Day 6

Hello!
So I am feeling SO MUCH BETTER. ah, now I am ready to take on the world :) Tomorrow is Easter, which is fun, but FULL of sweets. yuck. I am trying so hard to stay away! Or at least just limit myself. Probably the second one. ;) On Monday, I am going to try and start exercising outside my garage for my cardio. Since I can't run, I am going to do a bunch of jump rope exercises. Thank you LIVESTRONG.com for giving me different exercise ideas!! http://www.livestrong.com/article/102354-different-jump-rope/  is where i found all of the different ways that I jump. They are actually a lot of fun :) I am aiming for 2-3 minutes each jump. I want to be able to work up to 5-8 minutes for each different jump. My first weigh in is next Thursday :/ Trying not to think about it but man, I want to succeed so bad!! I was craving chocolate the other night so I found a delicious recipe for chocolate peanut butter brownies. This lady has the BEST recipes! some of them....not too healthy... but we shall just indulge ;) http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2012/06/10/skinny-peanut-butter-swirl-brownies/
I hope you all have a wonderful week and good luck!!

Natalie

Day 5

Hey!
So, I am now on bed rest. BLECK. I am still going to try and exercise tomorrow morning. Not sure why, but I am determined. I am tired of being known as "the funny one" or "the quirky girl". I want a guy to look me in the eyes and tell me that I am beautiful and for me to actually believe it this time. I have had a really rough time with my weight. Not just losing it, but dealing with it to the point of I was counting every calorie I was eating and it developed into anorexia. Now, I wasn't hospitalized or anything because I have wonderful friends who pushed me to get help.. but, to this day, I am struggling with it every day. My weight fluctuates so much and I just want it to finally stay in one place. I was in a terrible place for 2 1/2 years and I have come so far along since then. I don't ever want to go back to that place. ever. It wasn't worth it nor was it fair to my body. I will be strong. I will be fit. I will love myself. I still have a long way to go, but I know that in the end... I will never look back because I won't need to. For those who are scared that they won't ever change or that they are stuck because they are so overweight or have gotten too far into an eating disorder, stop it. everyone, and I mean everyone has the ability to achieve their goals and to finally fully love themselves. You are not alone, and you shouldn't ever think that you are. Don't compare yourself to others. Everyone is different. If you focus on yourself and yourself alone, you will succeed. Confide in others because they may be able to finally push you to finally change your life, once and for all.

Natalie

Day 4

Hello!
So today was my off day.. I am starting to get sick with who knows what. I am pretty sure it's strep and I may be dead by tomorrow. Ugh. Anyway, my exercising for today was extremely pitiful as seeing that I am unwell, but I tried my best! I mostly focused on my lower abs as seeing that those are the ones that I need help with the most. If anyone has any suggestions, LET ME KNOW. This is going to be extremely short but I wanted to share a video that I found to really boost my motivation! This guy is AMAZING. I urge everyone to watch it if you feel like you are losing all hope.

Don't worry and don't give up! Good luck!

Lot's of love,
Natalie

Day 2 3/4

Hello!
So these past two days have been good. Yesterday, I worked a little bit on my legs but not too much because today I had physical therapy on my knee! That, right there, is a strength workout. I am still sore! Lately I have been eating foods that keep me full like wheat, fruits, veggies, etc. We will see how this turns out at my first weigh in next Monday :/ My body is still getting used to changing everything because today I have been EXHAUSTED. It is not fun, but in the end, it's all going to be worth it :) Some exercises that my therapist had me do for my legs were really great for that burning feeling!

• Calve raises on a plank of wood
• Wall squats with exercise ball
• Side jumps onto wooden box
• Leg lifts

And a ton more! sheesh. For any of you who read this, at all, if you have any questions on what I eat or how to do exercises, just shoot me a comment and I will definitely inform you! I am feeling so emotionally great lately knowing that, ever since I made that first decision that I want to change, I can control my fate. My future :) For all of you out there who think that there is no hope, don't worry. I thought the same thing. I have had many struggles with my weight. Just take it one day at a time and don't worry about how many pounds you've lost, but how much better you feel knowing that you are making a change in your life for the better :)

lots o' love!

