1000 miles in 2015

My sister Jackie is amazing. I witnessed (from over 700 miles away) the determination and drive this woman had this past year. I have never seen someone more persistent and consistent in their fitness goals. 

Last January, she promised herself that she would put in 1000 miles of intentional exercise for the year. She didn't count the  everyday walking around that she did. She didn't count the steps on a pedometer. She intentionally set aside time almost every day to put in miles on the pavement. 

She is a new woman. I'm not sure of it's the 40+ pounds that she lost... But my heart tells me it's so much more than that. She is happy. She feels good. She looks incredible. And she's still going! She finished her goal almost a week before her deadline. And today she set a new goal for herself. 

When I grow up, I want to have the persistence of my big sister. I want to start... And finish. 

So today, I started the exact challenge. This means that on average, I need to walk/jog 2.74 miles each day. This year I grow up. I'll be posting on social media as my way of being held accountable. If you don't see me post, call me out on it. I need you. All of you. 

I'm extremely out of shape. The worst I've ever been in my whole life. I don't like to exercise.... But I've finally realized that I NEED to exercise. I will start slowly... But I WILL finish! 

I was a gifted a FitBit for Christmas and am looking for friends on there that will help me stay challenged. (Also, how in the world do you add friends on fitbit?!)

I'm looking for friends to join this challenge with me. Are you in? 

Day one = 1.5 miles

28 days later...

What a difference 4 little weeks can make!

You know when you've just had it... Like, had enough?! Enough being lazy! Enough puffing air! Enough with no discipline! Enough not caring!

That is me. I have just had enough living the way I was living. I was lazy, exhausted, cranky, achy. I was ready for a change. 

I started the middle of September after seeing my sweet friend Dawns weight loss journey. Now she was looking GOOD and I wanted to too! So I tried her no junk food challenge for 2 weeks. That was pretty simple... We don't eat a ton of junk food so I thought cutting it out would be a breeze. There were definitely some willpower needed though! 

 But really, I wanted to feel good. I wanted energy and not to feel like in was in my 70s every day. 

One of my best friends, Jenny, was starting another 28 days to fit (Arbonne style) that I had done before and it helped me get on track real fast so I started that program on Oct 6th (first photo above). 

The 28 days to fit program is not for the ill willed. It was tough... No sugar, no gluten, no dairy, no alcohol, no caffeine for 28 days! Whoa! For a wine drinkin', milk guzzlin', coffee chuggin' girl like me... It was hard. 

Hard. But worth it. (Like serving 50+ shots of espresso in an hour at church and smelling like coffee the whole day and almost eating your hands off hard!)

The whole point of the restrictions is to allow your body to detoxify itself... to go from an acidic unit to more of a base unit.  Then when you introduce these things back in, you can feel how they affect your body and being. 

Like I said, hard, but absolutely worth it. The proof is in the second photo. That was taken tonight... 28 days after my start date. 

But guess what?! I cheated... a few times actually. And every time I did, I felt like complete crap. Neck aches, bloating, almost like a major hangover after a fun size candy bar! 

But every day I told myself it was a new day. Start again. Fail forward. 

Just before the 28 days to fit started, I had committed myself to a 5 week exercise/devotional challenge with my friend Allison.  After witnessing my oldest sister Jackies beautiful transformation from exercising this past year, I was ready to get started. Honestly, that one is still the hardest. Exercising. 

I don't know why but I try to convince myself that I'm just too busy. Or I'll do it later. Then something comes up and it doesn't get done. 

Exercise is so hard for me to get my mind into it. But I'm getting there. I just need accountability with others. 

It's a continued journey. I'm inspired by the results. In 28 days, 4 short weeks, I lost 11 pounds.... And 8 INCHES OFF MY WAIST! 

Yay!

