Happy Birthday Momma!

It comes as no surprise to many of you how much I love my mom.  I've written about her before on here and today is no exception.  Today is Becky's birthday, so she deserves all the praise in the world on this day God graced the world with her presence.

My mom is hands down one of the most amazing women I know.  The only person who could be above her, is her mom, so obviously she took on many of her traits.  She is a spectacularly strong, caring woman.  Always giving all of herself to help bring a smile to others.

She has gone through a lot in her time on Earth.  Of course, it comes with the good and the bad... but she never shows her pain.  She continues on through the day with a smile, always making sure everyone is happy.

All my life I have looked up to her, though I have of course fought her on many occassions (putting patterns into my wardrobe, adding color into my life, boys), I have never wanted to be more like anyone in my life than to be like her.  If I could live up to be a fraction of the woman she is, I count that as a great success. 

Today, I want to say thank you for being you mom.  For being the most amazing role model ever.  For pushing me to be better.  For letting me know I can do anything.  For always letting me know that no matter what I do, you are always proud of me, and love me unconditionally.

Happy birthday momma... I love you!

For just one of the many wonderful stories on Momma Becky, check out one of my past posts on how she helped me after the Marathon Bombings.  Just one of the many things she has gone out of her way to do, to bring a smile to my face.  Click the blog title below.

A Mother's Love

Busting My Butt!

"Get Fit Fall"   

"Off Your Ass October"

"No Excuses November"

Yeah, there have been a lot of names I have thrown out for my attempts to stop being lazy.  At least this time, I'm making sure I'm sticking to my exercise regimen.  Granted I'm only on day 3, but I'm feeling pretty good about all this.

Yesterday was day 2 on DailyBurn, and I got to dance!  Metabolic HipHop with Keaira LaShae.  It only took 23 minutes, but damn was I sweating.  Kearia shows you a few moves, with modified versions for the adventurous, and after a few times of doing them individually, you then get into making a routine.  What I love is she is super fun, and tells you to make sure you have fun with it.  The whole point of dancing is to get out there and add your own flare and style, and Keaira encourages you to do that.  So it never feels like exercise, it's just plain fun!  I will let you know though, I was dying the rest of the day.  Legs hurt every time I tried to move.  It was bar night though, so the wine was extra delightful knowing I kicked my own ass so hard that day.

Now to today, day 3.  This was the workout I have been fearing since starting.  Cody Storey's Tactical Cardio.  It was hellacious... but yet not so bad with Cory leading the way.  He is like the Best Friend Drill Sargent you never knew you wanted, but always needed.  Cody Storey is a former professional snowboarder with a chill California attitude.  LOVE HIM!

Tactical Cardio... what is it?  Basically his version on an Insanity workout.  You go through 5 different movements, do them balls to the walls for 90 seconds straight, then take a 30 second break before moving on to the next... repeat for 3 rounds and there you go.  So yeah... I was terrified to do this when I looked ahead yesterday.  My body was already in so much pain I knew it couldn't be good to do something like that with the way I was feeling.  Surprisingly though, I was astonished at how much I was able to do!  In fact, I felt better when I was done than when I started.  And Corey, though he keeps pushing you to go farther, he also reminds you to do what you can, but not give up.  

Tomorrow is a "recovery" day with Corey.  Mostly just stretches and yoga moves.  Can't wait!

Let's Make This Happen

It's a tale you have heard me tell many times.  "I'm gonna exercise!" "I'm gonna eat healthier!" "I'm gonna run!"

Have I done that yet?  Nope.

Today I am going to change that, hopefully.  I have planted my feet, and have started on a healthier track.  As of today, I will make an effort to eat better.  Make an effort to exercise daily.  Make an effort to stop beating myself up, God knows we are only human and make mistakes.

Along with my coworkers, we have all decided to challenge each other to lose weight.  Technically it was supposed to start November 1st, but I don't really think any of us stuck to that.  Lol!  I had a Halloween party this weekend so I knew I wasn't going to start until today.  Too many sweets and booze in the house to start a diet on. 

Luckily for me, I was able to wake early (Thanks Daylight Savings Time!) and began my day with DailyBurn.  I know I mentioned it before, but this is such a good fitness helper.  The ones I have done have all been awesome, and the instructors are very supportive, but also have a high amount of energy.  I restarted the workout I chose a while ago and plan to stick with it, doing the daily workouts for a full month.  Let's see how that works out!

Also hopped back on to Weight Watchers.  Going to get on track... by tracking myself and what I do on the daily.  

Yes I know I have said this all before, but I am planning on writing about all that I do each day. Journal my daily work, hold myself accountable not just to myself, but to you readers.  

Today on the DailyBurn, I was challenged to a Tabata-style workout.  38 minutes total of doing 5 different workouts, as many as you can for 20 seconds, then having only a 10 second break before doing the next set.  INTENSE!  My legs feel like jelly right now, but I am so happy that I did it.  One day down, 27 more to go in my Total Cardio series!  I you want something different, I highly recommend you check it out, especially as the first month is free, then it's only $10/month after.  Check it out here!

It was then time to plan my meal for the day.  Luckily for me I have already been buying healthier food options, so it was easy to whip up a good meal.  Breakfast was a Tomato Avocado Salad with Scrambled eggs and mushrooms.  Then for dinner, I made Chicken Curry with carrots, onions and brown rice.  It made my house smell so heavenly that it was hard not to eat a bowl right then and there!  Snacks for work included baby carrots, and some Coconut Honey popcorn to help with the sweet tooth I've been having. 

With this menu, I am already at 20 points for the day, with my limit on WW being 26.  So when I get home I just need to make sure I don't pig out like I usually do.  That's the time I am most likely to gorge myself.  That quiet time alone at home, where there is no one casting judgements on my midnight McDonald's runs, or me grabbing Taco Bell before heading home after work.  These are the things I REALLY need to watch out for.  This is my Battle with the Blerch!