My PB + J

goals, check!

I realize it’s been an entire month since my last post. I know I promised before & after pictures a few short days after my last post and I never got around to sharing. Bad Melissa! After having, Amy, a friend and TDM instructor snap my picture right after class I could see a difference despite my horrid just woke-up face. I had been searching for a before picture that properly depicted my large, tub-a-wubba state pre-The Dailey Method and it was actually pretty difficult. Most pictures were cropped,  I hid the chub well with clothing, a baby on my hip, or a group of friends were in front of me. While I was going back on my external hard drive I found a few pictures and one stuck out to me. I was at my heaviest. I was six-months post partum with Payton and at my lowest of all lows mentally. A few months after that picture was taken I probably only lost ten pounds and then I got preggo with Mr. Bradykins. When I began my true weight loss journey last January I weighed 170, in the picture I was ten pounds heavier. Last month I celebrated my one-year anniversary with TDM, it’s simply crazy that I have been apart of that supportive community for that long now. I am a stronger person and I am so proud of where I am today. When I stared down at my phone looking at the before & after shots I sat there as tears quietly ran down my cheek. I did it. I set a simple goal of getting back to the “old” me, a healthier me and I freaking did it. I am stronger for my babies, I am a happier person and I can say I stuck to a goal for myself.

There are hard days, I am not going to lie. Unlike most who sigh and moan when the instructor says, “it’s a ball day” I let out a sigh or relief, there’s just something joyful about that little green ball. I dread low c-curve and as I make my way up to the barre for thigh work always leaves me guessing. If thigh work wasn’t already hard enough hearing the prompts to sink lower and lift your heels a little higher while having a broken toe and the neighboring effed up toe recovering from surgery always makes me sweat and shake like I have turrets. I always ask myself why the hell I got out of bed and then while doing back dancing listening to Gangnam Style I remember why I love it so much. It pushes you, the instructors motivate you and after 60-minutes you made it through another workout alive with or without making an ass out of yourself.

We have two weeks left on our 60-day challenge and I have been doing mediocre. I promised myself I would attend 3-4 times a week and with each class I attend I give myself a little pat on my back because I still found the time in my hectic schedule to make it there. Lord knows it isn’t easy to balance everything that our day-to-day schedules brings but by taking 60-minutes out of the day for me just brings it all in and for that I am grateful.

Since beginning my weight loss journey with The Dailey Method I have lost 40 pounds, I have gone from a size 12 to a size 6 and I can finally say that since having kids I finally feel like the “old” me pre-kids. Plus or minus the saggy boobs. 😉

What motivates you? Have you checked off a goal lately?

proud. determined. motivated.

My weight loss journey has been something I am proud to tell people, I mean to lose (and maintain) a  thirty-five pound weight loss is amazing. I feel as if it consumes me on some days especially when I am at work. I hear a lot of “wow! you look great for having two kids” and honestly the employees see what I am posting on instagram and help me stick to the diet plan I am currently on by reminding me to stay focused. There are days where I know I can do better but then I am reminded how far I have come in a year. Jim says this is the happiest he has seen me in years and that my confidence level is at an all-time high, I smile and of course know that he’s right because I see it. I am excited again to try on bathing suits or even go bra shopping. I don’t mind the stretch marks that I got from being chubby vs from being pregnant. It has been a battle for the past four years and I am more than proud of where I am today. Since beginning The Dailey Method last April I have gained a confidence level that I never had. Of course I have days where I don’t think I can make it through another tuck and hold but then I get through it and feel so accomplished. I think that’s just it, I have been accomplishing these goals with each class I attend and it has made me a stronger person through it all. Just about two weeks ago I began the 60-day challenge that will go right up until my 31st birthday. The first week I don’t think I was mentally on board, but this week I have gone full throttle with following the meal plan and ensuring I get to at least four classes per week. While I would love to attend more classes I believe that four to five classes is ideal with my schedule right now. The meal plan is plant based and if you follow me on instagram you’ve seen all of the yummy dishes that I’ve been preparing. Jim asked me earlier this week where his wife was and has been laughing that it must be that I am in my thirties now because ten years ago I wouldn’t have eaten this way. The great thing is, is that I am loving it and have began craving vegetables right when I wake-up. I even went four days without realizing I hadn’t had coffee because I was replacing my morning coffee with a green smoothie! I am so determined to lose these last stubborn five pounds that it is driving me crazy. I cleaned out my closet earlier this week to finally let go of that old me, I figured it was the second step of getting where I want to be. I am so excited and determined for these next six weeks of the challenge. I will be sharing some new before/after pics on Monday. Thanks to all for all the support & love over the last year. 

a class for a cause

Are you a local San Diegan looking for cause to give to this weekend? I urge you to attend The Dailey Method – RB/Poway “Chelsea’s Light” fundraiser this Sunday. If you remember from last year, “Finish Chelsea’s Run” was my first 5k. It is a cause dear to my heart, I hope you can join and if you can’t, a donation is much appreciated.

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Finish Chelsea’s 5K Run/Walk
 
What:   Join The Dailey Method RB-Poway in walking the 3rd annual “Finish Chelsea’s Run” event in honor of Chelsea King. The event will feature a competitive 5K race and fun run/walk, family festival, children’s activities, team competition, entertainment and refreshments. To show our support, The Dailey Method RB-Poway is putting together a team and we would love to have all of you join             us! To join our team, please click here. Password to join is “TDMRBP”.

