Losing the Baby Weight & Finding Myself Again @oshia123 - Tumblr Blog

As you all know I’ve declared March #Meditationmarch. My goal was to meditate every day for at least a couple of minutes. I wanted to share a couple of tips for those of you who thinking meditation isn’t for you or who are interested in trying meditation but aren’t sure where to start.

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4 Tips for Meditation Beginners from a Newbie herself

As you all know I’ve declared March #Meditationmarch. My goal was to meditate every day for at least a couple of minutes. I wanted to share a couple of tips for those of you who think meditation isn’t for you or who are interested in trying meditation but aren’t sure where to start. Most of the articles out there are from experts who have been doing yoga or meditation for years. They have certifications and degrees which are amazing. However, it can be alittle intimidating and hard to relate to the author. So here are somethings I found helpful and have learned as a newbie (22 days in) myself.

1. You don’t need any special place or equipment to get started

That’s right. You don’t need to transform your bedroom into a temple, go to the forest or the beach. You don’t need fancy candles. You just need to find a spot were you feel comfortable and safe. (i.e. you don't have to worry about things falling on your head). *** I will say however it’s easier to meditate in my bedroom when the closet door is shut and the bed is made***

2. Start with 5-10 minutes first thing in the morning or last thing at night

When you first start meditating find a piece of music that is only 5 minutes long and appeals to you. It might be nature sounds, flutes or drums. The important thing is to sample the music before you purchase it; to make sure you actually find the music peaceful.

I wanted to sleep better so I only meditated at night, but when I tried it in the morning I found it really beneficial. I am focused and happier during the day. It’s crazy! (No my house isn’t completely quiet, I have two small children playing and singing in their cribs most mornings)

3 Try guided meditations

They are specially beneficial if you have a hard time quieting your mind. They are also great if you have a specific goal; sleeping better, losing weight, increasing wealth. You can find free guided meditation on i tunes/ pot cast, youtube and at your local library. Your library might even offer you free music downloads from Freegal. Call them and check!!! I have found some wonderful guided meditations and instrumental meditation songs.

Its important to try out different guided meditations to find out what one “clicks” with you the most. I have found that different accents and genders jive with me better than others even if they are talking about the same topic.

4. Have fun with it!!!! You’re NOT doing it wrong!

Be flexible with the time, change up the music. DON’T BE SO SERIOUS. Try yoga while meditating, running, dancing. If you are in sitting position you don’t need to stay perfectly still, if your body wants to move stretch!!! Listen to what your body, mind and spirit are telling you. The important thing is you are doing something just for you. To make you feel good! Go with the flow.

I hope you found this self published original article helpful. Feel free to contact me with any other questions you might have. I am here to help. Feel free to share this article on facebook.

**photo credit stocksy.com

#meditationmarch

Where we are at and where we are heading...

Hi guys, it's been quite awhile since i updated you on my weight loss and health journey. The past month has been extremely hard for me. One month ago today I lost one of my best friends, my partner in crime, my most favorite person ever my Poppie. We were closer than most grandparents and grandchildren ever will be.

His death coupled with Christmas my weight went up. I wasn't eating for comfort I was eating whatever was quickest and easiest. Which meant alot of left over holiday food and take out. I just didn't feel like cooking. I didn't feel like doing alot of things but when you are a stay at home mom of two young kids you don't really get a chance to be sad or mourn. You solider on because you have no choice. Then the last week of December/ first week of January I had possibly the worst head cold of my entire life. I didn't even feel safe driving my car for three days. I did weight myself on January 1st like so many people do. So here is where we are at....

Weight as of January 1st: 203.6

Last weigh in: 198.8

Gain/loss: +4.8

I did finish my first phrase of the fitness study but due to scheduling conflicts i haven't been able to get my DEXA Scan or offical weight loss/ inches loss meeting done yet. I should be doing those next week.

