#WCW - Resolution Revolution Check In

Good morning sunshines!

As most of you might remember, one of my resolutions this year was to help more people with healthy lifestyles. So I started a group called Resolution Revolution for ladies all over to connect with each other and get support from those with similar goals. I provide them with samples and products of items that helped me get on track and they all provided each other with support.

They are all doing so awesome! I think its so great when people get on track to meet their goal and it makes them happy! Their happiness makes me happy, even as corny as it sounds. So I asked in the group if anyone was interested in sharing about their thoughts, the process and all about the lifestyle changes. 

All these ladies are my #WCW and here's what they have to say...

Laura

What are your goals for 2014?
To reach my goal weight of 154 lbs. To continue running and finish two half-marathons. I will be strong and healthy!
Tell me about your progress.
I'm 33 and have struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember. In my teens and early twenties I fought the battle hard and stayed at at an okay weight. I did it almost completely with limiting food intake. At times almost starving myself. Then for about 5-6 years I just kind of gave up and the weight just kept going up and up. During this time I tried a lot of "miracle quick fixes" which didn't last and didn't work.
In January 2013, I decided I will make small changes, and stick with them. I started walking. In February I started couch to 5k. I completed my first 5k in April and walked most of it. I did not loose a single pound from January through April and decided I needed to add in watching what I eat. Slow steps here. I joined Weight Watchers on May 2, 2013 (it works for me).
May through December I kept running, and tracking my points plus and lost just over 50 lbs. During this time I tried the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred multiple times and just never did complete it. I restarted that program on January 5, 2014, and finished it! I'm so proud of that accomplishment. I celebrate small victories with non food rewards.

What was one of your old vices?
Being too hard on myself. I had unreasonable expectations from myself. When I didn't meet those expectations, I would beat myself up and then give up. Don't get me wrong, goals and accountability are a must, but it's not okay to expect to never slip up. I'm not perfect and that's okay.
What's your new healthy vice?
I am kind to myself. Being healthy is for the rest of my life. I believe this with my whole heart. I hit a plateau in regards to losing pounds since around Christmas. I feel stronger than ever, but the scale has not really moved in a while. I am still positive about it. I am changing up some routines and will keep going and I know I will break through this plateau soon. Once I do, I will be unstoppable!

Favorite way to work out?
Running. A good run is the best feeling ever!

What's a healthy food everyone should try?
I like variety. I try not to eat the same thing week after week. My go to is a good stir fry. Lots of ways to switch it up. I also like to stick with fresh food when possible. Just another reason I'm looking forward to spring and summer, going to the local farmers market.

Your best advice for getting started to beginners?
I would say make goals, but make sure they are reasonable. Ask yourself what steps you will take to reach your goals? Realize that there will be slip-ups. Celebrate small successes. Find something that inspires and motivates you and think of it when you are struggling. Be kind to yourself.

Brittany

Hey! 

2014 has been great thus far! 

I HAVE had quite a few bumps in the road already but I'm back at it and stronger than ever! 

For 2014 my main goals, resolutions if you will, was to lose weight and gain back my confidence. At first I thought I could easily lose 100+ pounds this year but I soon found out that was going to take a lot of work and dedication. It's been overwhelming, to say the least, trying to change everything thing all at once, so I've been taking it one day at a time one change at a time. So far by just changing my diet and working out at home I've lost a total of 15 pounds. I took a 3 week hiatus and gained about 5 back but since my hiatus, I've again lost the pounds. 

And old vise I used to have would be filling my plate up with half carb 's and half meat, then eating a full dessert just to go to bed 30 minutes later. As anyone knows the only place that gets you is a spot on the sumo wrestling team. Since January 1st and my lifestyle change I simply stopped eating such heavy meals. I now eat 5oz of protein and 2 cups of veggies with 1/3 cup carbs. If I get hungry I reach for a small salad with Pico (vs dressing ) or some special k cracker chips (if I am looking for salt). 

A new healthy vise I have is to be more aware of my schedule, I never go to sleep on an extremely full stomach and grab my exercise ball to work out if I'm feeling bored, instead of eating my boredom. 

My favorite at home workout would either be using the exercise ball or kick boxing, but when it gets warmer I fully intend on rollerblading and bike riding!

 EVERYONE needs to try cauliflower pizza! With fresh mozzarella! It's simple, delicious and feels fattening when it's not!

 My advice: don't try changing everything at once. It gets overwhelming and you can easily be discouraged.What has worked for me is changing one thing, making it a habit and moving on.

