Beach Body Challenge with Annie McDonnell – A Year of Transformation

STILL PUSHING FORWARD WHEN MY BODY IS SAYING NO

I lost 8.8 pounds since I began my Year of Transformation (on Sept. 7th, 2015).

Let me start by saying, this was a very tough week. I was unable to work out, even once. That made me sad. More sad than I expected. I am hard on myself.  I need to be kinder to myself.   It is just that I was loving the dancing. I was enjoying the BURN. Transformations like this are hard for anyone…let alone people you have several chronic illnesses…As you know, I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, and all of my joints are flaring up right now…meaning; painful, stiff, swollen…and, I have a general feeling of being unwell and fatigued.  YET! The great news is that I still lost ONE POUND, just by watching what I eat!!  My sister-in-law says that losing weight all begins in the Kitchen. She needs to patent at motto! There is a lot that I learned this week. Taking care of my body is the most important thing. When my body cries out for rest and ice…I listen. I could have lost more weight, but I was not perfect with my clean eating.

I have to lose 90 Pounds this year.  81.2 pounds TO GO!! My initial weight loss goal is 10 pounds, so I am still waiting on that celebration!! Next week, I am hoping!! I may be losing weight slowly, but I have heard that if you lose 1-2 pounds per week you will keep it off longer. My plan is to keep it off for life! I want to see my smile more often!

Rest, Ice, Tens, Braces, & Massage. My hips, knees, ankles and hands are the most painful right now. I saw a few doctors this week in regards to these joints, and starting next week I will be getting more steroid shots. And, I am being evaluated for bilateral hip replacement. So, I have a long road ahead of me. Dancing was apparently too much for me. I will get this right. I am still looking for my FLOW.

All this means is that I need to switch gears. There are still plenty of workouts I can do with my Beach Body ONDEMAND Membership. I love that membership. If you are interested in Beach Body information, please contact my Beach Body Coach, and tell her I sent you, SHe is fabulous, smart and supportive!!…https://www.facebook.com/Christine.Arczynski.Olson?fref=ts&ref=br_tf

STAY POSITIVE, & SPEAK WELL TO YOURSELF ~While I am resting my joints, I am thankful that I am a book reviewer…So, I am able to read a lot right now!  I began writing letters to say all I am thankful for in a journal.  By focusing on what I have, is very empowering!

I keep icing my joints, and I am wearing braces. I have a TENS machine that delivers small electric currents to ease pain. I am grateful my insurance paid for me to have this at home. I have lots of Creams and Essential Oils that work on my body all day long.

And, since having the Thai Massage I realized Massage would help me quite a bit…I knew that was a great way for me to get relief and be able to use my joints without pressure.  Mobility is Key! This Saturday I am having Special Joint Massage given to me by a Physical Therapist. He specializes in people with joint issues. This should be magnificent!! I cannot wait!!

I had to get an x-ray of my left knee, because the Orthopedist thinks I may have injured my knee in my recent falls.  So, next Wednesday, as long as my knee is not injured…I will get a steroid shot in my knees, and ankles, and then begin Physical Therapy.  In the meantime, I just keep moving forward. I don’t want to get stuck in what I CANNOT do…I need to focus on what I can do.  That is all that matters.

I am joining the local pool I did have a pool membership in the past, but I could not stick with it…(long story), but I am going to sign up again. I know that working out in a heated pool is great for people with joint issues. I am able to use the exercise bike I have at home…so, I need to get back in gear…but, slowly.  I am not giving up! Again, Failure is not an option!

My new Scale!! I needed a new scale, so I went with the “Eat Smart PrecisionGETFIT Digital Body Fat” Scale. It is AMAZING! It measures Weight, Body Fat, Total Body Water, Muscle Mass and Bone Mass.  I have a port in my chest that interferes with the reading a little bit, but the company explained what would be different, and I am good to go.  If you have any implants, please contact the manufacturer of your implant and the Eat Smart Team before using.  I learned that while I lost a pound, I did lose some muscle mass…and, I am sure that is from not working out this week.  This scale was $50 on Amazon, and I highly recommend it if you are on a journey like mine.  Most scales are in that range anyway.

FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION! My new habits are becoming part of my daily life. I wake up and have a routine in the morning.  It is a beautiful thing. I am loving my GREENS!  And, I am having Rockin’ Wellness Shakes once or twice a day. I love these shakes, as they give me energy…I use the Cacao Shakes and look forward to them each morning. I got some great advice from my Beach Body Coach, Christine Olson yesterday. She stated that I need to keep my eating on point, and I will still lose the weight. She was right!! Also, she suggested I do a DETOX. I am going to do one with lots of greens, and eating totally clean.  I will let you know how it goes next week.  I have not picked which one I want to do yet.  It will just be a change in my diet for a few days.  I learned a lot about these at Institute of Integrative Nutrition, where I earned my Holistic Health Coach Certificate. I will choose one suitable for me.

On a sidenote: I know most people that do Beach Body, use Shakeology Shakes.  I was having side effects from them, so I decided to stick with the Rockin’ Wellness. But, not everyone is so sensitive.

I Repeat, I will not give up this time!  Yes, I had some self-esteem issues this week.  Ok, a lot of them. Yes, I cried.  This is not easy.  I did not expect it to be. However, because of this I am learning so much about myself.  I am learning that while maybe I pushed myself way too hard with some exercises the past few weeks, all I need to do is change my outlook.  I have to modify my workouts, but that is not giving up….it is accepting myself just as I am.

I am still pushing forward, even though my body is asking me to slow down.  I am just taking a break, I am not giving up!  I am still facing my Goals, head on.

Please join me next week, when I will tell you which Detox I chose to do.  I will also tell you more about Rockin’ Wellness, and I have more to share from the book PUSH! 

I hope to be announcing more weight loss, too! I need some Cheerleaders!!

Total Tally: (as you can see I have a long way to go..and, I am really letting you SEE me)

Beginning Weight: 271

Present Weight: 262.2

Body Fat: 60.4% (WAY TOO HIGH)

Total Body Water: 20.0 (WAY TOO LOW)

Muscle Mass: 27.9 (WAY TO LOW)

3.6 lbs of Bone Mass (need to research this)