Day 1 Towards the Summit

Today marks day 1 towards the June Beachbody coach summit in Las Vegas. As planned, I finished Insanity's fit test and Turbo Fire's Fire 30. It was tough! I remember being able to keep up with the workouts when I did Insanity consistently. This morning was challenging. I was short of breath (as noted in my journal) and had to stop the DVD a few times. Regardless, I feel like a warrior! Haha. Today's exercise regimen is done. In addition to that, my husband and I went for a 2.5 mile jog. Of course, that was after my morning Shakeology!

These workouts are truly the best! Of course, having a personal trainer helps but having this in your own home gives you your own personal trainer! With different home workout videos, you can choose to do what you would like depending on how you feel. Granted, it is always ideal to follow the plan that Beachbody experts have laid out -- just being able to do a workout is a job well done towards your goal.

For those who do not have the time to do more than 20 minutes a day, I suggest 10-minute trainer which allows you to do both cardio and strength training.

Not a very artistic shot of part of my leg and shoes -- but I wanted to share with you one of my treasures, my Pure Connect Brooks sneakers.

I have flat feet. It has been hard for me to find sneakers that do not hurt my feet when I exercise. With my loving husband's thoughtfulness, he got me these sneakers for Christmas 2011. They are by far my favorite!!!

Anyway, its 10:09 am and I have the entire day to do other things! Yay!! Happy weekend, everyone!

Beachbody Coach Summit 2012

Inspired, I just wanted to share that I signed for the Beachbody Coach Summit this year! I am excited. 

Being a Beachbody customer since 2008, I recently decided to become a coach initially to get a discount on my supplements, but now I am more motivated to help others succeed as well!!

Granted I have already lost approximately 20 pounds since day 1 of using Beachbody products as tools. I would like to commit to my own challenge of looking my best by June 21, 2012 which is the first day of the summit!

With travel constraints, I have decided to do a hybrid of Insanity and Turbo Fire. Plus of course, incorporate my favorite shake in the world (not to mention the most nutritious supplement) -- Shakeology! 

I shall try to post as much as I can to document this. If you would like to join me, please email me at ktmbarn@yahoo.com. 

Sincerely --- me! :)

Faith and Fitness

(Image from: http://settingcaptivesfree.me/2012/01/13/)

I always keep in touch with my family in Manila. Yesterday, I spoke to my mom and she shared that she fasted for "Ash Wednesday." Growing up Catholic this signifies the start of Lent. It is day one of the forty days when Catholics reflect on Jesus' sacrifices and God's ultimate sacrifice of giving His only Son to die on the cross for us to forgive us of our sins.

As a sacrifice on Ash Wednesday, she decided to only have one meal for the day. 

I've had many conversations with the Lord where I always confess my weakness/ challenge or whatever others want to call it. Truthfully, I have been guilty of gluttony! I know it sounds awful! But it is true.  I LOVE food and sometimes cannot get enough of it -- mainly junk food/ sweets/ pastries and anything that has extra calories that I am not supposed to eat. 

Also, in the past, I have asked Him for strength to overcome this weakness of mine. Other times, I have promised to go on a fast that I have broken. I remember going on a fast in 2008 and only had liquids for almost one week until I really could not function anymore and had some solid food to fuel my daily activities.

The other day, I was on (yes) Facebook and a friend's status said "What do I give up for forty days?" 

Well, that got me thinking and I asked myself the same question... Really, what can I give up? What is so meaningful or so tempting to me that it would really be a HUGE challenge to give up but at the same time, a sacrifice I can really offer to God? 

Well, as you can tell in my previous posts... It would be sugar and junk I have weaknesses for!

I thought about it as I know I should not promise anything I cannot keep. But at the same time, I know that if I make it a commitment and am able to follow through, that would mean so much to me and I am confident, to the Big Boss as well.

So, today --- I considered day 1 of 40 days of sacrifice.

To follow me, please click on "Forty Days of Sacrifice" under my page links.

2012 in Pictures

I have not taken many photos of myself this year, because I am a bit disappointed for gaining so much weight! But I will start doing so... Taking more pictures might be a better to watch my progress!

So far, these are what I have (Although I have to admit that I have a few that are for my challenge group -- embarrassing! Might have the courage to post them here, eventually!!)

Watching a Clipper game in January 2012

February 3, 2012 Get-together

I will update this post as the year goes! :) Happy 2012 

2010 My Fittest Year

In 2010, I was diligent with my diet and my fitness routines. Thus, this was my fittest year!!!

Sadly with my own doing, I sort of sabotaged it and gained approximately 10 lbs since then. My own doing... This is why I'm trying to get back in shape. Anyhooo ---

This was my routine:

- Cycling on my road bike 3 to 4 times a week for 1.5 hours each time

- My favorite Beachbody video: Insanity, P90X or Turbo (THE BEST WORKOUT EVER!! Msg me about this if you are interested)

- Jogging 1-2 times a week for 2.5 to 5 miles at a time (did 2 half marathons this year and a 10k + 5k)

- Snowboarding for hours on certain weekends

My intake:

- Mostly 80% vegetarian (I'd say 80% pretty much vegan + 20% dairy -- not milk, but egg whites and fat free cheese)

- Low fat + Low sugar (I was  really conscious about my intake and made sure I did not feed my body too many treats... For instance, I only took a few spoonfuls of the shaved ice in my hand)

- My Shakeology treats (Yummy!!! Ask me more about this if you wish to get some)

Just got done surfing in Hawaii and getting yoga mats for Yoga X (toughest yoga ever!!)

