How Jazzercise changed my life

Anyone who knows me knows I have struggled to lose weight my whole life!

It has defiantly been my biggest trial and challenge.

I envisioned the healthy Annie and KNEW it was attainable, I just needed things to click.

This process for me has taken MUCH longer than I expected.

It has not been easy or simple.

I have felt like a failure a lot.

I kept reminding myself it took Thomas Edison THOUSANDS of failures to get it right and FINALLY invent the light bulb.

I knew NO MATTER WHAT, I was NOT GIVING UP.

I was not going to stop until I found what worked.

When I am going to win something or something is right, I get butterflies in my tummy and I just KNOW it is the right thing.

I heard about Jazzercise back in 2009, (I can't believe it has been that long!)

My friend Heather won a weight loss contest doing Jazzercise (and some other serious work).

I thought it sounded like fun. I assumed it was like Hooked on aerobics so I dismissed it as an option.

It kept gnawing at me though.

I bought a video. I LAUGHED at the awkwardness and turned it off.

The gnawing didn't go away.

I kept making excuses. I have a gym membership, they have classes at the gym, I am not coordinated, I can't do that.

Then this spring my gym membership was FINALLY up.

As I thought about my options as far as exercise went, I KNEW I needed fun, structure, and  I DID NOT want to go to a gym.

I have LOTS of workout videos, but I get bored and turn them off.

I love "Dance Club" Music.

I would run if my body could do it, and am working toward that goal, but running wasn't the answer at this time.

I felt it burning inside me that Jazzercise was the answer.

As soon as we got back from Disneyland I knew what I needed to do.

I was SO SCARED that day driving up to the rec center.

I could feel that this was my answer and I was scared as to what that meant.

NO MORE EXCUSES

CHANGE WAS HAPPENING

I was LITERALLY turning the door to my new life.

My hands were shaking as I turned the doorknob.

I felt like I was going to throw up.

The fat girl inside was trying to tell me every excuse as to why I should turn around and leave.

I ignored her :)

I went inside and I knew this was it. This was where my journey would evolve to the next level.

The teacher was darling with a HUGE smile on her face.

The music was awesome.

I was keeping up.

My eyes welled up. My heart swelled. I KNEW this was it.

I was so happy.

Since then Jazzercise has given me so much.

Confidence

Strength

Endurance

Joy

I can do things I never thought I could do

I keep up

I am more limber

I am gaining tone and definition

I am meeting new friends

I am excited to workout every day.

I have endorphins like crazy.

I feel good about myself

I feel accomplished

I want to make good food choices

I LOVE my workout

I leave SO SWEATY

I am building strength

Most of all, I am changing my life.

You attract who you are.

 

We are all mirrors to each other.

 

When you are attracted to someone else in friendships, in relationships, in general, it is because they are reflecting back to you the attributes within your self that you already have and can refine and make a strength.

 

A lot of times this attraction is misinterpreted as jealousy, envy, or self loathing.

 

That girl in high school you thought was so perfect, your ex-boyfriends new girl, you perfect sibling.

 

All the things you think you are jealous of, really are just seeds of greatness that you have yet to water and grow within yourself.

 

You also see in others what you dislike about yourself.

 

Those people who annoy you, the girl who can't stop talking about herself, the guy who disregarded your feelings.

 

Instead of getting angry or hateful, look inside yourself and see if maybe they are reflecting back to you something that needs remodeling inside you.

 

We are attracted to people who are like we are, or who we want to be like. We want to feel better about ourselves, be inspired, lifted up and have a happy experience.

 

If we are depressed, self-centered, unhappy, miserable, and mean, guess what we attract?

 

Like attracts like.

 

I have been thinking a lot about this concept lately.

 

I want more good people in my life. I want close friends who truly care about me. I want to be thought of, and validated. I want to be inspired to be my best self.

 

I have felt like garbage about myself for so long. I have felt like my opinion and who I am was unimportant. I have felt like I have no talents and nothing to contribute.

 

HELLO! Look at the message I was sending out! STAY AWAY!

 

The people I admire are kind, thoughtful, look for the good, encouraging, faithful, loving, spiritual, close to Heavenly Father, Happy:)

 

So DUH! What do I need to be if I want that in my relationships???

 

It is simple when you think about it.

 

Like attracts like.

 

The things you love or hate about someone has NOTHING to do with them and EVERYTHING to do with you.

 

We have greatness within us!

 

I choose from today to find that greatness, harvest it with care, and tenderly separate all that I wish to change by finding the roots of those weeds and pulling them out so they NEVER come back.

