Y’all two weeks out of the gym is like a year in my world. My plan was to start back Monday but with my husband being home for two extra days more then planned I just couldn’t make myself wake up at 5:30am and disturb his morning sleeping-in time.
Well he went back to work today so as I heard the alarm blaring at 5:30am this morning and the sound of him turning on his night stand lamp as I grumbled and threw the fluffy heavy covers over my head to shield my eyes from what seemed like the bright lights from a choo- choo train 🚂 blinding my pupils through my closed eye lids, I thought Just Do It. It’s not going to be fun, but come lunch time you are going to regret not just starting back today.
I literally told myself, “FINE!” In about a 4 year olds tune!
So I did it…….. and I almost died! 😝
Just kidding not really anywhere near close to actual death, but my legs felt like I could barely keep them under my body in a forward walking position out the gym door, my face hurt from all the blood rush, and my gym clothes and hair were a hot sweaty mess! I guess that’s what you call a killer good work out.
Discipline, it’s never fun in the beginning but the fruit that comes from your hard labor is very juicy sweet and rewarding! 🍉
I have been off a diet for about two months and surprisingly didn’t gain any pounds on the scale. After a hardcore 16 weeks of BBGs and a high protein, high fat, low carb diet, I have to be honest I’m so completely over even thinking about jumping on a diet band wagon.
I decided at 11pm last night I was going to stop chasing vanity over my body, stop making it an idol and just work out because it’s healthy for my body, work out because it reduces stress, and work out because well I just feel better on the inside. I won’t hop on a diet, I will however try and train my mind and appetite to crave God made foods!
I use the word “training” because it allows myself self grace for the days when I don’t practice self control and consume processed foods.
I was going to start back Monday, but meh, it’s so hard to buy into putting it off a few days when I can just start today!
So here is to day one of almost dying and being conscious of the foods going in to energize me!
Do you like it diet? Have you come to a place in your life where your just so over doing the same thing and going around the same mountain time and again?
Well the count down begins! I have 25 days until my 30th Birthday!
Do you remember my FLEX IT FRIDAY post with my before picture? You can read the Flex it Friday post HERE! I was weighing in at 137 lbs, I am now currently down to 132 lbs. That puts me 5 pounds lighter.
I fell off my 14 week accountability tracker. Whoops! It happens. But I have been sticking with a cardio regimen 3-4 days a week with my weight lifting, which I did share one of my treadmill 500 calorie busting work outs that you can find HERE!
I also was sick a good three weeks due to a bad experience with some prescription antibiotics I was taking for acne! 😦 If you missed that miserable story it’s right here. I seriously didn’t eat much for a full week. NOT COOL!
I am still not as lean as I was hoping to be, but I do have a few more weeks to go! I am happy to report that I didn’t gain anymore weight or slack off to the point of losing all control of myself! Yea for that!
It is time to post another flexing photo (sigh) to let you know I am still fighting hard to reach my goal!
I guess I could have taken the five seconds to clean the mirror, but this is real life people, and I do have 4 children! LOL As you can tell by the traffic light toothbrush in the picture, and all the water marks on the mirror! (I will miss dirty bathroom mirrors when they are grown, I just know it!)
I have learned that no matter how much support or encouragement I get from others, I HAVE TO BELIEVE IN MYSELF, and so do you! Your weight loss journey is yours to take control of. Be Crazy! Think Crazy! Just don’t lose faith in what you are capable of doing!
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength! Philippians 4:13
What’s your favorite cardio exercise?
xOxO
Leigh Leigh
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So I decided to take some “Flexing Selfies” so my readers would know that I do actually go to the Gym 4-5 times a week and lift weights with my oh so attractive Husband! :0)~
I have to admit…flexing selfies…make you feel funny when you share with the world!…..No? Not you?…okay just ME then!
I have no clue what is going on with the flash and my hand up there by the way!
I took this photo about 2 weeks ago. I remember because my kids saw me trying to get it to fit on to my instagram and made fun of me! Apparently to teenagers, I am lame! Ha They never made it to instagram though, for the record! ( I am pretty sure it was because they laughed out loud at me.. oh my …and I am actually going to post them here instead!!…gulp!)
These past two months I sort of ran into a little funk and stopped my cardio! GASP! I even got lazy and stopped paying close attention to the foods I was eating. I know, this is BAD, and I do not encourage it at all! But the truth is, I am a Mom, I have 4 children, and I work, even if it is only part time! AND ITS COLD OUTSIDE!!!!!! AND I LOVE Chocolate, PIZZA, and COOKIES!!
