Yo-Yo No Mo

It has been a while to say the least. 

What was it—September 2019 the last time I blogged? 

I was telling you all about my word Persistence and how it was God that was persistent with me.  Thankfully yall he has continued to be persistent.  He has put the right people in my life.  He has given me the tribes I need in my life.  He did not give up on me!

When I last blogged, I was in the middle of Morning Meltdown 100 with my Sister Shred group and enjoying listening to the Big Life Podcast every morning.  Once MM100 was over I decided to give running a go again.  I was nervous to do this after the struggles I had with running, but I really missed running so I went for it.  So glad that I did!  It was like old times, but better.  I found a rhythm that worked for me and I just kept running. 

In November and December I did LIIFT4 4 days a week and ran 2-3 days a week.  I started training for a half marathon that my lifelong girlfriend and I signed up.  The half was end of January and I wanted to finally crush that 2:30 time. 

Before we talk about the race let me tell you about the start of 2020.  I had listened to Pamela’s (from Big Life Devotional) video on writing goals and it was a light bulb moment for me.  So, I made me some 2020 goals and then I made me some January goals and then I made me some daily goals for the month of January.  Yes, you want to learn more about this because it rocks!  I started out 2020 already on a great fitness plan so the next step was a health plan.  Meal Prepping became my new best friend.  Sunday’s became meal prep day.  I would prepare a breakfast, lunch and snacks for the entire work week.  Before I went to the grocery I came up with my meals for the week, plus what I was going to make for supper each night. 

2020’s main goal was to make a lifestyle change.  To stop the years and years of yo-yoing back and forth.  I do not want to pick a diet and lose the weight only to gain it all back when I stop the diet.  I have been doing this since 2013.  I have probably gained and lost 10-20 pounds a dozen or so times.  I wanted to be done with that.  I made the following health/fitness goals:

·        Eat healthy 85% of the time

·        Get my body fat under 23%

·        Lose the fat and build the muscle

·        Have a bad day-- maybe even 2, but get up the next and get back to it

·        Be patient

·        Break 2:30 on a Half Marathon

·        Do a Full Marathon

Yep!  Those are some big goals and they will take some time.  That is why I also added BE PATIENT and HAVE A BAD DAY.  In the past I had no patience and if I had a bad day I could turn it in to 3, 4 or a week of bad days.  I was trying to set myself up for success!

Now back to that half marathon.  Kristie and I had the most amazing weekend at the beach catching up, relaxing, and getting our run on.  I did the 7K on Saturday and the half on Sunday.  I did not break any records, but I did have an amazing run with my best friend.  I ran the entire race with her by my side and I felt fantastic.  I was not down on myself, in any pain or feeling miserable.  It was just a great race start to finish.  My chip time was 2:36:15, my Garmin watch had me at 2:33:14 (that 3-minute difference was probably my potty break).

I continued running and strength training in February since I had two halfs coming up end of March and first of April. I was starting to notice the “cottage cheese” in my legs and booty was shrinking.  I was losing inches and even a few pounds.  Most important was that I felt great!  I had energy and I was sleeping better than I have in a long time.

BAM!  Covid-19 hit like a bomb and everything changed.  Gyms closed.  The park that I run OUTSIDE at closed.  My two springtime halfs got postponed until the fall.  My office hours changed to 50% home, 50% in office.  The old Kelly would have used this as a time to “take a break”, but not this girl!  I dove deeper into my fitness.  I decided to keep running and do LIIFT4 again.  I started doing a quick 10-15 minute workout with my Big Life Sisters.  I started doing yoga.  I never thought I would do yoga and now I love it!  If you do not do yoga you should totally try it. 

After I finished LIIFT4 I decided to take the plunge and try The Prep with Amoila Cesar.  This guy scared me, and I was not sure if I was ready, but I surprised myself.  I have been hanging pretty good.  I am 4 workouts away from finishing the 4 week program as of today.  Next is 10 Rounds with Joel Freeman and then back to Amoila Cesar for 6 weeks of The Work. 

I have a big day coming up in July!  It was July 2019 when I had my first Body Fat Scan.  It was pulling up those results on my laptop and seeing that image of me.  Thinking this is what I look like?  Seeing my body fat percentage and feeling the tears roll down my face. In those moments the wool was lifted and I saw me and not the me I had drew up in my mind.  Shit got real!

God was working though!  If you remember that is also the time I found Big Life Podcast and my friend, Jennifer invited me to her health/fitness group Sister Shred.  So, we are caught up--at that least you got the quick run down.  I have so much more to share-- stay tuned!  

I have decided to start blogging again because I have had friends and acquaintances reach out when I post on Facebook or Instagram about my journey.  I want to use this blog to spread the good and positive.  To give motivation.  Share recipes, tips and ideas.  I want to be your accountability partner.  I want to hear from you so please leave a comment, ask a question, share your story or just say hi! 

I am so happy to be blogging again!