So I'll keep going. Slowly improving. Steady. Allowing myself a few treats and rewards but learning that everything had to be worked for... I'm not entitled to eat whatever I want and be lazy anymore. I need to stick with this for my families sake. I am a nicer, healthier person and I want to be around for a long time. When heart issues run in your family, and you feel like you're going to die every time you work out, you KEEP GOING. Slow and steady. One day at a time. And someday soon, you'll be running outside with your kids. You'll look & feel amazing for your husband. You'll feel confident in shorts for the first time in almost 2 decades. You might actually look forward to wearing a swimsuit again. 

A big huge thank you to my accountability buddies. Even if you didn't know you were one, each of you played a big role in helping me stick to my little journey the past 4 weeks and many more to come! Jackie, Dawn, Jenny, Allison & Natalie! THANK YOU! 

Y'all! Today I saw cottage cheese on my arm. Cellulite. ON. MY. ARM!!!!!

#ew

No words can describe how I truly feel about this. 

Here are some that might come close...

Sad. 

Disappointed. (In myself)

Shocked. (But not really)

Lazy. 

Unattractive. 

But here's the deal. Slowly I've been making small changes. 

My sweet friend Dawn challenged me with 28 days of no junk food. It went great! After the first week it truly was easy to stick to. Even when Joel and I were both tempted we chose no sugar. During the month of September I lost 7 pounds by simply just not eating junk food. Chips, soda, cookies, fast food, ice cream, etc was taken away for 4 full weeks. Since our month was up, we have each nibbled on a few sugary sweets but all 4 of us older Sprys have decided that these foods should be treated as... well, a treat. 

Now that the junk food was taken care of, it was time to get on the fitness wagon. My dear friend Allison invited me to be her accountability partner for the Peak313 5 week challenge. It's a great way to stick to something when you have a buddy cheering you on.... And calling you out when you need it. What I love about Peak313 is that you are learning scripture while exercising! That's my favorite.  We are just starting week two and so far so good. 

And just yesterday, I've started detoxing my body using Arbonne's 28 day restart. I could write a whole other blog post on how much I'll miss my wine and coffee but I remember my results last August and know that I need to stay committed to help shift our lifestyle just a bit. With Jenny as my encouragement, I know I can finish this too. 

I've tried to do more, be more... Try harder, try everything... But that simply doesn't work. Try the next thing when I quit the first, second, tenth. Go all in and quit things cold turkey. 

But each time my heart wasn't in it. 

Since our miscarriage this past June, I didn't realize how much I was drinking, eating, and how much I was sitting. I didn't have energy to do anything. And slowly, I've gotten up to my highest, non-pregnant weight and I can feel it. 

I look in the mirror and my head would say 'Do something! Anything! Get fit! Eat right! Do it!!!'

But for the longest time my heart wasn't in it. It simply wasn't ready. 

I spent many moments with tear filled eyes praying that I would be satisfied with who I am in Christ. That I would stop trying so hard and putting so much pressure on myself to look and be like half the fitness girls that I finally deleted off my Instagram account. 

I prayed for peace. And love. To feel accepted by the only One that matters. To be satisfied. To give The Lord all the glory in everything I do. To let go of my anger and bitterness. 

He answered my prayers. My heart feels healed. And now finally, my heart is in it. I don't want to do this for me... Or anyone else. It's time to be thankful for my body and create good habits that will be glorying to God. Because that's why we are here. To do all things for the glory of God. 

A New Beginning...

This was me last week...

Today, no junk food. 

I've been completely unhappy with my health and fitness over the past year. More so in the past couple of months. 

Honestly I think I could blame it on a little bit of depression since the loss of our baby in June... But really, that would be me just excusing it and not placing myself responsible. 

I've been extremely lazy when it comes to taking care of myself. That's just about it... Lazy. 

I know myself and my family are addicted to sugar. I didn't realize it until having to make very conscious decisions all throughout the day on what we were choosing to consume. 

I have a few people in my life who have been transformed because of fitness and choosing to live a more healthy lifestyle. By choosing to eat responsibly. 

Oh another big word... I've been completely irresponsible when it comes to eating healthy and  planning or preparing meals for my family. 

