I can't believe we are half way through the journey.  I was so nervous this week with the weight in and measurements.  I can see improvements in the fit test results and I feel that I have a little bit more endurance than when I started.  The first fit test was tough I can remember thinking "When is this going to be over, I'm I going to be able to finish this"  So after taking my measurements and weight in I was not to happy with my results I lost inches but the weight has not change.  ugh it's so disappointing.  Luckily I have a great coach and she gave me great advice, and sometimes you want to hear that from someone who's actually been through this all ready to get to where they are now.  Okay so like I had mention before on my previous blog I actually set time aside and wrote down my weekly goals.  I place that sticky note on the book that I'm currently reading, so everything I open that book I am reminded that I have small goals and it gets me thinking on how I am going to accomplish them.  So If I don't reach one of those goals on that list I will add it to my weekly goals for the following week and reflect on what I can do to improve in order to reach that goal.  I will continue to use this tactic so I know what I am working towards and I can motivate myself.

B - How does your body feel?
My body actually feels so energize after my workouts, I have more endurance, and I like waking up sore or with aching muscles because that's the only way I know that I gave it my all during my workout and that I will see results if I keep it up.

L - What have you learned about you? Your coach? Your team?
What I learned about myself this week is that I am capable of giving more than I think.  I actually tried some advance level moves at book camp which I never thought I was able to do and I made it trough, yes it needs improvement but at least I tried it.  I learned that my coach also has to work hard to reach her weekly goals and that she always has great advice on how I can improve, she let's me know that I'm not alone and share with me tips on what she does to overcome nutrition and training obstacles.  I can't really say much about my team only that I would like to know who is part of the team, there's not much interaction and it's kind of hard to tell who's doing the 60 day journey.  But through the daily FB post I learned from them that we are all working hard and that we all have one goal in common and that is getting fit.
O - What observations can you make about change?
I have notice that I don't miss some of the junk that I was eating before.  My body has adapted to my new way of eating.  I am enjoying eating a healthy clean diet and without thinking I am still making healthy choices when I have to go out with friends on the weekend. 
G - What small goals can you celebrate?
The small goal I can celebrate this week is losing inches.  It felt so good to know that I had accomplish that goal this week :)
S - Set your week's goals and plan your week!
My weekly goals have been set... I just need to work really hard   This weekend I have to plan my weekly meals and start preparing them so I can have them ready to go for the week. 

Why is losing weight so hard?  It's depressing when I give it 110% follow my diet to the T, workout 5-6 times a week and push myself harder each time and when you get on the scale the numbers are still the same.  I know it takes time to see the results but sometimes even if you lose half a pound, it makes a difference.  Losing even half a pound for me puts a smile on my face, because I know that all my hard work is paying off and it motivates me to work harder for my goals.  I can be really hard on myself sometimes. I know that it will take time for me reach my goals but deep down I wish I could see them sooner than later.    I know that I can't just give up because I am not seeing the results right away.  To prevent myself from falling off the wagon and getting discourage I have decide to try something different.   I will take at least 30 minutes of my time and write down my weekly goals and at the end of the week check off what I have completed, and re-evaluate what I need to work on and how I can improve.   For now my #1 item on my list is to stay positive, focus, and continue to give it my very best to reach my fitness goals. 

Last week was a challenge for me.  After being away for almost two weeks and not working out,  well hiking 5-6 hours a week is a workout or at least it's consider being active.  It was hard to get back into the high impact cardio routine.  I remember that the first day back at the Worx I couldn't keep up and I had to stop several time to take a break because I was starting to feel dizzy.  By the end of the week my body was slowly starting to adjust.  I am ready to start another week and I know that my challenge for the week will be to push hard so I can be ready for weight in next Monday.  EEEK!!

Another week completed!!!  It was difficult I was out of the country for about 2 weeks and I didn't have a lot of choices available.  I had to survive on limitted water and electricity.  For meals we had to eat whatever was available or not eat at all.  I knew I had to make the right choices and not eating was not an option because my body needed it.  I tried to making smart choices for breakfat I had fresh fruits with dark coffee and whenever it was available oatmeal.  For lunch instead of the ham & cheese sandwiches that they made for us I replaced it with a protein bar or sometimes I would have mango, or penut butter & Jelly.  Dinner was the heaviest meal of the day, I don't know why maybe it's a cultural thing.  But I had to be careful to stay away from the carbs.  I mostly filled up my plate with a cabbage salad that they made daily which consisted of fresh cabbage, tomatoes, pickled red onions, cucumber, and iceburg lettuce.  I also ate beans,  sometimes I would have a serving of rice.  I avoided the sugary soft drinks and juices that were set in fronts of us and had water insted,  most of the time I added 2 hydration pills to it.  Hydrations pills are loaded with electrolites and come in various flavors they are low in calories and they don't have all the extra sugar that can be found in most sport drinks.  As far as exercise goes, everyday we got up really early and walked miles to get to our destination.  The roads were mostly dirt roads filled with gravel everyday we would do our 5-6 hour hikes.  I knew it was going to be a challenge but I can honestly say that I survived and past the test.  The whole time there I kept in mind that I was doing this for me, and that I wasn't alone.  Small choices can make a big difference in the long run.  Let's stay strong and keep moving forward on this journey.