Niki

 My Goals for 2014 (fitness wise) as I put out there "publicly" on my blog on 12/31 {progress listed in these} I already quit smoking around Thanksgiving, so I want to include continuing to be smoke free. {Still smoke free to this day! Almost 12 weeks now!} 

Reach a goal weight of 195 by my birthday, July 26. That's about 30 pounds in 7 months. #30by30 {I am currently down 9.2# as of Wednesday the 12th, with no gain or loss this last weigh in}

 Reach a Goal weight of 175 by the end of the year. That's 50! pounds in twelve months. A pound a week... {see above, I use the LoseIt! app on my phone, and it says I should be able to reach my goal by mid-July. If that's the case, I'd like to drop this number to 160) 

Meal Plan & Food Prep (because failure to plan, is a plan to fail) {doing pretty good and I've found that when I do fail to plan, I do fail. I've got to make this a better habit} 

Eat Clean 5 Times a week. No everyday, but most. {doing well during the work week, I feel like I need to do more of it during the weekend too, though} 

Do Yoga 5 times a week. I don't care what day it is, or how many times I do it a day, I just want to do it. {I've fallen off this bandwagon numerous times, got back on, and back off again}

My old vice would have to be sweets. 

I have a craving daily at 3, then again immediately after dinner, and I'm also a boredom eater. Instead of eating a box cookies or a bowl of ice cream, I now reach for a half of a Quest bar (Thank you for introducing them to us!) or my favorite low cal sweet... a half or quarter of a frozen, chopped banana, 4T of fat free Cool Whip, and 1T (about 6) Dark Chocolate chips. It satisfies and is so yummy. (and makes me feel like I'm eating ice cream.) to fight boredom eating, I try to move. I've started climbing stairs at work to get in shape for my annual Vegas trip in April. I've also started trying to drink flavored water any time I "think" I want a snack. I don't want to starve myself or anything, I just want to be sure I REALLY want it.

My favorite workouts would def have to be yoga. While it's relaxing and that's why I originally started, I also love the trimming benefits I've seen from it. My take on it, you're using your own body weight in some of those poses, so it's almost like weight lifting... right? lol That's my thought anyway, since I don't have weights or a gym close. I would love to be a runner, and I know it's great cardio, but with my weight and the problems I' have with my knees and hip, it's very hard. Plus, I think my weight keeps me from doing it too because it's so rough on me. As soon as the weather gets decent, I've decided I'd like to start walking again. A little is better than nothing, and I want to do something. ONE day, I'll run.

I honestly haven't tried anything of the wall since changing my eating habits.

I have tried Quest bars as something new... I love them. Sent my boyfriend to get me more flavors, and I was lucky enough that he bought me tons more for Valentines Day. I also posted a recipe for chicken fajitas on here awhile back. They're very yummy, and def good for you. I think those are some of my favorite things to make/eat/prepare for lunches and dinners since they're so easy and yummy. I also tried PB2 for the first time. I LOVE IT! I was truly amazed at how much it actually tastes like PB. I did buy the chocolate one as well, but was disappointed that it didn't taste more like Nutella. lol I 

now add both of these to my morning protein shakes at least a couple times a week.

My advice on getting started... Thats a tough question. For me, it was just setting my mind to it. My honey is def supportive, but not one of those that is constantly on me. And I think I need that! lol I come from a large family (both weight and number wise) and my 81 year old grandmother just had gastric bypass surgery, my aunt just had gastric bypass surgery, and my mother has all of a sudden lost a LOT of weight. While I know that gastric bypass is NOT the healthiest way to lose weight, and that I know I don't qualify, my aunt has taken some of my high school clothes that I don't fit in to, my mother is getting noticed at how much she has lost, and my grandmother has dropped to a smaller pant size than me AND offered me some of her clothes. THAT right there blew my mind and disgusted me all at the same time. I'm really happy for all of these ladies, don't get me wrong. But to now be the ONLY large person on that side of my family totally broke me down. I needed a breaking point for it to MAKE me want it so much more. I've always had those times that I wanted to lose weight, "I'll do it this time" blah, blah... but this time its so much more cut and dry. I HAVE to do it. I don't just want it anymore. I need it. Call me selfish, call me spiteful, call me jealous. But I will not be the bigger person anymore. Find your NEED for being healthy and go from there. Find what works for you (for me right now is yoga) and make a plan. Find that person that will hold you accountable and give you that tough love. If I had someone to text every morsel of food I put in my mouth, I'd do it. If I had someone riding my ass about whether or not I did my yoga, I'd move more. Find your NEED, not your want.

Julie

Goals for 2014: 

My main goal is to just be a healthier person so I can enjoy life and not be ashamed to try adventurous things. I love to travel and reluctantly tried paddle boarding and zip lining. I was so embarrassed by my weight that I did not fully enjoy the experience. I hope to lose at least 70 lbs this year.

 Progress so far:

I joined a gym in December and January 1 I started eating clean and preparing meals. I am down about 13 lbs since January 1. It is slow but I can already feel a difference in my clothes and energy levels. I can also tell I'm getting stronger as I can make it through workouts I never before thought possible. 

