Recap

Wow...hard to believe it's been 5 1/2 years since last I posted here. I took a long break, I know. Moved a few times. I believe I had moved to Delaware by the time I stopped posting.
My weight kept fluctuating and then moving to Maine....pow. Just lost all motivation.

But let's recap since it's been so long....


I was always a skinny kid. I was very active with my sister, riding our bikes everywhere, playing, running, swimming. All those great things that kids do. :) My dad took us camping where we did more of the same, playing in the creek, the rapids, hiking, swimming.

As I got older, I began to fill out and when I was graduating and knew I would be going into the Air Force in the fall, I decided to train for it in the summer. I rode my bike a lot more often, taking on hills and longer trips in the countryside. I swam more and as often as I could.

Basic Training was not easy for me, well, it was except the running part. I loved the obstacle course, my favorite. Marching gave me shin splints and it was not fun. It hurt. Running was difficult with my little legs and short strides, and the half steps I take. I could be quick as I always had to do double time to keep up with my dad or such, but in the Air Force, it was harder. You would be sized in line according to your height. One time, I got put too far forward and I could barely keep up in the running we ahd to do and I began to lag behind. If you didn't make it, the Air Force's answer would be to run you more. No thanks! I had friends grab my arms on either side and help me along. I did it, I made it, but with good friends at my side. :)

After that, I avoided running. I would work out with aerobics on TV and I'd ride my bike all over the base. I'd walk in the evenings and even after gaining 40 lbs with my son, it was gone in 10 months mostly from walking.

I slowly began to be more and more sedentary however and so the weight began to pile on. I gained 50 lbs with my daughter and I lost a bit after she was born but it went right back up to where I couldn't fit in my clothes when we got to Japan. I was in sweat pants and shirt. So I got Richard Simmons' Sweating to the Oldies and I began to walk. I dropped like 30-40 lbs and felt awesome!

Back to the US and boom, weight came back.

It's been up and down for years with a slow increase over the years. I tried lots of diets and workouts and it was not easy. It has always been a struggle.

TIl finally coming to Maine, I lost all my motivation. So peaceful and serene here, all you want to do is sink into your marshmallow chair and watch shows or just sleep. It's a beautiful trail out there and I do get to walk it but not as much as I'd like. The sleepiness just overcomes you.

I kept starting and stopping. It was crazy. Not like me at all to not follow thru with something. But I kept doing it. It was driving me mad. I just couldn't seem to get motivated and keep that motivation. Something always made me stop. A trip, an injury, getting sick, holidays. Oh I am the queen of excuses to not work out and rationalizing why I would put it off til later or after lunch, or wait, dinner, yes, I will make myself then....ummm no. It wouldn't happen.

Til finally...Tintagel. The thought of climbing those stairs again....I had promised myself before I went back over, I would be in better shape than I was. Even going up to Glastonbury Tor is a good hike. But Tintagel...and going down to Merlin's cave...oh boy!

I have just 4 months left now and need to do it. So I decided to get focused, dedicate myself and do this.

Eat better and exercise. Start to train for those steps. I know I won't be able to get to the best shape ever, but I can be better than I was. Yes, I can do that! 

 And I want to be able to do this and not have a heart attack. I don't want to feel like I am going to die. I remember full well how it felt when I climbed those steps and had to take a break so many times. How winded I was. 

 It is gorgeous, is it not? Just a few pics from there. The door here is my favorite of all. But those are horrendous steps to come up! It's not too bad going down but you have to be careful. It's still a chore. Of course I am sure being up that high too, you may have thinner air? I would guess so.

And then going down there on the one pic that shows the water, that's about where Merlin's cave is at. It's not bad going down but you gotta come back up! It's not as bad as Tintagel, but holy moly it's a workout! 

So anyway, this is my motivation! I decided to go back to Slim in 6 and so did 1 workout last week and day 2 was this past Monday. Today was day 4 and done! :)
I also found a workout from Alexander Ludwig who plays Bjorn on the show Vikings. It's a killer ab routine and so I've done that Monday and Tuesday, today I will break from it to give my abs a chance to recover as I am already doing abs with Start it Up with Slim in 6. I'll post that with my next post. :)

To train for these steps, I will need to go up and down my own steps many times. I will start that part of it next week. For now, I just need to get into the habit of working out again. 

AND! I am tracking my food too with myfitnesspal online. It has opened my eyes up as to what all I am eating and sodium counts and calorie counts etc. It has been surprising.

