Search Results for: weight loss

#100DaysofFitness Goals

April 28, 2014 |

X is for Xeric.

Xeric means characterized by, relating to, or requiring only a small amount of moisture. Xeric is the exact opposite of what I will. I’ll be requiring lots and lots of moisture aka water as I’m going to be sweating up a storm for the next 100 days.

Yesterday I started my 2nd #100DaysOfFitness Challenge. Last Monday I completed my 1st 100 days. I took the rest of the week off and started again yesterday. Here is my getting started video.

I am super proud of completing my 1st 100 days, but this time I am going to approach it a little differently. The 1st go round I did not set any goals. Well, actually I had only 1 goal, complete the 100 days. Now that in know that I’m capable I will be setting some other goals. I also took beginning weight, measurement, and before photos. This way at the end of the 100 days I will be able to measure my progress. There are also a few areas, in terms of my level of fitness, that I’d like to see some progress.

During my 1st 100 day challenge I did not really lose any weight, maybe a couple of lbs. I did lose inches and was able to put on gym shorts that previously did not fit. I also purchased a dress in a size 16, a size I have not worn in several years. Fitness wise I got up to jogging 1 mile non-stop on the treadmill, 20 minutes on the stair master, and 165lbs leg presses. At the end of these 100 days of fitness I would like to accomplish the following goals:

Lose 13 lbs
Lose an inch each from under my boobs, my stomach, my hips and thighs
Do push-ups daily working my way up to 15 on my toes
Do crunches daily working my way up to over 200
Be able to jog non stop 1.25 miles on the treadmill.
Be able to do the stair master for 30 minutes

I joined weight watchers a few weeks ago. That will help me with the weight loss goal. I will be super excited to work my way up to doing push-ups on my toes. That has been a goal of mine for forever.

So who is with me? Who will be working out with me for the next 100 days?

P.S I should get bonus points for finding an X word for the #AtoZChallenge.

A Healthy Body Is A Joyful Body

April 9, 2014 |

H is for Health.

I am less than two weeks away from completing the #100DaysofFitness challenge. Unfortunately, no matter how much I exercise I won’t be healthy carrying this much extra weight. Exercise is hard, but I find it much easier to work out every day than to control what I eat. I’m sure some of you can relate and others of you are like that’s crazy. We all have different weaknesses. Food is mine.

I decided to join Weight Watchers to help me get control of my eating habits. I know the program works because I have done it before. I did the At Home & Online programs years ago and was successful losing about 50 lbs. I gained it all back plus some after a couple of years. Then I tried Weight Watchers meetings two other times with not very good results. I found with the online program slow and steady weight loss was possible. With the meeting I felt pressure to be competitive and felt embarrassed to be the last person in my meeting to get the 10 lbs lost ribbon. For this reason I’m giving the online program a try.

Having been overweight since I was a kid, of course I have tried multiple different ways to lose weight. I have even written about healthy foods and motivation for losing weight on this blog. But I have had the most success with Weight Watchers online so I am giving it a go again, hopefully for the last time.

Have you ever used an organized weight loss program? Are you or have you ever been a Weight Watcher member? Did you do meetings, online, or both?

#FlashbackFriday:HBBBS Part 4, Be A Better Blogger

March 28, 2014 |

Woo Hoo Friday!!!

You know what that means. Time for the Flashback! #FlashbackFriday is when we link up one of our older posts that needs a little love.

My favorite post from last week’s linky is Yvette’s Losing To Gain. Her blog is about her weight loss journey. I have been going strong with my #100DaysoffFitness Challenge (check out my updates on YouTube) but slacking with the healthy eating Yvette’s blog post about her weight loss journey is just the inspiration I need.

Let’s Flashblack!!! You can link up any post you like, the idea is to link up an older one, and give it new life via the power of the linky. Be sure to visit AT LEAST TWO other links. If you are first to link up be sure to come back and visit some of the later links. You can also share your post on the Chasing Joy Facebook page and tweet about Linky using the #FlashbackFriday Hashtag.

Now Click to Tweet “I just linked up for #FlashbackFriday on @Chasing_Joy! Add your link to find new readers.”

