do the claws again.

[robstersheegahns]

Robster, the early years.

Our 2 year anniversary just passed and I thought it would be nice to reflect on how God brought us together, bc it truly was a gift of His timing and preparation of each of our hearts until we met that made us a good match. 

It's come to my attention that I know quite a few couples who are success stories from CMB- Coffee Meets Bagel. If you have yet to hear of it, It's a Facebook app that uses your network of friends to match you with people that are just out of your immediate pool of friends. Typically this avoids awkward dates with your current single friends that you have no desire to date.  I didn't know much about the app prior to using it, and my decision to get on it was somewhat of a dramatic one. I'm writing this without giving you much of a back story to the relationship between me and my parents. If this is the first story you are reading, then don't be misled by their panic and craziness here as it pertains to my dating life- or lack thereof.  They are caring, God-loving, I will take a bullet for you type of people who pray for a living- and bear much fruit. I wouldn't be who am I am without them. But.. that's not to say that we didn't butt heads- particularly about this part of my life. 

April, 2014... I turned 29. Which to my Korean parents meant the alarm went off on my expiration date for marriage- ability. I totally understood why they were concerned- I spent the majority of my time at work or at church- a pool that was not viable for me in terms of dating. LOL. though I did try. Well after many fiery phone conversations- my refusal to start courting a Korean doctor caused an ultimatum. If I wasn't willing to date this guy, who was long distance, whom I had already met and knew it wasn't a match, AND who they knew little to nothing about aside from his parents- then I HAD to agree to go on a dating website.

 Enter CMB!!!

 It was free and seemed the least scary out of all the other options. They agreed, but only if after one month of this seemingly cheap free site, I joined a paid site if I hadn't met anyone yet. 

Anyways, Rob and I were matched on CMB on June 12, 2014. I remember seeing Rob's profile- at first glance these were a few of my thoughts. 1. He's white. 2. His job title is in Korean. 3. That's weird. 4. Why does this white guy write in Korean? 5. He looks smart. 6. He plays guitar. 7. There is literally nothing about running on here. 8. Oh shoot, he's younger than me...

I think every girl out there may have a couple of things in mind when they are thinking about their future husband. We’ll call them preferences...

I just had a few things I thought would be nice: my age or older, likes to run, loves Jesus- in reverse order of importance. But other than that I wasn't too picky- after all as it had been pointed out to me several times- I was 29... Actually a week before that an older sister of mine had taken me aside to somewhat rebuke me about the way I was boxing in some of the younger brothers in my life. She basically said, cut out those notions of what you think is necessary in a husband and be open to what God has in store. For me that could only allude to- hey be open to younger, non-running, Jesus-lovers. And LO and BEHOLD, Rob appears mere days later- and I think that was God's way of opening my heart to a man that maybe I hadn't pictured but a man that He had planned just for me.

2 FROGS, 1 PRINCE (not in that order)

I met three guys on CMB- one black, one korean, one white. How diverse right? 

After joining in May-ish- I got my first match. He was lawyer, he was into Ballroom dancing; he seemed nice albeit a bit serious. There was another weird connection in that he was someone one of my patients had offered to set me up with previously and we didn't realize this until after the failed first date- but let's just say it was a good depiction of how on-line dating can go. We got ice cream- it was extremely hot outside. We ate outside where it was sweltering. There was a lack of chemistry, he had a sneeze attack... at one point he asked me my favorite color...  after 40 minutes, I said I had to meet up with some friends in Chinatown and sca-daddled out of there. We never spoke again.

I was matched with Rob next- and after our match- we became FB friends and had our first 2 hours chat-a-thon on messenger that night. We found out we both had done missions in Haiti, both on praise team. He served in a korean church- my dad is a Korean pastor. He's in seminary to become a pastor. We both spoke French (him much better than me). We both had a heart for missions in general... it was in his words- “trop bizarre....” The next day we progressed to a phone chat on his drive to Brooklyn from Philly. A longer phone chat the next day. Then a 2 hour video chat the next day. We seemed to be clicking from the get-go. Th real test would be meeting each other in person- we scheduled that for Tuesday June 17. We had started texting and it was fun to see his name pop up on my screen. Classic- beginning of a relationship jitters, excitement, and curiosity all wrapped up in one.

