Valerie Fit Mom

[valeriefitmom]

I'm going to be honest here... Because I don't sugar-coat things and I believe in being brutally honest. I hate Pilates. I mean I really really hate it . It ranks right up there with yoga. I find it boring and just blah. So why do it? Well lots of reasons (great for flexibility, strength, etc). But mostly because I promised myself that I would do all 90 days at P90X3 from start to finish. And as much as I don't like Pilates and yoga, they are on the calendar so I got to do them. I know there's a reason why they're there. I know Tony (the trainer not the Tiger) put it on the schedule for a reason. I don't have to like it. But I do have to do it. So no matter what program you're following, don't skip your workouts! They are there for a reason!!!! Since you already know that I'm not a fan of Pilates or yoga, I want to hear what are you not a fan of? What's your least favorite type of workout to do?

[valeriefitmom]

I am so excited! And I just can't hide it! I'm about to lose control and I think I like it! (Anyone else sing along when you read that 😂) Seriously, is it an impulse buy when you have been talking about buying an air fryer for months, you go to the store, it's on sale and you have a coupon? Impulse or destiny?! I say destiny! (Surely the hubby will agree😂) I didn't set out to buy one today. In fact, I went to buy school uniform bottoms for Em. I didn't get her anything, but I did walk away with an air fryer 😀 looks like I will be amazon priming later for pants for Em (can I do that with Amazon prime? You know add the -ing?)

[valeriefitmom]

I am ready to happy dance!!! Someone get me some balloons and confetti!! Time to celebrate because this girl did it… 30 whole days of no sugar (aside from the stevia in my shake… feel free to watch my live video from a few days ago called “I like to live dangerously” to find out more about that), no grains, no dairy, no gum and no legumes (and no alcohol but that wasn’t an issue for me because I don’t drink) for 30 days. So why did I decide to do the whole30? Well, I have a couple of reasons. One, my sugar dragon was getting to me. Too many nights with my hand in the chocolate chip bag… not a good thing. And Two, I wanted to see if I could reduce some inflammation and bloating especially in my mid-section. My tummy is an area I struggle with a lot. Even though I work out all the time, I still struggle with the mommy pouch (thanks kids!) and then having PCOS just makes the stomach pouch ten times harder to lose. My PCOS cysters know what I am talking about. Weight gain and holding on to weight is super easy especially in the mid-section. So let’s talk results… and start with my non-scale victories: Fewer Blemishes, Glowing skin, Flatter stomach, Leaner appearance, Clothes fitting better, Less bloating, Improved focus and mental clarity, Improved workout performance, NO sugar cravings (Literally, I went on a mom’s night out and it didn’t bother me at all to watch everyone else have dessert!), Clearer thinking, Food is NOT a stress trigger (HUGE for me),No more emotional eating, I have learned to read labels!, I know which foods make me feel GREAT vs. Crappy! And then there was the scale!!! I lost 5 lbs in 30 days!!! That is huge for me. With my PCOS, losing 1 lb is cause for celebration but 5 lbs is nuts!! feel like I need to rent a banner and hang it from the roof of our house!!! Lol Measurements… I am not sure. I can’t figure out what I did with our tape measure but I know for a fact I lost inches. So there you have it… my results from the whole30. The big question is “What next?” Honestly, not much is going to change for me. I really like this way of eating. I like the way I feel and the new found energy. I don’t think I will follow whole30 100% all the time but I am leaning towards adapting a more paleo lifestyle.

[valeriefitmom]

In my early 20s, I was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and for many years, I struggled. Seven years ago, I was 80 plus pounds overweight, my PCOS was out of control, I was pre-diabetic, angry at myself, unhappy, low self-esteem, no energy to run after my daughter and felt very uncomfortable in my skin. I knew I wanted something different. I was so tired of being sick and tired all the time. But I didn’t know what to do. I made excuses. I didn’t Believe I could do it. So what changed? I started to BELIEVE. I started to Believe that I had the power to make changes. That I didn’t have to let my PCOS define me, I didn’t just have to sit around and be pre-diabetic and wait for the blood work to change to diabetes. I could take action. I could educate myself. Knowledge is power. It wasn’t easy. It took lots of determination, perseverance, and support. I am no longer 80 plus pounds overweight, I am no longer pre-diabetic, My PCOS is under control (I very rarely have issues anymore… I would say 99% of the time I am symptom free), I can run after my kids, I feel great in my skin and I am HAPPY. I know that changing from an unhealthy lifestyle to living a healthy lifestyle played a HUGE role in becoming a Thriving PCOS Warrior. But that is who I am: I am A THRIVING PCOS WARRIOR!!!