After you add your post to the linky check out what you may have missed this week on Chasing Joy and what I’m linking up this week. This week I wrote about the difference between self-care and selfishness and 9 types of thoughts that steal your Joy. My #FlashbackFriday post this week is HBBBS Part 4. This is Part 4 of the How to Be a Better Blogger Blogalicious Style series that I wrote after attending my 1st Blogalicious Conference.

PS. Don’t forget to enter my Find Joy in the Journey giveaway for a chance to win your own Joy in the Journey Necklace. Enter -> here!

13 Things To Leave in 2013

December 11, 2013 |

A couple of years ago, at the close of 2011, I wrote a blog post on the 12 things I needed to leave behind in 2011 to have a more 2012. So here we are almost 2 years later, 2 years further into this journey Chasing Joy, 2 years older, with 2 years more life experience under my belt, yet I am still carrying many of these things, things that I was supposed to leave behind in 2011, with me at the end of 2013.
My list of things to leave behind included the following:

1. Debt
2. Excess Weight
3. Clutter
4. Fear
5. Dehydration
6. Addiction
7. Loneliness
8. Control
9. Lateness
10. Ego
11. Guilt
12. Shame

Of these 12, I have made considerable progress with three of them, Ego, Guilt, and Fear. Rather than holding myself to some sort of higher standard as though I am somehow more capable than others, I focus on the fact that we all have way more in common that different so there is no reason to hold myself to a different set of standards. Getting my ego under control has also helped with the guilt. I don’t have to take on everything that happens in my life as though I am solely responsible. Some things just happen and other things result from other peoples actions. I don’t have to take on responsibility and associated guilt for those things.

Fear is the area in which I have made the most progress. This blog has truly pushed me out of my comfort zone. I have attended events by myself, traveled out of state by myself, learned to ask for help, pushed myself to do some public speaking, and learned to be more open about my feelings, fears, and desires. While I think It will be a while before I can do these things without giving myself a pep talk the important thing is I’ve learned to give the pep-talk and do things that help me have the life I want.

Then there are the other 9 things on the list. Things have improved but there Is still much to be desired.

1. Debt – This is getting better but I still slip up now and again and spend more than I should. Learning to live within my means is definitely a process.
2. Excess Weight – Oh my gosh. This has been a life long struggle. Some days I feel I’m making progress and others I don’t. But I have not given up. In fact I have joined a new diet bet. This one is longer term with a goal of 10% weight loss in 6 months. Click here >> Join Dietbet << if you have a few lbs to lose.
3. Clutter – This is getting better. Yay!
4. Dehydration – This is not good at all right now. Despite having downloaded a cool app that reminds me to drink water. I still don’t get anywhere near the amount I should.
5. Addiction – No not drugs but close. Sugar!!! I am losing this battle.
6. Loneliness – I still have not found my Mr. Joy Chaser yet. But I have gone on more dates lately. Actually I may have my eye on someone. Too early to say for sure 🙂
7. Control – Ugh!! This is a hard one. I just want things to be the way I want! Don’t you? I know I sound like a two year old but that is how I feel. I have much work to do in learning to stop trying to control things and trust people to do what they are supposed to do and trust God to take care of everything.
8. Lateness – This is improving somewhat, but not enough.
9. Shame – I still have much room to grow in this area. Logically I know I don’t have anything to feel shame about. However, I let thoughts of how other people view me and comparisons to other people’s lives creep in. That leads to the feeling of shame. I think the key here will be to not worry about what others think and not compare myself to others. Instead I should compare myself (my lifestyle, and my decisions) to my values.

While it might be unrealistic to think that by merely declaring that I won’t be taking these things with me into the next year I will solve the problems. However, acknowledgement is a start. So, as I start thinking positively about all that I want for myself in 2014 I acknowledge that the 12 things listed in this post are not included. As a matter of fact I will add one more.

Disorganization! Disorganization in my life is not welcomed in 2014. Being more organized will help me with so many of the things I have struggled with including clutter, lateness, debt and excess weight. Kicking disorganization to the curb would greatly improve my life. If I were more organized maybe I would be less distracted and able to see all the progress I am making in Chasing Joy

Including disorganization there are 13 things I want to leave behind in 2013. Part of having a more joyful life is being happier with ourselves. While that includes being happy with our flaws and all, there is a certain level of satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that comes from self-improvement. Are there areas of your life that you would like to improve on? What things do you want to leave behind in 2013?