 

When:   Saturday, March 2nd 7:30am
 
Who:     Yourself, kids, spouses! Anyone can join – the more the merrier!
 
Where:  Balboa Park

Chelsea Run 

the journey of finding me.


“What you get by achieving your goals in not as important as what you become by achieving your goals” –Zig Ziglar 

When the year began all I knew was that I wanted to lose the weight from having two children. I knew it wouldn’t be easy because I hadn’t completely succeeded with the weight loss after having Payton. I suffered from severe post partum depression, I was unhappy with my job and I closed myself off from everyone including myself. I got pregnant again and was immediately worried about how I would regain a comfortable weight after giving birth to another child. I was more conscience during my second pregnancy, I walked more and had overcome my PPD. I wasn’t working due to pre-term labor and I began finding myself. We welcomed our baby boy to the world last October and I enjoyed the holidays. When the calender turned to 2012 I knew it was my year, my year to find the person I lost in early 2009. I began doing things that I enjoyed doing, I had people in my life that made me happy and reintroduced old friends back into my life because I finally left that old me behind. I’ve done a lot of soul searching this year and I am right where I want to be.

Back in January I started my journey here with the 17-Day Diet. I stuck to the diet and watched the pounds slip away. I was walking 5-10 miles a week and reintroduced spin into my routine logging over 60-hours within the first five months of the year. In May, I was introduced to The Dailey Method. I cut back on the spin classes and concentrated time in the studio. I had finally found an exercise that worked for me and that honestly made me feel whole. Now, let me tell you that if I felt like eating a cheeseburger, I did. If I had a craving for a Snickers I ate it. I have limited myself to one, yes, one iced latte or Starbucks double shot a week. Some weeks I might not have one but I have given myself a limit. I now drink iced unsweetened black or green tea. I have cut out 99.5% of soda or anything with carbonation. We do eat out but when I cook it’s usually minimally processed and whole. The Dailey Method and it’s values has taught me a lot. The last two months is where I really found myself. For the month of October I managed to tow both kids with me to the studio for twenty classes, while this was short of my goal I am still damn proud of myself. I have completed four 5k’s, I began doing these with girlfriends and honestly I had to sit back and reconsider why I was doing them. I have had a lot of support throughout my journey and doing activities for fun was my motivation. If you’re on a weight loss journey make sure that you have honest support from those around you, weight loss is not a competition, it’s about balance and finding what works best for you. Not all of my days have been easy and I hope that you understand that I mean this. I get burned out just like anyone else but as long as you stick to your goals, focus on your life and find something that works for you; you will get to your goal in no time!

In January, I had set two weight loss goals. The first was to weigh 140 by Brayden’s birthday, I am happy to report that with the help of The Dailey Method I lost ten pounds in two months bringing me one pound under my goal! It has never felt so good to see that number on the scale.

My second goal, which does not have a date, is to weigh 130. I am giving myself a few months into 2013 to achieve this as I am having foot surgery and will be out of commission for six weeks. This comes just in time to sit back and enjoy the holidays with my family. The celebration of finding the old me.

I have to thank everyone for the nice e-mails, texts and high fives as I have reached my goal of losing thirty pounds a healthy way!

it’s a weekly thang {weigh-in wednesday}

Yes, I am a day late and a dollar short. I feel like this week sped on by, I truly thought today was Wednesday. I guess it just shows we’re super busy over here! After last week I took one more class at The Dailey Method and then took what was planned to only be Friday and Saturday off but after the wig pub crawl I was still feeling sick so I skipped Sunday. I wasn’t happy about only making it three times last week but I am making up for it this week by taking five consecutive classes. I have completed three days and am a good sore. As Michelle said this morning, “at least you’re coming back with a smile”. I feel like getting there is always the hardest, I am so motivated to get there and once we start back dancing I know that hour class was worth it. My 30-day challenge is nearing the end, I have taken ten classes and my goal was sixteen, I can easily do this by next weekend! The owner, Stephanie, says you can noticeably see a difference after twelve classes and I started to see small changes last week. However, this week both Jim and I both noticed that my waist is curving in, something I have never had. I have always been stick straight until my hips and now I have some subtle curves. When I look into the mirror while doing many of the barre exercises I can see the skinnier me emerging. I usually tell that old me, hello and that it’s nice to see you again. Hey, if mentally engaging with myself keeps me motivated while doing thigh work I am okay with that!

Each day brings a new challenge. One day I might be super flexible and the next I am so tight that walking hurts. This is why I love The Dailey Method, I am working at my own pace and I make modifications that work for me. So what if I can’t hold both legs up to my nose while doing flat back on the wall, I make one chattery leg get half way there and I am satisfied. I am also down another pound this week! Slow, steady and healthy weight loss!

Next week is an exciting week for The Dailey Method! The one-year anniversary is next Saturday so I urge those in the San Diego area to take one of many free classes with free childcare on both Friday and Saturday to see what it’s all about! If you end up loving it, which I know you will, I then recommend that you start October 1st on the Fall 30-day challenge. The cost is $175 for non-members and includes many incentives like your chance at $100 Dailey dollars. The challenge also includes a daily meal plan. What’s a better way to kick-off Fall looking leaner, feeling stronger and being more fit? I can’t think of any, because my promise to myself last Winter was to never be fat again in a frumpy sweater. Look for a more detailed post about the anniversary event this coming week.