Literally the day that Rob and I were supposed to meet, I actually got another match. That's the thing about on-line dating that can be tough. You are encouraged to date and pursue multiple people which I guess is efficient and makes sense, right? This 3rd guy was basically all the things that I thought were “missing” in Rob... isn't God funny that way? He was Korean. He was in finance vs. ministry which is a lot more stable. Most of his pics were in races- running. He was my age. ... I was like God is this a joke? After talking to a few people about it, I decided ya know what? I have to meet this guy too. No matter how my date goes with Rob, this will just give me more info. So for 2 CRAZY days, I talked to both of them. I honestly think this third match was God's way of reminding me that His plan is better. Yes on paper this guy may make more sense.. but in every way... Rob was actually the better God-given match for me. 

So...finally- OUR FIRST DATE!

I asked to meet at Chapterhouse which was about 2 blocks away from my apartment at the time. It was a blazing 95 degrees that day and me in my smart- only if it's opposite day- thinking was like OH i'm gonna go on a run! silly me who did not time it right- my body was still thermo-regulating post shower and couldn't stop sweating. That 2 block walk washed off the make up I tried to apply- if you know me I don't wear the stuff so that was tough. I even stopped at the Starbucks 1/2 block away to look in the mirror and see if my mascara had run down my face and if my sweat was visible... After a few minutes of deep breathing in the air-conditioned bathroom, I walked up the street. There he was... standing in front of the house des Chapitres... 

My first thoughts: Crap- He's skinnier than me. His hair is so... fluffy... and his face is... nice :) . We got inside- and chose our drinks before sitting. He did NOT pay for me.. which to others may have been a turn off but because of our previous convos about his frugality I didn't take offense to. We started talking about.. everything. He told me things about his family that were not "first date" topics... and as he was talking I found myself asking... “If I let myself- could I fall for this guy?” and the answer? YES! 

I couldn't help but but think Yes- as I looked at his face telling me some animated story about ministry... that yes this could be a guy that I could fall for. FYI- guys out there- yes most of us girls ask this kind of big picture questions as early as the first date. It's just how our brains work. If we can't picture a future- then for us that's a big reg flag. Don't worry most of us have not problem imagining quite a bit even from the first date

We spent 2 hours talking non-stop, and walked out saying we were excited to see each other again. The rest is history. Which I will go into more stories later for those of you curious enough to read on.

Rob and my match, though facilitated by a dating app was in God’s absolutely perfect timing. All those years I waited- impatiently- for this guy to waltz into my life... it could not have come sooner because neither of us would have been ready for it. 

Hopefully this will remind some of you single ladies out there- I know how you feel. I waited 29 years for this part of God's plan for my life to unfold. It's not the end all- be all of my life. Nor should it be! But I sure felt like that when I was single. As I watched each of my friends pair up and get married, I felt seriously left behind. My appearance insecurities didn't help that at all... but my single season prepared me to meet this God-loving man that I know is the perfect match for me. I see it everyday in the way Rob loves me, cherishes me, and puts God first. Of course there are hard parts- any married person will tell you that. but rehashing this story reminds me more than ever that God's faithfulness in undeniable and we need to pray for Him to give us more and more faith everyday. Trusting in His plan requires it.

anyways, more stories to come!

[robstersheegahns]

oh hi, again!

Being a Pastor's wife is something that I never particularly wanted to do... nor do I think I'm particularly good at... yet. I’m praying that the Lord will continue to refine my heart, give me wisdom and patience, and compassion for the journey that I am on- and the journeys that others are on.

That being said- I wanted to do a series of posts on my journey up until now- my experience with being a PK- a Korean PK at that. Dating in the secular and on-line world. My weight loss/fitness journey, fails and successes. Finding Love and love. All the frogs. Knowing my Father before dating the frogs. Robster- the early years. Robster- the first year of marriage. Robster- trying to start a family. These are the topics I want to log and hopefully if you are a Jesus-lover on your own journey... it will point you to the cross, remind you there is no comparison worth stewing over when it comes to our unique stories, and confirm that Jesus is hilarious....

[robstersheegahns]

WOW IT’S BEEN SO LOOOONG SINCE I POSTED!!!