I failed my goal of a 42 pound weight lose in 3 months. As of this morning I was 202.2. I went back to the slow-carb diet with the one cheat day a week as of Monday (1-5). When I followed the plan to the letter that first month i did lose alot of weight 10+ and several inches. So my plan is do the slow-carb diet for at least another 3 months. If at the end of the 3 months i don't like it, i'll try something else.

My goal for the month is to lose at least 10 pounds at least 3 inches off my waist. I'll be taking my waist measurements today.

I think it's very doable in the next 4 weeks. The programs claims you can lose 20 pounds in 30 days...we will see. I really want to refocus on inches lost however. Anyone can lose water weight, I want to lose the dangerous abdominal fat I have. I carry all my weight in my tummy. After doing alot of research i found a lower carb diet with healthly fats seems to cut abdominal the most and fastest.

The quote i will leave you with really stuck a cord with me and my fitness goals "Not everyone can to super skinny but everyone can be strong!"

Namaste

oshia123

I’m challenging all my friend to do one small task (10 mins or less) you have been putting off all year, month or even today. Start 2015 with one less piece of mental baggage. Whether it’s changing a light bulb, cleaning out your car, putting up pictures, opening your bills. Anything you have been...

oshia123

I want to hear your "little" task you completed today!

Thrive 2015...clearing out that mental junk

I'm challenging all my friend to do one small task (10 mins or less) you have been putting off all year, month or even today. Start 2015 with one less piece of mental baggage. Whether it's changing a light bulb, cleaning out your car, putting up pictures, opening your bills. Anything you have been putting off. Nothing huge like re-organizing your whole closet, just simple little things you never get around to doing. Mine was posting items online to sell and sewing up Athena's blacket. I have to say it's has kind of snowballed into several other little/medium size jobs i've been putting off. For a great audio book on the subject i would really listen to Marlee Dee's Clear and Simple. it's free on the library's e-zone. GREAT GREAT organizational book and so much more...

Weight in week 8

Hi everyone.

Time for my week 8 weight in.

Current weight: 198.8

Last weight (two weeks ago) 202.4

Difference: -3.6lbs

Total Weight Loss for the Study: -11.2lbs (5.5%)

Total Weight Loss for the Year: -16.4lbs (7.6%)

Weight to lose to hit goal phase one goal (42 pounds): 30.8

Goal for next week: -2lbs or more (I'm being realistic here)

Measurements and pictures are due on Wednesday!

In order to hit my goal I will need to lose 4-5 pounds per week (I have 6-7 weeks left in phrase one). It turns out my last week was suppose to be the week of Christmas but the study shuts down for the week so my last week of exercising there is New Years week.

I should be getting my Dexa Scan the second week of January. I'm not going to give up. I'm not going to let low numbers get me down. I'm going to work it. Any weight loss is better than no weight loss.

These next 7 weeks comprise of the hardest time to be on a diet. Bring it on. I'm refocused and ready to go! I am going to weight myself on both Wednesday and Sunday next week. After looking at the calendar I've decided to move my cheat day to thursday for the rest of the year. All major events are happening on Thursdays (spa, thanksgiving,christmas). It just makes more sense.

Today is cheat day but i'm not going to over board. I did my protein and veggies for breakfast, but i had a donut and iced coffee for a snack. 've been drink my water.

Later days.

It's been awhile I know...

I know I know it's been awhile...19 days to be exact. Last time I checked in i was up to 202.4. When I weighted myself the next morning I notice the scale was zeroing out 4.2 pounds heavier. (instead of zero 4.2 pounds would come up). But i already posted 202.4 so i'm sticking with that.

In the last 2 weeks both the girls and I had a nasty cold. The little one is still fighting it off. I also turned the big 3-0. After not following the plan for 2 weeks I decided to get back on the horse. My weight never crept pass 202 but my tummy was definitely bloated and hard. I wanted to start back full force on the diet on Monday of this week but like I told my best friend. I was having a hard time getting back on it fully. My breakfast was right on plan...eggs veggies beans (one day toast did sneak in there) but the rest of the day I would choice foods not on the diet, ie carbs, or cheese, sweeted iced coffee's, a piece of halloween candy here and there. Nothing too unhealthy, but nothing on the plan either. It was a bold choice restarting my diet the day after my period started but I wanted to do it. It took me until Wednesday to go a full day just eating what was on the plan. As of Wednesday morning I weighted 201.0.