Natalie

Day 1

Hello to whom ever reads this!

Well, it is the official day 1 of my journey :) Today I planned out my meals which included:

Breakfast: Quakers Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Morning Snack: Frozen Graham Cracker Peanut Butter Banana Sand which
Lunch: Tomato and Basil soup
Afternoon Snack: Triscuit Crackers with Laughing Cow Light Spreadable Cheese
Dinner: Tater Tot Casserole

For my lunch, I added a cup of skim milk to make it thicker. mmmm! So delicious! If you would like any of the recipes, just shoot my way, and I will gladly give them to you!

Along with eating healthy, I also have to exercise! Right now I am doing strength training along with starting yoga. I have never really done any yoga before so it will be interesting...
Today is my abs day. I am going to switch off between abs, arms, and legs.
I usually follow this workout:

• 30 sec plank
• 50 Medicine ball crunches
• 30 sec side plank (both sides)
• 50 Russian twists 
• 30 sec Bridge
• 25 Sit ups
• 30 sec plank
• 25 min of Yoga (any)

If you don't know how to do any of these exercises, I have the video links down below :)
Today was a little rough because I am trying SO hard to give up sweets.. or at least eat them in moderation. We had ice cream and I indulged a little bit. I kept my portion down to 1/2 a cup and even though I shouldn't have eaten it... I still kept it at a smaller portion :) Even if you slip, you can still get back on the band wagon! I will succeed! I am so excited! Granted, everyone who starts something new is excited... until you realize it kinda sucks. I am ready for a change. So. Ready. I wish you all luck with your fitness endeavors!
lots o' love,
Natalie

Plank:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSHjTRCQxIw
Medicine Ball Crunches:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Hf_5_rmaOc
Side Plank:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I990Wbr1JE
Russian Twists:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DYuSXvpu0g
Bridge:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOPkM2pzznc
Sit Ups:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fbU_MkV7NE

Weight Loss Journey

Hey all!
So I feel like the only way I can TRULY prepare for this summer is to finally tone my body and lose those last pesky pounds! Right now I am at 165. Ugh. No Bueno. My motivation? In late July, me and my family are heading to Gulf Shores for a big family vacay. Swimsuit season. Yuck. BUT I will be prepared for this summer! By the time we leave, I want to be at least 145. That is my goal. If I go lower, YAY. I am done feeling sorry for myself about being stuck where I am. The only way that I will be able to keep myself on track is to write about it.. so here ya go. For anyone out there reading it. This is my journey to a new and healthier me. I am prepared to take it head on :)

It all begins with one step...

So, I have always wanted to run 400 miles in one year... but sadly, I can't run as much as I used to because of my feet. So, I am determined to swim and bike 400 miles this year. maybe more. It depends on how I feel. BUT! it's going to happen. No matter where I am at, it shall be done. I want to prove the myself that I can do it and no one can stop me!
 I AM THE MASTER COMMANDER.
Life is good. :) In 2 weeks, I will be in Utah with my roommates as we travel up to school :)
I CAN'T WAIT FOR SCHOOL. Who would've thunk that I would ever say that?! defs not me.
I have been so bored at home since group swim lessons are over.
There was one day where I was up at 9.
Went to work out.
Came home.
Showered and got ready for the day.
Cleaned the house.
ate lunch.
Practiced.
Checked the time?
IT WAS ONLY 12:30.
How does that even?! I don't know.
So what did I decided to do?
I decided to learn Italian.
Here's what I've got so far:
Buongiorno! come stai?
ah! molto bene!
arrivederce e buona giornata!
boom. Italian?
So as you can see, I am so ready for school....
I am mostly ready for Winter Semester. My brother comes home from his mission in Ogden, Utah. I haven't seen him in two years. Yeah, I am ready for those two years to be over. I miss my best friend. sixmonthssixmonthssixmonthssixmonths. ugh. six months TOO LONG.
I finally got my Rescuers Down Under DVD from my mom for my birthday. I have watched it 3 times already... I just got it today.
My childhood has returned :)
Other than that, my life has been pretty chill :) nothing exciting has really happened. I am cruising along :)