The Inspiring Jenny McCarthy on Oprah...

...currently working on this story...

Come back soon!

Hugs,
Kimmy

My Week ...

This week will mark the beginning of a weight loss competition between my trainer, my incognito training partner and myself. First one to lose ten pounds wins a $ 100 dollar Lulu lemon gift card! So I love a competition...and it's going to be fun!
I'll be updating this post as I go along. This is my week and what I'm doing work-out wise...I can see that Lulu lemon gift card in my hand now :)...

Monday:
-Training
-35 minutes cardio

Tuesday:
-Yoga
-60 minute walk

Wednesday:
-Training
-30 minutes cardio

Thursday:
NOTHING>>>My hubby went for a massage and I had no sitter. My house was a disaster zone and my kids were tired. Then I thought of my comment about 'Nannies' and 'Maids' in the post before and thought "EFF!, if I had a Nanny I'd be working out right now and if I had a Maid my house would be all in order too! But, in my usual happy self I answered back: "ya, but their Nannies can not show-up on them either!" ;) Then I watched my pvr'd episode of Jenny McCarthy on Oprah! Ah....I felt a tinge of guilt...being a Mother Warrior is not so bad after all! :)

Friday:
NOTHING :(...My house needed to be organized, and cleaned. I decided instead of going to the gym at night, just to stay home and watch tv with my kids. So all of us curled up on the couch and watched a few episodes of "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody". We had popcorn (smart pop ;) ) and just spend time together. We all needed it. Sometimes you just need to stand back and let life happen. Just go with the flow.

Saturday:
Yoga
Pilates

So that was my week. Good news to report. Down another 1 lb! That makes 32 lbs gone now! So I was feeling great about that. Earlier in the week, I retrieved my rings (they had been in storage since her move). My beautiful rings still don't fit...I REFUSE to have them sized. I'll just have to wait and look forward to that day when I can slip them on again...

I am 3 lbs away from winning my bet with my incognito training partner
I am 9 lbs away from winning my bet with my ITP and trainer ( 10 lb bet).

I am also feeling amazing. I really have alot more energy.

Tomorrow is cheat day...so no sense even going there. My hubby is taking me out for a nice dinner with some friends. I'm looking forward to dressing up and socializing with my hubby. A good reward after a great week...

xoxoxo
Kimmy

Inspired by Gwyneth Paltrow...

I don't know if any of you had the chance to catch Gwyneth on Oprah the other day. If not, I highly recommend you go to Oprah.com and check it out! What an inspiration!
I had a huge "Aha" moment. LOL Not that I hadn't realized this before, but you know the kind of 'AHA' moment that hits you on the head and you think: Oh...ya! I understand!!!!
Gwyneth works out 2 hours, six days a week! She affirms that she is not born with that body. She has to work at it... Sure, most celebrities like Gwyneth, Madonna, Jennifer Aniston have trainers, chefs, nannies, maids, assistants ect...But, it still takes the dedication to get that butt in the gym and burn some serious calories for two hours, six days a week!! If you look at the clip of Gwyneth...her work-out is NO diva inspired walk in the park! I was huffing and puffing just watching! These celebrities REALLY work hard for their bodies. Whenever I'm feeling like I don't want to work-out, I think about these celebrities that train for their bodies. Oprah wakes up at 5 am...to work-out! I could never do that...nah...What I want to also emphasize is that Oprah doesn't have to get up at 5 am. Heck, she don't even have to show up for work either. But, she does because she wants to live her best life. She wants to be the best she can be. You don't get that from sitting on the couch and sulking. You get it from getting out there and training. You get it from consistency and dedication!
So the next time you look at Jennifer Aniston or Gwyneth and wish you had a body like that...think of what effort goes into it. AND Madonna who is fifty and looks better than I have at any age! Wow!

