Amber!!!! How exciting is that...Congratulations!!! I'm so proud of you. Are you just going to maintain your weight now or will you continue to try to lose fat/weight?...just curious. I know how much dedication it takes to reach a goal like the one you did so I think that's amazing. I'm interested to know more about what you guys found out about CrossFit that made you decide to cut back on it. Not sure why, but I've been very sceptical since I found out about CrossFit. Also, I'm curious to know how many calories a person your size should be taking in?? I'm being very nosey!!!

Shannon!!!! You do not need to lose any more weight. You might be 122-123 but you look like you're no more than 110-115 already. SERIOUSLY...I'm always so impressed by your "slenderness". You must really be carrying very little, little fat and a lot of lean, dense muscle. You look perfect!

Amber, I can't thank you enough for suggesting that website. I went on it immediately and began playing around. I can see how it is a HUGE motivator to stay on track if you can actually calculate not only calories but also what nutrition you're taking in. I also loved how easy it was to use. Since I've starting watching my eating, I've done my best to keep from counting calories because I used to do it obsessively. I was afraid I might fall into that type of behavior again. But, I've realized since I've been doing it this past month, that it's just another thing that I'm doing to stay healthy and meet my goals. Also, since I've started counting calories, I've randomly ran into different articles that talk about how much more effective calorie counting is than any other diet. Also, I've been watching The Biggest Loser, and Jillian Michaels told the contestants that counting calories and exercising is the best and most common-sense diet. Maybe it's God's way of confirming to me that I'm on the right track. All that to say, I signed up for myfitnesspal.com!!!!

SO, how's is my new approach registering on the scale. Well, I dropped into the 119 range about a week ago!! I actually had some mixed feelings about it. I was obviously excited to be a weight that I had not been since my early twenties, and I was even more excited that I got there in a healthy manner. On the other hand, I almost felt "too skinny". I saw my parents last weekend and my dad asked me if I had lost weight and a part of me felt scared that he noticed and that maybe I was taking things too far. SOOOO, I'll be praying about all of this and no doubt, I'll be letting you girls know what happens.

Well...here's to having better bodies in our late twenties and early thirties than we EVER have. May it continue long into our fourties, fifties and BEYOND!!!

I MISS YOU!!!!!

Amber that is so awesome that you made your goal...I am so happy for you. I have seen how consistent you have been with your diet and your workouts and now you have seen the results. Way to go! I have noticed a definite change in your body...you look great!!! :) I may take a look at that website...maybe it will help me keep better track of my calorie intake and I would be very curious to know how many calories I should have in a day.

Anyway, my vacation was great despite the bugs and wasps everywhere...yuck!!! Pat and I had a nice time together. I ate A LOT of food and none of it was very healthy, but I was excited to see this morning when I weighed myself that I hadn't gained any weight. Obviously I can't continue to eat like that, but it was nice to know that one week off of working out and eating horribly didn't hurt the progress I had made before vacation.

Sarai, how is the journal going? I hope it has been effective. :)

Well, you ladies have helped me get a little more motivated in tracking my calories. I don't know if I will be perfect at it, but I think I might give it a shot. So, I thank you both for that...after all this is what this blog is all about...motivating, encouraging, and trying something different...especially when it works for someone else. :)

GOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!

Hi ladies! I also apologize for not posting in a long while. Weekends seem to fly by without me realizing it, and I can forget about having time to blog during the week! I do have some news to report: I MET MY GOAL! Today, I stepped on the scale, and my weight was 114.8. YES!! My healthy eating has really really paid off. This means I have lost a total of 13 pounds since January (and a total of 6 pounds since working out with Aaron & taking my healthy food diet very seriously-which both started in July). I have to give you kudos, Sarai, for trying to go for that food journal. Calorie counting really makes a huge difference, for me it made most of the difference. I was in disbelief when Aaron first calculated the total number of calories a person of my height and fitness level needed to consume. Actually, I was shocked at the limit. But I gave it a chance and results came almost immediately! AND because I'm sure to make those calories full of nutrients, fiber, & protein, I don't feel hungry AT ALL throughout the day. I still have quite a sweet tooth though, but I allow myself the occasional bowl of ice cream once a week or a few cookies if someone brings them to work, because I know I can afford a few extra calories here and there.