The Joy of Losing 11lbs & Winning Money, Hopfully

September 16, 2013 |

Today is the end of the #NFDietBet! DietBet is a website that aids in weight loss by making it a fun and friendly competition. Really you are competing against yourself. The goal is to lose 4% of your body weight in 4 weeks. Everyone pays to join and those who meet the goal get to split the pot of money.

I have been working pretty hard on my goal. My 4% meant I had to lose 11lbs. When I last checked I had lost 10.5lbs. I am so close!!! I have been posting photo’s on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to stay focused. Here is a sampling of some of my posts.

The changes I made include

Eating more veggies. I replaced tortillas with lettuce leave for chilli wraps and taco wraps. I made veggie soups and ate more salads.
Cooked more at home.
Improved the quality of my snacks. I opted for fruit cups, applesauce, rice cakes with peanut butter & protein drinks
Went to the gym more often
Did both cardio and weight training
Increased the intensity of my workouts
Drank lemon water most mornings to keep my digestive system moving

Here is a quick Vine I did of an at home workout.

I have a really good chance of winning the diet bet. Wish me luck!!!

What are some of the lifestyle changes you have made or need to make to be healthier? Have you ever participated in a DietBet?

#FlashbackFriday, Versatile Blogger Award

August 16, 2013 |

Happy Friday Joy Chasers. I hope you had a fantastic week. Now it’s time to find some great new blog and new readers by joining in the #FlashbackFriday linky

Before we dive into the flashback let me tell you about a challenge I’m starting on Monday. I joined a DietBet game. It is exactly what it sounds like. I put in money to be part of a weight loss competition. The goal is to lose 4% of your body weight in 4 weeks. All of the people who lose their 4% are winners and get to split the money in the pot. Right now the pot is up to $2,460. Nothing like a monetary incentive to inspire weight loss. You can read more about it on Neon Fresh. If you think you can lose 4% of our body weight in four weeks, then join in the challenge.

Now back to our normally scheduled program, Flashback Friday programing. This is how Flashback Friday works. Add a link to one of your favorite posts in the linky below. Share your post on the Chasing Joy Facebook Page and use the hashtag #FlashbackFriday on Twitter and Instagram to promote your Flashback posts. All are welcome!!! The only rule is to visit AT LEAST TWO other flashback posts from the linky. If you link up early be sure to come back and check out those who join the linky after you. Remember the linky does not work properly if you don’t visit at least two other links 🙂

Here are my favorite posts from last week’s Flashback linky:

Catherine the Great Portrait of a Women is a great book review that made me want to learn more about Catherine the rgeat.

Fitnessbuster by Gillian Stephen encourages us to exercise regularly and not just for special events.

My Flashback this week is Feel Good Friday – Versatile Blogger Award. It was written after receiving my first award from another blogger. Have you received a blogger award from one of your peers before?

Now, on to the link up!!!

After you link up make sure you grab the #FlashbackFriday button from the sidebar and click to tweet -> I just linked up for #FlashbackFriday with @Chasing_Joy!

Weighing Down My Joy

July 10, 2013 |

Most of the time when I write a blog post I am excited for everyone to read it. I anxiously await for you guys to leave me a comment responding to what I’ve written. But every now and then I write a post that fills me with more angst than excitement. Most of those anxiety inducing most have to do with my weight. You see I am pretty good at many things but maintaining or losing weight is not one of them. So writing about my desire and need to lose weight requires a certain level of vulnerability on my part.

My weight has been a battle for me for over 20 years now. For the most part I feel like I’m losing 🙁 But, I have never been a quitter. Over the years I have tried counting points, cutting calories, avoiding crabs, meal delivery programs and even hypnosis. Some of these worked short term but none had lasting results. After each attempt at weight loss I’d find myself weighing a little more than before my attempt.

However I have to keep trying. This excess weight is weighing down my Joy. In theory weight loss should be easy move more eat less. I’m sure we all know it’s not quite that simple. I know for me as soon as I begin to limit myself saying I can only eat X amount of this or I am taking X food out of my diet that’s all I think about and when I go off plan I eat more than I did before, hence the weight gain. So I’m thinking I will attempt to change my focus. Instead of focusing on elimination and what I should not be eating I am going to focus on what foods I should add to my diet or eat more of. The idea is that if I can fill up on healthy foods, there will be less room for unhealthy foods.