I'm not looking for a change when I look in the mirror. Although I know that will be pleasant bonus in the end. 

What I am wanting to notice a change in is the way I feel. How I feel ultimately influences how I treat other people. I desire to have energy; to not be tired all the time. I want to run with my kids and even go upstairs to my office without being winded. 

I can hear the voices of a few of you that know me well saying "oh yeah, I've heard this song and dance before." 

But that's just it. I can't do this alone.  It has become an internal, spiritual battle in my head and heart for a while. 

I can only do anything, easy or hard, not because of my strength, but because of the strength of The Lord. I have to rely on Him. I have to let Him work a change in my heart and place the desire in me care for my body which was made in His image. 

It's time. I've been seeking. And will continue seeking forever. 

I also know that it's absolutely vital to have an accountability partner(s) along for the journey. I'm grateful for the few I have to cheer me on and put me back on the fence if I start to fall off. 

What about you? Are you an addict like me? Do you want something more for your health? Do you have an accountability partner? 

Here's to a new beginning.... It's going to be hard but it's going to definitely be worth it. 

Day 29 - - of many.

Today marks the day of the final weigh in of the challenge Joel and I were taking for the month of August.

Basically it is a way to cleanse your body of all gluten, dairy, sugar, caffeine and alcohol so you can reintroduce these at the end of the 30 days and you can see how these foods affect your body and how you feel.

I'm not going to sugarcoat it - - ha! It was DIFFICULT at first. I mean... I'm the sugar cereal, toast with jelly, pasta mama! Did I mention bread?!? I LOVE bread! -- and to be truthful, not having coffee with oodles of creamer (coconut please!) and a nice refreshing beer at night was so hard!

We did 'cheat' but I don't like that word at all, so I would say that we indulged - - allowed - - ourselves in a few treats throughout the month. A 12 oz of beer a few times, cheese on a bun-less burger, ranch on a salad, and I'm sure a few more. <--- probably more than a few.

We did find a new way to live though. We found discipline.... not only in our eating habits but it carried over to a lot of our living as well. But tonight we're talking about food.

We started our journey as we were spending almost a week on the road. Rather than eating out for every meal, we chose to go to the grocery store and purchased more whole foods than we'd probably ever eaten. We spent the following week at the fair (Lemon-dairies, vikings, funnel cakes and more!) and packed our dinner and snacks for every night we were there. (I've rarely packed a cooler because it always seemed much easier to just go out and eat) Now that takes discipline folks!

It got easier as the month went on. We spent many meals having the basics that we knew we ok to eat.... brown rice, black beans, salsa. That did get old at first but that just meant we needed to find more creative ways to eat.... again discipline to sit down and meal plan. Pinterest has a lot of ideas!

The first 5 days of this challenge, I truly felt like a bus had smacked me right in the center of my being. I felt like CRUD! I thought I was getting the flu.  Little did I know, that is completely normal when you start to detoxify your body. I have spent many MANY years eating whatever I wanted and now I was paying for it. But my body was thanking me... (it was - I could hear it loud and clear :)

Day 6 I woke up feeling better and by the afternoon I felt FANTASTIC! I think I lived with a constant headache. With constant bloating. Always tired. Always crabby. I could tell that was all gone. I felt soooooooo good!

I knew at that point I wasn't going to give up! I wasn't going to give in to the temptations that were screaming at me EVERYWHERE we went. Coca-cola, snickers and donuts were a norm for this girl.

Now, I had a baby 8 months prior to starting this challenge. I was still holding on to about 30 extra pounds. Not a good feeling. But I couldn't seem to shake it. (now don't get all fussy on me - "well you were eating snickers and donuts silly!") I'm still nursing and I was sure I would lose the weight faster because of that. Nope. Turns out I needed to actually CHANGE the way I was LIVING.