But it’s time to get off the Excuses train and back onto Self Control Express!
I took this picture because it is going to be considered my “before” picture. Even though I could care less about the scale..I am currently weighing in at 137lbs, I am 5 foot 6inches.
I have 14 weeks until my big 3 0 Birthday gets here! My goal is to turn 30 looking and feeling better then I did in my 20s.
I have created a little 14 weeks accountability chart to fill out at home. It is nothing fancy. I made it on a word processor on my notebook. I am logging my meals, my works outs, and my cardio. I am trying to stick to clean eating with the exception of a cheat not clean meal once a week, if I desire. I am looking to get a minimum of 5 (FAST) miles of running in each week, as well as hitting the weights 4-5 nights a week. My prayer is that I have enough strength to not give up, but give it my all for these 14 weeks! I think by making this an official blog post it gives me some accountability! We all need a little accountability in our lives!
I would like to finish this feeling healthier, stronger, faster (improve my mile time in the cardio department), and appear to look leaner-dropping body fat.
If you would like to journey along side of me, follow Leigh Leigh Speaks on Facebook. Click HERE! We can encourage each other!
Monday equals fresh start to the week! If you jumped off the band wagon over the weekend why not start back today?
I have learned that when I stop doing what I am suppose to be doing to keep my body in check doubt creeps in my mind! When I am busy keeping up with my running and my work outs, there is no room for doubt!
The more you do something, the easier it gets. The less you do something, the harder it gets!
Have you heard that Strong is the new Sexy!? So now days you can’t even look like you just need to go eat a cheese burger anymore, you have to be buff and stacked, because strong is the new skinny! TALK ABOUT PRESSURE TO THE EGO!
Approximately 91% of women are unhappy with their bodies and resort to dieting to achieve their ideal body shape. Unfortunately, only 5% of women naturally possess the body type often portrayed by Americans in the media. Information taken from http://www.dosomething.org Check out their 11 facts about body image HERE!
Over 60 percent of U.S. adult women are overweight, according to 2007 estimates from the National Center for Health Statistics of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Just over one-third of overweight adult women are obese. Information taken from http://www.womenshealth.gov
As a Christian woman I believe in Spiritual Warfare and how the enemy’s number one goal is to make sure we never know the truth about how God sees us. For one we are created in His image, and two He doesn’t judge our outward appearance, but our hearts! We were not created for some one else’s eye candy enjoyment. We should not have to live our lives revolved around harsh words spoken about our selves from our own selves, or others, or to be at war with everything we put in our mouths!
image found on pinterest
These bodies we have now will age and wither away like the flowers, but our souls will live for eternity.
It is hard to keep this perspective in mind when we are force feed nothing but images of I am assuming the 5% of our populations women, or some very good air brushing skills! ( Might I add, ever notice how all these beauty magazines are RIGHT by the Impulse JUNK FOOD! GASP!!- A true nightmare for any emotional eaters!)
And what is it with the NEW SEXY!!? Since when did the beautiful healthy design God created our bodies to be for his glory be used and cheapened in todays society as market tools to make a buck with labels such as HOTT and SEXY? I do believe God created our bodies to be Beautiful, Strong and Healthy! Sexy? Well I believe that is where the opinion of your spouse comes in!
Let’s take the focus off of being SEXY and focus on being HEALTHY, FREE from self condemnation, and WHOLE, made right by Christ!
Let’s not just be Healthy as in physical health, but also our spiritual and emotional health as well.
It is not SEXY or HEALTHY to have what society calls the perfect body if you are trapped inside your own hell you have created in your mind of striving for perfection, self love, and self acceptance, and never obtaining it. Never looking or feeling good enough for your own standards. Not to mention over exhausting your physical abilities, or creating unhealthy eating disorders!
Eating disorders, depression, substance abuse, and early sexual activity in adolescents spawn from poor self body image that is linked to self esteem.
I am not saying it is not okay to find some motivational pictures to help encourage you to lose weight or gain size, however as long as you are totally aware that the picture of them and their body is a direct result of a long hard road of hard work, and dedication they spent on themselves. Don’t expect to achieve that with out doing what they did to get that, unless of course they are the 5% of the population. 😉 Your results may not look the same. There is thing called genetics, and so you may just not have the genes to shape your body exactly like theirs, and that is okay!
