1. I WILL continue my TaeKwonDo & Kisado classes. They’re fun, and I can kick ass if I need to.

2. I WILL continue to opt for natural foods rather than processed foods. Who needs extra junk in the trunk anyway?

3. I WILL NOT eat fast food, no matter how easy, quick, or yummy a Sonic Slushie sounds… especially during Happy Hour..

4. I WILL use the treadmill I made my hubby buy me. Adding it to my fitness routine will *Help* me, not hurt me.

5. I WILL work my butt off… literally..

6. I WILL also work off other parts of my body, my tummy, my thighs, my love handles… because I need to.

7. I WIL NOT give in to late night snacking. A glass of water is my new best friend.

8. I WILL drink at least the recommended daily suggestion of water… more if I’m near a bathroom

9. I WILL train for, and run a 5K sometime in 2011. After all… I should be able to do it.. right???

10. I WILL NOT EVER buy clothing that is too large, or baggy, just for the sole purpose of “hiding my rolls”….  They make me look fatter…

11. I WILL buy clothing that fits well, is the proper size, and makes ME look awesome.

These things I swear to myself for 2011… If you agree.. Let me hear a “Hell Yeah!”

Got other vows for yourself… I’d love to hear them too!

UPDATE: So I went shopping today, and I bought clothing… in regular sizes… Yes, I shopped at my local Old Navy, and bought jeans… I didn’t have to buy online (since that’s where their plus sizes are). WOOT! These vows are so going to stick

ME!!!!

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve talked about my weight loss, but I think this deserves a little bit of bragging rights… So check this out…

I got up yesterday morning and got ready.. just like any other morning… but as I was getting ready, I caught a glimpse of my measuring tape in my vanity. I figured, what the heck… so I measured my waist… Can you believe it said 39″??? That’s a total loss of 6 inches since April. Yes, sadly, I started at 45″. SIX INCHES PEOPLE!!!!

I’m loving how I feel now. I have so much more energy, and aside from the annoying heel pain (yes i know the name of it, but I’m not even gonna try to spell it yet) crap, I’m feeling amazing. My clothes are so loose on me, and I love it. I have a pair of jeans from last year, that not only is the waist too big, but the legs are baggy! My jeans don’t cling to my thighs anymore. You’d have thought I bought skinny jeans last year… and I wasn’t skinny. Seriously. I’m seeing a lot less of me, and that makes me happy.

The holidays are here though, and that means a lot of delicious food, baking goodies, etc… I know that the name of the game is going to be “Moderation”… Lots of will power, and exercise. I am going to make sure that I don’t miss a workout. I may even do some extras. You know, I still have that damn treadmill that I haven’t really used a whole lot… Shhhh don’t bring it up with hubby… LOL..

Ok, I have to get the girls to school, but WOOT!!! Pictures to come later.. when I get a chance!

Check this out! I’m in the Jacksonville Daily News!!!! So are a few other Kisado students and Mr Ashton!

A couple of Fridays ago, someone came into Tiger Rock TaeKwonDo Academy, just completely out of the blue. She wanted to do a business feature of the Academy and the Kisado program! It was completely unexpected, and so much fun!

Check out the article here!

Kisado is growing! If you are looking for an awesome workout… and you’re here in Jacksonville, you really NEED to check out the Kisado program! I’m telling you.. IT WORKS!

I was talking to my mom tonight, and she asked me about my size, weight, exercise, etc. We talked about how I was an emotional eater. Whenever I got on a scale, saw a photo of myself, went clothes shopping, or just looked in the mirror, I’d get upset/depressed… and I’d immediately try to console myself with sweets. Don’t tell me you don’t sometimes reach for that carton of ice cream or chocolate when you get really upset over something… She asked me why… Well.. I have no idea. Food was comfort, yet foot made me unhealthy… read: fat… Yes.. I was overweight… according to my Wii… I was obese.. I admit it… I was not very healthy…

In April, I started TaeKwonDo… In September, I started Kisado… In October… I finally actually noticed a difference.

It’s always hard to notice a difference in yourself. You see yourself every day.. and when I got it in my head that I was big… well.. I always feel that way.

Monday, after Kisado, my instructor and I were talking about my weight loss. I showed him a photo of me that was taken by the local newspaper not long after I moved to NC. I also showed him a photo that I took that morning just after I took the girls to school. I actually put a side by side of me on my 30th birthday, and me that morning. Wow.