Snowboarding in Mammoth (with my furry slippers - how sexy LOL)

Shoulder injury after surfing in Hawaii (I am not a good swimmer, but tried to tackle surfing -- fun, but now I just stick to Paddle boarding or paddling on a surfboard with my arms)

Dinner with one of my good childhood friends

At a Christmas party with my funny, super loving, healthy and fit inspiration, my husband Bruce

FPA Follow-Up

Its been a few days since I last posted. I know, there goes the accountability part! But hopefully, you (my lovely readers) or whoever is following this will forgive me as I will try to do better.

I was on the road when I started the blog and did not have my handy laptop to help me create it. Unfortunately, the I-pad no matter how much I love it could not upload pictures on the blog. Also, it was somewhat odd because it did not allow me to edit the paragraphs, indentations, etc... So, now that I'm back home, I decided I would try to make it pretty and post pictures.

So, FPA --- Looking through my photo albums, I found a few that are pretty bad, but not my worse... Will try to request some from my mom so I can scan them and share them with you. But I will post as I find them...

For now, here are a few that I was able to salvage:

Disneyland with my beautiful sister -- circa 2009

Hiking by Crystal Cove with small group friends -- circa 2009

An 'artistic shot' (which I hated because of [the size of my face]) at the Laguna Arts Festival -- still 2009.

Again, 2009

My weight fluctuates a lot! I will share more pictures of my transformation and upload pictures taken these days... I think there is about a 15 pound difference from 2009 until today.  Luckily, I'm 5'7 and with a face that doesn't seem to always look puffy when I load myself with my 'inner spiky,' I am able to hide the extra weight. Although, to be honest, whenever I eat so much sugar, I do not only bloat but feel like a marshmallow all the way around (my entire body, especially my face and my belly swells and hurts).

Since then, I've realized many things and come to appreciate my body more (will share more about that later). Admittedly, I still struggle with body image and wish to attain my fitness goals.

Keeping it Real

It's only day 2 and I could not resist the sugar! Contemplated on whether or not to share this sad truth but isn't this the purpose of my blog anyway?! Increase accountability, that is... So, yes I must confess that I have not been 100% on my goal. It is such a struggle right now. At least it feels like it.

I thought that being on vacation in one of the most relaxing places would help me refocus my "inner spiky" desires to something more productive like exercise or reading a book. But man, when it's (right there) its hard to resist! Like many "addictions" ( I dislike using that word as it sounds so negative), sugar is definitely one.

I read an article once that talked about one addiction that is readily available to many, oftentimes the culprit of poor health that can lead to (ummm.....errrrr....) death --- they were referring to yes, sugar. It is so true!!! Imagine all these mouth watering treats as you walk into practically every shop or even on streets... They are FULL of sugar!! 31 grams in a serving which should practically be a day's worth! Gaaahhh!

 Anyway, it's only 1330 hours here. That means, I have another 12 hours to be "good" and stick to my plan of getting rid of my "inner spiky!" Wish me luck!!! Happy Sunday, lovely readers!

F.P.A. = Fat Picture Anxiety

How many times can you think of a time when you did not want someone to take a picture of yourself at a certain angle? Or times when you insist your friend deletes a picture because you look "fat"? If not that, delete and retake? I can think of many times when I did all three! I call it "F.P.A. = Fat Picture Anxiety." 

After being part of a weight loss / getting fit together challenge in January I almost wished I did not have FPA throughout the years. If I just owned up to what reality was, loved and accepted myself in whatever size, shape or form I was; then I would have a bigger smile on my face today. Why? Because I would have a better picture of how far I've come.

I remember being 170 pounds (granted I do have a FEW pictures to prove it) and feeling extremely self conscious of myself. The smile on my face was almost forced because I did not know what to expect when it was time to look at the picture(s). Whenever I saw a fat person, I remember not being able to believe my eyes. Looking back, I should have kept them. I should have changed my perspective and used it to motivate me to do better with my intake and become more diligent with my shimmying (a.k.a. Exercise).

Today at 142 lbs, I could have used those pictures in a positive way. No regrets here. Just improvements I can work on. For one, I will take more pictures to document not only memories of travel or laughter with friends and family, but my progress towards a healthier me. I should say, I had to take the plunge in January and take awful pictures in my "sexy" outfit (of course, sarcastically speaking). I was horrified!!!

However, those pictures helped motivate me to do what I can to look and feel better. Result? 4 lbs down after challenge 1. p.s. will post pictures when I get a hold of my computer

My Fitting Title

Toss the Sugar
My Lovely Readers
Wherever you are in this blessed world

Dear Lovely,

In 2003, I was about 170 lbs --- my heaviest! In 2010, I was at my lightest at 130 lbs. Today, my weight fluctuates from 140 to 145 lbs. My last weigh in was 2/13/12 and the scale yelled "142 lbs!" I am definitely healthier and stronger than I was, but I finally decided to document each step I take towards my fittest self.

One of my biggest temptations a.k.a. SUGAR which I will refer to as my "inner spiky" needs to be put in its place. Right now that means in the trash. January was great! I lost 4 pounds through a challenge group, supportive/ positive online friends and my favorite products (more on that later).

Accountability was an essential component. Thus, I decided to start www.tossthesugar.blogspot.com. With the hopes of reaching my fitness goals by writing about my struggles, triumphs and anything in between (favorite products/tools) I also hope to help encourage and share with others as they try to do the same.

So if you have any questions about anything I've shared about, please feel free to send me a message. It would be a pleasure to help you as we both work our way closer to our goals!

Sincerely yours,
KTV120