 

Here are the things I am going to do to find the good in myself and see things with rose colored glasses:)

 

1. Find 3 things to be grateful for everyday.

 

2. Journal daily about a positive experience from the day.

 

3.Take care of my body

-relieves stress

-endorphins make me happy:)

-I can physically do god's work

 

4.Meditate

-learn to stay present and in the moment leading to more quality interactions

-Learn to listen more

 

5. Practice more kind gestures, compliments, acts of kindness, service, and thoughtfulness

 

6. Pray for others

 

7.Ask for forgiveness

 

8.Think before I speak

 

9.When I feel jealous, angry or bitter ask WHY?

 

10. Treat people how I want to be treated.

 

Thanks to everyone who loves and supports me.

Friday Favorites

I know this is late! I know I have been slacking! Well, I have been busy changing my life ya'll! I finally found our camera cord so Disney pictures will come next week. Today, I am telling you some of my favorite finds!



So you guys, lets get real, I need a treat in the afternoon. I have been trying to eliminate fake sugars and artificial junk. I never thought I would like dark chocolate, but these are FANTASTIC! I eat two squares round 3:00 and I am so so satisfied! So good!

Another treat

Chocolate covered Bananas! SO creamy and satisfy that sweet tooth! Also it's a banana so it can't be all that bad!

Now I usually drink only water, but this stuff is LOADED with anti-oxidants! So good! I use it to take nasty vitamins and  pills.

Coconut water. This is something I have tried many times and just didn't like. It is so good for you. It helps you recover after a workout and also helps with dehydration. It is LOADED with potassium. No Charlie horses here! I mix it with the juice above or in my protein shake. Chocolate is the best if you are just drinking it alone.




I am on a wraps for lunch kick. I love turkey with avocado, sprouts, tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce and banana peppers. I Use Hummus instead of cheese or mayo. SO GOOD! These have 9 grams of fiber which makes them low carb. SO TASTY!



I have a love hate relationship with bars. I love how convenient they are, I hate that most are loaded with junk! These are great. All natural, you could make them yourself. They are in your dairy case usually. Keep them cold! I eat half at a time with some fruit.

I hope you are all having a great weekend! Here's to another GREAT week!

Eating and Jazzercise!

Let's talk about fitness for a minute. They say to be consistent in working out you have to find your "soul mate workout". For some it is lifting weights, running, zumba, swimming, or a sport. I have NEVER loved working out. Being on a treadmill, or stationary bike is TORTURE!!! I have to have great music and even then I can PUSH myself to 30 minutes MAX. It is a struggle! I tolerate walking outside and can struggle through a video at home. I must have exercise ADD. I just can't stay on task. I am aware of EVERY SINGLE MINUTE I am working out. I NEVER hit that addiction to exercise, exercise high, or craved working out. I was always TIRED and needed a nap after working out.

I DO however LOVE dancing! I am not a good dancer by any means, I am pretty uncoordinated and can't follow most teachers. I LOVE zumba, but I am just not good at following the teacher. I love the dance music and moving my body though. I also love group fitness because well, I LOVE the energy and feeding off others! LOVE IT!

You guys, I have found my SOUL MATE workout.

I can't believe it! I have been WAITING and CRAVING this feeling! It is SO FUN! I don't even notice that I am working out. It is just like hanging out with your friends for an hour a day and partying! The music is fun, the moves are EASY to follow, and everyone around you LOVES doing it! The teachers are fun and It is so fun! I crave my workouts feel energetic afterwards and want to conquer the world when I leave. I sweat so much and burn about 800-1000 calories per workout! I am sore everywhere just hours after my workout. I LOVE IT!!! You work your whole body. It is about 40 minutes of cardio and 20 minutes of strength training. New routines every six weeks so you are constantly mixing it up. Everyone is SO nice and encouraging. I was CRYING during my first workout because I was SO in LOVE and KNEW I had found my answer!!! The teacher even told me I was a graceful dancer and could tell I had Dance experience. HAHAHA! Thanks Jolene Kennedy. I guess my six years of dance as a child paid off!?

Also,
I had been SUPER frustrated because I just wasn't losing weight. I had not learned about NET calories. I was basing my calories on food only not taking into consideration my workouts. So I was basically not eating enough calories and my body was in starvation mode and I was plateauing. YUCK!

To figure out your calorie needs, use this calorie counter and save yourself some heartache, stress and wanting to throw the scale into on coming traffic!

This was the reason I was Hungry all the time, "Binging" at night and sabotaging!! All that is GONE now! WHOOT!!! I get more calories per day and get to eat 6 small meals AND dessert!!! WHOOT!!!!