Why?
Because you are special and unique, fearfully, and wonderfully made! Who wants to have the same exact everything as someone else on this planet? I know I for one do not! It wastes the beauty that was made on me when I was created in His image. It wastes the beauty that was made on you when you were created as well!
Your body was created in God’s very own image.
Back to the spiritual warfare: So how can we beat Satan at his own game? See I just recently learned that when Satan whispers things to us they are only half true. It is masked with sort of truth, but then there is the ugly lie.
The World wants us to see other women who are strong, athletic, and lean, as nothing more then hot SEX symbols, and that our self worth, value, and happiness is all rolled into looking and feeling SEXY, but God want’s us to be healthy and strong so that we can have longevity to live out his works he has planned for our lives. He wants us to get our self worth, value, self love, happiness from Him and his love for us!
How can we continue to live out our calling and stay healthy, if we are constantly staying still and stagnant while consuming fake food, processed junk food, and load of sugary drinks? This makes us feel like junk ourselves! You have to get moving and you have to start making better, cleaner eating choices!
Stop pursuing vanity and start pursuing health and wellness and growing in your faith. What is the bonus? A more alert, energized, revitalized, strong, healthy, loving, and fit you!
1 Timothy 4:8 For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
You can be the most beautiful woman in the world, but if your inside is full of junk, lies, jealousy, envy, hate, bitterness you are not beautiful at all!
God sees our hearts! He is constantly looking at the hearts of people searching back and forth across the whole earth, looking for people whose hearts are perfect toward him, so that he can show his great power in helping them (2 Chronicles 16:9 TLB). Notice I didn’t say he is searching the earth looking for the most attractive, slim, skinny, buff, hunky, beefy, stacked humans to carry out his work.
image found on pinterest
Change your perspective and your motives that are the driving force of your desire to change your weight or you body image, and you will see something beautiful happen! Self love, and Self acceptance.
image found at word-picture.org
You ARE BEAUTIFUL AND…
image found on pinterest
Drown out the lies of the world and Satan with some LOUD music…..while you are out running or getting your work out on!
I work out, I run, I watch what I eat (for the most part), and I take lots of gym selfies and bathroom selfies of my body. (Vain I know right?)
I put in the work and then a month later I reflect on the changes. Did my arms get more toned? Muscle growth in my legs? The proof is in the picture remember? Check out that blog post here… Proof is in the Picture!
I am wired to think that I have to put in, put in, put in to gain my rewards. Maybe your thing isn’t working out. Maybe you love to crochet, or paint, or sew, or fish, or hunt, or bargain shop!
You still have to put in, put in, put in the time and the energy and effort, the “work” to gain a finished blanket, beautiful painted canvas, that deer rack for your wall, lots of money saved on clothes, etc. To get what you want you have to work really hard for it!
That’s why my flesh has a hard time believing that I can’t work my way up on God’s good girl list. I can’t earn his love, mercy, grace, favor, etc.. The truth is he will never love me more then he does in this very instant. I can’t even earn salvation. Salvation is a free giftthat God gives us because he just loves us and wants us to have a life of victory!
Ephesians 2:9
image found on pinterest
Don’t let the stress and pressure of pursuing a new you this New Years take your mind and attention off the one thing that truly matters the most, your SALVATION. The best part is, it’s free! All you have to do is acknowledge that you are a sinner in need of a savor, believe Jesus Christ paid the price for your sins when he died on the cross and then rose again, ask for forgiveness and then repent, turn away from your sinful ways. Invite Jesus into your heart to be the Lord and Savior of your life. There will be an eternal inheritance awaiting those who follow Jesus.
If you have never said a prayer of salvation but are now being lead to you can say this little prayer below out loud.
“Dear God I know I’m a sinner, I know I am not where I want to be, and I want your forgiveness! I believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for my sins. Please wash me clean from all sin, shame, and guilt, come into my heart Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. I ask this in your name Jesus. Amen!”
John 3:16 For God so loved the world he gave his one and only begotten son that who shall ever believe in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 10:9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.
All you have to do is believe it and by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, you will be saved!
If you said this simple prayer and by faith believe it, you friend are now a child of God forever and my fellow sister or brother in Christ! It’s that simple!
