Maintain your weight and be a rising STAR *

Yello! I survived Girl’s Camp…barely. It was Wednesday through Saturday about an hour away in the mountains. The first day was super cold. I had on 5 layers and my winter coat (: I didn’t sleep much any of the nights and we were busy having fun every day. It was probably the best camp I’ve been to. Very well thought out, inspirational, and fun. Everything went smoothly with meals, activities, and everyone getting along. I ate pretty well. We did have the most amazing food so I had to splurge a bit. I got up early 2 of the mornings and did yoga and pilates (: Not my usual, but it was good considering my lack of energy. I was drained on all levels. Good to be there and good to be home! Here are two pics. One of my wonderful leader friends and the other with my besty and our daughters!

Today is Monday! I’ve been thinking about my lack of stick-to-it-ness on my goals. I need to make better goals AND be happier with my body! I have perfectionist tendencies, which isn’t all bad. I love a challenge and thrive on goal setting. Now that my 8 week challenge is nearing an end, I need to reevaluate my plan. Here is my realistic MAINTAIN YOUR WEIGHT plan (: I say maintain although in the back of my mind I still want to increase muscle tone and lower body fat. With the way I work out and eat, I’m sure I can do BOTH! (I did say realistic, right?)

Clean eating 6 days a week. (This is my weakness)
4 hour eat whatever I want window one day a week. This will be Sunday.
No eating past 8:30 p.m.
Workouts 6 days a week. At least 3 days of heavy lifting and 3 days of fast running. (This is my strength)

I’m going to work on this for the rest of summer, even when my little sis is in town! Next on my bucket list (I just thought of this today) is to send in a photo of me to Oxygen Magazine under the future of fitness section. Let me explain! I was looking through my favorite magazine today and reading through this section. Most of the girls are my size. They feature 4 girls in the back of the magazine and a little blurb on each of them explaining why they are fit and advice etc. I don’t want to be famous or anything, but I think it might be a FUN challenge. I’m 40 and this would add to my year of firsts! Boston marathon, Ragnar, and Oxygen magazine (: One of my clients is a great photographer. I’ll get a photo shoot from her! To prepare for the event, I want to do a 12 week super strict plan starting in August. This is very much in the initial idea phase. Details will follow.

Back to MAINTAINING WEIGHT! I’m big on weight loss, but I think maintaining weight is just as important. I’ve kept my weight (minus 5 pregnancies) within 10 pounds of my weight in high school. I must be doing something right or I have really good genes. I don’t believe the genes thing! I do LOVE exercise, which helps! Here is my simple ADVICE:

Weigh yourself weekly! If your clothes get tight and your weight is going up, STOP what you are doing and evaluate your EATING habits. Exercise habits are second. Cut portion size and eliminate white flour and white sugar.

Don’t go off the wagon for long! I’m notorious for messing up my healthy diet plan, BUT I never do it for long. At the most, I have 1-2 weeks of crappy eating and I NEVER slack on exercise unless I’m sick.

Be conscious of what you eat or write it down! Think about what you eat. Never go too long without eating or you’ll most likely make an unhealthy food choice. Writing it down cuts calories drastically.

Never give up! Don’t talk yourself out of being healthy. Of course everyone has limitations, but make it a priority. Don’t say I’m too old, I’ve had too many kids, I work, I’m a stay at home Mom, I have a broken leg…you get it. You can do it! 🙂

I could ramble about this for awhile, but I think these 4 are the most important. This is what I do. Make it fun. Be creative. Find a friend. I’ll end now!

I haven’t posted a SUNDAY shot for awhile. My cutie middlest child needed a pic. with me! Dress is Boden. I love summer!