Because lists make me happy, here is a list of healthy foods that I like and should eat more of:

Eggs
Greek Yogurt
Berries
Oatmeal
Granny Smith Apples
Nectarines
Grapefruit
Mandarin Oranges
Apple Sauce
Plums
Bananas
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Green Beans
Chicken
Lean Beef
Tilapia
Salmon
Crab
Shrimp
Scallop
Brown Rice
Lettuce
Hummus
Salad Greens
Carrots
Plain Cheerios
Light Soy Milk
Whole Wheat Pasta
Spinach
Lean Pork
Turkey
Tuna
Pineapple
Cherries

The key words above are “I Like” I know there are lots of other healthy food out there but these are the ones I know I’ll have no problem eating.

What are your go to healthy foods? What do you stock up on when you are trying to lose a few (or more than a few) pounds?

#FlashbackFriday: Chasing Joy or Running From Fat

March 22, 2013 |

It’s Friday Again. No matter how quick it comes I’m always happy to see it. The best part of Fridays is the Flashback!!!

Here are a my favorites from last week’s Flashback Friday link up.

Heartache into Beauty: I Am A Giant Leprechaun is an example of how to find the joy in something even when there are mixed feelings. Plus it is about my birthday, I mean St. Patrick’s Day.

Shake Off Those Blues and Bring Back Your Joy by Adrienne, the Soul Power Coach offers excellent advice on how to pull yourself up out of a low place.

For this weeks Flashback. My post is Chasing Joy or Running from Fat. It is about my struggles with my weight loss.

Now it is time for you to share your Flashback Friday post. Pick out your link for Flashback Friday and add it below. Link to any post you like of any theme you want. Then post a link to your Flashback post on the Chasing Joy Facebook Page so more Joy Chasers can read it. Use the hashtag #FlashbackFriday or #FBF on Twitter to promote your Flashback posts. Then, make sure you check out AT LEAST TWO other flashback posts. I suggest the two links before your post to make it easy. If you link up early be sure to come back and checkout those who join the linky after you. Please leave a comment below saying why you selected your Flashback post and what you thought about the other Flashback posts.

Now, give your old post new life via the power of the linky!!!

**Now that you have linked up head over to the Events Page and read the speaker bios, menu, and sponsors for the Chasing Joy Brunch & Learn. It will be a great event especially if you are there!!!

Dear 2012

December 31, 2012 |

Dear 2012,

Well it’s almost time for you to go. Your year went by so fast. Overall the time we spent together was good. Although you’ve sent a bit of a curve ball in the last few weeks. I am thankful for all the cool things we were able to share. 2013 has big shoes to fill. I’m charging 2013 with catching the curve ball that you are leaving us with and tagging negativity OUT.

2012 you have set the bar high. Here is just a sampling of all we were able to accomplish:

January – A Joyful Resolution was made. I vowed to leave my house every day. This resolution was very good for me. I was able to stick to it about 75%. Because of this resolution I visited and reconnected with an old friend, found Friday zumba classes and hung out at the book store a couple times. I will continue it in 2013.

February – I proclaimed that it was indeed better to be single than to date a CAJC.

March – I meet some lovely local Philly Bloggers and Vlogged all about it. Then I celebrated the blessing of turning 32 years old surrounded by friend.

April – Got the party started with the monthly #ChasingJoy twitter party. It has been an awesome chat that has let me get to know you Joy Chasers a little better. Don’t miss the next one this coming Sunday January 6th at 4pm. Our topic will be Fresh Start for the New Year. Use hashtag #ChasingJoy.

May – This month was all about learning. I went to Bootcamp, Bloggy Boot Camp that is, and learned how to make Chasing Joy better. I also learned how to make sure my inner awesomeness shinned through to the outside at the Curvy Fashionista class. I won’t even tell you how much my foundation garment collection has expanded. LOL

June – 2012 you kept me busy in June. I got a little crafty and offered up some free printable Joy Bookmarks. I attended Blogging While Brown and shared lots of blogging tips. I also completed the meditation challenge and determined that meditation was not really my thing.

July – I took on a new path toward health and wellness. I gave hypnosis for weight loss and try. While I did not lose bunches of weight. I do feel I tapped into a perspective that can help me to be healthier in the future.