Old vices: 

my biggest vice is coffee drinks! They can be loaded with sugar and calories so I've switched to green tea and been trying to switch up the flavors. I also used to love McDonald's breakfast sandwiches. I now make my own with whole wheat English muffins a poached egg and slice of avocado. Very filling and satisfying! 

Favorite way to workout:

 I love Zumba but no longer belong to a gym that offers it. I get bored easily so I am always mixing it up. My current fave is kettlebells and the Jillian michaels kettlebell workout is my new fave. 

Healthy food everyone should try: 

 I recently tried quinoa but still working on finding a recipe my whole family loves. I do love hummus!

 Advice: 

the best advice I've been given is to just move! There will be slip ups and we will have bad days but you have to pick yourself up and keep going!

Teri

 What are your goals for 2014? 

My goals for 2014 include eating clean as much as possible, getting a consistent workout going again, dropping the rest of my baby weight and start lifting weights. I hope to get back on the running train again and run a half marathon.

Progress: 

I had lost 30 lbs in 2012 by counting calories using MyFitnessPal and working out. Shortly after I hit that milestone, I got pregnant with Baby #2! My second pregnancy was much healthier but I still gained quite a bit of weight. I am now 9 months post partum and about 12 lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight. In January 2014, my husband and I challenged ourselves to a paleo diet and I lost 12 lbs just from cleaning up my diet! It gave me insight into what I was putting in my mouth and the encouragement to try new clean recipes! 

What are your old vices? 

Soda, dessert, and greasy food when I am having a bad day! 

What is your new healthier vice? 

I have given up soda for Advocare Spark - the perfect afternoon pick me up but more natural! 

Favorite way to workout? 

I love a good run by the lake with the sun shining and the music blaring. With the weather we have been having, that has not been possible unfortunately. It has been a challenge to keep moving this winter but when I do, I hit the treadmill or circuit training at the gym! 

What's a healthy food everyone should try?

I have discovered so many amazing recipes since going more paleo - honestly it is hard to pick just one! One of our new favorites (that is not 100% paleo but is clean!) is this Loaded Cauliflower Buffalo Chicken Casserole: http://loveandprimal.com/wp/nutrition/recipe-loaded-cauli-buffalo-chicken-casserole/ 

Best advice to beginners: 

Take one step at a time so as not to overwhelm yourself. If you make a small change, it is a start! I would also recommend trying to log your food and workouts in MyFitnessPal. It is eye opening to see what you are consuming and then you can work to find ways to clean up your diet. I also recommend finding a buddy to workout with or who is on the same journey - that support system is so important and one of the keys to my success! Good luck!

Tatum

My goals for 2014 include overcoming the power the bathroom scale has over me and no longer allowing that number to define me; another goal is to be physically active consistently. So far I have kept my promise to myself to only weigh in on the first of every month. In fact, Feb 1st was the first time I had weighed myself since before Christmas. Not relying on my scale to dictate my progress has been freeing! I am even considering not weighing myself again until the beginning of the summer. My plan is to take measurements and progress pictures to detail my journey. (After all, that scale is a dirty little liar.) 

As for being fit I have been using my school's gym 3 days a week, and I just joined 24 Hour Fitness so I can workout at a location close to my house on the days I'm not at school. I'm becoming a gym rat, and I love it! 

One of my old vices was ice-cream. Ben and Jerry's to be exact. As I'm writing this I am totally craving me some Half Baked... Alas that stuff is not stocked in my freezer (for a reason) so I'll just continue day dreaming... Instead of indulging in sweats that are full of sugar like ice-cream I have found a new love affair with Quest Bars. They're amaze balls. You can bake all sorts of yummy "clean cheats" with them, from peanut butter brownies to cinnamon rolls. (Chocolate flavored protein powder has also been my saving grace. Considering it gives me a way to have chocolate. every. single. day.) If you are a pizza lover like me - try cauliflower pizza. It sounds weird, but it is so delicious it will change your life. Trust me on this. 

My advice to a fitness/healthy lifestyle newbie: Surround yourself with healthy resources like Jess's blog, other fitness bloggers and people on Instagram. (I follow lots of women who lift weights and are great examples of living strong/healthy lifestyles.) Then set some small, incremental goals for yourself and meet them! You got this!

Give it up for these beautiful hard working ladies!!!

How's your resolutions going?

-J

Also one of my favorite blog reads, Lora @ Raising Steppe Sisters 's young son Harper, went to be with the Lord sooner than expected. There is a donation page HERE to help the family out in this time of need.

Such a tragic loss. Although I have no children yet, I can't imagine the pain nor would I want anyone to have to experience it.