So I was inspired. Yep. Gwyneth and Madonna work-out with a trainer name Tracy Anderson. Her philosophy is long and lean. She feels that women should look like women. So, I was curious and went to her website. Guess who just so happens to have come out with Dvd's? Yep! Guess who ordered them? Yep! LMAO...I'll let you know if the Tracy Anderson Method is worth the 85 dollars! :)

Have a great day!
Kimmy

A Little Sacrifice Goes a Long Way...

Yesterday, I had a meeting with my trainer. Mainly because she wanted to look over my weekly food tracker. Also, because I feel like I'm in a 'rut'. The scale is not budging that quick and I wanted to see if there was more I could do.

We both concluded that perhaps I am eating to many carbs in the day. NOT that I want to go carb free, but essentially that I need more protein during the day. I seriously don't believe in these no carb, low carb 'diets'. I've seen way to many times what this does to the system. For me, this is a lifestyle change...and that means that I need to do this slowly, naturally and normally.

So, a few things I'm going to change is;

My usual morning breakfast consisted of a toasted english muffin and 1/2 glass orange juice. We've switched to oatmeal with berries. Alternatively, I may have my english muffin but with organic natural peanut butter instead of butter and jam.
Also, I need a few more snacks in the day. A delicious snack suggested by my trainer is apples and peanut butter. Peanut butter is an excellent source of protein. But, the importance is that it is natural peanut butter and organic is a bonus.

Furthermore, I always try to eat organic as much as I can. We have enough toxins, and hormones in our environment and food to start off with. Trying to cut back even a little is helpful in my opinion. Every little bit is beneficial!

Speaking of that, I also want to talk about making small sacrifices. Especially since I'm giving up my morning toasted english muffin with butter and jam! lol Making small changes in your daily nutrition can make for large impacts. For instance, I used to take two teaspoons of sugar in my morning cappuccino. At one point, I had the mind set that I refused to take away my sugar. It was for me my morning sanity and pick-me-up for the day. I now empasize and whole heartedly stress that if you want change with your body, than you got to be willing to make the change in your lifestyle! Taking away one teaspoon of sugar...seems like a minute change but in fact;

1 tsp of sugar = 50 calories
50 calories x 365 days ( 1 year) = 18 250 calories

If one pound of fat = 3 500 calories and you've cut out 18 250 calories that means that you've saved 5 lbs!!!! Only by taking away 50 calories in one day! AMAZING!!!

" In today's world it is easy to eat healthier and make small sacrifices. It just takes commitement and a yearning on your part. Pledge yourself to wanting to make those 'small' changes. Remember and be alert. Simply making small changes can have huge impacts. Make the choice healthier. Think twice and shop around for alternatives. You are not substituting taste, you are shifting to an improved lifestyle. " - Spiritual Journey Through Weight Loss; A Light Way!

Other small changes I've made:

• non-fat yogurt instead of regular yogurt ( same great taste but a saving of 100 cal.)
• skim milk instead of cream or regular milk
• splenda instead of sugar or less sugar
• smart pop instead of chips or higher fat popcorn
• frozen yogurt or skinny cow (yum!) instead of ice cream
• my favourite starbucks drink comes in a light version; I save 230 cal. !

Well, I'm off...it's snack time and I'm going to go test out this peanut butter and apple snack!

Hugs,

Kimmy

I received an email inquiry from a woman who hadn't lost yet ten pounds so my 10 lb potato bag trick wouldn't apply. Another trick is butter. For instance, today I stepped on the scale and I'm 1/2 pound down. May seem discouraging. So I pull out my pound of butter, I lost half of that! Yes! At least my weight loss is on the right path. Even .5 lb is quite alot when you look at it that way. So count your 1/2 lbs and 1 lbs of butter! It all adds up or down rather. ;)

So yeah, another half pound gone (for good). Pretty good considering I haven't been getting all my water in. I have been averaging about 8 glasses a day. So hard to reach that 12 glass target. I have to make more of an effort in that department. I truly know that when I consume all my water, it's easy for my body to flush away the toxins, and fat. When fat is oxidized (burned) and consumed into energy, a waste product is produced that must be flushed from the body to maintain proper health and continue with the fat loss performance. Water essentially helps my body function better. Those who retain excess water are people who simply don't drink enough water. When the body doesn't receive enough water, it goes into a survival mode and responds by storing water resulting in weight gain or bloating. When I drink more water, I have more energy and I am feel more full...so it keeps me from eating and keeps me active at the same time.
Water is absolutely essential to weight loss! There is NO way around it.
Here are some tricks I use to help get my water in:

I drink a glass first thing in the morning (before my coffee). It's a great wake-up for your body.