Now continue 2015 getting to know more about God, His son Jesus, and his Holy Spirit! The bible has several translations, find one that helps you understand the text the best. (I like the NLT version myself.)
Although they taste Delicious…Mostly… They are NOT GOOD FOR YOU!
Stay away from EMPTY CALORIES!!!!!
Empty calorie foods and drinks are foods and drinks that contain high calories with little or NO nutrients at all. They are made up out of processed carbs, ethanol (alcohol), loads of sugar, bad fats and oil! Sodas, cakes, cookies, chips, candy, pastries, processed sugar snacks, alcohol beverages, some condiments like syrups, mayonnaise sports drinks, punches, whole milk, frozen milk, fast food, crackers, frozen foods, microwave popcorn, etc.. There are also empty calorie foods that do have amounts of nutrients in them, but the number of empty calories is so high that it doesn’t make it any healthier for you. This would be your ground beefs, fried chicken, etc.
Especially if you are active and you are trying to count calories, you want to avoid these empty calories as your body is craving nutrients not just food to fill you up! I have been learning this the hard way. This happens to be the reason why I have been researching on the matter. I am so hungry in between meals that I am grabbing empty calories thinking that the calories count toward my total for the day, meanwhile I am not satisfied because I am still starving!
Instead of empty calories snacks aka junk food, I will be carrying around protein packed almonds and string cheese.
You don’t have to swear off empty calorie foods for life, just be smart and eat and drink in moderation. Obviously if your daily diet just contains empty calorie foods you are never going to drop those pounds you are wanting to!
Make sure you are drinking plenty of water, making healthy eating choices, and finding ways to stay active!
Summer Friday’s have this Busy Momma on the Go, Go, Go! This happens to create some serious #hairstruggles post morning work out. As you can imagine after a hour of Zumba followed by another 30 minuets of a shoulder lifting my hair is a sweaty drenched mess.
A shower is a MUST!
Being that my Friday’s have been crazy busy these past couple of weeks, running madly outside of my home on various errands, leaves me a very small window of time to grab a quick shower. Yes, the wet hair slicked back in a pony or bun can come in handy, but I have found a super easy way to create Beach Wave locks, in minuets!! (quick shower included)
I have to share this picture with you so you can see just how STRAIGHT my hair is. I have very fine hair and volume just does not come natural for me, even with color on my hair! Go, Figure!
This would probably be a good time to post a picture of my sweaty post work out hair, but I will spare you for today! 😉
Here is my hair after a quick shower. Check that volume out! You would have never guessed that I was a sweaty mess just 30 minuets prior to this photo!
Get the Look
Now here comes my favorite drug store find of the season………………….Walgreens!
I have tried several sea salt sprays to get this look with much disappointment.
I LOVE this spray!
Wash your hair , towel dry, then comb out any tangles.
Pick out something fabulous to wear and get dressed.
Go ahead and apply your favorite bronzer, blush, eye shadow, mascara, eye liner, and lip gloss. (If you desire!)
Shake your TXT IT spray and spray all over your tresses. Starting from the bottom of your hair, start scrunching your locks from the bottom to the roots. (As much hair as you can hold in your hand.) Squeeze a handful of hair and release. Repeat until all of your hair has been hand scrunched.
*Feel free to spray in more spray and scrunch some more until desired look is reached.
Now to my favorite part:
Let it air dry and Go!
You will notice that the bottle says “All day (un)dressed Look. If you are going for something more put together, then I suggest skipping the spray, blow dry out, and roll with wand.
Remember we are in a hurry and on the go, that’s why we are opting for the messy beach waves look!
L’Oreal Paris did not give or ask me to review this product. This review is strictly of my own personal opinion.
How do you achieve quick beach waves? I would love to learn other ways as well! Comment below please!
xOxO
-Leigh Leigh
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Well it’s Friday and we have all survived another work week! YEA! I love Friday mornings because I get to hook up with a few girl friends to get our SWEAT on in Z U M B A class! (Missed you Jamie and Amy) I guess I just had a hunch this morning when I woke up that this class was going to make me sweat my tail off. I had to pull out my I don’t Sweat I SPARKLE tank top!
The class was pretty intense today! We had a fill in Zumba instructor and she kept our heart rate sky high what felt like the whole hour. By the end of class we were a hot sweaty mess! This was definitely a day where I was glad that I had my facial cleanser wipes on hand in my gym bag! I ended my work out session alone working my back and shoulders.