I checked the book the 4-hour body back out of the library and started re-reading it for inspiration. I have still been going to the fitness study 3x a week even while I was off plan. I am on week 6! I just reincorporated a kettle bell workout back into my routine. I've been doing some form of yoga every day except for one since my 30th birthday (My b-day is11-4, today is 11-14).

"But Kate the holidays are coming how are you going to handle that. I mean you went off plan for a cold...." I'm glad you asked I'm going to plan ahead and move my cheat day around alittle bit to help with the holidays. This week we are going to my parents house for my husband's birthday dinner on Sunday. I'm also going to the spa on thursday. My plan is to not go super crazy any day, and not have a cheat day again until Thanksgiving. (7 Days after the spa) I won't another full out cheat day until Dec 7th) That means i'm going to have to go a full 10 days with no fruit, dairy or iced coffees. I'll be able to do it. Like the guy says, if you are really going to break down have some sugar free jello. I'll eat if every night if i have to do to stay on plan. I really want push myself. The same pattern is going to come up again with Christmas however i'm taking both Christmas Eve Night (I am going to eat on plan for breakfast and lunch that day) and all Christmas Day off. (Nobody messes with my Christmas Eve Dinner....,mmmmmm tasty)

Thanks for hanging in there with me. I'll try to update every Sunday again. namaste

(FYI if you do get the book from the library there is a selection in there about having better sex. There are physically accurate drawings on gentile. Not going to lie to you I totally giggled like a school girl when i skimmed that selection....I'm an adult!)

keeping it real...

I'm keeping it real this week. I'm up 2.8 pounds. 202.4 (last week was 199.6). I know this is suppose to be weight loss blog but i think it's important to keep things really. I knew this week i would be up. I'm greatful it's not more. I've been a one step forward two steps back kind of girl. Yes, i was in onederland for alittle while and now i'm back up in the 200's. My goal was to lose 3.4 pounds this week and i gained 2.8 pounds. I'm not shocked. I made some poor choices through out the week. Nothing horrible but i'm very sure i didn't stick to the diet for a full day without cheating even a little all week. I found out on monday i would have an extra week to the study because of christmas. Instead of being using this week to get ahead of the game, I decided to make it "not count" not my best move. Life kind of get into the way. My eldest daughter was sick all week and i had a stressful time dealing with her doctor. That made me slip into old habits. I also didn't eat dinner until 9pm pretty much every day this week. While this diet doesn't talk about times to eat it, i'm pretty sure you aren't suppose to eat a full meal less an hour before bed.

My plan for this week. Take it easy on my "cheat day" today. I mean i cheated all week, alittle here, alittle there. I'm sticking with fruit, dairy and whole gains and one icecream sandwich. I'm re-reading my 4 hour body book. if i followed the plan this wouldn't have happened. i just need to get reamped, refocused. I did workout 3x this week. for 50 minutes apart. Thus proving exercise won't keep the weight off my it's self.

I hope this blog post, proves to you, I am a real person. I am really holding myself accountable. I hope everyone has a great week. I'll check in mid-week to let you know how i'm doing.

9 day till my 30th birthday!

Week 4..."One"derland

Hi everybody-

This is a big weight in for me. I have officially been on this diet for 1 month. I've been doing the fitness study for 2 weeks. Every month marker I'm going to include pictures and my measurement.

Current weight: 199.6lbs (that's right i'm in "one"derland people YAY!"

