my squats are just a slight knee bend, and the list goes on, friends.  I don’t like to dwell on those things.  I rejoice in everything those people who drank the Kool-Aid long before I did have helped me accomplish. 

My friend, Jayne, has always challenged me professionally.  She’s given me confidence to apply for new jobs, present to large crowds, and she’s constantly stretching my use of technology.  It turns out that last summer she also pushed me into the depths of CrossFit.

 Jayne was a runner but, when she joined a new “gym” we started noticing alarming things at the office.  A funny way of walking, callused hands, FaceBook pictures of her lifting tractor tires, uncommon acronyms, a strange dedication to her workouts, and choosing not to participate in our monthly birthday pig-outs are just a few of the signs that her gym was more like a cult.  Yes, a cult.  Cult, by definition, describes a small group of people with religious practices that others consider sinister.  If you disregard the religious part of the definition all the rest of the things she was doing seemed to fit it well. 

As sinister as it sounded, when her friend, Gil, told us about a summer class for kids I decided to sign both of my kids up.  Why?  Obesity is prevalent in my family.  I desperately needed to break the cycle.  My son, Landon, was only four years old during the class but, it didn’t take long for him show signs of cult membership.  My oldest, Isaac, was so empowered by the class that he challenged me to make some changes in my life.  Gil and Jayne had both asked when I’d start.  My response was always, “When you have a special class for special people like me, I’ll join.” Coincidentally, they were starting an on-ramp or beginners class.   

One thing led to another and I ended up in Gil’s intro class weighing 355 pounds at a place named RUK, which stands for R U Kidding!   When I started the class I was not able to jump; my feet would not leave the ground no matter how much my brain ordered them to.  I hadn’t run since “the mile” in grade school.  Getting up from the floor was an event.  I was so scared of what seemed like a frigid environment of athletes!  It’s no wonder I requested for my church to put me on the prayer list and I often prayed for Gil’s patience to endure my limited abilities. 

Gil did great, by the way.  In spite of constantly pushing me to a near physical and emotional breaking point, he helped me feel comfortable and confident.  It wasn’t long before I realized that the other people at this place (which I once thought was frigid and maybe God forsaken) also took an interest in helping me succeed.  They weren’t like that just with me but, had high expectations of each other and encouraged each other constantly.  I drank from the Kool-Aide and liked it! 

As of today, I’ve lost 39 pounds but, have gained so much!  I can jump rope, run, and hang from a bar and lift my knees while I’m there.  I secretly love being drenched in sweat, I love that my hands are starting to callus, and the feeling of accomplishment after a near-death experience (or workout, as they call them).  I’m blessed to be learning about and implementing better nutrition for my family.  I have a long way to go, but I’ve come a long way!

I pray that you can find a place like this.  Maybe you already have one.  Tell me about it. 

Welcome!

I was blessed to inherit my mom's "fuerza y valor," strength and valor.  Along with this blessing came the genetic inheritance of a BRCA2 gene.  This means that I have an 80% chance of having a breast cancer diagnosis.  I'm not a mathematician, but 80% is a pretty big chance.  The solution to rid my existence of the permanent dark cloud is to undergo an elective double mastectomy. The problem?  I have to lose 100 lbs before I can have this surgery.  So far, I'm 33 lbs closer!

This blog will help me stay accountable and connect to others.  It will also be a reminder to enjoy life in the meantime.

Tell me about you!  What goals are you currently working on?