The last post was just 2 months after I started 21 Day Fix. I’m now finishing up the prep week of my 5th Fix. Can you believe that? Because I certainly cannot.  The last 2 Fixes were 21 Day Fix Extreme. and yes... it is EXTREME. Weights during plyos, lunges, more dynamics. It was so challenging in a good way. The 4th Fix I upped my weights too (9>>12# dumbbells) and that has felt so good! I feel stronger which is now my focus that my weight is where I originally goal-ed it to be. I realized the other night as I was lunging with the weights... 24 pounds... and I was thinking this is heavy! But then I realized that was what I was carrying around all the time when I had let my weight get so high! That’s CRAY! can you imagine what my joints were going through at all times with 24 extra pounds?

August was my first time running a challenge group. They did amazing! I’m still catching up with some of them but within the first week, there were already 20+ pounds lost from my 9 challengers. I can’t wait to post the end results. 

It was really helpful for me too to be leading an accountability group- in those moments when I wanted to say- i’m too tired- thinking of helping them pushed me forward. That’s not to say that I haven’t been wayyyy more lenient with my diet. Something I want to HOLD ON TO is that even the most strenuous exercises cannot out-work a bad diet. I feel so much healthier, more energetic, and better when I’m eating clean. Do i dream of blueberry muffins and donuts at times? You betcha. But nearly every time I do indulge in a bit, or a treat- I find myself thinking- that wasn’t what I thought...it wasn’t worth it.

In my heart, I’ve paralleled other sins beside gluttony to this. Those sins in my life that look soooo appealing and then when indulged in- only bring hurt and disappointment.

Anywhos, it was good to update. Will try to do so more often!

[robstersheegahns]

2 MONTHS after starting 21 Day Fix (i still hate taking these pics)

18.9 lbs lighter, stronger, 15.5 inches smaller!

It’s been such a wonderful journey thus far. There have been some tough small decisions- like opting out of my regular snacks, and giving up some runs to do exercise on a more holistic level. But there was only one BIG decision and that was to JUST GO FOR IT!! 

I’ve been thinking a lot about WHY I decided to go forward with Beachbody coaching and LIFEwithE. I think it was a step forward but it confused me in some ways too. I didn’t feel a ton of support from many of my christian brothers and sisters, or even my best friends, and in my mind I thought- understandably so- that’s okay and I guess it does seem vain. 

But after talking to a few people and seeing an impact there just with sharing my struggles with appearance, identity, and the balance needed for health- I really do see a purpose here to help others- sisters especially! There is a need for healing from past hurts/comparison in order to healthily move forward, and to offer spiritual accountability for something physical that plagues us even though we know at the end of the day that we are beautiful daughters of Our Father in Heaven. 

While RB was in Haiti I had a few revvies- and I wanna share one on here and maybe the few of you who do read this will be encouraged in some way. It just goes to show you, that the 30′s are the decade where you really do sink into your identity- figuring out more who you are. It has been SO AWESOME. 31 has been my best year yet.  I spent my 20′s being unsure, insecure, and at times a bit of a flip-flop so that I would be relevant to whoever I was close to at the time. Not in big ways maybe just in a small things, but when I look back I wish that I could have just realized on a deeper level that God does create us very uniquely and those differences make us perfectly His own. 

Revvie 1: The other day, I met up with a friend who in the past year has been selling Arbonne. She is amazing and doing so well for herself- I’m so excited for her financial success! She said something along the lines of: “This has changed my life. And now it’s just gotten to the point where it’s changed my life so much that I can’t NOT share it with people who don’t know about it.” 

Yea- she’s making a killing as an Arbonne consultant and she’s paying off her student loans like crazy. It would make sense for me to want to attain the same success since eventually RB and I do want to commit to long term missions work or what ever the Lord has in store for us. We really do feel like our student loans are a hindrance to that. But as she was talking about it- in my mind what I was thinking is- THIS IS HOW WE SHOULD FEEL ABOUT JESUS!! For how much our lives have been changed by who He is, what He’s done, the sacrifice that he made- how can we NOT share about who He is to those that don’t know? 

It’s funny for God to use an Arbonne pitch in this way- to remind me that He is who I’m living for, the one thing that has changed me forever- and that if that is true- we will have that conviction to share with those around us who are searching. 

It was also His way of reminding me that yes loans are a hindrance but He won’t let that keep up from doing His work. I can’t tell you how much this revvie meant to me. And then when RB came home, to find out that he was given similar revvies while in Haiti just reminded me all the more- He is so sovereign and so very loving. 