I wasn’t going to use this photo but figured.. eff it… It’s me.. without makeup… just before I left for Kisado.. I was about to get sweaty…

Can you see it??? Can you see the difference? My cheeks are skinnier, and my double (almost 3x) chin is almost gone!

HOLY CRAP! I’m finally losing size! Notice I didn’t say I’m losing weight… Another thing that I think really makes me proud is that I’m doing this on my own. I don’t have a personal trainer, I haven’t used any special diets, no nutrisystem, weight watchers, or whatever else is out there. I don’t take weight loss pills… This is 100% all me baby… We ditched the bad junk food, and opted for healthier alternatives like whole grains, fruit & veggies, and fish. We made a change to our lifestyle… incorporating exercise into our routine is a huge part of that lifestyle change.

You see that Kisado ad on the right over there… Yeah.. that’ll be me in another year.. HA! LOL! what? I’m serious.. ok, maybe not quite like that but… I wanna be close…

Mr. Ashton also asked me how much I weigh now.. Hell, I have no idea. I haven’t touched a scale in so long. I refuse. Why? I’m scared to. Yeah.. it’s a dumb psychological thing with me… but every time I’ve ever stepped on a scale, I got depressed. Sure.. I can tell I’m losing weight.. but I don’t know if I’m ready just yet. I’m afraid I might get disappointed that the numbers won’t reflect how I want them to.  I know muscle weighs more than fat. I know that I’m seriously building muscle on my body right now, and that is going to help my body burn fat faster. I get it! I just don’t know if I want to see the numbers just yet. Right now, seeing my clothes get bigger and me get smaller works for me.

I know I need to know how much I weigh… I may or may not go out and finally buy a scale. I have my annual doctor appointment in November… and I may just wait until then… Not sure yet.

Until then… I will keep up my TaeKwonDo.. I will keep up my Kisado, and I will keep eating healthy foods. I feel so much better, and I love the changes that are happening within me. I’m looking forward to seeing where I am just a few months from now. I can just picture myself in a year, fitting in my old Lucky Brand Jeans that I loved so darn much… before I stopped taking care of myself. So.. I leave you with a photo I took of myself with a pair of my size 20 capri pants on that used to fit me…. snugly…

WOOT!

Yes… that’s a long title… but there’s a reason for it…watch this…

Yeah.. I can’t eat Chicken Nuggets anymore… This show has ruined it for me forever. I know, I know.. he says that chicken nuggets aren’t really made that way here in the U.S., but every time I see those darn things, I get flashbacks to this video.

Now, can my children eat them? Yes.. and sure, I’ll get them chicken strips or whatever is 100% breast meat from Tyson or whoever is on sale at Walmart/Sam’s Club… They still refuse to eat at fast food places, and I’m fine with that. I think it’s what’s helped me stay away from fast food for nearly an entire year now. Which also.. along with my TaeKwonDo has helped me lose weight… how much weight? Stay tuned

Soooo.. I have sorta been keeping track of my sizes… Not religiously, but doing well enough to notice when I’m losing weight. Guess what… ??? ….
My brand new (last year) shorts that I bought to fit my fat butt… size 20… Yeah.. they’re falling off my hips. Someone could walk up behind me and pants me if they wanted to, and I would barely feel it… I have to wear a belt… although I’m still debating selling them and buying a new pair. I really didn’t want to buy any new clothes until I’m in regular sizes… but c’mon.. from a 22 pants size to an 18??? I think that deserves a minor celebration… Raise a glass (of water) with me!!! Cheers!!!!

I have a long way to go… hopefully between Taekwondo and exercise here at home, I’ll get there faster… Time… It takes time… All I have is time…

Yeah.. I was so bad ass... heehee

Some of you may or may not know that I did TaeKwonDo several years back. I’m mean WAAAAAY back. Put it this way.. I stopped going my Senior Year of High School because of a disagreement about my priorities with the school owner. Yeah… It wasn’t nice. Needless to say.. I’ve missed it. It was a big part of my life… I took classes for darn near 12 years, got my 2nd degree black belt, and wasn’t afraid of anything… well.. almost…

Fast forward a few years later. I was married, and moved to the desert with hubby. We took Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu together… and I hated it. I stuck with it for a while, but didn’t really like it. I honestly don’t like anyone else on top of me but my hubby.. but that’s something I’m not going to get into here LOL…. What!?!?!?! This is a family blog… sorta…

Well when we were in Japan, he took Judo classes, and I took off for the gym to go work out. I wasn’t even going to try.