#FLEXITFRIDAY PICTURE
I had to hurry back to my home town to pick up my kids from school! LAST DAY of school for the 2013-2014 school year. Where does the time go? We loaded the car with gasoline and headed to take my step kids to their Mother’s for Summer break!
On the drive home we went through a rain storm, nothing serious, and I ended the day right with a yummy delicious fresh oriental salad at Applebee’s.
It was a crazy busy day, but I enjoyed every minuet of it!
So, you have made up your mind, you are going to get your priorities straight and start living a more healthier life style for yourself! Awesome, and good job for you!
The only problem is you are FREAKED OUT OF YOUR MIND about joining a new gym and the thought of working out alone makes you want to hyperventilate!!!! This scary fear is really pulling you down and keeping you from pushing through and taking the plunge into progress of a firmer, leaner, slimmer, healthier body!
I promise you are not alone in this fear! It is a very common fear to have because there are millions of women and men out there that are afraid to work out alone in a new Gym. Let’s face it all those machines, dumb bells, bars, plates, bands, balls, benches, ellipticals, treadmills, row machines, and don’t forget all the buff people, are justflat out intimidating! They are afraid they are going to look stupid trying something they are not completely confident is the correct technical way or form. They are super self conscious of their bodies and feel like they will be judged and made fun of by all the “professional gym rats” that pretty much should just take up residence there.
If this is you and you are really struggling with this let me give you some tips to help bust down that wall of Fear! First thing is first take a DEEP Breath and read on to discover my tips on how to Conquer your Gym Fear!
8 Ways to Conqueror Gym-Phobia
Recruit a friend! Everyone really needs an accountability partner and a little healthy competition. She or He will push you to go on the days you feel lazy and would rather stay at home on the couch. She or He will encourage you and support you. Together you can work towards your goals. Make a competition to see who can run the fastest, lift the heaviest, lose the most inches. Just have fun together!
Hire a Personal Trainer! If you don’t have that close buddy that you can invite to the gym with you, then I would suggest that you hire a Personal Trainer. I know they can get pricey and you may be on a tight budget so don’t think you have to always have a PT. You could just hire one to help you create a work out regimen and teach you the fundamentals, and how to use the equipment correctly, etc. Then, when you feel comfortable enough to fly on your own, you can just discontinue their services.
Take a class! I go to the YMCA and they offer a variety of cardio and resistance training classes. My favorite classes at the moment are Zumba and Body Vive.
Let the internet be your guide! Go to http://www.bodybuilding.com to search for awesome work outs you can emulate on your own. You can also watch people demonstrate how to use the circuit machines/equipment correctly online.
Skip the free weights! Until you become comfortable with using free weights, take advantage of the machines that work out indivudual body parts. These machines will actually help protect you more from lifting injuries.
MUSIC! Download your favorite “pumped up” tunes to create the perfect playlist, and bring some good quality headphones to help you zone in and drowned out the crowd.
Make new friends! Be friendly and engage in conversation with other ladies at the gym. Make friends and schedule your work outs around the same time of day so that you can grow friendships and eventually end up with a new best friend and an awesome gym partner!
DO IT AFRAID!! That is right, I said it, “Do it afraid!” The more you go, the more comfortable you will feel and that fear of going will soon turn into excitement and joy! Working out Makes your feel happy, it boost your energy levels, and it spikes your self confidence. Friend there is nothing scary about those things! 😉
About 80% of my work outs are with my husband, 10% with my girlfriends, and 10% by myself. Working out with my husband has given me the confidence to work out alone. I know our routines and I know how to use all the equipment if he isn’t able to work out with me.
I love working out with my husband don’t get me wrong, but I also really love to just put my loud music on and go, go, go. No talking, just the sound of the music and my heart beating fast. It is a hour away from the reality of whatever is going on that day, it’s just me and the metal! It is GREAT!
I also want to give you hope with this verse from 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
God wants to be included in all areas of our lives, even working out. He doesn’t want us to ever feel fear or be held back because of it. James 4 tells us that you have not because you ask not. I truly believe that when we let God into ALL areas of our lives this is a free invitation to ask him for help with ANYTHING! Say a little prayer before you go asking him to remove all fear and anxiety from your mind. Mediate on the words of 2 Timothy 1:7 over and over again.
You are brave, not afraid. In your weakness you are made strong in Christ.
I can’t wait to hear all about your first day at your new gym!!