Last week weight: 201.4lbs

Difference: -1.8lbs (0.9%)

Total weight loss for the study/diet: -10.4lbs (5%)

Total weight loss for the year: -15.4lbs (7%)

Pounds to go reach my phrase 1 goal of 42lbs : 31.6lbs (i'm 25% of the way there)

Now the big ones:

Current waist: 46 inches

Last month waist: 50 inches

Total inches loss: -4 inches (hot damn) I didn't even do a single ab workout this month)

Current hips: 48 inches

Last month hips: 53 inches

Total inches loss: -5 inches (hot damn)

As you can tell i'm very excited by the numbers. I'm really impressed with the number of inches lose. I'm really really going to focus on my water this weight. In the begin of the week i barely drink any water and my cheat day spilled into Monday.

Goals:

This week: -3.5 lbs. I'm looking for a really big weight loss here.

This month (next 4 weeks): -12.6lbs or more

Goal weight for next month: 187.0

I need to make up a little bit of ground. In order to meet my goal of 42 pounds in 14 weeks i need to lose on average 3 pounds per week (for 16 weeks its 2.62lbs). My current average is 2.6, so i'm right on goal for 16 weeks but i'm honestly not sure when i'll have my next DXA scan so i'm focusing on closer to the 14 weeks. Either way I will be down 42 pounds by January 1st the latest.

Here are some one month pictures.

Have a great week. I would love to hear from you!

Namaste

Losing a bit of steam

Hi all

Though my weight is day is today I have yet again decided to change my weight in day. It's now Sunday morning.

Why do you keep changing it Kate? Isn't that cheating? Well you have to be flexible in life, just like with the weight lose journey. I found cheat day was slowly creeping into Saturdays. Especially Saturday nights after the kids when to bed. I would have a cookie or two, or something sweet, some times an iced coffee made with caramel and mocha would seek in there too.

This week we have been going going going. Plus we have an ant problem in our kitchen. There is a huge crack in the corner behind my only set of upper cabinets. That means i have no food or dishes storage currently. So things are EVERYWHERE! It has really been stressing me out. It's funny. I just watched a news clips saying one way to lose weight is to have a clean, clutter free house especially the kitchen. While i haven't swayed too much from the diet it's completely true. it's so hard to prep food when you have no counter space and no room to wash a pan.

When I weighted myself yesterday morning I hadn't seen any weight lose for the week, that really got me down too. I didn't cheat though. I was very happy with myself. But I was differently running out of steam. Like i said i do great for two weeks but then week 3 i wavier. We are currently on week 4. I decided to really focus on my water yesterday. I lose a pound from yesterday to today. Still over that 200 mark though. 200.4 to be exact. I'm really hoping with all my water intake today I can be in the 100's tomorrow.

I will say, this blog has really helped me stay on track or on plan. Anytime i'm feeling down or deflated I come here and type. (Half of this post was actually created yesterday, when i was really low energy.) I hope it's helping some of you out there too.

I took a seek peek at my measurements today though. I'm down over 2 inches...yay! I'll post the numbers tomorrow.

Namaste

It's all on how you look at it...

Morning everyone. It's weight in Saturday

Last Week Weight: 205.0

Current Weight: 201.4

Difference: -3.6lbs

Total weight loss for the study: -8.6lbs (-4.1%) (start weight 210.0)

Total weight loss for the year: -13.8lbs (-6.5%) (start weight 215.2)

I'm not going to lie, 3.6lbs is a huge number but i was really hoping for closer to 5.1. I wanted to be in the 100's so bad. But than i did the math in only 3 weeks I lost 4% of my body weight. That's crazy, especially since i got to eat cake, cookies, fries, a whole watermelon etc on my 3 cheat days *Sundays*. Plus my super sexy supportive husband said he noticed a real difference when he hug me this week. i felt alot slimmer. YAY!

Next week goal: At least 1.5lbs...really i want 3 pounds but 1.5 is the minimum. Wonderland here I come.

Goal for the first phase of the study is officially 42 pounds (20%) (only 33.4lbs to go). That would put me at 168lb.

Normally I would have a pant size goal but since i started the study wearing my maturity jeans my goal is jeans with a real zipper. lol

The study's first phase normally 12 weeks but due the fact that my DXA Scan was 2 weeks prior to the actual start of the physical study it will be closer to 14-16 weeks between DXA scans. That averages out to about 2.6-3 pounds a week. I know it might seem like an aggressive goal but remember this is my biggest loser challenge. I'm really going to push it. Don't worry i'm not going to take it any weight loss drugs. While that may work for some,i would rather lose the weight by eating well and exercising. I am going to stick with the 4-hour body plan for the duration of the study.