Well the other day, I went to lunch with a friend of mine, and saw that a new TKD school had opened up right next to the restaurant. YAAY! something close to home! I decided that I must check it out in the near future. Well, The near future was 2 days later. I was set to go to lunch with my friend and another friend who was in town visiting. Same restaurant. I was supposed to leave early to get some things from the store before lunch, and naturally, the girls would not listen, forcing us to leave 30 min too late. So, I drove straight to lunch. The place didn’t open till 11, it was 1035. Great… So I check the door at the TKD school.. It’s open… YIKES. I sit down with the owner and chat about this and that. We find out we have a ton in common. We’re both 1/2 Japanese… He’s from San Francisco, I’m from Sacramento, We both went to Catholic School most of our lives, He IS a twin, and I have twins … and there was more.. but I can’t remember right now… Anyway.. We talked about getting the girls set up, what the classes would be like, and how much they’d cost. I was really surprised how affordable their classes would be. I mentioned that I took TaeKwonDo long ago too, and how much I loved it. He actually convinced me.. if I could find my black belt certificates… to come in and have him evaluate me and see if he could bring me in to his school as a black belt. I had to think about it. Well, I did… all evening…

Daddy and I have talked several times about getting the girls into something. Whether it be Dance, Martial Arts or something else. This just seemed to kinda come together. Anyway… I was curious… I searched for my certificates. I really wanted to see how I would do now… 14 years later… Yeah, I said it.. It’s been 14 years since the day that I stopped going to TaeKwonDo.

Well, Wednesday morning, I went back in, and had my eval done. He was actually impressed. I still have most of my technique, I still have some speed, and I still have some strength. I have a lot to work on. The awesome thing is.. he agreed to bring me in as a black belt if I signed on. Well, Wednesday night, was the girls’ first class and tonight is mine. Yes.. I signed on.. For the next 6 months, I’m going to see what it’s like to be a Black Belt again… I’m very excited, and a little nervous! It’s been so long since I’ve sparred with anyone.. I really don’t want to get my ass kicked… LOL

This time, I’m not in it for the trophies, or the tournaments, or the medals. Well, not right now at least… I AM in it for the fitness, and to remember all those techniques and be able to help my girls as they grow into it. Monkey See seemed to really enjoy it, Monkey Do says she liked the kicking and punching, but that’s it. Well, I’m going to give her some time… and if she really doesn’t get into it, we’ll move on to something else… but for now.. we’re doing this… and I couldn’t be more excited.

If you’re in Jacksonville, NC, you have to come check it out.. The new school is Tiger Rock TaeKwonDo at 1250 Western Blvd, Ste N6… It’s in the same shopping center as Michaels, Old Navy & Marshalls.

***UPDATE: I didn’t get to take class last Friday. I made it over there, and it was testing day! I will start my classes this Friday Apr 16! YAAY!

and no.. It’s not a shake.. it’s actual food! I should’ve taken a picture of it, but totally didn’t think about it… Next time.. I’m out of muffins now

So, I’m still learning all about counting calories, and watching the ingredients… I’ve posted about it before here, so I’m not going to go back and explain it…

I have found  a great breakfast that’s fast to make and yummy!

Here’s what you need:

1. Thomas’ BetterStart light Multi-Grain english muffins

2. 1 egg white

3. A slice of thin sliced bacon (turkey or regular)

4. 1/2 slice of your favorite cheese (I like pepperjack)

So, I cut open my english muffin (100 calories), get a small microwave safe bowl. Put the egg whites into the bowl and mix in some garlic power and Italian Seasoning (approx 20 calories) and pop it into the microwave for 60 seconds. Cook the bacon, either on a pan or in the microwave (35 calories). Put the egg white on the muffin, bacon on top of that, and put a 1/2 slice of cheese (35 calories)  on top of that. Put the top of the muffin on and pop it in the toaster oven for a normal toast setting. Voila…

It’s good and it fills me enough to not want to grab a snack in 10 minutes!!! You can have a glass of Orange Juice, or do what I do and have water… Start off the day hydrating right!

Or better yet… feeding your kids??