I drink a glass before lunch and dinner

I drink one glass before going to bed

When I'm working-out...I always consume at least 2 glasses during my work-out (that's 500ml) and one post work-out

That's seven glasses right there! The other five I have to get in between.
I always carry a water bottle with me wherever I go. I also always have water bottles in my fridge ready to go.
Once you get in the habit, water becomes part of your daily ritual. You will find that when you don't drink your water...you will feel blah.

Another thing I must do, I have been saying this for quite some time; My vision board. I read "The Secret", I watched "The Secret", and I read many other books on manifesting abundance. What do I have to say about it? Well, I truly believe that we have the power to manifest whatever we wish and desire. The Law of Attraction is a powerful tool we bear. It's not only about having material desires. It's more about living the life you always dreamed of. Living your best life. Being the best you were meant to be. Embracing your magnificence NOW. Most importantly, it's more than just ASK, BELIEVE AND RECEIVE.
In my opinion, first and foremost, your desire has to come from a place of love. That deep within feeling of love. Love is essentially the highest frequency we can emit. The more love, the more power! Kryon said : "When you call upon the love of God and exercise pure intent, there will be miracles." So anything else, just won't be as mighty. So your desire has to come from a good place and be for a good reason. Like when you are praying for someone to re-cover from an illness. That is a great example. If you pour love into the prayer; it makes it that much more powerful. Not to say that God doesn't listen to all our prayers. As a matter of fact, it's like saying Thank you...and really meaning it. There is a difference between a 'thanks' and a "oh...thank you, I appreciate this so very much". Emotion is a very powerful tool!

The second loop hole is letting go. "Let Go and Let God" This is really the hard part. There is an ancient saying; "if you hang on to your desire, it makes it difficult for the angels to take your prayer up to the heaven's." Why? Because you are hanging on to it...lol By letting go, you are allowing the Universe to take over and make magic happen! Release! Release! Release!

Thirdly, take action! For example, you can't sit on the couch, eating away to oblivion and expect to lose weight. You got to help the universe along. Work at it. Live it and dream it.
Four years ago, a friend of mine told me a little ritual she performs every New Years Day. In a quiet moment, she jots down ten goals or desires for the year. She then gives thanks for the year past and is grateful for the year ahead. She then burns the paper and releases the 'prayer'. She proceeded to tell me the power of this ritual and how it brought much abundance into her life in all ways and forms.. On New Years Day in 2004, I gave it a shot. What did I have to lose? Over the course of the year, I forgot about my list. I mostly forgot what I had put down on my list. That is my memory; great for releasing and letting go! lol
Anyhow, over the course of a couple of years, I slowly realized that all my list had come to fruition. Like magic! It wasn't until I had the item or desire that it would hit me: "wow...this was on my list!". AMAZING!

Okay! Back to the vision board. So essentially * a vision board is a board. :) On it, you can put photos, mantra's quotes...anything you desire. Another good friend of mine recently was telling me how she had manifested everything on her vision board. It was time for her to refill the board so to speak! Wow!
My vision board...when I finally get to it will surely have many fitness mantra's, my perfect body ect.....:) I'll post a photo as soon as I get it completed!

To everyone, I leave you today with this...we are in the midst of a glorious time. It is now or never! Get off the couch! Live your best life...what are you waiting for?

Love,
Kimmy

What's going on thus far...

So my blog has had a few extra hits in the last day or so...THANK YOU! I hope you are inspired!

