Week 7 …

Well here it is Monday March 8^th – the 7^th week of the 2010 Trim to Win Contest. We’ve got just another 5 weeks ahead of us before the weigh out is scheduled to happen. Where will I be then? Who knows, all I know now is where I am now … and I am indeed proud!

I have changed my thoughts about foods that I can and should eat, I have learned to make healthier choices when I want foods that may not be the best, and I have discovered a whole new passion for actually getting off the couch and actively participating in an exercise program. It has quickly become easier to get down on the floor and play with my kids. Most importantly I feel better about myself, I have cut my caffeine consumption (not completely) I sleep better, and I am most definitely drinking the water my body has been begging me for, for quite some time now.

My exercise regime is not one that a typical athlete would consider even moderately difficult, but for me it is still somewhat difficult and it is rewarding to see that when I work hard, push or challenge myself I see results. According to a weigh in this morning here at home I am about 12 pounds down at this point in time. This is absolutely amazing to me because I think it was just Thursday of last week that I finally saw the 10 pound mark on the scale at the AT&T Sports Complex.

Prior to last Thursday I felt kind of “stuck” at the 7 to 8 pound, mark, but people, were telling me that they saw differences in my face, rear end, etc… That to me quickly became more important that the results I was seeing on the scale. For almost 2 solid weeks I didn’t see any difference in the scale and I admit it was getting frustrating. I was starting to think things like why am I doing all this, its not doing anything for me. Thankfully I had (still have) an awesome support system. My husband and personal trainer have been there for me through the good, the bad, and the ugly of this endeavor. They work hard to pick me up when I start to get down on myself and say, “I can’t”

I have been constantly challenged over the last 7 weeks. To push myself further than I ever thought I could go. The secret to my success has been to slowly increase and now my endurance is thanking me because instead of thinking I have 20 minutes more I think You have 10 minutes down and only 20 more to go – then 15 minutes down and only 15 to go, or of course you can do it you are already half-way there. Without someone there to encourage me, challenge me, and help me see that indeed I could do more and more I know I would have failed by now. Instead I have now worn clothing that I once wore before I was pregnant with my first daughter. I have been complimented several times – and often times when I was not even expecting or looking for it, I feel better over all, and I know I am working towards my goals, even it is going a bit slower than I would like it to. I have quickly figured out that I didn’t become so overweight overnight – so I am not going to loose it that quickly either. My advice to all of you is to look for that support system, it can be family, and friends, a personal trainer or just someone at the gym you see it working hard too. I have actually met a couple of ladies at the gym who have inspired me by the level of work that I see them doing and the way that they talk about how far they have come. Challenge yourself to go further than you may have, previously, ever thought possible – You will amaze yourself and others too.

Continued best wishes from us to all of you – Looking forward to seeing the results in 5 weeks, but also hoping that just because the contest ends that it doesn’t mean that the new habits will end too.

Until Next Time,

Amber