So for now, will leave this as is and glad to be back!! :) I feel more motivated than ever too! I can't let myself down on this one.

Richard Simmons --Love Yourself and Win

I wanted to write a review of sorts about this video.
Richard Simmons
Love Yourself and Win
Six Steps to Self-Esteem & Permanent Weight Loss

I was over at Time Life website looking for a music collection I had seen on tv when I looked at their clearance section and there was this dvd. I thought it was a cd. It was on sale for just $5.99 and I was like wow! I love Richard Simmons! He's such a kooky guy but what a heart of gold that man has! I've watched him since the 80s or so and have always been impressed with his true caring he has for people who are struggling with weight. I also admire him greatly for all the wonderful work he has done in this field.

I know he gets teased alot, but I read somewhere that he buys a 2nd plane ticket when he travels so that if anyone needed an extra seat or to come talk to him, they could. I don't know if he does that anymore but I thought that was just so sweet! Each time I see him start to cry or get emotional on shows or such, it just touches my heart.

What is funny is that I ordered this dvd, thinking it was a cd and when I got it, realized it was a dvd. It felt familiar to me but I could not remember it. So I put it into my computer and pushed play and began to watch it. I was like wow...I've seen this before! I realized then I must have a copy of this somewhere in the house! It made me smile and tear up again to watch it tho' and wow to see all those people and the results they had on his programs! Just amazing!

He's right too, you know. You have to love yourself. I won't give away all that is in the short video, but it is well worth the $5.99 I paid for it, again! I knew the reason I probably got it a second time, not just cause I forgot or thought this was something new of his I might have missed, but more than likely, it was cause I needed to give this to someone who really needs to hear his words, his message. They need to love themselves. To accept themselves on the inside so that they can start to take better care of who they are on the inside.

Aye, I am with you Richard.

I know, I needed to hear this too, again. It was probably more so the reason why I got it. Something inside me needed to hear those words. To hear the pat on your back and feel it, feel the sting in my eyes as I watched Richard tear up again. To know, that it's ok and that yes, Wanda, you are doing so well and doing the best that you can and it's ok. More than ok, it's fantastic!

So thank you, Richard, thank you for being you and putting yourself out there to the world like you do and making such a huge difference in so many people's lives. Your energy and drive are catchy and contagious and I love it and you darlin'! You are amazing!

Big Steppin' --Aaron Goodwin Style!

What is Big Steppin'? Check out Aaron Goodwin of Ghost Adventures' site there to the side of this blog and you'll quickly find out!
I got to meet Aaron and go ghost hunting with him at one of the paranormal events that Darkness Radio puts together. I've gotten to go ghost hunting twice with him and many others and it's just alot of fun! Aaron does this Big Step at many places he visits and it's been this huge thing that is just catchin on and many people are doing it.
One of the things he has said about it, is that "...taking little steps gets you nowhere, but big steps will get you there faster..." and he's very right about that!
More on ghost hunting and all that can be found over on my Ghostly Travels/Journal blog. I put the link over to the side also, check it out sometime!

Now what does all that have to do with weight loss?

Well lots! :)

It takes a lot for someone to truly committ to getting more fit and healthy. It's a "Big Step"! I've bugged and pushed my son towards dedicating himself to it and it's been really, really hard! It's not easy to change your habits, both eating and exercising. It took a while to catch on for him but thinking up the contests have really helped alot! :)

So when I saw Aaron putting it out there about the "Big Steppin'", I thought how neat! So I picked up a very large Big Steppin' T-shirt to add to the others that I wear to work out in. :) I want to pick up one for my son and we'll be out, "Big Steppin", taking those big steps towards a more fit and healthier us! :) It just made us smile and laugh.

Thank you Aaaron for not only Big Steppin' but also for your own weight loss motivation and common sense!
Check out his blog about the weight he's lost:

Aaron Eating Right!

Thank you Aaron! :)

Beachbody -- Their Story

So who or what is Beachbody?  Beachbody is a wonderful site that offers many different workout programs, supplements and accessories to help you lose weight and get fit!

The site is free to join and if you pay a bit for a few of the features, you can easily utilize all their tools they have on their site to help you with your weight loss goals. You don't have to pay but I really found so much support and aid there when I did and I enjoyed the extra features.
Also, I found their forums so very motivating and found a friend and workout buddy while in there, Rocky. She became a great friend to write to and we motivated each other along the way while working out with Power90 and Slim in 6.