I’m so excited to see where this summer/fall will lead. With continuing to offer support to others who are struggling with their health, to keep building up my PT clinic, to grow in my faith and share more about JESUS who has changed my life in the biggest way possible, and to do that with the person God chose for me as a ministry partner... I just know that it may be challenging and difficult at times, but it will totally be worth it. 

Be encouraged friends!

[robstersheegahns]

Back from Seattle and back on that work grind. How did those 4 days go so fast? 

[robstersheegahns]

update. couldn’t think of a more enticing title.

hello friends of tumblr. 

it’s july first and the eve of our FOURTH BIFFY REUNION. 

Our first: 2003- Right after graduating high school. Cass, monsie and I embarked on our FIRST road trip as “adults”. In reality I was the only 18 year old and that liiiiitchrally meant nada. The conditions on which we were able to go:

- our destination had to be cass’ family members’ homes along the east coast. - everyone had a copy of our mapquest plan- yes we mapquested it: akron >>boston>>delaware>>akron. not the coolest destinations but we were just happy to be trusted and listen to our heart’s content to bsb, joy williams, and michelle branch. pahahaha. so many highlights to this trip if i can recollect: our first time to boston, riding the subway, driving through NY, stopping in the bronx to pee, all of us driving 100 mph in nowhere, pennsylvania, rehoboth beach, henna tattoos, grotto pizza > port-o-potty, and yearning for boyfriends. pretty typical right? oh and what we didn’t know then were selfies via disposable cameras- the kind you have to wind!!! 

Our second: 2007 trip to LA! It was really a trip to celebrate Cass getting married. She was the first one- at 21 :) I remember so little of this trip save for the awkward accommodations with yon’s ex-unofficial-almost-bf’s new official gf. but free was free back then right? it wasn’t as awkward as it sounds and that’s bc of Jesus. highlights: santa monica pier, palm trees, korean food, and just biffyhood. 

Our third: 2010 road trip to Rhode Island and DC! It was before my last year of PT school, and monsie’s 3rd year of med skoo. Sea food, hidden beaches, shopping, monuments, good ol’ Abe, mango ice cream bars, that thai food after walking for hours betwixt museums, canoeing, i feel like, lion king? is it sad that i don’t remember?

NOW Our fourth: going to SEATTLE!! yayayy can’t wait. We are all leaving our husbands behind (this is not a perk- rather a disadvantage for me bc i will miss RB tons- you sorta get used to having someone around all the time :) and then he’s leaving for haiti the day after i get back). But it will be an awesome girls trip and one that will present many opps to practice good eating decisions and exercise! plus see a city none of us have seen!

Today was the last official day of my 2nd 21DAYFIX. 

So since starting on May 9 i’ve lost 17.3 pounds and 15.5 inches! What’s funny is that i don’t know if I look ALL that different to anyone else but i FEEL so much healthier and energetic and like I’m doing something really positive: Investing into my future health. It’s been an interesting journey in faith too- as I am surrounded by a lot of people who are doing this for the literal “beachbody” part of it. I certainly don’t blame them for that- but I’m praying as I go forward with all of this that my goal will never be tainted by wanting to look like someone else or trying to impress others with my body BUT instead that it will be healthiness that I strive for even if it doesn’t look like the conventional standard. There’s some digging deep required to understand how/why we get to points where we feel like our weight dictates our identity and our potential. It is a slippery slope and one that I hope I’m able to help other sisters journey through as I continue to navigate it. 

ok that’s all. HAPPY FRIDAY YALL!

[robstersheegahns]

Shout out to CLE Cavs for winning the championship!

I only followed the finals at the request of moral support of my biffy- who is probably the biggest Cavs fan that I know. But you know what? It was really exciting. I can totally see why people love watching basketball. 

Also, it’s an amazing story. So many emotions, LBJ’s departure from CLE, his return, the team’s heart and the fan base in NE Ohio is unlike any other. 

I find myself feeling inspired. To be diligent, to continue in this fight whether work, health, or serving at church. It’s not always going to be easy, and you may not be gunning for the championship. But... if you ever feel like you’re not moving forward, you have to remember why you started. That’s how i’m feeling with this whole blog, weight loss journey towards health, the new job, marriage and ministry, loss of community while still living in Philly... it’s never exactly what you imagine and will not stay stagnant. It’s fluid and changing and our characters are being refined as we respond and move forwards in challenges we face. 