Fast forward to today. Today was the final weigh-in. In 29 days, I have learned how to eat healthy and feed my family in a way I can be proud. I have also lost 14.8 pounds. That is 8.4% of my body weight (you can do the math :) JUST BY EATING RIGHT!

My mom yoga pants are baggy. My jeans fit. (I'm not completely squished into them) I feel good. I have more energy. I know I'm a better wife and mom.

I must say having it be a challenge was really good for both Joel and myself. We kept each other accountable (we've always been enablers for each other) and I'm proud to say that Joel even lost just over 13 pounds this past month too.

To celebrate a month of discipline, I wanted to go to the store and find a treat to indulge in. Like a reward. I searched the whole store - the 6 aisle store we have in our little town - to find the perfect sugary treat. I stared at the Oreo's, soda, and gummy candies. I went home empty handed. Nothing looked good. Like at all. So I opted for a nice cup of tea.

I'm changing. And I like it.

If you want to learn more about the challenge, check out Jenny's website.

I have another pretty funny but VERY SERIOUS story for you later too. It has to do with the other half of being healthy.... Fitness!

Stay tuned.

XO.
Jari

Egg-stra yummy Breakfast

Yeah, that was really cheesy (like funny... Not cheesy like dairy)

Ok. It's late.

Joel and I have been doing pretty good with our 30 Days to Fit Challenge. (We may have 'cheated' a few times) We are learning how to make delicious food by following the plan - free of dairy, sugar, gluten, caffeine and alcohol. 

I want to share with you our little breakfast we had yesterday morning.

It's so simple. 

Black beans (rinsed and warmed)

Fried egg (1 egg + 2 egg whites)

1/4 avocado 

fresh parsley (you could use cilantro if you prefer)

And if you like a little heat, add some Cholula (or sriracha, tapitio, or salsa!)

I've pretty much failed at sharing what we've been eating every day... Sorry. 

But I'm happy to report that so far Joel has lost almost 10 pounds and I am down almost 12!  In just 3 weeks! I wish we would have taken our measurements. I think we would have seen a big difference there. 

We haven't been exercising like we said we would be. (Ill start on Monday.... No I won't!) but we do need to get a routine to make that a priority. 

I feel so much better. My jeans fit better. Even my 'mom' yoga pants are getting a little baggy. I have more energy. I don't remember the last time I had a headache. 

We have decided that we are making this a lifestyle change. To choose good healthy goods at least 80% of the time but to be ok having sweets every once in a while. And by sweets, I mean cocktails, frozen yogurt, bread. 

It's so crazy to say this but I'm not craving my cokes, donuts and snickers anymore. At all. 

This makes me happy. 

One more week to go! We will finish strong!

XO

Jari

Let's Eat.

Last night I wrote about why the Kitchen Table is so important.

Tonight, I have a confession.

I've never been a menu planning, cooking and serving kind of a wife or mom.

Actually, just sitting here confessing this really breaks my heart (as I watch Joel making spaghetti and salad with homemade vinaigrette ). I have put so many things ahead of our family time that I just 'didn't have time' to get dinner planned... groceries purchased... food prepped or even cooked.

In fact, Joel has always been the chef of the house. He says he likes it, but I know deep down that he would really love to be served. Let's be honest... who am I NOT to serve my husband? He works all day and I don't even make him a lunch. :(

The past 2 mornings I did manage to get him out the door with a shake for breakfast but why am I not doing more? What is keeping me from serving him? Why am I not making sure that our girls have balanced meals and healthy snacks? Why am I lacking every domestic bone in my body?

I could keep asking why... OR... I could find tools that will help me get a plan and stick to it.

Now, this isn't my first rodeo when it comes to looking for menu plans that would work. I have tried eMeals, Once a Month Mom, Wild Tree and probably a few more. Don't get me wrong... these are great plans... just not for me. Either I didn't care for the meals (and neither did our super picky 8 year old!), it took too long to prep & remember to thaw out or was too expensive.

I've searched the internet almost all day looking for a solution that I think would really work for us. Like really work. Really!