[valeriefitmom]

Going way out of my comfort zone for the next 30 days with a mma style workout program. Skipping the weights (I will miss you) and the dancing (don't worry happy dance will return when I complete the program). A part of me is really excited to try something new and change things up and the other part is nervous. I have no idea what I am doing, if I will stink at it...I don't like being bad at things! But everyone has to start a beginner so here I go. Thankful for the other ladies in my fit family for doing this with me!! Seriously, what does one wear to kickbutt and take names? I am thinking all black😀

[valeriefitmom]

#transformationtuesday Wow, I gotta be real here and say I don't really recognize the girl on the left. It seems like a lifetime ago. I was a mom of 1, struggling with my PCOS, uncomfortable in my skin and just felt like crap. Fast forward to now, and I am a mom of 2, my PCOS is under control, I feel confident and happy in my skin and I can honestly say I feel GREAT! So what was the secret to my success? No diet pills, wraps, fad diets, starvation... Just good old fashioned Hard work, determination and surrounding myself with a support system. I don't want to make it sound like it was easy. It wasn't. I had my ups and downs but I wanted it bad enough to keep going. I know this time of year is hard. I am NOT immune to the temptations of cookies, pies, cakes, mashed potatoes, stuffing (man, I am making myself hungry lol). I struggle with staying on the wagon just like everyone else. But I do know that when you combine nutrition, fitness and support, you have a winning combination of success. So this is me saying, I want to stay on the wagon this holiday season and I would love for others to join me. You don't have to go it alone. I have a new online support group starting the Monday after Thanksgiving and I would love for others to join me. Interested? Comment below or shot me a private message and let's chat!

[valeriefitmom]

Seven years ago, when Em was 4 months old, I said "enough". I was ready to take off the baby weight and tired of rocking maternity clothes. I did well for about 2 weeks and the fell off the wagon. I failed. When Em was 9 months, I said, "enough". I did well for 1 month and then fell off the wagon. I failed. When Em was 1 1/2 years old, I said "enough". But this time was different. Instead of worrying about failing since that had been my track record, I said, "as long as you don't quit... you can't fail!" Sometimes we have to shift our mindset and look at failure as a chance to grow and learn. Every day, I look at ways to fail forward and keep growing as a person.

[valeriefitmom]

Do you think it is possible to get this awesome energy boost in an IV? It was another long night. Poor little guy now has sores on the bottom of his feet and it hurts to walk. I know technically this is a pre-workout drink, I'm not sure yet when i plan to workout (it will depemd on my little man) but I am drinking it anyway!!! Seriously, anyone know about the IV thing?😁😁

[valeriefitmom]

When I first started trying to lose 80 lbs, I thought it was purely a physical journey. What I mean by that is I thought all I really needed to do was work on the outside. If I changed the way I ate, if I started exercising… then I would automatically feel more comfortable in my skin. It is true, that I did start to feel more comfortable as I saw the numbers on the scale drop and my clothes get baggie. But I was also very wrong. It is so much more than a physical journey. Real change has to happen on the inside as well. That is where confidence comes from. It is about loving yourself enough to want the very best for you. The exterior transformation is just the huge cherry on top. That is why I won’t stop working on the inside just like I won’t stop working on the outside. Call me obsessed… I am good with that😆

[valeriefitmom]

Wait a second... these carrots don't look or taste anything like french fries! It's Fry-Yay which means the kids are enjoying some french fries while I am over here chowing down on my carrots... Usually, it doesn't bother me to not have any or just a few, but since I am currently on day 2 of 3 of my cleanse and french fries are a BIG no-no... I gotta be real, I am struggling here. Could use a little push here:) Someone tell me I go this because at the moment all I want to do is steal the fry bag from both kids lol

[valeriefitmom]

Yesterday, Em got in the car and told me she was no longer friends with her best friend in class. After talking more, I discovered that though the other girl did do some hurtful things, Em was not innocent in any of it. Em made the decision to use her words and say mean things. It was a great opportunity for us to talk about the power of words. We have the power to breathe life or death with the words we use. We ended the conversation with a few tears and Em deciding to write an apology note to her friend. Then this morning, God reaffirmed our talk through our morning devotional. It was called "The Right Words" and it was all about how our words make a difference. We have the power to tear people down or encourage them, to hurt or help... we get to choose.