Reminding myself:

Days when I feel like i’m not impacting patients- that we are still growing as a clinic and you can only help ppl who want help.

Days when my weight stays the same- I still feel stronger and it’s not big things that will change my health but the small decisions with food and exercise.

Days when I feel insecure about putting myself out there with LIFEwithE- that this is the way that we connect and help each other realize we are not alone in struggles. 

Days when I feel triumphant- it is God’s grace and provision. 

Days when I feel alone- how can I turn that into helping others know that they are not alone?

Just some thoughts this Monday morning. This is Week 3 of the second round of Fix but I think I will be going one more week since I had vaca the 2nd week. I’ll let you know how things turn out! :) 

[robstersheegahns]

Hello Tumblr friends!!! 

I know it’s been a few days since I’ve posted. I can’t believe the whirlwind that has been these past few weeks. This next adventure has been such an exciting one, and like it says, 

IF IT DOESN’T CHALLENGE YOU, IT DOESN’T CHANGE YOU. 

my new FB page is: https://m.facebook.com/LIFEwithEsther/ 

Life stands for a few things I’m interested in talking about

L: Love in marriage, friendships, sisterhoods <3

I: Involvement in your own process and the community around you! Beachbody and a new process for a healthier you. 

F: FOOOOOOOOD- my joy and my nemesis. How I navigate weight loss, sustaining it, and still finding joy is something that is important to me!

E: Exercise- oh how I love this last one, and it is the one that I have the most experience with. Not just bc of my profession but bc it’s been my de-stressor, my companion, and my pizza-negator via running for 13 years!

I don’t know how to explain how it came about- going so public about Beachbody and my own weight loss journey, but I’m glad that I’m here. If it were even last year, I think i would have been too self-conscious to do it. But I’m glad that it’s come at this time- where I need excitement in my daily routine, more accountability... and bc I know there are others out there who need a push... a little help!

I”ll keep you updated! :)

[robstersheegahns]

Lower fix and meal prep for tmrw! The fix hasn't officially started but I just enjoy taking ownership of my body in a way I wasn't able to before! Being a good steward of it 😁💪🏼🙌🏼 Funny how I'm learning these lessons in my 30's! I'm sure there will be many more to come 🙃

[robstersheegahns]

PreSEASON Day 2!

So I am already a part of a June Challenge group with my amazing Coach Tanya!

But I plan on starting a challenge group for those who are interested- I’m using this tumblr for orders until I get my FB page up and running which is proving somewhat time consuming -___- (that’s the most azn emoticon I use lol)

so if you do want to get ON DAT BALL and order your 21 day challenge pack as soon as possible, just go to this link. 

http://www.beachbodycoach.com/lifewithe

>> in the middle it says “Buy a Challenge Pack”

>> another window will pop up and 21 DAY FIX is on sale! $140 $

>> You will have to create a log in and when you finish, it will indicate that you need to designate a coach. THAT’S ME!! :)

If you have any trouble with this, please FB message me, text me, or whatever means necesario!

SO EXCITED to run a challenge group full of ladies I love and care for!

[robstersheegahns]

Very fitting that technically my last meal was trying to navigate a Korean BBQ, named Honey Pig. No doubt that many a meal from here on out will be trying to apply the principles I learned over the last 21 days but I'm up for the challenge knowing that it's the small decisions that will get me to my goals!!

[robstersheegahns]

DAY TWENTY ONE!!!!!!!!! 

 I have so much to say but where to start?? 

For anyone who has been reading this journey- there are like 4 of you lol. I want you to know that I debated doing this whole thing in the first place. There were so many reasons not to in my mind. 

 I didn’t want to admit I needed help. I’m a logical, healthcare professional who loves exercise. How could I admit not knowing how to lose weight or how to eat right? 

 I didn’t wanna take before and after pics bc it’s embarrassing. 

 I don’t wanna bombard people with these very self centered sometimes self loathing deets in my life. 

 Everyone else is doing it and even I have had the thought- that’s annoying for them to presume that I care about these deets of their life. 