How did I workout with her when she lived in another state? Well, there is part of Beachbody called: WOWY! You can set down a scheduled workout and log into WOWY and it will countdown your time and show others who log in that you are working out and what type of workout you are doing. None can actually SEE into your home, but they can see your name on the list working out. It is a great tool to help keep you accountable.

Have questions? Seek out the forums for just about any topic and chances are, someone has already asked it before you and you will probably see the answer already up without having to ask it yourself.

They have workout programs for all ages and intensities! I have several programs not even offered anymore and some that are still very popular. I am sure you may have already seen the commercials for P90X? I haven't ordered that yet but I will once I finish Power90.

I have from Beachbody: Slim in 6, Slim Series, Yoga Booty Ballet, Power90, Kathy Smith's Project YOU, Ho' Ala ke Kino, Great Body Guaranteed, and Tony Horton and the Kids.

Now, Beachbody isn't just about exercising, it's also about helping you to learn to eat better. Shakeology is probably the most healthiest meal of the day you can have! Read up on it, I have it linked off to the side as well, it's just really great! I will say that it will really get my body into the mode of losing weight and put my system on a regular schedule. It balances me out completely. I can always tell such a huge difference when I've had a shake and if I have gone a day or a week without. I will feel more sluggish and tired. Drinking Shakeology really helps me to focus more at work and I have more energy and don't feel so heavy or weighed down.

Beachbody also offers supplments that will help you to recover and get your body honed to lose weight and aid you while working out and afterwards. I have used the supplements and they really do help to ease the soreness in your muscles you feel if you have not worked out in a long time.

Need weights or exercise bands? Beachbody has that also! Heart monitors and all sorts of things, just about everything you could possible want or need to get you on the path towards a better and more healthy and energetic YOU! :) All you have to do is press play on your remote and away you go! Dedicate yourself and motivate yourself to do it!

Now if you are very overweight and can't keep up with them, you know what? That's ok! You just start out slow, take walks, go swimming and take breaks as you need to. Increase as you go.
The workouts that are the easiest ones that I have done thus far is the Shakeology workouts. The pace is slower and you are not jouncin and bouncin all over the place and getting lost in the transitions from one exercise to another. Tania will show you the next exercise before you do it so it gives you a breather for a moment, plus you can do the modified version if it is too tough for you by following Lisette, the blonde lady who is behind Tania. This workout is a combined cardio and weight lifting routine. It includes stretching within the 30 mins to start. And! the workouts are free and come with your first shipment of Shakeology shake mix! :)

Most people feel discouraged when they start a fitness routine because they can't possibly keep up with the people on the video. But you know what? You shouldn't be able to! Modify it to what you can do, even if you have to run in place but keep moving. Try out that harder move maybe the next day. Maybe you can do one. Next time, try two or three and slowly build yourself up. You will get stronger the more you do. And before you know it, you will be able to keep up and you will have mastered that routine! You will feel more energetic and strong and will just amaze yourself! I love the feeling and I know it can be hard to set aside that kind of time, but you can. You can do it if you really want to. It can happen for you too!

One of my favorite things is to finish a workout, all sweaty and you go into the shower and you can just feel it all sliding off your body. I could feel the dirt and grimey sweat just washed away down the drain and I used to picture it as fat just being washed off my body! It is a great feeling!

Don't forget to drink lots of water and get plenty of rest too so your body can recover from working it so hard. Put yourself into a good routine and daily schedule and get to bed early so you can wake early and feel more refreshed!

The most important thing however to learn and to accept is that you really do need to do both, better food choices for the rest of your life AND a more active lifestyle. Exercise.

It is so very key to helping you to live a longer and healthier life. You can even lower your cholesterol, better your heart health and if you are borderline diabetes, losing weight and getting fit can benefit you in that category too! Have hot flashes and night sweats as you approach menopause? Guess what is the #1 thing you can do to help decrease the frequency of those? Yup, diet and exercise. It's just key to better living.

I know I sound like a commercial maybe, but alot of this is all just life experiences and things I have learned. It's hard to apply it, oh trust me, I know as you can see in my prior blog post. It is not an easy task at all, injuries, sickness, stress of life and work and home. Hard to change, old habits die hard they say. Forget about all the times you've tried and gave up however, today is a new day! Forgive yourself and get out there! :) The world awaits and it's wanting a healthier you! It is waiting for a healthier me too! :)