[valeriefitmom]

Either the chair has gotten bigger or I shrank!! lol As I look at these two pictures, it is not the physical transformation that I notice first. I know that sounds crazy. Clearly, I look different. Just look at my face, my legs, my middle...it is kinda hard to miss that I have lost a lot of weight. But the thing that I notice the most is the feeling that each of these photos evoke in me. You see, the girl on the left. She was struggling. She was unhappy, uncomfortable in her skin, angry, weak, lacking direction... When I look at her, I feel sad that she spent so much time making excuses and just settling. Not really enjoying her family because she was so unhappy with the way she felt not only on the outside but the inside too. Now, when I look at who I am today, I feel nothing but joy. I know that I am happy. I know that I feel comfortable in my skin. The anger is gone. I feel strong, empowered and have direction in my life. But the biggest thing is that it really has nothing to do with the physical weight. I don't feel joy because I have lost weight. I feel joy because I stopped settling. I stopped making excuses. I stopped being angry at myself. I started living!!! And realized that if I wanted something different in my life, I had to do something different. The road to change was not an easy one. It had its bumps and I got bruises along the way... but it was a worth while one. I would do it again in a heartbeat because this is who I am supposed to be. This journey has allowed me to be a better wife, mother and friend.

[valeriefitmom]

Okay guys, I gotta be honest here, I almost didn't share this. Why? Because I am not a sales person. I am just someone who is constantly working towards improving my health and fitness and loves to help others do the same. But by not sharing, I started to think "What if this is what someone was waiting for?" "What if this is the push they needed to get started?" And that right there is the reason why I am not going to let my fear of being perceived a certain way keep me from posting this. Every month, I run fitness challenges and I love them. I love watching and helping others reach their goals, grow and become more confident in there skin. But I have NEVER offered a piece of a $1.5 million pot to those who complete it! (and it is still growing and could get up to $3 million by the time the challenge starts)! And that is what I am doing!!! I have a Health Bet Challenge getting ready to start and everyone who completes the challenge is going to get a piece of the pot (yes, you read that right! Beachbody is offering anyone who completes the challenge a piece of of the pie). So, not only are you getting RESULTS through consistency but they are going to send you a check in the mail. PRETTY, AWESOME right!!! So here is the deal, this is open to old/current challengers ready to take action PLUS 10 NEW challengers. So if you've been waiting for a good reason to start.... I'd say a piece of the $3 million pot is a pretty good reason, then let's chat and talk about how to get started. So if you are interested and want more info, please comment below with "Me" or send me a private message!!!

[valeriefitmom]

Lunch is served!! And it was yummy!!! Do I count calories? Nope! Points ?! Nope! Do I weigh my food !? Lol no!!! Macros !? Wait… I am not sure I know what that is??! I follow my meal plan, I NEVER feel restricted and I ALWAYS see results. This is how we do things in my Challenge groups. 1 red 1 yellow 1 green 1 blue If it's on the list and it fits in the color coded container, I can eat it!!! #nomnom

[valeriefitmom]

High Five Friday!!! Why? You ask!!! I'll tell you!!! Not only am I celebrating that is Friday and my workout is done and the weekend is almost here....but today marks the last day of my BYBY challenge!! I am so proud of all the women in that group. Did we have our slip ups? Heck yeah! Did we do our Best? Heck yeah!! Did we keep pushing forward? Heck yeah we did and that right there is reason to celebrate!!! We spent 4 weeks together supporting each other, loving each other, motivating each other and all around being there for each other. What an awesome experience to be a part of a community were women just love each other and help build each other up and not knock each other down. This group may be ending today but I am super pumped to be starting the next round with these women and many new faces starting on Monday!!!

[valeriefitmom]

Workout done in the bathroom ✔ Had to get creative this morning. Dean has been really clingy lately and wants me in his sights all the time. As long as I am on the same floor with him and he knows where I am, he is good. The only free room was the bathroom so I grabbed a kitchen chair to put my laptop on, logged onto my BOD account and got my sweat on. It was a tight fit, but I got it done!!! Thankfully, no one had to use the bathroom during my workout!!!

[valeriefitmom]

Really, really want to eat a donut!! It probably didn't help that a huge display of donuts greeted me at the store today. I am a stress eater and my go to is sweets. With all the craziness of the end of the year school activities, my stress level is rising. So far I have stayed strong and the donuts did not make their way into my grocery cart. Checking into my challenge groups and seeing the other ladies rock their workouts helped me so much. It made me put on my workout clothes, lace up my shoes and get it done. I am so glad I skipped the donut and used exercise as my stress relief. I know that this is not the last time I will be tempted by donuts but staying strong today!