I think the beauty of this tumblr is that the only ppl who read it are the ones who care about what I’m doing! I doubt there are people who pressed 3 extra links just to read and then to loathe what I’m writing about. I think people generally would have more important things to do with their time. So that makes me assume that anyone who IS reading this is either rooting for me bc they know me and my personal struggles with weight/image OR it’s sparking an interest in their own minds that maybe this (21DF) could work for them- bc honestly I’m an average person trying a seemingly gimmicky thing. 

 But I have to say my conclusion for the 21 Day Fix is: 

 It works and it’s sustainable. 

 I don’t wanna post these pics on fb bc it makes me feel vulnerable and I still feel I have so far to go. But I did wanna bring some closure to the first time I went hard (lol) and succeeded at a 21DF! Bc it will not be the last. It’s been a big game changer and it just tumbles out of my mouth in daily conversation. I feel like I’m advertising for it just with the food choices I make and the way my priorities demo themselves in my daily routine. 

 (((Hopefully it’s similar to how the choices I make and the person that I am points people to Christ but that may just be wishful thinking 😉 ))) 

 Anywhos more deets to come later about where to next in this Health CHALLENGE SUMMER 2016!!!! 

 These were my official results: 

Weight: 13.3 lbs down 😊 

Inches: 10.25 in gone 😛 

As you can see in my before pics especially- I have much discomfort! I am so glad that I have my before pics though to be reminded of how far I’ve come and how much further I want to go!  Must keep running towards the prize!!! 

Much like Leslie’s old school running man right here 😁

[robstersheegahns]

Day 20!!!! Finishing strong! First time doing PlyoFix bc I didn’t see it in my box!! 😳 Then bc I was feeling good- did Upper Fix AND as a hurrah for all of our hard work finished with 10 min Fix for ABS! 🙌🏼💪🏼👍🏼 Excited for weigh in but know that no matter what the whole group worked really hard and helped each other along the way- selfie after selfie after selfie! ( never taken this many in my life!!!!😬). Even though I have a number in mind I know that if I don’t meet it that I am still pleased with the differences I feel which I will def go more into deets tmrw 🤗 Pictured above are my meals in the day: Brekkie: whole wheat toast, 2 scrambled eggs, cherry tomatoes, scallions, and raw brocco with corn salsa. Snack: green tea (doesn’t count but we were out and about in our new hood!) Lunch: brown rice with yookgae jang (beef … Veggie stew) and kimchi (fermented spicy cabbage) Snack: honeydew. Dinner: Choco shakeo with peanut butter, almond milk, ice and water. I leave you with one of RB’s faves:

[robstersheegahns]

Day 19! Only two more days if you can believe it. It's been a crazy couple of days with lots is lessons is patience, managing time and also reverting back to teenage Esther when things didn't go my way. My parents came into town on Wednesday night after RB's banquet dinner. It was so nice to see them- I'm trying to think when's the last time? It makes me sad to think that in these precious moments of our lives we are too far apart. I had the day off in Thursday so we made brekkie- waffle with strawbs, red potatoes, eggs with tomatoes, feta, green pepper, and scallions😍😍 portion control. And no I didn't police it with containers heehee. But overall I'm tasting the food more and also eating smaller portions naturally. Saying no to sweets in these last days has been the toughest especially with specialty double Choco Bible-shaped cakes and giant boxes of Whitman chocolates. But with only 48 hrs left.... Must..... Stay..... Strong! Overall I'm just so proud of this man of mine!!!! 😍😭🙌🏼 like I said on fb: Congratulations to my loving, faithful, God-fearing, bible loving, and everyday-becoming-more-humble husband😍😍 this first year has been such an adventure. I'm incredibly blessed to be serving along side you -with such a wonderful group in Delaware- and seeing God's faithfulness everyday- not just the good ones but the crunchy ones too :) you are the best RB in all the land. 😘

[robstersheegahns]

RB is graduating today!!!! Last night was his graduation banquet. It was beautiful and delicious :) So many people who have dedicated their lives to ministry- whether pastorally or in counseling. It was so inspiring as each graduate went up and said what degree they were earning and how they would be serving the Lord. I felt like this guy pictured above- standing next to the Harvard graduate who gave his speech in spoken word. My boo is getting his Masters in Divinity and has a heart fully set on serving the Lord. I feel so blessed to partner with him! Also- look at this fricking piece of cake I had to say no to!!! 😫😧💪🏼🙌🏼 Thas right- I'm dedicated to this Fix! But sometimes...😉

[robstersheegahns]

Strawbs have been so sweet lately! Love my midday snack 😍🍓🍓🍓

[robstersheegahns]

Day 16 was yesterday, Tuesday May 24th. 