For those of you who have not been following religiously my plight...here it is:

I had lost 100 lbs, went through some emotional stuff, worked through it, had another baby (my third) and gained 80 lbs back!
I know...I know...I cry to sometimes at the thought! I worked sooooooo hard to lose that 100 lbs. I was so proud when I got the call from the producers of Oprah. My fear has been another call only to tell them...sorry....I can't come...I'm not a weight loss success story!" I know they will call back someday. hahaha
When I'm doing crunches, or struggling with a work-out; I could just scream out loud! WHY OH WHY DID I DO THIS TO MYSELF AGAIN!!! Moreover, every time, EVERY DAMN TIME I walk into the plus size store I cringe! I thought I would never step foot in that store again! Never say never...So that is why I'm back on the wagon...this time I may fall off occasionally but I will keep up with the wagon and not lose sight of it so far that it disappears completely!

I'm an optimist at heart. Sometimes, I hate that about me too...so it's okay to dislike me occasionally. On the other hand, alot of lessons have been learned throughout this journey. For one, I realize that nothing is a given in life. Especially when it comes to my weight issues. I'm a food addict! Chocolate makes me melt! I was also lucky to marry an italian. I love pasta!!!
This is something I will have to work with for the rest of my life. It's okay. It makes me a better person ( I think)...lol
This is what I have done so far. I have lost 29 lbs and 14 3/4 inches. It doesn't seem like much. I have a secret weapon of a trick that keeps me on track and in reality of how much weight that is. (So if you ever see this at your grocery store; it's my trick!) In the produce aisle, I go and I pick up 3 ten pound bags of potatoes. That's how much I have lost. So if you've lost ten pounds and you think: "ten pounds...big deal"...try it! Or if you've gained ten pounds etc...It will amaze you!
I have gotten myself a personal trainer through Goodlife. I know, I know...it's very expensive. I can completely justify it. For one, the money I spend on a trainer is money I would throw away elsewhere like on purses, clothes (that I never feel comfortable in), products etc...So why not invest in myself and my sanity? Moreover, I have a state of the art gym in my basement complete with every DVD ever made on fitness, yoga, pilates etc...except for one thing; I never make it down there! I'm just a queen procrastinator. I'd rather do fifteen loads of laundry, clean bathrooms, vacuum then go down there to work-out. There is always something that needs to be done around here. Furthermore, I get interrupted a million times in a thirty minute period. So much that a half hour work-out session turns into a two hour fiasco of frustration! So I give-up!!!!
To boot, I was so shy to go back into the gym being overweight...having that trainer by my side helps me feel powerful and convincing.
Having a personal trainer means I'm committed. That's why I'm getting results. When I train, I eat well and I drink my water. Getting a personal trainer is the best money I've ever spent on myself!
With that being said, I better go drink some more water and having a healthy lunch. I'm training today at 4 PM...

Cheers!
Kimmy

Water

My trainer gave me an interesting article on water. It really sums it up nicely without going into to much detail.

Under normal conditions, the body needs for one day;

1. 2 glasses for the lungs
2. 2 glasses for the skin
3. 1 1/2 glasses for breathing
4. 1 1/2 glass for the intestines and digestion
5. 5 1/2 glasses for the kidneys

So your body requires 12 glasses (12 x 8oz.) of water daily JUST to function !

Umm....

Okay, well...let's see lot's to report so let's get to it.

I went back to bed on Friday morning, and realized afterwards that I HAD planned to go to the gym. Nonetheless, I was very tired as we had lot's of company the night before. Life is so busy!
I get so frustrated sometimes. It's really not easy being a mom and wanting to be fit and work-out. Most times, I feel selfish and guilty when I make the effort to go to the gym. Luckily my husband is quite supportive, but still.
I laid in bed all cozy with my hubby and I realized: "shoot I was supposed to be at the gym right now...." Next week....please...!

My trainer;

She's great. Tough but good. She's making sure I sweat! LOL

I didn't do yoga either. ARGHHHH!!! Next week is going to be very busy too. But, that is life. So I need to get my act together. My healthy lifestyle is about my lifestyle and not about the one I wish I had.