August – What an exciting month, as I got my first ever press pass. Yes! Bloggers are part of the press 🙂

September – This month was quite a memorable one. I experienced the Joy of being a bridesmaid for the first time.

October – I shared lots of knowledge that month. I attended Blogalicious with two great friends. I learned how to be better blogger during the day and I partied Vegas style at night with my friends. A great time was had. I cannot forget that the first Chasing Joy Event, The Joy of Giving, also took place and over 150 articles of clothing, shoes, and accessories were donated to women transitioning from welfare to work.

November – There were a couple unexpected twist that month. I told you how to exercise down there. Later in the month I shared a confession that was a long time coming

December – Things have been a little rough the last few weeks. I was not feeling so Joyful as I wrote Blog post from my mom’s hospital room. But the blessing is how many Joy Chasers have prayed for and continue to pray for my mom. She is home now and it was Not the year of the Bad Christmas. I know all of these prayers will help us face any obstacles accompanying 2013.

2012 we accomplished so much. I am thankful for all that I learned all that I shared and all of the connections and friendships I made this year. 2013 better hit the ground running to keep up your momentum.

What are your highlights from 2012? What will you most remember about this year?

The Little Things

November 19, 2012 |

I have struggled with my weight since I was about 12 years old. That was the first time I remember feeling embarrassed about it and trying to lose weight. Over the last 20 years I have tried many things weight watchers, nutrisystem, metabolife, protein shakes, slim fast, you get the drift. I even listed fit into a single digit dress size in my original Devil’s Workshop list from the early days of this blog.

I know that as my doctor said it is pretty simple to lose weight but not at all easy. Simple in that to lose weight you have to burn more calories than you consume. Meaning the combination of eating less and exercise has to result in a calorie deficit. Yet for some reason that simple formula has been so hard for me. It involves a whole slew of behavior changes and learning to respond to my emotions differently. I explored some of those changes when I tried hypnosis for weight loss. In that series I did tap into some techniques to help with my way of thinking.

All of it can be quite overwhelming at times. From past experience I know that feeling overwhelmed can be a big trigger for overeating. So to combat that feeling of being overwhelmed I am making an effort to remind myself that life is just a combination of little choices that when added together produce out comes. It is the little things that add or subtract from our wast lines. So here are some facts about the little choices I can make and how they impact my weight loss.

For the last few months I have been walking for half of my lunch on average of 3 days a week. I burn about 125 calories on each walk. That works out to about 375 calories burned a week, 19,500 burned a year, and approximately 5.6lbs lost or kept off each year.

I typically make it to Zumba class every other Friday. I burn about 450 calories each class. That woks out to 900 calories burned a month, 10,800 calories burned a year, and approximately 3.1lbs lost or kept off each year.

I am in no way a gym rat but I do go every now and then. If I get there once a week (in addition to zumba class) and do the elliptical for 30 minutes I can burn about 250 calories in 30 min. That would work out to about 13,000 calories burned a year, and approximately 3.7lbs lost or kept off each year.

On the weekends like a lot of us I will often throw healthy eating to the side and opt for fast food. Fast food meals can easily be 1000 calories or more. Even if I only had one of these meas a weak would work out to gaining or holding on to 15lbs a year. Imagine if I ate it more than once a week 🙁 If I could decrease this to only once a month that would be a much more reasonable maintaining or gain of only 3.4lb a year.

I have a habit of wanting something sweet every day. Over the years I have managed to switch from having snack cakes that often have close to 500 calories each to those between 200 and 320 calories each. However, this adds up to between 1400 and 2240 calories a week and 70,000 to 116,480 calories a year. This works out to gaining or holding on to 20 to 33lbs every year.

These are all small choices that I make regularly. When I look at them individually I can see how they add up to me gaining losing or maintaining my weight. I can see where it would be the most beneficial for me to make changes. I can see what behaviors are best to continue with.

I calculated my calories burned and consumed using the app lose it from my cell phone. I also used the scale of 3500 calories equalling one pound for my calculations. I like math and seeing things in numbers helps me to understand how all of these little things add up.

Do you ever think about how all of the little decisions you make add up? What small things do you need to change or maintain to get the outcomes you want? What little things are interferring with your joy?

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