My plan is to stick with my current eating habits & continue the workouts with Aaron. We have done the crossfit series less and less. As Aaron gets more educated from his program, he's realizing that the majority of those workouts are not "one-size-fits-all" & are injury inducing if you don't really have a background in weight training/athletics, and so I've only been incorporating some of the core routines, that don't involve heavy weights.

Shannon, I'm glad BBL provided great results! I hope the hybrid of BBL & CE works out & your results are even more plentiful! I think you look amazing! I can't wait to hear about your vacation=)

Sarai, again I can't tell you enough about how I think its so super you and your friend are keeping food journals. Calorie counting & being accountable for the true food you eat in a day really makes you see excelerated results. I don't write in a journal, but I do enter my food I eat per day throught this website: www.myfitnesspal.com It calcuates how many calories you should be eating per day based on your height, current weight, & goal (i.e., maintain current weight, gain weight, lose weight). You can look up the foods you eat that day from a database they have. It calculates not only the amount of calories per food, but all the nutrients, fat content, sugars, etc. SO you can see for yourself where any imbalances exist. ITS changed my whole perspective on what's going in my mouth.

Ok girls I gotta go. Hopefully my next post won't be a month away! Later!

Hey Girls!
Sorry it has been awhile since I last posted. I have been busy and I guess I haven't had a lot to report about either.

Sarai,
I am glad you had that break and have "re-focused" yourself. I think having a break and finding a way to get excited again about working out and eating right is great. I am glad you and your friend are helping each other. I am sure that will help with accountability and it is great to have that extra support. I have thought about doing a journal for my eating, but I just don't think I would keep up with it....in fact I think I tried for about a week a year ago and it didn't last. Oh well! I am sure I would find the same thing...eating more calories than I need to for my body type. Again....oh well!

I will be taking a week off now since Pat and I are going on our vacation this next week. It will be a nice break. :) I really enjoyed that Brazil Butt lift program. It really did make a difference with my butt and thigh area. While my bum-bum isn't quite where I want it to be, it is close. I have also noticed that I am FINALLY getting more shape in my calves. Hallelujah!!! :) My eating still isn't where I want it to be, but I have gotten better...I just can't seem to say "no" to the sweets. My weight continues to sit at 123, which is fine with me. Obviously I would love to get a little lower, but I am not going to worry about it too much. I think when I get back from my week off, I will alternate between CE and BBL, however, I might incorporate some of the cardio and lower body stuff from the BBL program into the non circuit days for CE...we will see.

Amber, how is everything going for you? Hope you are continually seeing improvement.

Well, I hope you are both doing well. :)

HELLO FRIENDS!!!

Are you guys ok? I feel like everyone has been a little "quiet" the past few weeks. I hope that each of you is doing well!!

Shannon - I know it's been a while since your last post, but as always, I'm excited to hear what you'll be doing next. When exactly will you and Pat be going on vacation? Are you there now? You guys have an AMAZING time! No doubt that you each earned some time off and some time together.

Amber - How is everything going for you? Haven't heard from you in a while. Hope all is well!

Well, about 4 or 5-weeks ago, I realized that I haven't really been made any progress in one direction or another and I was ready for some new motivation! So I took a week off from working out and from watching my eating just to pray and think about what would be a good plan for the last 4 months of the year. SOOOOO, I asked my friend Kyla to meet with me and we talked about our goals for health and fitness. She has been doing Crossfit for over a year and hasn't really seen results...not because Crossfit doesn't work, but because she hasn't taken control of her eating. So, our consensus was that we each needed to take control of our eating and be more self disciplined and motivated. TIME TO GET SERIOUS!!! What I decided was to journal my eating each day to make sure that I was staying within the recommended calories for a person my size and build. I found that I was eating WAY MORE that I needed to be. Since I've started journaling and meeting with Kyla on a weekly basis, my weight has maintained a 120-121 range (instead of 120-123) and I'm eager to drop into the 119 range. I can feel it coming!!!