Yay for Answers to prayers!!!

Friday Favorites

So I am posting some of my favorite things for this week. Pictures from Disneyland and an updated meal plan are coming next week so be on the lookout! Here are my Friday favorites!

Let's face it ya'll we all need treats! My new meal plan let's me have them! WAHOO!!


These are amazing! Creamy and 40 calories per pop! 6grams of sugar and this is a winner!



I don't know about you, but by 7:00 pm I am in need of sugar! I am ready to claw people's eyes out, it is almost bedtime, and Momma needs a fix. These are so good! I love lemon flavored desserts. These are subtly Lemony. I get them at Walmart. They are 20 calories an 1.5 grams of sugar per cookie. That means I can have 5 for 100 calories and  7.5 grams of sugar. When I get to eat five, I feel like I am getting more for my calories!

Ok we all know I LOVE Peanut Butter. Even though it is healthy fat, I seriously hate wasting 200 calories on 2 TBSPS. Enter Jif Whipped Peanut Butter. It is 140 calories for 2 TBSPS!!!! Whoot! I was using Peter Pan whipped but I will be honest it isn't very Peanutty, you know what I mean? This has a rich peanut flavor and you seriously can't tell a difference! SO GOOD! They make a chocolate peanut butter whipped too.


Special K granola bars. 4 grams of protein, low sugar, and 110 calories. I pair it with some fruit and a Carbmaster yogurt! For a snack under 200 calories! YUMMM!


 
These are delicious! They are light and airy and a great crunch. Unlike the Special K Cracker chips (that I still love) Popchips have all natural ingredients. 16 chips are 120 calories, I usually have half that and still feel satisfied.


So because I had a gastric bypass, I can't drink soda, or energy drinks. But this gal needs a little something to help out the old energy situation!!! I did by something similar but it was like $27 for 12 packets!!! I know, but I was DESPERATE!! I like this so much better not only because it is $1.78 for 10 packets, but it dissolves and tastes better! WHOOT! DON'T take this if you plan on taking a nap! It gives me so much energy. It tastes like crystal light. I don't take this everyday, but it sure helps when I do! WINNER!!


What are you loving this week???

Favorites Week-wrap up

Here are just some general favorites. Some may be repeats.

Color-Purple
Number- 9
Song-Crash by Dave Matthews
Food-Pizza or Tacos
Candy- CHOCOLATE!! Peanut Butter, Peanut or Almond M&M's, Skor, or Snickers mini
Movie- While You were sleeping
Soundtrack- Forest Gump
Band-The Beatles
Artist- Michael Buble and Harry Connick Jr.
Pattern-Polka Dots! also I like Chevron too! Oh and damask!
Intrests-Interior Decorating and Organization
Hobbies-Singing, Reading, Writing
Season-Fall! I love the harvesty smell, colors, leaves, crisp air and Halloween!
What I love about Summer- FARMERS MARKET!! I love the veggies and yummy treats! I love the warm sum on my skin, kids playing, sprinklers, popcicles!
Where I want to visit- Tahiti, Bahamas, Hawaii, Cozumel, Ireland, Australia, England, and New York!
If I could meet anyone famous- The Duggars! LOVE THEM! Also Dermot Mulroney, Ellen, and perhaps Will Smith!
Perfume- Romance
Smell-Oranges, Lemons, and Limes. Basically the way Jamba Juice or The Body Shop smells.
I also love the way craft stores, and salons smell.
TV Shows- Monk, Friends, Modern Family, Elementary, CSI, Criminal Minds,19 Kids and counting, Sister Wives, Breaking Amish, What not to Wear, Teen Mom, and the Real Housewives.
Treats- Rootbeer Freezes, butterfinger blizzard

That is all! Any questions??? Hope you all have a great day!

Favorites Week- Hobbies

So today I am sharing my favorite Hobbies. Things I do to pass time that bring me joy!

Doodling, Writing, making lists etc. I love journals!



Art- Painting and Collaging- these are not my works. I just don't have the space here to do too much of this, but it is one of my favorite things to do.



Singing and Dancing

I really want to take singing lessons. I have a pretty good voice but I would like to get better. I am not now nor do I ever plan on being a great dancer, but I love doing it. I love the game Just Dance. I sometimes just turn on the music and the kids and I dance around.

Reading- I LOVE to read! I love books that draw you in and you can't put down.
Some favorites:


Movies- I like to watch movies too. Romance, comedy, historical etc.





What are your favorite Pastimes??