So this weekend, we were out doing our grocery shopping, and when the girls asked for their favorite pre-made lunch pack, we actually stopped and thought about it for a second. What if we bought our own lunch meats, crackers and cheese and just make our own? We thought we’d get more for our money, and be able to offer a little more variety too! We started looking at the lunch meats and were a little surprised with what we found.

We took at look at some of the Turkeys and Hams we had available. They had some larger packages that were pretty inexpensive. We thought they’d be okay, until we looked at the ingredients, something we’ve really started doing a lot more of lately. We saw things like:

Sodium Lactate, Dextrose, Modified Food Starch, Sodium Phosphates, Sodium Diacetate, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite.

Ummmm… The Doctors always say that if there are things you can’t pronounce on an ingredient label… you should stay away from it… Granted, I can pronounce those things, but my kids can’t! Besides… what the heck is an Erythorbate? It sounds scary!

Anyway… We saw something else on the shelf that looked like it could potentially be better. We found these Oscar Meyer meats that were “Natural”…  We took a look at the ingredients list, and to our surprise, we knew everything on the Ingredients list!

Turkey Breast, Water, Contains Less Than 2% of Potassium Lactate (from Corn), Sea Salt, Evaporated Cane Juice, Carrageenan, Celery Powder, Lactic Acid Starter Culture.

Yes, even carragenan… It’s a seaweed extract that’s used as a thickening agent. We took a look at the price, and you know… it wasn’t all that much more expensive than the other stuff. We grabbed one of each packs of the Natural meats. I didn’t want to add as many weird named ingredients to my girls’ diet as I may have had in the past as a child… or even in the last few years when I wasn’t paying attention to labels.

My hubby and I are really checking labels on everything we eat now. We avoid MSG, and as often as possible, premade/processed foods. We’ve stopped ordering out for pizza, and started making our own from scratch, dough and all. We even cut pepperoni because we found preservatives called BHA and BHT in them.. We looked those up on our iPhones at the store and found this:

The same chemical properties which make BHA and BHT excellent preservatives may also be implicated in health effects. The oxidative characteristics and/or metabolites of BHA and BHT may contribute to carcinogenicity or tumorigenicity; however the same reactions may combat oxidative stress. There is evidence that certain persons may have difficulty metabolizing BHA and BHT, resulting in health and behavior changes. BHA and BHT may have antiviral and antimicrobial activities.

Of course, it’s not 100% proven, but if there is some evidence, I don’t want to really take a chance… Now, don’t think I’m going to go completely vegan, natural, organic, etc… and think that everything you buy in stores causes cancer… I don’t know if that’s even possible for me.. I just want to start taking those extra precautions when we are able. I mean… why not? If it’s something that will help my hubby and I get healthier, and keep the girls from becoming unhealthy… I’m willing to do it!

I know, you might save a dollar here, or 50 cents there, and how much of the bad stuff does it take to really make a difference on your health. Well, the best thing I can say when choosing to save a few cents by buying the stuff with weird ingredients is… When it comes down to it… you have to think.. how much is your health worth?

**Disclosure**  This post was neither solicited, nor sponsored in any way. This is purely my opinion and personal experience with grocery shopping and the product.

Yeah.. you heard me right… You see that photo right there on the left? That thing that is now standing in my Living Room right in between my bookshelf and my TV, yeah… That’s my bitch… I am going to conquer this machine. There are no more excuses… NO MORE.. it’s too cold outside, or it’s too hot outside… No more wishing I had a way to walk when it’s pouring down rain outside… I have a whole new motivation now.

I finally convinced my hubby of my need for a treadmill. After we walked 30-ish miles at Walt Disney World, and explained how I loved how I felt after all that exercise… He finally caved in…

Of course, there are a few provisions:

- I have to use it daily. How long is up to me, but it has to be used without fail, every day.
- I promised to let him take me on a shopping spree WHEN I get skinny.
- It is NOT to be used as a blanket rack, clothing hanger or anything other than what it is made for.

Yeah… I’m pretty sure there’s more, but I kinda don’t remember them right now. All I know is that am going to do this.. I’m going to walk at least 3 miles every day. It may not be all at one time, but I’m going to do it each day. I’m also going to work myself up to running those 3 miles. I know it’s going to take time. Nothing happens instantly, but between all of the tools that I have now… I’m going to lose this weight, and I’m going to look exactly how I want to look.

So yeah.. that’s about it.. That was my surprise… But I bet my title got ya! LOL.. Now.. if only I could figure out the workouts that are built in to this thing…