Have a great weekend. What are some of your goals for the week???

Namaste

Moving on up...

I've decided to move my official weight in days from Friday to Saturday. Though i did start the diet on a Friday most people do their weight ins the day before their cheat day. My cheat day is Sunday. Typically people do cheat days on Saturdays but since i'm a stay at home mom of two small children, not alot of partying is going down on saturdays anymore. Sunday is the day of family, food, fun and relaxing.

Sneak peak at the weight though...i'm down more than 3 pounds this week. I'm going to be taking my measurements and pictures once a month. Next week i'll be on the diet for 4 weeks so next week it is. I'm very excited!!!

i did slack on my water drinking this week so i'm really going to focus up on that this week.

Namaste

and the answer is....

I DID NOT eat the cookie. I'm very proud of myself. Yay for non-scale victories.

I unofficial weighted myself this morning. 203.8! (down 1.2lbs) and i still have two more days to go until my official

weight in. Maybe i'll get into the 100's this week!!!!

Oh the cookie to eat or not to eat, that is the question

Howdy folks-

I'm happy to report all is going well with the study. I've been doing the Zumba on the xbox for my 50 minutes sessions. I'm really enjoying getting out of the house myself and working out. I've been doing it in the morning which has given me so much energy. I'm not even drinking my normal midday coffee anymore. Before the study if i wanted to go to the gym i would have to wait until i put the girls to bed. I have be honest, after being up since 7:30a and working 13 hours the last night i wanted to do most night was go work out at 9:00-9:30pm at night

On to the title of this post. I'm really struggling right now not to eat a chocolate chip cookie. That's why i figured i would hop on here after cleaning up the kitchen. (why yes i do get to do house work at 9pm aren't you jealous?) Like most people i struggle with eating at night. I never really thought of myself as an emotional eater. i don't eat when i'm sad or lonely. However, I do/did like to unwind or reward myself at the end of the night with something sweet and a glass of milk or coffee. i haven't done it since i started the diet but some nights (Like tonight) it gets really hard. I just keep telling myself i'm not going to regret not eating the cookie. Also i've been trying to keep my mind and hands busy(ie the cleaning and blogging)

Anyone struggle with using food/drink as a reward or unwinding tool??

Namaste

Every little bit counts

You only have to weight in at the study once very three months. However, i'm making Fridays my official weight in days.

Current weight 205

Last week: 205.6

Difference: -0.6lbs

Total weight loss for the study: 5.6lbs

Total weight loss for the year: 10.2 lbs (also 5%)

I'm very excited about this. "But Kate its only 1/2 a pound. who care?" It's .6 pounds in the right direction and I have my period. Normally I'm up 3-4 pounds just in water weight during my period. I'm sure when it's done i'll have a big loss. It's all in how you look at. :-)

Have a great week!

It's not just about the scale...other goals

You can't just have a goal for the scale. it's important to have another fitness and wellness goals. I just finished reading a study how mediating for 20 minutes a day greatly impacted your health. I'm pretty sure i can manage that. Even if i miss a couple days that's ok. It's not an all or nothing game. Something is always better than nothing.

Here are my two yoga goals. I want to improve my dancer pose.

And my BIG goal is to get into and stay in a scorpion. It's one of the hardest moves in yoga but i've always wanted to do it.

I'm take pictures of my attempts through out the year.

What are some of your goals fitness, scale or other wise?

Namaste

oshia123

Welcome back!

First off I got the video game group for the fitness study. I’m so excited!

Before we go into my goals we need to see where I’m starting from. Back in April 2014 I was 215.4

At the start of the fitness study Sept. 18th 2014:

Weight: 210 *yay for keeping off those five pounds*

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Losing the Baby Weight & Finding Myself Again