You all know I'm a sucker for 'cute' things. I just happen to come across this website and it was love at first site... (web)site.

I could spend hours looking through all their recipes and DIYs, but I'll let you go see it for yourself.

(cute marketing right?!?)

Joel and I have been doing VERY well on the 30 days to fit Challenge (we've each lost 8 lbs in the past 2 weeks!) so some of the recipes will have to be altered for us but for the most part, all looks good and fairly good for you. If anything, this will get the creative juices flowing when it comes to meal planning. 

Another reason I want to be more proactive in the menu planning department is so that dinner time will no longer be stressful. "What should we have for dinner?" is almost like a cuss word in our house. I know that it instantly makes me feel like a bad wife and mom and it frustrates my hubby. Not because we say that, but because I usually say that around 6pm. Yikes!

I really desire dinner time to be focused on our family. I found a few interesting facts that I think you should know: (because I found them jaw dropping and think you might too)

The average parent spends 38.5 minutes per week in meaningful conversation with their children. (A.C. Nielsen Co.)

Family dinners are more important than play, story time and other family events in the development of vocabulary of younger children. (Harvard Research, 1996)

Frequent family meals are associated with a lower risk of smoking, drinking and using drugs; with a lower incidence of depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts; and with better grades in 11 to 18 year olds. (Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 2004)

Adolescent girls who have frequent family meals, and a positive atmosphere during those meals, are less likely to have eating disorders. (University of Minnesota, 2004)

Kids who eat most often with their parents are 40% more likely to say they get mainly A’s and B’s in school than kids who have two or fewer family dinners a week. (National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University)

Whoa right?!? So starting tonight, I'm making a few rules.  No TV. No electronics (including my phone!) Focus on the positives of our day. More specific prayers. 

We need to make family dinners special. More candles (even if it's battery powered or not - I'd be watching them!), more themes, maybe special napkin, glasses or place mats.

This is why I am so proud to be a Velata girl too. When the focus is all about getting family and friends gathered around a table for fun, encouragement and celebrations, you can't help but make life long memories.

So now I'm on the hunt for a new table and chairs (thank goodness the new Ikea catalog just showed up!) and loading up my printer so I can have lots of fun, healthy recipes on hand. (and did I mention they're cute?!?)


XO.
Jari

NOT Starting on Monday.

I've always been a 'Monday' girl. You know, start a new routine on Monday. Start keeping your food journal on Monday. Start getting up earlier.... on Monday. 

I've been planning to get started on Monday for almost 10 years now. No seriously, that seems like an exaggeration to most, but Joel could tell you that it is most certainly true about his wife. 

When it comes to my health, it's been the same way. But I'm so tired of that. I'm tired of being out of breath. I'm tired of being so sleepy all the time. I'm tired of shopping the bottom of the jean pile at the store. :(

Joel and I were talking the other day and we have decided we've been living life about 20%. It's time to kick it up a notch. If we want some drastic changes to happen, we have to change drastically!

So, I'm not starting tomorrow. No Sir Ree! (who is Sir Ree?) Is that how you're suppose to say it? I'm waiting until August 1st to do it all! My sweet friends Jenny & Joanna have been amazing supporters on my want to get healthy and fit.  Jenny is starting a biggest loser challenge the month of August and I'm ALL IN! I love a good competition. It's not going to be easy - but it's going to be great for me to make changes! Joanna is going to help me with a work out plan so I can get active again too.

You can join Jenny's facebook page here. As soon as Joanna has a page for her personal training business I'll be sure to link her up too for you local peeps.

I'll be loggin' and bloggin' my personal journey here. If you'd like to join me, I'd LOVE that!

What is your favorite way to stay in shape? What are some of your best healthy recipes?

Oh and look at what this little one is up to lately! (just started tonight about 20 minutes ago!)

She's growing up too fast. She keeps life interesting.

PS I love comments... please leave me some :)  I mean, if you wanna.

XO.

Jari