I weighed myself this morning and I’m a couple more pounds down into week 3- making for a grand total of: 13.1 POUNDS! there were fluctuations in there as my body rebuilds itself, retaining water or building more muscle, etc.

I can’t believe that there are only 5 days left in this challenge. Although, I know that many of these lessons will carryover. I’ll be happy to eat some different things tooo- especially if I get the FIXATE cook book from Coach Tanya... woot woot! I may just buy it even if I don’t win haha.

So just to give a sample of what I eat everyday bc I’ve been asked that- could what you were eating before have been that bad? and the answer is yes and no. I consider myself a healthy person- mainly bc of my love for exercise- but when it comes to eating I love to TREAT MA-SELF. 

So let’s do a before and after, this may have been my day’s worth of meals Before: without much regard for portions

Brekkie: 2 fiber one bars- of the coffee cake variety or 1 oats n chocolate bar

Snack: honey roasted almonds.

Lunch: sandwich- homemade with two slices of whole wheat bread, turkey, 1-2 slices of deli cheese, spinach OR a Wawa hoagie. Chips or chex mix for side. Then maybe Chobani flip-yogurt. 

Snack: Kettle chips or a sweet right after work bc of hunger/de-stress

Exercise: run 2 miles or elliptical for 40 min + UE routine (biceps, shoulder press, triceps, upright row, lumbar extension, planks, BOSU squats, traveling lunge, stretching)

Dinner: ANYTHING! Chipotle chicken salad is a go to for going bahn-sky for RB and me (in other words, halfsies). Sometimes we would order or make Korean food- and portions were not something I thought about at all- eat till I’m completely full and pretty quick eating- so it’d be gone before i knew it!

Dessert: Ice cream or cookies or ... a piece of chocolate- anything to satiate my sweets craving.  

AFTER!!!! all portion controlled with containers (you figure out how to eyeball too if you’re on the run)

Brekkie: shakeology with 1 cup almond milk, water/ice 

Snack: 1 red pear

Lunch: one slice of whole wheat bread, 1 thin slice of cheese, lean turkey, 1 cup of spring mix; greek yogurt lite, sliced cucumbers, cut strawberries

Snack: roasted, lightly salted almonds, usually around 12; an orange or another piece of fruit- banana or citrus

Dinner: (see above) baked tilapia or roasted chicken, steamed veggie and a carb- quinoa (which also has protein) or sweet potato. 

Exercise: Afternoon run of 2 miles and/or a FIX workout: 30 min long and in the comfort of your own home. 

Snack: some fruit or veggie- edamame or pineapple. 

SO you seeeeee- similar foods in some regard, but portions controlled and thinking more about the macronutrients (carbs, proteins, fats)- something I haven’t truly considered since my undergrad Dietician/Nutrition major days. 

The last thing I wanted to talk about was the two exercises pictured above. 

Curtsy lunges: 

If you see the picture above, you see that the lunges posterior rotations can inadvertently put a good amount on torsion on the knee. The key to a good and healthy squat is going to be keeping knee- toe alignment and keeping your pelvis tucked. If you engage the abdominals this will happen more naturally. So with this exercise you want to keep the front of your knee behind and in line with your toes. Keep  your chest up so that the pelvis and abdominals will stay in check!

Army CRAWL:

My nemesis! Every time this pops up in the Cardio FIX- it’s like I’ve blocked it from my memory and I don’t remember until Autumn says, “you know what’s coming next- it’s probably the hardest exercise in this routine...”

then I’m like DOH!!! Important with this one is keeping your gaze up so that you don’t strain your cervical (neck). Also- keeping your hands underneath your shoulder girdle and if needed keeping a wide stance with your feet to ensure that weight can distribute back if you’re not starting off very strong in your upper body. I also like to use a folded mat under my elbows!!!

I do believe that not only have I lost weight, but I have gotten a lot stronger!

on my A-FAIRE list:

buy heavier dumbbells

but a 1/2 inch thick exercise mat

mix 2-3 runs back in, buy more dvd’s. 

ps. below is me after Army Crawls... :)