So, I'm going to work hard to meet my 115 goal for December. Not because I think I'm fat...it's just something I started and I want to finish what I started. If I get to 115 and I'm not happy with the effort it takes to stay there, I'll let it go. Currently, I have more confidence in the way my body looks than I ever have. It feels good to "like myself" and it's something that I've grown to enjoy and be content with. Today, I went shopping with Steven and I bought some size 2 pants...granted, they were from Eddie Bauer whose sizes probably run a little big. The great thing was not that I had to get a size 2, but that I got a size 2 and didn't really think it was a big deal. I would have been just as content with a size 4 or 6...to me, my reaction was definitely a big deal!!

I love you girls and I hope to hear from you soon.

Hey Ladies!!
I don't have much of an update. I am still doing Brazil Butt Lift. I will continue with the program until the end of September and then I will take a week off for my vaca with Pat. :) After that I think I will alternate between Chalean Extreme circuits and brazil butt lift...we will see. I am really enjoying the dance stuff that comes with Brazil Butt lift, so I am still really considering doing hip hop abs. My weight has stayed in the same range, which I am ok with since I continue to struggle with staying on track with my eating. I attribute it to my ever changing hormones, but that may just be an excuse...oh well, I am sticking to it. :) I did some measurements and compared them to my last ones and I lost a half inch to inch in my stomach, thighs, saddlebags, and hips, so I was pleased to see that change. I will also say that I have noticed a little more lift in my butt...even Pat has noticed that. :)

Sarai,
That is great that you have someone you can talk Chalean with. Hopefully you guys can do it together....it would be a great support system. Congratulations on your weight...that is awesome! How are things going now after your break? Also, I think it is funny that my butt can hold a pencil too...don't worry about it.

Amber,
You continue to amaze me with your dedication to your eating as well as your workouts. I am glad you found something that is working for you and that you are seeing the results. You look great. :)

Well, I should get going. Hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day!!

Hi Girls!!! It was great to see you guys when I was in town. Since my trip, I feel like I've been doing so much better emotionally. Going to Colorado and spending time with great friends was exactly what I needed!! Amber you look great. I could tell that you had lost a little more weight...keep it up. You'll definitely have to keep us updated on how Crossfit is going. The more I learn about it, the more I realize that I'm probably too weak to do it. It's way too intense...but I truly admire you and Aaron for doing it. Shannon...Brazilian Butt Lift is definitely doing some great things for your BOOTY!! BTW, I took the pencil test and I'm pretty sure my saddle bags could hold a pencil or two...normally, I would have cried but for some reason, I thought it was funny.

One of my best friends, Kyla does Crossfit but the Crossfit gym schedule is not the most ideal for her right now. SOOOOO, she asked if she could borrow some of my Chalean cardio videos for the days that she can't make it to Crossfit. She was actually very impressed with the workouts. She said that she was sore for days. It was so nice to talk to someone here in Texas that had done some Chalean!!! Finally! I'm gonna keep trying to win her over into the world of Chalean.

Honestly, I'm still not 100% deligent with my working out. I think I'm in need of some rest and renewed inspiration. So, I'm going to take a full week off next week to pray about getting back into things with amazing strength, motivation, and dedication. The past 2-weeks or so, my weight has not gone above 122. It has actually gone as low as 120.3 which is the lowest I've been in a very, very, very long time. I feel great so I'm not too worried about taking some time off. I'll keep you guys updated!!!

Happy sweating!!!