I realized the other day, that I haven't worn my wedding rings since I was 6 months pregnant. That was almost three years ago. I'm afraid to try them on because after I had Antonio there was no way those rings were even going to fit even on my pinky!!!!
That will be a HUGE feat for me to wear my rings again. I REFUSE to have them fitted. I am determined to wear them again. I'm so exhausted from looking like a single woman with three kids.... Another goal to add to my list!

The list sure is growing. Whatever works....

Hugs!
Kimmy

Just another day....

Here is a day in my life...LOL...Thank the Universe I have a sense of humour.

"When Life throws you a curveball...you got to catch it and throw it back!" -Kimmy

Sooooo this was my day>>>>>>>(Monday) I was leaving to go get Carmelo at school ...as usual I'm leaving at almost the last minute. Then I was off to the gym, and the kids in the daycare. The van is all to one side...and my neighbour says: "hey Kim...ya got a flat tire there!" Cue the blackest clouds and big wind!!!! So I rush, pull out the stroller, grab Antonio and my starbucks and all my gym stuff. No way I was leaving my starbucks behind!!!!So I'm pushing the stroller, holding on to my coffee and trying to rush. The roads are bumpy...so boom my coffee spills everywhere on me. Luckily...I had a jacket on...but I got some on my jogging pants. EFF!!!! So Cue in the storm! It starts raining!!! Pouring....and the wind...I can hardly keep pushing as the wind is pushing me back. I am now ten minutes late to pick up Carmelo. So finally I get there...soaked....and we walk into the gym....smelling like coffee and looking like drowned rats. But, I'm at the gym....because I want to work-out and be fit!!! Low and behold my trainer has a nice surprise planned...a military/police type fitness test!!!!!!!! EEEEEEEEEEEFFFFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LMAO.....so during my training session...I hear Antonio crying...he got hurt...so naturally I go see if I can help him. Sooooooooo now he doesn't want to stay anymore. So I decide fine...it's for the best, I guess... Upon leaving the gym, I decide to walk to LOEB and buy a ready cooked chicken....so I buy a chicken, some wedges and some chicken strips for the kids. Walking home Carmelo wants to carry the food ....okay....well he trips!!!!!!!!!!!!! And alllllllll the food flies everywhere on the road!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't even pick it up or salvage some because it's in the middle of the road and just like on TV...a car comes whizzing by and runs over our dinner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So....I come around the corner to the house...half upset...deciding...well sandwiches it is!.... I see Diodato (I leave him home alone when I train for an hour...but he has to stay in the house and cannot answer the door)...WELLLLLL There he is in the middle of our muddy yard...digging up rocks and putting them in my new wagon!!!! WITH his brand new PUMA running shoes covered in MUD!!!!!!!!!
:) Ever have one of those days????

Well, my August "slump" is now over so to speak. I've lost those three pounds (ya it turned out to be three pounds) that I had gained. So, I'm back to that.
It feels like I've lost a whole month. But, like I said in a prior blog; I have to focus on the mental side of things. I did alot of mental work in that month. The fact that I climbed back on the wagon is a huge feat. I have goals and I will conquer them.
My Goals for September:
-lose five pounds (which will bring me in a new weight number)
-start doing yoga (twice a week)
-work-out four-five times a week (three times with my trainer, two times on my own)
My main goal is to go to the gym on one morning after dropping off my son at school. I'm not a morning person so for me this is a HUGE feat. If I want to be successful at this weight loss; that's what it's going to take. So next week (September 12) I will report back that I went to the gym that morning!
I have huge incentive: a wedding to attend on October 11th. So I will post a photo of my dress; and that will motivate me to look my best in it!
I'm also training with the new trainer. I can attest that there is a bonus of training with a female trainer. But, it does have it's down side. So female or male...it's all personal preference.
My eating is going much better this week. I have to focus on getting all that water in!
Well I'm off...BECAUSE I'M GOING TO DO SOME YOGA!
xoxo
Kimmy